Snap-On's budget Blue-Point line

[JulianMorrow]

Anyone have an opinion on Snap-On's budget Blue-Point line. I think these tools are made in Taiwan. I like the 13mm Blue-Point combination wrench I recently purchased, was considering the Blue Point 1/2" BPRSR940 ratchet. For DIY weekend use, it seems to be a reasonably priced ratchet of good quality.

 

[Skin]

Nothing is reasonably priced. You stated you paid $30 for a single Taiwan combo. Go look at other brands.

 

[Formula]

Really? Your other thread has exploded to almost 200 posts in only a matter hours. Didn't get enough?

Don't feed the trolls

 

[JulianMorrow]

Really? Your other thread has exploded to almost 200 posts in only a matter hours. Didn't get enough?

Yep, that thread kind of went off the rails. If you go back to my original post on that thread, it seems kind of run-of-mill: Hey, I jumped on a Snap-On truck for the first time, here's what I saw! How could I know that would start World War III, lol.

 

[f121]

Bluepoint hand tools are generally great, I have the 100pc general service socket set and it's easily the nicest of my many socket sets. The ratchet is a bit coarse toothed compared to either a snapon dual 80, or my better Asian ratchets, but the chrome is very nice, well thought out set and nice to use. I think you'd be very happy with a bluepoint ratchet.

When buying a 1/2" ratchet, I would probably buy a longer one than the traditional 1/2" ratchet, as I find if I need to use 1/2" sockets I need more leverage.

Now await a hundred responses arguing about bluepoint vs snap on vs HF, and Asian vs USA tools.

 

[plinker]

Most of Blue points line can be had under the Williams brand, same tools different label. Williams has two lines; Taiwan and USA, The USA line is usually identical to the US made Snap-on though the tool may be an older version such as the 36 tooth ratchets.

Nothing wrong with any of it, all good quality. I would buy Williams over the Bluepoint simply due to the price point.

Check here for Williams,
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/



Williams ratchet,
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-32001-Hand-Tools-Sockets-Drive-Tools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

Blue point ratchet,
https://store.snapon.com/Quick-Release-Ratchets-Blue-Point-174-1-2--1-2-Drive-Standard-Handle-Quick-Release-Ratchet-Blue-Point--P644122.aspx


This is the Williams version of the older S936 ratchet Snap-on had. Very good ratchets in general, though considered coarse toothed by "modern" standards.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-S-52EHA-Hand-Tools-Sockets-Drive-Tools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

 

[JulianMorrow]

Nothing is reasonably priced. You stated you paid $30 for a single Taiwan combo. Go look at other brands.

I normally don't pay that much for a combo wrench, but part of that was in appreciation to the Snap-On salesman who spent a good 30 minutes talking to me and showing me the stuff on his truck.

The Blue-Point 1/2" ratchet can be bought online for $40. That's not overpriced. That's in the same price range as Craftsman/GearWrench/Tekton.

 

[JulianMorrow]

Don't feed the trolls

Ok, look. Just because your friends threw a hissy fit over their favorite tool brand doesn't make me a troll. People need to grow up.

 

[f121]

Ok, look. Just because your friends threw a hissy fit over their favorite tool brand doesn't make me a troll. People need to grow up.

Totally agree. It wasn't even like you criticised snap on, sounded like you enjoyed the visit.

 

[JulianMorrow]

Totally agree. It wasn't even like you criticised snap on, sounded like you enjoyed the visit.

I did enjoy the visit, the Snap-On guy couldn't have been nicer. And the tools are gorgeous. For any DIY people, if you get a chance to visit a Snap-On truck, I highly recommend it. I'll just leave things right there, before this thread blows up.

For anyone who's used Blue-Point tools: I'm genuinely interested in your opinions. Thanks.

 

[plinker]

I should add, Blue point tools such as a service type tool is 99% of the time rebranded from another source. The "tool truck equivalent" thread is very handy in this aspect.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I have a full set of metric wrenches and a 1/4" general service set, good tools. I don't care much for the ratchets, they are coarse and I don't like the handles, but that's just my opinion.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[f121]

If you want to get the snap on van experience, want a nicely finished ratchet at a reasonable price, go buy bluepoint, you will be very happy. While you are there I would compare the action of a snapon dual 80 ratchet with the bluepoint, they are world's apart. It's worth having a haggle on price, the snapon guy will always do you a deal, and may cut you something good because it'll get you coming back.

