ibedayank
Well-known member
better not buy BluePoint from Snap-on then
other brands that Snap-on owns are also imported
or a varity from Mac or Matco as not everything they sell is usa made
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Truck brand vs. other
- Thread starter 01ps
- Start date
better not buy BluePoint from Snap-on then
other brands that Snap-on owns are also imported
or a varity from Mac or Matco as not everything they sell is usa made
Flivver250
Well-known member
better not buy BluePoint from Snap-on then
other brands that Snap-on owns are also imported
or a varity from Mac or Matco as not everything they sell is usa made
I bought most of my tools decades ago and mostly Snap-On at that. I have been filling in the blanks the last few years and my hand tool purchases have been US made. May have bought a few German pliers. I have bought a lot of Wright tools lately and one or two SK buys. I really don't need much now, but will happily give free advice to those that ask. Shame on the companies that comprise American-made standards. It is more than just quality that is compromised, it is also US jobs and pride.
nato
Well-known member
It's all preference & affordability, but to shorten this possible debate; IF and WHEN you need that particular [tool], and it has to be a quality piece, you'll answer you're own question.
I bought most of my tools decades ago and mostly Snap-On at that. I have been filling in the blanks the last few years and my hand tool purchases have been US made. May have bought a few German pliers. I have bought a lot of Wright tools lately and one or two SK buys. I really don't need much now, but will happily give free advice to those that ask. Shame on the companies that comprise American-made standards. It is more than just quality that is compromised, it is also US jobs and pride.
Been going on for many years. Shame on our government, simple as that
joebachor
Well-known member
they feel better, look better, and perform better. i can afford them because i cant afford to have a lesser tool fail me.
sberry
Banned
I got under 10K in hand tools and got most of it, I cant think of any reason trading up to a bunch of 30 or 40$ a piece sockets would help. The one I have works just fine,,, how long would it take to recoupe the difference in price? How much faster anyone think they could do it with one?
I don't consider myself a golden arm but no one beats me up on stuck bolt removal and most of it isn't the wrench. That's why the basic set didn't come with every one they ever invented but shallow, deeps and set of various extensions and 1 swivel. I removes some bolts yesterday when someone said "I cant" , half the tools but the right combination.
I don't consider myself a golden arm but no one beats me up on stuck bolt removal and most of it isn't the wrench. That's why the basic set didn't come with every one they ever invented but shallow, deeps and set of various extensions and 1 swivel. I removes some bolts yesterday when someone said "I cant" , half the tools but the right combination.
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Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
The reality is that if the tool does the job it is ok the rest is preferance. Why do I say that, well american tools are not easy to get down here in New Zealand. There are many many many in fact I would say the majority of mechanics down here in New Zealand are making a living using asian origin tools. The guys down here with the snap-on or other high end USA and european brands are guys who have been around a long time or made the effort to buy those tools.
I agree 100%, but us Americans are proud of stuff that we manufacture as a lot of is symbolic and sentimental. There was a time when things were built the right way at a fair price by American hands, but sadly those times are a memory due to the B.S. that our government has put our manufacturers through. Buying Asian import tools is a slap in the face to many of us, even though we all have to do it at one time or another. It's hard to explain, but many of us don't mind buying tools from non-Asian countries (Japan being the exception), but Asian stuff is viewed as garbage more often than not.
byoungblood
Well-known member
In the internet age, the service aspect of the tool truck is starting to be diminished. It is far too easy to be able to order something off of Amazon, etc., and have it on your doorstep in 2-3 days, opposed to ordering it off of a truck and having to wait a week or more if the driver has to order it himself. Warranty is the same deal, if the driver has a spare, yes, you can get it swapped faster, perhaps even same day. At the same time, basic hand tools used properly usually don't break unless defective.
A new tech that can't get the student discounts is still hundreds of dollars better off buying an industrial brand for things like socket sets, wrenches, etc., if they want to buy a high quality tool once.
Specialty tools are where you still have to pay the piper. I can say from experience that the tool truck stuff I've bought used for a job and resold was certainly worth the money than dealing with the cheapo parts store/HF stuff.
A new tech that can't get the student discounts is still hundreds of dollars better off buying an industrial brand for things like socket sets, wrenches, etc., if they want to buy a high quality tool once.
Specialty tools are where you still have to pay the piper. I can say from experience that the tool truck stuff I've bought used for a job and resold was certainly worth the money than dealing with the cheapo parts store/HF stuff.
basspro
Well-known member
I work professionally in plant maintenance, so I cant speak totally on behalf of Automotive. I have worked on plenty of forklifts, sweepers, loaders, things with engines but that doesnt totally count, I still count those as "machines", although mobile. I could possibly see the need for special sockets and thin wrenches on todays cars. I simply do not need such items, I can make alot of different tools work. I have almost every brand under the sun, with Craftsman taking up the most space in my box and have likes and dislikes from every brand. I used to buy off the Snap On truck when I worked at my last shop, it was convenient to a point, but also not so much If I had to order something or wait awhile, it had its ups and downs, cost for sure being the biggest down. I am now to the point where I dont really need any more hand tools at work, or at home for that matter. I love tools but why tie up tons of money if half of them wont get used, so I learn to make the most of what I have and do pretty well at it without tearing up fasteners and parts, I try to work lean and smart.
