I Need Help Identifying this STC ratchet????

[scottm1]

Hello all, new here,

I stumbled onto this site looking for help identifying the manufacturer and part # of this indexing ratchet I bought back about 15 years ago from my Snap On dealer. My dealer has since retired, but he told me when I bought it that it was a ratchet that Snap ON did not make, but he got them through Snap On. I questioned this as I figured he got it from an outside source, but he assured me it was sold through Snap On and had the same warranty since it was sold through them. He is also a friend of mine, so I have no reason to not believe him. However, when I speak to a Snap On dealer, and now even the company itself, nobody can help me. They tell me if I can get a part # or tell them who made it, they may be able to get me parts for it. I feel like I am having to do their work to identify tools they sold me. Anyway, I thought someone on here may have one like it that may be able to help. It is real similar to the Snap On ratchet part# F872MP that has also been discontinued. Help please.

Thanks Scott

 

[MAD]

It looks like there is a mostly worn off etched marking on the head. can you read any of it?


It might have been made by this company.

RADIALOCK TOOL CO -
2712 S RIGSBEE DR STE 4
PLANO, TX 75074-1608
United States

Phone: 972-342-1200 Fax: 972-578-0862 Email: [email protected]

 

[930dreamer]

I can't help but it's cool.

 

[MAD]

I did a little digging and found that the inventor associated with this patent,
http://www.google.com/patents?id=VZ...urce=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false-Dead link-updated below:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US5419221A

James E. Cole, was connected with a company called "Splined Tools Corporation" of Plano TX. That would match up with the initials on the ratchet head. I do not know if there is a connection with the other Plano TX company I listed.

 

[scottm1]

There is three letters "STC" on the head. There are some letters etched in the handle that is very faint that you can only see if you angle it in the light just right that says either "SATC", "SAIC ", "SRIC", or "SRTC". The letters are very faint and hard to read. It appears the letters were acid etched after the chrome plating was done. Yes dreamer it is a very good ratchet that have used for years. It was one of my favorites even when I didn't need an indexing ratchet. I would find myself grabbing it over my box full of my other ratchets for normal tasks. I very much need a repair kit for it! I'm hoping someone here has one like it or has seen one before. I'm getting the runaround from Snap On over it. They act like since they no longer sell it or the parts, that they do not have to honor their warranty any longer. I feel they should replace if they can't fix it. I don't know what the warranty contract actually says because my dealer always took care of everything and I felt I didn't need to know what the fine print said....I trusted him, but he is retired now.

 

[Shipfittin]

I have never heard of a company like Snap On putting a lifetime guarantee on a product that wasn't actually theirs. Seems kind of fishy to me.

 

[scottm1]

MAD, that is the best information I have got in the 2 months I have been trying to figure this out. I'm not certain it is the right one yet, but it sure is looking promising so far! Thanks so much. I'm checking into it.

Scott

 

[scottm1]

I have never heard of a company like Snap On putting a lifetime guarantee on a product that wasn't actually theirs. Seems kind of fishy to me.

I felt the same way, but questioned my dealer when I bought it and he said since Snap On was the dealer for it, it had the same warranty as all other tools they sell

 

[bimmer630]

My buddy had one of those in 1/4" drive, sold to him off the snapon truck, but later on when snapon bought the patent and built a similar ratchet with their name on it, wouldnt warranty his when it broke

 

[MAD]

MAD, that is the best information I have got in the 2 months I have been trying to figure this out. I'm not certain it is the right one yet, but it sure is looking promising so far! Thanks so much. I'm checking into it.

Scott

I am glad I could help. Let us know what you find out.

 

[scottm1]

Bimmer, I think That is what they are trying to do to me now. I am a man that holds grudges. I swear if they do me that way i will NEVER buy a Snap On tool again, unless I need something only they have and cannot get it anywhere else. I can't make them honor the warranty they sold me, and I may not be able to make them wish they had, but I can damn sure make sure I cost them more in the future with no profit off of me than what it would cost them to do what they should!!!!! I am just one person, and I can't break them, but if they treat everyone the way they are treating me now, they won't stay in business lng. Since they have been in business so long, I trust they will do something to make it right to get me back in service again without it coming to that......... I hope.

 

[outcast]

the moral of this story :

don't buy a truck tool, unless it has the name STAMPED into it somewhere.
if it is not stamped, it can and will wear off =possible no warranty .

 

[MAD]

Here is a little light reading that ties Snap-on to Splined Tools Corporation and the ratchet in question.

Original link dead- updated below

https://casetext.com/case/gummow-v-splined-tools-corporation

 

[scottm1]

Here is a little light reading that ties Snap-on to Splined Tools Corporation and the ratchet in question.

http://tx.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20050607_0000454.NTX.htm/qx

WOW, Mad, you have unleashed a whole lot of information on this. I'm not really sure what this all means for me, but it seems this is big stink pot for everybody involved. I will Probably be the one that ends up with the short end of the stick though.

