Tool Talk
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bonneyman on January 05, 2019, 10:48:11 PM
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Came across this pair of 1/4" drive rats yesterday. The Snappy could probably use a rebuild kit, but if it's a real oldie I might just leave it as is. Anyone give me a approximate date on it?
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Definitely keepers! Great find!
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Thanks!
The Matco is a keeper for sure. The Snappy will be given a test run, and if I end up not liking it I'm giving it to a family friend who is an S-O guy.
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Goooogle "Snap On Date Code chart." There's dozens of charts online.
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Goooogle "Snap On Date Code chart." There's dozens of charts online.
Doesn't have a date code. Closest I can get from online info is a military rat, maybe from the 60's. As such it's right on the border of getting a kit and using or giving it away.
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I've only ever had to look at the date code on a Snappy ratchet once. It took me a while to find it; they seem to have hidden them in creative places. Keep looking.
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Those military contract ratchets seldom have date codes and they made them for quite a while.
-Don
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I have a 3/8 drive of that type of Snap-on ratchet.
EvilDr235
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The elongated tear-drop handle makes the rat comfortable and easy to hold for such a short tool. I should probably just call Snap-On and have them send me a kit.
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I'm sure that Matco is really comfortable. I need to keep my eyes peeled for one.
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I'm sure that Matco is really comfortable. I need to keep my eyes peeled for one.
Yes - it's durn near perfect!
I had one probably 6 years ago that I found at a sale. But it had a grind mark pretty deep in the neck up by the head. I couldn't bear it like that so I tried modifying it so I could use it. But that effort failed.
Kinda forgot about it until I found this one the other day. By now I learned that the style has been discontinued by Matco, so I was determined to salvage it. Soak in acetone/ATF for 2 hours and the mechanism broke loose. Clean and lube and she's back to operation. I've also learned that Matco made two 3/8" drive versions and a 1/2" drive. Keeping my eyes peeled for those.
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No date code on my MV71 either.
Did you try asking on the "collecting snap-on" site? They might be able to help.
http://www.collectingsnapon.com
Mike
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Hello, Bonneyman. Nice finds!!! I don't do a lot of wrenching, so I have never thought about the ergonomics of a tool and its handle. I will be on the lookout for a Matco, although they don't surface much around here. Regards, Lou
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Wright Tool makes a 3/8 drive similar to that MATCO, straight and swivel head. I carry both styles with me for light assembly and startup adjustments on the equipment we install. The swivel head is only 5 1/2 inches long, fit into your pocket nicely. I think it is about 44 tooth ratchet.
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No date code on my MV71 either.
[snip]
The "V" in the MV part number indicates military contract. They are not usually date coded.
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No date code on my MV71 either.
[snip]
The "V" in the MV part number indicates military contract. They are not usually date coded.
Agreed, and I don't believe Snap On will honor any warranty for it either.
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It seems to be a mixed experience. Technically they are not warranted. Some dealers don't seem to know or perhaps care and will rebuild them or give out kits. I called corporate to buy a kit and they sent it free despite my offer to pay - even helped figure out which kit it took.
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I have a lot of those small Matco"s. Love them!
The Snap-On is probably from the 1950's.
I also have some of them in 1/4",3/8",1/2" sizes.
Hard for me to use as I do not like the handle type.
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The elongated tear-drop handle makes the rat comfortable and easy to hold for such a short tool. I should probably just call Snap-On and have them send me a kit.
Funny I just saw this thread
Got off the phone with Snap-on a few minutes ago looking for a part, one of the screws fell out somewhere, for my circa 1958 1/4" ratchet.
There are no parts to be found. I just wanted to replace the missing screw which they wouldn't send me, just a kit, that they say won't fit, or a whole new one - which I don't want as I much prefer the old chrome
Shouldn't be too hard to come up with a screw that fits, just have to brace myself for the ordeal of sifting through the huge coffee can of tiny nuts and bolts.
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Or you could use it as an excuse to go to a decent hardware store. ;-)
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The elongated tear-drop handle makes the rat comfortable and easy to hold for such a short tool. I should probably just call Snap-On and have them send me a kit.
Funny I just saw this thread
Got off the phone with Snap-on a few minutes ago looking for a part, one of the screws fell out somewhere, for my circa 1958 1/4" ratchet.
There are no parts to be found. I just wanted to replace the missing screw which they wouldn't send me, just a kit, that they say won't fit, or a whole new one - which I don't want as I much prefer the old chrome
Shouldn't be too hard to come up with a screw that fits, just have to brace myself for the ordeal of sifting through the huge coffee can of tiny nuts and bolts.
I wouldn't call that an ordeal - I'd call that relaxation! :grin:
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I've got an 18" galvanized drain pan just for searching through coffee cans and jars. :-)
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Or you could use it as an excuse to go to a decent hardware store. ;-)
Around here ?? LOL
One very small Ace hardware and a bunch of big box stores