I spent over an hour trying to place the little plug into the spring loaded hole as prescribed by the repair kit instructions. Finally came up with this method which took 5 seconds to complete. So glad to see confirmation that this is the best method!
Spent nearly an hour trying to get the snap ring off. Your tip to spin it and clean out the channel was very helpful, and I had it off in less than 5 mins after doing so. Thanks!
Thanks. Your video is informative and clearly shows the necessary steps to disassemble and reassemble the ratchet. Just the right mix of well composed close-ups and narrative. Perfect.
I have 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2". I thought the macho 1/2" would be my favorite but I keep reaching for the 1/4". Feels awesome one handing little fasteners. Love the clicky little bastard.
Great video. Just used it to reassemble a 3/8 SK ratchet I picked up and cleaned. (Also used the video a few weeks ago when I disassembled the ratchet!).
Thank you so much for taking the selector apart. I have to make a new selector, and needed to see how this specific type of selector worked, so I can manufacture a new selector. Parts LONG LONG AGO no longer available Thanks again, GREAT VIDEO, GREAT DETAIL, and GREAT HELP (Mine is not the SK, but it has the exact same mechanism)
If you do lose the string and pin, you can use a similar length pin from a lock re-keying kit and one of the smaller top pin springs. Anyplace that re-keys locks can provide them.
Thank you! I was able to make make a replacement spring from music wire, a new shaft for the pawl from 5mm McMaster Carr drill rod, but didn't have a good pin replacement. My ratchet abruptly disassembled itself when it hit the garage floor, and I only found the big parts.
Nice video. I just took apart, cleaned, lubed, and reassembled an old SK 1/4" ratchet I recently got at a flea market. I did it before finding this video but it had the same setup as this. I guess I got lucky and had it in the neutral position to take apart and reassemble. I used Superlube grease and now this thing works like new. The insides looked good, just dirty.
Major thanks, not the same design but I've just fixed my years of possession but only went one way due to serious rust! It now freely switches both directions 👌
I just bought a half inch SK ratchet that looks nearly identical to that smaller one that you disassembled. I did some reading and found that since these wrenches were made in the 30s they were "Chrome" with the exception of '41 to '45 because of the war. It said they were cadmium plated. This nice half inch wrench was purchased at a Habitat for humanity ReStore.... $3.00 Not a bad buy. Estimating it has about 50 clicks and feels much better than my old craftsman. I love to know if there's a way to identify the approximate year this wrench was made. On the round head of my ratchet the sides are not rounded off smooth. It has more of a lumpy, bumpy shape as if it was forged and never sanded nice and smooth to accept a chrome plating and look pretty. The handle has the forging marks on them too. The knerling however is very well done. Would my description help date this old wrench? Thanks for the video, I never knew it needed to be a neutral to take it apart. 👍
That ratchet was given to me as a gift with other S-K tools in 1970 and they are all still in constant use. Mine looks better than that one and has never been apart. Maybe I will just to change 50 year old grease. I also have Craftsmen ratchets and tools of the same period and they are still going strong and look good.
Product called "Super Lube" that is available in most hardware and auto parts stores. It is a clear-ish synthetic grease that works for just about any tool with moving parts. It isn't very expensive, but you only use a little, so a tube lasts for months, even years depending on how often you use your tools. Great stuff, I can't recommend it enough. I always try to have some on hand.
I have a 1/4 ratchet, breaker bar and extension set given to me as a kid by my father. I used to have the dark green metal box (I’m 53 now, I was a kid lol) and the set of sockets. Damn wish I had them all but grateful to have managed to keep the ratchet at least. Amazing quality. This must have been made in the 60’s? 50’s even?
I recently bought several S-K sets off eBay. They aren't original sets but pieces from different periods in S-K history cobbled together to make full sets. I have a set of 1/2" drive sockets from the 40s or 50s and a ratchet from the 60s or 70s. My 3/8" drive set has sockets from the S-K Wayne days except for one S-K Chrome socket from the 40s. Look on eBay, it seems there are almost always S-K tools for sale there. I even picked up one of those green metal boxes to keep everything in. Really brings back memories. And they still work as tools, too. My son-in-law and I are restoring a Ford Explorer this Spring and I plan to use my S-K sets a lot!
I have the same ratchet. For rebuildability I like the Proto design as the teeth are replaceable. Looks like once the teeth are worn out in the head of the sk it's done for.
Mine is the older version, just like that one. I bought it used ca. 1960. It was my first serious tool and has turned out to be the best value of all my tools, although I don’t remember what I paid for it. I disagree with your statement that it wouldn’t win a beauty contest. It’s beautiful for its simplicity and reliability. As you said, it’s classic. I like the look better than the modern chromed ones.
