I bought a set of 3 snap on Ratchets(ebay) and I am trying to get a picture of them but the woman has my camera and all i have is a webcam that isn't working in windows 2003, imagine that... But as for the tools, 2 of that are 3/8 inch gf 720 and the other a 1/4 inch is a DMC-110. All of them in industrial black and with sockets put on with allen screws. I took the sockets off and busted one of my snap on allens in the aw9-k set, as the screw was really tight. Well there is no ball on any of the ratchets and also there is a hole that goes in the top like where a quick release button would be and all the way through to the bottom. As for where the ball should be a hole is there, but nothing in it. Just curious if it would be worth getting three kits to replace the gear, and then I can use these as normal ratchets or was there a point to them as they were? Also they have date codes of 83(1/4) and 79 for the other two. The 1/4 inch socket had a date of 82 on it. Just curious what to do with them, and if I it would be worth a kit for each of them... Thanks. I will work on a picture if I can...
Odd Snap on Ratchets
- Thread starter 48548
- Start date
billymade
Well-known member
Contact Snapon or your local dealer; I've had most my ratchets rebuilt (even early stuff), they seem to continue to make rebuild kits for most of their past line of ratchets. From the looks of the heads; I have had my ratchets that look like that rebuild and the kits were on the truck. This probably keeps the need to give out new ratchets (for old models) and saves them money!
Merkava_4
Banned
The aviation ratchets have the hole through the gear I'm thinking. 
eschoendorff
Well-known member
The aviation ratchets have the hole through the gear I'm thinking.
Yup... Proto sells the ones with the holes as aviation ratchets.
Honestly, I'd have them rebuilt (if necessary) with guts so taht you can actually use them. I wouldn't worry about potential value...
My .02...
billymade
Well-known member
I was thinking that, too! I have seen some on ebay before!
It would appear that I could just buy a kit for my f70m and put in that ratchet, but do I want to spend 10$ a kit times 3 for the ratchets. They are very clean and the plates are pressed in really tight, but I don't think the snap on guy would give me the kits, if he does than I would be happy.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Hi-Lok ratchets.
billymade
Well-known member
You can ask; all they can say is no! If you want to USE the tools, then paying for the (normal) kits are probably worth it or just sell them on ebay and upgrade to current models. Some dealers will take trade in but it all depends on what they give you for them. I'm at the point now, I prefer to get the sealed head models and they require much less maintenance and (hopefully) last longer!
Maybe I could find someone to sell me three gears, hahahaha, as everything else is fine on them. Also I have a f747a that I love and use 90% of the time, so I might not ever use them, but would be nice if I wanted I could.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Yep. I have one, made by Proto about 25 years ago, and one made by Snap On about 5 or 7 years ago. The SO one only cost me $7. Both are marked "Hi-Shear Corp" and not with the manufacturers name.
The hole thru the middle is to put an allen wrench to hold the fastener from turning while you screw a collar/nut onto it with a socket and the ratchet.
Charles