simple maintinence is required on tools

[grumpyvette]

I recently stopped by a yard sale where they had a 25' tape measure marked $1.50 I picked it up, it looked new and Id recently priced the exact same tape measure at $8.95 at home depot, when I pulled the tape out it did not retract automatically , and it resisted being pushed back in, I offered $1 and it was instantly sold! on taking it home I simply sprayed it internally with a good bit of WD40, and started working the tape in and out and repeatedly sprayed it, withing 4 minutes it worked perfectly and would extend and retract the whole 25 feet of tape!

I also spotted an old DEWALT 1/2 drill the chuck was obviously rusted and would not adjust, I picked it up, it was marked $15, I bought it for $7 and after its chuck was sprayed with carb cleaner and its chuck was soaked in acetone and marvel mystery oil over night it spins and adjusts like new.

I bought a 4" machinist micrometer for $4 a few years ago that was lightly rusted. I soaked it in a zip lock bag partly filled with marvel mystery oil and WD40 for 4-5 days after spraying it with carb cleaner, its as good as new!

you might be amazed at the number of times just a bit of lubrication or cleaning is all thats required to free up stuck tools

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=2869&p=7443#p7443

 

[grumpyvette]

btw, if your on a tight budget, hit a few yard sales and keep your eyes open for brand name mechanics hand tools , drill bits, taps, clamps, timing lights etc. you may be surprised at what youll find occasionally.
I especially look for wrenches, sockets ratchets clamps, old vices , heavy extension cords , mechanics creepers (SNAP-ON,MAC,even old craftsman) that look a little worse for wear and those that have obviously been incorrectly stored and neglected, your occasionally going to find decent deals on older tool sets at yard sales that have not been well cared for, most have at least some surface rust, this will make the price significantly lower but in many cases have very little effect on the tools function.
if your ratchet wrench is reluctant to work correctly it may be damaged internally and need to be replaced but its very common for it to just need to be oiled and cleaned,
drop those ratchet wrenches in can of about 90% marvel mystery oil and 10% WD40 well mixed, to set submerged to soak over night it generally helps
they are reluctant to work as moisture/rust or dirt gets inside the mechanics
once soaked put wrench on a bolt of matched size and work ratchet back and forth,
if its reluctant to free up, re-soak, repeat they generally free up by the first or second night

I buy crappy looking old brand name wrenches at yard sales all the time ,many will require a bit of time with a drill and wire brush to remove built up corrosion,

a half hour soaking, in a 5 gallon bucket 1/3 full of white vinegar will remove most surface rust , then rinse wrenches and sockets,etc. in very hot water with a lot of dawn dish washing liquid to remove grease , a second rinse in a tub of diesel fuel wont hurt either, then , blow dry with a heat gun and spray with wd40 to protect the surface from further rust, you'll be amazed at the cosmetic improvement

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=5003&p=25222&hilit=rust+remove#p25222

if its a bit more than a haze rust on the surface,and you really want wrenches to shine, flitz works well on a damp rag soaked in vinegar
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ftz-bu03515