1/4 deep, Snap v Matco?

[george4]

I want a set of 1/4 deep 6 pt sockets and have been looking at the Snap On and Matco sets, they seem competitive. Any body have any thoughts on either?
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/photo.jsp?cat=2227&si=57374
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item_Lg.asp?picFile=/17700/17621.JPG
Thanks.

 

[eschoendorff]

I want a set of 1/4 deep 6 pt sockets and have been looking at the Snap On and Matco sets, they seem competitive. Any body have any thoughts on either?
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/photo.jsp?cat=2227&si=57374
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item_Lg.asp?picFile=/17700/17621.JPG
Thanks.

I guess it's just up to which company you feel gives you better service or which one has more presence in your area.

READ: if the Matco guy is a ****, buy from Snap On, or vise-versa.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Both are superior quality and the finally decission will be up to you. I know which ones I would choose if I had a choice

 

[george4]

Both are superior quality and the finally decission will be up to you. I know which ones I would choose if I had a choice

I would be interested in your choice and why?

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I would pick the Snap On ones, I have picked up alot of used tools off eBay in the past few months that 99% of them are Snap On. To me in my opinion its the name that gets me.


BTW, I do have some Matco tools

 

[chevy302dz]

For what you would pay for one of those sets, you could get the 60pc SK set which is the best sets out there.

 

[optikal]

yea i have the 60pc sk set myself, and it's a great set at a great price, can't beat it.

 

[ba614]

I've got mostly Craftsman sockets and other tools. I had all Snap-on tools before the thieves got them. I have some SK, Armstrong, Williams, Snap-on Blue Point {USA}, Elora, Leslie, K-D and no telling what else.

Once you own and use Snap-on tools you will know there ain't nothin else like them. Snap-on is the tool thet all the others are judged against.

Get the Snap-on you'll never wish you had bought the other brand. {Unless the thieves get them then you'll wish you had bought China spacials}

 

[Deafautotech]

i would make a choice between craftsman or snap on because matco tools are made tools by same factory as Danaher. also my matco tool guy dont stop by my work often like every week.... that why i am prefer craftsman tools and snap on tool dealer because i can go craftsman store (sears) by drive there after work to have replacement tools or have snap on dealer to have tool replacement ready when stop by my work every week. i like to buy snap on tool from my snap on guy because i always paid full or make payment in really quick so he can sell me for cheap on used tools. i got blue point hammer (small as like 24oz for 10 bucks as it is usa made and snap on orange screwdriver handle with flat head blade on it for 10 bucks with marked as it said harley davidson but still had snap on logo and model numbers. when i bought the snap on used screwdriver and i started used it more than craftsman screwdrivers because i like snap on's handle design as craftsman screwdrivers almost make me the slip while i had grease....

 

[toolfreak]

I say go with Snap on but thats only because I have never used Matco tools.

 

[ImportTuner]

Get the Snap On ... so no regrets later ..

 

[Deafautotech]

if get snap on tools then good idea to keep it in a locked box instead open because some people know that you have high dollars of tools so they can steal. that why i got lot and lot of craftsman hand tools in my toolboxes but i am buy more snap on tools where my snap on guy have some of used for cheap as some of tech trade in their old or worn tool that they would like to have new one instead worn out.... i am only need tools that working for me that have lifetime warranty so no problems....

 

[Deafautotech]

i had some of matco tools sockets but sometime it is hard to have it replacement because matco tool guy dont stop by my work and some of sockets are almost same with craftsman so buy craftsman as it is good and cheap price than get matco tool and pay more money as snap on sockets have good design to make bolt or nut come off as bolt have little round head..... without use bolt-out from craftsman.....

 

[nathan_454]

I get along with my matco guy very well. so well in fact that i buy almost exclusively from him. he is there EVERY week. rain or shine... BUT i will NEVER buy another matco socket. I bought a 1/2 SAE standard depth set from him awhile back, and i have broken 60 percent of them at least once. and NO no with an impact, with my matco 15" 1/2 ratchet. and it is for this reason that almost all of my sockets are Craftsman. I dont know why anyone would spend any more money on anything else? it doesnt make sence to me... I have used lots of snapon sockets, and yeah, they are nice, but in my opinion, not worth the jump in price over craftsmans.

 

[george4]

Thanks for the input. I think I will go with the Snap On, I do not work in a shop (I drive a desk for a living) but I have the cell number of the local Snap guy and can catch up with him whenever I need something and I like ebay. I have a lot of craftsman and SK stuff with no complaints but looking for a little variety. I have a pretty secure home area so that is not a concern.

 

[wythors]

I guess it's just up to which company you feel gives you better service or which one has more presence in your area.

READ: if the Matco guy is a ****, buy from Snap On, or vise-versa.

This is my feeling exactly. I don't really care for the SnapOn guy that comes to our shop, so I deal with the Mac dude.

