I love Snap-On tools ..BUT

[Roberts210]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

What would anybody ever need a 1/4'' short wrench for?

Braggin' rights.

 

[derosa]

Stubbies seem like they shouldn't be worth anywhere near that.
I recently hopped on the SO truck to check it out and plopped down the cash for their newest reversible ratcheting wrench. I've had other reversibles but the one I bought really is better then any other I've ever worked with. Is it really worth 50.00 a wrench? I'm kinda on the fence about that but going with yes as I suspect I'll get the full metric run from 8-19mm over time. Do I consider the features external to the ratcheting system so amazing that I have to have all SO now. Nope, really like the length but find the angle and the beam thickness less then ideal compared to my wrights. But having used it I can see why people do buy their stuff despite the price. It looks great, it feels great and there is a pride in ownership, though I take equal pride in my wrights as well. I have to do brakes soon on my minivan and want to upgrade the soft lines, as my craftsman professional didn't do the job right the last time I'll be getting a new line wrench and will now keep SO as a thought though i suspect price will still bring me to Wright as the Cman I believe were just rebadged SK.

 

[Flinter987]

I'm just getting into the wrenching scene, but have been a little surprised at wait times from pro tools. I waited months for a 3/8 flex Matco ratchet and am now waiting weeks for a 1/4 Cornwell flex ratchet. Does make you wonder about the service value a bit when Amazon prime arrives in 3-4 days! I will say that Snapon has surprised me with some of my orders though. They did come pretty fast! I have been waiting months for a ratchet rebuild kit from them though.

 

[30cal]

I remember buying a Snapon 3/4 drive set in 1983...495 dollars. Hell, thats a few bucks now..
Check the price for the basic 3/4 drive set now...Holy ****. I'm glad I only paid 495 bucks...only because I really didn't use them that much..when I needed them I had them. Snap-on stuff in the eighties..the best. Compare a KR660 or 1000 with any box ever built..they are tanks, never to be seen again..

 

[Tonyuk]

My set of stubby metric spanners cost £15.99 I know that for a fact since their still in their box with the warranty receipt, i haven't had to use one since i bought the set years ago.

 

[30cal]

I do have to say..My Grandpa always told me quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten..

 

[Mikeske]

Even back in 1983 Snap-on was already priced high. I did some heavy shopping the various brands, Matco, Mac, Snap-on, and Bonney because I was leaving the Air Force active duty. With a young family I had to be price conscious ( I had to provide shelter and food for my family first) and I knew even then that the tool does not make the mechanic but his ability. I have used all the brands over the last 45 years and yes Snap-on makes some really fine tools no doubt about it.

Now that I am retired I did have the odd ball Snap-on but the vast majority of my tools were Bonney and when they stopped being sold, I picked up replacements for broken Bonney stuff on the secondary markets (pawn shops, flea markets, swap meets). Most of the replacements were Matco, Mac some SK as even on the secondary markets the prices for Snap-on were more then what I was willing to pay.

For my home use now it is what ever is cheap and does the job as I do not make my living on the tools. A lot of the Snap-on tools I had were given to my son and nephew with the understanding that they buy me a cheap replacement, the only other thing is that they cannot buy Craftsman.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

It is called a con. Snap On is a subprime lending and marketing company that preys upon some of the most vulnerable members of society using FUD and outright lies.

Your bullet points are BS. The rookie mechanic should be spending his work time wrenching, not shopping at the toy truck.

Here is a question nobody has been able to answer. You are a rookie mechanic and you break your 9/16ths Snap On wrench. How many days does it take for the Snap On truck to visit your shop again? So you cannot finish the job until the truck comes back. How is that "easy warranty." Easy warranty is buying the tire changer guy lunch and sending him to the local HF, Sears, HD etc...

There’s no reason said guy couldn’t go meet your snapon guy. Mine came back many times. I’ve even had him chase down tools from other drivers that I couldn’t wait on. A good driver is worth their weight in gold.

