The SO obsession

[Justanoldguy]

What is it with this obsession with SO tools?

Every second thread has praise or queries or comments on them.

What is so good? or bad? or whatever?

Humor me with some logical answers please.

 

[Toolhorder]

They are the ferrari of tools....

 

[mkdive]

SO is the Lamborghini or maybe the Bugatti of tools....Mac or Cornwell fits the Ferrari slot.

 

[Toolhorder]

SO is the Lamborghini or maybe the Bugatti of tools....Mac or Cornwell fits the Ferrari slot.

Lambo's are cool but no Ferrari, they're made by VW/Audi. Bugatti hasn't made a decent car in 50 yrs IMO.

If I had that kind of money it would be a red Ferrari. Pure italian racecar
They should only come in red IMO

 

[mkdive]

Lambo's are cool but no Ferrari, they're made by VW/Audi. Bugatti hasn't made a decent car in 50 yrs IMO.

If I had that kind of money it would be a red Ferrari. Pure italian racecar
They should only come in red IMO

Lamborghini's are still made by Lamborghini.....their "parent company" is what you are referring to. With that mindset....Ferraris are made by Fiat. (Fiat owns 85% of Ferrari)

I'm an old Norcal guy (Blackhawk). Every blue moon I would see a supercar when living up there....but not like down here. Here its not uncommon to see a couple every day. I have a friend that has a pretty large car collection. He actually sold his 458 and "moved up" to a Murcielago (his own words).

I live 3 blocks from a Ferrari Dealership. I see them all the time on the back of a rollback getting a "lift" back to the dealer.....EVERY DAMN WEEK!

Also living in Newport Beach....its one of the few places where its not uncommon to pull up to a intersection and see close to a Million dollars of car sitting at the red lights....(a Lamborghini & Ferrari at the same intersection). I see them all the time. Sorry but too many people have Ferrari around here. Saw a mid 60s women driving a 599.....just ruined the cool car image for me.

I'm not sure I would knock Audi either...their R8 is no slouch! It might not be in the same caliber as the other sports cars....but its pretty impressive IMO.

But everyone has their own opinion.

@ the OP, sorry didn't mean to get your thread OT.

 

[ItBurnsWhenIPee]

Lamborghini's are still made by Lamborghini.....their "parent company" is what you are referring to. With that mindset....Ferraris are made by Fiat. (Fiat owns 85% of Ferrari)

I'm an old Norcal guy (Blackhawk). Every blue moon I would see a supercar when living up there....but not like down here. Here its not uncommon to see a couple every day. I have a friend that has a pretty large car collection. He actually sold his 458 and "moved up" to a Murcielago (his own words).

I live 3 blocks from a Ferrari Dealership. I see them all the time on the back of a rollback getting a "lift" back to the dealer.....EVERY DAMN WEEK!

Also living in Newport Beach....its one of the few places where its not uncommon to pull up to a intersection and see close to a Million dollars of car sitting at the red lights....(a Lamborghini & Ferrari at the same intersection). I see them all the time. Sorry but too many people have Ferrari around here. Saw a mid 60s women driving a 599.....just ruined the cool car image for me.

I'm not sure I would knock Audi either...their R8 is no slouch! It might not be in the same caliber as the other sports cars....but its pretty impressive IMO.

But everyone has their own opinion.

@ the OP, sorry didn't mean to get your thread OT.

That's why you should buy and daily drive a '34 Packard.

As for the topic at hand...A great many of my tools are Snap-On, the rest are pretty much Craftsman...Both great tools...But Snap-On pretty much owns them in the "how it feels in my hand" and "I don't break many of these" departments.

 

[mkdive]

That's why you should buy and daily drive a '34 Packard.

Very true!

Your user name is ...............maybe !

 

[ItBurnsWhenIPee]

You MOCK MY PAIN!










