1/4" and 3/8" socket drawer nearly complete.

[CoThG]

Pretty good collection for just starting out three months ago with the FL80 chrome handle as my only Snap-On ratchet, don't you think?
Still trying to source a 3/8" SO hard handle stubby, but I think I have most everything else covered. Some 3/8" in 1/4" heads and a rotohead bit ratchet thrown in for good measure. Really loving the Koken ratchets as well. I haven't started on 1/2" yet as I rarely use that size but I'll eventually get around to adding some to the collection.

 

[bonneyman]

I'm not a Snappy fan but I love the collection of orange handles in the orange drawer.

 

[littlebean]

as soon as I looked at that picture my wallet screamed nooooooooooo and refused to open
what a collection and in such a short space of time too - looks great in the orange drawer

 

[cgrutt]

I was going to ask in your other threads but didn't. Why no bent handle ratchets in the collection? I have a few and find myself reaching for them way more often than not.

 

[Cruzan80]

If it makes you happy, great. That is what really matters. Personally.,I don't see the need for so many overlaps, but that is me.

It is kind of neat to see what others collect and show off, and this looks to be a very complete collection of offerings.

No sarcasm meant or implied above.

 

[CoThG]

I was going to ask in your other threads but didn't. Why no bent handle ratchets in the collection? I have a few and find myself reaching for them way more often than not.

I'll eventually get some. Trying to find ratchets with factory hard handles. Don't want to retrofit new soft handle with a hard handle as the model number wouldn't be correct.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Have you settled on the layout?

In order of length as they are isn't the most convenient to grab what you need, or even aesthetically.

I might think to put the "long" ones together, then organiser the rest by type.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Really loving the Koken ratchets as well.

Beautiful to see.

If your like me, you might stop buying SO ratchets and start buying just Koken ones someday.

 

[CoThG]

Have you settled on the layout?

In order of length as they are isn't the most convenient to grab what you need, or even aesthetically.

I might think to put the "long" ones together, then organiser the rest by type.

This box is an interim. As you can see, I'm almost out of room. I have tried to group all the 3/8 together as well as the 3/8 with 1/4 head and the 1/4 drive.

 

[CoThG]

Beautiful to see.

If your like me, you might stop buying SO ratchets and start buying just Koken ones someday.

As much as I love Snap-On, if I'm being honest, I'd tell you the Koken is a better product. Better packaging, QC, and fit and finish. I have a complete set of 1/4 and 3/8 nutgrip and zeal sockets and wobble fix extensions as well as other accessories and the fit is incredible. Absolutely Zero play in the interface between sockets/ratchets/extensions/accessories. Can's say the same about Snap-On as most of their interfaces have at least some play with some quite sloppy. I've also had to exchange numerous Snap-On tools/sockets with my dealer as upon closer inspection at home, I've found numerous defects such as dings on ratchet heads, excessive slop in flex heads and even corrosion on a few sockets that were factory sealed in shrink wrap. All of this is unacceptable in tools costing what they do. My dealer has been great to work with by willingly exchanging tools without question.

 

[lund]

As much as I love Snap-On, if I'm being honest, I'd tell you the Koken is a better product. Better packaging, QC, and fit and finish. I have a complete set of 1/4 and 3/8 nutgrip and zeal sockets and wobble fix extensions as well as other accessories and the fit is incredible. Absolutely Zero play in the interface between sockets/ratchets/extensions/accessories. Can's say the same about Snap-On as most of their interfaces have at least some play with some quite sloppy. I've also had to exchange numerous Snap-On tools/sockets with my dealer as upon closer inspection at home, I've found numerous defects such as dings on ratchet heads, excessive slop in flex heads and even corrosion on a few sockets that were factory sealed in shrink wrap. All of this is unacceptable in tools costing what they do. My dealer has been great to work with by willingly exchanging tools without question.

Are these tools or jewelery to you? Use will ding them up at some level. Tolerances do matter though.

I would agree: i never noticed snap on sockets and ratchets having better tolerances relative to other quality ones I have. Japanese can be fanatical and Koken fits that.

 

[CoThG]

Are these tools or jewelery to you? Use will ding them up at some level. Tolerances do matter though.

