32oz Snap-On Hammer impressions

[visionguru]

As an occasional DIYer, I've already accumulated lots of tools. Therefore, I decided to buy only top quality tools when I need more or for upgrade.

A few weeks ago, when I was replacing the lower control arm, I realized that I don't have a good hammer. So, I just got this Snap On Hammer HBBD32.

Two impressions:
(1) It's pretty;
(2) Snap On seems to skim on QC: Notice the ridge in the middle. I don't care so much about other places, but the ridge makes it uncomfortable for holding with bare hand. For a $100 hammer, Snap-On could do better.

 

[racinfarmer]

Why would you buy a $100 Snap-on hammer when you could get the same thing from Estwing Vaughn for probably 1/3rd the price?

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

id expect the snap on man to warranty that or give you a discount. For what they cost id want it to be right. if i got it used i might just smooth it out with some sandpaper and call it a day but not straight off the truck i woulda handed it right back to him

 

[LXCam]

You spent $100 on a 32oz hammer. I bet when you go to the nudy bar you make it rain too.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

Have the same hammer (garage sell find that I replaced on the truck for free) and I love it, abuse it daily. Mine doesn't have the molding issues like yours, it's very comfortable to hold, that's the main reason I like it, the grip is very comfortable.

Guess you got a Monday hammer, tough break.

I buy and have things replaced on the truck, I can visually inspect things before committing to a purchase. But I understand that you don't have that luxury. But you can take it to one and express your dissatisfaction and a good truck owner will replace it no questions asked.


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[racinfarmer]

You spent $100 on a 32oz hammer. I bet when you go to the nudy bar you make it rain too.

She was pretty pissed when he tried to slip a HF hammer into her g-string.

She is higher class than that!

 

[ocloc24]

Why would you buy a $100 Snap-on hammer when you could get the same thing from Estwing Vaughn for probably 1/3rd the price?

Estwing and Vaughn don't make a deadblow ballpeen. The one or 2 companies who do produce them are priced at $60-$70 and to some the extra $30 is worth it for the warranty.

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[Codejack]

Estwing and Vaughn don't make a deadblow ballpeen. The one or 2 companies who do produce them are priced at $60-$70 and to some the extra $30 is worth it for the warranty.

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Armstrong for $42.

http://www.tooltopia.com/armstrong-...zEGWHP__L2VGEW6Hm5lC0RL788qjAQKBoC4zIQAvD_BwE

Of course, I could see the warranty and service being worth the money, but yea, I'd want it to be perfect.

 

[ocloc24]

Armstrong for $42.

http://www.tooltopia.com/armstrong-...zEGWHP__L2VGEW6Hm5lC0RL788qjAQKBoC4zIQAvD_BwE

Of course, I could see the warranty and service being worth the money, but yea, I'd want it to be perfect.

I was only looking and companies that still are in business.

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[cliftonbros89]

And not to mention if anyone would consider going with that Armstrong then you'd be much better off just buying straight from the source, Trusty-Cook, then using the GJ coupon code and get 20% off plus free shipping. Besides don't bother with Armstrong since they're no more.

 

[Jaysreal]

And not to mention if anyone would consider going with that Armstrong then you'd be much better off just buying straight from the source, Trusty-Cook, then using the GJ coupon code and get 20% off plus free shipping. Besides don't bother with Armstrong since they're no more.

Whoa there's a GJ code? What is it!

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[cliftonbros89]

Whoa there's a GJ code? What is it!

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If I recall correctly I believe it was jg20. Been awhile since I've used it. I'm assuming it's still a good code. May have to message hammersmadeinusa about it

 

[kkroger]

GJ20 or JG20 does not seem to work at Trusty Cook.

 

[JimNC]

Search for the Trusty-Cook blemish thread for bargains on soft-faced hammers. Don't recall seeing a discount code, but if it exists I'll use it!

 

[kball]

Armstrong for $42.

http://www.tooltopia.com/armstrong-...zEGWHP__L2VGEW6Hm5lC0RL788qjAQKBoC4zIQAvD_BwE

Of course, I could see the warranty and service being worth the money, but yea, I'd want it to be perfect.

That's for a 16 oz. Here's the 32 http://www.tooltopia.com/armstrong-68-532.aspx

$62 Plus shipping since it's not over $75, getting closer to SO pricing...

