Changes to new snap on flex head ratchets

[jmill97]

I've been waiting for my dealer to get me a 3/8 flex head ratchet with comfort grip for about 2 weeks now. Today he told me that they are making some changes to them. Anyone know what those changes are?

 

[Fedwrench]

Are they putting all of the screw heads on top now?

 

[shockwave]

Not sure this is the first I have heard of changes I will ask my dealer tommorow if he might know

And as far as I know it's one of the most popular ratchets in there line up

 

[Strouty]

Interesting, I wonder what it will be.

 

[Skin]

Are they putting all of the screw heads on top now?

Would be a weird change if that's the case. It actually makes the ratchet cosmetically a bit more crude with a couple cheap slotted screws showing through the back. I haven't heard about people shearing the screws off like the original S80s.

If its anything though i'd guess you're right, just to simplify production. Not a change for the better though in my opinion.

 

[shockwave]

Would be a weird change if that's the case. It actually makes the ratchet cosmetically a bit more crude with a couple cheap slotted screws showing through the back. I haven't heard about people shearing the screws off like the original S80s.

If its anything though i'd guess you're right, just to simplify production. Not a change for the better though in my opinion.

I could see more a slight resign in flex joint where I see failure more often than heads due

 

[Skin]

If that were the case though you'd think they would of already integrated the change on the brand new TLLF model which has only been out a couple of months.

I think Feds right and its just the screw location so they don't have to make 2 different flex heads.

 

[Fedwrench]

I wonder if they're revising the shape of the comfort grip handle or maybe they're increasing the tooth count to 90 to keep up with the new MAC Axis line of ratchets
I do agree that those two slotted screws on on the TLLF72 flex head ratchet doesn't look like the quality you're used to seeing from snap on.

 

[jmill97]

My guy said that he heard them talking about updating the flex joint. We'll have to wait and see. He thinks it'll be here next week

 

[Richard Cranium]

post a picture of the new design.

 

[Wamsutta]

It would be nice if they could fix the clicking noise at the flex joint. There's about an 1/8 inch of play with the click before the friction kicks in.

 

[90zcar]

Interested in this aswell. Can someone post a pic of this tllf72


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[d.mcfarland]

Screws would not be reversed. I can almost guarantee that. Doing so would require all warranty claims to be with a new tool replacement and I don't see Snap On doing that when in the past it has always been a repair kit fix for dealers.

 

[Skin]

Screws would not be reversed. I can almost guarantee that. Doing so would require all warranty claims to be with a new tool replacement and I don't see Snap On doing that when in the past it has always been a repair kit fix for dealers.

Except they'd have to make 2 kits anyway as non-flex heads wouldn't be updated-right? It would simplify production of the flex heads though instead of having 1 ratchet having its own style.

I'd be surprised if the flex joint design is changed but not implemented on a ratchet as new as the TLLF. I'd actually feel a bit peeved if I bought one and they strengthened it a few weeks later.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

didn't they changed to top screw? because bottom screw mount were keep getting loose?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Except they'd have to make 2 kits anyway as non-flex heads wouldn't be updated-right? It would simplify production of the flex heads though instead of having 1 ratchet having its own style.

Good point. That isn't like Snap On to have non uniform product lines in this case.

 

[Wamsutta]

Maybe they'll go back to the pressed in pin; that would suit me just fine.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Interested in this aswell. Can someone post a pic of this tllf72

Let me google that for you

(if you want a job done right . . . do it yourself)

 

[90zcar]

What the hell kind of ratchet is that?


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[90zcar]

That's why it says crapsman


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[LB-1911]

Interested in this aswell. Can someone post a pic of this tllf72

Product pg
Item: THLF72
1/4" Drive 72-Tooth Soft Grip Handle Flex Head Ratchet
https://store.snapon.com/Dual-80-17...ft-Grip-Handle-Flex-Head-Ratchet-P647032.aspx

What the hell kind of ratchet is that?

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-3-8-in-drive-full-polish-offset-flex/p-00944835000P

 

[Skin]

Confirmed that all the flex joints for 1/2 down to 1/4 are being updated to being minutely thicker. Visually it looks the same. Only change.