I would agree i never noticed snap on having better tolerances though. Japanese can be fanatical and Koken fits that.

Both. I know dings will happen with use, it's just that I want to be the one dinging it up, not purchasing it new, pre-dinged.
The difference between Koken and Snap-On on tolerances is striking.

 

[lund]

Both. I know dings will happen with use, it's just that I want to be the one dinging it up, not purchasing it new, pre-dinged.
The difference between Koken and Snap-On on tolerances is striking.

Generally speaking, Japanese culture is to do things fanatically well -- even at the expense of profit. So it does not surprise me that some Japanese tool companies are next level in terms of tolerances, materials, etc. In the USA Snap On charges a lot for the service and because they can (people buy). So they probably see no reason to cut their profit.

My comment on Japanese culture comes from the basis of me working there some over the years. My wife is Japanese also and our sons are 1/2 Japanese and go to school in Japan in the summers. So I see what I say fairly clearly. It is not a universal rule that Japan is high quality -- but it is mostly true. Globalization has also impacted Japan less since Japanese are so picky and it is considered dishonorable to do things poorly if you have the capability to do better. So you generally get more for your money in Japan -- especially recently with the US dollar very inflated in Japan.

I would be willing to bet that Koken is not the only Japanese tool company that rivals Snap On in terms of tool quality. Saws, chisels, electronic tools, pliers .... In the usual Japanese pattern, they would have a specialty manufacturers (wrenches or pliers say) that make whatever in their focus area VERY well, and regard doing it well as more important than year-to-year profit. Japanese consumers also tend to be very picky, so companies see consistent quality production as essential to their long-term survival -- not just honor and bragging rights (though I doubt they would declare themselves the best as we would in the USA). After WW2 Japan was low quality for a while since they were nearly destroyed. But as they recovered into the 70s their cultural tendencies took over and quality jumped since they could afford to do better from that time forward. Today, globalization hurts that somewhat but the impact has been slower in Japan since the people are very picky so they will spend more rather than just buy the cheapest junk. Homes being small may enhance that if nothing more than having less room to put things.

Japanese food is also super high quality at relatively low price points.

 

[CoThG]

Generally speaking, Japanese culture is to do things fanatically well -- even at the expense of profit. So it does not surprise me that some Japanese tool companies are next level in terms of tolerances etc. In the USA Snap On charges a lot for the service and because they can (people buy). So they probably see no reason to cut their profit.


I would be willing to be Koken is not the only Japanese tool company that would rival Snap On in quality.

KTC Nepros is next level. Their stuff is literally tool jewelry.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Looks delicious my stomach growled just from looking at it alone.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

As much as I love Snap-On, if I'm being honest, I'd tell you the Koken is a better product. Better packaging, QC, and fit and finish. I have a complete set of 1/4 and 3/8 nutgrip and zeal sockets and wobble fix extensions as well as other accessories and the fit is incredible. Absolutely Zero play in the interface between sockets/ratchets/extensions/accessories. Can's say the same about Snap-On as most of their interfaces have at least some play with some quite sloppy. I've also had to exchange numerous Snap-On tools/sockets with my dealer as upon closer inspection at home, I've found numerous defects such as dings on ratchet heads, excessive slop in flex heads and even corrosion on a few sockets that were factory sealed in shrink wrap. All of this is unacceptable in tools costing what they do. My dealer has been great to work with by willingly exchanging tools without question.

You’re not alone with noticing that. I’ve not been super happy with a lot of my recent US-made tool purchases. Lots of QC stuff that I’m kinda shocked about, like stuff not being chromed, twisted handles, flaking chrome, and bad broaching. In fact, I’ve noticed that the MiUSA stuff tends to go into the donation box at a much higher rate than my Euro/Japanese/Taiwanese stuff. I’m not bashing US companies, but I think availability and patriotism are the two biggest things keeping a lot of them around.

 

[IndyGarage]

Sorry but I'm more interested in what they fix, than what they look like.

They are tools, just like any other - they have zero value if you aren't going to put them to work.

I have a couple Snap on Ratchets, and I like them very much, but to me the value of a ratchet has gone down considerably in recent years with the innovation in good battery tools.

