Matco vs Mac vs Snap on?
- Thread starter kgwld1
- Start date
eschoendorff
Well-known member
They're all good.
Everyone will have an opinion on this.
Something that I found interesting:
Go to Lowes. Look at the current line of Kobalt wrenches (made by Danaher... same manufacturer as Matco). They look very similar to the Matco version, minus the pretty chrome plating. Ore maybe it's just me.
My .02...
Everyone will have an opinion on this.
Something that I found interesting:
Go to Lowes. Look at the current line of Kobalt wrenches (made by Danaher... same manufacturer as Matco). They look very similar to the Matco version, minus the pretty chrome plating. Ore maybe it's just me.
My .02...
tomstin
Well-known member
From personal experiece, if you are going to make your living using them, you can't go wrong with SnapOn. For the weekend mechanic who uses them regularly, Matco, MAC and Sears will serve you well. For that emergency set in the trunk, Harbor Freight is fine. Then again, Harbor Freight has more than one line, but I think you get the point.
GearHead_1
Well-known member
Interesting question and I'm sure you'll find a bunch of different opinions on the subject. I'm an ASE Certified Master Technician and I own tools by all three manufacturers you mentioned (I own over $35,000 in hand tools/boxes etc. at yesterday's prices). For a few years when tax time rolled around I would declare Snap On Tools as a legal dependent. I've tried/owned them all. I personally believe that Snap On makes the best wrench hands down. They fit ME better than the other wrenches. Having said that I have worked side by side with other Technicians who have the Mac and Matco wrenches and they love them equally as well and have never failed them. I have used their wrenches from time to time and found them to be great tools as well. Later in my career I managed a couple of districts of Automotive Repair/ Tire-Battery service centers. I was able to purchase Craftsman (and I don't mean the Sears line, it's their cheap product and you don't want it) tools literally at cost. Even with a price break like this I didn't use their product proffesionally though I've got a lot of them at home. Snap On wrenches literally cost me 3 times as much. I've never felt that Craftsman wrenches were quite in the same league as the others mentioned. I do however believe that there is a bare minimum that a wrench has to equal in order to own it. Craftsman wrenches certainly meet that criteria especially their proffesional line of wrenches (take a look at this line). I really like many of Craftsman's plier line better than some of the Snap On products so I'm not just hammering this manufacturer.
Snap On doesn't have the secret formula for building a great wrench. One may be able to argue that their Flank Drive set up is best but I can't say that's the case. Other manufacturers can forge their steel in the same manner and their design may fit YOU better. You're really paying for their weekly Tool Wagon drop in visit, warranty and in some cases their financing arrangements. Snap On just happens to be my favorite. I don't believe that this wrench is for everyone, in fact if you aren't a proffesional (using them 8 hours everyday) or don't have a good chunk of change laying around I would say they aren't the wrench for you and probably wouldn't recommend them. The others are too good, accomplish the same goal and at a more attractive price point. I don't mean to imply the average guy wouldn't appreciate the Snap On wrench, there are just better ways to spend your money.
I also don't believe that any one manufacturer makes the best of all products. As I already said I like Craftsman pliers. I like Vice Grip pliers also. I like MAC screwdrivers, I don't like Craftsman screwdrivers. You have to look around and find a product that feels good to you, assuming they have a lifetime warranty and are at a price you like give them a try. From the brands mentioned here (I haven't tried Harbor Freight wrenches) you probably can't buy a bad wrench.
Snap On doesn't have the secret formula for building a great wrench. One may be able to argue that their Flank Drive set up is best but I can't say that's the case. Other manufacturers can forge their steel in the same manner and their design may fit YOU better. You're really paying for their weekly Tool Wagon drop in visit, warranty and in some cases their financing arrangements. Snap On just happens to be my favorite. I don't believe that this wrench is for everyone, in fact if you aren't a proffesional (using them 8 hours everyday) or don't have a good chunk of change laying around I would say they aren't the wrench for you and probably wouldn't recommend them. The others are too good, accomplish the same goal and at a more attractive price point. I don't mean to imply the average guy wouldn't appreciate the Snap On wrench, there are just better ways to spend your money.
I also don't believe that any one manufacturer makes the best of all products. As I already said I like Craftsman pliers. I like Vice Grip pliers also. I like MAC screwdrivers, I don't like Craftsman screwdrivers. You have to look around and find a product that feels good to you, assuming they have a lifetime warranty and are at a price you like give them a try. From the brands mentioned here (I haven't tried Harbor Freight wrenches) you probably can't buy a bad wrench.
I have mostly snap on tools (85%) I do have some pro crafstmans they seem to be ok. I had all flank drive plus wrenches they were stolen so I asked the question just to see other peoples thoughts. I don't wrench for aliving anymore but still do quite a bit. I have no problem buying snap on they are pricey but the guy comes right to my house, can't beat that. I'm over 50 grand in tools so whats some more. lol
Kevin
Kevin
eschoendorff
Well-known member
GearHead_1 said:
This is the MOST sensible tool review/advice I think I've ever come across.