That said I cant fault any professional for buying a specific brand of tool, if it fits your budget and you aren't going to miss your house payment because of it, fits your hand, style, whatever, and works for you, then by all means! Warranty is almost a moot point with alot of tools, some others its more important. If I just spent $20 on a Snap On screwdriver, yup, its going to have a lifetime warranty. $3 on a MIT Impact socket that I will probably never break anyway, I wouldnt think twice warranty or not. Enjoy your tools whatever brand you choose, and use em' the way they were meant to be used!
That said I cant fault any professional for buying a specific brand of tool, if it fits your budget and you aren't going to miss your house payment because of it, fits your hand, style, whatever, and works for you, then by all means! Warranty is almost a moot point with alot of tools, some others its more important. If I just spent $20 on a Snap On screwdriver, yup, its going to have a lifetime warranty. $3 on a MIT Impact socket that I will probably never break anyway, I wouldnt think twice warranty or not. Enjoy your tools whatever brand you choose, and use em' the way they were meant to be used!
sberry
Banned
That is pretty well thought out. I did break a couple cheap impacts I got at auto parts store, hammered the snot out of them on buildings and dozer tracks, they delivered a new one under warranty that I paid 3$ for ha.
If I need it am not scared to buy a cheap single from an auto parts store.
I buy a new socket or 2 on occasion just for convenience. 4$ to have another 9/16 around returns in a hurry, 40$ would be a huge decision. Cheaper tools make it economical to add duplicates to meet spikes in demand, we use it enough that we have 4 instead of 1, never broke one.
Found a wrench in a tool box the other day that had ruined the finish. It still works, will circulate it a little till it polishes up and toss it back in another tool box. We paid under 2$ for it several years ago, has been used hundreds of times, probably thousands. Only reason its hurt now is it got coffee spilled on it in a plastic box, does warranty cover that?
I have beat some of that stuff so hard I would be ashamed to take it back if I did break it. Cheap sockets have really came a long way in the last 15 years. New steel mills in China make them good for long time.
If I need it am not scared to buy a cheap single from an auto parts store.
I buy a new socket or 2 on occasion just for convenience. 4$ to have another 9/16 around returns in a hurry, 40$ would be a huge decision. Cheaper tools make it economical to add duplicates to meet spikes in demand, we use it enough that we have 4 instead of 1, never broke one.
Found a wrench in a tool box the other day that had ruined the finish. It still works, will circulate it a little till it polishes up and toss it back in another tool box. We paid under 2$ for it several years ago, has been used hundreds of times, probably thousands. Only reason its hurt now is it got coffee spilled on it in a plastic box, does warranty cover that?
I have beat some of that stuff so hard I would be ashamed to take it back if I did break it. Cheap sockets have really came a long way in the last 15 years. New steel mills in China make them good for long time.
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sberry
Banned
I had this debate before they had computers, the gap was closer than it was today. In 80 I priced, Cman was on a down slide but still could buy every hand tool they made for 3500 and included some boxes. Snappy was 35K and wasn't done yet. Todays dollars and tools are even cheaper, not quite as fine as some but Sears sets are 5 cents on the dollar compared to premium, better margins than they were 35 yrs ago and the quality on some items is better.
I work for an engineering company that does contract work for major industrial clients. We don't get too worked up about price of tools, equipment, etc because it gets passed on to the customer. So even though price doesn't matter much, we rarely buy truck brands.
If I need a special tool(s) I would much rather have it delivered to my hotel, the client, or available for pickup locally, along with all the consumable items I need for the work. Since trucks are independent dealers, I can't establish relationships with them at all. But I can establish a relationship with my account rep at various industrial suppliers and they can make all kinds of things happen for me.
My favorite brand tends to be whatever McMaster Carr, Grainger, or Airgas has. Amazon and Amazon Supply are quickly becoming competitive too.
If I need a special tool(s) I would much rather have it delivered to my hotel, the client, or available for pickup locally, along with all the consumable items I need for the work. Since trucks are independent dealers, I can't establish relationships with them at all. But I can establish a relationship with my account rep at various industrial suppliers and they can make all kinds of things happen for me.
