Proper Lubrication

I just bought a pair of cuffs and am trying to get them to ratchet very smooth. I was wondering if someone could give me a quick list of what kind of lubrication I should and shouldn't use. And where to apply it.(I have previously been told "graphite" is good to use.) Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know exactly how proper this is, but I will give you the low down on what I do with cuffs that will not ratchet smooth. I will take the cuffs and put them on a thick rag. Then I spray the living bajebers out of them with wd-40. I use that little red straw that it comes with to get the lube down inside every nook and cranny. Then I dry them off real good, I will use a can of compressed air to spray them out deep down in the cracks and crevises. I wipe them down constantly while doing all of this. Then, if I am sure that they are clean, I will add a little tiny bit of 3-in-1 oil to the ratchet piece inside the case of the cuff. I will swing them through (on swing through models)or on non-swing through models I will keep on locking them all the way shut, then open them back up over and over again. I then wipe down the cuffs again, especially the teeth on the bow of the cuff, and then I'm done. If the cuff is extremely old, then I would pay special attention to the material it is made of...I am not sure if wd-40 will harm certin metals. As far as graphite, it is a wonderful lubracant, but if you are going to wear these cuffs, I would stear clear of this particular lube....it is very messy. I hope that this has helped you. Mike

I just bought a pair of cuffs and am trying to get them to ratchet very smooth. I was wondering if someone could give me a quick list of what kind of lubrication I should and shouldn't use. And where to apply it.(I have previously been told "graphite" is good to use.) Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

HI

I use gun oil or singer oil
this is the best for your cuffs
if they are not rusty or are stuck
this is very thin I don't how to say it
it is like water

regards

Patrick

I just bought a pair of cuffs and am trying to get them to ratchet very smooth. I was wondering if someone could give me a quick list of what kind of lubrication I should and shouldn't use. And where to apply it.(I have previously been told "graphite" is good to use.) Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

If you are so inclined, disassembling them and use a light grease. It is not only ideal, it is how they come from the factory. If it is an older pair that you can't/don't want to disassemble, some grease can still be applied carefully along the pawl with a small item used like a spatula. Then when the pawl works it will draw some of the grease inward. Make certain the hinge is lightly lubricated (you can use oil here) and that the bow isn't rubbing as it passes through the cheekplates. Both of these situations will cause drag on the bow.

Hope this helps,

Clyde

I just bought a pair of cuffs and am trying to get them to ratchet very smooth. I was wondering if someone could give me a quick list of what kind of lubrication I should and shouldn't use. And where to apply it.(I have previously been told "graphite" is good to use.) Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Skip, what brand of handcuffs have you got? and what finish are they?

Ian