The bluepoint ratchets aren't anything unique, they are sold as a few different brands and you could probably buy something very similar for less, but they are nicely finished.

 

[Yarpo]

For anyone who's used Blue-Point tools: I'm genuinely interested in your opinions. Thanks.

My boss has bluepoint reversible wrenches, probably just like the set you got. They look like every other Taiwan made ratcheting wrench to me. Good tools, but I think you'll find them cheaper under other brands.

 

[redwrench60]

The Blue Point label and offerings have evolved over the years. When first began buying from Snap on 20 something years ago Blue Point was either a utilitarian version of an actual Snap on tool (who remembers the old Blue Point combos that were really Snap on wrenches without FD+ or high polish chrome?) or was a rebrand of a high quality tool that wasn’t made by Snap on but they had to offer to keep a full width product line.

Blue point of today is mostly Taiwan made Williams, a brand Snap on owns. Decent stuff but I’m not really a player for what it is at the prices they cost.

 

[jcbarry]

Not a huge fan of Blue Point ratchets, they are a little clunky. However I do really like their flex head reversible ratcheting wrenches. Some of their stuff is worth the cost and some isnt, in my opinion.

If I were looking for ratchets for DIY or even pro use, I would look into Gearwrench. 84 or 120 tooth ratchets are excellent and a set of 4 can be had for around $100. I use them every day with no complaints.

 

[JulianMorrow]

I should add, Blue point tools such as a service type tool is 99% of the time rebranded from another source. The "tool truck equivalent" thread is very handy in this aspect.

Thanks, Plinker. The "Tool Truck Equivalent" thread is an eye-opener (at least for me). This may sound odd, but I like the Blue Point BPRSR940 ratchet because it looks a lot like my 30 year old Craftsman Round Head ratchet. And the Blue Point is a $40 ratchet--a quite reasonable price point for a DIY weekend guy. It's in the same price range as the new Chinese-made Craftsman (which I don't care for), GearWrench, and Tekton.

 

[Wamsutta]

Can I remind everyone that Snap-on has never had a Capital O in their name ever? It's a capital S with a dash and a regular o.

 

[ngk22r]

Can I remind everyone that Snap-on has never had a Capital O in their name ever? It's a capital S with a dash and a regular o.

Someone needs to come up with an “o” symbol with a dash going through it.

But as far a blue point goes, there are a couple tools here and there tht are good to get but the others are better off through Snap-on or Williams.

 

[JVB]

Thanks, Plinker. The "Tool Truck Equivalent" thread is an eye-opener (at least for me). This may sound odd, but I like the Blue Point BPRSR940 ratchet because it looks a lot like my 30 year old Craftsman Round Head ratchet. And the Blue Point is a $40 ratchet--a quite reasonable price point for a DIY weekend guy. It's in the same price range as the new Chinese-made Craftsman (which I don't care for), GearWrench, and Tekton.

Williams USA made 1/2” ratchet with a long handle is around 32$ with coupons or the right seller. Not a high tooth count but for 1/2” drive I prefer the long handle and do not need the low degree swing.

Blue point is a good budget line but you can find many us made ratchets around that price point or a few bucks extra if COO matters to you.

If you are firm on a budget check out Gearwrench, Carlyle, Powerbuilt, Tekton, eBay or local auction or sales . You would be surprised what pops up for a fair price. Have bought many SK, Proto even Matco and Snap on ratchets for less than the cost of a new blue point. Heck, there are plenty of guys that even enjoy the newer Pittsburgh line at HF . To each their own.

I am a self admitted ratchet hoarder and while I do own many Snap on ratchets they are not my go to ratchet.

 

[manwithtools]

Williams USA made 1/2” ratchet with a long handle is around 32$ with coupons or the right seller. Not a high tooth count but for 1/2” drive I prefer the long handle and do not need the low degree swing.

Blue point is a good budget line but you can find many us made ratchets around that price point or a few bucks extra if COO matters to you.

If you are firm on a budget check out Gearwrench, Carlyle, Powerbuilt, Tekton, eBay or local auction or sales . You would be surprised what pops up for a fair price. Have bought many SK, Proto even Matco and Snap on ratchets for less than the cost of a new blue point. Heck, there are plenty of guys that even enjoy the newer Pittsburgh line at HF . To each their own.