 

[lund]

KTC Nepros is next level. Their stuff is literally tool jewelry.

Agree. Some of the Japanese pliers companies are also surreal good in their focus area. I think it also runs deeper than surface finishing and tolerances. They are willing to reduce profit to use better materials etc. For Chinese and even American businesses, that is borderline unthinkable. In the USA and China, you get away with what you can for more profit. Snap On is like a dream for American business since they have branding and can charge a big amount for it ... though they are also high quality and service. But Snap On maybe not on the Japanese specialty level of quality where profit is willingly sacrificed to improve production quality.

 

[Upstater57]

Love your snappy orange ratchet collection. I have probably 75 to 100 ratchets. American, Japanese, German, Taiwan, etc., but none are orange. Thanks for sharing.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I can think of a lot better things to spend my money on that a drawer full of perfectly placed, shiny Snap-On tools, that probably seldom get used !

 

[d.mcfarland]

They are tools, just like any other - they have zero value if you aren't going to put them to work.

I like collecting them just like anyone else. There are times when things probably get out of hand though, and I'm guilty of it myself.

I can think of a lot better things to spend my money on that a drawer full of perfectly placed, shiny Snap-On tools, that probably seldom get used !

Someone who has time should do a chart showing the value of a dollar sitting in a drawer vs a ratchet. They both lose value over time but it probably isn't far off from one another.

 

[Caa311]

Generally speaking, Japanese culture is to do things fanatically well -- even at the expense of profit. So it does not surprise me that some Japanese tool companies are next level in terms of tolerances, materials, etc. In the USA Snap On charges a lot for the service and because they can (people buy). So they probably see no reason to cut their profit.

My comment on Japanese culture comes from the basis of me working there some over the years. My wife is Japanese also and our sons are 1/2 Japanese and go to school in Japan in the summers. So I see what I say fairly clearly. It is not a universal rule that Japan is high quality -- but it is mostly true. Globalization has also impacted Japan less since Japanese are so picky and it is considered dishonorable to do things poorly if you have the capability to do better. So you generally get more for your money in Japan -- especially recently with the US dollar very inflated in Japan.

I would be willing to bet that Koken is not the only Japanese tool company that rivals Snap On in terms of tool quality. Saws, chisels, electronic tools, pliers .... In the usual Japanese pattern, they would have a specialty manufacturers (wrenches or pliers say) that make whatever in their focus area VERY well, and regard doing it well as more important than year-to-year profit. Japanese consumers also tend to be very picky, so companies see consistent quality production as essential to their long-term survival -- not just honor and bragging rights (though I doubt they would declare themselves the best as we would in the USA). After WW2 Japan was low quality for a while since they were nearly destroyed. But as they recovered into the 70s their cultural tendencies took over and quality jumped since they could afford to do better from that time forward. Today, globalization hurts that somewhat but the impact has been slower in Japan since the people are very picky so they will spend more rather than just buy the cheapest junk. Homes being small may enhance that if nothing more than having less room to put things.

Japanese food is also super high quality at relatively low price points.

Japan's qc came from two American qc guys that we sent there to teach them and they took there teaching for the gospel and ran with it.

 

[kngelv]

I can think of a lot better things to spend my money on that a drawer full of perfectly placed, shiny Snap-On tools, that probably seldom get used !

Don't presume what people do with their tools. All of mine get used and I like nice stuff just like the OP. I'm getting ready to go even deeper on my Koken collection because they are just so enjoyable to use.

James

 

[mike93lx]

This box is an interim. As you can see, I'm almost out of room. I have tried to group all the 3/8 together as well as the 3/8 with 1/4 head and the 1/4 drive.

What are you picturing for a final setup? Kaizen foam? Leaving them like that?

 

[lund]

Japan's qc came from two American qc guys that we sent there to teach them and they took there teaching for the gospel and ran with it.

Meticulous and doing things well/responsibility is in Japanese culture for a looonng time. So it is not surprising that Japanese do well in modern factory production and that they would take quality control studies (USA or wherever) to heart. It is pretty rare for a Japanese employee, even if low wage, to not give a damn. Even more rare for potential sabotage over grievances real or imagined. So they have a pretty good employee baseline to work with. Or at least they waste less time dealing with problematic cases allowing them to focus more on improving. Assuming the leaders (foreman, engineers, bosses) are good.

