Used Snap-on Ratchets

[Tul]

I see lots of old-school Snap-on ratchets on Ebay. The SL710 and F710D have attractive prices, but the tooth count seems to be 24 or 32 and 20, respectively. Can I buy a rebuild kit to upgrade them to 80 tooth, or at least the F710D to 32 teeth? One ratchet for sale has lots of rust (first pic). Can I just remove the rust or should I pass on the deal? I saw some ratchets that don't have rust but the chrome is off and it looks like bare metal (second photo). Is that something I can easily prime and paint with chrome paint to protect it from rust?

 

[Packard V8]

Because I have a drawer full of Snap-on rats I've used for fifty years, they're good tools but there's nothing magic there.

Yes, the fine-tooth rats are nicer to use, but somehow we old guys managed to git 'er done all these years with lower tooth counts. In that 1% where there's limited swing where a coarse tooth is frustrating, break it loose and then use a Gearwrench.

Rather than a beat-to-****-rusty-chrome-peeling Snap-on, spend less money for one of several just as good and usually less expensive and better condition rats. S-K, Proto, Armstrong, MAC, Matco, Cornwell and others will do you well.

jack vines

 

[ngk22r]

The dual 80 parts only work in dual 80 ratchets

 

[Tul]

The dual 80 parts only work in dual 80 ratchets

THX. Are what's the part numbers and highest tooth counts to upgrade those?

 

[ngk22r]

THX. Are what's the part numbers and highest tooth counts to upgrade those?

1/4 start with T and end in 72
3/8 start with F and end in 80
1/2 start with S and end in 80

Variations like flex head or long handle of hard handle will change the code between the first and last f/e THLD72 is a 1/4 ratchet, hard long handle 72 teeth (part of the dual 80 technology)

The Dual 80 parts only work with their respective ratchets.

Some odd ball ratchets like the FC72 is a 3/8 drive(F) in a 1/4 body (C) with 72 teeth.

 

[sk farmer]

sad that so many people think just because it says snap-on it is good or the best.

there is whole wonderful world of great tools out there.

 

[Bdgjr215]

Because I have a drawer full of Snap-on rats I've used for fifty years, they're good tools but there's nothing magic there.

Yes, the fine-tooth rats are nicer to use, but somehow we old guys managed to git 'er done all these years with lower tooth counts. In that 1% where there's limited swing where a coarse tooth is frustrating, break it loose and then use a Gearwrench.

Rather than a beat-to-****-rusty-chrome-peeling Snap-on, spend less money for one of several just as good and usually less expensive and better condition rats. S-K, Proto, Armstrong, MAC, Matco, Cornwell and others will do you well.

jack vines

Jack,one thing I've noticed increasingly more here on GJ is that people ask for advice but don't listen to it when it's given.

 

[ATC]

I see lots of old-school Snap-on ratchets on Ebay. The SL710 and F710D have attractive prices, but the tooth count seems to be 24 or 32 and 20, respectively. Can I buy a rebuild kit to upgrade them to 80 tooth, or at least the F710D to 32 teeth? One ratchet for sale has lots of rust (first pic). Can I just remove the rust or should I pass on the deal? I saw some ratchets that don't have rust but the chrome is off and it looks like bare metal (second photo). Is that something I can easily prime and paint with chrome paint to protect it from rust?

If you are looking to have the Snap-On name at a low price point (just an assumption based on the quality/age you are looking at), I would skip it and find a 'modern' ratchet, which will likely be better anyways, like others have mentioned.

If you are wanting one for a collection or such, then ignore the above.

 

[Tul]

If you are looking to have the Snap-On name at a low price point (just an assumption based on the quality/age you are looking at), I would skip it and find a 'modern' ratchet, which will likely be better anyways, like others have mentioned.

If you are wanting one for a collection or such, then ignore the above.

For actual use, what makes the modern ratchets better? THX

 

[ATC]

For actual use, what makes the modern ratchets better? THX

More teeth, which means less swing to get another bite (good for tight areas)
Stronger. Improvements in steel compositions and heat treating.
No rust or chipping chrome.
Parts available if needed.
Probably more...

 

[Shane6377]

I have and use several of the older 24 and 32 tooth ratchets.

If you don't care about how they look, you can probably clean up the rusty ratchets and those with flaking chrome. They will never look like a new ratchet but if you clean and oil the guts they should work fine.

I have several that I throw in tractor toolboxes and they have their share of cosmetic blemishes... but they still work well.

I also picked all of mine up for $10 or less at auctions or estate sales. You can get similar ratchets from SK, Armstrong, Proto, etc for those prices too.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[davethorik]

sad that so many people think just because it says snap-on it is good or the best.

there is whole wonderful world of great tools out there.

