Tekton ratchet modification

[Raineman]

Another member here (BTJHP) posted a picture of a 3/8” drive, Tekton swivel head, HARD HANDLE ratchet. I love hard handle ratchets and screwdrivers so I immediately sent him a pm and asked where he got it because it certainly wasn’t on their website.

Over a few messages he gave me instructions, I jumped on Tekton’s website for their double reward points Black Friday promotion, and off to the races I went.

Here is what I started with. 1491 ratchet and DMS15000 6-in-1 driver handle.

 

[Raineman]

First thing I did was boil a pot of water. Then I placed the ratchet handle end in the hot (NOT still boiling) water and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Using a rubber oven mitt I took it out, grabbed the handle with a towel and began to pull, working the handle off the ratchet. It has to come straight off, it will not twist off.

Once I broke it loose I had to reheat the water and soak it again. If you do it, please make sure you protect your hands, that sucker gets HOT. Let it cool when done.

 

[Raineman]

Next step is to grind off the raised metal on the sides of the ratchet handle end. These raised sections are what the original handle slides on to. Need to get rid of them.

I even took a little more off so I created a little flat spot, thinking the epoxy I was going to use on the replacement handle would have a tiny area to grab.

Now the ratchet is ready and its time to prep the new handle.

 

[Raineman]

Stick the 6-in-1 handle in a vise with a rag to protect the finish and grab some WD40. The insert needs to be drilled out. I used 4 stages of drill bits from 7/16” to 31/64”. 31/64” is where you want to get to.

Place your first bit along side the ratchet and mark your depth with painters tape so you don’t drill too deep and end up with a hole in the end of the handle, don’t want that. The other 3 bits I just layed next to the first one and marked them with a Sharpie.

Dump the handle out after each stage and spray down the insert again before drilling next stage. Let it cool between stages. Once you get the 31/64 drilled, work that bit in and out a good bit to really size it. I used the slow speed setting on my cordless.

Warning: Once the bits get through the metal insert and into the plastic, they want to take off, so make sure you pay attention to your depth marks.

 

[Raineman]

Clean up all your metal shavings. Spray out the handle with brake cleaner and blow it out with air, do this a couple times to get it free from WD40 (or whatever drilling oil you use) and dry.

Open the vise just enough to let the ratchet head frame sit on the jaws. This is going to take all the force you are about to punish it with.

Get your big rubber mallet ready and a I got a little 2lb. drilling hammer just in case.

Mix up some JBWeld apply it to the flattened sides that were ground off and the end of the ratchet where it is dimpled and tapered.

Slide the handle on, GET IT LINED UP WHERE YOU WANT IT, and proceed to beat the snot out of it, driving the handle onto the ratchet. Once it gets fully seated, clean off the excess JBWeld and enjoy your custom ratchet.

 

[Raineman]

End result

 

[Raineman]

I have to say, I’m extremely impressed with the strength of the 6-in-1 handle. I had to use the little sledgehammer to get the handle completely on, probably a full inch of straight metal to plastic abuse. This handle is NOT coming off.

Big thanks to BTJHP for the inspiration and instructions.

It took me longer to type up this thread than it did to do the entire job.

 

[X1 Mike]

Looks good, I'm a big fan of custom handles.

 

[BTJHP]

Looks good. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my 1/4" drive TST ratchet. I'm not a big fan of the safety green but the handle size is much more proportionate on this one so I'm fine with leaving it on. It's TPR and PP so I can't dye it. I really just want to change the color but don't have a solution yet.

 

[Raineman]

Ordering a 1/4” swivel and going to try to figure out a hard handle option. We’ll figure it out.
Wish I had a metal lathe to butcher up some other ratchet styles. Might have to gut some hard handle screwdrivers of various make.

I’m sure Tekton could do it easier and faster than I will.

Hey Tekton, you watching?

 

[Shootinok]

love that 3/8” you made.
I made a couple of the 1/4” swivels from competitors models with husky screwdriver handles I got for .75€ on HJE day.
I have a full set of the Tekton red handles and absolutely love them. I would definitely like a hard handle ratchet with that handle, but not enough to give up one of my screwdrivers for… yet.

 

[Raineman]

I’m thinking of ordering a set to try things with.
I contacted Tekton with the idea of hard handle ratchets and sent them pictures, giving credit to the originator BJHTP, and asked them to consider hard handles on all their ratchet options.

 

[BTJHP]

Tekton would have to get Tiee Sheng to make them somehow. Unfortunately the ratchets are made in Taiwan and the handles are made in the USA so I don't see it happening. As much as I prefer the Tekton or Powerbuilt red over the Pittsburgh green I can't justify paying 2x for the Tekton 1/4". I also have to wait until my screwdriver tips are chewed up to use one of the handles since I can't bring myself to destroy a perfectly good screwdriver to mod an $8 ratchet.

 

[BTJHP]

BTW the ratchets are also available branded as Powerbuilt, Infar/Geartech, TopTul, etc. I like the double sided ones with the 1/4 hex bit holder. Really the big downside with this ratchet is it's non-repairable so if it locks up or breaks it's toast, although you can replace the entire head. Back drag is a little high on the 3/8" too.

 

[1foxracing]

Deen offers hard handle roto head ratchets, they come in different lengths as well.

 

[Raineman]

I've contacted them, they have responded to keep an eye out for something like it. I really would like standard and flex head ratchets like this. I'm not a fan of the swivel heads, but apparently this is the only one that is an easy modification. As a matter of fact, this is the only swivel head ratchet I own, and I have a fair amount of ratchets.

 

[will335i]

If the Tekton hard handles are a similar material to the Snap-on ones you can skip a couple of the steps. You can leave the "wings" on the ratchet shaft and skip the JB weld. The wings will cut into the handle as you drive it on helping to lock it into place. I have done a couple soft handle to hard handle conversions on my Snap-on ratchets this way. It will save you some time and make it easier to replace the handle if it gets beat up.

