80's Power Ratchet Lithium Conversion Black & Decker Snap On

[@MegaTapdog]

I have both of those in my garage, had them since new and yes they were birthday and father’s day presents decades ago, I run across them every once in a while and sigh and say I’ll get to it. I think i’ll dig them out tomorrow now that i’m retired. Thanks for the video, subbed.

[@dcrog69]

Those screwdrivers and the rechargeable lights were the go to father's day gift for the eighties andties and nineties

[@macswanton9622]

the led upgrade for the lights is a thing too

[@gd.ritter]

that screwdriver and a snake light. lol

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

I remember all that stuff.... I can't even express in words how excited I was to get a Makita 7.2 volt ni-cad cordless power drill..... Heh heh heh!!! Batteries slammed in the handle like the mags on a 1911..... Heh heh heh!!! Ohhh yeah.... That is a trip down memory lane right there... You're not wrong, all the cool guys had the charging base thing screwed into the wall of their garage....

[@machineman8388]

Those makitas were probably the coolest thing around at the time, you're not the first person I've heard/read say something similar. I think those old drills would be great to do a battery retrofit on, because the internals on those drills are actually really really nice.

[@scottoneal2744]

Seeing the Black and Decker screw driver triggered some great memories with my dad from the 80s/90s. Cool vid

[@alextwfsk8er]

Son of a. I literally tossed one of these the other day after it sitting in my toolbox dead for 5 years. Keep up the videos!

[@89G]

There's a flashback. My Dad had both of those. When I bought my Husky 12V ratchet, I was expecting it to be waaaay better than the old B&D. Turns out, the battery is about the only technology that got better. It just lasts longer now. Not much more (noticeable) power. Great stuff, my friend!

[@NoNeedForSensorsOnYouTube]

I have the Husky too. Too big for a lot of jobs I find.

[@89G]

@@NoNeedForSensorsOnKZbin yes! I've had to reverse it at times because I backed it into a bad spot.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Not sure why somebody hasn't come out with a skinny handled one with three of these cells stacked end to end. If they did that, it wouldn't be much bigger than a regular ratchet.

[@89G]

@@sixtyfiveford yes, that's a great idea! I'd be all over that.

[@bobsoft]

Sweet, I am doing this ! I have a Craftsmen 3/8" ratchet like yours that my grandma gave me in the 80's. Much quieter than my air ratchet.

[@sixtyfiveford]

That is awesome!

[@fraydnot]

I'm going to be searching for a power ratchet at estate sales & garage sales. Thanks Moe for the upload

[@topcat5988]

I miss getting these old Christmas gifts!

[@NoNeedForSensorsOnYouTube]

Modern high drain 18650 and 26650 batteries have tons of practical applications.

[@jbj27406]

It seems that many of the older Black & Decker tools were really great, but then they seemed to just stop making worthy tools, or at least started making consumer stuff. I'll bet you could educate us on what's what with B&D, and what vintages to buy and what not to buy. That was an extremely slick power upgrade. You're the Wizard of Fixit--along with your trusty sidekick, Ginger.

[@machineman8388]

Anything that has the "professional" nameplate on it in gray or yellow lettering is good. Anything with "industrial" in red lettering is also really good. The best would be the tools they made from the 60's to the early 80's in aluminum housings with orange badging. They had a distinctive era where the tools were better than even milwaukee back then. I buy them for next to nothing because everyone thinks black and decker is all homeowner junk like toaster ovens and hedge trimmers 😂😂😂 Look up B&D 1065 "shorty" drill and its more modern cousin the 1165. Anything that looks like these will be pretty good. Look up model number 1321 as well. 2 examples of very good tools from B&D

[@jbj27406]

@@machineman8388 Thank you very much for that explanation. That really is valuable information. When I started my first carpenter's apprentice job in the early 70's, it seemed like Black & Decker was one of the most coveted names in circular saws and drills and stuff. Right up there with Porter-Cable and Milwaukee and such. Thanks again.

