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Are SnapOn tools really worth it? I turn the wrench a good bit, and have had wrenches fail and even literally explode. I have had the same set of craftsman sockets (give or take ) for the last 10 years, but I usually have to replace my socket wrenches at least every 3 years or so. Looking online, SnapOn sells a 3/8 drive wrench, just a 3/8 wrench, just the MANUAL wrench, no extras, it doesn’t play music get wifi or have a tv on it, for $78!!! What could possibly justify charging that much for a wrench? Even if I bought a WalMart wrench for $5 every year it would take 15 years to equal the SnapOn.
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[quote=”johnzcarz” post=42472][quote=”W00DBar0n” post=42368][quote=”jthomsonmain” post=42367][quote=”W00DBar0n” post=39317]What i am getting at is there is no point to use the tools you use as a badge of honor.[/quote]
But you always have the personal sense of accomplishment knowing that you are doing well enough for yourself financially that you can afford that $200 ratchet![/quote]
Tell that to a few guys i know that are 10,000 in debt to the tool truck.[/quote]It’s no different than anything else in life. People are in debt to buy that fancy car, big house, etc.
The way I look at it is – if a guy is making a good living spinning wrenches, and that’s what he loves doing, he will be using those tools 8-10 hours a day so why not have the best? Now, if we are talking about a lube tech making $9/hr with $10k debt for tools…that’s a different story.[/quote]
I just don’t see it that way, maybe it’s the rose tinted glasses i broke when i was young and made me a little cynical at times.[quote=”W00DBar0n” post=42487]I just don’t see it that way, maybe it’s the rose tinted glasses i broke when i was young and made me a little cynical at times.[/quote]
Arent we all a bit on the cynical side these days? With the world going to shit and all… All I know is Snapon/Mac/Matco (Sorry if I left any high end names out) are well worth it if you will be using them a-lot. The china wrench may work, but the expensive one will do it faster and better (in some cases). Back to that age old saying… “Time is money!”
The difference between a SO wrench and a Pittsburgh wrench comes down to the fit on the head of a bolt. I know my SO will grip and not round off the bolt, no matter how awkward the angle or position. It is machined to such tight tolerances. That’s what you pay for. That and the metal softness. I have quite a few China made wrenches that gave before the bolt did.
My snap-on wrench’s out due any of my craftsman wrench’s. hands down.
Professnal tools are the way to go. 😉[quote=”jthomsonmain” post=42493]
Arent we all a bit on the cynical side these days? With the world going to shit and all… All I know is Snapon/Mac/Matco (Sorry if I left any high end names out) are well worth it if you will be using them a-lot. The china wrench may work, but the expensive one will do it faster and better (in some cases). Back to that age old saying… “Time is money!”[/quote]
I should of stated this awhile back. You don’t have to buy super high end to do well, but you don’t have to buy super cheap to have money. I buy best-bang-for-my-buck tools. They are very well made, come with all the same life time no questions asked warranty but at a good price and don’t happen to round bolts off or break when your work them for years.
I’ve been slowly buying tools since i was 16. I never bought tools i deemed crap. I was taught at a young age by my dad(a mechanic of 35 years) to buy the best tools that don’t kill your wallet.So really what i am getting at is buy smart.
Btw, yes i’ve do buy mac and snap-on every now and again but i get 50% off when i do.
[quote=”DIESELBOSS” post=42510]My snap-on wrench’s out due any of my craftsman wrench’s. hands down.
Professnal tools are the way to go. ;)[/quote]+1 😀
Well, to the OP, if you’re breaking a ratchet every 3 years, you should probably get a better ratchet. Snap On is pretty much top of the line, but there are many brands that are just as good.
Oh my gosh you guys are killing me! Now I’ve found five MORE things to put on my wish list!!!! >,< LOL
If you try out the 80 tooth ratchets with comfort grip handles and the FlankDrive wrenches you’ll never want to use anything else. Keep an eye on Craigslist and local pawn shops especially. You can find some nice deals. Occasionally I’ve scored bigtime at garage sales when the seller was ignorant of what he had. Bought a set of 1/2 drive metric impact sockets for 50 cents each. They had a little surface rust on them from sitting around and people were pushing them out of the way to get at the shiny chrome stanley ones. Took them home and used a piece of scotchbrite with WD-40 to clean them up.
If SnapOn ever goes out of business I’m changing professions. I wouldn’t spend that kind of money if there was a truly equal tool for less. There just isn’t. They aren’t just a name and no quality like Harley or Peterbilt.
The tool guy I used to deal with started out selling Smap-On, now he is with Matco because he makes a better commission and benefits. There is a lot to be said about the Snapon name and its mostly hype.
I will buy any tool if its good quality and i get a lot of stuff from OTC from online venders such as ToolTopia because some of their stuff is also sold on the tool trucks.
All my ratchets are 60-80 tooth and I have no complaints about any of them. I like the feel of the ones from Snap-On and I also use Matco. I have a stubby flex with a ball on the end, it kinda looks like a sex toy but it is awesome in tight places.
I saw someone mention Pittsburgh tools, I buy their sockets listed with the ANSI rating and I can say they are decent quality. The first thing I do is throw the ratchet in the trash because its pure friggin garbage and I don’t want to skin up my knuckles when it strips.
Some of you guys mentioned SK, Sears, Matco and a few others. Danaher Tool Company manufactures Matco, Sears, Ingersol Rand, Fluke and a few others I am unaware of, its good business to have several product lines or national venders. If you guys don’t know this: SK was bought out by Ideal (the electrical supplier) a few years ago and I do not know if that affects the quality of their new or replacement tools.
I ended up buying Snap-On’s S713A 1/2 and FL80 3/8 ratchets…the 1/2″ was 80 off the truck and the 3/8 was 104. I didn’t care about the price (and still don’t) because the next day I bought them, a customer at my hardware store returned a crapsman that was two weeks old with the whole quick release mechanism destroyed. >,< I told him what I got and yeah, I may have lost a sale, but gained trust with a customer on my word. I also brought up Mac and Matco to him and he said he would look into all three but would likely go with Snap-On. When I see him next time, I will bring it up and see what he got then update ya'll on it. Ciao
For air tools – I prefer Ingersoll Rand… It just lasts…
Hand tools – I have a mixture of KC Tools, Kincrome, Sidchrome and Irwin (here in Australia at least anyways)…
I personally think a lot of Snap On is overpriced – I’m sure its better, but I really cant see much of an advantage between my KC set that I use daily, and Snap On…
JD 😉
i’ve only repaired about a dozen vehicles outside of working on cars at school, but my napa set hasn’t let me down. i’ve done valve cover gaskets, catalytic converter, brake lines, power steering lines, drive shaft, control arm… ect.
The Snap-on guy let me borrow a 3/8 and a 1/4 drive ratchet for a week. I’m sold. The 3/8 was alot better than my Craftsman, and the 1/4 was like night and day. My girlfriend even noticed I am less stressed when working in the driveway. Not having to worry about my ratchet spontaneously jumping into reverse or neutral makes a repair job go much smoother. They are pricey though.
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