Snappy FAR25 Air Ratchet

[bgott]

A while back there was a thread where we discussed the disassembly and reassembly of the Snap-on FAR 25 air ratchet. I searched and couldn't find the thread, so here is my follow up. The tool that I have I found at the flea market for $20 and it didn't work. I tore it down and cleaned out the rust and then I had problems remembering how the shims in the head reinstalled. I finally figured it out but I never could get the thing to work. Being that it had a corroded air chamber, which might have been the problem, or not, it needed replaced anyway, I finally surrendered and had my Snap-on man send it in for rebuilding. I got it back yesterday. For $92, plus the original $20, I have a top of the line $300 tool that looks to be mostly new. It looks like the only old part they used was 1/2 of the case. And the half they replaced is the one with the handle and pivot. So, if you have one of these laying around, or find a dead one for cheap, don't hesitate to send it off and get it fixed, it is well worth the money!

 

[billymade]

Hey, that was my thread and yes, I ended up having mine rebuilt as well! It was weird because I looked at every part with a fine tooth comb and the only thing I figured was the head was worn out; the rest of the parts looked fine, as far as I could tell. As I mentioned before; the Snap-On prices for parts makes buying them piece by piece not terribly cost effective (plus I was worried it wouldn't fix my problem) and this makes sending it in typically worth it, especially if you use it to make money. Glad it worked out for you.... the far25A is one of my favorite air tools! Its great!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23493

 

[bgott]

I'm impressed with the power of these tools, this thing has way more power than my Matco. The Matco, even new, didn't have much breakaway power. If I can find a head kit for the Matco I'll have a back-up, hopefully I'll never need it. Next upgrade, 1/2" impact!

 

[Art From De Leon]

Once again, you have proven that there is a difference. Try that with a IR, Craftsman 'professional' grade, or even your HF.

You will spend more up front, but long term service, or warranty makes up for the added cost.

 

[fatfillup]

I got a FAR25? in a deal this week and it looks barely used. What a bad a** ratchet. My mechanic has one and loves it. Couldn't believe it sells for $299. Tried it out and it blows my Mac sealed head away with speed and power.

 

[09-JK]

Once again, you have proven that there is a difference. Try that with a IR, Craftsman 'professional' grade, or even your HF.

You will spend more up front, but long term service, or warranty makes up for the added cost.

For about the same money as he spent on repair, he could have had a brand new tool with similar specs from IR. http://www.mytoolstore.com/ir/irindex.html#ratchets

 

[MarkH]

It is a great ratchet and is worth the cost of fixing, vs another replacement.

Two things to think of when you use tools to live by. In farming that is also true. I have had things that a FAR25 took apart that elcheapo 1/2s did not. I still do not remember where I chucked those, but if there was an impact throwing contest I would have done well. It cost us 2 hours of harvest time to get back on track and with the new machines that is in the thousands of dollars an hour.

There is one other reason to rebuild, as you work you become familiar with a tool, this is more than specs. That familiarity makes you more efficient. You can do things you need to do without stopping to think. The controls can even be less ergo placed but familiarity makes using the tool quick.

 

[bgott]

For about the same money as he spent on repair, he could have had a brand new tool with similar specs from IR. http://www.mytoolstore.com/ir/irindex.html#ratchets

For $20 I could have found another tool truck brand air ratchet at the flea market and saved even more!