identify this ratchet

[the intimidator]

hey guys i have a snap on ratchet that is pretty old but im not sure what it's for i know it's a ratchet but it isnt a standard 1/4 inch size it wont fit any of my 1/4 inch sockets it says "snap on Midget M-70M" here is a few pics sry there not the best any ideas thanks

 

[filthy_shovel]

It military issue

BTW. Google owns you!

http://www.google.ca/search?sourcei...G,GGLG:2005-37,GGLG:en&q=snap+on+Midget+M-70M

 

[the intimidator]

i already googled and i didnt find any info that was usefull i am just askin you guys because i know nuffing abought it and it isnt a 1/4inch ratchet so i was wondering what it is used with

 

[Uncle Buck]

I agree, military issued. During WWII at least one other tool manufacturer, Plomb (later Proto) did the same thing, I picked up a Plomb WWII vintage 1/4" ratchet some years ago that was not actually 1/4" it was just a shade bigger than 1/4". For whatever reason it was a military thing, so that is what you've got.

 

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

Thats neat, maybe so guys wouldnt walk off with sockets? (if they wont fit standard 1/4in drive..)

 

[Uncle Buck]

I dunno, I wanted to use mine so I actually took after it with a file until I reduced the size enough for 1/4" stuff to work with it! I don't think I would do that again though, I think I would just hang onto it as a curiosity!

 

[kartracer55]

There was a 5/16 drive size and one other oddball inbetween 3/8 and 1/2, Maybe 7/16 but I dont recall it being 7/16 drive, whatever it was it was a really really unusual size. I have a 5/16 drive socket. Snap on was big on this for a while but a few others including SK did too. When you run the part numbers they come up as 3/8 drive sockets, but they sure wouldnt fit. 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 became the norm

 

[the intimidator]

hmm i wonder were to find sockets to go with my ratchet would be pretty cool just to be able to say i have it lol im not too sure how much use i would be able to get out of it the ratchet seems pretty tired but the coolness is there


thanks for the help guys any idea of how old this may be somewon suggest the wwII era is that pretty acurate thanks

 

[stimpy]

the railroads did the same thing to prevent pilfering , a railway cutting torch still has an oddball fitting on the hose connections , but that didn't stop some people I know that just replaced the fittings..

 

[chevy302dz]

As has already been stated making the drive oversized discouraged tools from "walking away" for a time however there was a 7/16 drive in regular use.

 

[BOSS351C]

Hey, I need that ratchet to remove the drain plug on the bottom of my 1959 Ford 9 inch rear end housing! For some reason they used a pipe plug with a 5/16" square recess. Good thing my mini lathe uses 5/16 tooling! It could have been fun to get out otherwise.