Was this ratchet wire brushed?

[MalibuLX3]

Hey guys,
I picked this ratchet up from the classifieds sections here last week. I asked the seller two separate times what was up with the finish, but he obviously didn't even care enough to reply to my question either time.

So what do you guys this? Did someone wire brush it? Or something else?

 

[old salvage]

Looks more like sandpaper or a Scotchbrite pad.

 

[mkdive]

Sure is dull for being scotchbrite?

 

[caper]

That's what happens six months after you highly polish the chrome off a tool.It will be shiney as new for awhile but eventually it starts to dull and this is what your left with.

 

[Merkava_4]

It certainly has the some kind of marks going in the wrong direction. I would've held it perpendicular the the wire wheel and kept it wet with WD-40 at the same time. I would've used a fine wire wheel too.

 

[mrshaun]

it doesnt make it look very good whatever method they used.
I'd buy some handle dip for that one if it is rough to the touch

 

[billymade]

Maybe they were removing some owners' marks? I had some really bad ratchets with chrome peel; using fine sandpaper and then compound... came out ok.

 

[bchee]

who was the seller?

 

[64merc]

It looks likey someone was either removing owner's marks, or chrome peel. As far as functionality goes, it looks great to me. If you like all your chrome intact, then I can see the frustration, if this wasn't noted in the ad.

 

[mrshaun]

if you have ever gotten chrome stuck in your hand or under a fingernail you will really understand someone being frustrated at the finish on a tool. that stuff hurts.

 

[back2class]

I have no idea what is up with the finish. Came in a tool lot I aquired. My add says please ask as few questions as possible. I responded by offering a full refund as soon as he brought up this issue, but he opted to keep it. I sold it expecting a buyer to warranty it as the head was floppy and loose and they buyer certainly can do that for $3 in shipping to snap-on. I do not get into the tool polsihing game, nor did I think anyone would care how much the chrome shined, especialy on one already sold as having real mechanical issues.. I am sorry you don't like it, if you don't like it I will still be happy to take it back for a full refund or send it to snap-on for $3 postage get a brand new one with perfect flawless chrome and a head that stays put.

 

[Teken]

Thats first rate service after the sale in my books!

 

[MalibuLX3]

It is not that I want a refund or anything, I was just curious as to what was up with the finish. I did not get an answer from the seller, so I came to the forums to find out. Thats all.

I've contacted Snap On about the loose head and they are sending me a "new flex joint kit for the ratchet". Can anyone comment, MrShaun, Chad, as to what exactly a "flex joint kit" is? If this doesn't fix the flop I'll send it in and see what happens.

 

[Bolster]

My add says please ask as few questions as possible...

Interesting approach, I may try that!!

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

It is not that I want a refund or anything, I was just curious as to what was up with the finish. I did not get an answer from the seller, so I came to the forums to find out. Thats all.

I've contacted Snap On about the loose head and they are sending me a "new flex joint kit for the ratchet". Can anyone comment, MrShaun, Chad, as to what exactly a "flex joint kit" is? If this doesn't fix the flop I'll send it in and see what happens.

I have a TF936, That has a loose head, there is a torx bolt, then inside there is locking washer....

 

[MalibuLX3]

I have a TF936, That has a loose head, there is a torx bolt, then inside there is locking washer....

I know the ratchet is missing the lock washer, but is there also some type of spring and some other part that fits below the flex joint, where the red circle is in this picture? It has the indentions so I would imagine it would have something.

 

[tonydanzah]

there is a tooth the "lives" in the middle of the handle. Pull the button down and the tooth disengages the slot unlocking the head.

 

[Kevin54]

Is that the copper under the chrome showing? If so, it looks like most of the chrome has been removed. More than likely sanded then either wirebrushed, fine sandpaper, or a ScotchBrite pad taken to it after smoothing

 

[MalibuLX3]

there is a tooth the "lives" in the middle of the handle. Pull the button down and the tooth disengages the slot unlocking the head.

This isn't a locking ratchet, no button. So are the heads just the same between the locking and the non-locking?

So i guess I'm just missing the lock washer then?

 

[tonydanzah]

or someone put a locking head on a non locking handle.