 

[30cal]

It's impossible to break a 9/16 Snap-on wrench..Ive tried. Put that sumbitch on a frozen brake slack adjuster(Freuhauf), and beat the hell out of it, cant be done

 

[pi_guy]

I have the short standard and the metric version. They are irreplaceable as far as usability. I reach for the shorts more than any other wrench type combined. Swore by them for years, the other top wrench is the short box wrench.

With the internet you get a lot of opinions most of the comments and decisions are based on price. Many of those making statements have never used the tools they condemn.

Having a good dealer makes all the difference in the support you get. The pick of I broke me 9/16 and need a replacement is a poor example, as they never really break. But it the things like the right ball joint spacer or a odd ball socket. Having a issue that has a car on the lift and getting the needed tool is a major time and cost saver.
Like last night I checked with my dealer as he has a pile of old Lisle stuff he did not have it but I was checking for a fellow GJ.

It nice to say I want a cheaper option but several of the items made by Snap On are not available anywhere else. Like why use a proper stud remover when vise grips will work.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I think there's probably 1000 real life customers for every SO bashing web-opinion......

And I have a love/hate relationship with SO. I love the tools, but hate the corporation.

Millennial techs are buying the **** outta everything on tools trucks....even with all the on-line availabilty...Amazon is NOT going to kill SO. Working in an industrial neighborhood full of shops I don't see anyone making a huge deal about online tool purchases rather than buying off the tool man when he visits. On the other hand, many of us mechanics DO use a little web-comparison on the tool man..."hey, you know I could order another brand version of this tool for 100 bucks online, but SO's price is double that...work me a deal or Amazon it is!"

My 9/16 flank drive combo wrench is over 20 years old...even with the 3/8-3/4 set having been like 300 bucks back in 1995, it has been a good investment towards my work. Trying to make an analogy out of breaking something and needing it right away would have worked better if he'd picked something that actually breaks! Not to mention a quick call to a good dealer will likely resolve any issue as fast, if not faster, than driving yourself away from the shop to go find a replacement tool to complete your job at a hand...AND, that allows you to stay in the shop and work on something else even if the job that critical tool was need for is stopped....real working shops don't just have one repair happening to where the whole place comes to screeching halt because, OMG!, YOU BROKE THAT 9/16 WRENCH!!!

 

[lilxtra]

I think everybody here has missed a VALUABLE point, I wrenched for almost 30 years and thought everyone was crazy for buying SO even though I wanted it,LOL. I quit wrenching full time and went into teaching, I had very little SO in my box because I couldn't afford it but since then I discovered Craigslist and pawn shops; ***THIS** is the way to buy SO!! I have bought several things that look BRAND NEW most have never been used. I never pay over 50% ( most of the time 30-40%)truck price. I recently bought a 1/2" TechAngle torque wrench that trucks for $550,got it out the door at a pawn shop for $292 tax and everything,I even paid an extra $15 for an extended 60 day warranty for that!!! It's BRAND NEW, calibration sheet was right at a year old! No dirty prints on the sheet! This is the best of both world's; great tools at a price most other great tools are sold at.

 

[Rubiman14]

I think everybody here has missed a VALUABLE point, I wrenched for almost 30 years and thought everyone was crazy for buying SO even though I wanted it,LOL. I quit wrenching full time and went into teaching, I had very little SO in my box because I couldn't afford it but since then I discovered Craigslist and pawn shops; ***THIS** is the way to buy SO!! I have bought several things that look BRAND NEW most have never been used. I never pay over 50% ( most of the time 30-40%)truck price. I recently bought a 1/2" TechAngle torque wrench that trucks for $550,got it out the door at a pawn shop for $292 tax and everything,I even paid an extra $15 for an extended 60 day warranty for that!!! It's BRAND NEW, calibration sheet was right at a year old! No dirty prints on the sheet! This is the best of both world's; great tools at a price most other great tools are sold at.

