Snap-On Screwdriver Cap

[MC1983]

Found an old SSDM80 at the flea market today. Missing the cap that keeps the bits in the handle. The cap from SSDM80A is not available anymore so I was wondering if the cap from a ratcheting screwdriver works (Part#SSDMR4A200R).

Here's a picture of the screwdriver.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H28Zy0PfWVMRrKULCCRHaq_dcUmG5KSpcSPlU_GDsKk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uzc6PkbBIR0/S8tqsQrHT1I/AAAAAAAAADA/gg3uaamwDEA/s800/SSDM80.JPG" /></a>

 

[J.A.F.E.]

If you can find one the cap from an SSDM40A/SSDM80A will work also. The caps for the A's don't show as available on the SO parts page though.

If you want to clean the bit cavity soap and water followed by some acetone on a Q-tip after the water dries will have it looking like new. The acetone will soften the plastic so don't let it get on the outside and give it 15 minutes or so before handling it.

 

[t100]

just took a look at mine, nope, the newer ones are too big, won't fit.

 

[wreckercologist]

You might look for an SK "Spin Kit" cap. I have no idea if they will interchange, but it might be worth a try.

 

[MC1983]

Yeah, that was my next question if anybody knows of a cap that will fit. I am not too concerned about the brand, just want it to be functional and hold the bits. If anybody still has any suggestions, please let me know.

For the $2 I paid for the screwdriver, I figured I would be able to find a cap elsewhere.

 

[mrshaun]

ssdm40-3j is the old part number for one of the caps, but it has been gone for a while...
the new ones are definitely too big for that... I iwll keep my eye out though to see what there may be out there.

 

[Zrexxer]

Guess you could always go the "low-tech" route!

 

[justinmc]

I've got one of the black hard handles like that missing the cap as well.. (its the older style not the new style) and I'd kinda been thinking of taking it with me to some pawn shops and trying out some of the caps for the lower end brands. The new drivers the handles got quite a bit bigger and the caps certainly don't fit as mentioned.

 

[MC1983]

Thanks for the help guys. I guess I will look around and see if I come across a cap from another brand. Hopefully there is something that comes up, I didn't expect a cap to be so model specific.

 

[Toolhorder]

I bought one at a flea market and couldn't find a cap either. The shaft had a problem to and I sent it to Snappy and I got back and brand new ratcheting screwdriver with a long shaft.

 

[Nebraska03]

If anyone else has a problem finding a cap for this particular screwdriver, a Snap-On SSDM80, I picked one up recently at a pawn shop and it didn't have a cap as well. So I gave it some thought and sort of figured that the thread looked a tad familiar. So I took my screwdriver to Lowes, to the plumbing department, and began to look for matching threads on their sample thread testers.

Came to the conclusion that the thread size in the screwdriver handle is either 3/8" IPS (iron pipe size), 3/8" in MIP (male iron pipe), or very close. So I managed to find a 3/8" MIP x 1/8" FIP brass bushing, and it fit nicely. So I got a 1/8" brass plug for the hole and plan to cut the end off and grind it flat.

I also found a 3/8" black iron pipe plug, and it fit too. I got both, but the brass one is easier to unscrew.

Here's some pics.

 

[Nebraska03]

Oh yeah, I have a S-K 73517 magnetic tip screwdriver as well, also missing a cap. The 3/8" brass bushing didn't fit it, it was a tad too small. So I will try and find something to replace it, and let y'all know what fits that too.

 

[Nebraska03]

Here are some pics of the cap I made for my Snap-On SDDM80 screwdriver. I cut the end off the 1/8" brass plug to try and make it flush with the rest of the end, but it became a little bit of a rough cut. Oh well, first attempt. Works good too.

 

[straightcut]

**OLD THREAD ALERT!!**

Just following this up with new information here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7214874#post7214874