Snap-On GTM830 Upgrade?

[twinturbo]

Hello guys,

I have had this ratchet for a long time at this point and I find myself avoiding it due to it being only 30 tooth.

Does anyone know if there is any upgrade kit available?

 

[Tynee]

I'm no help on an upgrade kit, but there are a lot of T-72's available on eBay for reasonable money. This is the cheapest one with a buy it now price:

Pardon Our Interruption...

There are several others with lower current bids.

 

[T45]

Some people used to like the 830s vs the 936s, but if you're not one of those guys, I would skip the "upgrade" path and just get a t72 as mentioned above.

Keep in mind they also make a T72FOD (FOD compliant) meaning its not serviceable. The faceplate is riveted. I believe that particular model linked on ebay in post #2 is riveted. A standard t-72 faceplate screws on, although theres a couple variations in exactly how that works.

https://sep.snapon.com/product/T72FOD

 

[twinturbo]

Thanks guys, I do have a THL72 that I love using, was just feeling bad about the 830 collecting dust and figured I'd ask if there are any upgrade paths or maybe even conversion to 1/4 bit driver or anything like that.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have a Snap On F836 that was the first SO tool I ever bought, in the mid 90s. I still use it whenever swing arc isn't an issue. When it is, I use one of the newer Dual80s.

 

[Wamsutta]

The 830's can be made to run very smooth with the right lube. And I mean just as smooth as an 80 tooth.

The 936's not so much. They will only smooth out with use.

 

[twinturbo]

The 830's can be made to run very smooth with the right lube. And I mean just as smooth as an 80 tooth.

The 936's not so much. They will only smooth out with use.

Which lube is that?

 

[Steve_P]

30 teeth is 30 teeth. Superlube doesn't change the math of 30 being less than 90 and bring you into the 21st century.

 

[Wamsutta]

Which lube is that?

There's a couple of good ones. Sta-Lube General Purpose if you prefer petroleum base and Super Lube if you prefer silicone base.

 

[Wamsutta]

30 teeth is 30 teeth. Superlube doesn't change the math of 30 being less than 90 and bring you into the 21st century.

The thing is though, when the 830's came out of the factory, they were given a graphite oil lube similar to locksmith oil.

When you open one up, you'll see a black powdery residue, but no oil. The stuff was worthless. That's why they ran so rough.

 

[johninct]

I used an older Snap-On 3/8" ratchet, either 24 or 30 tooth on Sunday and somehow lived...

 

[Steve_P]

I used an older Snap-On 3/8" ratchet, either 24 or 30 tooth on Sunday and somehow lived...

Sure, they are fine for lots of tasks as long as you're not in a confined space where arc swing is an issue. I have an old SO and plenty of Williams ~30 tooth ratchets, all with superlube in them, but never use them anymore because a 90T Gearwrench, 88T Matco... does everything they do, plenty of stuff they don't, and the newer ratchets have much less backdrag. When I want some 20th century ratchet nostalgia, I use my SK round heads which I consider superior.

 

[Banjorear]

I used an older Snap-On 3/8" ratchet, either 24 or 30 tooth on Sunday and somehow lived...

Brilliant! I literally laughed out loud reading your comment.

 

[johninct]

Sure, they are fine for lots of tasks as long as you're not in a confined space where arc swing is an issue. I have an old SO and plenty of Williams ~30 tooth ratchets, all with superlube in them, but never use them anymore because a 90T Gearwrench, 88T Matco... does everything they do, plenty of stuff they don't, and the newer ratchets have much less backdrag. When I want some 20th century ratchet nostalgia, I use my SK round heads which I consider superior.

Only use Super lube where the gear rubs on the plates and use light oil everywhere else.