A very odd 1967 Snap on 1/4" ratchet

[chad s]

This is a weird variant of the USA made TM70B. This ratchet is made in Canada, dated 1967. Notice how thick the handle is! I have yet to see another one like it.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/cesinc123/TM70B.jpg

And this is its sister ratchet, and F671 that came on the same trip, dated 1962. Both ratchets appear to be barely, if ever used.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/cesinc123/F671.jpg

[lbgradwell]

Hmm. I also have a Canadian-made TM70B with a 1980 date code, but the handle isn't nearly so thick... It is, however, the smallest ratchet I have ever seen!

[petty4243]

just wondering, what all is written on the handles ?

[chad s]

just wondering, what all is written on the handles ?

"Snap-on TM 70B CAN"

and

"Snap-on F761 CAN Z"

[billymade]

Is "CAN"; mean Canadian manufacture?

[RRmech]

Yes.
As far as I know......GRAY TOOLS - Canada.....was the source.

Steve

[billymade]

Interesting, I always thought Gray/Snapon designs were "seperated at birth" and there was some kind of connection there... In particular their ratchets and specifically, the 3/4" ones have a similar look to them! I guess, we are starting to see some linkages! :)

[Junkman]

Those tools were made to coincide with the Federal Act that allowed cars made in Canada to be shipped duty free into the United States, and the cars made in the US to be shipped duty free into Canada. This was one of the most important free trade agreements between the two countries. With the sudden influx of the superior built, more tightly assembled US cars in Canada, they had to ramp up production of more durable tools to work on these well assembled automobiles. On the otherhand, the tools that we already had in the US were strong enough to work on the loose nut Canadians production vehicles. Hope that this explains the reasoning for the heavier shafts on the Canadian produced ratchets. :lol_hitti

[lbgradwell]

Yes.
As far as I know......GRAY TOOLS - Canada.....was the source.

Interesting, I always thought Gray/Snapon designs were "seperated at birth" and there was some kind of connection there... In particular their ratchets and specifically, the 3/4" ones have a similar look to them! I guess, we are starting to see some linkages! :)

No, to the best of my knowledge there has NEVER been any connection whatsoever between the two companies.

Snap-on once manufactured their own hard-line tools in Ontario, but that plant in now closed...

[lbgradwell]

With the sudden influx of the superior built, more tightly assembled US cars in Canada, they had to ramp up production of more durable tools to work on these well assembled automobiles. On the otherhand, the tools that we already had in the US were strong enough to work on the loose nut Canadians production vehicles. Hope that this explains the reasoning for the heavier shafts on the Canadian produced ratchets. :lol_hitti

No comment...:)

[lbgradwell]

Mine says:

Snap-on TM70B CANADA

[VSERIES]

Snap on 1/4 breaker bar TM 10F Made in Canada
Not sure of the year as I can't find a date code.

[fatfillup]

Those tools were made to coincide with the Federal Act that allowed cars made in Canada to be shipped duty free into the United States, and the cars made in the US to be shipped duty free into Canada. This was one of the most important free trade agreements between the two countries. With the sudden influx of the superior built, more tightly assembled US cars in Canada, they had to ramp up production of more durable tools to work on these well assembled automobiles. On the otherhand, the tools that we already had in the US were strong enough to work on the loose nut Canadians production vehicles. Hope that this explains the reasoning for the heavier shafts on the Canadian produced ratchets. :lol_hitti

Junk, that is hilarious! Hope our northern neighbors have a sense of humor:bounce:

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Snap-on Tools imported since the 60's ?

[snapmom]

Snap on had a Canadian Dist. in 1927. Started production of so tools in Canada in 1946.

This is why I think there are diff. handels. I am quoting out of the Snap on Tools Canadian History Book from the era of 1960s. "an opportunity was available to supply a line of Tecomaster Professional Tools to the T. Eaton Co. In an effort to protect the Dealer force a new design was developed both for the handles and the sockets. This filled a void, allowed the factory to maintain their work force and avoid servere production cutbacks. Eventualluy the economy of the country turned around and demand on Snap on tools increased. Some dealers were voicing resentment against this "second line" Eventually Eaton was told that we could not longer supply them and production was converted to Snap on Tools"

So, what probably happened was when they converted back, they used the same Tecomaster changes and just put the Snap on name one them. this makes sense. So the thing is, for the Canada gj guys, to find some Tecomaster tools from this era, and see what they look like. Maybe they have date codes on them like snap on,

[lbgradwell]

Very interesting info there, Mom.

Any indication of when SO stopped hard line production in Canada? I know it was after 1985 as I have tools from that year...

Eaton's was a very famous department store. I don't ever recall them having mechanics tools and I have never heard of Tecomaster. I will make a point of trying to find some and will post any info I find...

[snapmom]

The book ends in 1987, with the retirement of Larne E. Bull. (author) "Snap-on Tools in Canada, The first sixty years. 1927-1987"
This is the only copy I have seen.

[snapmom]

here are two versions of the same so rat. Top USA 1962, about one inch longer. Botton Can. 1964.
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo343/snapmom/HPIM1555.jpg

[billymade]

snapmom, does the book say, why Canadian Snapon tool production was stopped?

[snapmom]

No. the book ends on the retirement of the author from snap on in 1987'

I found a ref;
Misc Tools: I'm clearing out some tools that I have multiples of. Solder Iron Kit - Includes 1 solder iron, ... Tecomaster 3/8" ratchet. Brico Vise Grips ...
vancouver.fr.craigslist.ca/tls/1108769499.html

[The Rusty Gear]

Very interesting info there, Mom.

Any indication of when SO stopped hard line production in Canada? I know it was after 1985 as I have tools from that year...

Eaton's was a very famous department store. I don't ever recall them having mechanics tools and I have never heard of Tecomaster. I will make a point of trying to find some and will post any info I find...

My dad gave me his old Tecomaster Table saw . . . . But I don't recall Eatons ever selling tools either . . . .

[caper]

Here are a couple of TM 70B snap on ratchets,one made in the US and one made in Canada.There are no date codes that I can see.The Canadian ratchet is slightly longer than the US version and has a crowned end to the handle where the US one is flat.There also seems to be a different taper to the design of the heads.They also use a different selector.


http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090290.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090288.jpg


http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090279.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090281.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090283.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/caper_04/P1090278.jpg

[The Rusty Gear]

I just found a Tecomaster socket in the bottom of a garage sale box! I'll put up pics this weekend!

[lbgradwell]

I just found a Tecomaster socket in the bottom of a garage sale box! I'll put up pics this weekend!

Excellent! Please do post photos; I'm very interested in this...

[Canadian Charlie]

From what I know Snap On of Canada Made tools for Canada and export to the commonwealth countries (UK, Australia, South Africa)


But I could be wrong

[rsanter]

sounds rare
put it on ebay for too much money

bob

[The Rusty Gear]

sounds rare
put it on ebay for too much money

bob

LOOK!!@@@@

RARE!!!!

VINTAGE Socket!!!

TECOMASTER BY SNAP ON

A tool for the Craftsman.

Will fit on MAC,Matco, Proto ratchets!!!!

LOW starting bid of $100!!!

Buy now and Save

etc etc
:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti:lol_hitti

[The Rusty Gear]

The Tecomaster socket is pretty rough, but here are some pics.