Which Oil For Your Ratchet

ebouwman · 03-16-2009, 09:13 PM

I really hate super cheap ratchets, so I like to use jet and armstrong. As with most nicer ratchets they say you should oil and clean them.

So I have to ask, what kind of oil do you guys use to oil them? I usually nab my brothers air tool oil and use that.

killermillermr2 · 03-19-2009, 12:12 AM

I use 80-90 or hydrolic oil in my pneumatics at work. I put them through hell every day and no issuse. a little dab will do ya

15-40 not so well

ebouwman · 03-19-2009, 12:18 AM

I don't usually use my ratchets every day, they're just for home use, but i want to keep them in good shape so they don't start doing annoying things, like my dad's ratchet that switches direction on you while you're trying to use it, and also keep them in top form after getting them in snow or dirt or W.H.Y.

Also do you just drop it in or do you clean the ratchet as well?

killermillermr2 · 03-19-2009, 12:35 AM

I put in one or two drops in my die grinder every day. and rebuild it every 6 months or so. Again, I use it every day and hard. I am a machinist that repairs oil rig equipment, so needless to say my tools get dirty and abused. I would say 1 drop evey time you use a pneumatic. It is just a good thing to do. Just drip it down into the air inlet and run it for a sec. I wouldnt say you need to tear it down and clean it very often, but a good wipe down after every use is a good idea. As soon as you notice something going wrong thats when it is time to go ahead and rebuild. If you wait to long it will get worse and then unrepairable if seal areas get real bad.

ebouwman · 03-19-2009, 12:51 AM

how did you get to air tools?

good point though, i usually don't use air tools, until i eventually get an impact.... that will be nice....

Although now on the subject, i was using a zip cut a while back outside and the thing kept on freezing up, and not working right, do you think that's because of water inside of the tool, or just because it was f***ing cold?

killermillermr2 · 03-19-2009, 01:22 AM

Sorry... I get confused some times

yeah, cold and moisture really make air tools finiky. sorry again for going completely off topic, first response in.

As for the ratchet, buy a snap on and never worry about it again. they will rebuild it for you when it needs it and they are strong. They dont really need to be oild regularly. usually what happens that i have seen is the teeth inside will strip off. whaen this happens the ratchet slips and the lever is allowed to jump to the other position. that or the teeth just get in bad spots and make it turn crappy

ebouwman · 03-19-2009, 01:23 PM

ya everyone thinks about getting Snap-On...

and then i just bought a jet ratchet and an armstrong

mainly it's because i was talking to my brother and he uses his Mac ratchet daily and be was bitching and whining because it busted open while he was using it and all the guts fell out, so he talked to the Mac guy about warantying it and all they would do is order in the new innards for him. This after he spends a week trying to get a hold of the guy, and then has to wait at least another week for the parts.

His point was that if you go to a tool store or parts shop and pick up a good jet ratchet then they'll never ask questions for warranty, they'll just give you a new ratchet. It should be mentioned that he doesn't clean/oil his ratchets either.

killermillermr2 · 03-19-2009, 02:32 PM

The snap on guy is really good in my town. he makes weekly rounds to all the shops and never asks questions about warranty. just ordering new gears and pins for the inside is the norm. usually a good tool distributor will have spare rebuild kits on hand and then order new ones after he fixes your tools on the spot. I do live in a little tight knit community tough. you probably wont get as good of service in a bigger city for the simple fact that people just dont care. they dont have to rely on repeat busness and word of mouth as much.

ebouwman · 03-19-2009, 02:59 PM

We're medium sized though, so it's a bit of both

I know it's the norm for Snap-On and Mac to just use the rebuild kits, which is nice if you want to keep your ratchet, but in my brothers case a PITA, because i also think they made him rebuild his ratchet. It's not so bad replacing that gear, but that stupid ball bearing, OMG. I had to get one back in one time, never again will i make that mistake!

I am pretty happy with my armstrong ratchet though, because its is BEEFY, so if you say... hit it with a hammer it won't kill the gear. I wouldn't mind a rebuild kit just to keep that one.

