Snap On ratchet - socket is on TIGHT

[Chipm]

This is my first post, but I have been reading for a while - thanks for all of the knowledge and opinions on here!

I just bought my first Snap On ratchet, an almost-new 3/8 F80. This thing holds sockets TIGHT - I cannot remove most any shallow socket with my hands. Are they supposed to be this tight? Having to pry sockets off with a screwdriver was certainly not what I was expecting from a high-end ratchet.

 

[marineman]

They loosen up to be just right in time. All of mine started awfully tight

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[2oolhound]

Hi, Welcome to GJ!

Yes it should be tight, better than falling off loose anyway.

We have to develop mechanic's hands and wrists for this stuff. Come to think I have some 40 year old S-O rats that are getting a little loose. Some guys like the quick release rats with the ejector buttons but at any rate you get used to them.

 

[Wrench97]

Love the tight ones keeps the ratchet from falling on your head when upside down under the vehicle.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Spray the detent ball with your choice of penetrating oil, and exercise the ball with a pair of pliers. Happens to all ratchets, I would guess it sat on the shelf for a while.

 

[General Geoff]

It's possible that the detent ball has a spring that's a little too long, making it really hard to disengage the socket. Might be why the previous owner sold it.

 

[Legion Prime]

http://www.ironmind.com/product-info/grip-strength-training-tools/captains-of-crush-grippers/index.html

 

[rlitman]

Love the tight ones keeps the ratchet from falling on your head when upside down under the vehicle.

Wise words of experience here!

 

[bobcatdan]

One of the many uses of my pocket screwdriver is popping sockets off my ratchets. Guess I'm just use to it since I have done it that way for years.

 

[gearhead1]

That’s one of the reasons I prefer quick release ratchets. Can’t remove the socket with greasy hands.

 

[tripplejl]

Probably just the nature of the beast but one thing to look for is damage on the anvil. I had a coworker that purchased a used one online a few years ago and he had the same problem. The anvil was messed up. He ordered a rebuild kit it and it solved his problem

 

[Blt2Lst]

As much of a hassle as it is to remove tight sockets with a small screwdriver, it's better than having the sockets fall off on their own when you don't want them to.

 

[xOccupantx]

What brand sockets?

I have Snap On sockets and never noticed an issue. Just yesterday I had to borrow a spark plug socket. Kobalt brand. And it was noticeably tighter than anything I own.


Edit- ratchet was a Snap On FL80

 

[Wamsutta]

I have an FHF80 I can install a socket by pressing down on the ratchet head with my thumb. I think you should try the pliers/oil exorcise method.

 

[Chipm]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I'm using my trusty Craftsman sockets from the '90s. My go-to ratchet is an old Ace Professional quick-release my grandfather gave me in the early '80s. I have some Gearwrench 120s and a Milwaukee electric, all non-quick-release, and none of them are anywhere close to this tight.

I've tried exercising the detent with pliers several hundred times so far, with little improvement.

I get that you don't want the socket to fall off, but I don't have that problem with my other stuff and yet I can still use those tools without needing an extra tool. The idea that you have to carry around a pocket screwdriver to get your sockets off the ratchet is a no-go for me when I have other choices that don't work that way. I'm going to give it a little while longer to break in, but I don't know if I'll be able to stick with it much longer.

 

[mfewtrail]

I've always had a tough time removing craftsman sockets in particular from SO ratchets. Both the ratchets and sockets were well used. I suggest finding a socket that comes off easier, then comparing the detents on it to the craftsman sockets and you should be able to figure out why that happens.

 

[Chipm]

I've always had a tough time removing craftsman sockets in particular from SO ratchets. Both the ratchets and sockets were well used. I suggest finding a socket that comes off easier, then comparing the detents on it to the craftsman sockets and you should be able to figure out why that happens.

Ah, the Craftsman have a deeper detent with sharper edges than other sockets. Makes sense now. So long, Snap-On ratchet!

 

[garfunkle24]

When my f series ratchets were new I couldn't get small sockets off at all if my hands were oily. They wear in pretty quick if used a lot. If not and it bothers you, take a file to the detent ball, making sure to not just make a flat spot but keep it at least a little rounded or it will hang up like a pin type detent.

You could also put some toothpaste in there and cycle the detent some more, it will free up quickly. just clean thoroughly after

 

[flippin]

Really dumb comment but always question the obvious, Are you sure it is an F80 and not an FR80? Could be a quick release if there's a black button in the middle of the head.

 

[paulsomlo]

I'm using my trusty Craftsman sockets from the '90s.

At some point, the detent on Craftsman sockets changed - my circa 1985 ones have the typical shallow single detent, later ones I purchased have the double detent. I have the same issue - with non QR ratchets, the later ones are a pain in the *** to remove.

 

[Chipm]

When my f series ratchets were new I couldn't get small sockets off at all if my hands were oily. They wear in pretty quick if used a lot.

Thanks. I'll try to be patient with it! It is an F80, not a quick release.

 

[Tonyuk]

Did you buy it from snap-on themselves or a truck?

If you did either of the above then exchange it for a new one.

You buy big money for those ratchets, it should be perfect out the box.

 

[garfunkle24]

One other thing; You said the ratchet was second hand. If it sat around for a while and is one of the earlier f series, they had an issue with the torx screws backing out. It is worth removing them 1 at a time and adding some loctite. I'm pretty sure that's all they did for the updated ones.

Also, leaving a socket on while not in use will help relax the spring a little.

 

[Lassen Forge]

My 1/2" is tight like that, and I've used a pocket pick to push the protrusion to pop the part... while not S/O, my battery impact is notorious for not playing "give" with sockets and extensions...

 

[G-Ram]

One of the many uses of my pocket screwdriver is popping sockets off my ratchets. Guess I'm just use to it since I have done it that way for years.

Every good mechanic carries a pocket screwdriver!


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[2ndGearRubber]

I use the loathed double detent craftsman, they have zero issues coming on and off my snap on ratchets. Spray down the detent, exercise it, use it.

 

[BrandoJames]

You'll probably be happier with quick release ratchets. But it's better to have both types. I was changing spark plugs on the back side of my V6 Camry. Tiny clearance back there. The middle back plug was nearly impossible. I had to put my $100 Snap-on Flex away and resort to a cheap, small QR Craftsman to replace that middle plug.

You need an assortment of tools with different capabilities in order to handle a variety of jobs. When buying a ratchet (or any new tool), think along the lines of "what capability will this tool give me that I don't have already".

In the case of a ratchet, think about length, flex head, tooth count, quick release, etc.

 

[Wamsutta]

Just get a repair kit for the ratchet and some sockets that are Snap-on friendly. The repair kit will come with a new gear which has the integral drive end, which has the integral friction ball. I have a Pittsburgh Pro drive adapter set and they all jive with the Snap-on ratchet just fine.

 

[BFHtime]

This is how these ratchets are, I have a hard time taking off sockets that are smaller than the ratchet head when my hands are slippery. So I like to use a ratchet adapter which makes it easier to swap sockets. I also have some quick release ratchets. You can add an extension even the shortest will make getting the socket off much easier. There are locking extensions too! Most people are probably aware of these things, but may not be using all or some of them. I also have a short thin handle regular screwdriver that is handy to pop off sockets.