Why I choose Snap On

[emrock32]

Well, everyone probably has a reason why they choose one company over the other. My history has started around 6 years ago when I inquired my first professional ratchet. It was a flex head Matco ratchet I found on the street believe it or not. I liked it. I used it. After a while, it broke. During the time it broke, I did not have a Matco dealer. I bought a Snap on soft grip 88 tooth. I had it up until 3 months ago until I traded it for the one with the quick release button. Never had to rebuild it. I have choose to go with snap on since that Matco broke. I didnt have a reason to choose so soon, but it has really paid off. I have since then had contract with a Matco dealer and have picked some stuff up. I am still not pleased with them.

The whole reason I am making this post is the picture below. I was using the snap on ratchet on the left(or top) on a nut after I broke it loose with a breaker bar. It is around 2 1/2 feet long. It still was to tight to loosen the nut farther and spun inside. I loosened it more with the breaker bar and then used the shops Matco ratchet which is about 3 feet long. It was rebuilt less than a week before this happend. Broke it clean off. I could actually use a duplicate of the snap on (in the picture) to remove the nut the rest of the way off without any problem.

Does anyone else have reasons why they choose a company over one another?

I actually try to stay with Snap on, Mac, and Matco depending on the deals, but mostly Snap on and then Mac.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Any brand of tool can and will break

Buy what you like and get 'em dirty

 

[chris142]

Most of my wrenches are Matco's. I really like them, I did break one by abusing it. I bought Matco because he was the only truck that actully stopped by of a semi regular basis. Now we have a SO guy that stops by often and I really like his wrenches.

If I had to do it over I'd go SO.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

Any brand of tool can and will break

Buy what you like and get 'em dirty

I agree!

 

[emrock32]

Any brand of tool can and will break

Buy what you like and get 'em dirty

True. But what I am asking/getting at is maybe stories or reasoning on why you go with a certain company or not. Pro's and con's in more than just my opinion.

 

[jjjrmx5]

During the time it broke, I did not have a Matco dealer. I bought a Snap on soft grip 88 tooth. I had it up until 3 months ago until I traded it for the one with the quick release button. Never had to rebuild it.

LOL. Even those that HAVE a Matco dealer can find themselves going 3 or 4 weeks without having Matco dealer.

I just had to source a local Matco dealer for a 1/2" impact rebuild kit. Partying with Charlie Sheen and coked up **** stars is an easier invitation.

And btw, Snap-On did not make 88 tooth ratchets. Nor do. 80 tooth aka F80's and S80's.

Even for the price, they are well built, dependable, repairable and, if you have a driver, forever warrantiable. LOL.




Most professionals do a better job with better tools no matter the profession.
Buy what you can afford but some things are worth saving for and spending on.

 

[t4runner]

I started working on outboard motors when I was around 13 years old I moved onto autos and made a living that way for around 20 years. I ended up working
for the countyfor another 25 years. Im now retired in all that time I have used alot of different manufactures of hand tools, in the end most of my hand tools are Snap-on. alot of tools will serve the handyman or DIY type but using a hand tool everyday you will see that products weaknesses. In the end Snap-on [IMHO] is for the most part a superior tool

 

[Murphy4570]

I buy Snap-On because I want the absolute best. They make the best hand tools and toolboxes as far as I can tell from personal experience.

On the flipside of that, many of the things Snap-On sells which is built by a third party is oftentimes NOT the best. Their welders come to mind, as do their A/C tools. I prefer Lincoln Electric for welders, and Robinair for A/C tools, for example.

 

[B18c_tuner]

My story

I was raised with the concept of "do-it-yourself if you want it done right". Growing up I used Dad's set of Craftsman tools. One day my Dad brought home some Snap-on ratchets from a local flea market. These were the TF936 and F936 in very good condition. Picked them both up for $35, at the time I had no idea this was quite a deal. I ended up using them on a routine oil-change and just fell in love with how they felt in my hand. Up until then I was one of those people that believed a tool is a tool and brand name did not matter and Snap-on was merely just a name with an expensive price tag. I didn't believe in spending $50-60 on a "used" ratchet when or Craftsman ratchets worked fine for the job. So ever since we've been collecting/ replacing the Craftsman tools with Snap-on. I now choose Snap-on for the fit and feel of their ratchets. And each job just feels right when using one for the task at hand. The icing on the cake is their pretty to look at haha.

 

[Syndicate]

I choose to SELL snap on because the re-sale value is much higher than most tools, and I can also buy new tools for less than list prices. I personally prefer MAC TOOLS to use, as that is what I grew up with, worked in the field with, and have a majority of. I do have a few snap on tools like adapters and extensions. But as soon as I find the MAC deal on those I will change them out. The only thing I have that is a must for snap on is the bottle opener, and the 1/2" long handled flex head. MAC makes a 24" but the Snappy just does it for me on those 2. Besides, my MAC dealer is actually a friend, and I do more business with them. Perhaps if I wrenched 365 days a year like I did over 20 yrs ago, I might have a change of heart, but for now it is MAC for me to use, and Snap on to sell.

