my take on snap-on soft to hard handle conversion

remileblanc · Mar 12, 2011

this is a machinist's take on the snap-on hard handle mod. using a lathe and without cutting the ratchet shank.

start with taking the old hadle off the ratchet. i used a wrench on the bottom of the handle and pryed up with a prybar.

i then proceeded to wrap the new handle with electrical tape to avoid damage and scratches

i then took 4 1" wide parallels and taped them around the handle to make 4 even sides

then i used a drill that fit snugly into the existing hole to help to line it up in the chuck

then i drilled the hole to 29/64" and 2 3/4" deep this made for a little clearance for the 2 crimps on the ratchet shank

next was to drill 7/16" to 4 3/4" deep

then i used a countersink to make a chamfer to clear the rad on the bottom of the ratchet shank

the finished handle with tape and parallels removed

layed the ratchet and the handle on the bench to line everything up.

put the ratchet back in the vise put a rag on the new handle and beat it on with a dead blow hammer. the end result is a green hard handled SHLF80.

scotte · Mar 12, 2011

My dealer knows that the only way I'll buy a tool with a handle is if it has a red hard handle

So when I want a something he orders the blade and handle and puts them together

slayer6x6 · Mar 12, 2011

I love it!!

Case IH · Mar 12, 2011

Any tips for those without a lathe? I can never get the handle off my screwdrivers. (not snap-on screwdriver)

MadMark · Mar 12, 2011

Good Job, by the way, is that a threading tool in your lathe?

I think I see one in the lower left of the countersink photo.

stopdroplol · Mar 12, 2011

Looks like your ratchet is now a little longer. Pretty cool though.

You could probably do this with anything with a grip couldn't you? Hmm, give some ideas. What're the parts # for those handles?

BJ42LX · Mar 12, 2011

Case IH said:
Any tips for those without a lathe?

With a little care you should be able to do the same thing with a vise and a hand drill...

Scout Driver · Mar 12, 2011

That turned out really nice. :thumbup:

Scott

canuckian · Mar 12, 2011

looks great!

wish I had access to machinery like that and the knowledge to use them. My hard handled replacements were done with a hand drill, crappy vise, 2 prybars, a line wrench and a dead blow hammer. As a result, one of my ratchets is a tiny bit crooked. Hoping to step up to at least a drill press this spring.

I do like the countersink idea though...must make for a nicer fit. I'll have to try that on my next attempt.

5-0stank · Mar 12, 2011

Looks great...want to send me your old soft handle? lol

Case IH · Mar 12, 2011

my problem is I cant get the screwdriver shank to release from the handle i have tried heat and a pry bar

Here is what I am working with:
http://www.mit-tool.com/tekton/products-10-16-270-2767-TEKTON-6pc_Pro_Screwdriver_Set.htm

tonydanzah · Mar 12, 2011

seriously a lathe? I did mine the other day by just holding the handle in a vise with a rag wrapped around the handle. Also did you need to cut any off your shank? I took maybe a 1/4 off the end so the metal wasnt about to pop through the handle.

gj67stang · Mar 12, 2011

Looks good and nice write-up!

Case IH said:
my problem is I cant get the screwdriver shank to release from the handle i have tried heat and a pry bar

Here is what I am working with:
http://www.mit-tool.com/tekton/products-10-16-270-2767-TEKTON-6pc_Pro_Screwdriver_Set.htm

My guess is you can't get those shanks out without destroying something. Instead of a press-fit shank, it looks like the handle was molded around the shank; the shank could be nice and straight in the handle or could be some odd shape that won't pull out.

makgreens · Mar 12, 2011

Makes me want a new ratchet.....maybe a dual 80 long with a green handle....

canuckian · Mar 12, 2011

Case IH said:
my problem is I cant get the screwdriver shank to release from the handle i have tried heat and a pry bar

Here is what I am working with:
http://www.mit-tool.com/tekton/products-10-16-270-2767-TEKTON-6pc_Pro_Screwdriver_Set.htm

If you don't care about the handle you're removing, just take a chisel and split the handle length-wise. I had to do that with a F726 ratchet I bought off ebay that I wanted to put an orange handle on. Tried prying it and couldn't budge it. Didn't care about the handle anyways so i took the chisel and hammer to it. 3 smacks and it split. Discovered there was some kind of resin or glue holding it on. That, and the ratchet was old - maybe the handle fused to the shank over time LOL

remileblanc · Mar 13, 2011

MadMark said:
Good Job, by the way, is that a threading tool in your lathe?

I think I see one in the lower left of the countersink photo.

its just a regular vnmg turning toolholder.

stopdroplol said:
Looks like your ratchet is now a little longer. Pretty cool though.

You could probably do this with anything with a grip couldn't you? Hmm, give some ideas. What're the parts # for those handles?

i think it ended up being like 3/8" longer

BJ42LX said:
With a little care you should be able to do the same thing with a vise and a hand drill...

it would be doable with a lot of care. the drill will want to pull itself in with the hand drill. the lathe just provided more control.

tonydanzah said:
seriously a lathe? I did mine the other day by just holding the handle in a vise with a rag wrapped around the handle. Also did you need to cut any off your shank? I took maybe a 1/4 off the end so the metal wasnt about to pop through the handle.

nothing came off the handle. everything measured up and i didnt need to cut any off.

str8axle55 · Mar 13, 2011

Very nice job.

Diesel-Mech · Mar 13, 2011

Good handle choice.

Mine came from England thanks to Moose.

ZombiehunterEKY · Mar 13, 2011

So what's the deal with all the soft Handle hating. That is one of the things I like best about my dual 80's.

JSBriggs · Mar 13, 2011

ZombiehunterEKY said:
So what's the deal with all the soft Handle hating. That is one of the things I like best about my dual 80's.

It has more to do with hard handle loving than a soft handle hating.

-Jeff

mrholeshot · Mar 13, 2011

I hate the soft handles. I think Snap-On made those just so they could sell you the hard handle later on.

shampoop · Mar 13, 2011

mrholeshot said:
I hate the soft handles. I think Snap-On made those just so they could sell you the hard handle later on.

I LOVE my soft handles!

Up And Down · Mar 13, 2011

I do not own any soft handles...yet anyways. Are the grips pretty durable? Do they stay clean with a little effort or does the grease and grime get imbedded into it and you end up with a black hand every time you use it? That, along with the fact that it may get knicked up and torn rather easily it seems, are what have kept me away so far.

shampoop · Mar 13, 2011

Up And Down said:
I do not own any soft handles...yet anyways. Are the grips pretty durable? Do they stay clean with a little effort or does the grease and grime get imbedded into it and you end up with a black hand every time you use it? That, along with the fact that it may get knicked up and torn rather easily it seems, are what have kept me away so far.

Dirt and grime is attracted to them, and it is harder to clean off. But most mechanics wear gloves all of the time (unless you really need them off for something tedious). But even if you don't wear gloves, the grime doesn't transfer to your hands as easily as you'd think. They do get uglied up over time, but they are very cheap and easy to replace. The tradeoff is hard handles are prettier and much easier to clean, soft handles work better. Excellent grip under all conditions and extremely comfortable.

my take on snap-on soft to hard handle conversion

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