[@machineman8388]

@@jbj27406 so you're roughly the same age as my father, he graduated high school in 1973. Its interesting you mention that being a coveted name because that's what I figure when I see some of these tools. Some of the old B&D stuff I have is unrivaled in terms of quality. But when I ask my dad, who never necessarily worked on the trades but has always fixed his own cars, built his own cabinets and decks, etc. He says he can't remember them being anything other than homeowner grade tools. I think much of their higher-end tools were only marketed to professionals and industries in certain channels, and as such they were beat out by milwaukee who also targeted professionals and DIYers alike but in big box stores like home depot. Thats just my guess at least from what I've gathered. Almost all my stuff is older than I am.

[@jbj27406]

@@machineman8388 Pretty close. Class of '68 for me. I still have my 13 amp Milwaukee #6365 7 1/4 inch circular saw that I bought brand new in 1976. I built a deck as one of my first side jobs and every nickel that I made bought that saw for me. I still use it all the time.

[@sethwiles1255]

Your resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me!

[@minutemanmac]

Talk about a trip down memory lane. My father had both of those and every weekend they'd come out for projects

[@lv_woodturner3899]

I have the B&D screwdriver and a 3/8in Skilwrench which is all metal body. Thanks for the video, I have been pondering replacing the dead batteries with new lithium cells.

[@DAS-Videos]

Great job re-powering it. I had one back in the day, my friend wanted one I wanted one. Then got it for a gift I was so excited. My friend got one too. I remember being a little disappointed with its torque. Meanwhile I did come across my old B&D power screw driver which I thought was gone, dead as a door nail of course. Half of me wants to re-power it, the other half of me is like 'I don't know, I have to buy more 18650 cells'. I always end up using any 18650 cells I have in my flashlights. I will investigate if I can get battery packs from the recyclable places.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Glad you can keep track of all this stuff. I'd be with Ginger eating snow. Bless Yall

[@sixtyfiveford]

That sounds like a much better life

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@sixtyfiveford It'd suit old geezerish me!

[@yodasbff3395]

Nice job. I converted my Versa Pack batteries to 18650 cells, but your way is much better.👍 By catching the snowflakes Ginger is trying to keep the snow from getting too deep. She is such thoughtful sweetheart. 😘

[@sixtyfiveford]

She's was doing a great job. I was so preoccupied I didn't even notice until I rewatched the video clip.

[@Isaac-47517]

the snowflakes , is Ginger self-taught?

[@ericchase5421]

B&D also made a rechargeable blender in that time period. Made me popular at the boys annual golf weekend. Lots of good memories with 20 guys and a bar closing for the season, and not wanting any stock left to store over the winter.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Didn't know they had a blender! That would be fun.

[@timothywilliams2021]

My dad's still got the book 0:42 you showed. Growing up i used it for reference a few times.

[@sixtyfiveford]

That's cool

[@redneckbryon]

Wow, this tool brings back bad memories from the 90s, of an under powered tool, with a battery that never lasted. Where you put the charging port, I think that’s the best spot.

[@johnnymack8442]

Very cool. I remember my dad having those as I was a kid. I would use them to work on my bikes.

[@JohnDoe-zr6bk]

Awesome channel, most underrated. This is how you fight climate change, do not buy new junk, but repair stuff. Not by exchanging plastic straws by paper ones....

[@sixtyfiveford]

Great point!

[@ranger178]

yeah, instead of stupid energy efficiency standards for appliances they need minimum ten-year warranties and parts readily available for everything instead of disposable Chinese garbage.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Well done, what an awesome project. I’ve seen plenty of the screwdrivers but never the ratchet. It just so happens I ordered a DeWalt battery adapter for our Dyson yesterday so you know what I’ll be doing with the old battery, I’ll just have to find the ratchet now😂. I love your dog chasing snowflakes, that’s so adorable. Thanks for another valuable lesson, Stuart 🇦🇺

[@tims8603]

Just an FYI. You can buy those TP4056 charging boards with protection circuits build in. They will prevent over discharging the battery. They are slightly more expensive and slightly larger.