 

[t100]

this place isn't called "Snap On Journal" for nothin'.

 

[emrock32]

I buy Snap-On because I want the absolute best. They make the best hand tools and toolboxes as far as I can tell from personal experience.

On the flipside of that, many of the things Snap-On sells which is built by a third party is oftentimes NOT the best. Their welders come to mind, as do their A/C tools. I prefer Lincoln Electric for welders, and Robinair for A/C tools, for example.

True! I really actually try to stay away from "their" shop tools. I havent had any luck with the blue-point jacks, snap on welders, snap on lifts, or A/C Machines. One shop tool I do like, however, is a OTC Starting and Charging system tester with Snap on Software at least. Its big and bulky though, but has built in printer, long leads, and on a cart with battery charger is underneath. I prefer the MicroVAT that was handheld, but only hung onto it for 3 weeks and sold for a hefty profit. $50 to 500$ profit on craiglist was really nice.

I also think their scanners are superior. I have used a small range in scanners, and still prefer Snap On mainly because of user ability. Its easy to use and figure out what you are looking at quickly besides going through 100 menus after vin input, just to get to the misfire counter....

 

[pipsters]

I'm a homeowner so Craftsman price and quality is fine for me. Snap-On does make a nice looking product though, never used any except a really old 1/2" ratchet.

 

[Tomg303]

Anyone think Snap On resale value will drop now that they are requiring receipts? Worrys me a little.

 

[emrock32]

They haven't had to have a receipt for me. I also do take alot of other co-workers tools (if they are not there when they arrive) and have it warrantied. They usually just throw the warranty part onto my bill for free and I leave like any other time.

 

[pipsters]

Anyone think Snap On resale value will drop now that they are requiring receipts? Worrys me a little.

If the policy stays that way and they have drawn a hard line on it, resale value will go down but it will take a while for word to get around.

 

[OEXL16B]

The whole reason I am making this post is the picture below. I was using the snap on ratchet on the left(or top) on a nut after I broke it loose with a breaker bar. It is around 2 1/2 feet long. It still was to tight to loosen the nut farther and spun inside. I loosened it more with the breaker bar and then used the shops Matco ratchet which is about 3 feet long. It was rebuilt less than a week before this happend. Broke it clean off. I could actually use a duplicate of the snap on (in the picture) to remove the nut the rest of the way off without any problem.

I'm trying to understand that section of your post. Are you saying a Matco ratchet broke while trying to remove a nut that was already loose?

 

[emrock32]

Basically. It could be turned with a snap on wrench, but not by hand nor the Matco wrench. Apparently it was just snug enough to break the ratchet. I probably should have just continued to use the breaker bar or an impact gun at that point, but everyone abuses a tool here and there when they are in a hurry.....

 

[NC-Fordguy]

True. But what I am asking/getting at is maybe stories or reasoning on why you go with a certain company or not. Pro's and con's in more than just my opinion.

Well...........

I've been turning wrenches for over 30 years. Not as the main source of my income, but as a hobby and a way to fund my hobbies. Hell I imagine I've fixed more **** for free than what many folks make during the week and unfortunately I turn away more work than I take in because of time and space restrictions.

In all of these years I can say there really isn't much of a difference between brands. I have both snappy and crafty tools going back to the 1970s that I started with. Got my dads 1950s era stuff. Fast forward to the current and I have proto, gearwrench, armstrong, kobolt, s&k, wright etc to the new carlyle stuff from napa along with modern crafty and snappy.

I don't have a favorite brand. I like them all and consider myself fortunate to have been able to sample so many fine tools.

I don't buy into brand x is better than brand y -I have a bigger **** thing. That's all subjective and is a point that can not be proven scientifically. I find this sort of banter unimpressive, divisive and a sure way to fire up a **** storm.

What I do find impressive is when folks show a cool retro project, a vintage car or truck thay saved from the crusher or an old piece of machinery brought back to life with their tools and even some of the ingenious ways folks have organized their tools

Like I said--buy what you like and get 'em dirty.

 

[OEXL16B]

Well...........
In all of these years I can say there really isn't much of a difference between brands.

I've had the opposite experience that you've had. In all the years that I've been working with hand tools, the different brands have always had a completely different feel to them in the way they fit my hands and the way they operate. I have to admit though, I'm probably more sensitive to tools than most people are and my patience wears thin real quick when the tools don't perform the way I expect them too.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I've had the opposite experience that you've had. In all the years that I've been working with hand tools, the different brands have always had a completely different feel to them in the way they fit my hands and the way they operate. I have to admit though, I'm probably more sensitive to tools than most people are and my patience wears thin real quick when the tools don't perform the way I expect them too.

