Changes to new snap on flex head ratchets

[Bobioz1]

Took a minute but I see what your saying. Swap the whole head not just the insides. I built a 1/4 locking flex with 3/8 drive. I'll have to see if it fits.

 

[Schurkey]

Notice the ugly slotted screws?

Yup, not the nicest. I'm not a big fan of slotted screw heads.

****-can the slotted screws, substitute suitable Allen- or Torx-head screws, and things might be a bit better. I'm REALLY surprised they used slotted screws to begin with.

 

[48548]

Yup, not the nicest. I'm not a big fan of slotted screw heads.

****-can the slotted screws, substitute a suitable Allen- or Torx-head screws, and things might be a bit better. I'm REALLY surprised they used slotted screws to begin with.

Makes them look cheap.

 

[Wamsutta]

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

Any news yet? What did they change?

 

[ADSR]

Makes them look cheap.

Don't worry, the price will set you straight.

 

[48548]

I have about 36-40 dual 80's.... might be a while

 

[jmill97]

Well here it is, not much that I can tell without comparing it to an older one.
Wasn't to happy to see this on it though. It seems that all of their ratchets have some ding on the head of all ratchets.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I think the beams are a hair thicker, for less bend when you pull hard. Can't tell a difference otherwise. They have already made the 1/2 drive ratchets thicker, at least the locking flex head 1/2 drives are definitely thicker.

 

[Wamsutta]

jmill97,

First of all, thanks for taking the time to snap those pictures. I'm comparing your ratchet to my FHF80 and I can't see any differences in the flex joint. Can I ask you one question though? If you hold the flex joint up to your ear and move the ratchet head back and forth, do you hear a clicking sound?

 

[abvw]

All of my Dual80s have had their cover plate screws back off (3/4 turn every month or so) but it was very obvious when they do, the ratchets would feel a little "off" on the back drag.

I think the change in the screw location is to idiotproof the assembly, maintenance and repair procedure. Perhaps people have stripped the threads (crossing or overtorqued) in the head rendering the ratchet irrepairable, thus its a lot cheaper and easier to replace the cover plate and screws than to replace the entire ratchet.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

As much as they detract from the looks of the dual 80s, I agree with the comments about the threads in the cover plate as opposed to the ratchet body.

 

[jmill97]

Wamsutta,
I do not hear any noise in the head. Still just as smooth as the other ones.

 

[Wes J]

I like the screws through the top of the head. Makes it look like a Snap-On. Just like they looked for 40 years.

Can anyone confirm that this is going to be the change?

 

[newspeed]

All of my Dual80s have had their cover plate screws back off (3/4 turn every month or so) but it was very obvious when they do, the ratchets would feel a little "off" on the back drag.

I think the change in the screw location is to idiotproof the assembly, maintenance and repair procedure. Perhaps people have stripped the threads (crossing or overtorqued) in the head rendering the ratchet irrepairable, thus its a lot cheaper and easier to replace the cover plate and screws than to replace the entire ratchet.

The only dual80 screws I have seen that backed out were in the 1/2 drive and snap on addressed that years ago. I've never had any of my 1/4 or 3/8 dual80 screws back out. This is actually the first time im hearing that. Anyone else have the screws back out on the 1/4 or 3/8 sizes?

 

[Bobioz1]

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.

T45, thanks for the idea. Swapped the whole head. It's a keeper.

 

[48548]

Now just get one of these handles and swap the dual 80 heads... I used a 1/4 head and added the mini 3/8 in one as well.

 

[Bobioz1]

Can't find any of those handles. I think somebody's hoarding them . I'll try and take a picture of the "fleet" tomorrow.

 

[platform389]

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

Sure are not, and here is what Snap On says this morning about that.

"Thank you for contacting Snap-on Tools!

At this time, the item is not widely available for purchase and only a few franchisees are able to sell it.

We do not have a date at the moment for the full release of the TLLF72.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Thank you,
Hugo Danick Samson
Snap-on Tools Customer Care"

The truck only comes into this area once a week and it is a 20 mile round trip to try to find him.

 

[KLO101489]

The only dual80 screws I have seen that backed out were in the 1/2 drive and snap on addressed that years ago. I've never had any of my 1/4 or 3/8 dual80 screws back out. This is actually the first time im hearing that. Anyone else have the screws back out on the 1/4 or 3/8 sizes?

Mine have backed out on my 3/8" flex Dual 80. Noticed the cover plate loose one day and tightened them back up. All good now.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have a FL80 and a TL72. I have not had any problems with the screws getting loose, but I can see it being an issue.

 

[48548]

All of my 1/2 s80's have come loose. I put red loctite on them.