[@sixtyfiveford]

The only issue is the pass through low voltage current they are able to supply is really small. I think around 1 amp which is too small for any tool application. I would guesstimate that this ratchet or even screwdriver version stalls out around 10amps. The chip would work fine for a flashlight or similar low current application.

[@tims8603]

@@sixtyfiveford Yeah, I never thought about that.

[@gackhuhn4868]

@@sixtyfivefordthe biggest issue with those boards is not the missing over current protection its the missing under voltage protection which can and will damage the cells

[@emaglott]

Wow I had forgotten about the revolutionary power screwdriver we had when I was a kid. Well done on that retrofit!

[@ericojanen4419]

That's really funny I just did the same thing today. I got two old Makita 7.2 volt drills from the mid 80s I believe. I used two 3 amp hour 18650s from a vape I had laying around and got some BMS boards and a lithium charger that plugs right into the original barrel plug on the drill from eBay around $10. Works good as new now going to do the other drill probably tomorrow.

[@johnmckee7937]

Those were excellent cordless screwdrivers! I had one for many years i used everyday. I got rid of it many years ago when i moved, no longer using it, and battery was dead.

[@christ6370]

I did a similar conversion to the Black & Decker Versapak battery. I gutted out the battery pack and installed a 18650 that's removable for charging. Works great, more torque and power for all my tools. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome

[@only1muppet]

I’ve got both and have actually kept them hoping I could eventually replace the batteries. This is a video I’m definitely keeping bookmarked 😁

[@robertmailhos8159]

Great upgrade to make the classic battery powered tools from the 80s work again there sixty five Ford

[@tundrajt]

Gonna try this with my Makita 3/8 impact I bought many years ago when I was an auto tech. Super handy to have when working on small engines, but the battery life is garbage. Used to be decent for auto repair, but those days are long past. I also looked into getting a more powerful motor installed in it. Ain’t technology wonderful nowadays?!?

[@Asomesauc]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos thank you.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey thanks

[@jafinch78]

Awesome! Thanks for covering doing this. I made a video, I think the Hypertough and Nextec battery comparison and noted I am planning to do the same or similar. Neat to see performed already. Thank you sir! Kind work!

[@ZippoVarga]

Somewhere in my tool collection is the B&D Screwdriver. It was always my Go To in the house. Awesome to see you convert them to Li!! Cheers Moe! Zip~

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey Thanks.

[@just1nicmechanicalwelding82]

Moe, you are one talented guy.. love your Channel...

[@sixtyfiveford]

I appreciate that!

[@802Garage]

Awesome how compact that ratchet is. One way to supercharge it would be to switch to an RC/airsoft style LiPo battery pack instead of the cylindrical cells. Find a 3S or 4S pack that fits within the constraints and get some speed outta that little beast.

[@stlyns]

I've got one of those somewhere, I might dig it out and upgrade it. Great tip on using an old vape for a charging part

[@somedudeRyan]

Great rebuild, was thinking about the vape boards right as you mentioned them and have been wondering about using them as I find a lot lying around the road

[@sixtyfiveford]

I've been collecting vape batteries/boards. Haven't found a use for them yet... Soon.

[@moseshancock3336]

I had two of the drills I gave my grandpa one of them new he loved it

[@robertszekely7293]

I have the same ratchet! I was planning to do the same! Thanks for the motivation to do it!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Go for it!

[@robertszekely7293]

I finished yesturday! It’s my new old love! Last time i used it i was a kid! Now i am 41. Brings back memories! The Next will be my old Makita drill and Mini circular saw! Thanks again for the motivation!

[@jonrohm]

I have always learned something from every one of your videos that I didn't know before. 😎👌 I do kind of the same stuff as you in my garage so your videos fit me perfect. When I saw your Leatherman on the bench I thought that I would love to see a video on which multitool you find to be the best for all around. If there is enough content for that kind of thing. I have the Gerber center drive but i am kind of curious on upgrading to a Leatherman.

