Snap On

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Just a quick "shout out" to The Snap-on Corporation.

When I was moving the steering column forward in RAT, I pulled my Snap-on ratchet off of the bolt I was tightening
and the ratchet and head came off...without its "guts" in place.

Seems like, after how many ever years of hard work (inherited it from my father), the little screws that hold the "guts"
into the head of the old Model F-71-C had simply disappeared. Into the black hole.

I looked on the Snap-on website for replacement screws. No-can-find.

I thought, "I wonder if the screws in the 3/8 drive head repair kit will fit? "Well, I wonder if there *are* screws in that kit, anyway?"

I called Snap-on to ask those questions. The person on the other end couldn't find the screws or a kit she thought would work....
She asked me a couple of questions.Then she told me that, because they couldn't fix it, nor send me the parts to fix it, she'd send
me a replacement.

Today, when I came home, the Man In Brown had delivered a package to my driveway. Brand new Snap-on F80.

How about that?

[Dieselwrencher]

You can't beat that! I like Snap-on's ratchets the best out of any others.

[Boog]

My Dad had an old 3/8 snap-on ratchet that belonged to his dad. It was not chromed. I believe it was made during the war or before. Anyway it was smooth worn out. One day we asked our snap-on man if possibly it could be rebuilt and what do you know, he came up with a rebuild kit for that old ratchet. It looked rough outside but was brand new inside. It was quite a piece. Then our shop got burglarized around Christmas and we lost all of our hand tools.
kudos to the tool guys.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

The nice Snap-on person said I should try to find some machine screws that would work. They didn't want the
ratchet back.

So, I found some in my rifle-building leftover parts that work pretty well. One seats. The other is tight enough
to get the job done.

The "family ratchet" will host his baby brother. I found out the F71C was manufactured between 1953 and 1958...
....And was going strong until last week.

Now, back to work for grandpa!!!!

[jeffahart]

Nice! Last weekend I found myself filing the teeth on my old Channel Locks. Just had them too long to toss for new. Some of my old tools are like old pals. I'm into my 50s now, and many I've had since I was a teen. I have my great grandfathers bench planes, block planes, hand saws and files.... he was a master carpenter; and those are treasures, and I still use them!

[CastIron]

I've been using Snap On tools almost daily for over twenty years and prefer them to any other brand.
By the way, Snap On puts a date symbol on almost all of their tools. Check it out:

[Tropical Snowstorm]

It's a tough pill to swallow up front but knowing that a company stands behind their product without batting an eye is well worth the buy in. I have several of their tools and the quality is second to none.

[steelhorse]

I am a master mechanic and use Snap on tools every day. They have great service and their products are well worth the money.

[earl84]

Originally Posted by CastIron

I've been using Snap On tools almost daily for over twenty years and prefer them to any other brand.
By the way, Snap On puts a date symbol on almost all of their tools. Check it out:

That is way cool! So it looks like magwakeenercew's Ratchet was made in 1954. That's awesome.

[jjzepplin]

Gonna go check one of my old ratchets now. Most of my tools are Snap On and I still have the receipts from 1988 when I got most of them. They never break and I trust them with my hands more than I should. When I can't find one I get a sinking feeling in my chest like I was in the eighth grade and just saw my girlfriend cheating on me. Best hand tools in the world as far as I know. Tools I own that are not Snap On were given to me. I will only pay for the best when it come to Hand tools= Snap On!

[jjzepplin]

Just Checked and my old ratchet says F71-D but I cannot find a symbol. Doh Found it "Z" 1962 and still working great!

[poor_mans72]

magwakeenercew you'll like the new F80, I bought one as a self gift when started work on my 72, very smooth. one thing about snap on they certainly do stand behind their product

[Bigdav160]

I didn't know about the date code. Two ratchets I've found (not purchased) are FM70A ( a 1/4 inch sized ratchet with a 3/8 drive) from 1995 and a MV71 ratchet that I cannot find any markings on. Military?

[Musclerodz]

I sometime wonder if a drug addiction would be cheaper than my Snap-On addiction.

