How do you replace comfort grip handles?

[cundifc]

Sorry if this is a repeat but i searched and got nothing. How do you replace comfort grips on snap on ratchets an breakerbars?

 

[nitropowered]

Im in the same boat. I would like to swap my comfort grip on my THNF72 to a hard handle

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

Clamp it down in a vice and leave about 1/2 to 3/4 on an inch between the handle and jaws of the vice and start prying it off. I use a lady foot pry bar. As the handle moves down i move the ratchet further down the vice reclamp and start prying again. Always working with 1/2 to 3/4 on an inch. Thats what my SO guy does as well. Except i wrap the ratchet with a shop rag first.

 

[Sterff]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23459
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24611&highlight=retrograde

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

...to put the new one back on just put the ratchet back in the vice where the head is down on the table, clamp down, line up the new handle and use a deadblow to wack that sucker on. Make sure the head is down on something or when you wack it it'll just gouge the ratchet as it slides through.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I've swapped a few hard handles and blades around.
My tool of choice to get the handle off is my 3/8 x 12 Craftsman flathead 'prybar'. Works really well once you get a smaller screwdriver in there first to make a little room.

 

[canuckian]

I use an open end wrench as a washer and pry against it. That way, there's contact on 3/4 of the circumfrence of the handle and the prybar doesn't gouge the comfort handle.

to reinstall, I just line the handle up straight, press it on as far as the tangs with my hand, hold the ratchet upside down with the head on something soft and give it a couple smacks with a deadblow, checking every so often that it's still in straight before you drive it home. I tried clamping it back in the vise once to reinstall the handle but ended up gouging the chrome because the material i had wrapped around the shaft couldn't handle the sharp hammer blows so I just started holding the ratchet with my hand. I've replaced all the handles on my ratchets (too many to count) this way and have had ho problems.

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

I use an open end wrench as a washer and pry against it. That way, there's contact on 3/4 of the circumfrence of the handle and the prybar doesn't gouge the comfort handle.

to reinstall, I just line the handle up straight, press it on as far as the tangs with my hand, hold the ratchet upside down with the head on something soft and give it a couple smacks with a deadblow, checking every so often that it's still in straight before you drive it home. I tried clamping it back in the vise once to reinstall the handle but ended up gouging the chrome because the material i had wrapped around the shaft couldn't handle the sharp hammer blows so I just started holding the ratchet with my hand. I've replaced all the handles on my ratchets (too many to count) this way and have had ho problems.

The first time i saw my SO guy switch a handle on one i was about to buy i almost passed out thinking i was about to buy a $180 piece of chipped up & gouged chrome

 

[outcast]

snap-on comfort grip pulling tool, $129.95
snap-on comfort grip pressing tool $129.95

 

[ECP]

Planning to put an NOS hard handle on a new Dual 80 ratchet; 3/8" drive bent flex head. Would it be better to get a chrome handled one or a comfort handle to swap it out for the hard handle? I haven't seen a comfort handled ratchet with the handle off.

 

[Seanbev24]

Planning to put an NOS hard handle on a new Dual 80 ratchet; 3/8" drive bent flex head. Would it be better to get a chrome handled one or a comfort handle to swap it out for the hard handle? I haven't seen a comfort handled ratchet with the handle off.

It has to be a comfort handle model if you want to put a hard handle on it.

 

[adcrawfo]

I read it in another thread so I can't take full credit but if you have access to a stove and pot of water, boil the comfort grip handle for a few minutes and using 2 towels pull it out and pull the handle off. Slicker than snot.

 

[skiingman]

I read it in another thread so I can't take full credit but if you have access to a stove and pot of water, boil the comfort grip handle for a few minutes and using 2 towels pull it out and pull the handle off. Slicker than snot.

I've never tried it on a ratchet, but this is how I replace grips on delicate cross country ski poles. It works great. On less delicate alpine poles I use a heat gun on the soft-grip. But some of the dual density grips are really soft and difficult to get hot enough this way without wrecking them during removal.

 

[NCCheesehead]

It has to be a comfort handle model if you want to put a hard handle on it.

You can do it on a chrome handle also

 

[ECP]

It has to be a comfort handle model if you want to put a hard handle on it.

Talked to my SnapOn rep today and he said the same thing. You can do it on both, but the comfort ratchet would be better. It's the same thickness the whole length and has the 'wings' to prevent the handle from spinning.

Since I haven't bought the ratchet yet, I'll get the comfort.

 

[adcrawfo]

I've never tried it on a ratchet, but this is how I replace grips on delicate cross country ski poles. It works great. On less delicate alpine poles I use a heat gun on the soft-grip. But some of the dual density grips are really soft and difficult to get hot enough this way without wrecking them during removal.

I did it on mine and it came right off. I tried using the wrench and prybar and all I did was marr up the edge of the handle...that and I was too worried about scratching the **** out of the shank in the vise. I put enough dings in my tools I don't need to be adding vise marks to them as well.

 

[ECP]

Boiled some water and stuck it in for about 3 minutes.... wrapped a towel around the handle and pulled it off with a little effort. The soft handle stayed in perfect condition. Absolutely no marks on the ratchet or the handle. No prybar marks or vise gouges. Love it! Thanks for the tip guys. I have a long flex head 1/4" ratchet coming in next week, and I have a hard handle waiting for it.

