I am in school to be a tech and can get student discounts with Snap On & Matco. I was wondering what the majority consensus would be on going with one over the other(hand tools wise). I have handled and used both and they are top notch. Both Snap on & Matco have dealers here in town I see rather frequently even though we haven't met them at school. So let me hear your thoughts & opinions Garage Journal??!!
Snap On vs Matco??
- Thread starter SoGaTech
- Start date
DTuck
Well-known member
Dollar for dollar I think snap on is better quality.
l like that snap on is American made too. I've got a ratchet by both and they are hands down the best ratchets on the market with Mac's new axis ratchet
Greg85mcss
Well-known member
Don't get me wrong I have a lot of matco & like their stuff but a lot is rebranded. You're paying more for truck service. Well with a student discount you're probably paying about what the tools would cost if they said gearwrench on them. With snap on you know you're paying top dollar for top quality. That being said sometimes you don't need the best. I would lean toward snap on if that item is a similar price unless one is much better. I would also start off with a nice bigger service cart and don't buy a bunch of specialty stuff until you know where you'll be working and what you'll be doing there.
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md21722
Well-known member
A lot of Matco stuff is imported and costs almost as much as the Snap On stuff.
There are usually more Snap On trucks so if you change jobs or move, there may be a Matco truck in your area.
Some Matco stuff is better than Snap On and vice versa. In other cases they are identical only the name printed on the tool changes.
Snap On typically has a higher resale on the Inter Webs.
Some examples:
Snap On screwdrivers are very good, as are the Matco rebranded German made Whitte ones.
Snap On pliers are fine, Matco has some of their own imported ones and also is big on reselling Knipex.
Punches and chisels, they both seem to use the high quality Mayhew ones.
Matco chrome sockets have the easy read large sizes.
Snap On Torx drivers with Zypher bits are said to hold up better than just about anything else, but their hex drivers in larger sizes are ridiculously long, whereas Matco's are shorter (better in my opinion).
Snap On's mark up on some things is kind of ridiculous. Look at their tap & die sets. To get the combination of all 4 small/large SAE & metric, they are $500 more than Matco or Mac. It's basically the same stuff, from Irwin. Or the splined extractor set made by Rigid. Matco is a few bucks cheaper for the same thing.
Over time you will probably end up with a mix of tools. Some folks try to stay with one to keep the weekly payments through only one truck.
There are usually more Snap On trucks so if you change jobs or move, there may be a Matco truck in your area.
Some Matco stuff is better than Snap On and vice versa. In other cases they are identical only the name printed on the tool changes.
Snap On typically has a higher resale on the Inter Webs.
Some examples:
Snap On screwdrivers are very good, as are the Matco rebranded German made Whitte ones.
Snap On pliers are fine, Matco has some of their own imported ones and also is big on reselling Knipex.
Punches and chisels, they both seem to use the high quality Mayhew ones.
Matco chrome sockets have the easy read large sizes.
Snap On Torx drivers with Zypher bits are said to hold up better than just about anything else, but their hex drivers in larger sizes are ridiculously long, whereas Matco's are shorter (better in my opinion).
Snap On's mark up on some things is kind of ridiculous. Look at their tap & die sets. To get the combination of all 4 small/large SAE & metric, they are $500 more than Matco or Mac. It's basically the same stuff, from Irwin. Or the splined extractor set made by Rigid. Matco is a few bucks cheaper for the same thing.
Over time you will probably end up with a mix of tools. Some folks try to stay with one to keep the weekly payments through only one truck.
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I'm just a DIY hack, but if I were you I'd be getting at least a couple of sets of their pinless swivel impact sockets from Matco. Likewise, I'd be buying Snap On chrome swivels, along with Dual 80 ratchets. And a BJP1.
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tonyciambrone
Well-known member
I vote Snap On for wrenches, ratchets, chrome sockets, pry bars, hammers, pliers etc.
Ask your Snap On rep at school about anything not on the website. Mine works with me for anything other than welders jacks lifts etc
Matco for screwdrivers (I really like Witte), maybe specialty tools but amazon or other retailers are typically cheaper.
Ask your Snap On rep at school about anything not on the website. Mine works with me for anything other than welders jacks lifts etc
Matco for screwdrivers (I really like Witte), maybe specialty tools but amazon or other retailers are typically cheaper.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Drop the "vs".
