Why doesn't SnapOn put a quick release button on their ratchets??????

[Nealcrenshaw]

For the life of me i cannot figure this out,When i use my CM ratchets it's easy to remove a socket,especially if i just did an oil change,bearing work or any other greasy job,Just press the button and presto!!!! Sockets off put on a new one.

It's absolutely murder trying to remove a socket from a
Snapon,Matco,Wright,Williams,Mac,ratchet, you think for$100- $150 for a ratchet they could at least make a quick release mechanism for the socket. CM is the the only one(or decent one,you can find them on cheapies) What gives?????

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I just have enough ratchets that i don't often need to change the sockets..

 

[Merkava_4]

They DO have some ratchets with the quick release button; where have you been?

 

[Merkava_4]

I even got a picture on the file to prove it.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I never seen one before,Every one i seen (up until now)doesn't have one.Next time i buy a snappy ratchet it WILL have one of these. Problem solved

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I wonder if it's possible to convert one from a non quick release to a quick release?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Nope, unless you get Hy-Lok. The hole in the head for the push botton isn't there on standard Snap-on ratchets.

 

[Merkava_4]

The hole in the head for the push botton isn't there on standard Snap-on ratchets.

Isn't the hole in the head for a push button the same size as the hole in the head for a dust cover and visa versa?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Maybe on some older red-cap ratchets but nothing newer that that except Hy-Loks have a hole there.

 

[Merkava_4]

"Maybe" don't cut it! I want a definitive answer!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

i've never taken the cap or gear out of a red-cap Snap-on, i don't know if the hole goes all the way through, i suspect it doesn't though. My only red-cap is sitting in my friend's apartment.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I will investigate this also,because i'm thinking about just selling my SnapON Ratchet.

 

[Merkava_4]

If you ever got used to ratchets without quick release, you'd hate the quick release.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

i'm just the other way around!

 

[Merkava_4]

That's because you're used to Craftsman ratchets. I got unused to Craftsman ratchets from about 20 years ago and now if you handed me one, I'd be tugging on the socket forever trying to get it off.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Or trying to push it on. I'm not a fan of quick-release, their use to me is very limited.

 

[Merkava_4]

My MAC ratchets are easy to change drive tools with; it's the Snap-on ratchets that have the 3000 ft.lb. spring tension friction balls.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My Snap-on 1/4" - 3/8" Step-up adapter has an ungodly stiff retention ball, other than that everything's fine.

 

[wrenchr]

I have one I will sell for $25.00!!!

 

[wrenchr]

My MAC ratchets are easy to change drive tools with; it's the Snap-on ratchets that have the 3000 ft.lb. spring tension friction balls.

That would be from lack of use

 

[philw]

Snap on came out with the quick release around 1971. I have a 71 catalog and they were advertising it as new. I believe Craftsman came out with it in the 60's (I saw something on the web about 1966). The only problem I've had with non-quick release is the example that Nealcrenshaw gave about oil, grease, fluids all over the socket. Depending on how strong the detent ball is it can be a pain to get off without wiping/cleaning the socket. I still prefer the non-quick release because I would rather wipe down the socket/ratchet then be looking for a socket that fell off and is stuck in a hard to reach place in the engine compartment (I've had that happen a couple times).

OT--I noticed on google that the man who invented the quick release has a new invention out. It's called Link tools and is similar to the locking extension idea.
http://www.link-tools.com/aboutus.html

 

[chammyman]

I much prefer the quick release button, when your draining oil on trucks and doing their filters you ALWAYS get oil on the ratchet or your hand and you can't pull the socket off quickly to put another on. I used the friction ball ones for yeras then I got a 1/4 inch ratchet with a quick release and it converted me.

the friction balls can be a nightmare. I normally dunk my step ups/downs and extensions in the parrafin bath and work the balls to keep them free. They get covered in petrol, thinners, brake fluid and blah blah frequently so it washes any oil or grease from them anyway. A weekly dunk in the parrafin bath keeps them fresh. If I'm staying off for a while I chuck them all and my cheap ratchets in a tub of engine oil to oil them up.

The slide collar snap on extensions are the worst for seizing up I have to say, the idea is great as a locking extension is very handy when its threaded through 4 feet of engine/chassis rail, but the slide collar seizes frequently and the ball sticks on them, even new off the van!

 

[wrenchr]

i've never taken the cap or gear out of a red-cap Snap-on, i don't know if the hole goes all the way through, i suspect it doesn't though. My only red-cap is sitting in my friend's apartment.

They are pressed in.

 

[Fedwrench]

Snap on doesn't want to be confused with Craftsman so, they only offer a couple of ratchets with a quick release.