 

[MalibuLX3]

Is that the copper under the chrome showing? If so, it looks like most of the chrome has been removed. More than likely sanded then either wirebrushed, fine sandpaper, or a ScotchBrite pad taken to it after smoothing

I think you are correct. If the head were loose would this be something Snap On would cover under warranty with the chrome all messed up? Or would this be considered "abused"?

 

[chadster1]

That head has been transplanted onto that handle. The grooves in the head are for the locking mechanism of an SX936. What is the part number on the handle?

 

[MalibuLX3]

That head has been transplanted onto that handle. The grooves in the head are for the locking mechanism of an SX936. What is the part number on the handle?

The handle says FX936

So what does this mean now?

 

[mrshaun]

it will have a new pin for the head where it pivots, or if it is a newer ratchet it will have a new screw and lock ring that helps keep the head tight
from your pics it might be just a new pin. good luck getting it out. wear eye protection

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

or someone put a locking head on a non locking handle.

I agree.............

 

[mrshaun]

then you will get a new kit may be rkrf841lm or rkrf841JT

 

[MalibuLX3]

it will have a new pin for the head where it pivots, or if it is a newer ratchet it will have a new screw and lock ring that helps keep the head tight
from your pics it might be just a new pin. good luck getting it out. wear eye protection

It has the torx screw now so I guess thats what it will be. Thanks mrshaun

 

[chadster1]

The handle says FX936

So what does this mean now?

Strange. There is no place for the locking mechanism on the handle. I wonder if someone filled the hole in with some material and then wire brushed the entire handle to smooth it out.

 

[mrshaun]

yeah wrong ratchet handle for sure.
does it have a screw or a pin through the pivot joint?

 

[mrshaun]

if it says fx936 the chad you woudl be right or this one is a major defect. that would be funny

 

[MalibuLX3]

Strange. There is no place for the locking mechanism on the handle. I wonder if someone filled the hole in with some material and then wire brushed the entire handle to smooth it out.

There is a spot on the ratchet that looks different from the rest of it. Maybe this is where the locking mechanism would have been? I don't have a picture of it now, but I can get one when I get home, but when I took the head off there was a hole on the handle part that looks like a spring or something would go there.

Would this be were the locking button would be? The finish looks a lot different from where the rest of it has been taken off

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

There is a spot on the ratchet that looks different from the rest of it. Maybe this is where the locking mechanism would have been? I don't have a picture of it now, but I can get one when I get home, but when I took the head off there was a hole on the handle part that looks like a spring or something would go there.

Would this be were the locking button would be? The finish looks a lot different from where the rest of it has been taken off

the locking button would be near the top...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=60352&d=1271135324

 

[tonydanzah]

the locking button would be near the top...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=60352&d=1271135324

depends on the age of the ratchet 45954 or whatever his name is has a bunch with the button at the bottom.

 

[mooman]

I'd send it back to the sender for a refund.
This thing looks like a turd you should not have to "polish".

 

[chadster1]

depends on the age of the ratchet 45954 or whatever his name is has a bunch with the button at the bottom.

You are correct. The early versions of the FX936 had the locking mechanism near the bottom. In one of the pics you can see a discolored area near the bottom where the locking button would of been.

 

[chadster1]

Can anyone comment, MrShaun, Chad, as to what exactly a "flex joint kit" is? If this doesn't fix the flop I'll send it in and see what happens.

More than likely the reason that the head is floppy is that the friction washer is missing. The flex-joint kit is a new torx screw and a new friction washer. I am 99.99% sure that the repair kit will fix the floppy head issue.

 

[48548]

depends on the age of the ratchet 45954 or whatever his name is has a bunch with the button at the bottom.

Here is a picture of both types.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I see, I guess I learned a new thing.....

 

[Merkava_4]

That discolored spot is where somebody welded the hole shut and blended the weld in with the rest of the handle, which would explain the scratch marks. You guys are pretty smart; I'm surprised.

 

[MalibuLX3]

That discolored spot is where somebody welded the hole shut and blended the weld in with the rest of the handle, which would explain the scratch marks. You guys are pretty smart; I'm surprised.

I never doubt the Garage Journal's knowledge. I just don't understand why anyone would take so much time into doing something like this. Wouldn't a broken lock be something that would be warrant-able?