Snap on Socket Wrench Question

[Rubberdown]

Hey there all,
Years ago I bought a snap on TL936 1/4 inch ratchet off the snap on truck. It was a splurge, everything else I had was craftsman from the V era (with the pontiac selector levers). Well... I have messed up or lost over the years all my craftsman stuff, but I still have my beautiful TL936 ratchet. Its time to fill in the holes in my toolbox. I would like to buy some used equivalents in to that TL936 I have. Can anyone tell me what the part number nomenclature means?

I believe they are 936 series. The L in TL stands for Long. Leaving the the T to designate that its 1/4 inch? What about for 3/8 and 1/2? Would TLF mean 1/4 inch long flex?

I sure appreciate the help. I moved and am consolidating tools into my new to me 3 bay matco 4s box. I went down the toolgrid rabbit hole and that is pointing out all my missing things. It sure is fun to see my grandfathers name scratched in most of my old craftsman wrenches and stuff as I go through and clean everything up. Almost all of my tools were left to me or given to me by family friends, etc long long ago so its neat to remember them each time I pick up a wrench or whatever.

Take care yall.

Ryan

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I believe you are correct on the letters to be honest I have never really paid attention to those lol I don’t have a Snap-on ratchet so I have none to look at or compare.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Ralf11]

the 36 means 36 tooth AFAIK, rest of your info seems right

leading "F" is 3/8" drive

 

[Dave455]

I might be able to help. I have one of those ratchets too!

In Snap On terminology, 1/4 drive tools were, I believe, originally given “TM” prefixes to the part numbers. This stood for “Tiny Midget” and differentiated the tools from the “Midget” tools (9/32” drive) which had “M” prefixes.

“TM “ still lives on, as all the 1/4” drive sockets have “TM” followed by a number indicating the size in 32nd’s of an inch. Thus a TM10 is a 1/4” drive socket, of 10/32 (or 5/16) size. TMM indicates Metric, followed by the size in mm.

The “T” part of the ratchet number still refers to 1/4 drive, and the 936 to a 36 tooth ratchet. (The first of the “sealed head” if memory serves) so your TL936 is a 1/4” drive, long, 36 tooth ratchet. Comparable 1/4 inch drive tools are a T936 standard length ratchet, and a TF936 flex head. (Actually a long flex head, but they didn’t offer a standard length flex at the time).

Comparable tools in 3/8 have an “F” prefix, for “Ferret”, and are F936, FL936 and FLF936 (there was a standard length flex in 3/8 - FF936). For 1/2” drive prefix with an “S”.

There are a whole load of other variations too, including comfort grips, but I can’t remember them all. I can find out what the 3/8 drive standard length locking ratchet was as I have one in daily use! Decent tools.

 

[Wakefield]

I might be able to help. I have one of those ratchets too!

In Snap On terminology, 1/4 drive tools were, I believe, originally given “TM” prefixes to the part numbers. This stood for “Tiny Midget” and differentiated the tools from the “Midget” tools (9/32” drive) which had “M” prefixes.

“TM “ still lives on, as all the 1/4” drive sockets have “TM” followed by a number indicating the size in 32nd’s of an inch. Thus a TM10 is a 1/4” drive socket, of 10/32 (or 5/16) size. TMM indicates Metric, followed by the size in mm.

The “T” part of the ratchet number still refers to 1/4 drive, and the 936 to a 36 tooth ratchet. (The first of the “sealed head” if memory serves) so your TL936 is a 1/4” drive, long, 36 tooth ratchet. Comparable 1/4 inch drive tools are a T936 standard length ratchet, and a TF936 flex head. (Actually a long flex head, but they didn’t offer a standard length flex at the time).

Comparable tools in 3/8 have an “F” prefix, for “Ferret”, and are F936, FL936 and FLF936 (there was a standard length flex in 3/8 - FF936). For 1/2” drive prefix with an “S”.

There are a whole load of other variations too, including comfort grips, but I can’t remember them all. I can find out what the 3/8 drive standard length locking ratchet was as I have one in daily use! Decent tools.

