PAR-X UR70 Ratchet

[SocketDeviler]

Picked up this ratchet today for 50 cents. It's jammed up. Hopefully it just needs a cleaning and lubrication. Nice looking tool. Made in USA. The head look very similar to my Snap-On FV70.

Also scored a 14 Pc Kobalt Thru-Ratchet Set, Klein Wire Cutters, Klein Hex Keys, Lenox Hole Saw with Ridgid Mandrel, Easco 9/16 Wrench and a small assortment of odds and ends for $16.00.

Snap-On FV70:

 

[billymade]

I just picked up a PAR-X UR71 Ratchet; it looks just like your Snapon ratchet; identical as a matter of fact. Mine has a date code of 1969; yours is in nice shape, mine is pitted and show wear at the handle end, area around the logo. I'm assuming the pitting is related to the shape of the body and the contact area the design causes with dropping it on the ground etc.

 

[SocketDeviler]

I just picked up a PAR-X UR71 Ratchet; it looks just like your Snapon ratchet; identical as a matter of fact.

Your ratchet has the handle grooves as well?

 

[billymade]

Yes, AFAIK it is identical to your Snap-On; looks the same to me aside from the PAR-X markings! I think we should create a page showing all the different snapon ratchet bodies over the years to see how their shapes progressed over the years...

My 1/4" PAR-X is another interesting variation because while the head is similar (top ratchet), the handle and selector are different. I think this is earlier then either or yours or mine; I cannot find any date codes on it.

 

[wrenchr]

Picked up this ratchet today for 50 cents. It's jammed up. Hopefully it just needs a cleaning and lubrication. Nice looking tool. Made in USA. The head look very similar to my Snap-On FV70.

Also scored a 14 Pc Kobalt Thru-Ratchet Set, Klein Wire Cutters, Klein Hex Keys, Lenox Hole Saw with Ridgid Mandrel, Easco 9/16 Wrench and a small assortment of odds and ends for $16.00.

Snap-On FV70:

Your parx is old!! I would say from the 40's.

 

[SocketDeviler]

Yes, AFAIK it is identical to your Snap-On; looks the same to me aside from the PAR-X markings! I think we should create a page showing all the different snapon ratchet bodies over the years to see how their shapes progressed over the years...
My 1/4" PAR-X is another interesting variation because while the head is similar, the handle and selector are different. I think this is earlier then either or yours or mine; I cannot find any date codes on it.

Nice set.

 

[SocketDeviler]

Your parx is old!! I would say from the 40's.

Which would partially explain why getting the screws out is proving to be extremely difficult. Between age, use and excessive tightening those suckers are in there. I stripped the one in the process (took little effort) and the other is about as bad. After soaking in some WD40 I got it to turn. Feels stripped inside as well. In other words, works but skips.

 

[SocketDeviler]

I think we should create a page showing all the different snapon ratchet bodies over the years to see how their shapes progressed over the years...

Sure would make an interesting point of reference. I'm game to offer what little I have.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have a few that i could contribute pictures of.

 

[wrenchr]

Which would partially explain why getting the screws out is proving to be extremely difficult. Between age, use and excessive tightening those suckers are in there. I stripped the one in the process (took little effort) and the other is about as bad. After soaking in some WD40 I got it to turn. Feels stripped inside as well. In other words, works but skips.

I might have a gear for yuh!! Is the pawl in good shape??

 

[SocketDeviler]

I might have a gear for yuh!! Is the pawl in good shape??

The pawl appears to be fine. Just can't get in the damn thing but if I do that gear would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[caper]

Wrenchr,I got the par x in the mail thursday.Used it stripping the head off a 466 on friday,very happy with it,nice working old ratchet!

 

[Bob Paulin]

Your parx is old!! I would say from the 40's.

I bought a complete Par-X set - 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" drive ratchets and sockets and combination wrench set - from my Snap-On dealer in the late '60s for $75.00.

The 1/2" ratchet is a UR-71 - the same as above.

It was something he had re-posessed.

I still have them and keep them in the house in a small box of household tools that saves a few trips outside to the shop.

 

[wrenchr]

The pawl appears to be fine. Just can't get in the damn thing but if I do that gear would be helpful. Thanks.

Try tapping a screwdriver with a hammer on the screws before trying to break loose.

 

[billymade]

Bob Paulin, can you shed some light on the whole PAR-X brand in relation to Snap-On; I've been told it was a cheaper brand but still had a lifetime warranty. I wonder if they were made by Williams (I don't know when Snap-On bought that company); because, Williams makes ratchets that have the same head shape as the old PAR-X models. Was the brand equivalent to Blue Point today (cheaper but still well made)? Was the PAR-X in the early Snap-On catalogs or in a separate catalog all together? Anyone tried to get their ratchets rebuild currently? I'm trying to understand and get info on the history of PAR-X. If anyone has PAR-X pages in their old catalogs; I would love to see some of the scans. By the way SocketDeviler, I have a 3/8" speeder wrench that has the same handle as your old PAR-X ratchet! This thread is getting interesting!

