Refurbished older Snap-ons

[toolcollector109]

I’ve recently “rebuilt” two severely compromised older Snap-on ratchets. One was missing parts and had stripped gears and the other was 9/32” and not in the best of shape.

The FV71 3/8” was repaired with RKRA380 and the M-70M 9/32” was repaired with RKRA930A. Overall the parts fit up great, and they are in good working order. I’m not a fan of the blackened steel main gear and screws, or the aluminum switch, but hey, these are going to be users. The fixed ball bearing on the ends of the rebuild springs are way nicer than the loose little ball bearings.

 

[T45]

The black oxide doesn't chip like chrome. Of coursen, its not chrome for corrosion reistance.

But then again, if its replaceable parts...no harm no foul over the long run.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I did the same thing recently, worked great!

 

[toolcollector109]

I did the same thing recently, worked great!

Nice job, that long handled model is interesting. I think it’s great that the modern rebuild kits work in these older models. They may not be all original now, but they can keep working now. Better than sitting around disassembled in a tool box, or sitting in a curio cabinet with a high polish, never to be used. A wrench is a wrench, let’s keep them turning…

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I use it. Works great!

 

[JJC]

Where do you get the rebuild kits

 

[Oldtuleguy]

My snapon guy gave me the kit free

 

[genog]

...They may not be all original now, but they can keep working now. Better than ....sitting in a curio cabinet with a high polish, never to be used. A wrench is a wrench, let’s keep them turning…

Hear Hear!

 

[toolcollector109]

Where do you get the rebuild kits

I buy them on eBay, they run about $15-20 shipped. I don’t know if Snap-on will give away rebuild kits if you didn’t buy the wrench from them, will they? One of the wrenches I did looks like it’s marked G and the other one has a V in the item number, I don’t know if it’s an urban legend but people have told me the SO wont help out with these.

Between buying the broken wrench and the rebuild kit, it costs more than a recent Harbor Freight set I recently bought, a Pittsburgh Pro 1/4” deep well metric socket set in a plastic case with several extensions and the ratchet too. The HF set I believe was under $20, while a broken SO vintage wrench might still cost $10-$20+, plus the cost of the rebuild kit.

I like having SO stuff, but honestly, it’s a name brand thing. I’m sure the HF will last me a lifetime of hobby tinkering.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

If you a have a snapon guy you are in good with (you buy stuff!) he will give you a kit.