Add at least thirty other brands to choose from.
Research each tool.
Make Your best choice.
Don't overlook Vaughn and Trusty Cook for hammers, Lang for snap ring pliers, Wright for sockets and wrenches, etc.
Add at least thirty other brands to choose from.
Research each tool.
Make Your best choice.
Don't overlook Vaughn and Trusty Cook for hammers, Lang for snap ring pliers, Wright for sockets and wrenches, etc.
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DTuck
Well-known member
Just my .02 to the OP, if you haven't yet purchased the wrenches you're going to use everyday, I suggest you buy sets of Wrightgrips.
KM223
Well-known member
I'm sure it's "vs" due to student discount he would receive from either brand. Not so sure the same discount applies for the brands you mentioned.
fatfillup
Well-known member
Buy all the Snap on you can afford without going into too much debt, preferably no debt.
I deal with pro mechanics everyday and the ones that have been doing it long term always look to snap on first. Snap on not only has better tools, they are more likely to be in business 30 years down then Matco.
I deal with pro mechanics everyday and the ones that have been doing it long term always look to snap on first. Snap on not only has better tools, they are more likely to be in business 30 years down then Matco.
OP, use search and lookup 'student' and 'discount' with 'snap-on' and you will get a bunch of threads on useful commentary on how to approach the student discount programs.
I would say invest in some snap on, because you will use it and if you don't need it in the future you can sell it without huge write-off (holds value). But for specifics, you still need to research because there are tools which make more sense to buy at a discount under SEP, or to genrally buy first, etc.
If you get non-snap on, seriously consider getting less expensive brands. And if you buy non-snap on expensive brands, make doubly sure you are buying good tools with some resale value and not just over-priced relabels of asian widgets. There is some good stuff out there like facom and witte that is relabeled which is high quality; and then there is other things which are just marked up versions of kastar or mayhew tools you can buy cheaper elsewhere (like branded cman).
Whatever you do, come up with a 12-24 month budget and a gear list and do the research and excell math before blowing more than a couple hundred on tools. You will be much more educated and much happier with whatever amount of budget you have optimized across quality and priority as well as brand and discount available to you.
Good luck.
I would say invest in some snap on, because you will use it and if you don't need it in the future you can sell it without huge write-off (holds value). But for specifics, you still need to research because there are tools which make more sense to buy at a discount under SEP, or to genrally buy first, etc.
If you get non-snap on, seriously consider getting less expensive brands. And if you buy non-snap on expensive brands, make doubly sure you are buying good tools with some resale value and not just over-priced relabels of asian widgets. There is some good stuff out there like facom and witte that is relabeled which is high quality; and then there is other things which are just marked up versions of kastar or mayhew tools you can buy cheaper elsewhere (like branded cman).
Whatever you do, come up with a 12-24 month budget and a gear list and do the research and excell math before blowing more than a couple hundred on tools. You will be much more educated and much happier with whatever amount of budget you have optimized across quality and priority as well as brand and discount available to you.
Good luck.
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Each one has their advantages. Ones not better than the other, snap on makes some better tools, and matco makes better tools.
I prefer matco air tools over (yes it's rebranded, the truck service is worth it imo) snap on, I prefer snap on hand tools over matco.
One thing I definitely recommend from snap on is their air hammer, it's pretty agreed upon as the best. Honestly, do your research. Get more affordable tools to start out, here's my reasoning.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but most techs straight out of school don't make a lot of money. Not at all saying your skills are incompetent, it's just what I've seen. You gotta earn the trust of a shop to handle more complicated repairs. Being in debt to the tool trucks *****
Build a solid foundation of good tools, don't spend top dollar for everything. Go ahead and buy some stuff, I believe wrenches, ratchets and sockets (less so than the other two) are 100% worth getting off the truck. but not everything needs to be snap on or matco. It's still quite expensive with 50% off. Get Things you need from good affordable brands. Once you get out in the field you'll have a great idea of what you need to upgrade. I got on the tool trucks my first day as a tech and have quite some tools I thought I NEEDED that i paid top dollar for that mostly just sit in my box, use only occasionally and I'd be fine if I went for a lesser brand.
You have the rest of your life to owe snap on, and matco. When you get out in the field you'll have a much better idea of what you should upgrade to those brands.