I think it's this guy -->

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm beeeeeeeeeefffffffyyyyyyyyyyyy

Fabulousj79 · 03-19-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebouwman

I really hate super cheap ratchets, so I like to use jet and armstrong. As with most nicer ratchets they say you should oil and clean them.

So I have to ask, what kind of oil do you guys use to oil them? I usually nab my brothers air tool oil and use that.

One of the most important things to do before you use any air tool is to drain the water from your air compressor. We have inline water filters in my shop - and they need to be drained once a day.

Regular air tool oil works great for daily maintenance.

ebouwman · 03-19-2009, 06:57 PM

My dad just got a new air compressor, we did have an older one that had some sort of built in thing to drain the watter, but i think we need to get a purge for this one.

And ya, like i said, i really would like an impact, even if it's not super powerful, we've got a little dewalt cordless impact, but it's just not that powerfull enough to say, bust of the wheel nuts, or the crank pulley bolt.

Big Thurs · 03-27-2009, 08:57 AM

All of the old-timers have told me to use marvel mystery oil.
I personally use an air tool oil with the marvel name on it.
My employer doesn't believe in oiling air tools...and we have no water seperator...and we never drain the tank...and sometimes theres a mist coming from our tools when the trigger is pulled.
One of our other techs says he likes to see an oil mist after oiling his tools.
Nobody at the shop has ever broken an air tool due to water contamination.

I'm not saying that water is not bad for air tools, just some food for thought.

TomsMR2 · 03-30-2009, 08:03 PM

oiling air tools keeps the water out. especially in a shop, you're never gonna get clean dry, 90psi regulated air. its going to be dirty nasty wet air at 130+psi.

i lube mine up with a mix of cheap airtool oil, motor oil, and some atf

it just needs a thin coat to ward off rust from the watery air, and keep the air motors clean and mobile. ive used snapon air tool oil before, and hf, and CH oil. anyone who says they notice a difference is lying to you.

i lube my ratchets with whatever amount of motor oil inevitably drips on them. wipe off the exterior and you're good to go. the big thing is that you dont want to clean tools with solvents or submerge them in gas or anything like that.

03-16-2009, 09:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 18 Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Which Oil For Your Ratchet I really hate super cheap ratchets, so I like to use jet and armstrong. As with most nicer ratchets they say you should oil and clean them. So I have to ask, what kind of oil do you guys use to oil them? I usually nab my brothers air tool oil and use that.

03-19-2009, 06:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 18 Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	My dad just got a new air compressor, we did have an older one that had some sort of built in thing to drain the watter, but i think we need to get a purge for this one. And ya, like i said, i really would like an impact, even if it's not super powerful, we've got a little dewalt cordless impact, but it's just not that powerfull enough to say, bust of the wheel nuts, or the crank pulley bolt. Last edited by ebouwman; 03-19-2009 at 07:26 PM.

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03-19-2009, 12:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
killermillermr2 Honda Hunter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 701 Thanks: 22 Thanked 22 Times in 22 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	I use 80-90 or hydrolic oil in my pneumatics at work. I put them through hell every day and no issuse. a little dab will do ya 15-40 not so well

03-19-2009, 12:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 18 Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I don't usually use my ratchets every day, they're just for home use, but i want to keep them in good shape so they don't start doing annoying things, like my dad's ratchet that switches direction on you while you're trying to use it, and also keep them in top form after getting them in snow or dirt or W.H.Y. Also do you just drop it in or do you clean the ratchet as well?

03-19-2009, 12:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
killermillermr2 Honda Hunter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 701 Thanks: 22 Thanked 22 Times in 22 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	I put in one or two drops in my die grinder every day. and rebuild it every 6 months or so. Again, I use it every day and hard. I am a machinist that repairs oil rig equipment, so needless to say my tools get dirty and abused. I would say 1 drop evey time you use a pneumatic. It is just a good thing to do. Just drip it down into the air inlet and run it for a sec. I wouldnt say you need to tear it down and clean it very often, but a good wipe down after every use is a good idea. As soon as you notice something going wrong thats when it is time to go ahead and rebuild. If you wait to long it will get worse and then unrepairable if seal areas get real bad.

