History of Snap-On ratchet levers; which do you like best?

[billymade]

Here is a quick history of ratchet levers; which do you like, don't like and which is the most comfortable?

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_7037_1.jpg
Snap-On Midget M-70L 9/32" drive Ratchet

This one is stamped steel; a little hard to move, because it is flat. My ratchet had the drive filed down to work with 1/4" drive sockets!

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_7035_1.jpg
Snap-On No. 70N 1/2" drive Ratchet

Brass, with steel center and looks like went to peened design to keep in place.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_7032_1.jpg
Par-X UR-7 1/4" drive Ratchet

This one is interesting, the raised "nub"; makes it easier to move the lever compared to the old stamped steel design.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_7036_1.jpg
Snap-On SV-71 1/2" drive Ratchet

All one piece and metal; this design seemed to have stayed on many different ratchets for a long time.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_7030_1.jpg
Snap-On TML830 1/4" drive Ratchet

Rounded design with center attached by screw, peening eliminated; these were prone to breaking.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_7042.jpg
Snap-On F830 3/8" drive Ratchet

When I got this one, the lever was broken; a rebuild by my local Snap-On dealer came up with a replacement revised lever design. Looks like they strengthened the lever with little "supports" on the right/left of the lever.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_7031_1.jpg
Snap-On T936 1/4" drive Ratchet

I believe this is the currently shipping lever style; "supports" already integrated into the design, I find this one to be the most comfortable of all the lever designs shown. Please contribute: I am open to any and all corrections, pictures of other designs and anything else you would like to add.... these just happen to be the different designs I found in my tool box.... I'm sure there are others out there.... show yours! :)

[paramudduck]

I like the 70n and 71 styles. For some reason I've always liked the recessed selector areas as well.

[billymade]

Maybe you guys with the really early Snap-On stuff can post some pics of those type of selectors that were on the 20s/30s stuff, really simple types if I remember from other posts.....

[nissan_crawler]

The ones that don't have levers...:lol_hitti

[Merkava_4]

This is a good thread Billy. :thumbup:

I like the 936 levers the best; after that, the 830 levers. :)

[paramudduck]

OK it's 348am and I'm still sick.

So I'll go out on a limb and make a comment. The levers on the newer ones kind of remind me of pimples. They just stick out there with no attempt to blend in with the design.

[eschoendorff]

Billy... don't take this the wrong way, but a thread on the history of Snap On ratchet levers??? Wow... I bet the women cannot get enough of you! :lol_hitti

That being said, I like the latest versions best. Easy to access and no fumbling.

Shit. This means I'm a dork too.... :lol:

[wrenchr]

I like the F830 design the best!! I know shocking!!
The reason.........You do not have to take apart the whole ratchet to replace the lever. And it is held on with a screw, not a peen on deal.

[chad s]

The earliest levers were just a piece of steel rod, but there is also an early lever that was flat, and is very rare. I have many of the rod type levers like this one pictured, but none of the early flat ones. The rod was from about 1931-1936, and the flat one was used at the same time from around 1931-1933.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/cesinc123/F_7_2.jpg

[Merkava_4]

Chad, what is the part number of that Leica camera again?

[billymade]

The genesis of this thread came into my mind, when I became irritated with the lever on my newest ratchet acquisition: the Snap-On TML830 1/4" drive ratchet. This is the one I showed the tear down and "rebuild" of; the lever seemed hard to turn and I noticed that the latest design I own; Snap-On T936 1/4" drive ratchet, had the easiest lever to use. The problem I was having with the previous generation lever isn't as much of a issue on the 1/2" drive ratchets but more noticeable on the 3/8" and down right uncomfortable on the 1/4"! I have to kinda use my finger nail to get the lever to select the opposite direction. While the ratchet seems to be essentially unused, I'm wondering if I should put a new kit in it and and see if it works easier; I already greased it and it is a little irritating to use. I am thinking of finding one of the newer generation ratchets and sell or trade off the old one. I never noticed this until recently; the size of the lever seems to have aggravated the issue. The 1/2" didn't really bother me, the 3/8" was a little annoying and the long handled 1/4" that I just acquired was really a problem; has anyone else noticed or been irritated by this? My short handle 1/4" ratchet has the next gen. selector and I like it allot better! Comments?
Yes, as a matter of fact I am obsessive compulsive about about tools and observing, studying, the development of tools (in this case ratchets) from the early designs up to the current models; it is a fascinating observation exercise, to me.... hopefully, to others as well! Plus, it was an excuse to take macro shot of ratchets, which I like to do!