I had a friend kinda like that but instead of tools it was women. He had a red head thing and only sought redheads.

I on the other hand preferred a variety of different types of women. Glad I was able to sample what I did before I got married.

 

[Jim85IROC]

My overall opinion is that the differences between brands is over-rated. I seem to break tools way less frequently than other people, but maybe that's because I have the time to go grab the right tool instead of abusing the wrong tool to get it done faster. I can probably count the number of tools I've broken on one hand, and half of those were because I chucked them across the garage in a fit of rage. I grew up using Craftsman tools, but recently I've started to branch out and I've started buying some different stuff... everything from Snap On ratchets & wrenches right down to Harbor Freight ratchets. I still haven't broken any of it. I like my $20 Gearwrench flex head ratchet just as much as my $150 Snap On flex head ratchet, and use them more or less interchangeably. I think that both of them "feel" far better than the Craftsman stuff that I've become accustomed to, but that's subjective.

 

[bcradio]

Basically. It could be turned with a snap on wrench, but not by hand nor the Matco wrench. Apparently it was just snug enough to break the ratchet. I probably should have just continued to use the breaker bar or an impact gun at that point, but everyone abuses a tool here and there when they are in a hurry.....

So you broke some wrenches too? Is this before or after the ratchet broke?

 

[jrlp]

I thought the same thing about SO, they're overpriced and do the same thing. Been turning Craftsman for over a decade. I'm on a first name basis with every employee at Sears, and have done work for most of them! Including the auto-shop guys (that wanted it done right!). I bought a 3050 a month ago, and saw first hand the difference between SO and others. I have since then picked up a fcf72 and a set of crowfeet (flare) and have been extremely pleased. I think I've used the fcf72 for damn near everything including as a bit ratchet with the SO socket.

 

[sk farmer]

Well, everyone probably has a reason why they choose one company over the other. My history has started around 6 years ago when I inquired my first professional ratchet. It was a flex head Matco ratchet I found on the street believe it or not. I liked it. I used it. After a while, it broke. During the time it broke, I did not have a Matco dealer. I bought a Snap on soft grip 88 tooth. I had it up until 3 months ago until I traded it for the one with the quick release button. Never had to rebuild it. I have choose to go with snap on since that Matco broke.

not trying to be a **** but please post pics of said "88" tooth snap-on. as far as i know all of the newer pear head type s-o ratchets are dual pawl 80 in 3/8 and larger and 72? in the 1/4. the matco and armstrong (danaher)brands have 88 teeth. as far as succes with tools i still believe your likes on truck brands goes right back to dealer. good dealer=good tool poor dealer= well you get the idea. you seem to be in the minority of guys who like mac, seems like nobody like mac tols anymore.

 

[emrock32]

Well then I remember wrong and it would be a 80 tooth. Not really the point here.

I did not break any wrenches, just the snap on and matco ratchets.

And heres another reason I prefer to go with professional tools rather than craftsman: They wont warranty me when I walk in now with a uniform on. Went there last year and they declined replacing 2 sockets and a ratchet, because i used them for "professional use". I asked for the manager and he still agreed. Even though there are toolboxes 20 feet away with pictures of a guy working in a shop and uniform, as well as saying professional craftsman right on the roll cab. Thats when I decided to start paying for "overpriced tools."
I rather pay the money up front when its 120$ for a ratchet than a $60 ratchet, so when the $60 ratchet breaks, i will have spent more money on that, then just paying the $120 professional one. We only have one sears and I'm not going to fight and plead with them to replace my stuff if I was wrong or right. I'm a professional, so I rather work with professional tool salesmen who actually respect their warranty.
Sears lost a good customer.

But trying to stay on subject: Why do or why dont you like a specific company?

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I don't really have a favorite brand for "all" tools since I think each manufacturer excels in certain fields. I wouldn't buy Wiha pliers, but I think their screwdrivers far surpass Snap-on. I wouldn't buy Snap-on sockets, but I think their ratchets are damned near the best out there (with SK as a strong contestant in the long-handle round-head category).

No company makes the best "everything", so I'll never have a bunch of drawers with matching brands.

 

[B18c_tuner]

What's wrong with Snap-on sockets? And what do you prefer for sockets.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

What's wrong with Snap-on sockets? And what do you prefer for sockets.

Nothing's wrong with them, I just don't see them as being worth the money when there are numerous other brands with similar quality for significantly less money. I personally like SK and Proto when I have to replace individual sockets in my big Craftsman set.