I am a self admitted ratchet hoarder and while I do own many Snap on ratchets they are not my go to ratchet.

Thank you sir. You have a reasonable approach to this, I wish others could do the same. There are a lot of good reasonable priced tools these days. To each their own. Lots to choose from.

BTW, that's a beautiful pup in your avatar.

 

[d.mcfarland]

There are no joke at least a dozen ratchets I'd buy before getting a Blue Point right off the truck.

 

[Skin]

I normally don't pay that much for a combo wrench, but part of that was in appreciation to the Snap-On salesman who spent a good 30 minutes talking to me and showing me the stuff on his truck.

The Blue-Point 1/2" ratchet can be bought online for $40. That's not overpriced. That's in the same price range as Craftsman/GearWrench/Tekton.

For a coarse tooth standard handle ratchet its about 2x too much. For comparison a 72T DeWalt is $18 on amazon.

 

[JulianMorrow]

There are no joke at least a dozen ratchets I'd buy before getting a Blue Point right off the truck.

I wouldn't buy the Blue-Point BPRSR940 ratchet from the truck, Snap-on lists it at $80. But you can get it for half that price online.

 

[Wamsutta]

Someone needs to come up with an “o” symbol with a dash going through it.

But as far a blue point goes, there are a couple tools here and there tht are good to get but the others are better off through Snap-on or Williams.

What gets me are the guys that hate Snap-on and then go through the extra trouble of capitalizing the o. You'd think that if they hated Snap-on, they wouldn't bother capitalizing anything.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Blue Point tools are not worth it considering that there's loads of cheaper Made in Taiwan and China alternatives.

 

[JulianMorrow]

Blue Point tools are not worth it considering that there's loads of cheaper Made in Taiwan and China alternatives.

There's some quality tools made in Taiwan. I think Tekton and some of the older Craftsman were made in Taiwan.

 

[jshillin]

If looking at new tools, 'd buy the same quality stuff from Gearwrench or Tekton at a fraction of the price. You can find some good deals on used Bluepoint stuff though

 

[3baygarage]

Can I remind everyone that Snap-on has never had a Capital O in their name ever? It's a capital S with a dash and a regular o.

Oh yeah?

 

[ChrisLS8]

Who would pay 30 bucks for a single Taiwan wrench?

You can spend a couple more bucks and get a CL set that is basically Carlyle with a few changes

 

[marineman]

I have a couple of blue point tools in my box, they're perfectly fine but nothing special honestly. I have them because it's convenient having the truck come every week if I need anything. When you get rid of the truck service there's much better deals out there.

 

[ngk22r]

There's some quality tools made in Taiwan. I think Tekton and some of the older Craftsman were made in Taiwan.

If you are going to buy a Taiwan made tool Tekton is going to be your best bet.

Keep in mind that Tekton is moving more and more toward USA made tools like the new wrenches they have which is a good think, their ratchets look really good and everyone that has them so far really likes them.

If you are going to buy off the Snap-on truck it is better to buy the stuff that actually says “Snap-on” on it when is comes to the hand tools.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I had a garage fire. All my blue point and gear wrench chrome stuff turned to ****. My snap on chrome was less shittier, and sk faired the best. Granted after the fire everything had to sit for a week for the investigation to be over so maybe immediate attention could have helped. Point being you get what you pay for as far as quality and longevity. If you are just turning a nut or holding a bolt I suppose anything will work, but it wouldn’t be as stylish.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I am still waiting for SK to drop flex of the LP90s but I figure by that time humans will have evolved beyond the need for fasteners circa 2098 or so

 

[yrly]

Can I remind everyone that Snap-on has never had a Capital O in their name ever? It's a capital S with a dash and a regular o.

Hmm, I’m about to dig out my ancient 1930s Snap-on Chicago (yes Chicago) nut spinner set in my 9 degree garage jut to double check that...

 

[yrly]

Guess I remembered wrong but have we seen a Snap-on set from Chicago?

 

[Wamsutta]

Oh yeah?

Using ALL CAPS is perfectly acceptable.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Using ALL CAPS is perfectly acceptable.

Glad we got that settled!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Figures an import would cheap out on forging a letter.

 

[3baygarage]

Using ALL CAPS is perfectly acceptable.

Glad we got that settled!