GearHead_1
Well-known member
eschoendorff said:This is the MOST sensible tool review/advice I think I've ever come across.
Thank you.
armoredsaintt
Well-known member
kgwld1 said:
got a pic? i would like to see what $50k in tools look like!
jstbecauz
Well-known member
I would have to agree with what was said. I would suggest if you are not going to use the tools every day then save your money and get a less expensive tool, the quality will not be there but it will serve its duty. In my opinion you can not get a better hand tool than Snap-On. If I had to estimate I would say that I have about $100,000 in tools at this time, and about 90% of all my tools, not just hand tools are Snap-On. But as stated before for the weekender you will be satisfied with Sears brand.
danski0224
Well-known member
armoredsaintt said:
$50k in Snap-On might not buy as much as you think....
Merkava_4
Banned
I'd have to disagree with that.
Snap-on is one of the most secretive companies out there. No one knows where they buy their steel from; no one knows their forging and machining practices; no one knows their exact heat treatment procedures; ... I could go on and on.
kythri
Well-known member
Holy 3 year old post resurrection, Batman!
And seriously - let's not pretend that Snap-On has some ancient forumula for forging steel that nobody else has.
And seriously - let's not pretend that Snap-On has some ancient forumula for forging steel that nobody else has.
Merkava_4
Banned
Yeah I'm getting impatient; you guys just aren't producing enough threads.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Maybe they do, PB Swiss Tools say in their catalogue they use a special steel in their screwdrivers and other tools, a "formula" developed over years with their steel suppliers.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
No ****. Secrecy is great for marketing. Steel is steel. There are only so many varieties and so many ways to treat/form steel.
goodfellow
Well-known member
Will somebody "pleeeaase" pass the popcorn while I get out my easy chair.
I think it'll be easier for scientists to find a unified theory of relativity before anyone will ever settle this MAC/MATCO/SNAP-ON debate.
Carry on !!!
I think it'll be easier for scientists to find a unified theory of relativity before anyone will ever settle this MAC/MATCO/SNAP-ON debate.
Carry on !!!
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eschoendorff
Well-known member
Will somebody "pleeeaaseee" pass the popcorn while I get out my easy chair.
I think it'll be easier for scientists to find a unified theory of relativity before anyone will ever settle this MAC/MATCO/SNAP-ON debate.
Carry on !!!
Uncle Buck is making a pot of kettle corn right now. It's really good stuff... but it'll make you poop!
speed bump
Well-known member
Well if your that curious I suggest talking to a metalurgist, a couple thousand dollars and a few days and he could tell you alot about Snap-ons drop forging practices and the strengths and weaknesses of it.
nismomans13
Well-known member
I have all Matco ratchets, I love them, I just can't justify the cost of Snap-On for me only being a weekend warrior in the garage. The matco pieces just 'feel' better in my hand than my Cman pro units, i've never had the luxury of actually using a SO wrench so I can't attest to the difference.
ToolGlutton
Banned
nismomans13
Well-known member
Some tools I bought direct from matco's website, others i've bought NIB on ebay so I saved there. Personally I never saw the HUGE attraction with SO. I'm sure they are great tools, but I some times wonder if they truly are that great, or if their over hyped a little. I think some things are just crazy expensive though, every socket I own is a Cman from probably 10 years ago, they didn't cost anywhere NEAR what SO, Mac or Matco cost and they have served their purpose perfectly fine over the years.
For the most part, I simply prefer the look and feel of the Matco pieces over SO. To each his own i guess, i've been called foolish by plenty of my car buddies who continue to buy 7 dollar ratchets are harbor freight and argue that they perform the same as my high dollar pieces.
For the most part, I simply prefer the look and feel of the Matco pieces over SO. To each his own i guess, i've been called foolish by plenty of my car buddies who continue to buy 7 dollar ratchets are harbor freight and argue that they perform the same as my high dollar pieces.
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Vinko
Well-known member
Yes. That would be interesting. Get top of the line, in say, five or six of the different companies' hand wrenches, and put them to the test.
Vinko
Well-known member
I don't think it would be *that* hard to find out about these things. Ex-employees, for instance? There are, as far as I know, only so many US steel companies who will provide for Snap. And you could find out a lot about their forging methods and composition of steel by having someone look at it.
nismomans13
Well-known member
I just wonder as to the differences some of you say you see. I have a set of Metric and SAW Cman units, had them for years, and they have never striped a head, or broke and I've beaten on some of the larger ones with a 5lb sledge to break fasteners loose. Do some people really just buy snap on because they HAVE to have the name? So they can say "well I have Snap-On" Maybe i'll pick up a SO ratchet and see what all the fuss is about.
Detroit Diesel Man
Well-known member
Personally as far as wrenches go that I use daily at work and depend on I wont own anything but Snap-On...I have sets that are 15yr old both Met and Std also in Stubby sizes. both Met and Std flare nut and cow foot as well. up to 1 1/2" absolutely love their wrenches..cant buy anything better imho I do however have a few diff brands a cuple Macs and a couple Craftsman as well as Matco..Matco/Mac/Crafstman are all "ok" but for me their is no comparison between those and a SO wrench.
