Need a Snap On man

[brightspark]

My Irimo is around that age and still going strong. Been used lightly as a hammer too if I ever got stuck up the ladders and needed to tap something in. Yes, I know it's not done, but either that or suffer p*ss poor weather for longer and/or a traipse back to the van....

i use - my rechargeable drill as a hammer for knocking rawlplugs and screws in up ladders times money

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I got castigated for butchering a 6" Record G cramp on a job, I had to chop 3" off the screw and weld the tommy bar back on but at the end of the day it was a toss up between the cramp @ £25 or another day plus the travel (not allowed for in the quote) and so £200 lost!

 

[MattF]

i use - my rechargeable drill as a hammer for knocking rawlplugs and screws in up ladders times money

The old time is money thing never bothered me as such. I've always merrily carried on until the job was done, so it was always just more a convenience thing with me. Wouldn't have whaled away with it like it was a sledgehammer mind. Don't like using tools for things other than their intended purpose as a rule, but there are occasions when convenience wins out.

On about the time thing, one of my old bosses eventually grew to overlook my tardiness where morning starts were concerned, (it took him a while mind, as he was an ex forces type who was obsessed with routine and good time-keeping ), as he knew I'd always get the work done before going home, no matter what time I ended up finishing, and I never expected or asked for overtime in return. I did push my luck the morning I was supposed to pick him up for work though. Found him waiting at the bus stop when I eventually got there. He never forgave me for making him late for work for the first time in his life.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I bought a repair kit because the local Snap On dealer wouldn't repair it. He offered to sell me a kit for the list price of £36 or take my ratchet handle in p/X against a new one, which was still going to cost me an additional £80.

And if it is a free item why do they sell them for £36?

Because somebody will buy them...
Like Halfords also sell them despite replacing them for free as mentioned on I think this thread.
I have bought the replacement knuckles for breaker bars (well, included in the deal but essentially the same as buying). They are free when you take a broken bar in as that's warranty however I got them so that I can change them myself to finish a job then get the replacement FOC at a convenient time.

Ratchet failures are warranty, and I have had them replaced as such. The only time this could be an issue is if you brought it in with a big bend in the handle from sticking a pipe on or signs of serious hammer marks, which in fairness to SO is overstepping the mark when it comes to appropriate usage - it's abuse.

I will try to remember to ask my SO man about the older ratchet warranty but I am certain it covers any age. I have obviously never had any questions when taking things in.

Well it took me a while to remember to ask the question, but I've checked and the SO warranty does cover ratchets of all ages. They shouldn't attempt to charge for a repair, if they won't do it for free then there is something wrong (according to my dealer). I'd be reporting any (s)dealer trying to charge me for a warranty repair such as on a ratchet.

 

[Kayos]

Forgot to update this, I kept the ratchet in the van and when I saw a snap on van outside a garage I just went and asked him

Fixed it on the spot, he said certain ones had a ball bearing that was a bit soft but as I hardly used mine it was one of the oldest ones he'd seen that hadn't been done, new guts in the head so should easily last forever now

 

[Richard.]

Forgot to update this, I kept the ratchet in the van and when I saw a snap on van outside a garage I just went and asked him

Fixed it on the spot, he said certain ones had a ball bearing that was a bit soft but as I hardly used mine it was one of the oldest ones he'd seen that hadn't been done, new guts in the head so should easily last forever now

FOC?

 

[Kayos]

FOC?

I am a true Yorkshireman, had it not been FOC there would have been a "bloody snap on man tried to charge me" thread posted

 

[Richard.]

Nice one. Yes that will last you forever mate. I have one of the ball bearing type ratchets and one of the newer F80 types with the outer ring gear. The ball bearing type is waaaaaay better from a service point of veiw. The F80's finer scale is nice but I bet it won't live on those fine teeth as long as my old one.

 

[brightspark]

does that mean the older ones wernt much cop and not all they were cracked up to be

 

[Richard.]

does that mean the older ones wernt much cop and not all they were cracked up to be

The older ones were better IMO.

 

[Johnseat]

The older harsh toothed rackets are a lot stringer but when the teeth snap and they do then if you're not in luck and the dealer can't get the repair kits then it's a brand new ratchet, the new ones aren't a patch on the old ones.

 

[Bill Edwards]

All depends on what you use them for. There are some tight access jobs where I would hate to use some of the course ratchets that exist.

To be honest, the build quality of the modern ones doesn't really bother me as they get repaired FOC anyway. Provided they aren't letting me down often I'm happy.

 

[DAPPH]

Britool 30 years ago was quite literally as good as tools got. I too have a few sockets that I had handed down to me from that era. They were made to serve a lifetime. Sadly it's not today. The hallmark range is ok but this expert stuff is soft rubbish IMO. I can't think of a single brand inc snap on that produces tools as good as they did way back then. They are becoming more expensive and more throwaway. Regards to the guts in the ratchet if the teeth or pivot lock are broken then they will be changed under the warranty. If they are worn to the point it slips they won't. If the handle has a bend or obvious dents from extended sleeving then again it won't be warranty replaced.

Perhaps seek out Hazet or Saltus tools they are/were made to German aircraft industry standards , my stuff that hasn't been lost or stolen is over 40 years old and still OK

 

[DAPPH]

i use - my rechargeable drill as a hammer for knocking rawlplugs and screws in up ladders times money

Bleeding Savage , your supposed to drill holes for them first .