Things you would NEVER buy from Snap-On?

[back2class]

First let me say I think snap on tools are the best quality available across almost the whole catalog. I do think they are overpriced, but that does not take away from my respect for the quality. Others make stuff just as good of course but I think Snap-On delivers at all times where I have gotten some questionable quality from other big names at times.

THAT SAID;
What tools would you consider a complete waste buying from Snap-On, or something they produce that is inferior?

My top two that I just can't imaging any good reason to buy from them are.....

Adjustable Wrenches and Stubby wrenches.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

The adjustable wrench's are worth every penny,They feel great in your hand and the fit and finish are second to none.I upgraded from Crapsman and never looked back.

 

[bobadame]

All of them. I've made a good living for a lot of years using tools. Never ever bought anything new from Snap On. I have a couple of wrenches and a really terrible 1/4" drive Snap On ratchet. My Harbor freight 1/4" is so much better than the S.O.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

First let me say I think snap on tools are the best quality available across almost the whole catalog. I do think they are overpriced, but that does not take away from my respect for the quality. Others make stuff just as good of course but I think Snap-On delivers at all times where I have gotten some questionable quality from other big names at times.

THAT SAID;
What tools would you consider a complete waste buying from Snap-On, or something they produce that is inferior?

My top two that I just can't imaging any good reason to buy from them are.....

Adjustable Wrenches and Stubby wrenches.

Air compressors
Welders
Vises

Overpriced, re badged merchandise.

-BWP

 

[larry_g]

Drills and taps. We had an industrial contract with them and the drills and taps were junk. I was also not a fan of the measuring equipment they sold such as dial indicators. A couple instruments were floating around and just did not compare to the quality standards of B&S, Starrett, and other highend stuff.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Wesley B]

The adjustable wrench's are worth every penny,They feel great in your hand and the fit and finish are second to none.I upgraded from Crapsman and never looked back.

Yeah I guess outside of working on cars they can be useful.

 

[Gtamazing]

Calipers,Micrometers, and Dial Indicators.

 

[back2class]

The adjustable wrench's are worth every penny,They feel great in your hand and the fit and finish are second to none.I upgraded from Crapsman and never looked back.

Interesting, I had a 6" snap-on adjustable and other than the shine, could find nothing special. Sold it for something like $35.

 

[bestatv]

12 volt test light,tape measure,claw hammer,work gloves,etc.

 

[Bull]

Any "Snap On" item available at Costco, or a similar retail outlet.

My dad came home from Costco with a "Snap On" pressure washer, and I was just like "really?"

 

[ZRX61]

THAT SAID;
What tools would you consider a complete waste buying from Snap-On, or something they produce that is inferior?

Wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, anything electrical....

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Air compressors
Welders
Vises

Overpriced, re badged merchandise.

-BWP

x2


....that and I would never touch and of the "home owner" gift sets they allways push around the holidays -- you know, the one with one small ratchet, 8 sockets and a pair of slip-joint pliers in neat little case.....or like the one they had recently that was a measuring tape, a claw hammer and a wood saw......a SO wood saw??? seriously?? I laughed at the SO man when he showed me that one!!!

 

[Altec]

Most of the pneumatic tools.

 

[GTO]

Welders

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

ya , but you can buy with easy term truck credit

 

[Danglerb]

Nothing that is rebranded.
Nothing electronic test.

 

[jdv]

I was going to say any Costco items but I was already beat to the punch.

I wouldn't buy their locking pliers new. Better off buying Grip On's new for half the price.

 

[route246]

Absolutely agree. Their flashlights are atrocious.

Any "Snap On" item available at Costco, or a similar retail outlet.

My dad came home from Costco with a "Snap On" pressure washer, and I was just like "really?"

 

[porphyre]

ya , but you can buy with easy term truck credit

 

[back2class]

I hear ya about welders. I got one of those Astro brand mig welders made in Italy off the Mac truck when I was young and stupid. What a complete POS!!!! Made me ashamed of my Italian heritage.

 

[mofo62]

.

SO: Made in Taiwan*...



V!

 

[meank20]

Snap on Nitrile gloves. I'm damn sure not going to pay 4x extra for the exact same thing with the box they come in as the only differentiating factor. That goes for all the Snap on products like so. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=51540&group_ID=11818

 

[franzdom]

I was going to say any Costco items but I was already beat to the punch.

I wouldn't buy their locking pliers new. Better off buying Grip On's new for half the price.

And where exactly do you get GripOns for half the price? The Grip Ons I found cost more than the SO ones.

 

[canuckian]

claw hammer, wood saws, 95% of the Blue Point stuff, flashlights, measuring tapes, utility knives. There are a few others but can't think of them offhand. Basically tools that they blatantly and cheaply outsourced

 

[jsaw]

Most of the pneumatic tools.

I agree, they only last a year, then they are junk

 

[jdv]

And where exactly do you get GripOns for half the price? The Grip Ons I found cost more than the SO ones.