Where Japan fails is bosses tend to be all powerful and not questioned within the hierarchy. So a bad boss there can do tremendous damage -- likely more damage than in the USA. Not much "Hey Boss, we need to change this because ...". But when well formulated and laid out, they are impressive and efficient. For better or worse, they can also be quite stubborn. One advantage they have over us in the USA is they may be less profit fixated and look longer range. Here our companies fixate on beating money management returns consistently year-by-year or they will consider shutdown since they can make more profit with less risk in financial investments than making things. That is hard to do consistently enough to satisfy USA managers and bosses, and pushes us in a situation where less and less is being done year by year in manufacturing as companies become more services. It is hard to see where this is going not with AI tools potentially upending so much -- both in the USA, Japan, and world wide.

 

[CoThG]

I can think of a lot better things to spend my money on that a drawer full of perfectly placed, shiny Snap-On tools, that probably seldom get used !

Some of us can spend money on multiple things we enjoy without impacting our budget.

 

[CoThG]

What are you picturing for a final setup? Kaizen foam? Leaving them like that?

I'm still researching modular tool organizers. I love the concept of foam, but my collection is ever expanding so I don't want to be tied down by a fixed number of tool slots.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm still researching modular tool organizers. I love the concept of foam, but my collection is ever expanding so I don't want to be tied down by a fixed number of tool slots.

Does gridfinity with maybe trays have any appeal? It can at least provide some ability to segment and organize but keep flexibility.

Plus you can use even more orange!

 

[CoThG]

Does gridfinity with maybe trays have any appeal? It can at least provide some ability to segment and organize but keep flexibility.

Plus you can use even more orange!

I'm leaning towards Tool Box Widget for socket organizers and QRT for ratchet holders, but I haven't finalized my decision.

 

[pbon]

This box is an interim. As you can see, I'm almost out of room. I have tried to group all the 3/8 together as well as the 3/8 with 1/4 head and the 1/4 drive.

Yes, it does appear you need to buy a larger tool chest to store your collection.

 

[jblnut]

Everyone wants to knock on you because they think spending that money on a bunch of ratchets that may or may not get used is wasteful. Yet I bet most of the “haters” spend money on things you or I would think is wasteful.

Personally I look at the picture of the orange stuff as a nice collection that is a useable tax deduction. If it makes you smile, go for it. It’s your money. You could buy a bunch of vintage junk and guys would wonder why you’d spend all that money on that old stuff when the new stuff is so much nicer and blah blah blah.

My issue with things like what’s in your picture is that the only time anything in it would look that nice would be the moment before and the moment right after the photo. My grubby greasy beaters would have them full of oil and farm slop in an instant. Plus my kids would relocate them all to the vast distant corners of my shop for me to never see again. Something about little people and shiny things …..

I collect some stuff people that some people think is dumb. Like old adjustable wrenches. Or 1/64th scale farm tractors. Fun stuff, I bet I have more dollars in Big Bud collectibles than you do in SnapOn ratchets. I know it isn’t a contest but they’re called out on our insurance policy lol. I have a dump truck load of those little white quartzish rocks I find in fields when we’re picking stones. No idea why but I like em. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you.

Keep gathering and keep posting please. And do yourself a favor and never bring them here lol. They’ll never be the same again.

 

[pbon]

When I see a very full drawer of clean and shiny ratchets, I think of a collector rather than a user. Probably many of us spend money on stuff we want rather than stuff we need or use. That is OK. I live in a house and have cars that are much fancier than I need so I am definitely not in the minimalist or most frugal group.

 

[E46 Tony]

Everyone wants to knock on you because they think spending that money on a bunch of ratchets that may or may not get used is wasteful.

I don't think there would be nearly as many "haters" if the guy didn't go around to thread after thread with a chip on his shoulder calling everyone who doesn't have the whole Snap-On catalog poor, especially when the only action they see is using 6 ratchets to do one oil change so they all get some exercise. It's a great collection and I love orange Snap-On too but the tools are overshadowed by the bad attitude.