I did however like the suggestion made by another member of getting a quality bigger service cart. My 6 drawer Cornwell cart is one of my favorite purchases. Good luck with starting your career, it's hard work but can be a lot of fun
I prefer matco air tools over (yes it's rebranded, the truck service is worth it imo) snap on, I prefer snap on hand tools over matco.
One thing I definitely recommend from snap on is their air hammer, it's pretty agreed upon as the best. Honestly, do your research. Get more affordable tools to start out, here's my reasoning.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but most techs straight out of school don't make a lot of money. Not at all saying your skills are incompetent, it's just what I've seen. You gotta earn the trust of a shop to handle more complicated repairs. Being in debt to the tool trucks *****
Build a solid foundation of good tools, don't spend top dollar for everything. Go ahead and buy some stuff, I believe wrenches, ratchets and sockets (less so than the other two) are 100% worth getting off the truck. but not everything needs to be snap on or matco. It's still quite expensive with 50% off. Get Things you need from good affordable brands. Once you get out in the field you'll have a great idea of what you need to upgrade. I got on the tool trucks my first day as a tech and have quite some tools I thought I NEEDED that i paid top dollar for that mostly just sit in my box, use only occasionally and I'd be fine if I went for a lesser brand.
You have the rest of your life to owe snap on, and matco. When you get out in the field you'll have a much better idea of what you should upgrade to those brands.
I did however like the suggestion made by another member of getting a quality bigger service cart. My 6 drawer Cornwell cart is one of my favorite purchases. Good luck with starting your career, it's hard work but can be a lot of fun
I have some Matco but they are really over priced for made in Taiwan. I would just buy SO if the price is the same. Better yet, just buy HF as I heard they are as good as SO and maybe better. BTW: I don't own any HF tools - I could not stand the store smell and got literally sick breathing the store air.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
There are many, many topics on Snap On, Matco, Mac, etc and new techs and what they should and shouldn't buy. There are a few awesome tools that should be purchased from Snap On, while the rest could be sourced from other companies for a fraction of the cost and do the same job. SK, Sunex, Tekton, Astro Pneumatic, Harbor Freight, etc. If your family is buying the tools for you or something like that, then get what you can while you can, but it is bad practice for a tech to start out a career in debt by spending his own money on top of the line tools.
Take your time and do some research around this site. Here's one place to start and help you save a ton of money http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851
Here are a bunch of threads created by techs like you just starting out https://www.google.com/search?q=gar...id=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=garage+journalnew+tech&*
Take your time and do some research around this site. Here's one place to start and help you save a ton of money http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851
Here are a bunch of threads created by techs like you just starting out https://www.google.com/search?q=gar...id=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=garage+journalnew+tech&*
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Student discounts have been around for decades. Even with the discounts, those two choices are often high priced when compared to other brands. Some of the tools are re-branded, so you are paying more for the same tool with little more than a different name stamped on it. The student discount fails to offset the cost difference.. Doing Your homework has it's rewards. SnapOn builds some of the best tools made, and I have My share of them. But, I passed on the student discount from SnapOn back in 1970, and bought mainly ProTo under their student discount. We had four or five tool vendors visit the school. I still bought some tools from hardware and various parts stores.
If buying tools today; ,whether under a student discount program or not; I would look over all the offerings: local retailers, internet sales, and the tool trucks..
If you are in Maryland you might want to think about seeing the Fatman for some used tools. he has tons of Snap On stuff at 50% of new
regguy1
Well-known member
Snap-On "The cheapest isn't always the least expensive" I have Snap On tools I bought 45 years ago, see some of them here:
vettex2
Banned
what about MAC ?
**** Mac sideways, their tools aren't really bad but the support or huge lack of it for their dealers is reason enough to stay away. My dealer is a great guy but ordering anything takes forever and it took 3 months to replace the hose in my transmission pressure kit.
shockwave
Well-known member
Both are great tools and don't rely on one single brand for this
For the most part snap on is better for hand tools but not to overlook a few gems that matco offers that are exclusive to them like the pinless impact 1/4 universal sockets or there offering of knipex pliers aswell as there ratcheting flex/box spline which are a lot better than gearwrench versions
But snap on has bjp1 ball joint 1/4 chrome universal and sockets are better than matco same with extensions the ball retension is stronger
Look at both of possible no brand is best on all fronts with offering get a little of both
For the most part snap on is better for hand tools but not to overlook a few gems that matco offers that are exclusive to them like the pinless impact 1/4 universal sockets or there offering of knipex pliers aswell as there ratcheting flex/box spline which are a lot better than gearwrench versions
But snap on has bjp1 ball joint 1/4 chrome universal and sockets are better than matco same with extensions the ball retension is stronger
Look at both of possible no brand is best on all fronts with offering get a little of both
vettex2
Banned
I guess they went downhill. My guy from awhile back was good.