[@waltschannel7465]

Great video! I have a secret source for lithium ion batteries with the charging board included. It is a retail outlet that used to sell them to hobbyists but won't anymore because it is considered legally liable. I wish that recycling centers, Lowes, HD, Ace Hardware, etc. in my area would allow me to pick up lithium ion batteries used. I don't know why they won't, but universally, they refuse. Probably the same reason. The good news is that good, high drain ones are not expensive online . Is that a recent video of you in the snow with Ginger? Wow!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yeah that was me and Ginger last week in the snow. Got stuck for a few hours. Recorded a bunch of video but not sure if I have enough to put together a cohesive video.

[@waltschannel7465]

@sixtyfiveford Wow, that snow is something, this late in the season! Here in WA, we'll be lucky if we have any snowpack left.

[@sixtyfiveford]

@@waltschannel7465 I had to go pretty high up the mountain to get this snow and it was soft mush. As far as Lowe's Home Depot; I've only had one Lowe's tell me no. But then again I don't ask; I just grab. I've had a few times where they asked what I was doing and I just say I'm doing experiments/projects with these garbage batteries and they say ok.

[@waltschannel7465]

@sixtyfiveford The stores here put hasps and padlocks on the battery disposal bins. They used to put the bins near the entrance next to the shopping cart bays; out of sight out of mind. But now the bins are on the exit side of the registers, carefully watched. Some won't even let the consumer deposit batteries without employee assistance.

[@jasondk5127]

My dad had these too, wish I still had them, I didn't buy another cordless tool until lithium tools came out.

[@reedvending2384]

i used vape batteries and put 2 or 3 of them into the vape case along with the stock vape charger and used it to run a battery powered floor sweeper. I also built other things using vape batteries and use my rc battery charger to charge up the batteries since i can do all sorts of different types of batteries and set the charge caps and rates. They are inexpensive and some can even be used as a light duty power source.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome

[@flatlinesup]

"You get us unstuck. I'm going to eat snowflakes."

[@sixtyfiveford]

What a life

[@Midoabukamar]

​@@sixtyfivefordbro i support your video but please add a undervoltage protection for the battery or else the battery could die

[@richardbrobeck2384]

I love the up grade !

[@davidlester6092]

Another winner!!!! 🏁🏁🏁

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏻👍🏻………………………………………Years ago, when my dad passed away, my siblings put me in charge of going through the tools he had. He kept tools no matter if they worked or not. I threw away a couple of those ratchets and four of the screw drivers. The batteries were dead and the tools didn’t work. If I knew then what I learned today, I would have kept them and fixed them just because they were his.

[@strongandco]

I'm gonna need a cordless ratchet for a little job I have to do sometime. This is a neat little project, if I can find an old B&D ratchet on ebay I'll be giving it a go. Thanks!!!!

[@sixtyfiveford]

I like the compact size for sure.

[@ProleDaddy]

Once again, you're a good man, my brother. Nice work on this video. I do stuff like this too.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome

[@BruceLyeg]

I have the previous model, the all steel one. I've been meaning to convert it for ages

[@DoingItCheap]

Gotta love it !!! Tater Tot says Hello to Ginger !!

[@pjmarkert1]

I did the same to a similar B&D ratchet but I used a $1 Chinese battery management board 1/4" by 1.5" and it charges fine with the original charger.

[@BrandenH-O051]

Stuff like this makes me wish I would have paid more attention in physics class.

[@graeberj7531]

You're a genius mang.

[@earl3358]

Love seeing a Dyson pack in the 'kiosk' They have a turd BMS that tanks the whole pack if one bank goes a bit out of balance. Out of 15 or so i found they all had perfect cells. Nice Sony and Molicell and 6 of em great for a 2p 12v build. Pain to pry apart the clamshell though

[@sixtyfiveford]

When I first started collecting battery packs, I actually did not give the Dysons a second thought. Even left some. Then I started prying them apart. Finding that virtually all the cells are good. A lot of them have a magnetic sensor at the front that would just go out causing the pack to brick like you said. Now they're my favorite packs.

[@tanksoldier9770]

Awesome fix. Hay does it hurt to be that smart. Ha ha thanks again and yes i had that screwdriver

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey thanks. Weren't the screwdrivers only around $19.99? I guess even if they were, that's probably $80 in today's money with the way things are going.

