Snap on m70 ratchet

[jthandyman]

Snap on m70 9/32 ratchet

I have a little Snap on Ratchet I believe it is a 9/32 drive. Does anyone have a set of sockets for this drive? What was the purpose of the 9/32 size? and how rare are the sockets? I have the ratchet but haven't found any sockets. It looks like a 1/4 drive but the 1/4 drive sockets will not work. I know this dates to the 30's or 40's.

Thanks

 

[billymade]

That style of ratchet was a unique very basic design; before WW II 9/32" were used (more common), afterwards 1/4" seems to have become the standard. 1/4" then became the common small socket drive size; I actually have a ratchet with a 9/32" drive that interestingly enough, was filed down to 1/4"! Most people with the regular style ratchets; just get a rebuild kit from Snap-on, it will be a 1/4" drive gear in the kit (problem solved). Because that style ratchet is riveted together; I don't think this is a option. Filing as mine was is a option but it might be better to sell it to a collector for historical value and buy something else for everyday use; I have run into the 9/32" size sockets from time to time at the flea market but they don't come up very often. If you wanted to build a 9/32" drive socket set to complement your ratchet; I'm sure there are people here, who would be willing to sell you some. Put a "wanted" add in the classifieds section.

Info from the website collecting snap-on; look at the second page for socket info and part #'s:

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/index.php?page=socket_sets/C9-32inch/Ratchets

 

[jthandyman]

That style of ratchet was a unique very basic design; before WW II 9/32" were used (more common), afterwards 1/4" seems to have become the standard. 1/4" then became the common small socket drive size; I actually have a ratchet with a 9/32" drive that interestingly enough, was filed down to 1/4"! Most people with the regular style ratchets; just get a rebuild kit from Snap-on, it will be a 1/4" drive gear in the kit (problem solved). Because that style ratchet is riveted together; I don't think this is a option. Filing as mine was is a option but it might be better to sell it to a collector for historical value and buy something else for everyday use; I have run into the 9/32" size sockets from time to time at the flea market but they don't come up very often. If you wanted to build a 9/32" drive socket set to complement your ratchet; I'm sure there are people here, who would be willing to sell you some. Put a "wanted" add in the classifieds section.

Info from the website collecting snap-on; look at the second page for socket info and part #'s:

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/index.php?page=socket_sets/C9-32inch/Ratchets

Thank you for the response