I bought all three depending on what I liked.
md21722
Well-known member
Is it Mac's parts warehouses fulfilling the orders that your dealer places the problem, or that your dealer is slow to put orders in?
The reason I ask is that this can happen with anyone. I have seen guys wait months for impact repairs from Snap On, because their driver didn't feel like sending it in for repair. Their solution was to buy another impact elsewhere.
In other cases, parts are out of stock. Even Snap On regularly goes out of stock on items. How quickly parts come back in stock is important. Snap On seems to do OK with that, but it can still be a few weeks. I have been waiting on a scraper set from Matco since late January, but other items that were back ordered came in pretty quick actually.
I've gone thru 4 or 5 dealers in the 15 years I've been wrenching, they all struggled before throwing the towel in and there is absolutely no support between dealers.
The tools are quite pricey and a lot have been cheapened up to since Stanely took over.
I guess the biggest thing is invest in the brand with the best support in your area, snap on has the most dealers so that's what I went with.
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He sends in the tools but a part of the issue is techs won't pay so then he gets put on tool hold. The hose issue was waiting for Mac to restock but instead of them finding a way to source a new hose from somewhere, I got to wait and it got old really fast bumming gauges from guys.
The dealers I've had all said the same thing that Mac was great and set them up but after a little bit and when they needed more credit then the door was slammed shut and figure it out yourself, therefore I've mostly got snap on and cherry pick matco's deals.
Tell them to buy what they think is best. If you tell them to buy one brand
and they don't like it it will be your fault. If you tell them the pros and cons
then they make a choice and it is on them. I have both but it offend depends
on who comes by, if the truck driver skips me to often I am less likely to buy
from him, unless the tool is much better.
and they don't like it it will be your fault. If you tell them the pros and cons
then they make a choice and it is on them. I have both but it offend depends
on who comes by, if the truck driver skips me to often I am less likely to buy
from him, unless the tool is much better.
md21722
Well-known member
I see what you mean now. Thanks.
That's how all the trucks operate. What bank is going to give you a bigger loan if you cant even pay the one you have? Your MAC man sounds like hes under water if he cant float his regular stock without some missed payments. Simple fact, franchises are generally recipes for failure.
And ratcheting wrenches.
And combo wrenches.
And easy read features.
And chrome extensions.
And impact wrenches.
ad nauseum
Matco has some good stuff. Like anything pick and choose.
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derosa
Well-known member
Does that always matter?
See if you can a price sheet from both companies with the student discount prices then look at other brands. Bondhus makes as good a torx or hex tool as either brand, Wright and SK make just as good a socket or wrench as either brand, gearwrench makes ratcheting wrenches as good, and in my experience better, then Matco. Snap on ratchet wrenches seem to be better but for a beginner is it 4x better which is the rough retail cost difference. There are plenty of pro brands out there and a little time at night spent researching the options could net you some real steals that will give you a variety of tools every bit as good as either brand but still cheaper then the student pricing; leaves you more money for more tools or more beer for those saturday parties.
B.S.A. (ret.)
Well-known member
Many good thoughts and accumulated wisdom has been passed on to you in the above threads. In my humble opinion one thing has been left out. If you decide that the auto technician's life is your choice. you will always have a chance to buy a quality toolbox from someone exiting the business or a great deal on a trade in from your driver. Don't waste your money on a top of the line showpiece toolbox with empty drawers when you can be making money with the tools you have in a lesser box. In the event that you change your mind on your intended career path (or life gets in the way as it has been known to happen), you aren't stuck with a behemoth box the people will offer you 10 cents on the dollar for because you can't store it in your apartment and just want to get rid of it.
md21722
Well-known member
One of the factors for going this way is warranty and stuff like that. If it breaks, how are you going to get another one? Can you wait that long? A lot may depend on if your distributor's care.