I have an SL710 I bought years ago for $20 that is a very smooth ratchet, however in a lot better shape than the ones OP shows. I rebuilt it and "upgraded" to the 32 tooth. It feels very strong, it held up to use that stripped out an Easco RHFT which it replaced (both were used when I got them fwiw). It was my 1st Snap-on ratchet, don't much use standard length 1/2 ratchets any more so it sits now.

To me the only 2 high points are strength and smoothness, and I guess it was cool Snap-on still had repair kits. Otherwise their coarse tooth ratchets are just kind of meh to me, and their chrome handles are about my least favorite of any mfr. I prefer Cornwell and Proto if we are talking coarse tooth.

Extra long Snap-on ratchets usually go for $$$ used, even old 24 and 32 tooth units. Shopping around for other brands is a good idea for that.

Op if you want to get one, maybe see if any old timer mechanics you know or local GJ members could let you handle one.

 

[greg13]

Jack,one thing I've noticed increasingly more here on GJ is that people ask for advice but don't listen to it when it's given.

Because it's not what they want to hear! Plus what would someone that's been wrenching for 50 years know?

 

[Handyandy23]

Tool technology has come a long way. Some rusty old 24 tooth SO is probably a lesser ratchet than a new HF one. If you just want it for the name and to show off to girls then more power to you, but for actual use and utility that would be way down my list of options.

 

[Wamsutta]

That don't make the 20 tooth kits anymore, so you stand a pretty good chance of upgrading to a 30 tooth with a new kit.

 

[seanb02]

If you want timeless quality buy an SK round head, pretty much the same thing now as it was 50 years ago and they do offer an upgraded drop in fine tooth conversion. If you want a collection that you don't necessarily use but looks cool buy a bunch of different ancient Snap-on ratchets. If you want the best on the cutting edge of ratchet technology buy new Snap-on.

Really depends on your user preferences and ability to part with your money.

 

[johninct]

I see lots of old-school Snap-on ratchets on Ebay. The SL710 and F710D have attractive prices, but the tooth count seems to be 24 or 32 and 20, respectively. Can I buy a rebuild kit to upgrade them to 80 tooth, or at least the F710D to 32 teeth? One ratchet for sale has lots of rust (first pic). Can I just remove the rust or should I pass on the deal? I saw some ratchets that don't have rust but the chrome is off and it looks like bare metal (second photo). Is that something I can easily prime and paint with chrome paint to protect it from rust?

The old ratchets work just fine. Buy one, clean it up and then try it out. If you don't like it and it has say a chrome issue ( safety ), then warranty for a new one.

 

[Xcursion88]

Because it's not what they want to hear! Plus what would someone that's been wrenching for 50 years know?

Best post on the board. Certainly most accurate.

Most people already have their mind made up and want their brand they have in mind stroked.

My favorite expression is
Just get it over with and buy Snap on.

That's the dumbest statement on here.

Snap on isn't bad. They're very good. The pinnacle? No. They are one of them. SK is right there.

Here is something most ignore.

Snap on is about 80 percent made in USA. I'm not talking about blue point. Genuine snap on. They've this new love affair with Spain and pliers. Some other things are not USA either.

SK on the other hand is 101 percent USA. If we can't make it they just don't sell it.

Maybe that's not important to a lot of people here but to me it's paramount. I absolutely positively will not buy anything Asian made if possible even in the slightest.

Electronics of course and sadly we just don't make ****.

That's just me but it means something to me putting money back in US workers.

A shame many residents of this wonderful country don't give a **** about that.

Maybe if they were in an industry that impacted them by purchasing Asian they'd get it. Then again I'd bet they still wouldn't care.

 

[Mikeske]

I bought my Snap-on rats in the late 1980’s used from a pawn shop. They are good ratschets and that’s the only thing Snap-on I ever bought because I liked the eel of them and they never failed me. I had them so long and they last.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Just keep looking and you can find them used for reasonable. Here is what I paid for two a while back and they were in nice shape. Life is too short for rusty tools unless they are unique, heirlooms or almost free.

Snap-On 1/2 ratchet model S-715, $20
Snap-On 3/8 ratchet model FL 720, $15

But as others have stated there are other really nice ratchets out there that on average can be had for less money.

 

[KnurledNut]

SK on the other hand is 101 percent USA. If we can't make it they just don't sell it.
Maybe that's not important to a lot of people here but to me it's paramount. I absolutely positively will not buy anything Asian made if possible even in the slightest.

When Ideal pushed their 100% USA marketing campaign, they sent out a nice catalog, a 20mm stubby wrench (20mm, really?) and a ball cap. Guess where the cap was made? Yep. China. REALLY?

 

[Indexmill]

It looks pretty sitting in the toolbox...

 

[TexasT]

20mm is good for the fuel filter on my late nineties trucks.