I understand what you're saying, but others have tried to make another valuable point. Most people don't pay retail price for SO tools, even right off the truck. Yes, some drivers won't give out any deals and that's unfortunate. That isn't the majority, though. I'm some what lucky because my driver is a childhood best friend, so I pay cost for everything. But he goes above and beyond for all his customers. Crazy high trade in value (even cman stuff), BOGO deals constantly, and always rock bottom pricing. Hell, I've been on there and he matched online pricing for somebody. Some of their tools are just ridiculously priced, and it's up to you to justify it or not. They don't care, they're making plenty of money, and I don't see them losing steam anytime soon. Millennials are all about brands and keeping up with the Joneses. Not to mention the luxury of truck accts and SO credit.

 

[HaroRider]

For the amount of use and torque stubbies get I cant justify Snap On. I have a set of Chinese Husky and a set of Gearwrench ratchet ones. Plenty good for my needs.

 

[Firebrick43]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

$50 EACH for for 4" long wrenches?? REALLY!!!

I quite honestly have to wonder about the integrity of the Snap-On corporation and the truck salesmen that can, in good faith, sell these ridiculously overpriced tools to a new tech that's making $10-12-15/hr?? Plain and simple it's fiscally irresponsible even for a "pro".

Quite frankly, I consider these guys as bad as the predatory car sales outfits that sell cars to anyone stupid enough to walk onto their lot, OR the quickie cash loan places.

Plain and simple, they are preying on the new tech that's been convinced, mainly by peer pressure, that they have to spend stupid money on tools or they'll be forever labeled as hack mechanics.

Spend any time in farm country??
Ever see a Snap-on truck in front of a farm shop??
Ever wonder why not??
I can tell you why. It's because farmers are some of the most savvy businessmen you will ever know, they spend money where it needs to be spent, and they know value when they see it.

Farmers are also some of the best mechanics you'll find. The days of the hack farm mechanic are long past in successful operations, the stakes are far too high to not be doing the job right.
I've spent ALOT of time in farm shops, many of which rival serious commercial shops, but one thing you seldom find in a farm shop is Snap On tools. They just don't make sense.

Waving the BS flag!! I have worked on aircraft, heavy equipment, farm equipment(grew up on a farm as well), and now CNC machine tools.

While I have worked with a few good farm mechanics, as a group they were a bunch of ham fisted hacks. BFH and all purpose heat wrench was their favorite weapons of choice. Some where I work that use to be FM will beat in 10k precision spindle bears even though we have high dollar induction bearing heaters available to use.

If farm mechanics worked on airplanes there would be trails of dead bodies.

 

[davethorik]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

There’s no reason said guy couldn’t go meet your snapon guy. Mine came back many times. I’ve even had him chase down tools from other drivers that I couldn’t wait on. A good driver is worth their weight in gold.

If you ever read jazz's posts, he is a HF and Craftsman shill. Not even sure why he posted to this thread, other than to be a troll.

 

[IndyGarage]

Personally I don't care what Snap on tries to sell there stuff for. I get the impression they don't really care if their tools sell over the internet or not.

Nobody will argue they don't make quality tools that work well and last a long time.

If you want to pay their price to get their quality pay it. If you don't, there are plenty of lower priced options that can get the job done.

To me, tools aren't a status symbol. I like tools, but I'm impressed by what people can do with them. Some people do incredible things with the cheapest hand me down stuff they can get. Some people are magicians with snap on. I appreciate both.

 

[turnthewrench]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

Not even sure why he posted to this thread, other than to be a troll.

I was going to post a reply, but you're right... No need to feed the troll.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Not to mention the luxury of truck accts and SO credit.

Yep..."millennial" tech who just quit to go back to school left with a SO credit bill which was over 17K when I first heard about it. I know he didn't get it paid down at all while working for me because I saw him add scanners, strut press machine, and all sort of specialty automotive / body tools.....we are an equipment dealer - he bought all this **** for working on his project car at home and doing side jobs for friends. I guess mommy and daddy are picking up that tab while he goes to school.

