1st Ever Snapon Tool Purchase

[sgtgeo]

Just happened to spy a used FHL80 on Craigslist today.

Handle was orange and the price seemed reasonable.

Will my life be forever changed? Will I be melting down all my craftsman stuff?

This is going to look nice in my new 44” US General box (64444) I bought Friday

Joking aside it does seem really nice

ETA:

Well add a FXH80A and a SHL80A to the one above. Now I need a 1/4”

 

[kd3pc]

you won't really see the difference until you have blistered your hand using it for hours on end or awakened the old callouses... later that day, your hand will thank you, instead of cramping up.

they are nice...very nice...

 

[Professional Tool User]

If your old Craftsman ratchet is low tooth count, then absolutely. The ratcheting mechanism should feel a lot smoother.

 

[PFSard]

Oh, no. Now you'll have to replace all your other tools with SnapOn. LOL

Have fun with your new toy. Definitely nice ratchets, if the price is right.

 

[woody 73]

Next post from the op...Trashing all my craftsman needing a fix of Dual 80.

 

[toolmutt]

Slippery slope!

 

[rmsg0040]

One of my first SO ratchets was a FHL80

Balance, weight, length, smoothness of gear is on another level when compared to the cheaper ratchets I had before

 

[Wamsutta]

Soon after I discovered Snap-on at a community college class, I sold most of my 300 piece Craftsman set. I kept the Craftsman nutdrivers and one 15mm wrench that fits bicycle pedals. I don't miss the Craftsman sockets falling off the extensions so easily and I most definitely don't miss the Craftsman ratchets. My first Snap-on tool was an F830 ratchet.

 

[seanb02]

Slippery slope for sure, but I doubt you will get hooked if you don't turn wrenches professionally. The Snap on pricing and business model doesn't fit the needs of a home shop weekend DIY guy. It is hard to beat though for a professional. For a guy that uses tools regularly but not professionally upgrading a few key tools such as ratchets and perhaps screwdrivers to Snap on will certainly be an excellent move.

 

[sgtgeo]

Well add a FXH80A and a SHL80A to the one above. Now I need a 1/4” suggestions?

 

[Yarpo]

Well add a FXH80A and a SHL80A to the one above. Now I need a 1/4” suggestions?

I like my TL72, but depends on what you're looking for

 

[jd_1138]

Slippery slope!

A slippery slope is only bad if the outcome is bad. Toolbox of quality tools ain't bad.

 

[ATC]

I can’t imagine going back to raised panel Craftsman after using a Dual80 ratchet.

I couldn't imagine going back to RP Cman after using a HF Pittsburg Pro ratchet



OP, I just bought my first SO tool today as well. A FL80. Mainly, I want to see what all the hype is all about. I'm not holding my breath...
$50 on Ebay...don't think I can go wrong

 

[mudflap]

A slippery slope is only bad if the outcome is bad. Toolbox of quality tools ain't bad.

I agree..as long as he is doing it like he is..

 

[sberry]

It doesn't take much to be an improvement over a Cman ratchet.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I sold all of my SO tools when I got out of automotive work and went into HVAC. A few years later when I started to enjoy fiddling with cars again, I got all new Craftsman stuff. Although I woudln't mind having the SO stuff back, I can't complain about the Craftsman stuff, either.

Tommy

 

[65k10]

I couldn't imagine going back to RP Cman after using a HF Pittsburg Pro ratchet



OP, I just bought my first SO tool today as well. A FL80. Mainly, I want to see what all the hype is all about. I'm not holding my breath...
$50 on Ebay...don't think I can go wrong

I'd say for $50 it's worth giving one a try. They might be a little over-hyped, but I'm very happy with my Dual 80 ratchets. I've tied a number of ratchets and while they are generally all serviceable, they usually had one or two things I didn't care for. The Snap-On ratchets are great all around with the only real downside being the cost. Of course the flip side of that is, I probably would have saved money just going with them first and being done with it.

 

[jonshonda]

It's funny because bicycle hubs follow the same basic design as ratchets, and the sky is the limit w/ regards to pricing. You can get really cheap Chinese hubs with sloppy tolerances, cheap bearings, and 20 degrees swing before engagement, or you can get some really nice american made hubs with custom bearings and less then 5 degrees engagement.

For fun google Chris King, or Onyx Racing for some top shelf bike hubs.

 

[sgtgeo]

Well eBay had a 15% off coupon code earlier tonight.

Picked up a used THLF72.

So a 1/2” two 3/8” and a 1/4”

 

[sk farmer]

i own a fair amount of snap-on items and have used many more and in more than one case have been disappointed as the snap-on is simply not that much better if at all than anything else.

i simply don't understand how so many people think that snap-on is made of pixie dust and sunshine and by using them or even owning them their lives will somehow be magicly changed for the better.

they may be good tools but they don't fix things by themselves, they don't cure cancer and they sure as hell won't get ya laid so i doubt they will drasticly change your life forever.

 

[eaglefan1]

I don't recall reading a post that said SO tools will cure cancer
I don't recall reading a post that said they will get you laid
I don't recall reading a post that said things will fix themselves with them
I don't recall reading a post that said that they will drastically change your life.

Im just a DIY guy that likes to work on Harleys. I like to buy and use SO tools. I work my *** off every day, so if I want to spend the money on them thats my choice, my money.

So if people want to spend their money on SO tools, GW, HF, their money brother.

 

[Robert Haas]

I am the Snap On enabler. I have gifted dozens of Snap On ratchets to younger folks that were assembling their first "real" set of tools and in more then a few cases this simple gift has began the path to understanding that top level quality in a tool promotes a higher level of respect for those tools.

 

[sk farmer]

Will my life be forever changed?

read the first entry from the op.

the things i mentioned are more than likely life changing events and one could come up with many more. they were just examples.

i am not lecturing anyone on what they should buy. i am just questioning how people equate their first snap-on tool to changing their life forever.

i would forego every snap-on tool i own for one more day with my father who passed away suddenly last summer. that was a life changing event.

 

[sk farmer]

I am the Snap On enabler. I have gifted dozens of Snap On ratchets to younger folks that were assembling their first "real" set of tools and in more then a few cases this simple gift has began the path to understanding that top level quality in a tool promotes a higher level of respect for those tools.

i have the utmost respect and admiration for this type of action. i will go a step further though. it is the guidance and care shown by a gifted and caring adult who actually takes the time to help a young person that begins the path. the results would be the same with any quality tool no matter the brand. it is just a tool that assists them along the way. far too much credit is given to the tool and not nearly enough to the person.

the real credit goes to you, not the name on the ratchet you gifted.

 

[Elementsoffire]

A slippery slope is only bad if the outcome is bad. Toolbox of quality tools ain't bad.

I think he meant the slippery financial slope

 

[joel63]

I am the Snap On enabler. I have gifted dozens of Snap On ratchets to younger folks that were assembling their first "real" set of tools and in more then a few cases this simple gift has began the path to understanding that top level quality in a tool promotes a higher level of respect for those tools.

You are a good guy.

 

[joel63]

i have the utmost respect and admiration for this type of action. i will go a step further though. it is the guidance and care shown by a gifted and caring adult who actually takes the time to help a young person that begins the path. the results would be the same with any quality tool no matter the brand. it is just a tool that assists them along the way. far too much credit is given to the tool and not nearly enough to the person.

the real credit goes to you, not the name on the ratchet you gifted.

Couldn't have said it any better.