Snap-on Round head ratchets. Like or not?

[paramudduck]

Ok let's try to get some life into this one.

Question is do you like the Snap-on round headed ratchets? Give reasons why you do or don't.

 

[billymade]

There were some fans around here, I remember; let hear what they have to say!

 

[TheToolMan]

I do not care for them, They look cheap to me. I know they work good and all and have had a set in the past but i like the new style better

 

[ImportTuner]

I have one 3/8" Snap On round head; it's very smooth but may not be as strong as the standard wrench ..

 

[l_bilyk]

The tear-drop ratchets are always going to be better because all the wear items can be replaced easily. The round-head ratchets have the teeth in the actual ratchet handle, so eventually those will be scrap

 

[caper]

I'll let you know in a couple weeks,just closed on my first one on e bay.I've never seen one in person so I'll have to wait for it to arrive.

 

[paramudduck]

I used them a lot back when I was helping my Grandfather. Bought one of my own which was later stolen.
After that it seemed like the trucks never had them in stock. It disappeared around 79. Fast forward I just acquired a F749.

Impressions: very smooth action. Plastic selector, don't remember that.
Balance is different from a pear head, seems more handle weight.
Selector shifts very easily and positive.

Over all I like so far. I used the one I had previously a lot on bikes. It worked well til the day it walked off.

OK it goes in the massive keep collection. My dau loves it for some reason so I think getting rid of it could be unhealthy.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

The ONLY ones I have ever seen, are the round head, in the swiveling craddle like SK produces. If the others are anything like them, I would be fine with them (still have pear heads for uses where they won't do).

 

[nissan_crawler]

Ok let's try to get some life into this one.

Question is do you like the Snap-on round headed ratchets? Give reasons why you do or don't.

Love them. They fit in many spots the pear heads won't, since they have a smaller head.

I have one 3/8" Snap On round head; it's very smooth but may not be as strong as the standard wrench ..

Eh, I've beat the hell out of mine, haven't had a problem. It's possible it's not AS strong, but if used with brains, it'll never be an issue.

The tear-drop ratchets are always going to be better because all the wear items can be replaced easily. The round-head ratchets have the teeth in the actual ratchet handle, so eventually those will be scrap

Yeah, because you see teeth wearing out of handles all the time.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have two 1/4" round heads, one stubby one standard length. I like both, very smooth ratcheting action. Considering finding a 3/8" to accompany them.

 

[eschoendorff]

Love them. They fit in many spots the pear heads won't, since they have a smaller head.



Eh, I've beat the hell out of mine, haven't had a problem. It's possible it's not AS strong, but if used with brains, it'll never be an issue.



Yeah, because you see teeth wearing out of handles all the time.

Pretty much what he said. They are good... I have three or so and I like them. I have already needed a rebuild on one and the innards were worn, but the teeth in the head were fine. The Snap On round heads are sleeper ratchets. Great tools, and available for less $$$$

 

[l_bilyk]

Yeah, because you see teeth wearing out of handles all the time.

i have one that's worn out... it's unusable because it skips

 

[ImportTuner]

i have one that's worn out... it's unusable because it skips

Turn it in to your Snap On driver for repair/warranty ....

 

[MAD]

I don't have a Snap-on round head ratchet but it would not surprise me if the round head ratchets are as strong or stronger than at least the older pear head ratchets depending on the model. The old style SK round head ratchets that I mostly use now have held up much better for me than my 1980s vintage Snap-on pear heads. I have never heard anyone that owned a Snap-on round head ratchet say that it was weak or broke easily. There are many guys that just cannot get used to not having the easy reverse lever though. You can tell the round head ratchet users because they automatically check the direction of the ratchet when they pick up a ratchet rather than when it is on the fastener.

 

[paramudduck]

Is that the reason I do that? It drives people crazy when I do that!

I've done the pick up check for as long as I can remember must be from the round heads I grew up with. Both Williams and Snap On.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I do that and i've only had mine a few weeks, did that as soon as i took it out the package and hadn't even used a round head for going on a decade.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

lol, i do that too para! everyone always looks at me funny, but I prefer to do the check. The first few ratchets I had as a kid were the roundheads, guess that's why. I've never had a snapon round head, but have had other brands, sk, and no name, and they've all worked out for me.

 

[nissan_crawler]

i have one that's worn out... it's unusable because it skips

THe handle, or the pawl? Either way, turn it in and get a new one. Ohhh, my ratchet skips and I have to get the wonderful new 72 tooth version, noooooo.

 

[paramudduck]

A1/2 to 3/4 adapter and a four foot pipe on a round head. Was grandpa's way of working on the dozer in the field.

