1952 Snapon LR-42

[Murploid1]

Hi All,


I have a number of vintage snap-on ratches. Pretty much all work and get used.

I have an issue with my (very pretty) snapon LR-42 ratchet and I would like to open it for inspection.

Does anyone know how to get the plates off of these ratchets? I see what looks like pins on both sides.

If anyone knows, enlighten me!

Thanks,
Nick

 

[snapmom]

Sometimes this tool works, sometimes a pin punch works. Sometimes the plate just will not move. But unless you have to, do not take the guts out as it is hard to get them back in, if all is good just drop some oil in it

 

[Murploid1]

Thanks!

How does the tool above work? Does the plate unscrew out?

 

[snapmom]

Screws out. From either side.

 

[Murploid1]

Excellent - thanks!

 

[jmcewen722]

Sorry to bump up a thread from a few months ago. I have an FR42 and it’s not switching back and forth very smooth all of the sudden. Does anyone know if snap on still sells a repair kit that would work with this? Thanks!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I doubt it. Try soaking the head in some atf for a couple days, see if it lossens up

 

[jmcewen722]

I doubt it. Try soaking the head in some atf for a couple days, see if it lossens up

Good idea, appreciate that! I’ll give it a shot tonight

 

[JSCraftsman]

By the way, I made my own custom bi-pin adjustable spanner wrench specifically to remove these plates. One side was designed for the larger pins of the 1/2" drives, LR-42 & L-67 models, and the opposite side of the wrench I made it to fit the smaller pins for the 3/8" FR-42, F670 & 671 models. I've never had much luck with those store bought pin spanner wrenches, wire type or any other. I just recently got another LR-42 which needs servicing and parts. I was able to gain access through the one side, but the other disk is on so tight that it sheered off the pins on my custom wrench. So I'm just going to leave that side on and clean out the caked packed in grease that's in those teeth, probably the original grease from 1954. I already ordered the materials which I will turn into the replacement parts for this LR-42. It should be all repaired and back to good working shape by next week sometime.-JS

 

[snapmom]

A picture of the tool would be helpful.

 

[snapmom]

FR-84 and SR-84 both with 50 codes, show up in the 48 cat

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ooooh nice

 

[JSCraftsman]

A picture of the tool would be helpful

A picture of the tool would be helpful.

Here is my custom made adjustable bi-pin spanner wrench. It's a standard Craftsman USA 8" adjustable wrench with 4 pins (two 3/32" & two 1/8" diameter). The one 1/8" pin side is somewhat damaged alittle. But this wrench has definitely come through for me on several occasions! I have used it on a few 3/8" models as well. Thanks-JS

 

[JSCraftsman]

Howdy all! So I'm just about finished up repairing this LR-42 ratchet wrench tonight! I installed the new pin/spring tube (first pic), now I'm just waiting for a new selector screw which is coming tomorrow. By the way FYI, if some of you are ever looking for a selector screw for one of these, the correct screw for these is 4-48 X 1/4" long pan head. I found that a 3-48 does work, but fits too loosely. It could also be a slotted drive or phillips, as I have seen both types used for the LR-42. I did also order slotted screws as well, so I may change it out from the phillips drive. Did you ever see one of these with the smaller 3/8" size selector installed instead? It had this on the ratchet when I got it. Here are a few pics! Thanks all and have a great evening!-JS

 

[snapmom]

I think the selector switch has been replaced with a good substitute. There are at least two types of LR42

 

[JSCraftsman]

I think the selector switch has been replaced with a good substitute. There are at least two types of LR42

Hello snapmom! Thank you for the reply! I always thought it interesting how the logo stamping differered on these, one has a sunken and embossed logo, the other a typical stamping. Both have 1954 year date codes.-JS

 

[roggy]

Howdy all! So I'm just about finished up repairing this LR-42 ratchet wrench tonight! I installed the new pin/spring tube (first pic), now I'm just waiting for a new selector screw which is coming tomorrow. By the way FYI, if some of you are ever looking for a selector screw for one of these, the correct screw for these is 4-48 X 1/4" long pan head. I found that a 3-48 does work, but fits too loosely. It could also be a slotted drive or phillips, as I have seen both types used for the LR-42. I did also order slotted screws as well, so I may change it out from the phillips drive. Did you ever see one of these with the smaller 3/8" size selector installed instead? It had this on the ratchet when I got it. Here are a few pics! Thanks all and have a great evening!-JS

Hello JSCraftsman, thanks a lot for the repair procedure.I really love this kind of ratchet design. Many ratchet adapters follow the similar design to the LR-42, such as the Stahlwille 522 and the Snap-on F67. I actually own a Stahlwille 522 and made a teardown video about it on YouTube.Hope you enjoy it!

 

[JSCraftsman]

Hello JSCraftsman, thanks a lot for the repair procedure.I really love this kind of ratchet design. Many ratchet adapters follow the similar design to the LR-42, such as the Stahlwille 522 and the Snap-on F67. I actually own a Stahlwille 522 and made a teardown video about it on YouTube.Hope you enjoy it!

Howdy roggy, you are very welcome of course! And thank you for the reply! I too am a fan of Stahlwille. I have several of their model wrenches as well. Stahlwille, some old Belzer models, and a Hazet or two also. Those German made tools deserve respect. I specifically have an interest in Stahlwille's 30 tooth 435 model, and repair kit. I have been doing some "cross-compatibilty" experiments on that repair kit into other ratchet models, mainly the S-O F-71. Switching to Snap-On, I also have a niche for the dual pawl LR-42. I enjoy working on these oldies from a long lost by gone era. For one, there aren't many out there who refurbish or repair something like this which is so old now. If you took it to a machine shop to have a specific part made, the cost would likely be astronomical to make that part (if you can find someone that will make it). I can do basic parts, like this pin tube where there is no significant machining process needed. I also fairly recently did a SR-84 model which also uses 42 teeth as well, but has a quad pawl mechanism which allows it to have a 84 tooth action. But as I said, there are farther and fewer SR-84's out there as they were made for a fairly short time period before the LR-42 model. Anyway, it is great talking with you! Thanks again for your reply, and I will have to check out your video! -JS

 

[snapmom]

If u cannot find a new spring u can stretch the old one a bit
also, if u. need a body, I have one

 

[snapmom]

To loosen a faceplate that no other method has worked, soak it in ATF a few days, beat the head on a hard surface, put it in a vise with aluminum jaws, use a center punch with a large hammer and beat it with heavy blows

 

[JSCraftsman]

To loosen a faceplate that no other method has worked, soak it in ATF a few days, beat the head on a hard surface, put it in a vise with aluminum jaws, use a center punch with a large hammer and beat it with heavy blows

Hello again snapmom! Thank you for the tip! I haven't had too many issues getting off the 1/2" size roundhead coverplates, I guess primarily because they use the larger (thicker, about 1/8") sized pins to turn off their plates. Generally, these boys behave when I am working to take their plates off. I give them a spray with penetrating oil, then use my bi-pin spanner wrench to start turning their plates. Somtimes I have to impact my pin wrench a bit to nudge them in order to get them started. But the smaller size 3/8" models such as the FR-42 & the F670 flex heads... these guys sometimes cause a ruckus and have trouble with starting to budge their plates loose... again I suppose this could be because they use the smaller pin diameters (around 3/32") which tend to either simply sheer off, or just bend then sheer off! I avoid using a punch on the plate holes at all cost because the risk factor of damaging the pin holes. But sometimes it's the only option. But did I hear that you have an extra 1/2" LR-42 body that you want to part with?