The C-Man Pro wrenches you are using are probably made by S-K. The new ones are reportedly not S-K, so you might as well look into a set of S-K Superkrome wrenches. IMO they are 2nd to Snap-on.
Just get Snap-on sockets, especially if you're going to buy universals. The Snap-on universals are much higher quality... just today at work I was comparing my boss's Matco 3/8 universal adaper, and his Snap-on equivelant. There is no comparison.
My C-Pro aren't SK (thank god) and they work great. Again, my standing offer is that I will trade any of my SK wrenches for a C-Pro, or even Toptul equivalent.
I agree on the universals about going with Snappy, there's no comparison.
Funny, my BOSS has been borrowing from ME lately... some of his junk Taiwan PT Tools stuff isn't cuttin it!
I torque lug nuts with a nearly new Snap-on click type 1/2 inch torque wrench that cost me $0. (yup, Dad gave it to me)
They probably leave them screwed in with the spring compressed all the time.
Nobody was talking about junk. I have a hard time understanding what you do. You have a small box, with a limited amount of tools (not that there's anything wrong with that, everybody starts that way), but your boss borrows tools from you? It doesn't seem like it's a mechanic orientated business.
Everybody at work takes the tension off their torque wrenches, nobody's that stupid.
Again, you're talking about tools your dad has handed to you. The OP is talking about buying tools, and you're not getting that.
If my daddy handed me Snap-On tools, I would take every one he offered. However, he didn't, and it's not in the card to buy them. You can't compare the two.
I personally doesnt care what other people are sitting here saying, for me, the so called "perceived feel" is that SNAP ON tools work best for me, they have little things that make a big difference to me, one is ergonomics, granted I went from using Craftsman cheap line to Snap-On, so the Pro Line may vary, but I know when I would have broken a cheap Craftman ratchet breaking torque on a component, my Snap On ratchets have held in there. I've literally broken a Snap On ratchet in half before, gear end and handle end, right between the 2, but the gear never stripped once, just POP and it was in 2 pieces. Of course I was using a 24" 15 ton jack handle on a 1/4" drive ratchet. I like how Snap On extensions have the knurling on the end, so if you can run the thing with your hands, rather than putting a ratchet on it sometimes if you need to, and it their tools all around work better for me... Call it dumb, or say I'm young and stupid, but I've probably logged more maintenance hours than some people in here talking(Certainly not all) on components that cost more than some peoples life savings. When I need tools, I need GOOD tools, and I need them to work when I use them, I cant have stripped screws, round heads off bolts, I need quality tools, and I think that if its good enough for the entire United States Marines, it's probably good enough to use at home or on my Chevy too... Take this however you may, I'm just throwing my 0.02 cents out there, and take it how you wish, but if I can afford it, I'll have Snap On tools every time.
Brandon
Several things I see here:
1. You went from bottom line Craftsman to top line Snap-On, not even close to a fair comparison.
2. Everybody had suggested Snap-On ratchets, not Craftsman, so that's a moot point.
3. You were being a f'in idiot having a 24" cheater on a 1/4" ratchet. P.S. I've stripped my 1/4" Snap-On, and it's never seen a cheater pipe. P.S. Your handle broke there instead of the gears due to the stress point you were putting on it. If it was an equal strength handle the entire way, the gears would have been gone. It's been my experience that 99% of people that break ANY brand of ratchet, were being complete retards while doing so (yes, I'm included in this).
4. I've never had a problem with stripping screws or bolt heads with my Craftsman tools. If somebody has this problem, I doubt it's the "tool" (at least not the one made of steel). Perhaps one would be better off learning how to use tools properly, rather than throwing money at something that's not the issue.
Last but not least, as eschoendorff, paramudduck and I keep trying to point out...
We're talking about a new guy, NO TOOLS, most likely limited budget.
Yes, he could buy a $3,000 Snap-On box the size of a suitcase, with another $10k spent on a couple of pliers, basic screwdrivers, a few wrench sets, a hammer or two, and a socket set.
He could then gaze longingly at his tools with stars in his eyes as he strokes his flank plus wrenches, twirls his screwdrivers, and polishes his ratchets. However, he still won't have enough tools to properly fix my f'in bicycle, and his toolbox will be smaller than my 4 year old nephew's.
He could also buy a $3,000 C-Pro box that he'll never grow out of, spend $5k filling it with C-Pro wrenches, Craftsman sockets and extensions, every C-Pro or Knipex plier made, and all kinds of Estwing hammers. Then he can take the $5k saved, and go buy Snap-On ratchets, and all sorts of specialty tools he'll need.
He'll be prepared to work damn near any issue needed while the other guy fondles his meager stockpile of shiny new Snap-On tools.
I can tell you really quickly which tech would stay in my shop, and it wouldn't be Mr. Snap-On.
I've had my fill of the Mr. Snap-On's. They scoff at your tools, then an hour later, they're begging to borrow a specialty tool they can't afford, because they still owe $5k on the truck, and I tell them to f' off.
The original poster is whipping out the cash to PAY for his tools and just wants an idea of getting quality without having to eat beenie weenies all week to pay for them. We all know Snap-On is top of the line but it's not the only choice out there. This ain't a storybook world we live in.... so you do what you have to get by and survive. If that means NOT going assshole deep in debt to the Snap-On man right off, so be it. It does not mean the end of the world ...it means your smart not to piss away your whole paycheck on the tool truck.
