Vintage snap-on wratchet

[72 K20]

I have an old snap-on 1/2" drive ratchet that I got from my uncle a few years ago. I would like to know around how old it is and if I should go ahead and use it or put it aside. Im thinking its from the 70's and its not worth much.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[British Slave]

You should be able to show it to a Snap On dealer and he can give you the manufacture adte. There should be a number on it that tells the story.

 

[British Slave]

Here ya go:


http://www.collectingsnapon.com/index.html

 

[sweetk30]

there might be a thread on how to id them on here. if not thay can help if you post a pic.

and be carfull this site is major adictive.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/

 

[4X4HIGH]

I have one of those exact ratchets that I found at the junk yard about 20+ years ago and i've seen some on e-bay and they only go for around $30 on average.

 

[str8axle55]

There is generaly a character stamped near the reversing level, this would match up with the date chart. The chart is avail on the collectingsnapon site. Not all tools got stamped. That ratchet is fairly popular, you see alot for sale, not usually worth alot of $$, but a cool tool none the less. Go onto ebay and search for that tool #. It looks like SV-71A.

 

[72 K20]

Thanks guys. Mine doesnt seem to have a date code on it but looks like its from the 1960's or later. I will put it in my toolbox and see how it works next time I do some wrenching.

 

[4X4HIGH]

There is generaly a character stamped near the reversing level, this would match up with the date chart. The chart is avail on the collectingsnapon site. Not all tools got stamped. That ratchet is fairly popular, you see alot for sale, not usually worth alot of $$, but a cool tool none the less. Go onto ebay and search for that tool #. It looks like SV-71A.

Mine has the character but it isn't on that date chart that British Slave posted a link to.

 

[str8axle55]

Mine has the character but it isn't on that date chart that British Slave posted a link to.

Do you have a pic? Would like to see it.

 

[sweetk30]

i got one in raw steel with brass flip lever. was told its military issue .

 

[ARAMP1]

Shoot a PM to Confedneck. He'll be able to help you out.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Do you have a pic? Would like to see it.

Ok, I went to the garage and snapped a pic of it and now I see another marking where the forward/reverse lever is, is this the mark I need or the one that's after the part number? If the marking is the one where the forward/reverse lever is then it would make my ratchet a 1961 model.

 

[str8axle55]

Yup, the mark between the ON/OFF.

 

[K85 Octane]

these older ratchets were all USA made right?
I think that's the best part and hence keeping them would be my choice

 

[Confedneck]

these older ratchets were all USA made right?
I think that's the best part and hence keeping them would be my choice

Just like they still are.

Yeah, it's not that valuable. I have a collection of them in my truck, from the model-A assembly line version, to a 1942 military edition, to some as new as the 70s. That is not a military version, and parts can be had to rebuild it, although it takes two different kits IIRC to do it.

 

[scottsdale86]

Fortunately MOST of their tools are made in the USA. However some are not. The ratchets are still though. On these I found out the hard way.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=15007&group_ID=13798
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=91529&group_ID=24850
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=91532&group_ID=24851
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=86017&group_ID=23006

 

[Confedneck]

that tap set is complete crap, you won't find it on any truck within 100 miles of here...
the tap sockets however, you're better with the set made by lisle. it's a TDL8 I believe.

when did this turn into a "not everything they sell is made in the USA" thread?

 

[scottsdale86]

It didn't I know you guys catch a lot of flak because of that but it is not a snap on bashing thread. I was just mentioning it as you and k85 octane mentioned USA made.

 

[sweetk30]

the tap sockets however, you're better with the set made by lisle. it's a TDL8 I believe.

yep http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1158&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

thats what i have a LOVE them . worked great for years.

 

[British Slave]

Here is my Snap-On Midget M-70L. It is a 9/32 drive. Only have one socket for it, a Hinsdale 7/16"