I won't even mention what my 5 uncles did to them. Merkava would need intensive therepy.

 

[cruiser808]

I guess this guy REALLY likes them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...014QQitemZ330263931555QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I like them too, but only this much.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...E:B:EOIBSAA:US:11&viewitem=&item=150288208827

 

[paramudduck]

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=330263931555

cruiser808 did you catch the fact that the first guy bought two of them for 98 dollars apiece?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=107&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

86.25 each on snap on's site?


This set makes more sense to me! http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=786&group_ID=105

 

[cruiser808]

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=330263931555

cruiser808 did you catch the fact that the first guy bought two of them for 98 dollars apiece?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=107&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

86.25 each on snap on's site?


This set makes more sense to me! http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=786&group_ID=105

Yup, that's why he must REALLY like Snap-on round heads. To pay more on Ebay than retail for them????? Go figure.

 

[MShaw]

I bought one when they first came out in the early 1960s. It failed in less than 2 weeks. It really sucked because I was by the roadside in the dark changing a fuel pump on a Brockway truck when it failed.

I gave it back to the dealer even up for a new pear head and never bought another one.

 

[Dust Devil]

I do not like round head ratchets. By any maker.

 

[sonvolt]

I have a F749 I bought used off a member, must be 25 years old works great. I have a soft spot for roundhead ratchets though love my SK rats.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I love them mine is my favorite ratchet, very smooth and strong.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I realize this is an old thread, but I wanted to share my two cents.

I bought the 100 tooth 3/8" ratchet last year (I forget what the model number is). Love the smoothness of it, but I loathe the head design. I hate that the selector is plastic and not intuitive, and I dislike its using friction to retain sockets as opposed to having a push button release.

I paid $40 for it on eBay (said used, but it was either rebuilt or never actually used), and it was worth that, but I wouldn't give any more for it. I also think it's an ugly ratchet.

 

[Cope]

I have two of the 1/4" drive TM739. I picked up the 2nd one on eBay because I never see a Snap on dealer. I mentioned my problem to the seller. He had me mail it to him ; he had his dealer warranty the head and he sent it back on his nickel. It is my go to 1/4" ratchet, but I don't have any 3/8" or 1/2" round head.

 

[sonvolt]

I have two of the 1/4" drive TM739. I picked up the 2nd one on eBay because I never see a Snap on dealer. I mentioned my problem to the seller. He had me mail it to him ; he had his dealer warranty the head and he sent it back on his nickel. It is my go to 1/4" ratchet, but I don't have any 3/8" or 1/2" round head.

I forgot I have one of these as well

 

[Cope]

I forgot I have one of these as well

After I posted, I went out to the garage for some reason and tried both ratchets. The one I had rebuilt is noticeably smoother than the newer one. Maybe just use?

 

[sonvolt]

After I posted, I went out to the garage for some reason and tried both ratchets. The one I had rebuilt is noticeably smoother than the newer one. Maybe just use?

Maybe needs a dose of some superlube always does the job for me

 

[bobcatdan]

Love the round heads. The roto heads are my favorite flex head design. The standard ratchets are nice in my book too. I will say my 1/4" ones have acted funny a time or two. No big deal, gave them to Snappy. New guts and back to work.

 

[devoncoolman]

They are ok its a give and take. I like my sk round heads. Like my snap-on roto head. But prefer tear drop dual 80's the best.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I like mine, smaller head for tight spots but the gears aren't as tight as the Dual 80's or 72t ratchets. Not my go to but it serves its purpose

 

[rayh91]

Any round heads. Hate hate hate them
Roto Heads. Love them

 

[snappytravis]

I actually sold Snap On Tools for 8 years, The f80 series ratches are extremely tough, they have a dual pawl setup so there is more teeth engaged vs the older style ratchets, I rebuilt the little t860 ratchets, witch is the 1/4 inch drive round head, They are nice but the little fine teeth in the body wear after years of use and rebuilding them doesn't work, If you have any like this your dealer should warranty it. The 3/8 ones are not quite as bad because they have bigger teeth obviously. The first year I went to the yearly kickoff meeting they had a f80 ratchet holding up a krl1022 toolbox. I have actually clamped them in the vise before and you could see the handle flex.. Just had to give my 2 cents..There is a difference.

 

[Cope]

Maybe needs a dose of some superlube always does the job for me

I'll try that. Just lubed both with light oil, but I have plenty Super Lube.

 

[Badger 13]

I have both the 1/4" and a 3/8" in the round head swivel, and use them quite often. I especially like the 1/4" one for getting into hard places and using it like a nut driver.

 

[bry@n]

Its the first ratchet I reach for. Its truly my favorite ratchet. Wish they made one in half inch.