Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Discuss your workshop and related equipment

Moderator: FORDification

Post Reply
User avatar
hdpusher
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 495
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:11 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by hdpusher »

I just rebuilt a Proto ratchet the other day and my friend who was there had a fit when I used regular grease as lube. He claimed it would harm it over time :roll: claiming ratchets require special lube. Grease has served me fine for years but Im always willing to try something else. Any input?
67 Chevy II 302 sbc
67 Ford F350 Motor home
68 Ford F100 long bed (Sold :cry: )
78 CJ5
03 Dodge Cummins
User avatar
BobbyFord
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 5342
Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:52 am
Location: Chatsworth, California

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by BobbyFord »

Any grease is better than no grease at all. I say if it doesn't congeal and it doesn't run out of the seams, it's more than likely sufficient.
User avatar
ximy
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 372
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:18 pm
Location: socal

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by ximy »

I've never heard of special ratchet lube. I use singer sewing machine oil for small mechanical devices.
1967 f250 428
Madman
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1671
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:39 am
Location: Windsor, CO
Contact:

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by Madman »

If my Snap On or Craftsman Ratchets wear out, I get them to replace the new internals, hence the small advantage of tools with lifetime warranties.....for air tools and such I use WD-40 (AKA Panther Piss).
""Never shoot a large caliber man with a small caliber bullet."

2017 Ford Raptor
1970 F250 4x4
1948 Willys CJ2A w/ Ford Flathead V-8
1975 Ford Bronco
User avatar
Heirloom
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 549
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 2:33 pm
Location: Paradise

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by Heirloom »

I too use light machine oil when on hand, otherwise I also use LSA weapons oil a lot.
~Heirloom

'68 F250 360, 4 spd Project Thread!
Plans are for a stout 400, C6, 3.54 gears, 33" BFG AT's, bucket seats and custom console. Final assembly, nearing start up...


"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."
~ Thomas Jefferson

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
~ Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
hdpusher
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 495
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:11 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by hdpusher »

Heirloom wrote:I too use light machine oil when on hand, otherwise I also use LSA weapons oil a lot.
Never thought of gun oils. :thup: Ill have to try that I have several half used bottles around.
67 Chevy II 302 sbc
67 Ford F350 Motor home
68 Ford F100 long bed (Sold :cry: )
78 CJ5
03 Dodge Cummins
User avatar
hdpusher
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 495
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:11 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by hdpusher »

BobbyFord wrote:Any grease is better than no grease at all. I say if it doesn't congeal and it doesn't run out of the seams, it's more than likely sufficient.
Only problem Ive ever had with grease is on a hot day it "leaks" out a little but its no big deal. :D
67 Chevy II 302 sbc
67 Ford F350 Motor home
68 Ford F100 long bed (Sold :cry: )
78 CJ5
03 Dodge Cummins
User avatar
trozei
New Member
New Member
Posts: 60
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:05 pm
Location: Langley, British Columbia

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by trozei »

All of my Snap-On ratchets just ever so slightly have a leak out of the faceplate onto the square drive. I figure they use a really thin oil in the micro drive ratchets. It's never been a problem. It's just that I've never seen any other brands' ratchets do this. Anyway, any oil is better than none at all. I'd use an oil and not a grease for quick action but grease would probably be maintenance-free.
Jackson

1969 Ford F100 300 C4 // 1973 Ford F100 Ranger 360 C6 // 2004 Ford F150 FX4 5.4L // 1995 BMW 525i
Larry 63
New Member
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 10:21 am

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by Larry 63 »

Hey Guys: I use motor oil on mine. I have a cut off can that I fill with 30 weight oil sitting on my workbench. when I get done using my ratchets for the day, I wipe them down and put them in the oil can. I have a Snap-on ratchet that I have used daily for over 30 years. I have replaced the guts once because they wore out. so it works for me.
markguiver
New Member
New Member
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 5:35 pm
Location: Maysville, Ky.

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by markguiver »

I use motor oil on mine too. I normally use a 5w20 synthetic to work into the body around any of the moving parts. When the oil starts to seep out I work the gears forward and reverse to coat everything inside. Then I lay it on a rag to soak up the oil that drains out, let it sit for a day, wipe it down, and put it back in the box. I've done it this way for years and have a few old Craftsman and Proto ratchets that have lasted 40+ years. One of the Craftsman 3/8" drive ratchets I had to replace about 20ish years ago but, I don't consider that too bad for as much use as they have had and still get today.
Mark.
1975 F-250 4X4 (The Beast)
1971 Bronco Sport
Busboy
Blue Oval Fanatic
Blue Oval Fanatic
Posts: 943
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:51 am
Location: Nampa Idaho

Re: Ratchet lube. Whats everyone using.

Post by Busboy »

Seriously? :? :lol:
1967 F-100 4x4 custom cab.
Another 67 F-100 4x4 custom cab.
2016 F-150 Eco-Boost 2.7 liter. (It will smoke the tires!)
1972 F-350 Sport Custom cab & chassis.
1972 F-250 Explorer Special, Camper Special.
1971 F-100 custom. 302, C-4, p.s. p.b. factory 65 amp alternator with transistorized voltage regulator.
Post Reply