Hats off to SK tools (ratchet replacement)

[Lt CHEG]

Just wanted to give credit where it’s due. I grabbed one of my SK 1/2” ratchets to secure a new wooden top to one of my Vidmar cabinets last Sunday. When I got done I noticed a couple large flakes of chrome in my hand. This ratchet was a hand me down from at least 35 years ago, but I figured I’d take a picture and send the picture to SK to see if they would do anything about it. They told me that they would just send me a new ratchet and to please dispose of the old one when the new one arrives. Well today the new one arrived, and it looks awesome. The quality definitely does not appear to have diminished since they were sold last year. In anticipation of this new ratchet I grabbed one of the 90 tooth retrofit kits from Grainger last week and put that into the new ratchet today and took the mechanism out of the brand new ratchet and put it into my other SK 1/2” drive ratchet and it’s like having 2 brand new ratchets. While not quite as nice as one of my dual 80 Snap On ratchets, I think this SK 90 tooth round head ratchet is a great addition that I will use with pleasure. I’m much more hopeful about SK’s future now and will have to look for additional opportunities to support them. Way to go SK - thanks!

On another note, should I cut the old ratchet in half or just grind out all the manufacturers markings before disposing of the old ratchet? I don’t want to have it get picked out of the scrap pile and then sent off to SK for another replacement so I’m trying to figure the most efficient way to keep that from happening after I dispose of it. Thanks.

 

[Shelbylex]

Do not break a working tool! Give it to a friend and make them promise not to warranty it. Just make sure that all chrome flaking is cleaned up and they do not cut themselves.
Hat off to SK!

I e-mailed Snap On at some point asking for advise on flaking socket (thought they might give practical advise like sand it with *** sandpaper (I explained that it was not bought new by me) - was advised to through it away...

 

[Professional Tool User]

If this is a recent warranty request, it's good to know that their customer service department is still in existence. There's something you said that confused me. If you bought one of the 1/2" DT kits, the tooth count should be 100, not 90.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I e-mailed Snap On at some point asking for advise on flaking socket (thought they might give practical advise like sand it with *** sandpaper (I explained that it was not bought new by me) - was advised to through it away...

Did SnapOn send you a new socket? They’ve replaced a couple items for me where I explicitly told them that I wasn’t the original purchaser or the tool was a hand me down. They told me the same each time - throw out the old one. I was very pleasantly surprised that SK did the same for me this time, especially since I’ve heard they were often a bit tougher on warranty items.

 

[Lt CHEG]

If this is a recent warranty request, it's good to know that their customer service department is still in existence. There's something you said that confused me. If you bought one of the 1/2" DT kits, the tooth count should be 100, not 90.

Yes, this was very recent, and their customer service was great. And yes, that’s my bad, it was a 100 tooth count DT kit.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I really enjoy using the DT kits. My favorite is putting the DT80 in my 3870.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Don't trash the old tool.

Since folks have SK news, I'll share some: I should have a new-production, 15" long, 1/2" drive extension showing up this weekend. I ordered it a couple months ago. I just got the shipping notice yesterday. Really curious to see what shows up.

-Ryan

 

[thr3squared]

where on the ratchet did the chrome flake?

I have a tough time letting go of tools, what about cutting it down to make it a shorty? Although a 1/2" drive you usually want more leverage.

Modify to make it a hard-handle?

 

[Lt CHEG]

I really enjoy using the DT kits. My favorite is putting the DT80 in my 3870.

I actually got the DT80 kit as well and installed it in one of my 3870 ratchets too. It does seem to be a very nice setup.

 

[Lt CHEG]

where on the ratchet did the chrome flake?

I have a tough time letting go of tools, what about cutting it down to make it a shorty? Although a 1/2" drive you usually want more leverage.

Modify to make it a hard-handle?

The chrome flaked off on the round head section, basically on the side of the direction change lever. I noticed it when I had the ratchet kind of in the palm of my hand to get a nut started in an area I couldn’t easily see without either contorting myself or moving more stuff than I wanted to.

I’m not sure if it’s just because it’s new, but the chrome does seem better on this new ratchet. It seems to be slightly richer for lack of a better term. It’s not just brighter because I’ve polished my other older SK ratchet quite nicely, but it actually seems to be a bit nicer chrome. I’m honestly hoping for good things to come for SK.

 

[tarbellb]

Don't trash the old tool.

Since folks have SK news, I'll share some: I should have a new-production, 15" long, 1/2" drive extension showing up this weekend. I ordered it a couple months ago. I just got the shipping notice yesterday. Really curious to see what shows up.

-Ryan

How did you confirm that's it's new production?

 

[Shelbylex]

Did SnapOn send you a new socket? They’ve replaced a couple items for me where I explicitly told them that I wasn’t the original purchaser or the tool was a hand me down. They told me the same each time - throw out the old one. I was very pleasantly surprised that SK did the same for me this time, especially since I’ve heard they were often a bit tougher on warranty items.

LtCheg, they did not. Actually, if I remember correctly the first response was that since I am not an original owner, they will not warranty it. To that I pointed out that I actually was not asking them to warranty it, but had a specific question
By the way - I do not have a truck account and bought only few things from SO brand new (just can not justify myself the price unless they are the only one having a tool). May be if you buy a lot from them, they tend to offer replacements more)

 

[Lt CHEG]

LtCheg, they did not. Actually, if I remember correctly the first response was that since I am not an original owner, they will not warranty it. To that I pointed out that I actually was not asking them to warranty it, but had a specific question
By the way - I do not have a truck account and bought only few things from SO brand new (just can not justify myself the price unless they are the only one having a tool). May be if you buy a lot from them, they tend to offer replacements more)

I don’t have a truck account with any dealer and I’m not a professional. I bought some stuff every once in a while, but at least every other month or so from a SnapOn Franchisee, and less so from a Matco franchisee and then they both closed shop and I lost touch with their replacements. Then I found out a friend from high school has 3 SnapOn trucks and I’ve recently purchased a few odds and ends from him. I also cold called the Matco guy that services my area and bought a couple Matco things I needed from him and check in with him from time to time. I now also have a Mac contact who is a bit of a hike from me but who I reached out to for my recent RBRT FOD extractor set purchase. I warrantied a screw driver and a ratchet repair kit from my local dealers but the 3 or 4 other items I warrantied from SnapOn were done through SnapOn directly and I never had the first issue. I’m sorry to hear they didn’t cut you a break. I know in my case, their customer service caused me to buy more from SnapOn even if I really didn’t need it, so an extension and a combination wrench were probably good investments for SnapOn in my case. I’m sure this ratchet will turn out to be a good investment for SK as well lol.

 

[Shelbylex]

Agree on that. I like SK tools. I use their 1/4 and 3/8 sets for clean work relatively frequently (for rusty and dirty I first try to use something older so I would not have to be concerned about scratching and bending...)

Since I am not a professional and have tools for DIY, I do not buy only certain firms - try to keep the mix interesting and have a mix of Snap On, SK, Craftsman =V=, Blue point, PLOMB, Bonney, etc...

I usually try to buy tools when great opportunity presents itself or I see something interesting (hmm, all I wanted when I started was a toolbox for my simple tools from Autozone, then I looked at old boxes, then I came across GJ.com, then I bought SO KRA 56 from 1955, then I bought 1/4 and 3/8 Snap On ratchets + some other tools from retiring mechanic, then I read about more interesting tools, then I bought more and read more. The addiction got me!!! Darn, too many interesting tools and not enough time!!!)

 

[hotrodpierre]

That is good to hear. Hopefully there will be more positive news on the SK front soon. It's been a long time coming.