Just have to trim the end off the ratchet, and bore out the handle.

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

Here's a Dual80 i switched to hard handle. Comfort handle came off no problem. Still like new. Put it aside as a spare.

 

[ECP]

Finished pics:

Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it feels alot better than the comfort grip. Especially when the ratchet is in the 'speeder' position.

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

ECP....That's not like the replacement hard handles Snap On currently sells is it? Where did you score an NOS?

 

[north]

Finished pics:

*snip*

Absolutely gorgeous.

 

[ECP]

ECP....That's not like the replacement hard handles Snap On currently sells is it? Where did you score an NOS?

NOS baby

From a member here on GJ. Also got a matching smaller one that I'm using on a long flex head 1/4" THLF72. I'll post pics of them together next week when I get the ratchet.

Absolutely gorgeous.

It really is... I used it a little this afternoon just to try it out. I love the hard handles, just feels right.

Had some drooling co-workers today

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Back when everything came with the hard handles, I ended up with 2 extra black handled sets of screwdrivers....all the talk around here prompted me to sacrifice a spare flat tip for the handle to go on my most used ratchet. I choose the next bigger handle so that I didn't have to cut the ratchet shank.
Pulled both apart-

Drilled out the hard handle and pressed it together

 

[redwrench60]

You guys are killing me, I might have to build a frankenratchet. I have a few spare orange hard handles, small and large.

 

[canuckian]

Didn't take any progress pics as they're about the same as the ones above but i put some hard handles on a couple of fhnf100's. The orange one's for me and the yellow one is being put in with my son's set that I'm building for him.

 

[jeffmoss26]

nice!!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Finished pics:

Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it feels alot better than the comfort grip. Especially when the ratchet is in the 'speeder' position.

You put the handle on wrong,The Snap-On logo should be facing up.

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

You put the handle on wrong,The Snap-On logo should be facing up.

I thought the same thing but it looks like he lays his on it's side and probably did it for asthetic reasons. Displays a little better

 

[ECP]

You put the handle on wrong,The Snap-On logo should be facing up.

The ratchet lies on it's side in the toolbox, or the handle is in my hand... Either way I thought this was the best. But thanks...

I thought the same thing but it looks like he lays his on it's side and probably did it for asthetic reasons. Displays a little better

Yup! I roll around my KRSC everyday. Theres no way it would stay handle pointing up (if that makes sense). This way the logos always up.

 

[RhodesSpeedShop]

Yup! I roll around my KRSC everyday. Theres no way it would stay handle pointing up (if that makes sense). This way the logos always up.

[/QUOTE]

Yeah understand. I keep a socket on mine to keep it upright.

 

[cundifc]

Anyone know where to find some green comfort grips. Besides rbay.

 

[canuckian]

Anyone know where to find some green comfort grips. Besides rbay.

1/4
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/searchLN.asp?partno=Th936-12g&searchTrnsfr=true&search_type=Part&store=snapon-store

3/8
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/searchLN.asp?partno=Fh936-12g&searchTrnsfr=true&search_type=Part&store=snapon-store

1/2

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/searchLN.asp?partno=Sh936-12g&searchTrnsfr=true&search_type=Part&store=snapon-store

 

[cundifc]

1/4
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/searchLN.asp?partno=Th936-12g&searchTrnsfr=true&search_type=Part&store=snapon-store

3/8
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/searchLN.asp?partno=Fh936-12g&searchTrnsfr=true&search_type=Part&store=snapon-store

1/2

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/searchLN.asp?partno=Sh936-12g&searchTrnsfr=true&search_type=Part&store=snapon-store

Thank you kind sir!

 

[canuckian]

Thank you kind sir!

Not a problem... Be careful though, they may seem pretty cheap.....till you end up buying a LOT of them!! I kinda may know a guy that did that. On the up side, all my...er...his ratchets now have matching orange and black comfort handles

 

[cundifc]

Yeah I was counting I have 12 and counting. Any market for red ones? I will have alot of new unused ones.

 

[canuckian]

Any market for red ones?

Was wondering the same thing. I lost count a while ago lol. I think I may just throw a few on eBay to see how they do. Im sure I'll get at least what I paid for my new ones. Hanging onto a few for ratchet resale as well.

 

[cundifc]

Let me know how it goes. It seems like lately you can get retail off eBay for snap on stuff.

 

[powertrip]

Im having a hard time finding the part # for the orange and red replacement comfort grip for my fhlf936a 3/8 ratchet. Can anyone help out or does anyone have any for sale. Thanks

 

[SnapOnFreak]

Anyone know the part number for Green Hard handles if they still carry some?

 

[crbnfbr]

ratchet handles:
1/4" = THD72-12G
3/8" = FHD80-12G

screwdriver handles:
SDD8R1RG
SDD6R1RG
SDD5R1RG
SDD2R1RG
SDD2R2RG

mini handle:
SPP46-2AR9RG

When searching Snap-on's site make sure to select "Repair Parts" in the search drop down.