[@tanksoldier9770]

I got it from my sister for Christmas so l don't know what it cost ,about 40 miles away in reno we had a JC PENNeys OUTLET AND I use to get lots of B AND D TOOLS AT SUPER PRICES and there tools LIKE THERE $ 3000 + AIR COMPRESSOR WITH A DENT IN THE BELT GAURD FOR $ 800.00. OH THE GOOD DAYS WHERE DID THEY GO .?

[@brianriggin4560]

Snap-On divas have been triggered.

[@sixtyfiveford]

We can only hope

[@wayneo7307]

Hi Moe. I Got My Dad One Of Those Screwdriver Ones . He Killed It. Then I Got Him A Skil Powered Ratchet . Nice But It Eventually Broke . He Used To Break Everything! Especially if He Tried To Fix It !😂😂😂 ! Anyways Nice Job.

[@sixtyfiveford]

In love it. I couldn't find a print ad for the price of those screwdrivers originally. I recall they were something like $19.99 or $39.99.

[@dlyall26]

I have the cordless screw driver. I have thought about this for a while now, but I never found time.

[@mhpjii]

*SIXTYFIVEFORD:* He knows this technology so well he makes original videos *ME:* "What do you mean $125 plus parts?"

[@greebo7857]

8:50 Big Clive does a thing on vape batteries. Interesting that these things just get thrown away. I've never seen one, guess I don't live in the right areas. Gunna start looking. Lotsa stuff needs batts.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I've only found them a few times. Out in the forest/woods of all places.

[@mikebeck7263]

Interesting video. Too bad I threw my cordless screwdriver away years ago. Was that a Ryobi power source I saw in the background? Do you have a model number or info on it?

[@sixtyfiveford]

That's the Ryobi soldering iron station.

[@DanBrown-f9h]

You're good. Love it.

[@beereadyyy9849]

Dang just trew myn out a few month's ago wish I seen this back then

[@Phantom-mk4kp]

One thing you have to be aware of it's bad to take Li-ion battery down to below 3V, so don't run it until flat. Better is to fit a small management board inside that will turn off motor when cell voltage gets too low

[@rjsprojects]

What screwdriver is that? It looks like the Vessel Megadora but mine has a knurled shaft and no hex bolster.

[@michaelkawasaki4764]

Vessel! You know your stuff.

[@sixtyfiveford]

It's a Vessel Magadora I bought in 2018. There is no hex on the shaft. It's just knurled.

[@vthegoose]

Huh, that’s cool. Kinda want one

[@FeralDayASMR]

i sat like 1 or more minutes on cells with an iron but those cells were low power and somewhat old. Worked just fine. Would not do it with high output ones. Unless i can manage it within like 5 seconds :D

[@RodderFiles]

Bro can you do this to my old gimbals this would be a perfect mod to use usbc as my charge ports are warn out

[@rogerbrown6359]

Nice video as always, what leatherman tool was in the video?

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks. For the past year I've been using one Leatherman Free P4. Mainly just because I can open and close it with one hand.

[@PuchMaxi]

I saw your comment on a video about the Snap-On version Moe! About it being build by Black & Decker. Can't remember the channel name at the moment.

[@PuchMaxi]

Found it, it was a short from ​ @Bang4BuckRacing

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yep, that's it. I think he said he bought every single one up on eBay. At least the snap-on ones.

[@alext8828]

What happened to the Skil version?

[@standbanger2]

The B&D ratchet must of been USA only because i have never seen it here in the UK, we got the screwdriver but not the ratchet!

[@sixtyfiveford]

I think even here they sold very few.

[@Ca6ko5pob]

I would pay to have this done

[@CapApollo]

excellent.. this is what i call recycling.

[@jonaswimmer2763]

You could try fitting a stronger brushless motor the same size would be another awesome upgrade to get some more power out of it and as they are using metal gears in the production I think you wont have any issues regarding strength

[@sixtyfiveford]

That would be cool

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Nice I have both of them !