[chad s]

Chad, what is the part number of that Leica camera again?

Its a D-lux 2

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0510/05100101leicadlux2.asp

[Merkava_4]

Wow ... that's a sweet camera. Thanks Chad. :)

[chad s]

Billy, here is the early (1932-mid 30's) 9/32 drive ratchet, the reverse lever is on the side, like some of the current reversing ratcheting box end wrenches of today work.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg82/chadshapiro/M70a.jpg

[TNToy]

You guys have waaaaaaaaay to much free time. :D

Red ratchet lube debates? Which lever possesses the highest concentration of awesome?

Go work on some cars, and ease up on the http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/hamb/buttons/reply.gif (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=297457) button. :p :) :)

[fixer@AKA]

I have a very nice Ferret F-70N
I think it about 1944's
is this right!
Whats it worth?
Leonard watsonstrucking05@yahoo.com

[snapmom]

some more
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo343/snapmom/HPIM1437.jpg

[snapmom]

Fixer, thats about the right date, In nice condition is worth about 20 to 35 they are fairly common.

[billymade]

snapmom, can you give us circa dates for the pic above? I saw one of the Snap-On round heads (third one down) and figured it was from the 50s. What are the dates on these ratchets? Inquiring minds want to know! :)

[snapmom]

From bottom to top. 31,36,54,62, top unknown (a snap on mystery rat)

[zuspiel]

Great stuff!

I guess I'm a dork, too... :D

[billymade]

Yeah, I got some flack for starting this thread! :) .... I guess the new dual 80s are the newest lever design! How do you guys like them? A close up pic would be nice! :)

I think it is fascinating to see the development and design changes to the ratchet levers over time....

[wrenchr]

Yeah, I got some flack for starting this thread! :) .... I guess the new dual 80s are the newest lever design! How do you guys like them? A close up pic would be nice! :)

I think it is fascinating to see the development and design changes to the ratchet levers over time....

The design on the 80's is about the same as the 936 series.

[skeletonizer]

This thread made me check mine. The 1/2 seems to be one piece while the 3/8 appears to be two peice.

I bought them at the same time off the truck at when I worked (for a very short time) in the body shop a LeFere Ford in Jackson, MI in the early 90's.

1/2
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb217/skeletonized/DSC02630.jpg

3/8
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb217/skeletonized/DSC02631.jpg

[Mike83]

The genesis of this thread came into my mind, when I became irritated with the lever on my newest ratchet acquisition: the Snap-On TML830 1/4" drive ratchet. This is the one I showed the tear down and "rebuild" of; the lever seemed hard to turn and I noticed that the latest design I own; Snap-On T936 1/4" drive ratchet, had the easiest lever to use. The problem I was having with the previous generation lever isn't as much of a issue on the 1/2" drive ratchets but more noticeable on the 3/8" and down right uncomfortable on the 1/4"! I have to kinda use my finger nail to get the lever to select the opposite direction. While the ratchet seems to be essentially unused, I'm wondering if I should put a new kit in it and and see if it works easier; I already greased it and it is a little irritating to use. I am thinking of finding one of the newer generation ratchets and sell or trade off the old one. I never noticed this until recently; the size of the lever seems to have aggravated the issue. The 1/2" didn't really bother me, the 3/8" was a little annoying and the long handled 1/4" that I just acquired was really a problem; has anyone else noticed or been irritated by this? My short handle 1/4" ratchet has the next gen. selector and I like it allot better! Comments?
Yes, as a matter of fact I am obsessive compulsive about about tools and observing, studying, the development of tools (in this case ratchets) from the early designs up to the current models; it is a fascinating observation exercise, to me.... hopefully, to others as well! Plus, it was an excuse to take macro shot of ratchets, which I like to do!

My personal opinion is that for what Snap-On costs, the words "irritated", hard to turn", "uncomfortable" and "annoying" should not have to be used to describe their tools!

Does anyone have the 1/2" ratchet with the really big selector switch for use with gloves?

[billymade]

The TML-830L 1/4" long ratchets (I have two now), that were the ones with the lever that was hard to select; I just ordered a bunch of replacement parts for my Snap-On ratchets and replaced the levers on this ratchet. It has made a big difference and is much easier to use; as ratchets get used, they get banged up and material seems to wear away from the lever. The new levers have made a appreciable difference and the ratchets do not bother me as much now, when changing directions with the lever! :) The one I had originally was stiffer then the second one I have now; it probably is a candidate for a rebuild kit; I think some ratchets when they wear, can become stiff and can be hard to use. I may need to try a heavier grease as well....