They were Proto ratchets!

[3baygarage]

These have been sitting at the flea for three weeks. I paid $1 for both and I'm thinking all that can be salvaged is one lever.

 

[Shiftless]

These have been sitting at the flea for three weeks. I paid $1 for both and I'm thinking all that can be salvaged is one lever.

Rustiest ratchets I have ever seen!
Do you know the story about how that came to be? Maybe trapped in a hand carry box left in a dirt floor shed or uncovered for 20 years? Buried in the mud somewhere? Could be shipwreck salvage?

Some may say you overpaid at 50 cents each. I would say that it would be entertaining to see what they look like after a day in an electrolysis bath.
Or clean up the handles, saw off the ratchet head and repurpose as a big punch or a handle for an old beater welding vise.

 

[3baygarage]

Rustiest ratchets I have ever seen!
Do you know the story about how that came to be? Maybe trapped in a hand carry box left in a dirt floor shed or uncovered for 20 years? Buried in the mud somewhere? Could be shipwreck salvage?

Some may say you overpaid at 50 cents each. I would say that it would be entertaining to see what they look like after a day in an electrolysis bath.
Or clean up the handles, saw off the ratchet head and repurpose as a big punch or a handle for an old beater welding vise.

Same here I couldn't believe it. I asked if they were buried in the ground and I think he said he found them in the bottom of an old box at an estate sale.

The gear actually moves in the longer one, spins that is. Even if I tried to drill the screws and pound the face plate out I think the head would be weak. Would be nice if there were usable springs inside but I doubt it. Probably end up just taking the lever off.

 

[chopper1]

I think I would give them an electrolysis bath without disassembling them and see how they come out.

 

[3baygarage]

I think I would give them an electrolysis bath without disassembling them and see how they come out.

Don't have one Chop. There is minor, minor hope for the longer ratchet but not sure it's worth a rebuild kit or if it would even fit in the head properly.

 

[Know Wosad]

Do you have an aquarium ? LOL
It's a Proto. Soak it for a week and put a cheater on it. Damn thing might actually click a little

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Electrolysis will only take the outside rust off, maybe molasses for ayear?

 

[Jeremy77]

Those 5449's are beasts. you might be surprised at how tough they are. the handles and heads probably would come clean enough to drop a rebuild kit into one or both of them. They'll never be pretty but with some TLC and a bit of work, they may very well be usable again. You could try bead blasting them to get a better idea of whats underneath all that heavy rust. Not like you could hurt them anymore than they already are.

 

[jakemac]

Lightly wire wheel. BLO. Drill two holes in the handles, and use them as door, cabinet, or drawer handles.

 

[ken w.]

You could soak them in muriatic acid. I works well for vises. I have a few face plates if you need one.

 

[2oolhound]

Holy ****! I'd drop them in vinegar or what ever was at hand. You have nothing to lose. You could do one at a time, save one for a different process…..

 

[woody 73]

A new rebuild kit a little bondo and you are good to go!

 

[ken w.]

I also have levers and screws if you need them.

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks Ken. I will keep that in mind.

I like Jake's idea although I normally wouldn't do something like that, but when a tool's done it's done. They may only be good for a metal sculpture at this point. At the old flea market people looked for junk wrenches for that purpose.

 

[jabberwoki]

soak them in a bath of salt and vinegar for a few days then scrub them and re soak till clean.
Works like a charm.

 

[KEH]

You sound like you have taken apart Protos before, so I'm sure you know the screws go into threaded holes in the backing plate. Protos are my favorite ratchets to take apart. Very easy as long as the screws are not stuck.

FYI, I once picked up a old Proto which worked ok after a little TLC, but was missing a screw. The dealer did not have screws so he directed me to an old line local hardware store where I got screws. I Got a better deal for my $1 today at the flea market, a 3/8 Proto which has an ok finish, but a broken tooth in it, also buggered springs. I'll find out what parts are in the kit next week after the 4th weekend is over. This is the first used Proto I've found that was broken.

Good luck. I like the sign "this is why I don't loan my tools."