Just kidding

 

[Fedwrench]

It used to be said that Snap on was the standard for which other tools were judged by. They were over engineered and could stand up to anything a mechanic could throw at it. Snap on also pioneered the marketing technique of bringing the tools to the mechanic and pay while you earn financing. Their selection of sizes and specialty tools in a single catalog is probably unequaled.
However, other companies haven't been asleep during this time and many have closed the quality gap. The internet has brought tools to wherever you want them and Ebay has closed the price gap on many items. Some people lust after Snap on like other things. As with everything else, beauty is in the eye of the beholder... Do you really need all Snap on tools? probably not, but a lot of people would really want all Snap on tools....

 

[autoace]

They are the Pam Anderson of tools.

They been around the block infinite times, These days you don't know where they been(COO), Everyone brags about getting their nuts off using them, They are marketed to be the best, Individual mileage may vary for different users. Other words, they are usually good, but may not be worth the hassle or cost depending.

The other thing is, Snap-on comes into your place of work and dangles the goods right in your bay. Kinda like Pam coming in to you with a string bikini bottom, and a wet T-shirt. You can have me now! You just have to pay through the nose for a long time, and everytime you buy another piece, I'll put it on your tab. Otherwords, Snap-on wouldn't be as popular as it is, if it were not pumped(silicone injected) as it is.

 

[mrshaun]

when somewhere about 80% of technicians prefer snap on it goes to show why there is an obsession. my grandfather had a few old tools to show me when i told him I was going to be a snap on man. he didnt have a complaint at all. he mostly bought what he needed from who ever, but if he would have had the money back in the day, it would have been snap on.

It is nice to open your box and see the same name on everything. hard to do now a days with patents and all, but some of my guys sure try.

 

[nolatoolguy]

Man i agree i think there overated.....there good tools but not that good

I personally like sk tools and snap on is way to overarated and there customer service isnt as good as sk customer service

but i completey agree its like ever other post it about them i mean i guess its just how it is

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have a lot of SK tools in my box and a few Matco and Mac tools as well as some other specialty tools from different makers. I do have about the same number of Snap-on tools as I do SK though. I like the feel, don't have a problem at all with the warranty (I don't have anyone close to warranty SK) and, for certain tools, they have no equal.

Snap-on is generally acknowledged (even by techs that like other tools) to have the best fit on flare nut wrenches, torx bits and hex bits. The wrenches and screwdrivers are highly rated as are the sockets and air tools. Ratchets are either a love it or hate it but I think you will find that Matco or Snap-on are prefered by most techs in that area. They also carry an extensive line of electronic diagnostic tools that many consider the best in the industry if you do not have access to factory scan tools.

As a total package, Snap-on is hard to beat and as noted, they come to your door and dangle the goodies in front of you. Note that you do not need to stay on the hook with them (I haven't run a balance with them in over 30 years) but some guys do have a problem not being able to resist having it now. I don't have a problem with that as long as they keep it within reason.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

when somewhere about 80% of technicians prefer snap on it goes to show why there is an obsession. my grandfather had a few old tools to show me when i told him I was going to be a snap on man. he didnt have a complaint at all. he mostly bought what he needed from who ever, but if he would have had the money back in the day, it would have been snap on.

It is nice to open your box and see the same name on everything. hard to do now a days with patents and all, but some of my guys sure try.

I personally think the reason for that preference has little to do with the quality of the tool. I think it has more to do with the fact that someone brings tools around to where the techs work and the fact that they finance them. The techs don't have to take time to go shop for them, and don't have to pay for them all at once. If a tool is needed all the tech has to do is wait for the truck to stop by and bring it to them. Snap-On has conditioned the working mechanic to buy their tools through a mixture of convenience, quality and availability. Snap-On was pioneer in the tool truck business and has always been aggressive about that method of sale. I also think that the price of snap-on tools has been influenced more by that convenience than the quality of tools. Thats why in my case I probably wont buy a snap-on tool because a high quality option can be had for less money. But then again, I'm conditioned to go buy my tools and pay for them immediately.

