Vintage Craftsman 3/8" Drive 24T 'Butterfly" or "Flying V" Ratchet Rebuild and Cleaning

This is a DIY of the disassembly, cleaning, inspection, lube and reassembly of a 3/8" drive Vintage Craftsman 24 tooth 'Butterfly' ratchet.
Ratchet lubrication basics video • Ratchet Lubrication Ba...
Here is a list of the items used:
Angle tip needle nose pliers (These are small precision pliers from Tekton, similar to my Craftsman set) amzn.to/2ytlfW4
Small flat blade screwdriver
Ratchet reassembly tool (SPP744) NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM SNAP-ON (July 2019)
Super Lube synthetic grease amzn.to/2XLuUSj
SeaFoam Deep Creep lube/cleaner amzn.to/2S4hM7l
CRC Brakleen (for cleaning disassembled parts) amzn.to/2VCqbQk
2.5L Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner (Similar to Harbor Freight, better basket though!) amzn.to/2zdoWzt
Hammer
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links above. Thanks!)
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Share as: • Vintage Craftsman 3/8"...

[@harv855]

I have this exact model that I purchased new about 1959. I am about to clean and lube as you have done, so this video was all I needed to dig in. I would not have reused the damaged ball. The ball looks to be about the size of a bicycle headset bearing. They sweep these off the floor in bike shops, but I already have a supply of this size and similar sizes. Thanks for the video, I will be going into my wrench tomorrow for the first time in almost 60 years. It should then last another 60 years, long after I am gone. ;-)

[@wwsjr2]

Have the same one here. My favorite go to ratchet for the last 55 years.

[@marcoperez4712]

Thanks for the video, helped out with a 1/2 inch FLYING V i came upon and needed to clean and lube. Everything worked out and now I have a like new vintage ratchet in my collection.

[@byronvinson5519]

High quality video. 4.5 stars. I was very distracted however when that third hand came into view. I almost laughed out loud.

[@stephenkent8903]

I like that you were able to take apart and clean this vintage craftsman tool and get it back into usable service. I like somewhat older craftsman tools. A 1947 Craftsman Jig/ Scroll saw which belonged to my niece's father in law, 2 1/4" D handle drills from 1954 and 1957 from a friend and neighbor. Then a 6 1/2" and 7 1/2" circular saws I picked up! Old school is cool to use!

[@claytonscheiber3493]

I'm sure glad I stumbled across this video. I have one of these, it's not locked up, still works. It was my Grandfathers. I'm gonna clean it, lube it to help protect against rust and let it lie in retirement next to my other ratchets in the drawer.

[@pinballdave1197]

Hey, thanks for your help. I’ve had an old craftsman ratchet kicking around for a long time. It had totally failed and wouldn’t work. After watching a couple of your videos I tore it down. Now it works great again. Took me a little while to find something to hold the ball and spring in, but in the end, a small piece of metal with a small hole worked.

[@trekzilladmc]

12:00

[@urbanlumberjack]

If you don’t have the specialized ratchet rebuild tool from Craftsman, I used the end of a corn dog stick to push the ball bearing down long enough to slip in the pawl, and it worked great! Lol

[@aaronwatson8164]

Thanks for telling the history of it. I have a 1/2 inch version that my dad left me and had no clue how old it was.

[@georgepagonis8516]

Thanks for posting. I recently inherited a few vintage Craftsman ratchets. Looking forward to taking them apart and making them work like new again.

[@f5tornadeau]

That’s cool. I have one that looks exactly like that except it doesn’t have the V shaped selector.

[@ureasmith3049]

Cool. I got a few of those from my dad's toolbox. Didn't realize they were that old.

[@coalheatefm1157]

I have this exact ratchet, still using it.

[@kimchee94112]

Put that wrench in a vice so you don't have to struggle with it. Oh yes make sure to clean out the work area in case the ball and spring flys off or work in a glove box like a sandblasting box to retrieve small flying objects. Don't ask, been there in my blackhole shop with mysterious parts appeared years later.

[@maskedavenger2578]

Good job well done that man ,you should be mentioned in dispatches for going above & beyond in the name of ratchet recommissioning 👍

[@spockworm]

I just bought one of these in a antique store for one dollar and it works great. Man am I happy.

[@MarzNet256]

I have same ratchet except with quick release and frying pan shaped selector. It helps to clamp handle in vise with rag around it to make it easier to work on.

[@chriscalderin6677]

Water and vingigar a no go. Use something mild but evaporats but the rest is great I would have packed that super lube thick it is great grease for solvent free conditions . I have broken ratchets but they are basically forver used within reason I have used the same 1/4 craftsman professionally for 25 years. The detent is going out but still use daily.

[@t-wreckscustoms3745]

Well Done! Very clear resto. Subscribed! T-Wrecks