As far as beating down on rusty tools or snap on I guess some might have a point. I have some older used type snap on ratchets. 3/8 drive, missing some chrome but they work. Good for under the car so I don't have to drag the newer shine stuff across the concrete. If it works and changes direction I can't see why you wouldn't use it. But if it is too rusty it cam be contagious in the drawer with the shiney tools too.

 

[anndel]

Because I have a drawer full of Snap-on rats I've used for fifty years, they're good tools but there's nothing magic there.

Yes, the fine-tooth rats are nicer to use, but somehow we old guys managed to git 'er done all these years with lower tooth counts. In that 1% where there's limited swing where a coarse tooth is frustrating, break it loose and then use a Gearwrench.

Rather than a beat-to-****-rusty-chrome-peeling Snap-on, spend less money for one of several just as good and usually less expensive and better condition rats. S-K, Proto, Armstrong, MAC, Matco, Cornwell and others will do you well.

jack vines

Ditto man, you're spot on. And what did I do before Snap-on? Use those Craftsman tear drop ratchets and socket sets I got from Sears in the 1970s and got the job done.

 

[Xcursion88]

When Ideal pushed their 100% USA marketing campaign, they sent out a nice catalog, a 20mm stubby wrench (20mm, really?) and a ball cap. Guess where the cap was made? Yep. China. REALLY?

A ball cap? I've no interest in apparel of any tool company.

Look at their books as of late?

You will NOT find caps, gloves, hoodies, jackets etc in that book. Why? We don't make them here in this country. If you scrounge enough on the internet you can find clothing of SK..or gloves...whatever. But that's coming from somewhere else. Perhaos some not even licensed.

I care about the hard goods and you won't find one made outside the US

 

[JSCraftsman]

I see lots of old-school Snap-on ratchets on Ebay. The SL710 and F710D have attractive prices, but the tooth count seems to be 24 or 32 and 20, respectively. Can I buy a rebuild kit to upgrade them to 80 tooth, or at least the F710D to 32 teeth? One ratchet for sale has lots of rust (first pic). Can I just remove the rust or should I pass on the deal? I saw some ratchets that don't have rust but the chrome is off and it looks like bare metal (second photo). Is that something I can easily prime and paint with chrome paint to protect it from rust?

I realize this is a post that is a few years old but I want to add my input regarding the above mentioned rats. The F-710-D (3/8") unfortunately cannot be upgraded any finer with it's tooth count...and here is why, the gear cradle bore is too small to accept the larger 30 tooth gears from either the F71 or F730 ratchets. These two rats, can interchange gears. But the F-710 models use a smaller gear diameter, reminiscing from the earlier F-70-N & M models which use the same size 20 tooth gear. Even the gear for the F-720 is too large to fit into a F-710. The F-720 is the same size as the F-71 & 730 gear, minus 10 teeth. The only real upgrade that you could add to your F-710-D is the quick release gear, from the F-713 rat. But then you would have to lose the sealing head cap which the 710-D uses, for the q-r button. The two gears (710 & 713) are the same size, the 713 just adds the q-r function. And as far as the SL-710 (1/2") that will remain a 32 tooth count, it also cannot be upgraded any finer with anything that would fit that particular ratchet either. Hope I cleared alittle up for you? Good luck

 

[seber]

You won't like using a painted ratchet. Paint will flake, melt, rub off on your hand. If you really want an old ratchet like that, you might look into nickel plating. It's easy to do and a good technique to learn. Final product quality is all about preparation.

 

[johninct]

It is simple to upgrade that chrome pealing low tooth Snap-On ratchet to a Dual 80. Pealing chrome is a warantey claim. Just turn it in and get a free new Dual 80.

 

[dnschmidt]

Pointless, there is an infinite quantity of quality USA and Taiwanese ratchets far superior to 1960's ratchets. Buy ICON, Gearwrench, new Snap-On, Proto, Mack, Matco, Cornwell or something from any auto parts store and it will have finer teeth and be more functional than those antiques. The oldest, and as far as I'm concerned the best ratchet I've got, and I've got a lot is the Williams B-52 and B-54 but both of these are modern designs and mine are basically brand new. The cheapest Harbor Freight ratchet, which I believe are the plastic over molded ones, are far superior to those you mention. What the true motive is for these types of questions is what I don't understand. The attraction of an old Atari computer compared to a new Pentium whatever that's the current hotness baffles me. I’ve just turned 71 years old and the past means absolutely nothing to me. Why would I **** around with a chisel to make a mortise when I've got a Festool Domino.

 

[3baygarage]

Well hopefully he made a decision 4 years ago before he apparently was banned.

 

[Walkers]

I have several older ratchets that are in very good shape. I never use them any more, I always grab the dual 80 or even more often the 1/4" swivel head. They are just so much nicer to use.
Even more often now, I grab a battery ratchet. I have an extended milwaukee and a makita that has both 1/4} and 3/8" anvils.