Cool. Just picked up an old 1/4 S-K round head. It works but the clicks are barely audible and feel soft. Gonna do as you suggested only partly disassemble it. Just lost a selector detent spring on an old vintage craftsman 1/2 New Britain ratchet.
What if the spring doesn’t have a lot of tension. For example my pin went flying but the spring was still inside. I cleaned it off and lubricated it. Sometimes when I go to change the directions the ratchet will slip/slide unless I hold the square head. I think it may be due to the spring in bad condition
I was going to disassemble my dad's old ratchet so I could clean it but the clip is broken into 2 pieces and half of it came out of the ratchet. I could not get it to come apart when I tried to use the remaining clip. Can it still come apart when the clip is broken? Is the tool considered damaged now?
20 years ago our car broke, we called a mechanic to come by the house to fix it, at the end he forgot his SK-45170 ratchet inside the engine bay, when i found it i called him but he never came to pick it up.... i used it since, the ratchet is still working great
Hay thanks for help on the video but the best way to lube a ratchet of any kind is to get some car grease and that’s works really it was easy to get apart but a son of a gun to put back together this my 1 st time ever working on a old s k ratchet this video helped a lot thanks great video
I've got one just like this, but I can't shift it to neutral, it's stuck in the drive position. I've tried cleaning it with WD40 and parts cleaner for over an hour and no luck. Anyone have some advice on how I could go about removing the ratchet mechanism or get it to shift?
I just came across your video. Thank you! I have my complete SK socket set from 1968 that I traded golf clubs for, to work on my pickup truck. (I was 15 yrs old)... I will run to my shop to see if I can fix the broken ratchet...
I believe I have an older model than this and there is no snap ring in there instead there is an allen bolt on top of it do you think it’s repairable? Thanks
@@ToolTeardowns mine is very clean and it's about 30 years old with very light household use, so can I just loosen the allen screw on top and service it by myself? Thanks
Although, not available for the 1/2" drive SK (YET I HOPE), there is a double pawl rebuild kit that will effectively double the tooth count on those old SKs. www.sktools.com/content/sktools/en_US/dt-series.html
Since you opened up the ratchet why not just clean everything and oil it all? I wouldn't discourage people against that. Nonetheless great video and an interesting piece of history
I too have chased spring pin-caps across garage and shop terrain. In the spirit of "if its worth doing, its worth doing right" I always shine every single piece back up like new and use engine assembly lube when putting it back together. If you like these videos, I just did a refurbish of a 3/4" Proto on my "Snap-off" channel.
When you buy new parts that little spring with the pin is a bitch to put in,this one was obviously decades old,lol , thats why it went in so easy,but thats the magic of new parts,one you assemble it the ratchet will be nice and tight, like new.
I just found mine today after losing it for about two weeks. During that time it felt like losing a close friend. Sure made me smile when I found it in the tractor.
@@cb750k1974 Hello, I understand Superlube comes either in a grease consistency or an oil. What do you guys suggest for an SK ratchet such as the one in the video? I am a tool noob -_-. But I am trying to learn proper maintenance! Thank you.
You might need to get an entire new rebuild kit. I'm not aware of a generic replacement part and I don't know if SK has just the retainers separate from the kits.
... I'll give you a hint, most hand tools from S&K, Cornwell, Mac, Matco and Snap-On offer "Lifetime Warranty"... simple contact them directly and send them your broken tolls directly as an user...the only thing is do the homework it has worked for me for 24 years... S/K Tools was recently acquired by Ideal Tool Company and totally redesigned their manufacturing plant and facilities, experience pays, any help let me know...
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I spent over an hour trying to place the little plug into the spring loaded hole as prescribed by the repair kit instructions. Finally came up with this method which took 5 seconds to complete. So glad to see confirmation that this is the best method!
Spent nearly an hour trying to get the snap ring off. Your tip to spin it and clean out the channel was very helpful, and I had it off in less than 5 mins after doing so. Thanks!
Glad to hear!
Thanks. Your video is informative and clearly shows the necessary steps to disassemble and reassemble the ratchet. Just the right mix of well composed close-ups and narrative. Perfect.
Lousy rainy day, this video,a cup of coffee, and done,thanks. My ratchet was with mu Dads tools when he died and now it will be with mine for my kids.
I love my SK ratchet. It was my grandfathers. I love the handle and feel. SK makes a really SOLID and ROBUST ratchet.
I have 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2".