[moondog64]

I have had a snap-on addiction for thirty years. It is an expensive habit tho...

[cableguy0]

I always joke everytime I get a new sweatshirt, jacket or t-shirt from snap on. That its the reason the kids wont get to go to college. As far as hand tools go I wont buy anything else. I use my stuff everyday and its all abused and holds up. If something does break its replaced without question by my snap on guy. My socket and ratchet drawer alone would buy me a nice used car.

[t76turbo]

I know this thread is a little stale. But I was curious if anyone knows where on the tools the snap on code is located?

I have a number of snap on ratchets. One is in a set that my Dad gave me years and years ago before he passed away.... Probably one of the only name brand name tools he ever bought. I know it isn't that old. Maybe 70's to 80's. He did buy it second hand. It is in a red blow molded case with deep and shallow sae sockets, spark plug socket, and small 'breaker' bar. I was just curious how old it was. There is no mark between the forward and reverse positions on the head. There is a part number and the snap on name in a band just above the handle.

I have a tool obsession like everyone else here. I am not a pro and never will be. But love good tools. My close friend is a Matco franchise owner and got me my 6 series Pale Horse White triple bay box and a lot of other tools. I do have a number of snap on tools as well and like them very much. But after looking at all the boxes, I went with Matco due to the strength and build quality. Doesn't hurt I get the hook up either.

[Chevy_mud_truck]

I buy a lot of snap on tools myself Matt has always went out of his way to make sure to get every thing as fast as posable and fixed fast I've got hand tools/welders/plasma cutter/tap set I've got a Mac box and some Mac tools that I got form a family friend that was retiring for a smoken deal but I wount buy anymore Mac there to hard to get broke tools replaced as the driver was let go/fired/quit/ladedoff who knows

[KEWLKATDADY]

My father is a mechanic, my grandfather was a mechanic.
Only tool in the carts at work are snap-on.

There must be a reason.

[mikie 1954]

My son inlaw used to sell snap on tools and gave me some tee shirts. I was wearing one at lunch one day and an older man came up to me to tell me a story about havering his tools stolen. He is retired from Mercury marine and had all his tools in the garage when it was broken into and they were all stolen, he said insurance would would only pay a percentage of replacement on the tools except for snapon which they payed full replacement cost on. Said he had Mac, craftsman, but mostly snapon.

[72longhornTX]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

The nice Snap-on person said I should try to find some machine screws that would work. They didn't want the
ratchet back.

So, I found some in my rifle-building leftover parts that work pretty well. One seats. The other is tight enough
to get the job done.

The "family ratchet" will host his baby brother. I found out the F71C was manufactured between 1953 and 1958...
....And was going strong until last week.

Now, back to work for grandpa!!!!

I will try and remember in the morning to look this ratchet up on my work computer. If I have a rebuild kit for it, I can drop it in the mail for you so you can rebuild that beauty to like new. If possible. Just post a reminder during the day and I will look it up.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by 72longhorntx

i will try and remember in the morning to look this ratchet up on my work computer. If i have a rebuild kit for it, i can drop it in the mail for you so you can rebuild that beauty to like new. If possible. Just post a reminder during the day and i will look it up.

great!!!!

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

great!!!!

I appreciate the thought.

[72longhornTX]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

I appreciate the thought.

Having looked around calling all the old timers in Houston. Seems no one has them anymore. I know we can still get the kits for the 1/2in ratchet that old, but not that one.

I am not going to say it can't be fixed. Sometimes the kits from some newer ratchets fit in there and work just fine. I wouldn't be able to tell you witch one without having the ratchet in hand. I would recommend carrying that ratchet with you everywhere you go and if you see a Snap-on truck and have time. Stop and see what they can do. Worst case is they give you a brand new ratchet and you got another new one.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by 72longhornTX

I would recommend carrying that ratchet with you everywhere you go and if you see a Snap-on truck and have time. Stop and see what they can do. Worst case is they give you a brand new ratchet and you got another new one.

Will do.

Thanks.