[@sixtyfiveford]

Nice 👍

[@beeflow2638]

Now, I just have to upgrade my old Versapack batteries.

[@MrErViLi]

Does that chip have over charge protection?

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yes, it protects the cell from over charge. So you could leave it plugged in for weeks or months.

[@helicopterjohns]

Nice Video. Really enjoyed it.

[@aaadamt964]

Info on that hammer? It looks like it would be handy for some body work.

[@sixtyfiveford]

It's a vintage tack hammer.

[@ragdolltrucking]

a bms would be a good idea, i know its not likely to overheat but running lithium low on voltage then charging them can cause them to short internally and catch fire, i know, ive done it. plus theyre literaly $2 on amazon

[@sixtyfiveford]

There is a charging BMS. That's the USB C device. There is not a low voltage shut off though. Because you cannot find ones that will run these tools. They all have to have pass-through power and there are none that will supply the 10 to 20 amps required. They are all for low drain devices around 1 amps. The charging BMS will not allow it to overcharge and catch fire. All of these cells also have a thermal fuse and if they get too hot it'll simply blow the thermal fuse.

[@johnsmith-sw7ii]

Waaaaaay too confusing!!!! What are the little boards called and where do you get them???

[@TheKajunkat]

link in the description

[@johnsmith-sw7ii]

@@TheKajunkat Thanks....Bud Missed it

[@gorak9000]

I'd actually get one of those and convert the batteries in it if they didn't keep all the battery recycling bins behind the customer service counter here. If I have to buy batteries, it's not worth doing conversions like this, but I guess the experts that run the box stores know more about recycling and how recycling them is "better" for the environment that just re-using the good cells!

[@tricky4g63]

What about upgrading the motor and speed control? Would it be possible with a rc car motor?

[@sixtyfiveford]

I don't see why not. You'd just need a motor small enough, as it's pretty tight in there.

[@roberthutchison315]

Very Cool

[@zumbazumba1]

Save up to 10.000$ ? Jeez how much did those ratchets cost back in the day ?

[@ranger178]

I have both of those found the ratchet to be pretty useless you had to loosen everything manually might work for running long bolts down hardly used it when it was new.

[@sixtyfiveford]

You're supposed to tighten and loosen everything manually with a cordless ratchet. I've used DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, husky, Ryobi and every single one is this way. If you want something that breaks nuts free, you need a right angle impact.

[@rogertyler3237]

How Can You Charge A Battery Like That You Need A Lithium Charger

[@sixtyfiveford]

I installed a premade $5 circuit board so it charges like a cell phone. Just plug in a USB cable.

[@g6qwerty]

I don't know what it is about the ratchets but their so loud that I hate using them would rather use a impact driver.

[@sixtyfiveford]

So true.

[@Flowing23]

👍👍

[@Iowa599]

Average girth is 4.6 inches, so that is bigger than most.

[@jeep2003]

Snap-on is gonna make you take down that thumbnail no doubt lol

[@Iowa599]

Torque test!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Lol. Not sure it would even register on a scale. I would guesstimate somewhere around 15 foot pounds.

[@Iowa599]

@@sixtyfiveford diy weld a rod with an eyelet to a socket, so the eyelet is 12" from the socket's drive square. Then hang weights from the rod's socket, and see how many lbs the ratchet will lift.

[@frederikmoeller88]

Please do a revision with a bms ppls houses are gonna burn down.

[@sixtyfiveford]

The charger board is the BMS.

[@billsmith1770]

i'm convinced this guy could even fix the nation's economy . now , if only we could get him elected .

[@sixtyfiveford]

People wouldn't like how cheap I am.

[@konstantinusstoyanov9749]

I would duck tape the charging port, dust off

[@micknightmare3]

But it's going to get filthy with dirt grease n stuff next to the power button😮

[@sixtyfiveford]

It's not a concern of mine. However, if it was they sell little USB C plugs/covers.

[@HalmarkCreates]

you gotta get a spot welder and some proper ventilation my dude....sketch city.