Best way start snapon collection - sets?
- Thread starter jhl1963
- Start date
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
So are you collecting or using?
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Using:
Personally I'd start buying the next tool I need, a good used tool for a good used price. Or next set of whatever - sockets, wrenches, etc.
Collecting? What kind of collecting?
There's no secret to attaining Snap-On. You pay money to a seller for a product.
e30bradley
Well-known member
what girln said.. I don't think you save money buying the sets new if thats what your asking.
sberry
Banned
I got to admit I like the logic,,, help me save some money while I flush 50's down the toilet.
Sets don't ordinarily save you money, but they make you smile when you look at them. That said, there's specials more or less monthly on the truck (and online). "Buy the 1/4 and 1/2 ratchet and get the 3/8 thrown in" or "Buy this set and it's 20% off". So you can watch for those.
Aside from specials, how do you pick what you "need"? That's easy -- EVERYTHING!
How do you prioritize your "need"? What have you broken? Start with those. Then progress to what you use the most of. For example if you habitually break your 7mm hex key socket, you should get one of those. Next progress to the tools you use the most e.g. 10,12,13 mm combination wrenches and a nice set of ratchets.
Aside from specials, how do you pick what you "need"? That's easy -- EVERYTHING!
How do you prioritize your "need"? What have you broken? Start with those. Then progress to what you use the most of. For example if you habitually break your 7mm hex key socket, you should get one of those. Next progress to the tools you use the most e.g. 10,12,13 mm combination wrenches and a nice set of ratchets.
kiatech
Well-known member
You won't save buying sets with snap on unless the driver is running a deal.
win the lottery?
rice rocket
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Messages
- 3,175
Pawn shops.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
1cargarage
Well-known member
What has worked for me is looking for the buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deals. They appear fairly regularly on the trucks. If you do not have access to a truck, check ebay regularly. I got my 1/4" drive metric set this way (buy the 5-15mm deep chrome set, get the 5-15mm shallow set + ratchet FREE), along with many of my other snap on tools.
Example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Plas..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item20e1c0417a&vxp=mtr
Some things are easier to find bargains on than others. The general trend is this: the more common the tool (e.g. 3/8" sockets, chrome combo wrenches, etc), the easier it will be to find bargains on. The more specialized the tool (e.g. vehicle model specific belt changing tool, etc), you will almost have no choice but to get on the truck, or get online and pay the list price.
With Snap On, buying sets does not save a dime. I.e. the price for a 10-19mm chrome combo wrench set is the same as the sum of the individual prices. I do not know why they do this, but that's the way it is with them.
My personal favorite Snap On tool-
FHNF100: The best 3/8" ratchet ever made (IMHO).
If you are starting your Snap On collection, get one of these along with a 3/8" Snap On socket set. I got mine a while back off the truck BARELY used. The original buyer couldn't pay his bill so the set was repo'd. I paid the snap on guy the remainder ($200) and walked off the truck with a complete 3/8" metric socket set.
Hopefully helpful. Happy hunting.
Example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Plas..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item20e1c0417a&vxp=mtr
Some things are easier to find bargains on than others. The general trend is this: the more common the tool (e.g. 3/8" sockets, chrome combo wrenches, etc), the easier it will be to find bargains on. The more specialized the tool (e.g. vehicle model specific belt changing tool, etc), you will almost have no choice but to get on the truck, or get online and pay the list price.
With Snap On, buying sets does not save a dime. I.e. the price for a 10-19mm chrome combo wrench set is the same as the sum of the individual prices. I do not know why they do this, but that's the way it is with them.
My personal favorite Snap On tool-
FHNF100: The best 3/8" ratchet ever made (IMHO).
If you are starting your Snap On collection, get one of these along with a 3/8" Snap On socket set. I got mine a while back off the truck BARELY used. The original buyer couldn't pay his bill so the set was repo'd. I paid the snap on guy the remainder ($200) and walked off the truck with a complete 3/8" metric socket set.
Hopefully helpful. Happy hunting.
sberry
Banned
Naw, he knows the difference between want and need.
sberry
Banned
Sign up for a community college class. Go shopping at 50% off.
All of my Snap-on tools were acquired by buying sets on eBay. These days, they look to be about 1/2 of retail or thereabouts...not the smoking deal that this stuff was five years ago.
