What other Snap on tools should I buy?

[ToolGlutton]

Hi guys,

I'm a weekend warrior and most of my tools are Craftsman. I'm still in college, and can not afford to spend too much money on Snap on tools. However, I do find that it is very necessary to buy ratchets and screwdrivers from Snap on. Even Craftsman professional screwdrivers are soooo weak.

That being said. What other tools should I also buy from Snap on? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[billymade]

A ratcheting screwdriver!!!
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/18800/18714.JPG
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=65&group_ID=702&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/42700/42673.JPG
Breaker Bar, 24" Stock#: SN24C
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=63429&group_ID=349&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Monster 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar! This is a "must have" tool IMHO but definitely get it USED; I got mine at the flea market for $30!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/42700/42672.JPG
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=63011&group_ID=796&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
I LOVE this tool; so helpful if you do wiring work! It is MADE IN GERMANY so there are other vendors that sell the same tool for less, most notably the IDEAL brand! http://www.idealindustries.com/

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/28000/27938.JPG
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=15611&group_ID=797&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Best damn crimpers I have ever used! It is similar to others out there so there are other vendors that sell the same tool for less, most notably the KLINE! http://www.kleintools.com/

[ToolGlutton]

Thank you. So bad I just missed one from the "Classified"


[QUOTE=billymade;245763]A ratcheting screwdriver!!!
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/18800/18714.JPG
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=65&group_ID=702&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

[

[billymade]

Anther favorite tools for getting hose clamps off and also anotther tool to remove door panels!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/55600/55599.JPG
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=81656&group_ID=17606

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/21600/21558.JPG
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12812&group_ID=1793&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

There are "other" companies out there for these applies here as well but I love the Snapon ones I own!

[fourfeathers]

Good calls so far. I'd pick a 24" handled prybar as a SO must have.
Skip the SO Adjustable wrenches, most pliers, power tools, and the air tools for now at least. Other brands will suit most fine.

Skip most extensions, but maybe a SO 6" wobble style would help out.

[speed bump]

Only SO I found that for weekend wrenchers was indespensible was an MT2500 scan tool. Other than that someone else makes a tool that just as good or better for my purposes.

[CAT_serviceman927]

If you are looking for a set of flare nut wrenches, Snap-On is the best way to go in my opinion. The fit and feel of them seems to surpass every other brand I have ever tried, including Mac and Craftsman. I see new and used sets on E-bay all of the time.

[Uncle Buck]

Good calls so far. I'd pick a 24" handled prybar as a SO must have.
Skip the SO Adjustable wrenches, most pliers, power tools, and the air tools for now at least. Other brands will suit most fine.


I agree, the 24" breakover is a must, if you can swing it get SO ratchets when stuff comes up you can afford. As for the ratchets don't worry about the sealed head jobs as must haves. Be wise and get good used SO ratchets for cheap money from guys here that consider the sealed heads as must have items. Guys are selling them routinely here for decent money. The new SO screwdrivers suck, buy the old SO plastic style handles from Williams new it would be money better spent. Stick with Channellocks for pliers, anything USA made and cheap for adjustable wrenches, Craftsman Pro wrenches if you can swing it, if not get the raised panels and you should do just fine if your any decent wrenchbender you should have no problems at all with them, I have never had one fail. Really reserve paying SO prices only for the quality tools you can get from no one else which realistically should be a very short list for a college student. :thumbup:

[MAD]

If there are any bit sockets(Allen/hex, Torx, triple square, etc..) that you tend to use a lot you might consider buying some from Snap-on. I just have a few in the most common sizes I needed for work. They always seemed tougher than most others I have tried.

I was reminded how tough they are just the other day. I have a Snap-on 1/4" hex bit socket that was a little buggered up from I don't remember what. I have not set foot on a Snap-on truck in many years so rather than trading in the bit I decided to dress the tip on my belt/disc sander the way I do with my Lisle hex bit sockets when they start to show wear. It took forever. That Hex bit was HARRRRRRD.

[Fedwrench]

It depends largely on what you'll be working on. I would see what bargains you can find. Browse a catalog to get some ideas. Their screwdrivers are great, as are their flank drive plus wrenches, and I like their curved jaw diagonal cutters. Consider what you'll use the most and look in that direction. Budget and bargains will set the pace. Good luck hunting,

[famou55TAR]

i bought my ratchet screwdriver two weeks ago. i love it.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/34700/34690.JPG

[wantedabiggergarage]

If you are looking for a set of flare nut wrenches, Snap-On is the best way to go in my opinion. The fit and feel of them seems to surpass every other brand I have ever tried, including Mac and Craftsman. I see new and used sets on E-bay all of the time.

If there are any bit sockets(Allen/hex, Torx, triple square, etc..) that you tend to use a lot you might consider buying some from Snap-on. I just have a few in the most common sizes I needed for work. They always seemed tougher than most others I have tried.



The ONLY other flare nut wrenches that I saw, that ever compared to Snap~ons (although I haven't tried EVERY one out there), where the JH Williams made, Kobalt ones. No where near as complete a set as Snap~on has, but covered most of the normal sizes, and if I need better (since my Snap set was stolen), I borrow some at the shop.

As for the bits, (allen, torx), for home, I use the Craftsman. Work uses Mac, since they service us (no Snap~on), but Snap's have lasted longer (they don't wear, they shear).

Flare nut wrenches are a pet peeve of mine. The Craftsman pro are better then the OLD Craftsman I tried, but if working on a car that gets parked outside (rust, salt, mud, gunk), if you can't afford the flare nut wrenches, at least look at their flare nut Crowsfoot (feet?).

[eschoendorff]

As for the bits, (allen, torx), for home, I use the Craftsman. Work uses Mac, since they service us (no Snap~on), but Snap's have lasted longer (they don't wear, they shear).



Damn straight they do. I bought T27 torx bit socket from the Snap On truck to work on Stihl equipment. They really torque down those T27 screws at the factory and I sheared that brand new T27 trying to undo the gear lube port on an FS 110...

I don't think that the Snap On's really hold up any better or any worse to be honest...

[Danglerb]

Snapon bits wear well, but break easy, so I use Hazet or Stahlwille for any bits with teeth.

+1 on the flare wrenches, I bought a full set of metric. Seems like half the fittings are so stuck your right on the edge of breaking something when they give, so I want the best wrench with the most contact area I can find.

Knipex pliers and clippers have me sold as well.

Lisle makes very reasonable quality and priced specialty tools, that I think in most cases are just as good or better than snapon, and I have no need for matching handles.

I figure buying tools cheap used, you get a chance to see what you like best. I only split hairs on most used tools, half a dozen wrench sizes, some ratchets (but I like more than just Snapon ratchets).

[rsanter]

I have the flair nut type of the crows foot wrenches for metric and SAE. great for use on lines and just hard to reach stuff.
can also be used ans a spare line wrench with the addition of a short breaker bar

bob