Snap on ratchet

[Everett]

Hi, i'm new here,thank's for letting join here, bought a old -vintage snap -on ratchet at our local swap meet, it was put together backwards, flipper on bottom, got that fixed and now i know why he did it, the center section has a broken gear, so he flipped it too use the other side, now the ractchet is model number FV-70 , is this ractchet any value , i only paid $2.50 for it, thanks for any info on years and stuff and do think i can get a new center mayby from a snap -on dealer.

[snapmom]

Its worth 20-35. Its a military rat from prob. the 60s. Snap on will not warrant it, but you might get a dealer to fix it.
If you want to order a kit from Snap on, would cost about 10.00 the kit you would need is RKRA380 u can get it right from there web site.

[Everett]

Hi, okay i only paid $5.00 for both, the other is a mac, unkown too , but ill check out mac site next, thanks for info

[JoshuaG]

You might get a dealer to rebuild it for free, they usually don't know anything about old Snappy stuff, or that there wasn't a warranty for military stuff. Heck, mine doesn't know some things about the NEW stuff. I had to give him the part number for the boot for the PH3050 air ratchet to prove that they exist, so he could order me one!

[Everett]

Ok i had some time tonight so i tore it apart, very easy, clean the 45 plus years grease buildup out it, soft brush the gears and found a looks like a small wire off a wire wheel , mucking up the turning, i did not see any damage too drive gear, it was the old grease throwing me off, rebuilt t it the right way, and nows turns freely , each way, but very loose, becuse there no grease in it, thats my next step, would white lithuim grease be okay as a filler in there, or what kind of grease they use

[agmechjake]

Grease isn't going to help with the looseness. I use S-cam lubricant for truck brakes. It is a silicone lubricant available at NAPA or other parts houses.
The MAC ratchet was made by New Britian.

[mechanic10]

30 years ago when that was the style of snap-on ratchet made.It was common for aircraft mechanics to reverse the lever to the bottom.That way we were able to push against the the ratchet top to get things started and run down a ways.

[Everett]

This why i collect and sell old tools, my swapmeet nickname is toolman, i love too lay old tools on the table, and wacth the old men tell the storys as they hold the tool , twisting this way and that way , telling me how they use this wrench or ratchet as the above poster says how they use this ratchet on airplane, things like that i never knew.

[snapmom]

You will have to tell us some of the stories, before they are lost in time.

[ToolMike]

Lube the older ratchets with a light oil.
Like 10 weight or lighter.
Grease is a no-no, especially on old ratchets...grease can prevent the pawl teeth from fully engaging with the gear teeth, because the pawl spring and ball cannot overcome the grease trapped in the roots of the gear teeth. This will cause the tips of the gear teeth to shear off under heavy torque loads.