Huh...looking on eBay, the prices do seem to have increased over time. lol. I probably should sell some of my tools and make some mad profits. One thing I ended up with, since I have a case OCD, are several sets of those wrench briefcase sets.
Huh...looking on eBay, the prices do seem to have increased over time. lol. I probably should sell some of my tools and make some mad profits. One thing I ended up with, since I have a case OCD, are several sets of those wrench briefcase sets.
View media item 38645
Craigslist, ebay and auctions. bought this stuff from a retiring mechanic on CL. If you have any local municipality auctions check them out, Ive picked up a couple of tool boxes there loaded with tool and pulled out some nice truck brand stuff for a good deal.
Craigslist, ebay and auctions. bought this stuff from a retiring mechanic on CL. If you have any local municipality auctions check them out, Ive picked up a couple of tool boxes there loaded with tool and pulled out some nice truck brand stuff for a good deal.
Pumpman1968
Well-known member
Huh.......might not be a bad idea!
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Cheapest way to get em is to buy whats on special off your truck. Especially when the deals include promo items.
Thats all I really want to say on the subject...
Thats all I really want to say on the subject...
I've thought of that, just don't know if welding classes are covered by the tool truck student programs
joel63
Well-known member
What has worked for me is looking for the buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deals. They appear fairly regularly on the trucks. If you do not have access to a truck, check ebay regularly. I got my 1/4" drive metric set this way (buy the 5-15mm deep chrome set, get the 5-15mm shallow set + ratchet FREE), along with many of my other snap on tools.
Example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Plas..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item20e1c0417a&vxp=mtr
Some things are easier to find bargains on than others. The general trend is this: the more common the tool (e.g. 3/8" sockets, chrome combo wrenches, etc), the easier it will be to find bargains on. The more specialized the tool (e.g. vehicle model specific belt changing tool, etc), you will almost have no choice but to get on the truck, or get online and pay the list price.
With Snap On, buying sets does not save a dime. I.e. the price for a 10-19mm chrome combo wrench set is the same as the sum of the individual prices. I do not know why they do this, but that's the way it is with them.
My personal favorite Snap On tool-
FHNF100: The best 3/8" ratchet ever made (IMHO).
If you are starting your Snap On collection, get one of these along with a 3/8" Snap On socket set. I got mine a while back off the truck BARELY used. The original buyer couldn't pay his bill so the set was repo'd. I paid the snap on guy the remainder ($200) and walked off the truck with a complete 3/8" metric socket set.
Hopefully helpful. Happy hunting.
If you have the $$$$$$$$'s to spare this is a good deal. (many won't agree with me, but that's ok.) This set will give you a good start for 1/4 capability.
Be patient and in time you will acquire what you need or want.
Bottom line if you going to invest in Snap On, think long and hard on what you want to get, and then go for it.
Also keep in mind prices go up quite often, so don't wait too long on items that you want the most.
bcradio
Well-known member
What girl-n-a-garage said
I see this mentioned occasionally. Last time I checked you need to be a full time student to qualify. The only way I can see around that is if the school where you're attending a course or two had a rep whom you could order from directly but online I believe you're out of luck.
Pick a color or vintage and have at it.
IMHO, NO! I'm curious, what tools do you have now that you are trying to replace with snap on?
IMHO, NO! I'm curious, what tools do you have now that you are trying to replace with snap on?
DanCo
Well-known member
Throw all logic out the window, and make friends with the Snappy drug dealer. I usually keep a credit card on file, but pay cash most of the time. Be a good customer and ask about trade ins or repo 'd items.
Dan
Dan
IMO, that's one of the worst ways. You're nearly better off paying retail for new.
One of the best ways is to figure out what you'd like to upgrade, learn what the S-O equivalent sells for both new and avg. used and then look in the GJ classifieds.
I've bought some items new from S-O like my SSDMR4BO. Others I got were unused but new from techs needing cash like my strikable prybars. And yet other's I bought but in great, lightly used condition like my FL80, palm ratchet, flex head, etc.
I'll admit, I wouldn't want a strictly S-O tool set. I'm trying to get the best of what I can afford whenever I need a replacement, sell something off, upgrade, etc., and some times, it's not S-O that has the best reputation.
richfinn
Well-known member
Start off with the Bahco dual 80 ratchets
Look at the trade in box on the Snap On truck
eBay
Buy one get one free offers
Never pay retail
Look at the trade in box on the Snap On truck
eBay
Buy one get one free offers
Never pay retail
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
When I bought my mg725 I got the deep metric impact set with it for free. Those are the things to jump on because free stuff is great. I have gotten a few things like that, but you need to do it on the truck. I wonder if the website does or ever will do those types of buy one get one type deals?
