Snap-On 71-15 Ratchet

[diggerrick]

I was going through some tools today that I inherited from my great-grandfather several years ago and found an old Snap-On #71-15 ratchet that looks and works great. I did a search here and didn't find anything on this model. May be a dumb question, but if it broke would Snap-On still warranty it? I'm trying to decide if I should add it to my toolbox or keep it in storage. I've always felt tools are to be used, not displayed, but this one has a lot of family history associated with it.

 

[idoitproject]

I would only use it for light duty. Regardless if they warrantied it or not, use it not abuse it.

 

[Kirbot]

Snap On will definitely warranty it.

Put it in your toolbox and use it without hesitation.

I understand your worry about breaking a family heirloom of sorts.
But I'm sure your great-grandfather would have wanted it to be put to use rather than tucked away in a padded case and forgotten about.


If it should ever break, they will replace it with an F80.

 

[scott37300]

I was going through some tools today that I inherited from my great-grandfather several years ago and found an old Snap-On #71-15 ratchet that looks and works great. I did a search here and didn't find anything on this model. May be a dumb question, but if it broke would Snap-On still warranty it? I'm trying to decide if I should add it to my toolbox or keep it in storage. I've always felt tools are to be used, not displayed, but this one has a lot of family history associated with it.

You should call/email snap on to see if they still have repair kits available for this ratchet. If they do have them ship you one and then you can use your ratchet and if it breaks just replace the guts. If they don't have kits and it breaks and you try to warranty it they will have to give you a new ratchet so if you are keeping this one for sentimental value it will be gone.

 

[snapmom]

Look in good shape, I would use it. open it up and lube it, as long as its light duty, you probably will not have a problem

 

[Zrexxer]

If it should ever break, they will replace it with an F80.

And why would they replace a 1/2" ratchet with a 3/8"?

 

[Kirbot]

And why would they replace a 1/2" ratchet with a 3/8"?

I mean't dual 80
Whatever the part number is for that specific ratchet.

 

[diggerrick]

After some thought, it has gone into my "dragster toolbox". He most likely used it to build the dragsters for Dad in the late '50's - 60's - now it will be used to put mine back together 50 years later. He would be be happy with this, and if it broke, I don't think he'd mind if it were replaced with a SL80:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=85838&group_ID=22911&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I sent an email to Snap-On, and am awaiting their reply regarding replacement or a rebuild kit.

 

[freeman4ever]

I have the same one. My fiancée’s Grandfather (mech for PG&E) gave me one. Took it apart and lubed it up...but it could use a rebuilt kit. If you hear back from SO, please post your results!

Though, warmpancakes posted some information on his 71-15 (in a thread where mrholeshot discussed his 71-10), that leads me to believe they do not have a rebuild kit. The thread can be found HERE. Post #20.

 

[mrholeshot]

SO says no rebuild kits for this ratchet. Thats a really nice example. I would use it. You can always buy parts of ebay if you break it. Unless you put a 4 foot pipe on it I doubt you have a problem as long as it's cleaned and lubed

 

[stricht8]

Yeah, clean, lube, light duty. Beautiful ratchet!

 

[dieseldodge01]

A 71-15 can be rebuilt, they just don't have the cover plate any more. I will have to look at what kits that I used, I know the kit I used came directly from Snap-On. One kit I used was a 32 tooth and the other was a original tooth count on two different ratchets. I will look later and post the numbers.

Edit: Found the kits I used. If you want to keep it at its original tooth count, the RKRA71 is a direct drop in, works perfect. You can make it a 32 tooth ratchet by using the RKRA972 kit and change out the pawl and gear. I used both kits on two 71-10 ratchets, one is a 1942 and the other is a 1946.

 

[4-2-7]

I just joined the site for one you all have helped me with some tool info over the past few days thank you. And to give some input to this post to maybe shed some light on this 71-15 Ratchet for others. I got mine because it was handed down from my grandfather to my dad and to me when my Dad died in 1990. I first broke mine around 92 on a lug nut, the S-O truck was able to fix it and said the head was from 1956. Broke again around 2008 (Lug Nut) and the truck was still able to fix it and it still works fine today. 2008 has been awhile but I can't imaging this ratchet not being able to be fixed. I know it's now 70 years old or older but man this tool lasted for my grand father, Dad and me and I'm 65 now. I also have a complete set of deep and shallow 12 points around 10 - 11 each, and three extensions and a universal from my grandfather all the same vintage

 

[4-2-7]

A 71-15 can be rebuilt, they just don't have the cover plate any more. I will have to look at what kits that I used, I know the kit I used came directly from Snap-On. One kit I used was a 32 tooth and the other was a original tooth count on two different ratchets. I will look later and post the numbers.

Edit: Found the kits I used. If you want to keep it at its original tooth count, the RKRA71 is a direct drop in, works perfect. You can make it a 32 tooth ratchet by using the RKRA972 kit and change out the pawl and gear. I used both kits on two 71-10 ratchets, one is a 1942 and the other is a 1946.

Looking up these Snap-On kit #s dieseldodge01 posted, they are both available today.

 

[shoggoth80]

I rebuilt the guts on my 71-10 with a newer kit. Upgraded to 32 teeth
Can't remember the kit number though. You will need to reuse the face plate and the bushing on the back.