Why did Snap on cancel the Hard Handle…?

[JRPAviator]

Why?! Are they dumb. No way they didn’t sell. Now good luck getting certain models. If I would have known they were going to F this up I would have just bought what I wanted. But now the gouge is already out of control. 169.99 from the truck (prior to being canceled) now 300 plus on flea bay.

 

[Wamsutta]

You're talking about the hard handle stubby. I wanted one of those.

I was hoping I'd get around to buying one before they discontinued them again.

 

[scooby074]

ToolMd's prices are ridiculous across the board, plus their advertising is borderline deceptive on some items.

I suspect the hard handles will be back when they get the kinks out of the 100 tooth models. From what I understand all the dual80s are going to be replaced with the new cynergy 100s

 

[mikey03]

ToolMd's prices are ridiculous across the board, plus their advertising is borderline deceptive on some items.

I suspect the hard handles will be back when they get the kinks out of the 100 tooth models. From what I understand all the dual80s are going to be replaced with the new cynergy 100s

Sounds like we better stock up on dual 80s before toolmd starts selling them for $500 a pop

 

[Theronswanson]

Why?! Are they dumb. No way they didn’t sell. Now good luck getting certain models. If I would have known they were going to F this up I would have just bought what I wanted. But now the gouge is already out of control. 169.99 from the truck (prior to being canceled) now 300 plus on flea bay.

No one bought them because the handles ****, are cumbersome (especially for a stubby) and are uncomfortable

 

[wrenchr]

I have the one with the blue handle still NOS. Bought about 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[seber]

I have one in standard length. For me, the handle is perfect.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I think they are sticking around on the 1/4 and 1/2” drive stuff. Snappy has the new hard handle on the 100 Cynergy ratchets. It isn’t bad, it’s literally the same as the soft handle only all hard materials.

 

[JRPAviator]

I think they are sticking around on the 1/4 and 1/2” drive stuff. Snappy has the new hard handle on the 100 Cynergy ratchets. It isn’t bad, it’s literally the same as the soft handle only all hard materials.

I don’t know why but I just don’t like the look of the soft handle. I know it’s petty and dumb but I just don’t like it

 

[slowtwitch73]

There's exactly one reason companies stop selling a product.

Money.

 

[yamaha0343]

From what I understand all the dual80s are going to be replaced with the new cynergy 100s

Looking forward to the Dual 80s trickling down to the Williams brand.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I don’t know why but I just don’t like the look of the soft handle. I know it’s petty and dumb but I just don’t like it

I get it. I’ve actually bought a few 100 tooth in chrome handles just cause reasons. It’s your money and ratchet so you gotta do you.

 

[SRSemenza]

Is the hard handle being dropped on everything or just a particular ratchet?

Seth

 

[neophyte]

Snap-On seems to change handle designs a bit after the design patents run out.

Now that the design patent on the current Snap-On handles has expired, I presume SO will be looking into redesigning the handles, since stores like Harbor Freight can just copy the handle minus the Snap-On name.

The other reason, is probably just that enough people purchased the bi-material gripped screwdrivers, that Snap-On figured that was what the “customer preferred”, whether this is actually true or not.

 

[Jeeper99]

They've come out with a new style hard handle, it looks like a comfort grip though hard, I couldn't find any good videos on it besides 1 from Koon Trucking. I have a pile of the current screw driver style hard handles, 3 of which are my every day go to. I like them a lot better than the comfort grips when they are covered in hydro oil, grease, and mine goo which is why I ended up with them. I know some people didn't like the screw driver style handles. Judging by what was on my sanpon guy's truck the screw driver style handles either weren't big sellers or he couldn't get them though he was always able to order them.

I played with one of the new hard handles on the truck a while back though didn't realize they were discontinuing the current hard handle so I didn't pay much attention. I like the ones I have, we'll see if the new ones grow on me though I see no reason to upgrade to the latest and greatest shiny stuff just because.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I'm sure it's mostly because the hard handles are the most expensive to produce compared to the others.

I much prefer either a chrome or hard handle. Just never liked the rubber "comfort" handle.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I'm sure it's mostly because the hard handles are the most expensive to produce compared to the others.

I'm in the plastics industry.

The hard handles (including all associated costs) likely cost less than about $2 each to produce. And I'm being very generous assuming they have very high cost associated with the process.