KEH

 

[3baygarage]

Well, I've enjoyed reading all the comments and suggestions you guys.

I DID NOT think this was going to turn into a restoration thread but it just might.

I wire wheeled the heck out of them and this is how they look. Dug the crud out of the screw heads on the taller ratchet, braced the ratchet, got a good bite with the old Snappy screwdriver (no penetrating oil used) and was shocked the first screw came out so well that I went for the second one.

Then.........the second ratchet went just the same

This could turn out good.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Looking good !

 

[chopper1]

I like the sign "this is why I don't loan my tools."

KEH

X2

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Those look like they may be serviceable. I would have definitely bought those for a buck. Never seem to have enough long handle 1/2" ratchets. Plus I love resurrecting dead tools.

 

[Jeremy77]

Looking good so far. Keep us posted on the progress!

 

[ganymede]

Wow. If you get these things going i'll never again brag about fixing a rusted ratchet.

 

[3baygarage]

Wow. If you get these things going i'll never again brag about fixing a rusted ratchet.

 

[uniballer]

still would dip them in evaporust for week after disassembled

 

[3baygarage]

Oh it's on now!

All parts are working including one square's detent ball, although it's pitted. Bother levers moving. The other drive square is twisted, I have a spare somewhere.

I'll have to coat or paint with something.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

Just goes to show just how high quality these ratchets really are. It's amazing how far they have come from the first pictures. I would parkerize or black oxide coat them since the chrome is long gone, kits are available through gunsmith suppliers like Brownells. Awesome that they are both the long handle type. I've got a mid 40s Plomb short handle 1/2" that I bought for a buck (since it was "broken", was really just missing the lever.) Bought a new Proto kit from Amazon and used the cam and lever out of it with the rest of the original parts. Works great and I now have a spare kit on hand if anything ever happens to it.

 

[ganymede]

Awesome !
I salute you sir.

 

[BK13]

Fantastic!

 

[Al Borland]

Hey, even if they don't work...Entertainment!!!
Not a bad deal for a buck!

 

[HotFry]

I was going to say warranty them but I read up on Proto's warranty policy first as to not sound like an idiot.
To bad they aren't Harbor Freight ratchets.

 

[Know Wosad]

For sale: Vintage Proto 16" 5450 Industrial Ratchets.
Very Rare "Ocean" finish, successor to the original and highly sought after "Pebble" finish yet with a more thorough texturing pattern.
Only ones I've ever seen. 2 for only $415.

 

[KEH]

Good job! I'm even more impressed with the quality of Proto ratchets.

KEH

 

[lbhsbz]

Do you have an aquarium ? LOL
It's a Proto. Soak it for a week and put a cheater on it. Damn thing might actually click a little

Funny that you posted this. I'm sorting through my Grandpa's tools today..and mine, and found a Proto 3/8 ratchets that I got from a neighbor when he died when I was kid. I needed a longer handle for something so I beat a piece of 3' long pipe over the handle. I've used it plenty over the years where I needed 1/2" breaker bar leverage in tight spaces, and it's never missed a beat. Primitive and clunky, but they are about bulletproof.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Chrome one, and black the other.

 

[Davefr]

It's amazing the springs are still good. I'm surprised they didn't disintegrate.

 

[Plombob]

I picked up one of those rats for free because it was almost as badly rusted as those. It spent some time in Evaporust and cleaned up really well. It was missing a spring, but everything else cleaned up. Now that rat is in my track box. It's really ugly, but works like a new ratchet. You did well for $1!

I also cleaned up a Proto adjustable wrench that was badly rusted. When it came out of the Evaporust I saw it was engraved "Boat". Works like new, looks like hell.

 

[maxcarp709]

Holy Oxidation Batman!Great score!

 

[L.Cheapo]

Warranty it!

(just kidding)

 

[alinc100]

Have them powdercoated? Reassemble,lube 'em up and be good for another 100 years or so.This has been a good one to watch.

 

[P51Boilermaker]

Cerakote! It's a really REALLY tough gun finish. A bit pricey but might be worth the investment if you're a gun owner or will use it on something else. Keep us updated!