New Snap-On F100

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Probably. I seem to recall Matco having issues with their design, I want to say 1/2" drive in particular, and ended up issuing better rebuild kits and having dealers upgrade all the ratchets already stocked on the trucks, along with anyone else that had the issues.

Not bashing either of the two of them, but you sincerely have to wonder how a product makes it into the hands of customers with these kinds of issues right out of the gate. These don't seem like minor nuances that could have been missed in early testing, so it is somewhat disappointing that they weren't caught sooner. They wouldn't be the only two companies to release a turd at a premium price either, but even so, it's hard to rationalize a miss like that on something as simple a ratchet. That goes doubly given all the reputational damage that can result from a botched release like this. Maybe I just expect too much.

What will save Snap-on is how limited in exposure the 100-tooth ratchets were. Matco hosed themselves by selling those defective Eighty8s for years.

I’m going to assume Snappy rushed their release because I cannot fathom how any QC would pass the ratchets. Those are issues that would have clearly been noticeable to anyone running a few tests on them.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I wonder how they'll handle the early adopters that have problems once they iron this out? Rebuild kits?

FN100.

 

[mreisner]

Had my hands on an F100 this morning on my friend's Snap-on truck. On the plus side the reverse fork for the flex head feels very nice and looks to be stronger than the previous design. It did have a fair amount of back drag and it also had the flaw where if you push down on the Pivot Point of the direction switch it would free wheel. The one he had was just a demonstrator as they can't sell them right now and that came from Snap-on. They didn't give any explanation other than for demonstration only, but it sounds like all the dealers are aware of the problem and Snap on is going to rectify it, and quickly. By contrast my Olsa 100 tooth was pretty smooth on the back drag right from new and only got better with use. The F100 does have a very nice slim head so that's a plus.

 

[demarpaint]

FN100.

It looks like they updated that too. They're now showing RKRF100 as the repair kit, $10.00.

 

[f121]

These just made it over to the UK:

 

[Samuel D]

“Trademarked handle made for today’s hands”. What’s that supposed to mean? That today’s hands are soft? They’re probably right about that, but it feels like an insult in the context.

I like my Dual 80 ratchets, but I might try one of these Cynergy designs eventually … if Snap-on doesn’t mock me any more (joking).

 

[Shoreline_]

I always thought the dual 80 was perfect. I've seen the 100 tooth but have 0 interest.

 

[M635_Guy]

I'm curious, but not compelled

 

[mreisner]

I have a couple and I'm very happy with them especially after they got a little bit of use on them. I have a ton of dual 80's and they're not going anywhere either

 

[wrenchr]

I want one but totally good with my 80's.

 

[f121]

I always thought the dual 80 was perfect. I've seen the 100 tooth but have 0 interest.

Agree about the dual 80. Its by far the best ratchet I’ve ever used. Curious to see if the F100 is an improvement.

 

[wrenchr]

Agree about the dual 80. Its by far the best ratchet I’ve ever used. Curious to see if the F100 is an improvement.

For me I doubt it, the 80's came out around 2007ish and I bought them right away, knocking 20 years of use for me...not full time but lots of years using them and I turn wrenches or ratchets less than I use to so it will be tough for me. I know I will not replace them all but I will buy one to try out.

 

[ChevyEFI]

“Trademarked handle made for today’s hands”. What’s that supposed to mean?

Strictly for the Brits.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I like the F100 flex head I've had for a while. Head is a bit floppier than I'd like. Very rarely, like 3 times, I've been using the ratchet in such a way the "center pressure/free wheel" issue occurs.

I think the dual 80 is a better ratchet overall. But all ratchets have issues. A dual 80 is thicker, and snap ring retained ratchets like matco don't like being loaded against the snap ring.

 

[gatewaysysop]

“Trademarked handle made for today’s hands”. What’s that supposed to mean? That today’s hands are soft? They’re probably right about that, but it feels like an insult in the context.

The first thing that came to my mind when reading that as well. What a weird way to market something.

I like my Dual 80 ratchets, but I might try one of these Cynergy designs eventually … if Snap-on doesn’t mock me any more (joking).

I've never wanted for more than my F80 or its Matco 88 tooth counterpart. For me, personally, the diminishing returns just aren't worth getting excited about in this range. Not saying I wouldn't try one, but definitely not at new retail. Hope they get the bugs worked out this time, makes one really hesitant to buy new or used.

 

[M635_Guy]

“Trademarked handle made for today’s hands”. What’s that supposed to mean? That today’s hands are soft? They’re probably right about that, but it feels like an insult in the context.

Honestly, I felt like they were saying today's hands were fat...

