Snap on ratcheting screwdriver inquiry.

[Kamanhart]

I have read all the threads on converting a fixed shank to an interchangeable shank driver. Wanting to give this a shot I purchased a Williams full size driver, branded case. And after I figured out how much I liked it I bought the complimenting t-handle. Upon taking them apart to remove the ring to allow for shank removal, neither one of them have the detent ball so sloppy shafts.

I figured this was because I cheaped out, so I got myself a true snap on stubby and full size set. when I took them apart low and behold neither one of them have it either. Is there a certain time in production when these started to come with retention balls? Or do you have to buy the soft handle shanks for this to work?

Thanks,

Kris

 

[ChevyEFI]

The hard handle tools (like my SSDMR4B) come with retention-ball-less shafts.

New shafts for the soft handle tools that come interchangeable-ready (like a SGDMRC4-TM4) have retention balls.

In another thread, someone indicated retention divots are cut in the i.d. in the toothed gear in hard handle tools. I am not certain of this in mine. I do know one end of the SGDMRC4-TM4 doesn't retain in the SSDMR4B well at all. And the other end gets more or less stuck. I will have to disassemble and look further.

 

[rsanter]

You could get a cheaper setup from gearwrench and then use the shafts from that set

Bob

 

[rlitman]

You could get a cheaper setup from gearwrench and then use the shafts from that set

Bob

But the Gearwrench shafts are chrome while the SnapOn ones are stainless.

 

[Regal2800]

The retention divit is cut into the i.d. Portion on the hard handle. Get the interchange shaft and u r set to go

 

[Kamanhart]

I took apart the stubby and full size driver last night again after I posted this and neither one of them have a divot/spot for the ball in the gear.

I will try and get pictures but its hard to look down into the gear, basically if you look down it is a round hole then it steps down into a square cut hole that has straight flats on all for sides.

The interesting part is the shank on the normal driver has a hole in the 1/4" drive portion for a detent ball but there is nothing it it. I would if to make this work i will have to purchase a couple gears out of the comfort grips to swap in.

 

[Adam.C]

I don't think the divot can be easily seen. Regardless of whether we can see it or not, or whether it is there or not, the ball detent shafts work in the large and small screwdriver handles at least. Don't know for sure about the T-handle.

 

[rsanter]

But the Gearwrench shafts are chrome while the SnapOn ones are stainless.

Just a thought.....

Another thought would be to buy the correct replacements from snap on....
Or you could drill a hole, insert a spring and ball, then peen the edge of the hole

Bob

 

[rtole]

You could get a cheaper setup from gearwrench and then use the shafts from that set

Bob

I did this......love it. Works great. I don't care if the shafts are chrome.

 

[shockwave]

Just curious slightly off topic but can the 24 inch long handle shank be interchanged with current hard handle screwdrivers? Not sure if internals are different since the long handle is not made anymore

 

[Kamanhart]

Well when I got home tonight I pulled apart all of them: t-handle (Williams), regular screwdriver(williams), and then snappy stubby and regular. Once I pulled the tops off of them I just used a 1/4" extension as a test dummy and all of them had positive retention.

I think im going to do what multiple people have suggested and get the gearwrench kit for $30 that comes with 3,6&10" length in both bit holder and 1/4" square and call her a day. Thank you all for the great ideas and support

 

[Regal2800]

it is very difficult to see the divit by shining a light down the shaft. you really need to take it apart to see it.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I disassembled. My SSDMR4B definitely lacks divots inside the square drive. It looked like it might have subtle divots at first but it was just rubbed areas.

The SGDMRC4-TM4 has a smaller sq. drive end that is supposed to fit inside. I had it backwards and it was stuck. Further, it is magnetic. The original bit driver shaft is not. So maybe a magnet added in the right place would be a good solution. For magnetic shafts anyway.

My combination of parts feels like it goes together with some retention but once you add some weight, the -TM4 piece falls right out. So it needs a fix. I think a rough job of adding them with a dremel would work. I may have noted in the other thread the aftermarket o-ring from O'Reillys didn't seem like a fix.

In short, you're lucky if you got a hard handle with divots or yours is newer. Or something.

IIRC., I am into the driver under $30 (eBay; it was an anni. edition for some company; I will never match the blue), a new cap and TM4 shaft new from Snap-On and $3 plus tax for the o-ring.

Edit: pics added of divot-less gear and handle.