Snap on Hard handle for 3/8 ratchet help

[rocklobster]

Sorry if this has been asked before...

Last week I finally broke down and ordered an 80 tooth 3/8ths snap on ratchet and after looking here it seemed like you could order the hard handle replacement FHD80-12G for the 3/8ths ratchet.

So I received an FHF80 ratchet and the FHD80-12G handle, and the handle is too small for the FHF80 in shank diameter and length. This morning I called snap on CS and asked if I could have received the 1/4 in size by mistake, and they said no they dont sell a hard handle that will fit a FHF80.

I have researched the screwdriver handle mod's years ago on this board and I thought that now you could actually get a hard handle replacement without having to drill...

For reference I got the Part # from this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254172

Do I really need to order an SDD handle to fit my FHF?

 

[gj67stang]

What are the rough dimensions of your new handle? I can confirm what size they sent you.

If indeed you have the part numbers listed, there should be no problems with the diameter; however, the tang on the ratchet will have to be cut shorter, as you've already observed.

 

[rocklobster]

I'll be home at lunch and I will take some pics. The rough dimension is around 3.5 inches long and 7/8ths in diameter. It would be comparable to a #1 screwdriver size definitely not the standard #2 driver size.

I was doing some more searching and it looks like it may be a handle to fit the FH80, the FHF appears to have a much longer comfort handle.

 

[rocklobster]

It does look like I would have to cut my ratchet handle down to fit this green handle.

 

[PSDEng]

The p/n I use for my 3/8 ratchets is SDD6R-1R. That's for a black handle though. Then I just drill out the core and hammer it on.

 

[rocklobster]

Yeah I guess it was too good to be true I will go ahead and order the SDD6R1RG handle.

 

[gj67stang]

It looks like they sent you the 1/4" handle - I'll double check measurements when I'm home this afternoon.

In my experience, Snap-on only offers one size of comfort handle in each of the drive sizes and likewise for the hard handles (note: no 1/2" OEM hard-handles have been offered - this is were you get into SDD# territory for hard-handle conversion). The only difference between comfort and hard handles should be the length of the tang (with comfort grip being too long to accept hard handle.

 

[zoso]

That handle looks correct to me. I measured mine quickly and the 1/4" handle is about 3-3/16" long and the 3/8 ratchet handle is about 3-5/8". The handle snap-on puts on the 3/8 ratchets is very close to a #1 phillips hard handle.

 

[gj67stang]

It does look like I would have to cut my ratchet handle down to fit this green handle.

Yes. This has to be done for any comfort-to-hard-handle conversion.

 

[rocklobster]

I don know if I can cut a $130 ratchet... who else has done this??? To cut or not to cut?

 

[gj67stang]

The rough dimension is around 3.5 inches long and 7/8ths in diameter.

According to all the ratchets I have (both OEM hard-handle and custom-made):

7/8" x 3-13/16" = 3/8" ratchet handle
11/16" x 3-1/4" = 1/4" ratchet handle

I don know if I can cut a $130 ratchet... who else has done this??? To cut or not to cut?

Cut. I've done this plenty of times. Unfortunately, this is your only option. Even the SDD6R1RG may not gain you the length you need (see below)

 

[PSDEng]

I've not had to cut any of my ratchet handles to get the SDD handles to fit. I've put them on 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 ratchets.

 

[rocklobster]

Guys First off thanks for all the help! gj67stang and zoso it looks like I did get the correct handle thanks for confirming this.

The depth of the hard handle bore is 70 mm for anybody interested.

I think that I will use the rat with the comfort grip for a bit to see how I like it, but I bought this ratchet to have a hard handle so it will be cut down eventually. I just need to work up the courage...

It will be a sleeker ratchet cut down by an inch for sure. I will post pics when the mod is completed. I think the SDD handle may make it feel a bit handle heavy and be a bit more cumbersome.

I will post pics when the mod is done.

 

[gj67stang]

I've not had to cut any of my ratchet handles to get the SDD handles to fit. I've put them on 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 ratchets.

Replacing comfort-grips?

 

[PSDEng]

Replacing comfort-grips?

Yep. SDD8R-1R for 1/2" ratchets. Measures 5 3/8" long. Used 7/16" bit
SDD6R-1R for 3/8" ratchets. Measures 4 15/16" long. Used 3/8" bit
SDD2R-1R for 1/4" ratchets. Measures 3 1/2" long.