 

[scottm1]

I believe I have concluded from reading that court case document that the lettering on my handle is "SRTC" which stands for "Superior Ratchet and Tool Company". Well MAD, I am now convinced 100% you have solved my mystery. That patent photo looks just like my ratchet, and the markings and abbreviations are all adding up. I think I will never get my ratchet repaired or replaced based on what I have read. SnapOn has no repair parts for the one I have, and they have been sued and cannot sell an indexable ratchet that they can replace it with. I think I am S.O.L.

 

[wreckercologist]

Have the same ratchet but it's stamped "Blue Point".

I have also seen them on Ebay with a laser etch logo and markings.

 

[scottm1]

Now I understand why I am getting the runaround from Snap On. They are pretending to be dumb about this and saying that if doesn't have name or part number, they can't identify it to get me parts. But I have no doubt, after a big lawsuit like that, they know exactly what ratchet it is and just want me to go away so they don't have to tell me the truth why they can't help me. Had I known I had a tool that couldn't be fixed, I would have only used it when I actually needed an indexing ratchet and certainly would not have been breaking stubborn bolts loose with it either.

 

[MAD]

Now I understand why I am getting the runaround from Snap On. They are pretending to be dumb about this and saying that if doesn't have name or part number, they can't identify it to get me parts. But I have no doubt, after a big lawsuit like that, they know exactly what ratchet it is and just want me to go away so they don't have to tell me the truth why they can't help me. Had I known I had a tool that couldn't be fixed, I would have only used it when I actually needed an indexing ratchet and certainly would not have been breaking stubborn bolts loose with it either.

I understand that this has been frustrating for you, but I really doubt that anyone you spoke with had any knowledge that would allow them to help you. Now that you have some information about your ratchet, I would try again by contacting Snap-on customer service.

 

[scottm1]

I understand that this has been frustrating for you, but I really doubt that anyone you spoke with had any knowledge that would allow them to help you. Now that you have some information about your ratchet, I would try again by contacting Snap-on customer service.

MAD, Snap On did email me back today. The lady told me that she spoke with someone there that had been with Snap On over 30 years trying to identify it. She merely said that the tech said Snap On no longer sells indexing ratchets and that they would replace it with a ratchet of my choice from their online catalog. I guess that is the best I can expect, since losing this lawsuit has made it impossible for them to sell or replace mine with another indexing ratchet. I will have to be ok with that, but I would prefer to simply have this one repaired. That indexing ratchet is a fine piece of hardware that I'm going to miss. I will have to try to find one from a different manufacturer. I do believe that veteran tech that had been with Snap On 30 years knows why they don't have an indexing ratchet anymore though.

Thanks again MAd for the help. On the bright side, I have found a phone number on the internet tonight for Superior Ratchet and Tool Corp in Plano TX, but each time I try to call it, get a busy signal. I doubt it is actuallly a good number anymore, and they are likely out of business. But Maybe there is still hope I can get parts for it after all........but I'm not holding my breath on it

 

[MAD]

One of the hits I got for the "Radialock Tool Co" I mentioned in post #2 lists Teresa Cole as a contact name, so Radialock is connected with this interesting web.

Some retailers list a double jointed indexing ratchet from Radialock. The pictures are all pretty bad, but it looks similar to your ratchet. I am not sure if the company still exists though.
http://www.autotoolworld.com/RadiaLock-RATCH1-38-Drive-Double-Indexable-Ratchet_p_99305.html#


I am glad to hear that Snap-on will give you another ratchet if you can't fix it.

Best of luck.

 

[G_P]

get an expensive free replacement then sell it and but another indexing ratchet from another mfg!

 

[Boiler]

Probably not much help except for a newer version photo. I sold these in mid january. Got them from the same auction, sold them to the same guy. From the STC stamp on the blue point one's head, and the SAIC (SRTC makes more sense but I just think it looks like SAIC) I believe these are related and probably both bought off of a snap on truck. If you wanted another, search ebay for blue point ratchets and look through them, or indexible ratchets. I found a few alternatives and linked them after the photo's. Anyway, my notes from my sale say:

Blue Point 3/8" indexing ratchet, approx 72 tooth (by hand count) marked STC PAT USA

"SAIC" 1/4" indexing ratchet, approx 45 to 50 tooth (by hand count) marked PAT USA

The 1/4" in the photo appeared unused, I had it graded excellent+

I've also sold a Stanley indexible ratchet. It actually seemed like pretty good quality but I've never used it to turn a nut. It had a 5 position head like the one shown here, which kind of ***** compared to your blue point but I think it would get the job done.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-5-P...205?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c08cc8fed

Also I found that I have no experience with...

