Im starting to build my tool collection and i'm starting to work now as a mechanic on trucks and small engines for a landscape business. I can in no way afford a ton of snap on tools so I am buying williams wrenches and some grey pneumatic 3/8 sockets, so still quality stuff but what would you guys say that snap on makes that a tech just has to have? My uncle is a mechanic at a shop where the tool trucks come allot and would be able to buy me whatever i needed, so could i get some recomendations of what you guys think please?
What are some Snap On must haves?
- Thread starter Matt018
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volunteers
Well-known member
Nothing. Harbor Freight tools work well.
RKSpeed
Well-known member
You dont HAVE to have it, but their sealed head ratchets are pretty much second to none, thats just my opinion though. Their tubing wrenches also.
yjWrangler
Well-known member
Love their ratchets.
yjWrangler
Well-known member
I would buy the classic style first and if you like them, get the others
MrMark
Well-known member
Most people will say ratchets, picks, bit sockets, flare nut wrenches. I would say most anything they make will be either the best or close to the best.
chadster1
Well-known member
Handles on the ratchets are a personal preference. I personally prefer the chrome handle over the soft grip or the new re released hard handle ratchets.
RKSpeed
Well-known member
Dont buy new if youve never used them before. Buy a used one off from ebay and try it out. Who knows, maybe youll like SK ratchets instead of Snap-On? I would try the non comfort ratchet first, because I think you can buy and add the handle later on? Get the dual 80 ratchet too, wouldnt buy a lower tooth model.
edl
Well-known member
if it were me, i would buy one of their kits that has a ratchet, extension, and metric and sae sockets in say 3/8" - 1 set of sae wrenches (box/open) and one in metric
davesnothere
Well-known member
There is a definite difference in sockets.
archirelic
Well-known member
Get the 80 tooth Bahco soft handle ratchet's, exact same mechanism as the Snap-On dual 80's. Less than $30 for 1/4", Less than $40 for 3/8", and around $40 for 1/2". Great value, and if you like their ratcheting action, maybe invest in Snap-On flex head dual 80's.
yjWrangler
Well-known member
edl
Well-known member
no, no
a drunken jack ***!
a drunken jack ***!
balane
Well-known member
Homoudont
Well-known member
I second the dual 80 ratchet. Although there are plenty of cheaper decent ratchets, the dual 80 is my favorite snap on tool
Depends. If you're a collector or "polisher", you'll have to have them all. I like the ratchets. I only have a couple though and they've both been with me for nearly 30 years. If I ever run across any Dual-80's at a STEAL, (like 25% of retail) I'll get 'em. Otherwise, the stuff is just WAAAAY overpriced.
There's really nothing that SO makes/sells that you HAVE to have to perform the duties of a mechanic. Any type of mechanic.
YMMV though. I'm a mechanic. I don't "collect" tools. I've got (some) SO, (a lot of) HF and quite a bit of everything in between. With adequate technical support materials, I can work on (with success) anything except the human body.
Sometimes my tools get beat on. I don't like to beat on jewelry or tools that are PRICED like jewelry.
There's really nothing that SO makes/sells that you HAVE to have to perform the duties of a mechanic. Any type of mechanic.
YMMV though. I'm a mechanic. I don't "collect" tools. I've got (some) SO, (a lot of) HF and quite a bit of everything in between. With adequate technical support materials, I can work on (with success) anything except the human body.
Sometimes my tools get beat on. I don't like to beat on jewelry or tools that are PRICED like jewelry.
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emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
What are some Snap On must haves?
deep pockets
deep pockets
That's just another example of what I don't get. It's a TOOL for cryin' out loud! Are you gonna FIX sump'n with it or SLEEP on the sonofabitch??!!?
That's just another example of what I don't get. It's a TOOL for cryin' out loud! Are you gonna FIX sump'n with it or SLEEP on the sonofabitch??!!?
The chrome handles are too small for my big hands
Well..... ya know what they say about big hands......The chrome handles are too small for my big hands
I don't have that problem!
canuckian
Well-known member
Ratchets, picks, line wrenches(if you need them) and if you like nut drivers, the SO's are my favorite. Their 6 point sockets are damn nice as well.