 

[AngryBeaver]

I've had two of these since they came out. Take that back to your dealer and have them replace it.

Those Armstrong/Stanley/proto composocast hammers are no where near the same. They still have a steel shank that will ring your elbows unlike the snap ons.

 

[Finky198]

^^^ Replace it over what a raise plastic seam, Give me a break you guys have gone off the deep end. Op you need to Toughen up your hands or put on some gloves.

They are excellent hammer, I have 16oz BP , 24oz bronze , and 40oz BP . I've broken 2 of the 16oz and had them replaced no problem that what makes them worth it. There tough, have good grip, little bounce and put the power where you need it all with a lifetime warranty.


An I'm not hating on other brands for the rec I own Vaughn and Estwing and HF as well, but for other hammer types... I hear great things about trusty cook on here. Next go around I'll probably replace my HF dead blows with either Snap or trusty just for the warranty. Although HF has replace them multiple times they are just not up to par as they tend to crack...

My advice if you want a really nice handled hammer hand pick Vaughn or Estwings with wood handles and refinish them to your liking. I've done it to all my wood hammers I sand then use a tack cloth and use boiled linseed oil in numerous coats with ample dry time between. I finish with hard carnauba wax. Then buff and re wax as need its a super smooth finish with a slightly tacky or grippy feel...


If you look here you can see my 40oz hammer has the same moulding lineage a few samples of the wood handles. Older post https://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4974778&postcount=781

 

[GTO]

I love my 32oz green SO,I think you're just nit picking....sorry

 

[Snap_cap]

^^^ Replace it over what a raise plastic seam, Give me a break you guys have gone off the deep end. Op you need to Toughen up your hands or put on some gloves.

They are excellent hammer, I have 16oz BP , 24oz bronze , and 40oz BP . I've broken 2 of the 16oz and had them replaced no problem that what makes them worth it. There tough, have good grip, little bounce and put the power where you need it.

And for the rec I own Vaughn and Estwing as well, but for other hammer types...

Or actually do the logical thing of taking a penknife and trimming the mold seam flash off in less than a minute in both time and effort.

Though that would mean one less complaint thread posted on GJ about the (imaginary) evils of Snap-On.

 

[d.mcfarland]

(2) Snap On seems to skim on QC: Notice the ridge in the middle. I don't care so much about other places, but the ridge makes it uncomfortable for holding with bare hand. For a $100 hammer, Snap-On could do better.

That's called a parting line. It's where the molding machine is split to allow the item to come out of the mold. As far as quality control goes, that parting line is very good. Anything beyond that you would have to do it yourself because a machine cannot get it much better.

 

[Finky198]

Exactly ^^^^ my father spent 15 years in the plastic biz during the VHS and DVD booms injection moulding cases I'd better have learned somthing... from the man. The fact that the seam is smooth and looks radius near the head and tapers off towards the handle might be designed into the mold or just wears in but the degree of imperfection is minimal in most cases. The hammers in ? shows no other flaws near the head or sides or logo. It'd be hard to say with out looking at the machine and a lot of hammers from said line...

But it's a non issues everysingle hammer off their production line has some degree of the line.
As do any injection moulded parts.

 

[Finky198]

I just look over all of mine every e single brand has the same casting Marks some where the Vaughn rubber head has a line granted its not the handle, my snap ons are worse then the OPs, and the HF has a line all the way around. In other word its unavoidable...

 

[Cummins_Tech]

The HF deadblows are terrible for sure. I said what the hell and tried one, and it was trashed within the week. Wasn't worth me wasting the diesel to go replace it. The SO deadblows are far better in every way but price.


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[kb1982]

Looks like someone forgot to hit the parting line with a can opener. You can pick one up at home depot pretty cheap, but for the price, it should have been done already.
100875 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/110082568@N08/

 

[Cummins_Tech]

MOST shops require you to wear gloves anyways, which may be why most professionals don't pay any mind to it. I'll have to look at mine and see tomorrow if there is any line. But what the OP posted, I know wouldn't cause me any discomfort.