As round as this handle is, I think it might be difficult to use with the offset head. MAC: http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320794-xri10.aspx

If it were me, I'd take a chance on Armstrong, I like their ratchets: http://www.autotoolworld.com/Armstrong-11-996-38-Drive-Indexible-Ratchet_p_101851.html

 

[scottm1]

One of the hits I got for the "Radialock Tool Co" I mentioned in post #2 lists Teresa Cole as a contact name, so Radialock is connected with this interesting web.

Some retailers list a double jointed indexing ratchet from Radialock. The pictures are all pretty bad, but it looks similar to your ratchet. I am not sure if the company still exists though.
http://www.autotoolworld.com/RadiaLock-RATCH1-38-Drive-Double-Indexable-Ratchet_p_99305.html#


I am glad to hear that Snap-on will give you another ratchet if you can't fix it.

Best of luck.

Well that is another avenue to pursue. Teresa Cole is certainly one that would have some information anyway since she is mentioned in that lawsuit several times. Mad, you just keep finding needles in the haystack. Thanks again.

If I could just buy, beg, or steal a repair kit for this thing it would really make me happy.

 

[scottm1]

Boiler, the 3/8 drive Blue Point in your photo is exactly like my ratchet, except instead of saying Blue Point, mine says SRTC in the same type of faint etching. Thanks for the photo. I'm learning a lot here about this big stink Snap On got into over selling these things in violation of somebodys patent infringement. It turns out that the reading about the lawsuit and the history of the ratchet is about as interesting for me as the hunt for a repair kit for it.

 

[scottm1]

One of the hits I got for the "Radialock Tool Co" I mentioned in post #2 lists Teresa Cole as a contact name, so Radialock is connected with this interesting web.

Some retailers list a double jointed indexing ratchet from Radialock. The pictures are all pretty bad, but it looks similar to your ratchet. I am not sure if the company still exists though.
http://www.autotoolworld.com/RadiaLock-RATCH1-38-Drive-Double-Indexable-Ratchet_p_99305.html#


I am glad to hear that Snap-on will give you another ratchet if you can't fix it.

Best of luck.

When i did a business search for Radialock Tool Co, I got the same phone number that I had found already when doing a search for Superior Ratchet and Tool Co........Very interesting......Its amazing what you can find when you have MAD helping you, and the internet!!!!!

 

[Boiler]

Funny this thread happened, and then today I found and bought these! More pics in the link.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1792124#post1792124

 

[sandblz]

The Ratchet would be PT# F872mp and the repair kit is PT# RKRF872B . thats the message i got from snap on when i sent them a pic of my bluepoint multi position ratchet they are sending me the part free of charge

 

[saturnman]

I have never heard of a company like Snap On putting a lifetime guarantee on a product that wasn't actually theirs. Seems kind of fishy to me.

they have all bought from "western forge" at one time or another....

 

[ratchetcollector]

Hi,

I don't know if anyone is watching this thread anymore or not but I want to thank all of you for solving an old mystery of mine. I have one of these ratchets and could never figure out who made it and now I know!

 

[ruquik]

I believe I found the company doing some of the manufacturing...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226815

-Brad

 

[Farmall450]

I can't help but it's cool.

Same.

 

[bimmer630]

PT# RKRF872B is for the 1/4 drive model? I bought a stripped out srtc 1/4 from a friend for 20.00, thinking an SK kit would fit.. But it doesnt

 

[bimmer630]

Bump? I have found out that the rkrf872b is the 3/8" repair kit.. and it should be the same kit as all of the round head ratchets that SO makes (made) ... I bought this 1/4" drive model thinking I could use the SK kit and now im SOL I think.. Unless someone can find me a p/n for the bluepoint version of the 1/4 drive indexer?

 

[four.cycle]

Splined Tool Corporation, Richardson, TX - owned by Theresa M. Cole (former wife of James Ellis Cole)

Superior Ratchet and Tool Co. Inc.

Superior Tool Co.

This one is kind of a sticky wicket....

It appears that one Mr. Stephen A. Gummow of Minneapolis, Minnesota, conceived an idea for a ratchet with a multi-position head that could be adjusted by the user.

Mr. Gummow was granted a patent for his invention for a “Dual Action Ratchet Wrench”, patent 4406186 Sep 27 1983 and (much, much later, aside from all of this, another patent 6247386 Jun 19 2001)

At some point prior to 1995, Mr. Gummow was in communication with one Mr. James Ellis Cole of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Cole expressed his interest in the item, and suggested that he had some ideas for development and marketing.

Mr. Cole was subsequently awarded a patent for a “Indexable Head Ratchet Wrench”, patent 5419221 May 30 1995. Mr. Cole went on to secure patent 5775184 July 7 1998, but not before entering into negotiations with the Snap-on Tool Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and granting them (in 1997) exclusive license to produce his ratchet design (patent 5419221.)

