Inherited Snap On Wrenches, what have I got here?

[shaveradam]

I have been given two sets of Snap On wrenches. The first is a set of short offset SAE box end wrenches from 3/16ths through 13/16ths. Each wrench contains two sizes so a total of 16 sizes over 8 wrenches. Each has a model number on it beginning with XS as shown in the pictures. They do not appear to have ever been used however a few of the smaller sizes have some wear marks from being thrown in a toolbox for years.

The second is a set of open ended offset / angled wrenches. Again, these have a total of 8 wrenches but each is only a single size. The model numbers begin with VS and sizes go from 1/4 through 7/8ths.

Can anyone tell me if these are sought after and what the approximate values would be? I am trying to decide if I would like to keep them or sell. Most of the work I do is in Metric so I don't have a huge need for SAE but I like to have complete sets so if they're worth keeping I would try to find the Metric counterparts.

 

[ssdave]

The short box ends are just exactly that; short offset box ends. The open end wrenches are angle wrenches; made for taking off hydraulic fittings, the angled ends let you move the fitting 15 degrees at a time, for locations where it is hard to get much wrench movement.

 

[Cope]

You can price them out on Snap-on's website. I have the short box end set and use it frequently. Snap-on makes the best open end angle wrenches IMO because of the angles they use.

 

[2oolhound]

As you realize either of those sets are not anybody's 1st choice when setting up a tool kit. They're typically ones you'd add after you had your main working set and only see use when your main set has shortcomings for certain situations. I'll PM you an address where you can send those cursed things for proper disposal.









Those
are
the
sets
most
of
us
want
but
can't
justify
or
afford
the
cost.





YOU **** BUDDY!!

 

[T45]

Yep, those are both amongst the best of the best.

they are keepers.

/thread

 

[joel63]

Yep, those are both amongst the best of the best.

they are keepers.

/thread

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Don't you dare get rid of them!

One doesn't inherit something like those everyday.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Can anyone tell me if these are sought after and what the approximate values would be? I am trying to decide if I would like to keep them or sell. Most of the work I do is in Metric so I don't have a huge need for SAE but I like to have complete sets so if they're worth keeping I would try to find the Metric counterparts.

Looking at eBay sold listings the same double box set can go for $150-180ish, and the SAE Angle sets can go from $110-300+ depending on what's included.

 

[shaveradam]

Thank you everyone for the replies so far. I did go ahead and check on the SnapOn Website and the Box Wrenches brand new are $370 for a 9 piece set (I only have 8) and the open ended wrenches are going for $290 for a 7 piece set (I have 8).

I really don't want to sell them but I really RARELY use SAE sizing. I would hate to have them just sitting in the box taking up space but from what everyone is saying it seems they are definitely more rare than most other sets.

 

[FJ 432]

And they're in such terrible shape. I hate when the chrome blinds you.

 

[shaveradam]

And they're in such terrible shape. I hate when the chrome blinds you.

HA! Such terrible shape indeed.

 

[jrsulo]

Love the older script !!!!!!!!

 

[Davefr]

Thank you everyone for the replies so far. I did go ahead and check on the SnapOn Website and the Box Wrenches brand new are $370 for a 9 piece set (I only have 8) and the open ended wrenches are going for $290 for a 7 piece set (I have 8).

I really don't want to sell them but I really RARELY use SAE sizing. I would hate to have them just sitting in the box taking up space but from what everyone is saying it seems they are definitely more rare than most other sets.

If inheriting them has sentimental value then keep them as a collectible.

If there's no sentimental value, sell them and use the proceeds to buy tools that'll be more useful to you.

You'll do well since they look nearly NOS with old style logo's.

 

[thesilverone]

keep them!

 

[Provincial]

Buy the metric Snap On equivilents and keep those!

(Because this is Garage Journal, the enabler of tool hoarders)

 

[T45]

Buy the metric Snap On equivilents and keep those!

(Because this is Garage Journal, the enabler of tool hoarders)

Exactly this. its like a free 50% off.

 

[gdocktor3]

Those dbe wrenches are known as "Dwarf Boxocket" wrenches. I love them and actually own 2 sets of the older style as well as a new, modern flank drive set. They come in handy holding back on fasteners in engine compartments and tight spots.

 

[DSLTRK]

Damn, did he ever use those? Those are almost new condition. YOU ****!

 

[KM223]

I would buy those in a heartbeat! No question.

 

[chrisnazzy]

This thread should have been a survey. How many of us would gladly give you just shy of Ebay pricing for those right now, no questions asked. I certainly would. If you do decide to sell them though here are 2 things to consider.

1.) If listed on Ebay as a 7 day auction with a low starting bid and no reserve the final selling price will indeed be very close to the fair market value of the tools.

2.) Lots of us on here buy stuff like this on Ebay all the time. The tools you have would command top $ because they look almost new, have the old script, asumme no owner markings and they are the sets very few can justify paying truck price for.

