Soldering an old Snap-On 71N on/Off switch

[toolcollector109]

Hi I’m working on basic maintenance of a 71N with a wobbly on/off switch. The square and round sections of the switch seem to be in good shape but there is tons of play where the brass meets the square shaft. Seems that the shaft is n/s and the switch is brass, I was wondering if using a little lead free solder at the point where the pencil is pointing in the attached photo might be a semi-reversible way of making it a little more snug. This is going to be a user wrench not something to hang onto n the wall. I’d like to keep it as original as possible though. Thanks.

 

[snapmom]

I new selector switch may work.

 

[Jim greengo]

Hi I’m working on basic maintenance of a 71N with a wobbly on/off switch. The square and round sections of the switch seem to be in good shape but there is tons of play where the brass meets the square shaft. Seems that the shaft is n/s and the switch is brass, I was wondering if using a little lead free solder at the point where the pencil is pointing in the attached photo might be a semi-reversible way of making it a little more snug. This is going to be a user wrench not something to hang onto n the wall. I’d like to keep it as original as possible though. Thanks.

I'm not sure you would be able to get solder to stick to it.
How much play is there,maybe shim it with thin plastic wedges of some kind?

 

[Garcky]

Probably not. Normal solder isn't likely to do what you want in that situation. A replacement part, if available, would be a permanent fix, and if you're going to use that ratchet regularly, it would be the best choice.

Silver solder (hard solder) might work, though, if you can get the parts clean enough to use it. Brazing would work, but that's going to be finicky, since the part is brass.

 

[Mintgrun]

Silver solder (hard solder) might work, though, if you can get the parts clean enough to use it. Brazing would work, but that's going to be finicky, since the part is brass.

Technically, anything that melts above 840 degrees F. is considered brazing. Including "silver solder." Low temp hard silver solder is up over 1200 degrees.

I'd be tempted to simply make a new brass lever with a tight fitting square hole for the shaft. It'd be an easy part to copy.

 

[toolcollector109]

I'm not sure you would be able to get solder to stick to it.
How much play is there,maybe shim it with thin plastic wedges of some kind?

Maybe a few dabs of JB Weld in the crevices will do. Technically not a permanent fix, but not a structural alteration of the original part either.

 

[Garcky]

Technically, anything that melts above 840 degrees F. is considered brazing. Including "silver solder." Low temp hard silver solder is up over 1200 degrees.

I'd be tempted to simply make a new brass lever with a tight fitting square hole for the shaft. It'd be an easy part to copy.

Well, you're right about the brazing definition, for sure. I wonder what a jeweler would charge to braze that thing up with silver solder. It wouldn't hurt either piece, of course. They can both stand that temperature. Either that or a band instrument repair person. They do that kind of stuff all the time.

In any case, if the tool is going to be used regularly, that needs to be fixed, one way or another.

 

[Farmer J.]

Well, you're right about the brazing definition, for sure. I wonder what a jeweler would charge to braze that thing up with silver solder. It wouldn't hurt either piece, of course. They can both stand that temperature. Either that or a band instrument repair person. They do that kind of stuff all the time.

In any case, if the tool is going to be used regularly, that needs to be fixed, one way or another.

This seems like good suggestions to me.
I would probably try to clean it up with brake cleaner or some similar solvent, then dob some JB weld in there to stop it wobbling. But it would be better to braze or solder it.

 

[wrenchr]

Buy a rebuild kit on ebay. That would be my choice.
Even source a parts ratchet.

 

[wrenchr]

I might even have a spare used one you can try and salvage, better than that one.

 

[Jacobs976]

If the lever is loose on the selector rod you can probably just over peen it with a punch. If you look at the other side you should be able to see better if it'd work(enough material to spread and fill in gaps vs wear).

Otherwise a new lever would be best. New ones are one piece so it'd look different but it's less prone to wear.

 

[johninct]

Hi I’m working on basic maintenance of a 71N with a wobbly on/off switch. The square and round sections of the switch seem to be in good shape but there is tons of play where the brass meets the square shaft. Seems that the shaft is n/s and the switch is brass, I was wondering if using a little lead free solder at the point where the pencil is pointing in the attached photo might be a semi-reversible way of making it a little more snug. This is going to be a user wrench not something to hang onto n the wall. I’d like to keep it as original as possible though. Thanks.

While trying to install a bushing into my Ferret, the top part pealed back like a tin can. I broke it off and saved all of the parts. A few years later, I used plumbing solder and fixed it . You would not know it was repaired. I still use it.