The Snap-on Tool Company subsequently marketed the tool, first under the "Blue-Point" label, and then under their own "Snap-on" label.

Mr. Gummow subsequently filed suit for patent infringement against Cole, but was unsuccessful. He then filed suit for patent infringement against Snap-on, and was awarded judgment against Snap-on.

He then tried unsuccessfully to file suit again against Cole as well as Cole’s former wife.

==

The tool in question was first manufactured by Cole and branded “Superior Tool Company”. The units are stamped “STC” on back of the selector knob and the shank of the handle is acid-etched “SUPERIOR TOOL COMPANY”

It was subsequently manufactured by Cole and branded “SRTC” (Superior Ratchet and Tool Co. Inc.). The units have “SRTC” stamped into the shank of the handle.

Also manufactured (presumably by Snap-on?) and branded “Blue Point”. Units are stamped “BP” on the back of the selector pivot knob and acid-etched (or stamped) “Blue-Point” in an italicized font.

And finally manufactured by Snap-on Tool Co. under license from Cole.

==

notes:

I Need Help Identifying this STC ratchet????

Hello all, new here, I stumbled onto this site looking for help identifying the manufacturer and part # of this indexing ratchet I bought back about 15 years ago from my Snap On dealer. My dealer has since retired, but he told me when I bought it that it was a ratchet that Snap ON did not...

www.garagejournal.com

Gummow v. Splined Tools Corporation, No. 3-03-CV-1428-L | Casetext Search + Citator

Read Gummow v. Splined Tools Corporation, No. 3-03-CV-1428-L, see flags on bad law, and search Casetext’s comprehensive legal database

casetext.com

patent 5419221 licensed exclusively to Snap-on by Cole May 1997

James Cole statement:
"In late 1997, I entered into the expected consulting agreement with Splined. Pursuant to the agreement, which was an oral agreement,
I consulted with Splined over inventive and marketing activities and assigned to Splined the rights to United States Patent Numbers 5,775,184 (Indexable Wrenches) (issued July 7, 1998); 5,820,288 (Adjustable Tool with a locking hinge mechanism) (issued October 13, 1998); 6,000,299 (Modular Tool System) (issued December 14, 1999); and 6,161,982 (Assembly with a sealed coupler) (issued December 19, 2000). I assigned the '184 Patent to Splined on September 9, 1998. I was able to enter into and continue under the income producing consulting agreement with Splined based in large part on my status as the named and correct inventor of the '221 and '184 Patents."

patent 5419221 May 30 1995 J.E. Cole.pdf - not on datamp.org - no assignee *
patent 5775184 Jul 7 1998 J.E. Cole.pdf - not on datamp.org - no assignee * lawsuit patent Gummow vs Splined Tool
patent 5820288 Oct 13 1998 J.E. Cole.pdf - not on datamp.org - assigned to Splined Tool Corp.
patent 6000299 Dec 14 1999 J.E. Cole.pdf - not on datamp.org - assigned to Splined Tool Corp.
patent 6161982 Dec 19 2000 J.E. Cole.pdf - not on datamp.org - assigned to Splined Tool Corp.

patent 20040134314 Jul 15 2004 C.A. Cole.pdf
patent 20050178249 Aug 18 2005 C.A. Cole.pdf
patent 20070169590 Jul 26 2007 C. Cole.pdf

Proxxon demonstration of "index ratchet"

 

[four.cycle]

It was subsequently manufactured by Cole and branded “SRTC” (Superior Ratchet and Tool Co. Inc.). The units have “SRTC” stamped into the shank of the handle.

Also manufactured (presumably by Snap-on?) and branded “Blue Point”. Units are stamped “BP” on the back of the selector pivot knob and acid-etched (or stamped) “Blue-Point” in an italicized font.

And finally manufactured by Snap-on Tool Co. under license from Cole.

 

[four.cycle]

IN RE: posts #34 and #35:

>> not sure who this is or how it comes into the picture. I do not find this name connected to the others other than it being in Plano, Texas:
Radialock Tool Co., 2712 So. Rigsbee Dr. Ste. 4, Plano, TX 75074 /

 

[MAD]

Wow, nice work- a blast from the past! I fixed the dead links in some of my old posts.

 

[bubinga]

I can't help but it's cool.

+1

 

[four.cycle]

^ Honestly I'm really not 100% sure I got it all right. I am awaiting response and confirmation from datamp.org on the patent information.
I just made a couple corrections on the posts above.

The last three patents listed in post #34 are something of a mystery - I'm not sure if those are even related to this particular design at all, as they were applied for and issued much, much, later and there is a long string of patent numbers in between those and the earlier Cole patents.