Merkava_4
Banned
Well it's not like they slapped a sticker on it - they've got "Snap-on" molded in with the canister half - I'm thinking they must think pretty highly of the vacuum in order to have the vendor do that for them.
Which tools will you NEVER buy from Snap-On
- Thread starter gofastman
- Start date
Well it's not like they slapped a sticker on it - they've got "Snap-on" molded in with the canister half - I'm thinking they must think pretty highly of the vacuum in order to have the vendor do that for them.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Merkava_4
Banned
I'm thinking the guys who don't like the pear-head ratchets have never tried the Red Lube of Love in them - talk about a match made in heaven - oh baby! 
Uncle Buck
Banned
I will buy nothing new (Too damned high to justify the **** warranty)
No drill bits (just re badged)
No tap/die sets (Irwin or Hanson in drag)
The new screwdrivers even used (the handles ****)
any re branded overpriced ****
Any Gearwrench type wrench (Why, it's re badged)
That is the short list Only cheap and used from them, I used to drink the Kool-aid, but I learned. (weekend warrior perspective only of course)
Fools hill is a very long climb for some, fortunately I was not one of them.
No drill bits (just re badged)
No tap/die sets (Irwin or Hanson in drag)
The new screwdrivers even used (the handles ****)
any re branded overpriced ****
Any Gearwrench type wrench (Why, it's re badged)
That is the short list Only cheap and used from them, I used to drink the Kool-aid, but I learned. (weekend warrior perspective only of course)
Fools hill is a very long climb for some, fortunately I was not one of them.
AFAIK SO is the only one with the dual pawl setup in their ratcheting wrenches, I dont think the're rebaged
Merkava_4
Banned
The Snap-on branded ratcheting wrenches are supposed to be their own forgings using an imported mechanism from what I've heard someone say on the board; it might've been reversegear who said that.
Keep
Well-known member
It *****.
Oh that was bad....lol
Uncle Buck
Banned
But they do come from China don't they? If it comes from Taiwan or China, I would never pay the bend over price regardless how nice it is. I see Gearwrench as entirely different, they are a quality product (As are the Snappys I am sure) it is just the Gearwrenches are not priced in the bend over and assume the position range, making them much more palatable to me.
senlow
Well-known member
Good point. Rebadged, and poor quality.
Merkava_4
Banned
I've worked on enough airplanes, cars, and lawn mowers to know the difference between Snap-on tools and your average run-of-the-mill homeowner tools; in my experience, there is a HUGE difference.
And when I say enough, I mean enough to know better; not enough as in a lot.
And when I say enough, I mean enough to know better; not enough as in a lot.
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RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
Nothing until the truck comes by the house like the mailman does...
We think alike.
I've used Snap-On tools. Sure they're nice, but for the price I just don't see the return in better functionality. A socket is a socket, if they both do the job to the same standard. As a business owner, I have to weigh production versus cost. I just don't see a return in production or tool life from Snap-On tools commensurate with their increased price.
I don't consider it bashing the brand. The OP asked what we wouldn't buy from Snap-On. The answer for me has been, to this date, everything.
There was a time, I only bought Snap-on, I sold a MOTHER load of in the fall of 2008! It took many years, but I finally realized it wasn't worth it, period. If I come across something I needed and only Snap-on sold it, fine, but otherwise I have no use for them anymore.
The tools are nice, It is Snap-on and the dealer/warranty situation that sealed the deal for me. I wasn't getting my money's worth IMHO. I have given away Snap-on tools that I could not warranty, that were brand new defects, one of the five recipients is a GJ member.
Re-badges it what I used to refuse to buy, that goes for ALL truck tool companies.
HandyManny
Well-known member
Simple as this:
If you work as an automotive tech or auto mechanic (whatever they call em these days) and you need a tool or tools, then the Snap-On guy comes to the shop. Comes to you, at work, and have specialty tools available that no one else would sell in a store. You typically don't have the time to go drive all over town looking for a specific tool for a specific job or to replace a broken tool. That is the service that the tool trucks offer above other tool brands. That is the advantage. That is what you pay for.
Sure there are other equally high quality brands and makers of tools out there. Others may ferociously disagree, but I find many other tools from NAPA, S-K, PROTO, Craftsman, Lisle, Channellock, Ingersoll Rand, Blackhawk, Williams, etc to be every bit as good as Snap-On, but none of those other tools will be delivered to you at your job the way Snap-On, Matco, or Mac will. You have to see it for the advantage they offer the techs.