Last summer I upgraded from Craftsman to Mac 1/4" sockets. Man, WHAT a difference in quality! I did it just because I had lost a couple of Craftsmans and I wanted a higher end set. I had no idea that the build quality of the Mac stuff was so superior.

 

[Deafautotech]

i know mac tools sockets are good quality... but my mac tool guy dont carry lot of tools and else... he just carry sets and if need one socket then he would have check if he had one in drawers if not then it need order....

i had problem with mac tool guy as i had 1/4dr flex round head ratchet as it is 6inch long and ratchet head broke off and i had mac tool guy to warranty it to replacement but he said it is back order and i still dont get replacement since one month.... it is bad!

 

[Deafautotech]

i know mac tools sockets are good quality... but my mac tool guy dont carry lot of tools and else... he just carry sets and if need one socket then he would have check if he had one in drawers if not then it need order....

i had problem with mac tool guy as i had 1/4dr flex round head ratchet as it is 6inch long and ratchet head broke off and i had mac tool guy to warranty it to replacement but he said it is back order and i still dont get replacement since one month.... it is bad!

 

[kartracer55]

SK set... BEST value out there IMHO. Pop the lid off and you have an excellent organizer.

1/4 drive stuff doesnt see very much torque. I have never broken a 1/4 drive socket before, and I use primarily SK and Craftsman in 1/4. I just cant justify the cost for Snap On and Matco for them, especially since SK has served me so well. You can also get the entire SK set for about what the SAE deep Snap on's will cost you.

Jim

 

[ImportTuner]

SK set... BEST value out there IMHO. Pop the lid off and you have an excellent organizer.

1/4 drive stuff doesnt see very much torque. I have never broken a 1/4 drive socket before, and I use primarily SK and Craftsman in 1/4. I just cant justify the cost for Snap On and Matco for them, especially since SK has served me so well. You can also get the entire SK set for about what the SAE deep Snap on's will cost you.

Jim

Hey Jim, everything you say is true, but if you were to upgrade, it would probably be to Snap On's ... now if you got Snap On's in the first place, you would not have to ever upgrade ..

 

[chevy302dz]

Hey Jim, everything you say is true, but if you were to upgrade, it would probably be to Snap On's ... now if you got Snap On's in the first place, you would not have to ever upgrade ..

There is no reason to upgrade from the newest SK set, it's the most complete 1/4" set out there.

 

[joenero]

for 10mm 1/4'' drive:

Mac>snap on>matco>craftsman

I've owned all 4 that size just because I've broken it so often, the mac I have yet to break so far and the walls actually seem thicker then the snap on did.

 

[george4]

There is no reason to upgrade from the newest SK set, it's the most complete 1/4" set out there.

I have an old 1/4 SK regular set and they are very nice indeed.

 

[eschoendorff]

for 10mm 1/4'' drive:

Mac>snap on>matco>craftsman

I've owned all 4 that size just because I've broken it so often, the mac I have yet to break so far and the walls actually seem thicker then the snap on did.

Problem is, thicker wall on a 14" drive set sometimes means clearance issues.

I have a set of SK and they are fantastic. I would highly recommend them.

What the hell are you guys doing to break 1/4" drive sockets????? Why not switch to 3/8 drive at that point? Breaking sockets should tell you something....

 

[kartracer55]

10mm is 3/8 territory most of the time, IMHO. I use 1/4 stuff when Its a tiny fastener which has little torque and It doesnt make sense to swing a ginormous 3/8 ratchet around.

 

[Deafautotech]

i have snap on impact sockets (1/4dr sets) i used it lot on air ratchet and 1/4dr impact wrench for transmission work. it is great sockets and it dont crack or break....

i dont break any sockets since i am in automotive industry as 4 years.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

1/4" impacts sockets might be nice but I don't have a use for them now or probilly ever will. I did pick up a set of 3/8" drive shallow impact sockets (no name brand) but haven't used them yet

 

[ImportTuner]

There is no reason to upgrade from the newest SK set, it's the most complete 1/4" set out there.

True, but it seems that alot of people eventually want to end up with Snap On's ... like me for example, I started with Craftsman, migrated to S&K, and now I have alot of Snap On's ...

 

[Canadian Charlie]

It would have been cheaper if I got the Snap On ones the first time around

 

[Deafautotech]

yeah that true to get what you really need to use instead change different brand of tools....

 

[ImportTuner]

Yep, except now have a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 in Craftsman, a 1/4, 3/8. and 1/2 in S&K and then a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 in Snap On ... lucky my wife does not check that out ..

 

[Deafautotech]

oops.... better to keep it away from wife or wife would not happy about it...

just buy the tool that you can buy for good quality and use it unless you have problem with it then that your choice to do like trade in for better quality or else....

i had no problems with my sockets as snap on and craftsman......