Exceller8
Well-known member
Luck!! Seriously, I've got most of my Snap-On tools at swap meets, garage sales, and eBay. I always buy the best quality/deal that I can find. I haven't had any luck at pawn shops. They usually have beat to hell tools for like new prices. 
I agree with what 1cargarage and rich Finn said. Including that 100 tooth ratchet. I lubed mine and it so smooth you can barely feel the click of the ratchet.
Finding a good Snap-On guy is important to get quick replacements and good deals. All prices are negotiable. A good driver will give discounts to good customers. I suggest get a truck account pay weekly on some small stuff, build a relationship, and if you are treated well, then you should not be afraid to buy. Try some different guys, they are not all the same. They each have an area that they cover. You can set up a time and location to meet up.
In the beginning you can get stuff on e-bay and Craigslist, but you will get to a point where you have most of the regular stuff that is out there. So you end up spending more time trying to find a deal on items that do not show up often. Time is a factor too.
The buy one get one deals are the best IMO. If you get to know your driver he will offer you those deals.
My guy has a list of what I want and when it comes on sale or there is a deal we talk about it.
I have read on this board that there are drivers that charge full retail or give a hard time with warranty service. If you have either of these issues find another driver. This is why People *****. If you get good service and good prices and deals on good tools, you will happier when you use them.
Just my 2cents.
Also on the truck you can try the tool. My guy will let me use a tool and if I don't like it he will take it back as long as it is clean and not all scratched up.
Finding a good Snap-On guy is important to get quick replacements and good deals. All prices are negotiable. A good driver will give discounts to good customers. I suggest get a truck account pay weekly on some small stuff, build a relationship, and if you are treated well, then you should not be afraid to buy. Try some different guys, they are not all the same. They each have an area that they cover. You can set up a time and location to meet up.
In the beginning you can get stuff on e-bay and Craigslist, but you will get to a point where you have most of the regular stuff that is out there. So you end up spending more time trying to find a deal on items that do not show up often. Time is a factor too.
The buy one get one deals are the best IMO. If you get to know your driver he will offer you those deals.
My guy has a list of what I want and when it comes on sale or there is a deal we talk about it.
I have read on this board that there are drivers that charge full retail or give a hard time with warranty service. If you have either of these issues find another driver. This is why People *****. If you get good service and good prices and deals on good tools, you will happier when you use them.
Just my 2cents.
Also on the truck you can try the tool. My guy will let me use a tool and if I don't like it he will take it back as long as it is clean and not all scratched up.
ibedayank
Well-known member
to start with read this thread Snap-on is not the only quality tool maker
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136120
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136120
rsanter
Well-known member
Watch CL and buy a used box full of tools
Sell off what you don't want or what you replace from your box
Keep going
Bob
Sell off what you don't want or what you replace from your box
Keep going
Bob
87FoRunner
Well-known member
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Sorry I'm not being "that guy", but the story doesn't add up. You don't know about Snap-On, but you have just a "handful" of collector cars?
I mean ... you've been a member here for a year or more. So ... in my opinion, should be at least in the know of what's going on.
What are you trying to replace?? They must work at least decently enough!
1cargarage
Well-known member
Maybe he joined for ideas about how to improve his garage, but is staying for ideas about how to bolster his tool coffers. Sounds reasonable to me.
It's not easy to find the last few sockets or wrenches to make a full set if you have been buying them individually or in partial sets. For this reason it's a good idea to hold out to find sets right off the get go UNLESS you're getting such a good deal on separate items you can't pass them up.
Pretty simple, I've always admired snapon tools, was never in a position (or viewed them as on my priority list) to acquire them. Accordingly, I own craftsman tools that have served me well, but I'd like to upgrade. I never said I didn't know about them, what I said was that I didn't know the best way to acquire them because I've never been in the market. How many non-mechanics have ever been in a snapon truck? Likely not many....I've also never spent time on here studying snapon. Thanks everyone.
I have! But then nobody has accused me of being normal...
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
First thing I would do is email Snap-On, and request a catalog and price sheet...
Great reference and resource guides...
Great reference and resource guides...
Rickedstyles
Well-known member
And be sitting down when you look at said price sheet!