If you work as an automotive tech or auto mechanic (whatever they call em these days) and you need a tool or tools, then the Snap-On guy comes to the shop. Comes to you, at work, and have specialty tools available that no one else would sell in a store. You typically don't have the time to go drive all over town looking for a specific tool for a specific job or to replace a broken tool. That is the service that the tool trucks offer above other tool brands. That is the advantage. That is what you pay for.
Sure there are other equally high quality brands and makers of tools out there. Others may ferociously disagree, but I find many other tools from NAPA, S-K, PROTO, Craftsman, Lisle, Channellock, Ingersoll Rand, Blackhawk, Williams, etc to be every bit as good as Snap-On, but none of those other tools will be delivered to you at your job the way Snap-On, Matco, or Mac will. You have to see it for the advantage they offer the techs.
I'm absolutely shocked by you guys not liking the pear-head ratchets; they're my favorite SO tools next to their wrenches.
I like mine too Merk.
trackwelder
Well-known member
The rebadged stuff is what I avoid unless I need it now. The two easiest tools for me to get warrantied around here are craftsman and snap on. I have plenty of proto, armstrong, mac, and williams with no convenient way of getting them warrantied.
Everybody has their favorite and I like snap on's hardline of tools. Do I really need them, no but they are the best in my opinion. And I love the new
80 tooth ratchets.
Everybody has their favorite and I like snap on's hardline of tools. Do I really need them, no but they are the best in my opinion. And I love the new
80 tooth ratchets.
Merkava_4
Banned
If it was the other way around with Craftsman being the truck distributor and Snap-on had the store, I'd rather go to the store and buy quality Snap-on tools. Quality means more to me than convenience.
I'm a tool junkie first and a Snap-On junkie second. The diseases are bad enough that I routinely buy tools that I don't need in hopes that I will need them someday.
What would I never buy [any more of] from Snap-On?
Off the top of my head:
Sockets in 3/4 drive because I cannot afford them and c-man ones work fine.
Most pliers (except channel-lock style) because I own a ton of them and the c-man equivalents and frequently reach for the c-man ones given the choice.
Most of the rechargeable tools because in nearly all cases, there are much more suitable tools available for the same money.
Most pneumatic hand tools for the same reason as above (1/2" impact is an exception IMO).
I used to think universal sockets belong on the list because I didn't want to spend the $$ for them. After breaking umpteen of the c-man ones, I folded and bought the snappy ones. Haven't broken one since.
I have a gazillion hard handled snappy screwdrivers and you'd have to pay me to use anything else. I love the way they fit my hand and they hold up unbelievably well in heavy use.
What would I never buy [any more of] from Snap-On?
Off the top of my head:
Sockets in 3/4 drive because I cannot afford them and c-man ones work fine.
Most pliers (except channel-lock style) because I own a ton of them and the c-man equivalents and frequently reach for the c-man ones given the choice.
Most of the rechargeable tools because in nearly all cases, there are much more suitable tools available for the same money.
Most pneumatic hand tools for the same reason as above (1/2" impact is an exception IMO).
I used to think universal sockets belong on the list because I didn't want to spend the $$ for them. After breaking umpteen of the c-man ones, I folded and bought the snappy ones. Haven't broken one since.
I have a gazillion hard handled snappy screwdrivers and you'd have to pay me to use anything else. I love the way they fit my hand and they hold up unbelievably well in heavy use.
That's an odd statement because most part suppliers stock at least channellock, lisle, otc, s-k and would be happy to deliver the tools along with your standard daily order -- and with faster turnaround than the tool-truck. Of course if you work in a huge dealership or something it might not be so easy to get that stuff added to the order, but for small shops it's part of the service.
Merkava_4
Banned
Vinko
Well-known member
I've picked up some things, not sure if they're rebrands -- but magnetic pick up by Blue Point. Also, stuff I know is rebrand like ear protectors, etc. that I don't mind paying more for. It's convenient and a quick price comparison showed me that for me it was a tolerable markup. It's probably not that way on everything, but on a few things, I'm fine with it. I needed a one center punch on a friday afternoon. Maybe it was a rebranded Mayhew. I ended up paying a few dollars more, but it didn't bother me. I got it within 30 minutes, finished my job, and went home
Autoguy
Well-known member
tools rebadged and made by other manufacturers.
They are excellent in wrenches and socket only.
They are excellent in wrenches and socket only.
Vinko
Well-known member
That's what I was thinking. Plus, there are the "industrial" distributors like McMaster, Grainger, MSC that can have Proto and Armstrong delivered, often times, same day, or at least next day.