But seriously, back in the day when that ratchet quick release was patented, wasn't it only sold to Craftsman? I know the patent has expired by now but, there aren't that many quick release ratchets on the market when you consolidate all of the Danaher made models as one type of ratchet?

 

[l_bilyk]

FR936 and so do all the blue point

 

[eschoendorff]

I much prefer the quick release button, when your draining oil on trucks and doing their filters you ALWAYS get oil on the ratchet or your hand and you can't pull the socket off quickly to put another on. I used the friction ball ones for yeras then I got a 1/4 inch ratchet with a quick release and it converted me.

the friction balls can be a nightmare. I normally dunk my step ups/downs and extensions in the parrafin bath and work the balls to keep them free. They get covered in petrol, thinners, brake fluid and blah blah frequently so it washes any oil or grease from them anyway. A weekly dunk in the parrafin bath keeps them fresh. If I'm staying off for a while I chuck them all and my cheap ratchets in a tub of engine oil to oil them up.

The slide collar snap on extensions are the worst for seizing up I have to say, the idea is great as a locking extension is very handy when its threaded through 4 feet of engine/chassis rail, but the slide collar seizes frequently and the ball sticks on them, even new off the van!

Just don't post any pics of you working your balls! If you continue to have problems, try:

 

[philw]

Yes, Craftsman was the first out with it. The inventor Pete Roberts ended up suing Sears for his fair share.
Check out this link about the lawsuit--
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,946093,00.html?iid=chix-sphere

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I still prefer the quick release, and have them on my primary Snap~on Ratchets, as well as my Craftsman of various make, Mac, etc....

A lot of the people I know who have ONLY the non quick released Snap's, keep the little pry bar with their sets, just for the times they are working on something they can't avoid getting dirty on, to make socket removal easy. It is their primary use of those tiny pry bars.

 

[MAD]

i've never taken the cap or gear out of a red-cap Snap-on, i don't know if the hole goes all the way through, i suspect it doesn't though. My only red-cap is sitting in my friend's apartment.

The hole goes all the way through. The red top is just a plastic dust cap. I have an F731 that I bought around 1984 with a red plastic cap. The gear teeth have stripped out many times but that plastic cap has held up just fine.

 

[v8garage]

I much prefer the quick release button, when your draining oil on trucks and doing their filters you ALWAYS get oil on the ratchet or your hand and you can't pull the socket off quickly to put another on.

I guess if all you are doing is oil changes just use a Craftsman ratchet. Thats about all they are good for anyway.

 

[chammyman]

well it was an example, i do many more things than just oil changes. It just so happens when your doing an oil change on an FH12 and the filter comes free a lot of oil pours out onto you and anything else thats there, the main pits constantly swimming in oil and diesel.

Anyway we don't get craftsman here

 

[Moose-LandTran]

4-Series T-Cab > FH12.

 

[chammyman]

aye do lots of them

 

[Uncle Buck]

I guess if all you are doing is oil changes just use a Craftsman ratchet. Thats about all they are good for anyway.

Not the old round head fine tooth man, simply bulletproof! BTW, Those are what kind of Crafty ratchets I have and personally endorse!

 

[v8garage]

Not the old round head fine tooth man, simply bulletproof! BTW, Those are what kind of Crafty ratchets I have and personally endorse!

I was talking about the raised panel Craftsman ratchets that always used to come with the tools set. I have never had any trouble getting them replaced but I just got tired to going to Sears to exchange them. Now they just sit in my box and I use a Proto or Snap on ratchet.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Good link Phil!!! I'm definitely looking into this,I dont have 2 minutes for every socket removal on a snapon ratchet. TIME IS MONEY

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

It would be pretty sweet if SnapOn for a nominal fee,let's say $15, to retro your ratchet into a quick release, I'm sure the response would be overwhelming, I sure would fork over the money in a heartbeat, This would also make them some millions.

 

[billymade]

Check with your Snapon dealer; most with let you trade things in and pay the difference on a quick release model. See what he/she can do for you; can't hurt to ask!

 

[paramudduck]

When I was using Snap On a lot, I always had a small screwdriver or a miniature pry bar in my pocket.

Sometimes being hard to get off is a good thing. At others it is a total pain.

 

[TNToy]

For the life of me i cannot figure this out...

It's simple. Quick-releases ****.

Use a Snap-On for a month or so every day, and it's perfect. Pop right off, but never fall off on their own.

The button on a QR ratchet gets in the way when pushing with your palm, and frequently prevents access in tight places.

No ratchet should have a quick release. Until you break-in the detent on a Snappy, just pop the socket off with a little twist of a pocket screwdriver. Or buy them used.