If you do list them make sure you mention in it in this thread so we can participate and see whose pockets are deeper.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Jacobson]

Sell them. They have no sentimental value and will just take up space.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I bought a set of SnapOn metric angle wrenches 30 some years ago.. Don't use them everyday; but they are appreciated when they are used.

 

[dsimatt]

Better to have and not need than to need and cry buying new ones or using a pos HF knowing you once had these.

 

[doorfx]

I'll start the bidding
$59

 

[bdelmar2]

I used to always think I'd never have much use for those stubby offset wrenches whenever I would see them.

Then about a year ago I bought a toolbox from craigslist, mostly for the trans specialty tools it had in it. (it was definitely a you **** deal btw)

Also inside were 4 of the shorty offsets. I needed a wrench one day and was standing right next to the box and I happened to grab one of the shortys and it felt pretty good using it.

Over the next week or so I used them several times and found I liked them, so I went on ebay and found singles to finish out the set - except for the smallest one, nobody had that one for sale at the time.

For another week or so I used them quite a bit.

Then somehow I kind of 'forgot' about having them, even though they are right next to my build bench, and now I don't really use them.

Have to make an effort to remember I have them.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I personally would never sell them. But
If you don't need sae sizes sell them and buy them in metric. You should get enough out of them to almost cover buying the new sets.
I think the online bid is up to 59.00 so I will up it to 59.50 lol

 

[Empty Pockets]

I would keep them, I have a number of tools that I have bought for one particular purpose, used them, put them away, and late one night at 3AM something breaks, and that tool saves my bacon.

Remember, they don't eat much, and don't need refrigeration.

 

[matthew]

Personally it would hinge on sentimental value. If you're not a professional mechanic and don't need them, the value is in seeing them in your toolbox and letting them remind you of where they came from. But if that doesn't have any particular value to you, there's lots of other items I'd rather have in my toolbox.

If you sell them you may want to list them on the classifieds here. You would know they'd be going to someone that appreciates them, it would be an easy transaction, and probably save some eBay fees. Look at the classifieds, look at what percentage below the Snap-On website that people are selling for, watch eBay for a bit, it looks like there's several hundred bucks in them.

 

[matthew]

Anyone going to take a crack at the date codes on those?

 

[pi_guy]

I bought SAE and metric short combo over 40 years ago. They are my go to wrench and the short combination follows. If your using a ratchet to turn the bolt how much force do you need with the wrench on the nut 1/2 the time it wedges in place and your good. I can break most nut and bolt combinations up to 5/8 if there not damaged with a short box and combo wrench set.

 

[shaveradam]

There really isn't any sentimental value and I really could use the metric sizes. If anyone here is interested let me know. I will post to the classifieds later and may list on eBay but would hate to waste a portion of the funds to eBay and PayPal fees.

 

[DSLTRK]

Would $400 for both sets be reasonable?

I think that's way too much.

 

[doorfx]

I'll up the online bid to $61.00

 

[Two Speed]

My first snap-on set was a metric XSM set, back around 1981 in a roll pouch. Excellent set, and generally I think set the stage for me to prefer shorter handled wrenches since they don't have nearly the amount of clearance issues that, to me, seems like a relatively new trend of extra long wrenches being the norm nowadays.

Alex.

 

[T45]

My first snap-on set was a metric XSM set, back around 1981 in a roll pouch. Excellent set, and generally I think set the stage for me to prefer shorter handled wrenches since they don't have nearly the amount of clearance issues that, to me, seems like a relatively new trend of extra long wrenches being the norm nowadays.

Alex.

Snap on short wrenches are awesome (combo and dbe), because you can actually hold the thing in your hand like a wrench, not like a stubby that doesn't quite fit except with a contorted grip. Great addition to anyone who doesn't want to haul around extra amounts of mass, needlessly.

 

[chrisnazzy]

You can't list in the classifieds here until you have 100 posts IIRC.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[ssdave]

Ebay will give you the best price for these; typically about 40% of snap on retail is about right, if they're high demand items, will sometimes get up to about 60%. Ebay fees run about 15% of the sale price when you consider the fees on the sale, fees on the postage, and the paypal fees. You'll get somewhat low prices if you're not a long time seller with a lot of feedback; people are nervous about new sellers and their bidding reflects that.

The stuff that brings the highest prices are the no guts not glory sellers that start everything at 99 cents and let the auction price go where it will. I find that for good items, I get about 20% more that way than with fixed price listings. Fixed price listings give you a guaranteed price if they sell, but a lot of fixed price listings never sell because sellers have fantasy prices on their stuff. They need to price at least 15% below the top selling auction prices to have it sell at buy it now, and most look at the highest auction prices and add 15% instead.

The stuff that brings high money in Snap-on is current use and metric stuff: Metric socket sets, metric combination wrench sets, metric flex sockets, metric stubbies, metric long dbe, metric ratcheting wrenches, newer high tooth count ratchets, long breaker bars, etc. A lot of guys are in the same situation as you are; they need metric because that's what they almost exclusively use; they're willing to buy some nice SAE but only if it's stiffly discounted, because they use it more rarely.

Good luck with your sale!