 

[Shoreline_]

Ya know I dont even know why I have soft handles. Most of my ratchets except one dual 80 from when they first came out are chrome handle up until about 2012. Then I started buying soft handles. Maybe my driver had some on sale and I was like sure why not then kept the tradition going.

 

[Wamsutta]

“Trademarked handle made for today’s hands”. What’s that supposed to mean? That today’s hands are soft? They’re probably right about that, but it feels like an insult in the context.

I like my Dual 80 ratchets, but I might try one of these Cynergy designs eventually … if Snap-on doesn’t mock me any more (joking).

That means hands like Pablo707 on YouTube. He can't use ratchets with comfort grips because his hands are so small.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

That means hands like Pablo707 on YouTube. He can't use ratchets with comfort grips because his hands are so small.

Dude has a cool channel and I always wondered about his ******** want of chrome handles. Now I know.

 

[N8sToolz]

I've been using one for a few months now. It's very smooth and the smaller head helps. But the backdrag is still pretty tight. I've had to warranty it twice now too. Once for it skipping teeth, would randomly freewheel even with nothing touching the switch.

The other was for the flex head bolt stripping out. Had him repair it and when he handed it back to me the threads were hanging out of it and sliced my finger open right on the truck. Bad enough there was a bunch of blood on the floor of his truck until I could get a rag.

Less than pleased on that whole situation.

 

[joel63]

I like the F100 flex head I've had for a while. Head is a bit floppier than I'd like. Very rarely, like 3 times, I've been using the ratchet in such a way the "center pressure/free wheel" issue occurs.

I think the dual 80 is a better ratchet overall. But all ratchets have issues. A dual 80 is thicker, and snap ring retained ratchets like matco don't like being loaded against the snap ring.

I'm not very sure Snap-on has perfected the F100 yet.

 

[Ultradog MN]

“Trademarked handle made for today’s hands”. What’s that supposed to mean? That today’s hands are soft? They’re probably right about that, but it feels like an insult in the context.

I like my Dual 80 ratchets, but I might try one of these Cynergy designs eventually … if Snap-on doesn’t mock me any more (joking).

I have always thought those plastic handles on tools were rather gimmicky.
Nice for those who don't use tools.
Those who do use tools don't need them.

 

[Hakeem]

I have always thought those plastic handles on tools were rather gimmicky.
Nice for those who don't use tools.
Those who do use tools don't need them.

They’re nice on the longer-handled ratchets, otherwise the lengthy chrome handle is prone to hitting and dinging the paint job

 

[demarpaint]

I can't believe they haven't fixed the freewheeling issue yet. I had my dealer install the rebuild kit and it did nothing to fix the problem.

 

[M635_Guy]

I have always thought those plastic handles on tools were rather gimmicky.
Nice for those who don't use tools.
Those who do use tools don't need them.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I can't believe they haven't fixed the freewheeling issue yet. I had my dealer install the rebuild kit and it did nothing to fix the problem.

I can believe it. And not surprised one bit, just disappointed.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Soft grips are for soft hands brother.

#ChromeHandleMafia

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I was chatting with my Snappy driver yesterday about the 100 tooth ratchets. He had a ton on the truck and so I asked him what’s up with the large inventory. He said, and I have no way of fact checking this but he’s a really level-headed and on-point kinda guy so I have no reason to doubt him, that Snappy is slowly phasing out the 3/8” Dual 80s and the 100 tooth ratchets will be the new standard. He said that a bunch of the Dual 80 SKUs have been discontinued. The 1/4” and 1/2” stuff isn’t being touched so far.

I played with the 100 tooths on the truck and they all still have the free wheeling problem and they are stupid stiff. But I actually like how they feel overall in my hands. They seem more balanced and the longer standard length is nice. The directional lever is a huge improvement over the Dual 80. If Snappy can get their stuff together, I think the 100 tooth ratchets will be a nice upgrade. Right now they are tempting with the promo discount my driver is still offering, but I don’t know if I can get past all the problems with them.

 

[ecotec]

I will buy one eventually, but I will give them time to get the problems all sorted out.

I would like an extra extra long 3/8” flex head.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I was chatting with my Snappy driver yesterday about the 100 tooth ratchets. He had a ton on the truck and so I asked him what’s up with the large inventory. He said, and I have no way of fact checking this but he’s a really level-headed and on-point kinda guy so I have no reason to doubt him, that Snappy is slowly phasing out the 3/8” Dual 80s and the 100 tooth ratchets will be the new standard. He said that a bunch of the Dual 80 SKUs have been discontinued. The 1/4” and 1/2” stuff isn’t being touched so far.

