What is this?? Proto 3901

[kruegdr]

Came across this at the shop, and I can't seem to figure out what it is. Obviously it's a ratchet, but I've never seen one like this. Google isn't of any help, nor is the Stanley Proto website.

The stamping on the head reads, "3901 PROTO" "MFD USA"

The ratcheting part of the head is threaded through, right hand thread, fine thread pitch, maybe 5/8 inch? The ratcheting direction is in the same direction as the threads.

At the bottom of the handle, there's a knob that rotates to disengage the ratcheting part. It doesn't allow a change of direction. Just neutral and engaged. I haven't taken it apart yet to see if it's damaged or not.

Is this a regular ratchet that is missing parts, or is it a specialty tool?

Thanks!

 

[kruegdr]

Upon disassembly, the ratchet is missing the mechanism that allows one of the direction changes.

So now the question is: Am I missing any more parts? Or is this Proto a specialty ratchet given the threads in the head?

 

[littlekillertoad]

I've looked everywhere and I have no idea what that is.
Since I can't find anything, maybe it's an old pipe threader?
That knob on the bottom sounds like it is the selector switch and you're missing a pawl.

 

[TheGrooveking]

It looks like it has a threaded rod through it, like it was part of a puller or something. Missing the direction selector is strange to, does it ratchet but only in one direction right now? If so maybe you took off what it works on and you turn it around like you do a ratcheting box end that doesn't offer direction selector.

TheGrooveking

 

[SLOCOBRAR]

i think it,s a chain stretcher, for assembling roller chain. missing the threaded rod and hooks. they,re a worthless tool. a piece of rope works better

 

[kruegdr]

Thanks for the insights, guys. I've sent images and an explanation to a Stanley Proto help email address, so maybe they'll come back with something. :

 

[bonneyman]

If Proto on-line doesn't give you any help, you might try your local Proto dealer. Mine is pretty decent.

 

[kruegdr]

My email to Proto USA was never replied to. A phone call to Proto USA today put me in touch with a customer service rep who played the "It's not in my system, so I don't know anything about it"-game. I asked for someone who might be familiar with ratchets, and we went one more time around her not finding it in the system.

The threads in the middle are 5/8" NF and there's 24 teeth on the gear.

I just ordered a 5249RK (Proto 3/8" ratchet rebuild kit) to see if it might work to change this thing over to a 3/8" ratchet. For $25 bucks shipped, it might not be a bad deal.

 

[scott37300]

Could it be some sort of stud installer? You screw the ratchet on the stud and then tighten another nut up to the ratcher and install or remove the stud?

 

[kams1973]

i think it,s a chain stretcher, for assembling roller chain. missing the threaded rod and hooks. they,re a worthless tool. a piece of rope works better

^^^he speaks the truth!!!

 

[kruegdr]

Well, the 3/8 repair kit showed up and it turns out my eye didn't do too good of an estimate. One of the nearby Grainger branches has two 1/2" repair kits in stock, so I'll be heading over tomorrow to see if I can make a 1/2" square drive ratchet out of this thing.

 

[kruegdr]

Swapped out the 3/8 repair kit for a 1/2 repair kit (Grainger P/N 1AM20) this morning.

I changed out the dogs, springs, and drive gear. The old cover plate wouldn't fit (was slightly too big).

A review of the position of the direction "dial", as I'll call it, has the roll pin directly aligned with the edge of what looks like a 180 degree stop. At the edge of this, the ratchet is locked in one turning direction. Same for the other direction. I'm wondering if at some point the small roll pin got sheared off allowing full 360 degree rotation? A nice thing that I saw was that the ratchet has no capability to freewheel. It's locked solid, or ratchets in either direction.

Anyways, pictures say more.... see attached.

 

[eyeboltman]

Is it working , I have some part for this if you need a cover I will check , I love tools.

 

[kruegdr]

Eyeboltman,

Yes, it works. I'm using the old cover, as the old cover has a small pocket milled out of it where the new one doesn't. Looking at how this ratchet changes directions, it needs to swing the cam up and through where the non-milled cover would be at, hence the need for the pocket.