 

[mike93lx]

I don't think there would be nearly as many "haters" if the guy didn't go around to thread after thread with a chip on his shoulder calling everyone who doesn't have the whole Snap-On catalog poor

I haven't seen that happen once. Please provide a link to it

 

[jblnut]

I don't think there would be nearly as many "haters" if the guy didn't go around to thread after thread with a chip on his shoulder calling everyone who doesn't have the whole Snap-On catalog poor, especially when the only action they see is using 6 ratchets to do one oil change so they all get some exercise. It's a great collection and I love orange Snap-On too but the tools are overshadowed by the bad attitude.

I haven't seen him directly call anyone "poor" for not having the entire Snap-On catalog. If you're reading that into what he's posting than it's more your problem than his.

If I post a picture of some of my valuable things would you think I'm calling you poor because you can't, or don't want to, afford them ? How's this. (sorry for the derail) 59 Holstein steers weighing 307lbs average that ran $6.10/lb. All part of my cattle collection. Wrote a check and paid for them. No biggie. How many ratchets worth of cattle are in his picture ? If him owning that many ratchets brings him joy WHO CARES ?!?!? If the answer is YOU CARE then move on and don't care so much. It's okay if people have nice things.

 

[E46 Tony]

I haven't seen that happen once. Please provide a link to it

I'll give you two, if you care enough to want more it's easy to look at someone's post history. I'm clearly not the only one to find the guy a bit abrasive but there's at least one on every forum.

 

[E46 Tony]

I haven't seen him directly call anyone "poor" for not having the entire Snap-On catalog. If you're reading that into what he's posting than it's more your problem than his.

If I post a picture of some of my valuable things would you think I'm calling you poor because you can't, or don't want to, afford them ? How's this. (sorry for the derail) 59 Holstein steers weighing 307lbs average that ran $6.10/lb. All part of my cattle collection. Wrote a check and paid for them. No biggie. How many ratchets worth of cattle are in his picture ? If him owning that many ratchets brings him joy WHO CARES ?!?!? If the answer is YOU CARE then move on and don't care so much. It's okay if people have nice things.

Talk about reading into things lol. His ratchet collection is nice, I said that clearly. Your cattle are impressive, I'm happy for you too. I have a collection of orchids that is valuable and includes a number of awarded plants that nobody else in the world has. We all have our thing and being proud is great, you can be proud without being a jerk about it.

 

[mike93lx]

I'll give you two, if you care enough to want more it's easy to look at someone's post history. I'm clearly not the only one to find the guy a bit abrasive but there's at least one on every forum.

I take that very differently than a guy calling people poor. He's responding to ignorant comments about his collection.

There is an ignore button that you may want to use if this stuff bothers you

 

[jblnut]

We all have our thing and being proud is great, you can be proud without being a jerk about it.

This is the internet. Things happen.

 

[jblnut]

I take that very differently than a guy calling people poor. He's responding to ignorant comments about his collection.

There is an ignore button that you may want to use if this stuff bothers you

Once he finds that Ignore Button he'll never respond again lol

I usually keep pretty quiet surrounding money and such on here and within our friend groups. Most in our friend group are struggling to make payments on all the **** they have and I make the mistake of saying something like "yeah I just purchased a used planter tractor and I'm excited to put it to work!!" and I get asked "What'd that cost?" "Uhhhhh $325k .... cash" and I'm met with looks of "that's worth more than everything we own and you paid for it without financing !!!" "uh, yeah. Pass the Busch Light, I'm clearly too sober for this conversation !!"

Everyone has different views on money, financing and the power to do what you want within your means. If the OP can afford to have drawers full of orange snappy stuff who am I to say no ? Whom am I to judge in a way that won't come off as petty if I say "Why do you need all that if you're not gonna use it ?" Who cares ? It's his money and he can spend it as he chooses.

Some people on here would have their minds blows if they ran across Wistlindiesel on YouTube. The stuff that guy destroys is impressive in a way. He has fun and makes money with his money doing what makes him happy so why not ? It's his stuff and he can do what he wants with it. If you don't like it don't watch, post or comment. Just move on lol