I would, however, consider Snap-On tools if they were more readily available to me. The few that I have, most were bought off of the internet, but I really don't like doing that. I'm the type of guy who likes to hold a tool and play with it a bit before I decide to buy it. The internet doesn't offer that hands on buying experience. The couple of Snap-On tools I bought off of a truck, I happened to see the truck at the local Ford dealership and stopped to buy something. Both of those times I bought a ratchet as a gift for someone.

Thats my take on why Snap-On is so popular with the working crowd.

 

[bigsteve1969]

They are the Pam Anderson of tools.

feels good in your hands but leaves you with a itch

 

[mcmaster68]

I grew up using my dad's snap on tools out of his snap on box from the early 70's...and nothing else feels right to me. so that's all i have to say about that.

 

[fatfillup]

Some of it is quality, some is image, some is financing, some is service.

Not unlike Harley Davidson. Looks, image, quality but they also come at a high price.

I have a wide, wide variety of brands and COO. I really like my SO rotohead ratchets, screwdrivers and pliers. Sometimes only a SO socket will fit, though I don't have many on my tool cart.

I have no ego on having all one brand tool but some folks do. I do have an ego for finding used tools at killer prices and if I get SO at a bargain, I buy it.

 

[mrshaun]

What I like is when you open a harley manual and it gives you some of the snap on part numbers for some of their applications.
cornwell and mac bring tools to the door, but I do not see any high praises for them around here. the conrwell guy here is good for some shops and tells the guys they are not worth his time. I do not do that and most of the snap on dealers I know so not do the same. we have some shops that only want us around when they need something. that works for both of us sometimes.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

I'm a Plomb man, but SO just blows'em away on service. I've been waiting 60 years for the lazy slob from Plomb to get his truck over here with the new pawl spring for my 1/4" ratchet...

 

[wrenchr]

They are the Pam Anderson of tools.

They been around the block infinite times, These days you don't know where they been(COO), Everyone brags about getting their nuts off using them, They are marketed to be the best, Individual mileage may vary for different users. Other words, they are usually good, but may not be worth the hassle or cost depending.

The other thing is, Snap-on comes into your place of work and dangles the goods right in your bay. Kinda like Pam coming in to you with a string bikini bottom, and a wet T-shirt. You can have me now! You just have to pay through the nose for a long time, and everytime you buy another piece, I'll put it on your tab. Otherwords, Snap-on wouldn't be as popular as it is, if it were not pumped(silicone injected) as it is.

No I do not run the risk of herpies when I use my snappies

 

[Davefr]

SO may not be best of class but they are consistently good, have a very comprehensive product line and then offer all the "value added" dealer services.

Snap On also has a very valuable brand name to the point where they have a cult like following.

If the dealer services are not needed and you don't care about the brand name then the value proposition decays rather rapidly.

The top shelf lineup from SK, Danaher, Wright, Stanley group can nearly equal and sometimes even exceed SO on a pure product vs. product comparison basis.

 

[selohssa]

It is what I grew up with. Yes there are comparable quality tools out there now but I still remember my Grandfather giving me my first Snap-On tool (1/2 inch wrench) and explaining to me the benifits of buying quality items.

I am the same way with watches. My Grandfather gave me my first Rolex. He gave me the same speach as with the tools. Yes there are other great watches out there but I feel most comfortable wearing a well tuned Rolex.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Ask a teenager why they are so proud to wear a particluar brand of overpriced clothing. They don't know why they "need" that brand, but everyone else in their world "needs" that brand. It's the same way with the mechanics who want to keep up with their buddies and give their ego a boost by financing some Snap-On tools. It puts them in an exclusive club for people who don't know the value of a dollar.

Now, the tools are good, so a lot of guys on here buy them second hand, pawn shop, ebay or whatever, so that they can have top-notch tools at a reasonable price. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[bushhawg73]

At first I thought there was no equal to snappy products. After many years of use I have a split decision. Ill drop the coin for a snappy ratchet or impact because I think they rule. Items such as sockets on the other hand have a real simple task and most vendors products will do. I really feel that each vendor shins in some respect and a mix of products is not bad IMHO.