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[tjmonsen5]

You are being way too picky. The snap-on dead blow hammers crush the competition. There is more engineering in that hammer than any other. Composite shaft, flexes and absorbs shock unlike all other competitors using a steel shank. Flow through head, allows shot to travel freely from one side of the head to the other, giving better dead blow action. And steel shot instead of lead won't break down over time. Those are just a few of the features in a snapon hammer which makes it worth the money.

 

[md21722]

Other hammers will work but Snap On dead blows are just a joy to use. Have yours replaced under the lifetime warranty and motor on. The grips on the Trusty-Cooks don't fit my hand well so I prefer the Snap On ones.

 

[Wamsutta]

I got one of those on my want list but since they're so pricey, I'm going with the 40 ounce. Nothing worse than spending all that money for a 32 ounce only to wish you had the additional 8 ounces.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

That's what she said.


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[mrbillh]

Since I have neither I reply in ignorance, but the handle on a trusty cook looks just like the SO. For the price difference I was going to go for a TC. Especially since they post here on garage journal

 

[T45]

The handle on a trusty cook looks just like the SO. For the price difference...

Absolutely not...The snap-on has a dual-compound grip, which is way better.

Anyone (including the dealer) can take that flash off in 30 seconds with simple tools. People waste $30 in time talking about a 2 minute DIY solved "problem".

IMHO anyone who really needs a $100 hammer knows why they are buying it, and none of the issues raised in this thread really matter.

Take a look at the machined faces on that Ball-peen...

Try comparing those to the **** you get on a cheap hammer

It would take 10 times as long to re-face (by hand) a common hammer than to sand or edge off that handle flash.

I just got done doing same to a USA Vaughn. The Vaughn is a great hammer, don't get me wrong, but it is sold basically unfinished due to the low price points now needed to compete.

The hammer is covered n clear shelack and the faces on both ends are junk and need to be ground and profiled correctly by the end user.

Of course doing so is a pretty basic task and anyone using a BP to shape metal (that understands why this is being done) won't have too much issue appreciating the task isn't that hard or difficult either...

In otherwords, appreciate what you've got

 

[Finky198]

I got one of those on my want list but since they're so pricey, I'm going with the 40 ounce. Nothing worse than spending all that money for a 32 ounce only to wish you had the additional 8 ounces.

I am very happy I went with the 40oz cause the head size is the same as the 32oz and only the handles a 1.5" longer. That was my last off the truck purchase about 3 years ago I've been behaving myself. But it's my go to BFH... ever since. Zero complaints I've beaten on it six way to Sunday. I wash it in the parts washer. it look almost new except for a few scuffs and scratches...

 

[BuffettFan]

I can't believe nobody has beaten me to this.


"I'm sorry, I don't do impressions"

 

[Hammer1963]

I hate to burst your bubble, but there's nothing wrong wit that hammer. The issues you pointed out are so, so minor and can be taken care of by you in short work. What the hammer brings to you as a tool overall is the true value of the tool. Sure you could purchase one from Trusty-Cook but you have the Snap-on version and I can attest that it is a good product.

 

[visionguru]

I hate to burst your bubble, but there's nothing wrong wit that hammer. The issues you pointed out are so, so minor and can be taken care of by you in short work. What the hammer brings to you as a tool overall is the true value of the tool. Sure you could purchase one from Trusty-Cook but you have the Snap-on version and I can attest that it is a good product.

Sure, I have no problem to spend 5minutes to smooth out with my craft knives. I still think Snap-On should pay more attention to the workmanship.

Yesterday, I went to Menards to get some light bulbs. I walked past the hammer section. I found that among all of the hammers there (cheap or not), NONE of them makes me feel the molding ridge on the handle.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

Just checked mine. No ridge whatsoever. Guess you just got a Monday hammer. Not really that big of a deal. Still going to be one of the best deadblow hammers you've ever used.


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[AngryBeaver]

my only gripe about the snap on hammers is they don't offer a ball peen deadblow larger than 40oz... I want a 60oz.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

I THINK matco has one... maybe


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[WhiffySpark]

I THINK matco has one... maybe


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I had their biggest. I think it was rebranded trusty cook. The only reason I brought it was because it was bigger than the snap on. I should have brought the snapon.

I loved my Matco one, but it's still at my last employers lol

 

[WhiffySpark]

And I should add I switched to the engineers hammer for esting. Always meant to do a trusty cook order but I quit before I did