 

[Rubiman14]

For the amount of use and torque stubbies get I cant justify Snap On. I have a set of Chinese Husky and a set of Gearwrench ratchet ones. Plenty good for my needs.

I just paid $225 for a BOGO deal on metric/SAE Snap-on stubbies straight off the truck. That was priced for everybody, not just me because he's my buddy. I'm good with $112.50 per set...

ETA: In all fairness, I'm pretty sure this deal was left over from the tool show

 

[zktk01]

Think of it this way Snap on is an investment, You can buy them now and use them for 10 years then resell them for what you paid for them. in 10 years that set will be $2000.
If you buy now you are saving money now because the price will go up.

You may even get more in 10 years you can sell them as vintage.

 

[HaroRider]

I just paid $225 for a BOGO deal on metric/SAE Snap-on stubbies straight off the truck. That was priced for everybody, not just me because he's my buddy. I'm good with $112.50 per set...

ETA: In all fairness, I'm pretty sure this deal was left over from the tool show

At that price, I could consider them. I love Snap-On and Im just a DIY. I dont make my living with them, but they make me happy to use them. I just need to do what makes sense for my situation. Obviously $1,200 set does not fit everyones needs, and certainly not mine.

There is no doubt they are quality tools, being a good value is relative to your specific situation.

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

I guess I need to become a SnapOn dealer. Sounds like colossal margins for them....

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Simple answer? Time, older "spare tools". I absolutely have FUD instilled in me, as you put it. I almost lost my left foot when a vehicle fell off a jack that gave out next to me and pinned my foot under the brake rotor, and after I cut off half of my index finger. So yea, I have a little bit of fear. I'm not keen on losing any more parts or sustaining any more severe injuries.
Are all of my tools SO? No, obviously not. But the ones I consider most important, most commonly used, or could cause an injury if they malfunction... yes they're all SO, Matco, SK, etc.

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Why would you work on a jacked up car without jackstands? Perhaps it is not the tools, but the improper procedures used that cause injuries. Please do not respond, I cannot take anyone seriously who blames their poor decisions on the tool they used. And please buy some jackstands.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Think of it this way Snap on is an investment, You can buy them now and use them for 10 years then resell them for what you paid for them. in 10 years that set will be $2000.
If you buy now you are saving money now because the price will go up.

You may even get more in 10 years you can sell them as vintage.

I think this is part of the con. Keep the myth and FUD going so the tools still sell for a premium in the used tool market. What may have been true 30 years ago no longer is.

Problem is, hard-line tools are a commodity now and companies that try to maintain a premium on a commodity will eventually crash spectacularly. The difference in quality/strength from any mainstream manufacturer is insignificant because they all use the same CAD/CAM software, the same SAE steel grades and the same ISO certified manufacturing processes.

At some time in the near future, Snap On will tank like Tupperware did in the early 2000's. Tupperware learned that they have to sell their products for a competitive price through traditional retail outlets; they did and the company did an amazing turnaround.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

There’s no reason said guy couldn’t go meet your snapon guy. Mine came back many times. I’ve even had him chase down tools from other drivers that I couldn’t wait on. A good driver is worth their weight in gold.

That defies the myth. The myth is that the Snap On truck will promptly come replace your broken tool ASAP so that you, as a mechanic working on a commission, have no downtime and thus no loss of income. The illusion is that you call and they come faster than a taxi.

I am sure a lot of Napa (or other parts store that delivers) tools find their way into tool boxes because of slow responses by the Snap On truck.

 

[zendriver]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

I have never understood the value of 'Snap On' tools. I guess if you have more money than sense OR want to impress your friends and colleags it would be fine but the value is just not there. Now don't get me wrong, they are great tools and I wish ALL my tools were Snap On and I drove a Rolls Royce but not practical for me. I will just stay with my lowly Craftsman Wrenches and continue to be the common person I am.