03-19-2009, 12:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 18 Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	how did you get to air tools? good point though, i usually don't use air tools, until i eventually get an impact.... that will be nice.... Although now on the subject, i was using a zip cut a while back outside and the thing kept on freezing up, and not working right, do you think that's because of water inside of the tool, or just because it was f***ing cold?

03-19-2009, 01:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
killermillermr2 Honda Hunter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 701 Thanks: 22 Thanked 22 Times in 22 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	Sorry... I get confused some times yeah, cold and moisture really make air tools finiky. sorry again for going completely off topic, first response in. As for the ratchet, buy a snap on and never worry about it again. they will rebuild it for you when it needs it and they are strong. They dont really need to be oild regularly. usually what happens that i have seen is the teeth inside will strip off. whaen this happens the ratchet slips and the lever is allowed to jump to the other position. that or the teeth just get in bad spots and make it turn crappy

03-19-2009, 01:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 18 Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	ya everyone thinks about getting Snap-On... and then i just bought a jet ratchet and an armstrong mainly it's because i was talking to my brother and he uses his Mac ratchet daily and be was bitching and whining because it busted open while he was using it and all the guts fell out, so he talked to the Mac guy about warantying it and all they would do is order in the new innards for him. This after he spends a week trying to get a hold of the guy, and then has to wait at least another week for the parts. His point was that if you go to a tool store or parts shop and pick up a good jet ratchet then they'll never ask questions for warranty, they'll just give you a new ratchet. It should be mentioned that he doesn't clean/oil his ratchets either.

03-19-2009, 02:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
killermillermr2 Honda Hunter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 701 Thanks: 22 Thanked 22 Times in 22 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	The snap on guy is really good in my town. he makes weekly rounds to all the shops and never asks questions about warranty. just ordering new gears and pins for the inside is the norm. usually a good tool distributor will have spare rebuild kits on hand and then order new ones after he fixes your tools on the spot. I do live in a little tight knit community tough. you probably wont get as good of service in a bigger city for the simple fact that people just dont care. they dont have to rely on repeat busness and word of mouth as much.

03-19-2009, 02:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 18 Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	We're medium sized though, so it's a bit of both I know it's the norm for Snap-On and Mac to just use the rebuild kits, which is nice if you want to keep your ratchet, but in my brothers case a PITA, because i also think they made him rebuild his ratchet. It's not so bad replacing that gear, but that stupid ball bearing, OMG. I had to get one back in one time, never again will i make that mistake! I am pretty happy with my armstrong ratchet though, because its is BEEFY, so if you say... hit it with a hammer it won't kill the gear. I wouldn't mind a rebuild kit just to keep that one. I think it's this guy --> mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm beeeeeeeeeefffffffyyyyyyyyyyyy

03-27-2009, 08:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
Big Thurs Mercedes SUCKS Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Statesboro Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	All of the old-timers have told me to use marvel mystery oil. I personally use an air tool oil with the marvel name on it. My employer doesn't believe in oiling air tools...and we have no water seperator...and we never drain the tank...and sometimes theres a mist coming from our tools when the trigger is pulled. One of our other techs says he likes to see an oil mist after oiling his tools. Nobody at the shop has ever broken an air tool due to water contamination. I'm not saying that water is not bad for air tools, just some food for thought.

03-30-2009, 08:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
TomsMR2 Formerly Tom Brokaw Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area Posts: 2,497 Thanks: 8 Thanked 233 Times in 168 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	oiling air tools keeps the water out. especially in a shop, you're never gonna get clean dry, 90psi regulated air. its going to be dirty nasty wet air at 130+psi. i lube mine up with a mix of cheap airtool oil, motor oil, and some atf it just needs a thin coat to ward off rust from the watery air, and keep the air motors clean and mobile. ive used snapon air tool oil before, and hf, and CH oil. anyone who says they notice a difference is lying to you. i lube my ratchets with whatever amount of motor oil inevitably drips on them. wipe off the exterior and you're good to go. the big thing is that you dont want to clean tools with solvents or submerge them in gas or anything like that.