Mac ratchet handle problem

[mrshaun]

The handle is not on the ratchet all the way about 1/8 shy of being where it should. I removed it and tried to put it on many different ways. Not happening. it is a different diameter in the bottom of the handle, I beat it down with a 32oz dead blow ball peen hammer. Didnt work. It goes in about a 1/16th and then pops right back out. anyone know anything about the mac hard handle ratchets?

 

[Art From De Leon]

The gap is a wear indicator, like those on a tire. When the handle touches the enlarged part, the ratchet is worn out.

 

[mrshaun]

Xr11pa both the ratchet and handle match

 

[X1 Mike]

If it's popping right back out you are compressing the air in the handle. You need to make sure the air can escape, maybe if you put the steel part of the ratchet in the freezer overnight it will shrink enough that the air can escape.

 

[mrshaun]

that may work. the handle is extremely tight going on.... the snap on handles have wide wings that hold the ratchet tight and would allow the air to escape.

 

[mrshaun]

I took a mini pick with the 45 degree bent tip and scored the inside of the handle and it went right on.
thanks X1 Mike

 

[Merkava_4]

The shank of those ratchets are are inserted into the injection mold and the hot liquid plastic is poured in around it.

Translation: the handles were never meant to be pulled off -- ever.

 

[Nolan]

The shank of those ratchets are are inserted into the injection mold and the hot liquid plastic is poured in around it.

Translation: the handles were never meant to be pulled off -- ever.

Is there any possibility that handle is shrinking? I've had several dozen of the older black handled Snap-on screwdrivers do that. The problem started maybe fifteen or twenty years ago and it still going on with some of mine. The local dealer warranted at least a half a dozen for me last year including an entire set of the red handled PosiDriv ones.

You might want to compare the length of the plastic portion of your handle to another of the same model. Perhaps Mac had similar problems with the plastics supplied to them.