My grandfather's 3/8th ratchets - Snap On and a Plumb

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Dec 2025, 16:11

The Snap On is broken. Should I try to fix it or trade it in (free? I think?) for a new one?

The Plumb works fine.

: IMG_1689.jpeg (243.31 KiB) Viewed 451 times

Post by **volvolugnut** » 26 Dec 2025, 17:52

I would keep the Snap-on because it was your grandfather's. I might find repair parts.
I have a tiny 1/4 inch Plumb ratchet. I used it this week.
I have what is left of a large wood box of my Great Grandfathers carpentry tools.
volvolugnut

Post by **abscate** » 27 Dec 2025, 03:33

Yep. Get one off eBay and replace the little pawl inside. Don’t trade it in.

Post by **Sveedy** » 29 Dec 2025, 15:43

Doesn't even have the "push to release" the socket capability.

Post by **BlackBart** » 29 Dec 2025, 17:21

I walked into the Snap-on Man’s glorious truck once with a broken torque wrench and he scabbed the pieces he needed out of a new demo model and put them in mine. No charge.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 29 Dec 2025, 17:40

matthew1 wrote: ↑26 Dec 2025, 16:11 The Snap On is broken. Should I try to fix it or trade it in (free? I think?) for a new one?

The Plumb works fine.

IMG_1689.jpeg

They can still fix that old Snap-on, so many mechanics use that model still today, I'd guess its from the late '70's to mid 80's. I've got the same model in "Blue Point" which was Snap-on's lower priced line of tools.

Post by **matthew1** » 29 Dec 2025, 18:29

Thanks guys. I'll look for Snap On trucks.

Post by **scot850** » 29 Dec 2025, 20:27

You can also try contacting them directly to see if they can repair it or can put you in touch with the local truck.

Not quite the same, but my first repair tool I was given when I started my co-op training as an engineer was a Bahco branded adjustable wrench. That was back in 1979. I have looked after it and it has not had a huge amount of use but was always a good quality tool made in Sweden. When we move 5 years ago all my tools were transferred to plastic boxes to make the metal storage cabinet liftable. Once I finally got all the tools unloaded I found the special shaped bolt that holds the thumb screw adjuster had somehow fallen out and gone missing.
I contacted Bahco in a vain attempt to see if I could get a replacement part. They put the local rep in touch and he came back with the bad news that the tool was so old, it was actually an SAE thread on the missing bolt and all their stuff was now metric. He asked for my contact info incase he could find something. About a month later a package turned up and inside was an apology from Bacho that they were unable to supply the replacement part and instead included a brand new wrench! Now that is great service!

The kicker was a few months later when I was doing more tidying up, the missing bolt magically appeared in one of the drawers in my metal storage cabinet!

Have to say also had a couple of good experiences with Stanley tools with items that broke and they replaced.

Neil.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 30 Dec 2025, 08:24

I get attached to my old tools, especially if I bought them new instead of my typical used tool purchases.
But never attached to the cheap tools.
volvolugnut

Post by **BlackBart** » 30 Dec 2025, 13:44

Me too.