I played with the 100 tooths on the truck and they all still have the free wheeling problem and they are stupid stiff. But I actually like how they feel overall in my hands. They seem more balanced and the longer standard length is nice. The directional lever is a huge improvement over the Dual 80. If Snappy can get their stuff together, I think the 100 tooth ratchets will be a nice upgrade. Right now they are tempting with the promo discount my driver is still offering, but I don’t know if I can get past all the problems with them.

They need to fix the center pressure free-wheel issue before the dual 80 goes away. I can't imagine it's a wild thing to fix.

 

[Wamsutta]

I was chatting with my Snappy driver yesterday about the 100 tooth ratchets. He had a ton on the truck and so I asked him what’s up with the large inventory. He said, and I have no way of fact checking this but he’s a really level-headed and on-point kinda guy so I have no reason to doubt him, that Snappy is slowly phasing out the 3/8” Dual 80s and the 100 tooth ratchets will be the new standard. He said that a bunch of the Dual 80 SKUs have been discontinued. The 1/4” and 1/2” stuff isn’t being touched so far.

I played with the 100 tooths on the truck and they all still have the free wheeling problem and they are stupid stiff. But I actually like how they feel overall in my hands. They seem more balanced and the longer standard length is nice. The directional lever is a huge improvement over the Dual 80. If Snappy can get their stuff together, I think the 100 tooth ratchets will be a nice upgrade. Right now they are tempting with the promo discount my driver is still offering, but I don’t know if I can get past all the problems with them.

What's the point of discontinuing a perfectly good product and replacing it with an inferior product? Makes no sense.

 

[f121]

What's the point of discontinuing a perfectly good product and replacing it with an inferior product? Makes no sense.

Because gearwrench etc have 90t?

I was chatting with my Snappy driver yesterday about the 100 tooth ratchets. He had a ton on the truck and so I asked him what’s up with the large inventory. He said, and I have no way of fact checking this but he’s a really level-headed and on-point kinda guy so I have no reason to doubt him, that Snappy is slowly phasing out the 3/8” Dual 80s and the 100 tooth ratchets will be the new standard. He said that a bunch of the Dual 80 SKUs have been discontinued. The 1/4” and 1/2” stuff isn’t being touched so far.

Time to order a bunch of 80t repair kits as spares. But this doesn’t seem too likely yet. They haven’t even managed to get stock to drivers in UK, a month after the flier advertising them came out.

 

[Wamsutta]

Because gearwrench etc have 90t?

People look at the 90 tooth count and automatically assume it's smoother. If there's anything that this 100 tooth count debacle has taught us, it's that tooth count don't always equate to smoothness. I can't believe I have only one Dual 80 ratchet and they're already getting ready to discontinue it. I still have 30 tooth and 36 tooth Snap-on ratchets with very little wear on them. I'm running way behind schedule.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

What's the point of discontinuing a perfectly good product and replacing it with an inferior product? Makes no sense.

The implication was that it was to keep up with the competition, specifically brands like Matco that offer slim heads.

I don’t know how the whole replacement process will play out but my driver’s last shipment of Dual 80 3/8” ratchets were pretty rough. He had a bunch in a box on the truck floor that he needed to warranty straight from the factory. I feel like the pandemic hasn’t been that great to Snappy’s QC judging off the tools I’ve bought lately.

 

[demarpaint]

I agree, if they are phasing out the Dual 80 they better get their act together and fix the 100 tooth ratchet problem.

 

[F-22]

The implication was that it was to keep up with the competition, specifically brands like Matco that offer slim heads.

Can understand that as stupid as it is - when new techs brag about their tools that's one of the things they may mention.

 

[Banjorear]

I inadvertently bought a F100 long handled swivel head (one on the yoke) when my buddy retired from his route. He had a box of ratchets and I picked some out. I didn't even look at model numbers but could tell this ratchet had a finer movement when I was looking them over. Truth be told, I didn't know they even released a 100 tooth nor did he mention it.

In use, especially with the long handle, you can tell the difference between an 80. Is it a deal breaker and you need to go out and swap all your 80's for 100's? No, but it is nice to have as an option.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Time to order a bunch of 80t repair kits as spares. But this doesn’t seem too likely yet. They haven’t even managed to get stock to drivers in UK, a month after the flier advertising them came out.

And this is why I almost always squirrel away a couple for any ratchet I plan to be using long term. Vindication at last.

 

[Steve_P]

And this is why I almost always squirrel away a couple for any ratchet I plan to be using long term. Vindication at last.

I can't imagine that SO will stop making the 80T rebuild kits anytime soon; if so, that will mean that when it comes time, they will give you a new ratchet instead of a kit that costs a tiny fraction of the price of that new ratchet.

 

[noid]

There is diminishing returns for higher tooth counts and so the higher the count goes the harder it is to be excited about it.



I've grown to care less about teeth count now and appreciate a nice slim head design in this modern age where everything is tight.