I thought the macho 1/2" would be my favorite but I keep reaching for the 1/4". Feels awesome one handing little fasteners. Love the clicky little bastard.
Great video! Just rebuilt my 45170 that I bought at a garage sale for $3.00. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's now and ELEVEN. Thanks!
Great video. Just used it to reassemble a 3/8 SK ratchet I picked up and cleaned. (Also used the video a few weeks ago when I disassembled the ratchet!).
Thank you so much for taking the selector apart.
I have to make a new selector, and needed to see how this specific type of selector worked, so I can manufacture a new selector. Parts LONG LONG AGO no longer available
Thanks again, GREAT VIDEO, GREAT DETAIL, and GREAT HELP
(Mine is not the SK, but it has the exact same mechanism)
The DB-80 rebuild kit fits and doubles the positions
I have a 1/4 inch SK ratchet. It's the only SK ratchet that I have. I need to service it as a matter of fact.
Great vid as usual.
+Rob's Wrenches All the round head SK ratchets have similar mechanisms, so yours will come apart the same way as shown in the video.
Thanks for the insight TT.
If you do lose the string and pin, you can use a similar length pin from a lock re-keying kit and one of the smaller top pin springs. Anyplace that re-keys locks can provide them.
Thank you! I was able to make make a replacement spring from music wire, a new shaft for the pawl from 5mm McMaster Carr drill rod, but didn't have a good pin replacement.
My ratchet abruptly disassembled itself when it hit the garage floor, and I only found the big parts.
Thank you! I've been looking all over my motorhome for the pin that came flying out of mine. Lol
long time loyal sk user ...one of the few STILL made in the usa!
Nice video. I just took apart, cleaned, lubed, and reassembled an old SK 1/4" ratchet I recently got at a flea market. I did it before finding this video but it had the same setup as this. I guess I got lucky and had it in the neutral position to take apart and reassemble. I used Superlube grease and now this thing works like new. The insides looked good, just dirty.
Thanks for the instructions I rebuilt my late relatives old set of sk ratchets. Wish I had tried the gallon bag idea sooner thanks again
Major thanks, not the same design but I've just fixed my years of possession but only went one way due to serious rust! It now freely switches both directions 👌
dang it - was just about to write up my 'work in a bag' method - you got there first ;
What happened to the greasing
He mentioned it…
I just bought a half inch SK ratchet that looks nearly identical to that smaller one that you disassembled. I did some reading and found that since these wrenches were made in the 30s they were "Chrome" with the exception of '41 to '45 because of the war. It said they were cadmium plated. This nice half inch wrench was purchased at a Habitat for humanity ReStore.... $3.00
Not a bad buy. Estimating it has about 50 clicks and feels much better than my old craftsman.
I love to know if there's a way to identify the approximate year this wrench was made.
On the round head of my ratchet the sides are not rounded off smooth. It has more of a lumpy, bumpy shape as if it was forged and never sanded nice and smooth to accept a chrome plating and look pretty.
The handle has the forging marks on them too. The knerling however is very well done.
Would my description help date this old wrench?
Thanks for the video, I never knew it needed to be a neutral to take it apart. 👍
That ratchet was given to me as a gift with other S-K tools in 1970 and they are all still in constant use. Mine looks better than that one and has never been apart. Maybe I will just to change 50 year old grease. I also have Craftsmen ratchets and tools of the same period and they are still going strong and look good.
Enjoyed this. I know it is an old one. Wish you mentioned what to lubricate it with after cleaning. Is there another video on that?
Product called "Super Lube" that is available in most hardware and auto parts stores. It is a clear-ish synthetic grease that works for just about any tool with moving parts. It isn't very expensive, but you only use a little, so a tube lasts for months, even years depending on how often you use your tools. Great stuff, I can't recommend it enough. I always try to have some on hand.
I have a 1/4 ratchet, breaker bar and extension set given to me as a kid by my father.
I used to have the dark green metal box (I’m 53 now, I was a kid lol) and the set of sockets. Damn wish I had them all but grateful to have managed to keep the ratchet at least. Amazing quality. This must have been made in the 60’s? 50’s even?
I recently bought several S-K sets off eBay. They aren't original sets but pieces from different periods in S-K history cobbled together to make full sets. I have a set of 1/2" drive sockets from the 40s or 50s and a ratchet from the 60s or 70s. My 3/8" drive set has sockets from the S-K Wayne days except for one S-K Chrome socket from the 40s. Look on eBay, it seems there are almost always S-K tools for sale there. I even picked up one of those green metal boxes to keep everything in. Really brings back memories. And they still work as tools, too. My son-in-law and I are restoring a Ford Explorer this Spring and I plan to use my S-K sets a lot!
