Snap on F71G ratchet without date stamp

[Laro13]

I have just bought a Snap-on F71G ratchet for 2 bucks from my local thrift store.
You don't see a lot of Snap-on tools second hand in my country.

I was wondering how old it was, but it has not have a date marking.
Am I correct to think that the F71G was produced between 1971 and 1978?



For it's age it looks really nice. Not a lot of scratches.At first glance I thought it was only a few years old.

I tried to open it because it felt a bit "dry", but the back plate is stuck.
I've put some oil in the screw-hole and now it feels a bit better.

Cheers,
Jasper

 

[77Mini]

I don't know anything about the date but that is a really good buy for $2

 

[1950mercury]

I believe that is a government tool they usually don't have date stampings or a warranty

 

[dave89iroc]

I do believe that is correct, iirc the G in the number signifies government contract tools, usually supplied to the armed forces

 

[Wamsutta]

There should be a date stamp by the switch between ON and OFF.

 

[Laro13]

I do believe that is correct, iirc the G in the number signifies government contract tools, usually supplied to the armed forces

There were a few US air-force bases in my country. A lot of the stuff from the bases were auctioned off when they closed.

There should be a date stamp by the switch between ON and OFF.

That's just the problem, it's not there.

 

[snapmom]

The 71g was made in the 70's, some tools did not have codes, it is not military, just the model number, happens to end in g. Nice deal.

 

[Wamsutta]

Well I can at least help you with one thing:
Get some Sealed Power assembly lube from NAPA. I guaranty you you'll like it. Take the cover plate off and flood it with the green elixir. If the cover plate is stuck, remove the screws and clamp vise-grips on the square drive; give it a good yank. The gear will push the cover plate out.

 

[DSM_PWR]

don't think they have NAPA in Holland..

 

[Laro13]

If the cover plate is stuck, remove the screws and clamp vise-grips on the square drive; give it a good yank. The gear will push the cover plate out.

I have already tried that, maybe I need to yank it a bit harder.

don't think they have NAPA in Holland..

I haven't found them yet.

 

[ganymede]

I have already tried that, maybe I need to yank it a bit harder.



I haven't found them yet.

Try just hitting it on your workbench, drive plug side down. Momentum should make the cover plate pop off.

 

[Laro13]

Try just hitting it on your workbench, drive plug side down. Momentum should make the cover plate pop off.

Thanks, I will try that.

 

[Empty Pockets]

This has never let me down. Available at most auto parts stores

 

[otis66]

If the screws can be removed take the ratchet and hammered down on 2 by 4 or a pc of wood. The face plate will drop out. Be carful of the spring and detention ball inside. When my Snap On dealer has this problem he hammers the square drive on his vise and the face plate drops out. My Snap On dealer also has all the parts to replace in the ratchet .����

 

[otis66]

The old timers on my job would fill a coffee can with trans fluid and then soak there ratchets for a couple of days to lube the insides. This was perfect for the. SK and old style Cornwell ratchets.

 

[Laro13]

Try just hitting it on your workbench, drive plug side down. Momentum should make the cover plate pop off.

Thanks again! One whack on the workbench was enough.
I cleaned it and put some grease on the moving parts and it now feels like butter.

Cheers,
Jasper

 

[ganymede]

Thanks again! One whack on the workbench was enough.
I cleaned it and put some grease on the moving parts and it now feels like butter.

Cheers,
Jasper

Cool. Those are nice ratchets.

 

[JSCraftsman]

Tapping a very old thread here, so please forgive me. But the S-O F71G was produced from 1968 to 1976 (possibly a year or two later). I have around two dozen (give or take) examples. And as snapmom pointed out, these were made in the 1970's. The early to mid 70's models did not have a date code stamping (1971-1975), at least I have never seen one F71G example with these years date codes, and I have been collecting for several years now. I have 1968, 69, 70 & 76 date codes, but after 70 to 76, I have never seen a 71, 72, 73, 74 or 75 year stamp. The F71G was the only F71 model to use a headcap, and was the final F71 model (until being discontinued in the late 70's). The F71F was the predecessor to the G which didn't use a cap. The F & G shared similar internals, similar 30 tooth gear, same lower backdrag pawl, but the F didn't use a headcap, and therefore it had a tall back gearwheel, similar to the previous models used, rather than the 30 tooth short back gearwheel the F71G used (because of the headcap). But other than that, they were very similar in appearance and mechanical operation. The F was in production for only two years though (1968 & 1969). Kinda interesting beings the F71G was also starting to be produced in those same years as well. So that's my input here guys, regards.-JS