My favorite brand tends to be whatever McMaster Carr, Grainger, or Airgas has. Amazon and Amazon Supply are quickly becoming competitive too.
trackwelder
Well-known member
Its been said a million times buy the best you can afford. It never fails when out with friends fishing or wheeling something breaks down. And the only 9/16 socket is some cheap import that splits on the first nut. I buy the best of everything from tools, guns, knives, even premium toilet paper. If your happy
with cheap tools, guns, dull knives, and your finger breaking through the paper be so be it.
At work we only use Proto and Snap On for wrenches and sockets. Tightening bolts and up to 2500 ft pounds destroys anything else.
with cheap tools, guns, dull knives, and your finger breaking through the paper be so be it.
At work we only use Proto and Snap On for wrenches and sockets. Tightening bolts and up to 2500 ft pounds destroys anything else.
ttpete
Well-known member
A good part of my tools are SO, but I don't have a problem with other makes if they provide something that is to my advantage. For years, SK made the best ratchets. They originated the yoke type flex ratchet in the early '60s, and it was patented so nobody else could sell one. SO finally made them after the patent expired.
I have German, British, and Japanese made tools, and they are quality. Taiwan stuff can be very good if one chooses carefully. SO buys in a lot of their odd tools, and I don't bother with them because I can buy better and cheaper elsewhere. This is especially true with electrical and electronic tools. Pliers are better from Channellock, Visegrip, Klein. Same with air and electric tools.
I've done very well shopping at used tool stores. They are the ones that buy estates and tools from retiring workers. There's nothing wrong with a used quality tool that hasn't been abused, and they can be had inexpensively. The other source, especially for machines, is machinery auction houses.
I have German, British, and Japanese made tools, and they are quality. Taiwan stuff can be very good if one chooses carefully. SO buys in a lot of their odd tools, and I don't bother with them because I can buy better and cheaper elsewhere. This is especially true with electrical and electronic tools. Pliers are better from Channellock, Visegrip, Klein. Same with air and electric tools.
I've done very well shopping at used tool stores. They are the ones that buy estates and tools from retiring workers. There's nothing wrong with a used quality tool that hasn't been abused, and they can be had inexpensively. The other source, especially for machines, is machinery auction houses.
DieselSaves
Well-known member
I had this debate before they had computers, the gap was closer than it was today. In 80 I priced, Cman was on a down slide but still could buy every hand tool they made for 3500 and included some boxes. Snappy was 35K and wasn't done yet. Todays dollars and tools are even cheaper, not quite as fine as some but Sears sets are 5 cents on the dollar compared to premium, better margins than they were 35 yrs ago and the quality on some items is better.
I think today's gap is as close as two to one on electronics to as much as five to one on most hard tools.
I'm looking through a NAPA sale flyer full of Nesco, Sunnex, GP sockets, SK, IR, ATD, GearWrench, all the tools you can imagine. Most of the tools are good enough to use for years. As far as I know, the tools below this level are home owner grade, so I'd say this is where I'd draw the line for everyday use. These are the tools I see sold at lots of auto stores.
If I match these items up with a Snappy sale flyer, the SO is more expensive by three or four times. Nothing to sneeze at but still not an unattainable gap for an interested person. NAPA also offers a payment plan for their stuff. The only massive gap I see is wrenches, the cheapest ones in the flyer are close to 10% of SO full list price but different leagues on quality.
kythri
Well-known member
NAPA also offers a payment plan for their stuff.
Since when? Individual NAPA stores/franchises offer some short-term credit to reputable businesses (Net 30 terms, that kind of thing), but past that?
sberry
Banned
Yes, I have accounts at 4 or 5 parts stores and have bought some hand tools from them. The stuff works fine and it doesn't get any better than a delivery truck if I want to the door with an *** kiss.
Even at McDonalds wages a tool that works near as good as any is affordable. I got stuff we inherit, were given or bought off the side is now decades old and beat hard, way beyond any one given mechanic and certainly not in the same league as a hobby shop, the stuff still works. Look at impact sockets today, cheap are good and I havnt split anything except a premium socket lately where someone drove it on, replaced it with one from the junk bucket that worked well enough we left it in service when we did score a replacement or 2
Even at McDonalds wages a tool that works near as good as any is affordable. I got stuff we inherit, were given or bought off the side is now decades old and beat hard, way beyond any one given mechanic and certainly not in the same league as a hobby shop, the stuff still works. Look at impact sockets today, cheap are good and I havnt split anything except a premium socket lately where someone drove it on, replaced it with one from the junk bucket that worked well enough we left it in service when we did score a replacement or 2
DieselSaves
Well-known member
Since when? Individual NAPA stores/franchises offer some short-term credit to reputable businesses (Net 30 terms, that kind of thing), but past that?
I don't know the extent of their plans, I've never tried to do it. I believe it's a way to use the store account. Their flyers do list the monthly payments for the large items, lifts, air compressors, large diagnostics packages.