I have the same ratchet. For rebuildability I like the Proto design as the teeth are replaceable. Looks like once the teeth are worn out in the head of the sk it's done for.
Mine is the older version, just like that one. I bought it used ca. 1960. It was my first serious tool and has turned out to be the best value of all my tools, although I don’t remember what I paid for it. I disagree with your statement that it wouldn’t win a beauty contest. It’s beautiful for its simplicity and reliability. As you said, it’s classic. I like the look better than the modern chromed ones.
Definitely interested in more of these videos.
Good to hear. There are plenty more ratchets in the pile, and I still buy interesting ratchets when I see them.
Good video!!! What about lube it???
Cool. Just picked up an old 1/4 S-K round head. It works but the clicks are barely audible and feel soft. Gonna do as you suggested only partly disassemble it. Just lost a selector detent spring on an old vintage craftsman 1/2 New Britain ratchet.
Hi do you have a video on how to repair ball bearing in socket shaft
No lube after disassembly?
What if the spring doesn’t have a lot of tension. For example my pin went flying but the spring was still inside. I cleaned it off and lubricated it. Sometimes when I go to change the directions the ratchet will slip/slide unless I hold the square head. I think it may be due to the spring in bad condition
I was going to disassemble my dad's old ratchet so I could clean it but the clip is broken into 2 pieces and half of it came out of the ratchet. I could not get it to come apart when I tried to use the remaining clip. Can it still come apart when the clip is broken? Is the tool considered damaged now?
I love ratchets!
20 years ago our car broke, we called a mechanic to come by the house to fix it, at the end he forgot his SK-45170 ratchet inside the engine bay, when i found it i called him but he never came to pick it up.... i used it since, the ratchet is still working great
Excellent service video A +.
Thanks
I pressed the pin/spring combo to get that center piece out, but it will not come out. Suggestions?
Excellent tutorial. Definitely useful. Thanks ,
Hay thanks for help on the video but the best way to lube a ratchet of any kind is to get some car grease and that’s works really it was easy to get apart but a son of a gun to put back together this my 1 st time ever working on a old s k ratchet this video helped a lot thanks great video
I've got one just like this, but I can't shift it to neutral, it's stuck in the drive position. I've tried cleaning it with WD40 and parts cleaner for over an hour and no luck. Anyone have some advice on how I could go about removing the ratchet mechanism or get it to shift?
I like the bag idea.
Where can you get a rebuild kit?
SK sent me one for free a couple years ago using customer service on their website.
I wish I had this video to refer to when I bought one and cleaned it up a couple of months ago.
Cool. Just picked up newer version. Now I can service it. 🔩
I just came across your video. Thank you! I have my complete SK socket set from 1968 that I traded golf clubs for, to work on my pickup truck. (I was 15 yrs old)... I will run to my shop to see if I can fix the broken ratchet...
I believe I have an older model than this and there is no snap ring in there instead there is an allen bolt on top of it do you think it’s repairable? Thanks
That's another design they used to sell. Based on a Facom design. They're easy to open and service. I've owned quite a few of them.
@@ToolTeardowns mine is very clean and it's about 30 years old with very light household use, so can I just loosen the allen screw on top and service it by myself? Thanks
Wondering what kind of solution you use to scrub them picked up one of these at a garage sale today but it's caked in old grease
Frank Ottaviano I just have Simple Green and water in my ultrasonic cleaner. That works for me. I also have a spray bottle of simple green.
That bag is a good idea
I didn't think of that on my own. It's something I read about online somewhere years ago.
Wouldn't you want to iol it or grease it. what type lubricant would you use?
Super Lube Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease works well for ratchets.
I have one of these ratchets and don't typically oil it because I dont want it to accumulate dirt. Should I be oiling the mechanism?
RedneckNinja uh yeah, prevents rusting and premature wear.
A little oil definitely could not hurt.
Rust isn't an issue in my part of the world but i'll add a little oil.
Use the oil sparingly and you should have issues with accumulating dirt. Again, it can't hurt to do it.
The S&K rachet I have was passed down to me by my father is a Half inch drive flat bar rachet.
> this is a pretty tough mechanism
Understatement. I got one in a lot and the teeth were ok, but the main body had broken before the mechanism broke
Do you know a "fix" for the cheap ratchets, that don't have the spring-clip? How to get them apart? Or are they 'throw-aways' ?
Are you talking about the Frankenstein SK ratchets? If so, it’s been a long time since I owned one, but there is info about them online.
