Snap-on FLF80 vs. FLF80a. Is there a difference

[Pontiac787]

While looking for a new ratchet I came across some ratchets labeled FLF80 and some labeled FLF80a. These appear to be the same ratchet. Is there any difference?

Thanks!

 

[Pontiac787]

Thanks. I tried searching but didn't find that one. I'll take another look.

 

[gigamel]

Look at the backplate screws - "a" indicates screws from the front side - should be stronger.
Regards

 

[Buckgnarly]

Look at the backplate screws - "a" indicates screws from the front side - should be stronger.
Regards

That's the 1/2 S series, not 3/8 F series.

 

[T45]

Seems like only a small difference...wrt the 3/8 series A update

 

[1950mercury]

I believe the a version has USA stamped on it where the old version did not

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm hoping they took the wobble out of the wrist joint. I have my wrist pin wrapped with teflon tape to take some of the slack out.

 

[oldtools]

"There is a difference"

 

[Adam.C]

I'm hoping they took the wobble out of the wrist joint. I have my wrist pin wrapped with teflon tape to take some of the slack out.

Oh FFS. There is no wobble in the wrist joint. If yours has it, take it back.

 

[1950mercury]

Wrist pin? They don't have wrist pins

 

[Wamsutta]

^ What would you prefer the part be called?

 

[popparoach]

the snap on is better than the snap on.costs more though.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Look at the backplate screws - "a" indicates screws from the front side - should be stronger.
Regards

That's only helpful for people who don't maintain their bolt torque. Or rememeber to change their timing belt every 130,000 furlongs.

 

[panknuckshovel]

a is canadian
















someone will laugh

 

[x2gsr]

LOL 6 rears resirected to say ... i laughed. too loud at this ^

 

[Tools4Me]

Even though this is an old thead, the original question was never answered. Snap-on beefed up the flex yoke a bit on the "A" models in order to reduce warranty claims. In both my pics, the "A" model is on the right.

The "A" series ratchets have a slightly longer hinge pivot screw as a result of them thickening the yoke, so make sure you buy the correct flex joint rebuild kit for your ratchet if you need one.

 

[johninct]

I thought I saw (But could be wrong) in a post about a newer version of this ratchet a locking flex joint but had the locking switch near the hand grip. Is that a new product?

 

[designer485]

"A" has the USA stamp. The non "A" is without. Looks to have minor changes to the joint. Both function identically.

 

[Tools4Me]

"A" has the USA stamp. The non "A" is without. Looks to have minor changes to the joint. Both function identically.

The "USA" stamp on the head has nothing to do with the "A" designation. My own 3/8 flex head ratchet is a FLF80A, and it does not say USA on the head (it says "USA" inside the handle ring only).

Snap-on also didn't change the name of their other ratchets (like the F80) when they started adding the "USA" stamp to the head. Before and after, it's still a F80 ratchet.

 

[KnurledNut]

Updated information in this thread:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/snap-on-dual-80-question.485026/#post-9189272

Among the subtle changes, perhaps the most relevant was a legal one, it was no longer patent pending.