 

[T45]

The affected part numbers will all be updated suitable marking (eg, 'A')

after the model # per the other thread as well.

 

[GTO]

Let me google that for you

(if you want a job done right . . . do it yourself)

Fail

 

[90zcar]

^^^yeah I noticed that. I didn't want to sound like a super **** that's why I asked what ratchet that was lol


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[Wamsutta]

Confirmed that all the flex joints for 1/2 down to 1/4 are being updated to being minutely thicker. Visually it looks the same. Only change.

I'm wondering if they're trying to eliminate the slop. The only way I can see that happening is by increasing the diameter of the bolt slightly.

 

[90zcar]

Where at are they making them thicker?


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[Schurkey]

Where at are they making them thicker?

In the USA, I hope.

 

[jmill97]

He said he got it in last night. Picking it up tomorrow.

 

[90zcar]

In the USA, I hope.

I see what u did there!


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[Wamsutta]

He said he got it in last night. Picking it up tomorrow.

Can you give me the full lowdown when you get it? I'm extremely curious to know what changes they made to it.

 

[anndel]

I wonder if they're revising the shape of the comfort grip handle or maybe they're increasing the tooth count to 90 to keep up with the new MAC Axis line of ratchets
I do agree that those two slotted screws on on the TLLF72 flex head ratchet doesn't look like the quality you're used to seeing from snap on.

Or maybe 120 tooth count like Gearwrench. I have 2 3/8 Snappy flex head comfort grips and love them. If they came out with 90 or 120 tooth count I maybe interested.

 

[anndel]

The change is made in china

 

[90zcar]

Or maybe 120 tooth count like Gearwrench. I have 2 3/8 Snappy flex head comfort grips and love them. If they came out with 90 or 120 tooth count I maybe interested.

There is absolutely no need for a tooth count over 80


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[Wes J]

There is absolutely no need for a tooth count over 80


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Some would argue there is really no need for tooth count over 36. But, it does seem that the mechanism is stronger, so I think that is definitely an improvement.

I think you can still buy Proto ratchets with 24 teeth. I have at least one. My 30 tooth Mac ratchets work daily. Those tools worked fine for generations. We're spoiled today, but it's hardly a need.

 

[Schurkey]

I do agree that those two slotted screws on on the TLLF72 flex head ratchet doesn't look like the quality you're used to seeing from snap on.

Can someone post a pic of this tllf72

Product pg
Item: THLF72
1/4" Drive 72-Tooth Soft Grip Handle Flex Head Ratchet
https://store.snapon.com/Dual-80-17...ft-Grip-Handle-Flex-Head-Ratchet-P647032.aspx

Is there such a thing as a TLLF72?

In the USA, I hope.

I see what u did there!

I'm such a dickens.

The change is made in china

A perpetual fear. I wish Snap-On (and all the rest of Corporate America) could be trusted, but they can't. I refuse to pay Snap-On prices for Communist ****.

 

[Fedwrench]

Is there such a thing as a TLLF72?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-TLL...992285?hash=item2caa50f0dd:g:MKEAAOSwr7ZW4F5H

Ebay has a few listed, just search by TLLF72. They aren't listed on the Snap on web site.

Notice the ugly slotted screws?

 

[Bobioz1]

I bought one of those long 1/4 drive flex heads. Haven't used it yet. First thing I wanted to do was switch it to a 3/8 drive. Not possible with the screws coming in from the other side. I thought they switched the head to keep people from doing just that.

 

[white 450]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-TLL...992285?hash=item2caa50f0dd:g:MKEAAOSwr7ZW4F5H

Ebay has a few listed, just search by TLLF72. They aren't listed on the Snap on web site.

Notice the ugly slotted screws?

Thanks for the link.

 

[T45]

I bought one of those long 1/4 drive flex heads. Haven't used it yet. First thing I wanted to do was switch it to a 3/8 drive. Not possible with the screws coming in from the other side. I thought they switched the head to keep people from doing just that.

Just swap out the w/ regular non-improved tf72 head? of course that may only make sense if you had one layeing around. I think a 3/8 in a long/flex 1/4 body would be a good use of this form factor. The snap on website does also have a handled version, which would also be nice with the flex.