 

[chad s]

I think williams is a recent acquisition. I know nothing about PAR-X, but it was definately not the bluepoint of yesteryear. Blue-point was a company started in the early 20's that worked alongside snap on, and appeared in the Motor Tool Specialty Co. catalogs, supporting the Snap-on line of tools, that Snap On themselves didn't make. Both companies worked out of the same office, but didnt merge until years later. But to sum it up, BP has been Snap-on's outsourced line since day one, however, in the past, it was sold as a cheaper line of tools, but rather a line of tools types not made by Snap on themselves.

 

[Bob Paulin]

Bob Paulin, can you shed some light on the whole PAR-X brand in relation to Snap-On; I've been told it was a cheaper brand but still had a lifetime warranty. I wonder if they were made by Williams (I don't know when Snap-On bought that company); because, Williams makes ratchets that have the same head shape as the old PAR-X models. Was the brand equivalent to Blue Point today (cheaper but still well made)? Was the PAR-X in the early Snap-On catalogs or in a separate catalog all together? Anyone tried to get their ratchets rebuild currently? I'm trying to understand and get info on the history of PAR-X. If anyone has PAR-X pages in their old catalogs; I would love to see some of the scans. By the way SocketDeviler, I have a 3/8" speeder wrench that has the same handle as your old PAR-X ratchet! This thread is getting interesting!

You've pretty much covered what I know about Par-X. I never bought any more after the one deal, and they were a secondary set for the race track toolbox.

Par-X was the less expensive Snappy line, and IIRC it DID carry a lifetime guarantee.

Not aware of any catalog. The Snap-On guy would suggest that certain tools were available in Par-X for people who couldn't afford them, or situations where they would often get lost - communal toolboxes in gas stations and junkyards, working on the water, etc.

I had a dealer who would offer me first dibs on repo tools for my second toolbox that I used at the race track. He also gave me some great deals such as when he used a new bushing driver kit to install kingpin bushings in his truck, then sold me the set at half-price.

I also asked him once about rebuilding my CP 740 impact wrench when it was being used heavily in the spring shop, but he advised against it - showing me the newer, obviously lesser quality rebuild parts that would go into it.

That was nearly 40 years ago (1969), and the wrench is STILL going strong - even after two years working in an auto and truck spring shop. Regular oiling is the key, I believe.

Murray "Skip" Buchanan was his name, and he worked in the western suburbs of Boston.

They don't make them like that any more.....Snap-On dealers OR Chicago Pneumatic air wrenches.

 

[chad s]

You've pretty much covered what I know about Par-X. I never bought any more after the one deal, and they were a secondary set for the race track toolbox.

Par-X was the less expensive Snappy line, and IIRC it DID carry a lifetime guarantee.

Not aware of any catalog. The Snap-On guy would suggest that certain tools were available in Par-X for people who couldn't afford them, or situations where they would often get lost - communal toolboxes in gas stations and junkyards, working on the water, etc.

I had a dealer who would offer me first dibs on repo tools for my second toolbox that I used at the race track. He also gave me some great deals such as when he used a new bushing driver kit to install kingpin bushings in his truck, then sold me the set at half-price.

I also asked him once about rebuilding my CP 740 impact wrench when it was being used heavily in the spring shop, but he advised against it - showing me the newer, obviously lesser quality rebuild parts that would go into it.

That was nearly 40 years ago (1969), and the wrench is STILL going strong - even after two years working in an auto and truck spring shop. Regular oiling is the key, I believe.

Murray "Skip" Buchanan was his name, and he worked in the western suburbs of Boston.

They don't make them like that any more.....Snap-On dealers OR Chicago Pneumatic air wrenches.

So Par-x did do what most of the blue point line does now. Its a shame that blue point has been reduced to a mostly asian made line of tools, it wasnt the original intent of the brand name!

 

[SocketDeviler]

By the way SocketDeviler, I have a 3/8" speeder wrench that has the same handle as your old PAR-X ratchet! This thread is getting interesting!

Indeed. I've learned a lot during my short time here. I appreciate all the input.

Well, the screws are a lost cause. Best advice for small screw removal? I'd like to salvage this baby.

 

[SocketDeviler]

Are any Blue Point tools made in the US anymore? We get in a decent amount of American made BP tools at work but for the most part they are older models. Some of the newer looking stuff might be NOS. In doing research I will sometimes find the BP tools listed on the Snap-On site but often with no info or pic, just a title and a price and even then you can't order it.

