Repairing the flex joint of a Snap-on flex head ratchet

[Packard V8]

Greetings, GJers,

Now that I'm retired, I can't quite bring myself to chase down a truckie to ask him to replace a worn ratchet which I bought used at an estate sale.

I've got a nice old Snap-on FT-11A 3/8" long flex head ratchet. It came in a '50s S-o box, everything stamped with the owner initials, so you collectors would sneer at it. However, I'm a patina guy. Signs of use just add to the value for me, as long as it works. This one doesn't, as the head joint is worn egg-shaped and the head flops.

Question: Has anyone ever tried using the later S-o screw-type flex-joint pin and reaming the older joint to fit? If not, what is the preferred repair method?

thnx, jack vines

[snapmom]

Take a punch and remove the pin. There will a spring type washer, could be a arched flat type washer, will have to reform the washer, then put it back together. Also sometimes the fork in the head will need to be reformed, you can do it in a vice.

[BB26]

I repaired a 70s/80s SO flex joint on a flex head ratchet a couple of years ago. The head was flopping around without any friction. Not sure if it is the same pin mechanism, but I just put it in a vise, knocked the pin out, adjusted the spring and put the pin back in. It’s been good as new ever since. I suppose if the spring is really worn, you can just replace that.

Your joint may have other problems, but you could start by knocking the pin out to see what you are up against.

[48548]

I usually get a new pin and washer from snap on to repair the ones that I have, they have been fine for a long time after the washer and pin where replaced.

[Packard V8]

A new spring washer is not going to help. Again, the hole in the U-joint in the handle is worn oval. The pin moves noticeably. It is going to require reaming the hole round and an oversized pin.

I can make a pin if it comes to that, but since the hole in the handle is a wear point, I had hoped Snap-on had the part.

Since Snap-on changed from a straight press-fit pin to a screwed-in pin, that must have been a better way to go. Is the screwed-in pin tapered or straight?

thnx, jack vines

[snapmom]

I think you should trade it in under warranty.

[bry@n]

I agree. You probably would get lucky and get a 80tooth ratchet.

[Griff93]

Try looking here for pins you could use as an oversize. They have a bunch of other useful stuff that I can't seem to find locally as all the real hardware stores have gone out of business due to lowes and home depot.http://www.mcmaster.com

[rsanter]

you can knock it apart and ream the hole to the next size. often I will repair an imperial sized ovaled hole by going up to the slightly larger metric size and then knock in a replacement solid metal pin

bob

[Merkava_4]

I'm thinking unless you're hung up on the retro aspect, you oughta' just send it in for a new unit. We got the return address floating around on the board somewhere; PM 'wrenchr' for it.

[chadster1]

I think reaming that hole out to make it bigger would compromise the strength and safety of the parts involved.

[bgott]

I think reaming that hole out to make it bigger would compromise the strength and safety of the parts involved.

And compromise any warranty claim in the future.

[Merkava_4]

This thread reminds me that I still need to send in my brand new defective OEX14B.