Snapon and GearWrench ratcheting handles same, any others?

Danglerb · Dec 12, 2011

The "blades" for Snapon and GearWrench ratchet handle drivers I've been told are the same 1/4 square drive that normally pokes out of things, except these ratchet handles are female. Are any other brands compatible?

I bought the GearWrench 40 pc set with a large T handle, large screwdriver handle, some adapters, and 30 sockets and bits. Now my head has kicked into the "finish the set" mode, so I am thinking about seeing how I like a Snapon driver handle as well as picking up all the types of blades and the stubby GearWrench handle.

Danglerb · Dec 14, 2011

Looking at the Snapon ratcheting driver handles, looks like they have two types, a blade system with various shafts, and fixed single purpose. Is that correct?

SGDMRC4AG
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=75124&group_ID=13203

TMR4
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=19798&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I also saw a ratchet repair kit, aren't these lifetime warranty?

MD11 · Dec 14, 2011

Danglerb said:
The "blades" for Snapon and GearWrench ratchet handle drivers I've been told are the same 1/4 square drive that normally pokes out of things, except these ratchet handles are female. Are any other brands compatible?

I bought the GearWrench 40 pc set with a large T handle, large screwdriver handle, some adapters, and 30 sockets and bits. Now my head has kicked into the "finish the set" mode, so I am thinking about seeing how I like a Snapon driver handle as well as picking up all the types of blades and the stubby GearWrench handle.

GearWrench doesn't compare to snapon, but if you want a product as good or arguably better, check out PB Swiss.

plinker · Dec 14, 2011

Looking at the Snapon ratcheting driver handles, looks like they have two types, a blade system with various shafts, and fixed single purpose. Is that correct?

Yes, but....

The (S-O) fixed blade versions can have the blade/shank removed so it can accept the interchangeable blades. The interchangeable blades are 1/4 drive and you can use a extension backwards to add legnth too.

I'm not totally sure if the Gearwrench blades will fit in the snap-on handles. I remember something about them being slightly bigger in in diamieter.

They do have a lifetime warranty but they have kits available anyway (same for thier square drive ratchets). And all the Snap-on's use the same internals the interchangable blade version does have an extra rubber washer type deal in the reverse cap to help hold the blade in though.

GearWrench doesn't compare to snapon

It kinda does in a way beings that Snap-on licensed the ratcheting mechansim to Gearwrench for thier version.

MD11 · Dec 14, 2011

plinker said:
It kinda does in a way beings that Snap-on licensed the ratcheting mechansim to Gearwrench for thier version.

I was referring to the quality standards of the two.... the raw materials, manufacturing process, quality control, etc..

technology is not unimportant, but it's hardly the edge in tools these days.. as the average tool design is decades old and hardly ground breaking..

PB Swiss is the best alternative to SO in my book for what he's talking about.

plinker · Dec 14, 2011

I see where your coming from, I do have a soft grip stubby Gearwrench handle (came with the wrench set a while back) and while It's not my favorite, it's ok. (I started out with the Snap-on's so I might be slightly baised

)

ibedayank · Dec 14, 2011

gearwrench is owned by apex tool group formerly danaher...that answer you question about the quality?

fr0mastaj · Dec 14, 2011

You can remove the shafts on the fixed blade hard handle SO ones (i think i actually used plinkers old walk through?) But the gearwrench shafts will not fit into the SO handle, it is about a mm thicker in diameter then SO. I've already tried converting one of my SO drivers into 1/4" sq drive that way... I haven't tried ordering the 1/4 sq shaft from SO though.

plinker · Dec 14, 2011

FWIW, the Snap-on blades/shanks will fit the Gearwrench handles.

Danglerb · Dec 14, 2011

There are some "new with scratches and engraving" black handle TMR4 1/4 drive ratchet handles on ebay right now for $25 bin plus $5 shipping.

So I should be able to convert one to a blade acceptable handle?

Anybody try a Snapon rebuild kit on a GearWrench handle?

So far I am not thrilled with the GearWrench handles, sloppy fit in the ratcheting thing.

Danglerb · Dec 14, 2011

MD11 said:
GearWrench doesn't compare to snapon, but if you want a product as good or arguably better, check out PB Swiss.

Let me know if you find a way to poke my dozen or so PB Swiss 225 etc (etc means I bought more than just the one series) series blades into something remotely not expensive.

plinker · Dec 14, 2011

There are some "new with scratches and engraving" black handle TMR4 1/4 drive ratchet handles on ebay right now for $25 bin plus $5 shipping. decent price, if you can handle the engraving, Get it

So I should be able to convert one to a blade acceptable handle? Yes, I'll dig up the thread

Anybody try a Snapon rebuild kit on a GearWrench handle? Wont work, The Gear wrench is a "sealed unit"

see quote....

plinker · Dec 14, 2011

Here's the link......

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22536&highlight=ratcheting+screwdriver+repair&showall=1

Danglerb · Dec 15, 2011

Thanks, I asked about the engraving, sounds like he has plenty of them (10+), but if its too messy to get rid of, I can wait.

Snapon and GearWrench ratcheting handles same, any others?

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