 

[fordbroncodave]

nothing is better then the tools we make in our fellow country. the reason we have so little respect for taiwan and china tools

 

[mkdive]

nothing is better then the tools we make in our fellow country. the reason we have so little respect for taiwan and china tools

Not sure I would use the "we" in the above sentence. I'm pretty sure your not speaking for the rest of the forum.

Myself with lots of other members like Gearwrench a lot. I try to buy made in USA tools whenever possible....but Gearwrench makes some really nice loot.

 

[GregN]

I used to be a die hard Craftsman person who would laugh at the Snap-On only people. I bought a ton of Craftsman tools when I was younger 14-20. I am 23 now, and am on my 3rd or 4th 3/8" ratchet, 3rd 1/2" ratchet, and 2nd 1/4" ratchet. I am now a Snap-On guy. I love there ratchets, so I now have 2 (working on getting more off eBay). I am just a basic home mechanic with industrial machine repair as my background. I get sick of having to drive to Sears after every project I do to replace at least one tool. I just broke 2 1/4" drive Deep Sockets, and a ratcheting combo wrench. I wasn't abusing any of these tools because I don't want to replace them. Yeah, Sears will replace them no questions asked, but I should have to replace the tool after I used it (not to mention when they do replace it they don't always give you the same one you turned in 6pt/12pt, etc).

I am the kind of person who doesn't like a conglomerate of **** in the toolbox. I like all the same style/looks/feel throughout.

As for air tools, I was set on never buying a SO one. I got an IR 1/2" Impact. Worked like ****. For $200 I expect it to take a lug nut off. It didn't work, and I took it off with a 1/2" Ratchet by hand while the wheel was in the air. I returned that, and bought a SO IM6500HP New in Box for $200 plus shipping. I love it, it works like a charm and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I am more than willing to pay extra for quality. But, I am not going to pay $300 for a set of deep impacts that I rarely use when I can get a set through Northern Tool for $30. By the way, the Northern Tool set works great.

 

[Major Ramifications]

GregN,
You said that you are on your third or fourth ratchet in each size. What happened to the ones you replaced? Did they break, or start slipping or ?

 

[MattT]

It used to be said that Snap on was the standard for which other tools were judged by.

Part of their popularity is historical for sure. When I started buying tools you could either buy flank drive or nutsplitters and a stack of bandaids. The rest of the field has done a lot of catching up/ copying since then.

 

[jvitez]

They are the Pam Anderson of tools.

Everyone brags about getting their nuts off using them,

Now that's funny right there

 

[GregN]

GregN,
You said that you are on your third or fourth ratchet in each size. What happened to the ones you replaced? Did they break, or start slipping or ?

Mainly the ratchet mech goes to hell. If you have ever had a bolt that is ver hard to get to and is just tight enough that you can't use your fingers to remove, yet when you put the ratchet on it, the bolt turns both ways because the ratchet mech is quite hard to turn. Then, you have to put an extra long extension on it (if it will fit) so that you can keep the bolt from turning the wrong way so the ratchet can do its job. I have broken two ratchet mechs so that it free spins in both directions. I have also had the plastic selector on the back of the ratchet break off completely.

Don't even get me started on the slop of the ratchets themselves. You have to go (what seems like) 20+ degrees before you can get it to click again. I have always just lived with it until I used a buddy's 3/8" Long Flex Head. I was in heaven (and I am pretty sure that I got half a chubby). I won't even consider buying another Craftsman Ratchet (or any tool with moving parts). I actually have 3 - 1/2" Drive Ratchets, 2 - 3/8" Ratchets, and 2 - 1/4" Ratchets from Craftsman because I could never rely on just one to get me through the job. They always seem to go to **** half way through.