Merkava_4
Banned
Does that mean you don't like their extension bars, pliers, or screwdrivers? If I had the money you Saudi Arabians have, my Snap-on collection would be WAY bigger.
Not me....I wouldn't be anywhere near the tool junky I am if Snap-on didn't exist.
I feel 'ya. It's hard for some people to understand the disease of wanting a complete set of everything Snap-On, ready and waiting for the next job.
You're sicker than I am, so I must ask if you have (as I do), a Snappy catalog in convenient reach from all commodes in your home?
I'm getting married this year and the fiancee shot down the idea of registering with Snap-On instead of Nordstrum. That was unfortunate, but I am planning to marry her anyway.
I drool over Mr. Big. There aren't too many places on the internet where I can make that statement and not be disgustingly misunderstood
Merkava_4
Banned
Oh I'm much sicker than that....I would never disrespect "the bible" by taking it to the toilet with me.
Sorry -- that statement won't fly with me, anyway.
Screwdrivers are top notch (and yes, it's true there are several manufacturers besides SO making awesome ones).
Breaker bars are incredible.
Prying tools are so good that while I obviously wear safety goggles when using them, I never expect to need them. I wear full face protection when using prying tools from other mfgrs.
Torx/allen tools, nut drivers.
PULLERS!!
That's enough examples, but I'm barely scratching the surface in terms of my beliefs/experiences.
Oh I'm much sicker than that....I would never disrespect "the bible" by taking it to the toilet with me.
You're killing me -- that's awesome.
I would agree with you if Snap-on really meant quality. I'll add torx bit driver sockets to my Snap-on, non-buy list. Snap-on torx bit sockets are weaker than say Gearwrench etc...I wish I had the money to blow, I would do a comparison test, then send you the broken Snap-on ones, since the replacement bits are more expensive than whole sockets that are stronger. I wish it wasn't true, but Snap-on means pretty tools or professional wrenchers tool candy.
I sent you some Snap-on tools Merk. did they look like quality to you? Really, get about 2 dozen of what I sent, and you might change your mind. Especially if you cannot get them replaced.Merkava_4
Banned
I got an email back from Snap-on corporate with the name of the new distributor....I'm gonna call him this week and find out when he stops by the Freightliner dealer.
goodfellow
Well-known member
Anything that's rebadged from other manufacturers. Such as Lisle, or Kastar for rethreading kits. It's highway robbery -- they just slap on the Snap-on logo and charge twice the price.
HandyManny
Well-known member
Not sure whats odd about my statement? Sure parts stores could deliver this suff to you, but that's not the same as having a stocked truck come to your shop and let you pick and choose.
HandyManny
Well-known member
Again, true, as I've had MSC deliver lots of stuff overnight, but it's not the same when have a stocked truck show up at your garage with tools.
Places like White Cap and Fastenal may deliver to the jobsite, but only what you specifically order.
With Snap-On, their prices are overly inflated for many reasons, one of big reasons is convenience. Most of Snap-On stuff is quality, but then again so are many other brands and makers, but try getting warranty service on Wright Tool, Williams, or even PROTO without having to mail them back. That's the difference with automotive tech tool trucks.
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Odd because if I break a set of Channellocks in the morning, [insert autopart vendor's name here]'s delivers a new set at lunch and if I'm lucky takes back the broken set for me. The job gets done.
The tool truck might be two or three days away from my shop and probably does but might not have the replacement or suitable equivalent.
If time and scheduling are relevant, the local parts suppliers should be every bit as important tool-wise as the stocked trucks are. Both are critical resources in serving customers.
That's all I'm saying. I would never diminish the importance of the tool-truck, rather point out that to consider the truck the be-all and end-all is to short change yourself at the end of the week.
HandyManny
Well-known member
You have a point there.
But, truth is, if I break a pair of Channellocks (will never happen) in the morning, I'll head over to the nearest hardware store at lunch break and pick up a new tool. That's the great thing about a tool like those from Channellock, no barrier to buy and available at just about any hardware store or any place good tools are sold.
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bgott
Well-known member
I can see why you wouldn't, the pages are way too slick...
Yeah, my example was pedestrian, but you get the point.
PS. In case there's any doubt, I do indeed love Snap-On.
DynoDale
Well-known member
They do raise the price, but they give you a warranty, too. That's the only reason I would consider the rebranded items. Would it make you feel better if they made it themselves, even if it was the same quality?
Ill second the Torx bits, I will admit i used them on an impact which is abusive
but the gun barley was hitting before they shattered. thank goodness for saftey glasses.