T is 1/4" drive?
F is 3/8"
S is 1/2"?
L is 3/4" drive?

 

[plinker]

T is 1/4" drive?
F is 3/8"
S is 1/2"?
L is 3/4" drive?

For drive size yes, example, SHL936 would be

S = 1/2 drive
H = soft grip or similar
L = long handle (15" in this case)
936 = 936 series 36 tooth, 80 would mean 80 tooth

If you had a SHLF the F would mean flexhead.
An X would indicate locking flex (SHLX)

There are a lot of variations as well.

 

[KnurledNut]

----------------
1/4 drive:
----------------
T936 Standard
TL936 Long
TF936 Flex
THL936A Long Soft Grip
TX936 Locking Flex
THLF936A Long Flex Soft Grip
TSLF936 Speeder Handle, Flex
TR936 Standard Handle, Quick Release

----------------
3/8 drive:
----------------
...Chrome...

F936 Standard
FK936 Stubby
FL936 Long
FLF936 Long Flex
FKF936 Stubby Flex
FBF936 Bent Handle, Flex
FSLF936 Speeder Handle, Flex
FC936 Short (3/8 in 1/4 body)
FCF936 Flex (3/8 in 1/4 body)
FX936 Long Locking Flex
FR936 Standard Handle, Quick Release
FZ936 Crowsfoot

...Soft Grip...

FH936A Standard
FHL936A Long
FHF936A Flex
FHLF936A Long Flex
FHBF936A Long Bend Flex

----------------
1/2 drive:
----------------
S936 Standard
SL936 Long
SHL936A Long Soft Grip
SF936 Long Flex
SH936A Long Soft Grip
SX936 Long Locking Flex
SR936 Standard, Quick Release
SA936 Scaffold Ratchet
GSP936 Spud Ratchet

 

[Wakefield]

And the bragging rights SN36 and Barbie Doll's TM10G
I guess the SN36 thread could be opened up to ask about experience with it-if overloaded the drive square is supposed to be replacable

 

[ptschram]

And the bragging rights SN36 and Barbie Doll's TM10G
I guess the SN36 thread could be opened up to ask about experience with it-if overloaded the drive square is supposed to be replacable

I have put more than 800 ft/lbs (me, when I weighed 200+# with a four foot cheater bar) on my SN-36 without it breaking.

Trust me, the flex was puckering, but I broke that fastener free

And FWIW, the designations above are all correct! You guys are either former Zees, or you need to get out of the garage!

 

[Rubberdown]

Thank you all!

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I'm going to just come out and say it. If I was in your situation and wanted to add more ratchets to the collection, no way I'd go with more 36 tooth ratchets. I'd get any new ratchets I wanted with their dual 80 technology. You'll be much happier afterusing them.

 

[Rubberdown]

well, I guess that is a legitimate point. Anyone want to sell some used dual 80s to me?

 

[Ralf11]

I got 2 of them on eBay - who wants my 36 toothers?

 

[Rubberdown]

I bought a f80 today. I’m going to be honest, it’s pretty nice. I’ll probably go this route. Is the naming convention still the same? L=long etc

 

[kythri]

I bought a f80 today. I’m going to be honest, it’s pretty nice. I’ll probably go this route. Is the naming convention still the same? L=long etc

Yup. T80/F80/S80, and all of the other variants.

 

[Rubberdown]

Thank you!

 

[justintendo]

I bought a f80 today. I’m going to be honest, it’s pretty nice. I’ll probably go this route. Is the naming convention still the same? L=long etc

so now you are badly infected with the "dual 80 virus"....there is no cure, only treatment. i like round head ratchets too but for the pearhead style they are surely the best or very close to it.

 

[Ralf11]

Nepros may have the cure for that virus

 

[Cgw1984]

If you do decide you like the 36 tooths for some situations (i like 1/2" 36 tooths) williams makes an internally identical ratchet for a real fair price. That said, the d80s are FANTASTIC ratchets, and its sure not a mistake to go that way

 

[ssdave]

You can't go wrong with the dual 80's. Here's one of my favorite ones, I probably use it more than any other 3/8 I own: