designer485
Well-known member
After seeing a few posts here on Garage Journal swapping a ratchets with the standard hard handles or comfort grip handles for larger screwdriver handles, I ordered a few handles.
The first conversion is a Snap-On FHLFD80A with the stock red handle.
I ordered a SDD6A2PB (PB for Pearl Blue).
The handle needs to be drilled out in 2 stages.
First, the depth needs to be increased to accommodate the full tang of the ratchet (1/4" bit) and second, the tang has a step in it so a short section will need to be drilled out larger (3/8" bit).
After it is drilled, knock it on with a dead blow. Be sure to line up the handle square with the head of the ratchet. All in all, very easy. This handle feels much better than the stock size handle. It really is how this ratchet should come from the factory.
The only thing i will do differently in the future is chamfer the top edge of the hard handle so that it fully seats a bit better on the ratchet.
The second was converting a SHL936A with a destroyed comfort grip over to a hard handle.
I ordered a SDD8A2DP (DP for dark purple)
To remove the handle, soak it in boiling water for about 2 minutes, grab it with a towel and pull/twist it off.
The tang on the 936 is straight with some groves cut into the bottom 1.25" (or so).
This required an extra long 7/16 drill bit to bore out the hard handle. The tang is roughly 4.75" long and the handle is a bit over 5.25"
Just like the last one, knock the handle on with a dead blow after lining everything up. I would have liked the 936 to have the small tabs on the tang, but once everything is was on, I think it will be fine.
Overall, I am pumped how these turned out. The larger handles feel great and is definitely worth the time and effort to swap them. Bonus that my hard handle ratchets are in BMW motorsport colors.
The first conversion is a Snap-On FHLFD80A with the stock red handle.
I ordered a SDD6A2PB (PB for Pearl Blue).
The handle needs to be drilled out in 2 stages.
First, the depth needs to be increased to accommodate the full tang of the ratchet (1/4" bit) and second, the tang has a step in it so a short section will need to be drilled out larger (3/8" bit).
After it is drilled, knock it on with a dead blow. Be sure to line up the handle square with the head of the ratchet. All in all, very easy. This handle feels much better than the stock size handle. It really is how this ratchet should come from the factory.
The only thing i will do differently in the future is chamfer the top edge of the hard handle so that it fully seats a bit better on the ratchet.
The second was converting a SHL936A with a destroyed comfort grip over to a hard handle.
I ordered a SDD8A2DP (DP for dark purple)
To remove the handle, soak it in boiling water for about 2 minutes, grab it with a towel and pull/twist it off.
The tang on the 936 is straight with some groves cut into the bottom 1.25" (or so).
This required an extra long 7/16 drill bit to bore out the hard handle. The tang is roughly 4.75" long and the handle is a bit over 5.25"
Just like the last one, knock the handle on with a dead blow after lining everything up. I would have liked the 936 to have the small tabs on the tang, but once everything is was on, I think it will be fine.
Overall, I am pumped how these turned out. The larger handles feel great and is definitely worth the time and effort to swap them. Bonus that my hard handle ratchets are in BMW motorsport colors.
