Bahco ratcheting screwdriver

[MAD]

I ordered a Bahco ratcheting screwdriver from ebay for around $20 shipped. It looks a little like the Snap-on hard plastic ones with a different handle shape. Anyone have one / know anything about them. I will post more info after mine arrives. Here is a picture and a link (from a different seller with an active listing)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bahco-ratcheting-screwdriver-with-bits_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43993QQihZ017QQitemZ270201465107QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting

 

[Fedwrench]

Let me know if the blade is removable from the handle to allow for the use of diferent length blades like Snap on and Geardrivers.

 

[Merkava_4]

I have one of those. . .

but. . .

it's blue and says "Williams" on it.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have one of those. . .

but. . .

it's blue and says "Williams" on it.

Can you remove the blade and use different length blades?

 

[Merkava_4]

Can you remove the blade and use different length blades?

No . . . it's just a plain jane ratcheting screwdriver with a magnetic tip. The quality is outstanding though.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Indeed, the same as the snap on, except for the shape and color of the handle. the end cap and the ratchet reversing knob, and the shank are identical. Bahco, and Williams are both snap on companies, so it only makes sense.

Charles

 

[eschoendorff]

Looks like you got a damn nice screwdriver for $20!

 

[wrenchr]

Very nice.

 

[plinker]

Let me know if the blade is removable from the handle to allow for the use of diferent length blades like Snap on and Geardrivers.

Can you remove the blade and use different length blades?

yes/no

I had removed the shank of my spare plastic handle S-O ratcheting screwdriver all that needed to be done is remove the "lock type washer" (just slides off, but mark the position of where it was) The shank itself is almost identical to the interchangeable one only differing by having a detent ball.

The interchangeable blades/shanks would stay in but felt a little loose, so I put the screwdriver back the way it was (hence marking the location of the "lock type washer") . I think the mechanism in the soft grip screwdriver is
different from the plastic handle mechanism.

YMMV

Edit: The "lock type washer" is under the foreward/reverse cap, so you have to take the screwdriver apart to get to it. it's just a S-K style spring ring retainer.

 

[MAD]

Indeed, the same as the snap on, except for the shape and color of the handle. the end cap and the ratchet reversing knob, and the shank are identical. Bahco, and Williams are both snap on companies, so it only makes sense.

Charles

I received the screwdriver and from what I can tell it is in fact almost identical to the Snap-on hard plastic ratcheting screwdrivers. The handle is a different shape and there is no texture or knurling on the shaft of the Bahco. Other than that, they appear to be the same product. The driver as well as the bits are marked USA. The Bahco model # is 808049. It is also marked with patent #s -PAT 4777852 RE36797.

Oh yeah, it is a very nice screwdriver.

 

[chiroz]

Hi, long time lurker here.

I have at least 15 of these screwdrivers that have all been rebranded by one company or another. Harley Davidson, Williams, Case, New Holland and of course Snap-On. These screwdrivers are indeed the same as the Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver. The earlier ones had the same part and patent numbers stamped on the side. I have even taken them apart and interchanged parts.

I made an interchangable t-handle Snap-On by interchanging its guts with a Snap-On soft grip. With a drill and a little sanding I made the interchangable Geardriver shafts fit in the Snap-On.

If you like the t-handle version of the Snap-On screw driver you could at one time get a T-handle Williams from Master-Carr for about $25. 3 different lengths were available. All of the numbers stamped on it were the same as the Snap-on t-handle.

Incidently, last week I bought one of these screwdrivers at a Case tractor dealer for $20. They even told me it was made by Snap-On.

 

[chiroz]

By the way. Matco's old gearless "ratcheting" screwdriver was made by Spec-tool. They were much cheaper from the manufacturer.

 

[eschoendorff]

I made an interchangable t-handle Snap-On by interchanging its guts with a Snap-On soft grip. With a drill and a little sanding I made the interchangable Geardriver shafts fit in the Snap-On.

I'd like to know more about how you did that.... any pics?

 

[chiroz]

I don't have any pics. I just took the Snap-On soft grip ratcheting screw driver apart (one spring clip) and swapped the insides with the Snap-On t-handle that I had also taken apart. That is all there was to it. I think Snap-On should offer the t-handle with interchangeable shafts.

The Geardriver shafts are very snug in the snap on interchangeable shaft screw drivers. I just chucked them up in a drill and with a little judicious sanding they fit the Snap-On great. I bought a stubby Snap-On soft grip handle with no shaft just to use with my Geardriver shafts.

 

[eschoendorff]

I don't have any pics. I just took the Snap-On soft grip ratcheting screw driver apart (one spring clip) and swapped the insides with the Snap-On t-handle that I had also taken apart. That is all there was to it. I think Snap-On should offer the t-handle with interchangeable shafts.

The Geardriver shafts are very snug in the snap on interchangeable shaft screw drivers. I just chucked them up in a drill and with a little judicious sanding they fit the Snap-On great. I bought a stubby Snap-On soft grip handle with no shaft just to use with my Geardriver shafts.

Oh... you have the soft grip handles. I have an old hard plastic Snap on ratcheting screwdriver. I couldn't visualize how I would interchange teh shafts with my geardrivers - especially since my Snap On was never meant to use interchangeable shafts.