I bought Napa branded Grip ons for $15 ea

 

[earlthegoat2]

Prybars
Adjustable wrenches
Taps and Dies
Extractors
Punches
Hammers
Dial Indicators
Calipers
Tape Measures
Scrapers
Putty Knives
Welders

All that said, I would still buy all the good stuff from them such as ratchets, screwdrivers and various wrenches.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Dual80 ratchets (please don't stone me for heresy, I just hate them), toolboxes (would take my old Mac over any of them) and that's about it. Granted, I don't mess too much with their stuff outside of the hardline so my list is kind of short.

 

[shampoop]

Snap on Nitrile gloves. I'm damn sure not going to pay 4x extra for the exact same thing with the box they come in as the only differentiating factor. That goes for all the Snap on products like so. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=51540&group_ID=11818

A guy I know had some black snap on ones, they were insane! Much much much better than regular ones. Better fit and feel, way thicker and more durable. Cover your wrist too! They're the kind of thing I think people would use when doing something like a complete engine tear down or something else where you know regular gloves are going to tear many times over and kinda defeat the purpose. They definitely have their place.

And to keep with the rest of the thread, anything blue point. I bought a few blue point tools while in school because it was actually cheaper than alternatives at half off. Don't regret buying them, but found out first hand they're not special at all.

 

[Lewis.]

I wouldn't buy any Blue Point stuff to be honest...the whole reason I buy Snap On is because it's American made, and not Chinese junk. So Blue Point defeats the object of that. Saying that, I do own a Blue Point magnetic pick up!! *shock horror*

 

[4x4gearhead]

Wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, anything electrical....

really? I personally have never used a better wrench than a flank drive plus, the only gripe I have is they are thin.

I dont really buy much blue point, I would rather spend a lot of money on something that isnt chinese as apposed to the overpriced line of blue point.

 

[Jure]

12 volt test light,tape measure,claw hammer,work gloves,etc.

12 V is useful on bikes

 

[Jim C.]

Wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, anything electrical....

Yeah, me too. I'd never get my money's worth out of any of it. My decision really isn't based on the quality or inferiority of a particular snap on tool, but rather the prices in general. I can't justify their cost.

Jim C.

 

[Jononon]

Anything rebranded. It's usually available cheaper and as a private customer the S-o customer service advantage is slim to non-existent.

Dead blow hammers, see above, but, also, the fully encapsulated ones seem to spontaneously collapse after about 3 years, whereas my Thor dead blow will outlive me.

Screwdrivers. There isn't anything wrong with S-o screwdrivers, but paying a premium price for a push fit blade with basic sand blasted chrome tip? I just don't get it.

Multimeters. Used to be US made Fluke 88s. Now a Korean copy of a Fluke 88. Price reduction? Er, no

A guy I know had some black snap on ones, they were insane! Much much much better than regular ones. Better fit and feel, way thicker and more durable. Cover your wrist too! They're the kind of thing I think people would use when doing something like a complete engine tear down or something else where you know regular gloves are going to tear many times over and kinda defeat the purpose. They definitely have their place.

Rebranded Dynarex at twice the price. K-C Purple are the ones to go for, IMHO.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I don't want to start trouble with specifics, but I must say I'm surprised at some of these comments -- Stuff from SO core lines of tools that I use everyday and am quite satisfied with..... I can understand not being able to justify the cost as reason to not buy it - I would not buy SO for home use, but I have stuff you guys have listed as "junk" that have been in use nearly every workday for the last 15 years. Maybe I'm haven't been shown what makes the other stuff so much better or I'm just not that good

 

[Kirbot]

No machinist tools whatsoever

I'd rather pend my money with starrett

 

[Coolabah]

Anything rebranded. It's usually available cheaper and as a private customer the S-o customer service advantage is slim to non-existent.

snip>
Screwdrivers. There isn't anything wrong with S-o screwdrivers, but paying a premium price for a push fit blade with basic sand blasted chrome tip? I just don't get it.

snip>

Horses for courses !! I currently am having a love affair with SO drivers- seem to fit my hand perfectly, much better than my Sidchrome & Wera..IMHO...but they have all been bought on dog-scratch-bay Seriously- would I have purchased new ??? Hmmm... close call ...but totally agree with your take...

 

[TruckTech]

I agree, they only last a year, then they are junk

Dont go around making stupid comments like this.

My MG725 and MG325 have been kicking *** for 3 1/2 years now with no signs of slowing down.

Like others have said, I tend to stay away from the blatantly re-branded stuff, but I will buy it on occasion if needed. I enjoy buying things from someone I know and trust, even if I spend a few extra pennies.

 

[chadster1]

Dont go around making stupid comments like this.

My MG725 and MG325 have been kicking *** for 3 1/2 years now with no signs of slowing down.

......and there are a bunch of FAR72B's and FAR72C's floating around that have seen daily use for 10 years with no problems.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Prybars
Adjustable wrenches
Taps and Dies
Extractors
Punches
Hammers
Dial Indicators
Calipers
Tape Measures
Scrapers
Putty Knives
Welders

All that said, I would still buy all the good stuff from them such as ratchets, screwdrivers and various wrenches.

i agree with all nothe above except prybars really they imho are of higher quailty