The machine that produces them probably makes one unit in less than 10 seconds. That's assuming the mold is literally just that one cavity. It probably isn't so they make X number of hard handles in 10 seconds.

 

[AEAdam]

I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t care for HH ratchets. Hard handles were designed for twisting. I’m okay with my HH prybars and scrapers. I like the soft grips on the ratchets.

My guess is Snap On engineering never intended to put a twisting handle on a pulling tool, but they did and customers liked it. The soft handles are in almost every way better.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I'm in the plastics industry.

The hard handles (including all associated costs) likely cost less than about $2 each to produce. And I'm being very generous assuming they have very high cost associated with the process.

The machine that produces them probably makes one unit in less than 10 seconds. That's assuming the mold is literally just that one cavity. It probably isn't so they make X number of hard handles in 10 seconds.

I see. Why then would they replace the hard handles with the rubber comfort handles that get warrantied at a much higher rate? The rubber handles simply don't last as long as the plastic.

It strikes me as a net cost savings. I just don't see the spending more money on a handle, unless they built it in to an already coming cost increase at the time.

 

[johninct]

Excluding the handle type and Dual 80 feedback, how useful is that size and style ratchet?

 

[ChevyEFI]

The other reason, is probably just that enough people purchased the bi-material gripped screwdrivers, that Snap-On figured that was what the “customer preferred”, whether this is actually true or not.

Isn't the screwdriver handle double firm colors, and the ratchet handle a softer black and a rubbery soft red (green etc.)? I can't see your comparison, since they seem different to me.

I'm sure it's mostly because the hard handles are the most expensive to produce compared to the others.

I much prefer either a chrome or hard handle. Just never liked the rubber "comfort" handle.

Single color hard vs. double color rubberized? Highly doubt it.

There are haters and fans, but they got a nice soft grip handle back in the 36t days, proof of which is it didn't change when the 72/80t stuff came out.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I see. Why then would they replace the hard handles with the rubber comfort handles that get warrantied at a much higher rate? The rubber handles simply don't last as long as the plastic.

It strikes me as a net cost savings. I just don't see the spending more money on a handle, unless they built it in to an already coming cost increase at the time.

If you raise the price of a ratchet $20 and drivers replace one handle per ratchet each year, SNA shareholders won. Some soft handles are sold, not warrantied. And many last > 1 year. It's in some ways, a loss leader, as warranty stuff commonly is.

 

[neophyte]

Isn't the screwdriver handle double firm colors, and the ratchet handle a softer black and a rubbery soft red (green etc.)? I can't see your comparison, since they seem different to me.

Single color hard vs. double color rubberized? Highly doubt it.

There are haters and fans, but they got a nice soft grip handle back in the 36t days, proof of which is it didn't change when the 72/80t stuff came out.

My point, was that most customers figure “the new handle” is better, so they purchase that style.
Then they realize later, they preferred the other handle design, or material, but the manufacturer has already stopped manufacture of the “old style” because sales had dropped off, and someone figured the “new” version, was the preference, when it was just a temporary consumer switch to try what was new.

 

[roofdweller49]

I never had experience with soft or hard handle ratchets. Seems that opinions are mixed on them. I don't wrench for a living, but I do like the fatter, and less cold grip. I also don't like soft plastics because I've had to many things degrade over time (ooze, get sticky, etc) - Is the snap on hard handle (say on a long flex 3/8) worth it, over the bare steel one?

 

[Draftpick1]

Looking forward to the Dual 80s trickling down to the Williams brand.

Pretty sure it's in the bacho ratchets already.

 

[Jtels85]

I wish they would bring back the hard handle screwdriver set with #2 and 1/4” stubbies.

 

[impactims]

Why?! Are they dumb.

They are capitalists.

If they did completely cancel them as you say, then it was a supply and demand decision on their part.

 

[roofdweller49]

I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t care for HH ratchets. Hard handles were designed for twisting. I’m okay with my HH prybars and scrapers. I like the soft grips on the ratchets.

My guess is Snap On engineering never intended to put a twisting handle on a pulling tool, but they did and customers liked it. The soft handles are in almost every way better.

Do you find them way too short too? At least on the 3/8 ones? I expected the length of a fullsize screwdriver handle.