Maybe it is just Mechanics Jewelry.

Same reason people pay 10X as much for a pair of Chinese made "Nike" shoes, which the quality, is just a slightly better than that of the the Kmart special.

 

[nbruno]

Why would you work on a jacked up car without jackstands? Perhaps it is not the tools, but the improper procedures used that cause injuries. Please do not respond, I cannot take anyone seriously who blames their poor decisions on the tool they used. And please buy some jackstands.

I wasn't working on it, someone else was.

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[JazzBlueRT]

I wasn't working on it, someone else was.

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Your foot was under the car someone else was working on!!!! And your conclusion from the event was that cheap tools nearly lost you a foot!!! Never once did it cross your mind that poor safety precautions nearly cost you your foot?

So now you only buy Snap On sockets and wrenches so that cars wont fall on your feet?

I can save you thousands in the future.
1. Fire any mechanic in your shop that jacks up a car and puts a wrench to it before he puts jackstands underneath.
2. Buy some jackstands.

 

[Olafur]

sorry, wrong thread.

 

[nbruno]

Your foot was under the car someone else was working on!!!! And your conclusion from the event was that cheap tools nearly lost you a foot!!! Never once did it cross your mind that poor safety precautions nearly cost you your foot?

So now you only buy Snap On sockets and wrenches so that cars wont fall on your feet?

I can save you thousands in the future.
1. Fire any mechanic in your shop that jacks up a car and puts a wrench to it before he puts jackstands underneath.
2. Buy some jackstands.

Are you really this much of an a-hole in real life? I certainly hope not.
Nonetheless, no, I turned to take a look in the engine compartment and at that moment it gave way. And no, cheap tools did not nearly lose me a foot. However it opened my eyes to the fact that substandard equipment could cause a serious problem at some point. As for jackstands... I actually own 4 or 5 sets and use them anytime a vehicle is not sitting on all 4 tires.
In all of your decades of wrenching I'm sure you've never once cut your hands, busted your knuckles, smacked your head on something, or incurred any injury whatsoever.

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[Olafur]

This is the stuff the shops around me are buying, these are professional tools, no buts or ifs - they just work. And some of them (wrenches for example) seem to be competing with the very best of them.

Incidentally, the tool kit pictured (including the chart) costs the same (less VAT) as the Snap On stubby wrench set costs on Snap On website. (see first post in this thread)

It's made in Taiwan, transported half way across the Globe to the North Atlantic - and sold here with limited warranty.

Think about this for a second, stubby wrench set, made domestically, vs this! A bit difficult to swallow don't you think?

 

[MaverickDMD]

I agree with all of the comments by JazzBlueRT. Most A-holes BTW, in general, are correct.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Are you really this much of an a-hole in real life? I certainly hope not.
Nonetheless, no, I turned to take a look in the engine compartment and at that moment it gave way. And no, cheap tools did not nearly lose me a foot. However it opened my eyes to the fact that substandard equipment could cause a serious problem at some point. As for jackstands... I actually own 4 or 5 sets and use them anytime a vehicle is not sitting on all 4 tires.
In all of your decades of wrenching I'm sure you've never once cut your hands, busted your knuckles, smacked your head on something, or incurred any injury whatsoever.

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Yes, I am an a$$hole like this in real life. On the internet I try to be nice.

I have done hundreds of stupid things around cars in my life. Not once did I blame a tool for my stupidity.

You came into a public forum and announced a completely illogical conclusion to a preventable event. You then doubled and now tripled down on it.

Ultimate you are advocating the use of a jack without jackstands. Since this gets echoes out to billions of people on the internet, it is entirely possible that some rookie mechanic will think it is OK to crawl under a car supported only by a Snap On jack and pay with his life. Will you accept that blood on your hands?

 

[nbruno]

Yes, I am an a$$hole like this in real life. On the internet I try to be nice.