 

[B18c_tuner]

I can see what your saying about the price but I believe the quality is worth the extra $. Also just because the retail price is high it does not mean they can't be had for 65-70% off of the retail price. Buying used does not mean buying beat up tools. I just recently picked up like new socket sets for around $65-$70 a pop.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I can see what your saying about the price but I believe the quality is worth the extra $. Also just because the retail price is high it does not mean they can't be had for 65-70% off of the retail price. Buying used does not mean buying beat up tools. I just recently picked up like new socket sets for around $65-$70 a pop.

Snap-on sockets have never been better quality than any SK or Proto sockets I've seen/used. Just my preference.

 

[bcradio]

I can see what your saying about the price but I believe the quality is worth the extra $.

Boy not me!

I think they are great, but so are many other brands of sockets that cost much less. Also, the impacts (which I've never used myself) seem to get repeated complaints on here because they round out often when the import brands look great after many years of hard use.

I love Snap-On's wrenches though... especially the line wrenches

 

[osborn.ozzy]

Boy not me!

I think they are great, but so are many other brands of sockets that cost much less. Also, the impacts (which I've never used myself) seem to get repeated complaints on here because they round out often when the import brands look great after many years of hard use.

I love Snap-On's wrenches though... especially the line wrenches

I have to agree, NEVER had a craftsman socket give me a problem. Untill they do I dont see the reason to spend anymore money.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I thought the same thing about SO, they're overpriced and do the same thing. Been turning Craftsman for over a decade. I'm on a first name basis with every employee at Sears, and have done work for most of them! Including the auto-shop guys (that wanted it done right!). I bought a 3050 a month ago, and saw first hand the difference between SO and others. I have since then picked up a fcf72 and a set of crowfeet (flare) and have been extremely pleased. I think I've used the fcf72 for damn near everything including as a bit ratchet with the SO socket.

you have to go back to the store
I call my dealer ..same day replacement

 

[Tomato]

Also the days when you could go to sears and get a equal quality replacement are ending as more and more stuff from them is made overseas. Not to mention the quality is going down hill on a lot of the us made stuff.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Well then I remember wrong and it would be a 80 tooth. Not really the point here.

I did not break any wrenches, just the snap on and matco ratchets.

And heres another reason I prefer to go with professional tools rather than craftsman: They wont warranty me when I walk in now with a uniform on. Went there last year and they declined replacing 2 sockets and a ratchet, because i used them for "professional use". I asked for the manager and he still agreed. Even though there are toolboxes 20 feet away with pictures of a guy working in a shop and uniform, as well as saying professional craftsman right on the roll cab. Thats when I decided to start paying for "overpriced tools."
I rather pay the money up front when its 120$ for a ratchet than a $60 ratchet, so when the $60 ratchet breaks, i will have spent more money on that, then just paying the $120 professional one. We only have one sears and I'm not going to fight and plead with them to replace my stuff if I was wrong or right. I'm a professional, so I rather work with professional tool salesmen who actually respect their warranty.
Sears lost a good customer.

But trying to stay on subject: Why do or why dont you like a specific company?

Could you PM me the Sears store location/address, the store general managers name and the date of this incident. This is a violation of sears policy.

I have family that works for sears and may be able to help

 

[d.mcfarland]

Non-professional here. I buy the best that I can afford, plain and simple. New Snap-On is a waste of money for me because I don't have the truck to stop buy every so often, so if I can get a good used item, I may be interested, but otherwise, I'll just go with good name brands like craftsman sockets, chanellock pliers, etc ... for both performance, price, and warranty purposes.

 

[DFW-LSX]

I have been buying a lot off the SO truck since Ive been home, but I just buy whatever my guy has on his "weekly deal", usually 50-60% off so basically used prices for brand new stuff. But I'm not a brand snob, I only have taiwan Kobalt before frequenting this forum and never broke ANYTHING while building a few engines and working on cars with buddies. I just have a little extra scratch right now and don't spend my money on much else so the wife tolerates it.

 

[crewchief888]

seems like i started buying from SO cuz my 1st couple SO dealers let me have a little better "deal" (lower weekly payments) on a truck account, and i liked SO boxes much better than what was available from the other guys.

mac & matco always wanted a little more weekly on the same truck account balance.

but i've bought more than my fair share of tools from all of them.

 

[mopar01]

I will say that I do perfer mac tools over anything and there tool boxes as well. Just grew up using mac snap on craftsman and honestly that what's in my tooll box. I will also say **** breaks. We would all be outa work if it didn't. I'm really with the NC Ford guy on this " buy what you like and get em dirty". Some peole iv worked with and people I do now are snap on this and snap on that. To be honest I'm proballly guna trade my snap on impact sockets for macs because the snap ons are wearing out kinda quickly. At least my 10 and thiteen.