I have never broken the handle itself, so that is good, but the ratchet mech itself is ****. In the replacements I got, the ratchet mech itself has play inside the metal body. They have gone way down hill.

As for the ratcheting combination wrench, the teeth were slipping when it was under any little ammount of pressure. I was adjusting the garage door track. I was loosening a nut, the damn thing slipped, and my knuckles went right into the thin metal.

Rant Done!!!

Sorry, I have just had to get that off my chest for a while.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Thanks guys for the straight up on your reasons.
Been away so haven't had a chance to reply.
It seems that the service is the seller unlike any other brand.
All well and good in the US of A.
But here in New Zealand and I guess other countries, the choices are somewhat different.
I have a dozen or more different brands but mostly Bahco. Which I believe is now owned by SO.

 

[psychoclaw84]

Snap On tools are the Professional Brand.

• Has more trucks/dealers in most areas.
• Larger tool trucks with more inventory, for that just in time delivery.
• Ease of financing for Technician needs.
• Majority of tools and equipment are well designed, a large R&D budget allows for design changes/improvements.
• They hold their value better than any tool on the market. Check Pawn Shops, ebay or used for prices on comparable tools.

Personally, I like Snap On tools. Not a professional, but I do like quality products. Majority or almost all of my Snap On tools are purchased on ebay, very few items I have paid truck/retail prices.

Matco, Cornwell, Mac, SK, Proto, Gearwrench & Craftsman produce good tools and I have them in my toolbox as well.

All my tool selection is more of a "BLING" factor, shiny tools are BOMB

Snap On is the Mac Daddy of "TOOL BLING".

 

[chadster1]

Thanks guys for the straight up on your reasons.
Been away so haven't had a chance to reply.
It seems that the service is the seller unlike any other brand.
All well and good in the US of A.
But here in New Zealand and I guess other countries, the choices are somewhat different.
I have a dozen or more different brands but mostly Bahco. Which I believe is now owned by SO.

Yes, Bahco is owned by Snap-on

 

[jpilgrim]

I'm a Plomb man, but SO just blows'em away on service. I've been waiting 60 years for the lazy slob from Plomb to get his truck over here with the new pawl spring for my 1/4" ratchet...

LOL!!!!

 

[arkangel06]

Nothing quite has that look that a snap on tool does

I got a new SXK11 off the truck yesterday and man is it an awesome extension

Its just a freaking extension but its just sooooooooooooooo nice I dont even want to use it!

 

[speed bump]

They are tools, personally my biggest worry anymore is having whatever tool I need for whichever job I am doing. The snappy guy shows up to the average auto mech or similar shop and sells tools related to that industry. Just like the guys selling parts to us when I was pipe fitting.

You have a lot of service shop type people in here who buy SO tools and they work. SO tools tend to be geared toward auto guys so if you go on a forum geared more toward some other industry the tool obsession will also be different.

 

[Abbott]

Snap-on is simply the best.

 

[jpilgrim]

Snap-on is simply the best.

I quite likely is.

But the reason I drive a $20K car and not a $60K car is that I don't really NEED anything the $60K car has that the $20K car doesn't have. (Well, maybe side curtain airbags, but I digress.)

I use a computer for a living. I have the best computer I can get. I need it. It makes me more productive and competitive. And it is simply fun to use a super fast machine with best-of-class software.

If I were a mechanic and not a VFX artist, I suppose not breaking tools as often, more precise tolerances, lots of specialty tools, someone who came by regularly to swap out those tools that did break, etc etc might justify the SO price premium.

But as someone who only twirls bolts in my off hours, old Plomb and Cman tools suit me just fine.

And I know I pay a premium for those brands/years, compared with adequate imported new tools or less desirable US made used tools. Just like I could get by with a really cheap car, even if it was less safe/fun/prestigious.

 

[Abbott]

But the reason I drive a $20K car and not a $60K car is that I don't really NEED anything the $60K car has that the $20K car doesn't have.

Same here.