Obsolete/NLA Snap-On Tools

[Lump]

I clearly understand when Snap On or any other tool maker cannot afford to continue making a tool which is no longer in demand. (IE: I have an old Kent Moore tool set for changing bushings in a 1937 Chevy water pump. If I broke a piece of that set, and if it had been Snap On brand, could I expect them to provide me with a new one just like it? Of course not. Sooner or later they would sell the last one they had on the shelf, and no way could they afford to run a new batch of tools which would never sell.)

On the other hand, if you buy a tool and it eventually fails, any tool manufacturer who sold that tool with a lifetime replacement warranty should do something to attempt to satisfy their customer. My experience with Snap On, Craftsman, and Mac over the years has been very satisfactory in this area. And Mr Shaun has shown his willingness as a Snap On Dealer to try and handle this problem...even though this is a different Snap On dealer's territory. Kudos to Mr Shaun!

I once broke one tiny combination ignition wrench, and took it back to Sears. But Sears only sold those thin little wrenches as complete sets. But out of my set, I had only brought the broken wrench in. The sales clerk was stumped, but called management, and they directed her to get me one of their higher grade wrenches in that same size, which they did have available singly. I was very satisfied.

But, if I wanted to replace a broken obsolete tool because nothing available now would serve the purpose satisfactorily, then I would DEFINITELY find another copy of that old original tool. And I would start by looking on Garage Journal and eBay. Next I would scour the flea markets, swap meets, etc. Sooner or later, I would find a way to fill that hole in my tool box.

 

[wornoutoldman]

I'm 29, and half the **** i bought starting out is NLA, went to complete a set of mid length wrenches, NLA, then effin' handle change after handle change so us techs are "less tired at the end of the day" spare me... if you can make a transmission lighter, that'll make me less tired at the end of the day.

Ha Ha Ha That made my day

 

[KrisKustomPaint]

I'm confused, is it like a speed handle with a ratchet handle on the top?

I think it was called a Flex head speed handle ratchet.

here:

a picture is worth an hour of bull ****.

 

[ngk22r]

I think it was called a Flex head speed handle ratchet.

here:
]
a picture is worth an hour of bull ****.

I had one of those.... key word, had.

Was a neat idea but when it came down to really using it, the spinning handle would bug me.

 

[ryannotbryan]

I'm quite fond of mine

 

[KrisKustomPaint]

Thats a pretty nice collection of SO ratchets!

 

[4x4gearhead]

I have only been wrenching professionally for 5 years and in that time Ive even run into a few things that were no longer available, like my 19mm open end ratcheting wrench which I dont care what anyone says when you have a fastener up against something and need to get the job done theyre the bomb.com A few things I was able to rebuy from ebay/craigslist but as far as snap on doing something for any of us i dont see it happening they just care about making money, if they warrant a 50 year old tool you wont have to buy another one to replace it bad business for them.

 

[mrshaun]

the srxm set is on edeals at the moment the 19mm is not though

 

[jwheeler]

Hi Guys,
I've been absent for a couple of days now...computer crash, plus backup device failure...

The discussion has been interesting to say the least. With regard to my NLA tools, you guys need to understand this:the greater majority of them were metric, popular in my BMW shop, used almost everyday and expensive. For example, on most BMW rear brakes, Snap-On's 7mm 3/8 drive flexsocket (FUAM7)saved a ton of time because it fit in a tight place. Since ours was broken, I have a standing search on EBay, Craigslist,local pawnshops, tool thieves, etc. Now many guys might not have bought that socket at its original $50 price, but just about everyone I know nationally who works on BMWs either had one or has bought the Hazet brand on EBay for $78, and uses that socket with great regularity.

I guess my point is that I bought a necessary tool at a high price, loved it and now I miss it. I've been pretty diligent at my efforts to replace it, but considering what I paid for it, wouldn't you think that Snap-On might just listen if all of us started trying to get them to recreate some of our favorite NLA stuff? After all is said and done, we all are really just tool guys...fixing things is secondary.

Again, thanks to Mrshaun...BTW, I need a point file for my son's 74 2002 BMW....

Jim Wheeler
BimmerWerks
New Orleans

 

[Griff93]

I've had these issues with Snap On as well. My dealer has been great about trying to take care of these things by giving me credit for the items. It's still disappointing though because I want the tool so I can do the job efficiently. I've bought some AST and Hazet stuff as replacements. AST does make an extremely short 7mm allen for doing brakes on BMW. It's p/n 307 07.

I've started making some of my own pullers and special tools but my lathe won't cut metric threads so I'm limited to what I can tap or use a die on for BMW stuff. The other problem is I can't harden stuff. I've thought about buying one of those smaller heat treat ovens like the knife guys use just for heat treating special tools and parts.