 

[Shoreline_]

I dont like the old hard handle but I think its probably because I bought my instinct handles 18 years ago and havent needed another set of screwdrivers since. But ya know if they redesign the handles again, id be inclined to try. Im sure a wrench redesign is in the works.

 

[AEAdam]

Do you find them way too short too? At least on the 3/8 ones? I expected the length of a fullsize screwdriver handle.

No. And the full sized screwdrivers are too fat for a ratchet.

The way you pull on a tool, is like the way you hang from a chin up bar. That’s fundamentally different from the way you grasp something to twist it.

I like the smaller softer grips on my ratchets.

 

[roofdweller49]

Thanks. I like the way the old hard handle looks, but they go for stupid prices now. Maybe I'll try the new 100 tooth 3/8 hard handles that look like the soft grip. On eBay they seem to go for less than the dual 80s.

 

[dscheidt]

No. And the full sized screwdrivers are too fat for a ratchet.

The way you pull on a tool, is like the way you hang from a chin up bar. That’s fundamentally different from the way you grasp something to twist it.

I like the smaller softer grips on my ratchets.

I find what ratchet I want depends a lot on what I'm doing. For general stuff, i'm going to be pulling the ratchet (pronated, pullup style), because that's more natural feeling. For tight stuff, it's usually safer to pull, because you're less likely to punch the car. but for some tight things, a push is called for. For pulling, I can pull a lot harder on a thin hard bar, because I can squeeze it harder. Pushing, bigger is better. my go to ratchets have all been chrome, I can push as hard on a chrome bar, if I have to. I don't want to, so I do have hard handle and old soft grip ones (early 2000s) in useful sizes, but they get used if I know I want them, or want to go get it.

 

[William Payne]

Hard handle snap on screwdriver ill take all day long. Hard handle ratchet no thanks.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I've always liked the looks of the hard handle ratchets, and have the Williams hard handle screwdrivers. I prefer a hard or soft handle ratchet on extra long ratchets, but normally where I would use a standard sized ratchet, I just prefer the metal handle so I am not dealing with a width issue in a tight spot.

To give an example, back when I worked in a garage, a lot of the van tune ups, I would use the 3/8" in a 1/4" ratchet body, with an extra long spark plug socket. This would put the socket out just past the manifolds, while the ratchet would be just right around the hump of the engine cover in the van, then sometimes after breaking loose, I would switch to a gearwrench style wrench to spin out the socket from a bit further away, and thin enough to keep my hand from sharp or smashy things.

 

[Wamsutta]

Some of you guys may not be aware of this, but the old hard handle ratchet had its own handle size. They weren't borrowed from the screwdrivers like people think. That's why whenever somebody does a hard handle transplant, they'll use a handle from a screwdriver and it's always larger than what the ratchet would have if it had the correct ratchet handle for its drive size. But getting the old ratchet hard handles by themselves was impossible though.

 

[Andres26tnt]

^^yep ratchet have a different HH that is smaller and thin. Their Newer handles are also larger. I had to modify and enlarged my 3d file to fit properly on my 3/8s. The original were small and people usually cut the ratchet to make them fit.

Snap-on just released new HH screwdrivers, so idk if they are actually discontinued at all.

 

[lugnut71]

they run a new batch almost every year for the tool show, which is coming up. Usually never put them on their website, if they do its for a short period

 

[Krause]

The new Williams made hard handles are slightly different the older Snap-On made ones if you compare them side by side. Probably had to be re modeled along with new molds.

They likely really weren’t kidding when they said they got rid of their old hard handle fabrication equipment after going to the soft handles.

 

[Steve_P]

I said this in another thread, but it may have been because the ratchet HH injection molding tooling was about worn out, and/or that the vast majority of their sales are for the new style comfort handles. Snap On is obviously a well-run corporation and they know how many of each type they sell. In addition, all of the color choices for the HHs had to have been a logistical nightmare. And then they're stuck with a run of a color that didn't sell for a year. I know a lot of people here are HH fans, but I'm going to guess that most SO customers are much younger than the typical GJ member, and HH fan, who regularly posts here. Meaning, all of the HH love that we see here probably isn't what SO sees in their sales figures.

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

This explains why I have been having issue's finding a couple replacement Snap On ratchets that I sold 4-5 years a go.
Not talking about ebay either but I am being told they are on back order.
I will give it a couple weeks until I just buy mismatched replacements hard handle/soft handle never really cared about matching colors