Need help identifying a Vintage Snap On Ratchet

[Ratsofftoya]

I bought this ratchet about a year ago out of a junk tool bin for like a buck. I posted it in the garage sale tread at the time and was told it looked like Snap on. Based on the date code I'm thinking 1955. It's really odd because at some point someone took the time to sand off all the id marks. It could be a scaffold ratchet but I cannot find a trace of one that looks like this anywhere on the net. I have even paged through a few 1950's catalogs on Collecting Snap On. I will post pics shortly. I'm not putting this up for sale, just trying to find some history on it. All my junk will be passed on to my sons as long as they want it Thanks for looking guys!!

 

[Ratsofftoya]

<a href="http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ratsofftoya/media/imagejpg1_zps54f6c42d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag137/Ratsofftoya/imagejpg1_zps54f6c42d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo imagejpg1_zps54f6c42d.jpg"/></a>

 

[Ratsofftoya]

 

[Ratsofftoya]

 

[Ratsofftoya]

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[Ratsofftoya]

A little more info, it counts out to 20 clicks in the head and is very similar to this pic of a L-710 I found on eBay

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Ok, last one before I hit the hay

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Also, are the Phillips screws period correct, or should they be slotted?

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Really? Nothing?

 

[Junkman]

First off, you are missing the small lever to change the direction of the ratchet mechanism. Second though is that it is a production tool, where the back side of the ratchet is used like a light weight hammer to possibly drive some part into another, before it is tightened with the ratchet and socket. Possibly you could send a picture to Snap On, and they can give you an answer?

 

[3baygarage]

Interesting ratchet. I'd like to know more about it too. Definitely looks Snap On, you even found a close match. A scaffold ratchet should've had a 1/2" square with the socket pinned to it. This one had some other special purpose though.

You ever open it up to see if that gear is one forged piece?

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Interesting ratchet. I'd like to know more about it too. Definitely looks Snap On, you even found a close match. A scaffold ratchet should've had a 1/2" square with the socket pinned to it. This one had some other special purpose though.

You ever open it up to see if that gear is one forged piece?

Not yet, but I can tonight and post some pics if people are interested

 

[snapmom]

Its a odd one. 1955. prob. a special.
Can you take it apart and show how the odd part fits into the gear.

 

[Bobcat753]

Possibly a striking ratchet? It could be used for a specific manufacturing process. Probably worn out and company tossed it. Or it's to be used with a 20mm socket to get off Chrysler lug nuts!

 

[Bobcat753]

Snap on does make a scaffold ratchet that is very similar to yours.http://store.snapon.com/RATCHETS-C795495.aspx

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Its a odd one. 1955. prob. a special.
Can you take it apart and show how the odd part fits into the gear.

No problem, I'll try and take it apart and post some pics after I get the kids to bed tonight.

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Ok, here are a few pic's of the ratchet taken apart

 

[Ratsofftoya]

 

[Ratsofftoya]

 

[snapmom]

Neat, never see one like it. If you need a selector switch, just holler.

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Neat, never see one like it. If you need a selector switch, just holler.

I was thinking about buying a rebuild kit for a 710 and a selector switch off of snapon.com and saving these parts. Any idea if it will fit? It just seems strange somebody ground off all of the id markings. Oh well, I'm just going to keep believing it was a prototype that was just to ahead of its time. Some employee was probably ordered to destroy all evidence of its existence but just couldn't go through with it. He must of ground off "snap on xxxx prototype" and became to overwhelmed with guilt, having to destroy such a fine tool. He must have took it out into the mean streets of Kenosha WI, gave him a $100 bill, told him "good luck kid you can never show your face around here again, now git on, git!" and set it free. Can't really put a value on a tool with that kind of story. It's well, invaluable....

 

[snapmom]

I would get a kit for the L710 rkra972

 

[Bigplum]

the round end would not be a striking face for sure , the ball bearing locker would be toast after a few blows .
it reminds me of a old stretching /pushing ( bodyshop?) tool I have somewhere , basically a ratchet in the centre of two threaded bars , as the ratchet is operated the threaded bars push out ,although on mine the bars are fixed to the ratchet

 

[Ratsofftoya]

I would get a kit for the L710 rkra972

Thanks a lot, I will see if I can get one ordered

 

[Ratsofftoya]

I would get a kit for the L710 rkra972

Is there a seperate part # for the selector? If so, you don't happen to know it off hand do you? I was going to buy Snap On stock # S710. Would that kit have been wrong? I'm going to try and look up the part you suggested at some point today, Thanks again for a the help

 

[snapmom]

I have one I can send you. just PM me your address.

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks for posting pics.

Another mystery ratchet, it's cool you shared it with us so we know it exists. I love seeing new (old) tools.

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Thanks for looking everyone, I'll post an update if I ever run into any more info. Thanks again.

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Figured I would drag this one back up just in case....

Thanks!!