DDM
DDM
mrshaun
Well-known member
compare your ks wrenches to snap on and you will be disappointed. Have your snap on guy ( if you have one ) demonstrate the flank drive plus and watch every wrench slip off and the snap on wrench keeps going... I took a MAC KS set in trade and it took me about 2 months to get someone to buy them. I even had the replaced under warranty and still no one bit on them. Finally we marked them down and a guy took them to use at home...
try the flank drive plus and you will be amazed.
try the flank drive plus and you will be amazed.
IMO, FDP really is awesome
Mr.Nutcase
Well-known member
Go with snap on, skip, the craftsman flare nuts wrenches, they rounded off nuts, tried snap on, they took them off..., saving me time, instead of flaring a new line.......
mrshaun
Well-known member
anyone see the new stubby sae 12 point sockets from Snap On 212rarf ?? great for aviation and they fit on other ratchets as well as the low profile 80tooth snap on ratchet raf80.
pjcforpres2020
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2009
- Messages
- 262
Holy Smokes! It is back! I really like Ace Hardware brand wrenches, nothing better!
Rnz520
Well-known member
I personally like Cornwell tools, but I also love the FDP wrenches. Miles and miles ahead of my craftsman that I could afford when I started, granted those C-man have paid for themselves over and over again and will continue doing so until I buy new ones.
gravygrabber
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2009
- Messages
- 85
When I first entered the auto tech industry I had C-man sockets and wrenches. I bought a Snap-on box and added a set of flank drive plus metric wrenches on my first finance contract. Those C-man wrenches quickly went home and honestly I RARELY use them. The raised metal in the middle of the wrench just ***** and the finish is rough and the wrench seems thicker than it needs to be. Snap-on wrenches feel awesome in your hand like silky smooth goodness. I can't explain it just compare them for yourselfs and you'll see. The flank drive plus open end thingy is OK I wouldn't say awesome. I barely use them for extra leverage or to break anything loose. They are great for tie rod ends or flared fittings if you're lazy and don't want to get a flared wrench.
C-man professional is a pretty good wrench. I had to buy a 1/2 wrench once when the line first came out and I opted for a shiny smooth chrome pro model and I still have that wrench and it's served me well for about 10 yrs. Never had any issues with it.
If I was only a home user I would get that line of wrenches. Who am I kidding I'd get both.
I only have 3 metric sets of Snappy, 2-3 sets of Snappy STD and a set of Mac STD along with a bunch of C-man original style wrenches and various old school hand me downs like Valchek, Proto, Thorsen, etc, etc....
I have more wrenches than I'll probably ever use. Now I want to start collecting Hazet and Plomb stuff...Lol
Oh yeah I bought some Mac long Metric box end wrenches because they were like 40 cheaper. BIG MISTAKE. They tend to give where SO long wrenches just don't. I used another techs SO long wrench and immediately noticed this.
Again for the casual user you won't care or see the need to pay for SO but for the professional tech you will notice. I'm also a Master ASE tech as well.
C-man professional is a pretty good wrench. I had to buy a 1/2 wrench once when the line first came out and I opted for a shiny smooth chrome pro model and I still have that wrench and it's served me well for about 10 yrs. Never had any issues with it.
If I was only a home user I would get that line of wrenches. Who am I kidding I'd get both.
I only have 3 metric sets of Snappy, 2-3 sets of Snappy STD and a set of Mac STD along with a bunch of C-man original style wrenches and various old school hand me downs like Valchek, Proto, Thorsen, etc, etc....
I have more wrenches than I'll probably ever use. Now I want to start collecting Hazet and Plomb stuff...Lol
Oh yeah I bought some Mac long Metric box end wrenches because they were like 40 cheaper. BIG MISTAKE. They tend to give where SO long wrenches just don't. I used another techs SO long wrench and immediately noticed this.
Again for the casual user you won't care or see the need to pay for SO but for the professional tech you will notice. I'm also a Master ASE tech as well.
Cornwell wrenches are some of the worlds' finest, but Cornwell does not have the market impact SO and other companies have.
Dust
Well-known member
My main wrenches are the plain Craftsman raised panels. I prefer their bulk, and the rougher texture lets me get a better grip on them when my hands are oily. I also just use the six point wrenches; I've never had good experiences with twelve point.
Every Snap-On wrench I've used has bit into my hand too much to be comfortable. I like how they're longer than my Craftsmans, but that's about it. I just don't like their feel.
I'd love a set of long pattern six point box wrenches, but sadly this seems to be something that no one makes.
Every Snap-On wrench I've used has bit into my hand too much to be comfortable. I like how they're longer than my Craftsmans, but that's about it. I just don't like their feel.
I'd love a set of long pattern six point box wrenches, but sadly this seems to be something that no one makes.
olds88
Well-known member
Until you find that you're cheap 1/2 inch wrench open end is useless for removing the fuel line from your carburetor on the side of the road trying to clear a vapor lock!
Yes a line wrench is more appropriate but I didn't have one in my trunk and regardless a S/O open end would work fine.
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