Nice tutorial. Now you can do it again and have super clean keeper!
The main spring went flying when finishing the assembly of my SR ratchet wrench. How can I get a replacement?
Jim Camburn
Ask SK to send you a rebuild kit. They send one to me for free.
What about SK parts?
Although, not available for the 1/2" drive SK (YET I HOPE), there is a double pawl rebuild kit that will effectively double the tooth count on those old SKs. www.sktools.com/content/sktools/en_US/dt-series.html
Whats the angle of the lever?
and the Pawl
Since you opened up the ratchet why not just clean everything and oil it all? I wouldn't discourage people against that. Nonetheless great video and an interesting piece of history
AvE would be disappointed that you didn't use his favorite libation to clean it up.
Not going to add new grease?
+cardsfanbj I did oil it. I just didn't show it in the video.
SK does send out the ratchet repair kits out for free.You email them and they don't want the old parts back
Nice video, great tips!
I too have chased spring pin-caps across garage and shop terrain. In the spirit of "if its worth doing, its worth doing right" I always shine every single piece back up like new and use engine assembly lube when putting it back together. If you like these videos, I just did a refurbish of a 3/4" Proto on my "Snap-off" channel.
My ratchet spins one way superbly but the other side doesnt tighten and hold help
The best best would be to open it up and take a look. It could be chipped teeth on the pawl or it could just need a good cleaning.
I didn’t see you lube or oil the parts/innards...was I snoozing during that part of your presentation?
I didn’t include it in the video because I assumed everyone would know to do that. I covered it here: ruclips.net/video/PWAW83tcfpA/видео.html
Joe Clark Ricky Garrett at 5:28 you can see the lube oozing out the sides of the selector.
I love these SK ratchets :)
They're one of my favorites, as well. It's a simple, but proven design.
I've still got mine, purchased from US General, sort of the progenitor of Harbor Freight. Except they also sold branded tools like SK.
wheres the connection of the dial
i cant move my pin and put in tightness its just loose
When you buy new parts that little spring with the pin is a bitch to put in,this one was obviously decades old,lol , thats why it went in so easy,but thats the magic of new parts,one you assemble it the ratchet will be nice and tight, like new.
I just found mine after thinking it was lost, was my goto ratchet back in the day.
I just found mine today after losing it for about two weeks. During that time it felt like losing a close friend. Sure made me smile when I found it in the tractor.
I was hoping to see all the crud get cleaned off and looking like new.
Tnb Spotter This old ratchet has damaged chrome. That’s not crud on the outside. No amount of scrubbing will make it look like new, unfortunately.
Hitting it with a wirewheel, and turning that rust back to shiny iron helps the looks a lot though.
damn, I am just broke my only ratchet ;( I wish I had a supply like you do haha
You didn't grease it 😞
+Ricky Garrett I did lube it. I just didn’t include it in the video.
Ricky Garrett at 5:28 you can see the lube oozing out the sides of the selector.
What kind of oil or grease do you use when rebuilding ratchets like this?
I use SuperLube from Harbor Freight. Comes in a tube, silicon based.
@@cb750k1974 Hello, I understand Superlube comes either in a grease consistency or an oil. What do you guys suggest for an SK ratchet such as the one in the video? I am a tool noob -_-. But I am trying to learn proper maintenance! Thank you.
This was a great tutorial but was anyone else waiting for him to fill this thing up with some super lube?
i have 3 of the 1/4 drive in that stile
I launched the retaining ring into orbit. Now what?
You might need to get an entire new rebuild kit. I'm not aware of a generic replacement part and I don't know if SK has just the retainers separate from the kits.
👍
THE WHOLE PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE RATCHET IS THAT WHEN THE OUTER GEAR WEARS OUT YOU HAVE TO JUNK THE TOOL.
It takes decades of use to do that. This one is decades old and still works well.
... I'll give you a hint, most hand tools from S&K, Cornwell, Mac, Matco and Snap-On offer "Lifetime Warranty"... simple contact them directly and send them your broken tolls directly as an user...the only thing is do the homework it has worked for me for 24 years... S/K Tools was recently acquired by Ideal Tool Company and totally redesigned their manufacturing plant and facilities, experience pays, any help let me know...
+JR Lopez I'm very familiar with tool warranties. In this case there was nothing to warranty. The tool just needed to be cleaned.
I have the same one I sprayed it with WD40 and painted it green
axtra92 people steal my tools
Gimme gimme one.
>will last for decades
>doesn’t grease it
Yes I did oil it. I didn't show it in the videos because I thought everyone would know to do that.
grease.