The difference in price between the chrome handle and the comfort grips is minimal...maybe $5-10 . Try both and buy what you like. I like the comfort grips and hard handles because I find the 3/8 and 1/4 chrome handles to be too small.
The difference in price between the chrome handle and the comfort grips is minimal...maybe $5-10 . Try both and buy what you like. I like the comfort grips and hard handles because I find the 3/8 and 1/4 chrome handles to be too small.
e30bradley
Well-known member
I would say ... everything. defiantly their ratchets and wrenches. then sockets and bit sockets. then everything else.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive Dual 80 ratchets (both in std. and flex head)
Ratcheting screwdrivers in both std. grip and stubby grip
metal tipped ball peen dead blow hammers
polished line/flare nut wrenches
IIHO, the above are far better or far more effective at doing a job well then the competition for the work I do.
And BTW--when I sleep with my tools, I'm at least courteous enough to buy them dinner first.
Wait...huh?
LOL.
Ratcheting screwdrivers in both std. grip and stubby grip
metal tipped ball peen dead blow hammers
polished line/flare nut wrenches
IIHO, the above are far better or far more effective at doing a job well then the competition for the work I do.
And BTW--when I sleep with my tools, I'm at least courteous enough to buy them dinner first.
Wait...huh?
LOL.
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That's just another example of what I don't get. It's a TOOL for cryin' out loud! Are you gonna FIX sump'n with it or SLEEP on the sonofabitch??!!?
When working with the ratchets all day everyday i find the softgrip ratchets much more comfortable.
Okay so looking on there website I definetly want a dual 80 long handled flex head cushion grip ratchet.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21365&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
There screw drivers are also very good looking and ive heard allot about them so im thinking this set
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20403&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
and also the hook and pic sets look nice are they good to buy from snap on? or is a lesser expensive set just as good? I like the look of this one
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13338&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Also i have heard that the ball peen deadblows are amazing what weights the best? the 24oz looked decent.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21365&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
There screw drivers are also very good looking and ive heard allot about them so im thinking this set
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20403&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
and also the hook and pic sets look nice are they good to buy from snap on? or is a lesser expensive set just as good? I like the look of this one
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13338&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Also i have heard that the ball peen deadblows are amazing what weights the best? the 24oz looked decent.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Ron89
Member
Not sure if anyone beat me to it but I must say the PH3050A Air hammer. I have yet to find something it can't dislodge or pound apart.
MrMark
Well-known member
I forgot the hammers and air ratchets. The hammers really are that much nicer than anything else.
balane
Well-known member
I have a set of instinct screwdrivers and they're ok but I don't consider them to be worth the money when you can get better tips and probably more comfortable handles for you if you take a look at Wiha or Wera. (And some others.) Plus they cost about half as much as Snap On. Since I bought a set of Wiha drivers I haven't touched my Snap On screwdrivers.
garfunkle24
Well-known member
The 4-way angle wrenches. No-one else has the right angles. Or buy cheapies and bend to match. Their heel bars are by far my favourite too.
For picks, Mayhew are cheaper and as good IMHO.
The dead-blow ball-peen hammers are sweet but IMHO for a guy building a tool set, there are better places for the cash to go. Get those after you have everything else you need.
For picks, Mayhew are cheaper and as good IMHO.
The dead-blow ball-peen hammers are sweet but IMHO for a guy building a tool set, there are better places for the cash to go. Get those after you have everything else you need.
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mossyboy6
Well-known member
I would choose snap on for whatever you use the most.
I would say the three things that you NEED from snap on are the following:
1. Fhlf80 -3/8 long handled ratchet
2. SHDX80R -Hard handle screwdriver set
3. 212FSMSY -3/8 Metric semi deep set
I have them and love them, they are the tools I use most often. I use just those three sets for probably 75% of ALL of the work I do.
I think those plus the Harbor Freight #45951 set for $179 will do most things.
I would say the three things that you NEED from snap on are the following:
1. Fhlf80 -3/8 long handled ratchet
2. SHDX80R -Hard handle screwdriver set
3. 212FSMSY -3/8 Metric semi deep set
I have them and love them, they are the tools I use most often. I use just those three sets for probably 75% of ALL of the work I do.
I think those plus the Harbor Freight #45951 set for $179 will do most things.
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