I spent some time researching some old threads and gave up, I'm sure plenty of you all know but I don't, the older style hard handled drivers I suppose are no longer offered in anything longer than 8"...they were offered in up to 24" (SSDMR24) what other sizes were available in between 8"&24". The newest comfort grip type have interchangeable shanks...were the older style able to be changed in the same handle? Any help with part availability, interchangeability or advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Snap On Ratcheting Screwdrivers...Lengths...
- Thread starter splicer64
- Start date
fatfillup
Well-known member
I have one that is about 16" long give or take. Not here at home. They also made a stubby.
I found the mod on the site here......but it really is stone simple. Find the snap ring that holds the selector on.......it pinches together, then you will pull the cover/selector off. Then you will see the clip that keeps the shank from coming out. Pry it off.........put back together and presto......old hard handle, interchangeable shank!
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
Might want to check into that a little further.
It also involes a rubber o-ring that the removeable shanks use to friction fit the removeable shanks and ensure that the parts of the fixed shank are set up for the square drive shanks.
If you want the red-neck/ghetto cheap solution, go for it.
Buy the SO kit for a few bucks and do the correct way and be set for life.
Your call.
But half-assed would NOT be MY solution.
I did one and I didn't find it "stone simple." It was a pain-in-the-*** to reassemble. Perhaps it would be a bit easier the second time.
I've asked this before and never received a response. I'll try again. What is this magical "SO kit?" There is a rebuild kit for the OLD hard handle ratcheting screwdrivers but it does NOT contain the needed O-ring part. There is NO rebuild kit for the NEW SGDMRC4A soft grip ratcheting screwdrivers.
Some folks use O-rings, some folks use nothing and others use a GM air conditioning part. Half-assed isn't my preference either. Sure would like the P/N for this magical SO kit.
Might want to check into that a little further.
It also involes a rubber o-ring that the removeable shanks use to friction fit the removeable shanks and ensure that the parts of the fixed shank are set up for the square drive shanks.
If you want the red-neck/ghetto cheap solution, go for it.
Buy the SO kit for a few bucks and do the correct way and be set for life.
Your call.
But half-assed would NOT be MY solution.
I have the removable shank snap on as well. No o-ring in mine. The shanks have a ball detent just like a ratchet. I know this for a fact since I clean my comfort grip one once a month or so. It gets the same treatmemt my ratchets do. Clean and lube about once a month. They do not fall out during normal use. My hard handle is my home screwdriver, soft grip at work. So take your half assed coment and keep it.
I have both. Last time I tried this the Gearwrench shanks would not fit in Snap On handles but the Snap On shanks would fit in the Gearwrench handles. If I recall correctly it was due to the smaller diameter of the hole on the Snap On handle.
I tried this again tonight and was able to get Gearwrench shanks into a Snap On handle. This was using a really new SO handle. Now I'm wondering if the dimensions of some of this stuff changed recently.
Mr. Mitutoyo isn't showing any radical differences in shaft sizes. I may have to check some of my other SO and Gearwrench stuff.
While the Gearwrench shafts are cheaper, the Snap On stuff is stainless. I guess you get what you pay for.
As for the magical soft grip rebuild kit P/N... it doesn't exist. Never did, never will. Snap on is smarter than that. Won't sell soft grip ratcheting screwdrivers if folks can buy a kit to mod the hard handles to accept various shafts.
Yup! Soft grip, just received it a few weeks ago. In fact, I didn't leave the modded hard handle "modded".
I use the kobalt shanks in my snap on......they are just a tad tight. Still spins. I have thought about taking a file to the plastic, but never do it. It has not been an issue. I think the kobalt is a gearwrench rebrand. I had a gearwrench set, with a comfort grip snap on handle I used in the set. Someone stole it. I bought another comfort grip ( snap on) driver and bought the kobalt set to replace the gearwrench one. I have had this last set up for 5 years I think. The modded hard handle is one I bought used and did the mod about 2 years ago. It works great, and I could put the clip back on at anytime.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
I just crawled out from under my rock. I think I should get a ratcheting screwdriver. I am going to get a snap on one, but which one. Is the soft grip the only one with changeable shanks? Should I get the kit or just the driver? I figure I want one that will allow for the most use. I am thinking this will be more of an interior tool so changing shanks would be good. So what do you guys think.
I think it would be a really good idea to read some of the other GJ threads on this topic:
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153059
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206663
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160531
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161139
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137683
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175628
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140439
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209877
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138048
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217014
Not trying to be a smart ***. It just gets real tired to see the same questions over and over and over and over and over.