I have done hundreds of stupid things around cars in my life. Not once did I blame a tool for my stupidity.

You came into a public forum and announced a completely illogical conclusion to a preventable event. You then doubled and now tripled down on it.

Ultimate you are advocating the use of a jack without jackstands. Since this gets echoes out to billions of people on the internet, it is entirely possible that some rookie mechanic will think it is OK to crawl under a car supported only by a Snap On jack and pay with his life. Will you accept that blood on your hands?

Obviously you are taking my comments out of context. First, I did not blame substandard tools for my injuries, I simply meant that I try to use tools that are of a quality that would prevent injuries. It is not an illogical conclusion to a preventable event. It was a freak accident that I paid for and learned from.
Second, I am not advocating the use of a jack to support a vehicle, I personally would never work on a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Third, I did not own the shop where my accident occurred so it would not be possible for me to enforce work practices through firing.

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[Farmall450]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

Snap-on isn't a DIYer brand.

^
Isn't that hard of a concept.

 

[Lassen Forge]

One of the shops I worked at did a lot (I mean a LOT) of Piaggios (Vespas) - and a lot of the time the only thing I could access a nut or bolt was with a short wrench. And the first time I laid my palm open was pulling a mount bolt with my then cheapshit wrench (because, hell, SO is too 'expensive, right) which cost me 4 stitches and 3 days off work (without pay).

If the hands you make your living with aren't worth the investment of good tools, then that's your opinion. Mine, of mine, says unless I like being wounded and not getting paid, I'll spend the extra bucks and get a wrench that won't round bolt heads or cut loose when being pulled. It's like running an angle grinder without wearing safety glasses because the odds of that wheel cutting loose is *almost* nil... until you feel the juice from your former eye running down your cheek.

Sorry, but that's why I own very few "cheapy chinese" tools. Not because they won't do the job at least once, but if they fail, hey, I had the choice to choose better.

 

[Fedwrench]

This is the stuff the shops around me are buying, these are professional tools, no buts or ifs - they just work. And some of them (wrenches for example) seem to be competing with the very best of them.

Incidentally, the tool kit pictured (including the chart) costs the same (less VAT) as the Snap On stubby wrench set costs on Snap On website. (see first post in this thread)

It's made in Taiwan, transported half way across the Globe to the North Atlantic - and sold here with limited warranty.

Think about this for a second, stubby wrench set, made domestically, vs this! A bit difficult to swallow don't you think?

Yeah, but Toptul hates America. They don't like making common sizes found here such as 13, 15, & 18 mm and they don't want to even to try to sell here by establishing a distribution center.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Your foot was under the car someone else was working on!!!! And your conclusion from the event was that cheap tools nearly lost you a foot!!! Never once did it cross your mind that poor safety precautions nearly cost you your foot?

So now you only buy Snap On sockets and wrenches so that cars wont fall on your feet?

I can save you thousands in the future.
1. Fire any mechanic in your shop that jacks up a car and puts a wrench to it before he puts jackstands underneath.
2. Buy some jackstands.

I bet you own harbor freight jacks and jack stands don’t you?

Jack stands aren’t generally used in shops. The only thing you really should be using a jack for is a tire swap. If doing two they’ll use jackstands but one most likely not.

I won’t work under a car not supported by jack stands either. And I put the tires under the car as well.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Re: I love SnapOn tools ..BUT

That defies the myth. The myth is that the Snap On truck will promptly come replace your broken tool ASAP so that you, as a mechanic working on a commission, have no downtime and thus no loss of income. The illusion is that you call and they come faster than a taxi.

I am sure a lot of Napa (or other parts store that delivers) tools find their way into tool boxes because of slow responses by the Snap On truck.

Maybe if you have a **** dealer. Our Napa *****. I tried for a year to get a tool catalog and gave up. Things work differently in a real shop then you think they do.

And no. Most part stores do NOT have tools that I’ll need NOW that a truck wouldn’t.