 

[BTJHP]

The handle has a metal insert so the tabs on the ratchet must be ground down. I suppose the insert could be removed but I think it's better to leave it.

 

[BTJHP]

Raineman if you are able to get your Tekton 1/4 handle off in good condition I'm interested in it.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Nice work. However, I don’t need any more projects.

 

[will335i]

Sorry, how I read it, you were completely removing the metal insert. In that case I would consider taping the insert and cutting threads on ratchet shaft.

 

[designer485]

Has anyone attempted to pull a shank from one of the hard handle screwdrivers? I know they are over molded in production, but it may be worth a shot for the variety of sizes available.

 

[BTJHP]

I haven't pulled a shank on one of the screwdrivers. Some day when my P1 is no longer useful I will. The only problem with my Tekton P1 is the red is darker than any other of my Tekton hard handles. In the meantime, I'll have to settle for the Tekton 6 in 1 handle, although it's a little big for the 1/4" ratchet, but fits my hand well.

 

[gearhead1]

Nice work! I’m a fan of hard handles also.

 

[Raineman]

I haven't pulled a shank on one of the screwdrivers. Some day when my P1 is no longer useful I will. The only problem with my Tekton P1 is the red is darker than any other of my Tekton hard handles. In the meantime, I'll have to settle for the Tekton 6 in 1 handle, although it's a little big for the 1/4" ratchet, but fits my hand well.

I've been trying to figure out what screwdriver I should order when I order the 1/4" ratchet. I'm okay with ripping apart a new one to try it, but not sure what size to get. That 6-in-1 does look too big for that, I agree.

 

[powertrip]

Did the same thing with the Craftsman pro handles a few years ago. These are the HF version of these ratchets.

 

[javyLSU]

Haha, I did the same thing with a Pittsburgh Pro ratchet not too long ago. I just wanted a bigger comfort grip:

 

[toolmutt]

I did this one a few years ago.

 

[BTJHP]

I've been trying to figure out what screwdriver I should order when I order the 1/4" ratchet. I'm okay with ripping apart a new one to try it, but not sure what size to get. That 6-in-1 does look too big for that, I agree.

It's big, but it's not Wiha 6-in-1 big. It fits any 6 in 1 handle so I may go with a smaller handle.

 

[Mr_B]

Deen offers hard handle roto head ratchets, they come in different lengths as well.

The long handles are nice option, i like the hex on shaft and fact ratchet head can be dismantled easily .
Fairly reasonable priced, handle pretty much old snapon hard handle inspiration but overall well implemented .

 

[Raineman]

Bumping this fossil topic up (thread revival) because I have some more experimenting this weekend and I'll post them up here. I'm either gonna have some cool ratchets, or a pile of useless parts.

 

[stonesfan68]

There's a whole thread with custom handled ratchets.

Show off your "Custom Handled Ratchet

 

[four.cycle]

very cool, Raineman... I had one of those red-soft-handled Tektons but hated the handle and shipped it to a member about a year ago.
I have the all-metal version of that swivel-head with a steel handle.

 

[alinc100]

If the drilling is ever an issue,I'd bet these could be chucked up in a 4-jaw lathe chuck...jus' sayin'

 

[BTJHP]

Nice to see this thread bumped. My 1/4" long handled custom ratchet in post #23 is still one of my go-to ratchets. It's nice to be able to break bolts loose and then swivel the head to spin them out when there's not enough friction for the ratchet to ratchet.

Too bad HF stopped honoring the coupon. I have a supply of replacement ratchet heads though and they are fairly strong. I think they were $8 after coupon.

 

[Raineman]

There's a whole thread with custom handled ratchets.

Show off your "Custom Handled Ratchet

I am aware of that one, however I started this thread to be more of a tutorial.

very cool, Raineman... I had one of those red-soft-handled Tektons but hated the handle and shipped it to a member about a year ago.
I have the all-metal version of that swivel-head with a steel handle.

We agree. I can't stand them, and why I'm changing them (besides it just being fun). I also cannot stand the "comfort grips" on various manufacturer's offerings.

If the drilling is ever an issue,I'd bet these could be chucked up in a 4-jaw lathe chuck...jus' sayin'

That is what I would categorize as "above my pay grade".

Nice to see this thread bumped. My 1/4" long handled custom ratchet in post #23 is still one of my go-to ratchets. It's nice to be able to break bolts loose and then swivel the head to spin them out when there's not enough friction for the ratchet to ratchet.

Too bad HF stopped honoring the coupon. I have a supply of replacement ratchet heads though and they are fairly strong. I think they were $8 after coupon.

I still haven't forgotten that you want the grip I pull off the 1/4" one (Its off). As long as I don't have to slap it back on due to failing attempts, I'll send it your way.

 

[four.cycle]

I also cannot stand the "comfort grips" on various manufacturer's offerings.

I felt the same way until I picked up a Vessel "ball grip" screwdriver.

Ratchets: gimme a steel handle!

 

[Raineman]

"ball grip" screwdriver.

I am at a loss for words.

 

[Raineman]

Using the same formula, I just whipped this one up. 3/8”. I am giving it to one of my son in laws for Christmas. He commented on my red one last year that he really liked it so he gets this one.


I will get into some new tinkering (destruction) with the 1/4” one probably Christmas Eve day if’n I can get all my wrapping done this evening, with this bottle of bourbon next to me.

I’ve already done some figuring. There will most definitely be some cutting and grinding with what is in my brain.

 

[four.cycle]

I am at a loss for words.

you'd have to try one to know. $10 bucks
game-changer stuff.