Thanks for the response. I agree Snap On seems like the Lamborghini of the tools world while Matco is like the Lotus of the tool world. And we always get what we pay for. I purchased a big Mac Tool box with my student discount because they had the best prices among the big 3 for tool boxes with size/reputation/money all in consideration. Now i just have to build the tools i want to fill it with.
Thanks for your time & reply & advice. Mac seems to be cheaper then snap on & matco with my student discount. We use all Mac Tools at the school because the instructor has been buying mac tools from him for 15+ years and their buddies. I will have to handle what i can in person & price compare & quality comparison & decide. The snap on & matco guy haven't come around as i'm assuming they prolly think we're not going to buy enough to make it worth it to them.
Thanks for the recommendations and i will look into them. I have a few dual 80 rachets and they are awesome and i have a few matco eighty8 teeth ratchets that are great too.
I'm going to look into these cause i've been looking at swivel sockets but didn't know much about the difference in pinless and all.
Thanks for the reply & advice. Our snap on guy is great with answering and advice whether its in his best interest to make a sale or point us in the right direction.
My dad gave me a set of Snap On Flank drive plus metric combination wrenches that are pretty awesome to work with.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306641&highlight=backordered
I live in the most densely populated area of the United States. I can't tell you the last time I saw a Matco truck. There are at least 4 different Snap On trucks in my immediate vicinity, rarely does a day go by that I don't see one. This has been my experience in all three of the states I've lived in.
Look at used prices on Ebay or in pawn shops. See which brand fetches more. There may come a day when you'd like to sell them.
The answer was clear for me, but only you can make your decision, OP.
I live in the most densely populated area of the United States. I can't tell you the last time I saw a Matco truck. There are at least 4 different Snap On trucks in my immediate vicinity, rarely does a day go by that I don't see one. This has been my experience in all three of the states I've lived in.
Look at used prices on Ebay or in pawn shops. See which brand fetches more. There may come a day when you'd like to sell them.
The answer was clear for me, but only you can make your decision, OP.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Should parts and service be considered when buying tools and equipment?
I have been in the same boat a few times..
In the past, ProTo used a procedure for warranty and parts orders that was slower than a snail at the Kentucky derby.. So I leaned toward SK and Duro; which were sold locally. Add catalog orders from Landmesser Toools, and the weekly SnapOn truck. SnapOn had some good dealers, and some less boastworthy ones that just dropped off the radar. Duro closed up shop years ago, and ordering from Landmesser was feasible only when several guys pooled to place a large order.. The local hardware store got new owners who dropped the SK line.. Fun fun fun
In the current day of the internet, shopping for quality tools is a breeze. ProTo, SK, and SnapOn can be contacted by their websites to get parts or warranty issues taken care of quickly. I bought quality tools, and don't merely toss them if they need a repair or part. Having a reliable support system is valuable to Me...
Around here, Mac and Matco trucks have come and gone over the years. If they lack a means to get a tool repaired or replaced under warranty via the internet;; I would be reluctant to buy anything from their trucks if or when they ever did show up again.
I have no concern about warranty on any dime store tools, as I think of those as throw-a-way stuff, and seldom justify buying them anyway..
Yes sire you hit the nail on the head on this. I'm looking at Snap On & Matco because of the discount which i could get with Mac too, but prefer the first two mostly.
Great Advice! Fortunatly for me I have a great paying job(currently) that will allow me to buy as much as I can without ever going in debt. I agree that I believe Snap On has a better chance of being around 30 years then Matco or Mac because their not being owned by the original people and you never know when a big tool company will decide to do away with the premium lines.
Thank you for the reply & advice. I luckily have a great paying day job while i'm in school so i won't go in debt buying a great quality tool for when i move over to being a tech full time after school. I agree snap on holds their value significantly more then matco & mac.
I appreciate the feedback & advice. I am fortunate in having a great paying day job while in school so I am willing to spend the $ now to have a great quality tool and only have to buy it once. The 50% off discount brings things down to great prices and save the money now & keep from going in debt later on is how im approaching it now. I bought a mac tools tech series tool box because of everything in consideration with my half off discount they had the best bang for the buck as far as tool boxes went.