 

[paramudduck]

UR70A http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=42289&group_id=10610

UR71
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=42290&group_id=10611

 

[SocketDeviler]

UR70A http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=42289&group_id=10610

UR71
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=42290&group_id=10611

That's funny. I did not even think to look there. Good score, paramudduck.

 

[chad s]

Are any Blue Point tools made in the US anymore? We get in a decent amount of American made BP tools at work but for the most part they are older models. Some of the newer looking stuff might be NOS. In doing research I will sometimes find the BP tools listed on the Snap-On site but often with no info or pic, just a title and a price and even then you can't order it.

Yes, most of the re-badged Lisle stuff labeled BP is US made, and Im sure there are other examples.

 

[billymade]

This is a old thread but I thought these shots of this vintage PAR-X 1/4" ratchet set (like mine) and the packaging was an interesting insight into how these tools were packaged and marketed! Note the clear yellow handle; I would assume they were cheaper the the traditional snapon black handles. The condition is so good; I wonder if they are NOS? The packaging looks like 1970s to me!

Also note: the marketing slogans "PAR-X fine quality tools by Snapon; professional mechanics tools", there isn't any hiding the fact they were made by Snapon and the quality is for professional mechanics.

 

[lbgradwell]

Very cool Billy!

BTW, I discovered while researching this brand that Par-X was also a brand-name for condoms in the 50s!

 

[billymade]

Are you talking about these?

 

[olds88]

Current Blue-Point wrenches are identical to the old Par-X wrenches, even the model numbers are the same.

Basically, Snap-on used to sell both Blue-Point and Par-X sub-brands, but they merged Par-X into Blue-Point sometime in the early 80s or late 70s.

I'm the high bidder on that 1/4 inch set... are you the other bidder?

 

[eschoendorff]

Are you talking about these?

No Way.... where the hell do you find this stuff????

 

[billymade]

All of these are photos are off of ebay; great research tool! No, I am not bidding on the 1/4" set; I thought it was of interest because of the packaging/condition and I own the same 1/4" ratchet as in the auction!

 

[krusty the clown]

snap on sold par-x into the 80's. i bought a set of 1/4, 3/8. and 1/2 shallow sockets for $50 off the truck in 1981. i was told they were seconds so they were labeled par-x instead of snap on and if they broke they would be replaced with snap on's for the difference in price.

 

[billymade]

I found another website with some more PAR-X pics!

I was at the pawn shop the other day and found a speeder wrench; it looks just like the one in this tool set, it has the unique shape that the 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets have.

 

[olds88]

My 3/8 speeder is Par-X.

 

[SocketDeviler]

So, I finally got around to busting this fella open. Was a real pain in the *** but mission accomplished. Now I need some replacement screws. Any idea what Snap-On charges to ship two tiny screws?

 

[48548]

Here is what snap on shows, and I think the shipping is free!!!!


Item
Ratchet 1/4"
Stock#: TM70B






Parts
Key Part No. Qty Description Price Checkout
- ME9A5 1 Ball (for pawl) $0.57
Add To Cart


- TM70C4B 1 Pawl (for 20-tooth gear) $4.20
Add To Cart


- TM70B5B 1 Reverse Lever $0.67
Add To Cart


- TM70C2 1 Cover Plate $1.80
Add To Cart


- RKRA930A 1 Ratchet Service Kit $10.00
Add To Cart


- ME1A133 1 Locking Ball Spring $0.63
Add To Cart


- ESD852 1 Friction Ball $0.64
Add To Cart


- TM70B3A 1 Gear Wheel $8.05
Add To Cart


- ESD12 1 Spring (for pawl) $0.57
Add To Cart


- ME3E59 2 Plate Screw $0.60

 

[jerk_chicken]

so, i finally got around to busting this fella open. Was a real pain in the *** but mission accomplished. Now i need some replacement screws. any idea what snap-on charges to ship two tiny screws?

$845.............

 

[Mike83]

Are you talking about these?

Is there a lifetime warranty on the Par-X rubbers?

 

[davestlouis]

The screws are cheap, the 20 tooth gear is NLA as fas as I am aware.

 

[SocketDeviler]

Yes, I saw the price of the screws but I never ordered from SO. If shipping is indeed free that's cool, I just don't want to pay $5.00 to ship a 60 cent set of screws. The gear is fine, just needed to be cleaned out and lubed.

 

[48548]

I think is free from my last purchases.

 

[billymade]

I just orderd a bunch of rebuild parts for my Snapon ratchets; the shipping is indeed free!