Do you guys grease air ratchets?

demarpaint · Sep 17, 2013

I picked up a nice air ratchet from a friend, an IR 3/8" air ratchet. I read online you grease them. Then I read you use air ratchet oil, adding it to where the air hose goes. I also read to use a combination of the two. Any tips for the proper lubrication and care of the tool would be appreciated, including what oil and grease you guys use, and where/how you apply it.

TIA

randomhero439 · Sep 17, 2013

I put a couple drops of air-tool oil in each tool before i use it. I have a old air compressor without an in-line oil feed.

Jay1981 · Sep 17, 2013

I use air tool oil once in a while on all my air tools...if I remember to. I have never heard of using grease.

skellyman · Sep 17, 2013

Air tool oil , too many brands to list, I have even seen ppl use ATF in a pinch and 10w ND.

djb · Sep 17, 2013

The air tool oil lubricates the air motor.

You grease the ratcheting mechanism, which is isolated from the air motor.

AVB · Sep 17, 2013

An IR ratchet probably has a grease fitting, it takes a small needle like applicator with a cone on the end. http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-67-LBK1-Care-Grease/dp/B000E0TC8C

They also make an adapter with a zerk in the end to attach to a regular grease gun, I am having trouble finding a link to one.

Here is the adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Lubrication-5803-Grease-Needle/dp/B0002SR6XE/ref=pd_sim_auto_10

Brybo86 · Sep 17, 2013

Originally Posted By: randomhero439
I put a couple drops of air-tool oil in each tool before i use it. I have a old air compressor without an in-line oil feed.

you can buy a little gadget that connects right after the compressor before the hose that adds a bit of oil

Clevy · Sep 17, 2013

Originally Posted By: Brybo86
Originally Posted By: randomhero439
I put a couple drops of air-tool oil in each tool before i use it. I have a old air compressor without an in-line oil feed.

you can buy a little gadget that connects right after the compressor before the hose that adds a bit of oil

It slows the air coming from the tank though. I've tried all those fancy pre oilers and inline oilers and I've found just a few drops before use more than enough,with no complications

bigt61 · Sep 17, 2013

"just a few drops before use more than enough"

+1 - don't even need to do it every time. Every 2nd or 3rd use is probably enough unless you're using the tool hours at a time.

beechcraftted · Sep 17, 2013

I use a couple drops of Dexron ATF every other time I use them. Seems to work fine.

andyd · Sep 17, 2013

This will warm the cockles of your heart. Demarpaint. MMO is is good. They even make an MMO specially for air tools.

demarpaint · Sep 17, 2013

Originally Posted By: andyd
This will warm the cockles of your heart. Demarpaint. MMO is is good. They even make an MMO specially for air tools.

I was going to use it, but didn't want to start trouble here. lol

Thanks for all the replies. I'll have a look at the ratchet head to see how exactly to grease it, and where.

dave123 · Sep 17, 2013

Clean Dry air is your friend.

artificialist · Sep 17, 2013

Originally Posted By: dave123
Clean Dry air is your friend.

Most repair shops are too cheap to use air dryers.

I have not found an air ratchet that can be greased. The only lubrication I know of is to put air tool oil in the fitting before using that tool.

demarpaint · Sep 17, 2013

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: dave123
Clean Dry air is your friend.

Most repair shops are too cheap to use air dryers.

I have not found an air ratchet that can be greased. The only lubrication I know of is to put air tool oil in the fitting before using that tool.

Some air ratchets are supposed to be greased, at least this one is. I have to look into something to "clean the air" now. I ordered the kit which contains the oil and grease, so that's out of the way. It took a bit of hunting by I found some info online about the tool which shows the grease points.

Thanks for the replies.

Do you guys grease air ratchets?

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