Are snap on sockets worth the money?

[schmoldty]

I have all craftsman USA sockets right now but with the SEP snap on discount I get roughly half off. Just wondering if it is really worth the extra money for sockets and why?

 

[sberry]

Only you can answer if its worth it, don't the old ones work? Will new make you a better mechanic? More guys than just me used cman a whole career.
Snaps are good and maybe the best but there is no point in shoving a box full of them, buy a piece or 2 where you need or use them.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

Half off it's worth it to buy and resell. With craftsman production going to china and the whole thread about sears going down if I had a discount like that I'd get them that way you're assured the wareenty and you won't get China ones in return from warranty. In the end it's up to you. I love the finish on my snap on wrenches and half off if I had the money I'd jump on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[maxpower_hd]

The easy answer is no. But the long winded answer is still only maybe. I have a lot of different brands including Snap On and they all work pretty well with the exception of the cheapest of the cheap, non impact type sockets which easily break. That being said I have also broken a few smaller Snap On sockets.

They are US made and great quality but pricey. So if your Craftsman ones do the job I would say let them continue to do the job until they don't, then replace them with the best you can afford.

The attraction is that they are industrial quality, have an excellent warranty, they have a truck that comes to you and they will finance tools you can get today when you need them. If you don't need any of those things then they may not be worth it. But to some they are.

 

[AA/FC]

Snap On sockets are damn nice but maybe not worth their retail price, depending on your personal situation. In my opinion, anything that is made out of steel by Snap On, in a Snap On factory is pretty high quality..... sockets, ratchets, wrenches, pliers, extensions, etc, etc... Those items are worth the price ESPECIALLY if you're getting a 50% discount! Other tools such as re-branded items that are NOT actually made by Snap On, or cordless power tools etc, etc, are probably not worth the extra money just for the SO name.

My rule of thumb when I'm on the truck is.... I don't fall for the gimmicky items (like BBQ utensils made to look like SO tools and so on) and I stay strictly with items actually made by SO, in a SO factory. All other Chinese **** can be purchased elsewhere without the SO markup.

 

[ssdave]

Depends on what you do, and how much you'll use them. Personally, I like Snap-on and have them. Could I get by with lesser quality? Sure, especially in my 1/2" drive. But, it's a real pleasure to have nice stuff, if you can afford it. If I had to choose between other things in life and having Snap-on sockets, I'd sure look at whether I could get by with less expensive sockets.

In 1/4" drive, I absolutely think they're worth it if you work on automotive stuff. The strength and usability in the small sockets makes them extremely well suited for automotive work. There's not quite as much advantage in 3/8" drive. The 1/4" drive Snap-on are flat out better than any others I have used. I use mine now where I used to use 3/8". The extra clearance by using the small stuff and the less weight makes them easier to use, and reduces fatigue.

What I do not have, but would like to have are the semi-deep Snap-on sockets. I think a 3/8" set would be extremely useful.

How long have you been using your Craftsman stuff, and how are they working for you? If you do a lot of work now, buy a 10mm snap-on socket and substitute it for your Craftsman one. That should tell you in a short period of time if you notice a difference in quality and usability.

 

[schmoldty]

I use the snap on stuff at school and it seems like the difference is pretty noticeable, also I'm going to be in a career for maintenance so I'm kind of planning for the future as well. And i figured i could either buy craftsman doubles or snap on and keep craftsman at home

 

[woody 73]

That is a very good question that you ask, the person you need to contact for that special question is Dr. Philip O'Hanlon from Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York. I am sure he can ask his daughter Virginia for much needed assistance in this matter.

 

[[email protected]]

I have used many diffrent sockets i have mostly snap on now but only because ive found them cheap at pawn shops. when i was in tech school I used the discout to get a few snap on tools but Matco also offers student discounts through there website and you get about 50% off. I bought mostly matco stuff because it was free shipping and when you order 800 lbs of tools it saves you alot.

my suggestion is to use the discount for the uncommon stuff, what i meen is i bought the universal impact sockets because there expesive and you dont see them for sale used much at a good price, on the other hand a set of chrome metric sockets are all over the place used.

 

[M6erfan]

IMO, only if you work with them to make a living and need the service/warranty support that the tool truck offers. With a 50% discount they become that much more value attractive...

I have C'man USA (G series), Facom, Ko-ken, KTC, Proto & Metrinch sockets. Ive never broken one and they all turn fasteners with no issues.

 

[Tenex]

At full price, no. With a student discount or from eBay, maybe. But only if you plan on using them to make a living. So many other manufacturers, both foreign and domestic, make quality sockets that will withstand heavy abuse.

 

[B_Bimmer]

If you use them, yes.

 

[bcradio]

only worth it if you use them professionally AND (not OR) you get service from a Snap-On truck IMO.

 

[gdocktor3]

Does your discount apply to Williams? Even at 50% off, Snap On is more then I can justify paying for. Especially something I already have, like sockets. Williams though, at 50% off would be an awesome deal.

To be honest though, there's nothing like Snap On tools.

 

[popparoach]

the real answer when it comes to sockets is no.wrenches ,ratchets,screwdrivers? yeah probably worth it with the discount.

 

[txvwnut]

I'll say yes as mine are close to 30 years old and still in great shape, and in use as a professional. The ones that get the most use are showing their age and usage but still grab onto a fastener and not slip as well as stay put on a ratchet or extension.



My disclaimer, i can't believe the prices of SO products now. I mean they were high when I first started buying in '87 but it wasn't a ridiculous number like it is now.

 

[woody 73]

Op did you talk to Dr. O'Hanlon yet and ask him Are snap on Sockets worth the money ?

 

[maxpower_hd]

I'll say yes as mine are close to 30 years old and still in great shape, and in use as a professional. The ones that get the most use are showing their age and usage but still grab onto a fastener and not slip as well as stay put on a ratchet or extension.



My disclaimer, i can't believe the prices of SO products now. I mean they were high when I first started buying in '87 but it wasn't a ridiculous number like it is now.

I have some really old ones too and the Snap On guy had no problem replacing the few that were sort of rounded and showing wear. So it is worth it in that regard.

 

[DSLTRK]

I'd say only for replacing 1/4'' drive Craftsman.
'
The broaching and detent on their 1/4 sockets is junk. I've damaged way too many 8mm and smaller fasteners and decided to scrap them.


For 3/8 and 1/2" drive, Craftsman sockets are almost as good as Snap-on functionally. Sure a few sizes, like 11mm and 7/16, are really thick, and the finish is ugly and poor, but the steel quality and size tolerances are excellent. I'm talking about the recent USA versions, not the China replacements.


If I had no Snap-on tools, the first tool i'd get would be any of their ratchets.

 

[Derek420]

I say no I have craftsman and snap on and every other brand you can think of really and all are the same and do same job. Just about every good brand has a life time warranty and so what if you can't get a USA socket at Sears you can buy a replacement all day long for pennies that are USA made. On the used market you see more craftsman than snap on and hell for the Money you save you can get 10 of every socket used and still have most of your money. Don't listen to the guys that say snap on is a better socket because they are no different as long as you use them right and not abuse or use wrong drive size they will last a lifetime. Also you hear so many people bitching about craftsman being from China now but do you freaking hear anything about oh my Chinese sockets broke hell no just people bitching about where they are made who the hell cares we own and use stuff and buy stuff from China and Taiwan everyday of our life even in the cars we drive and people want to get on a forum and ***** and bash a Chinese tool redicolous be smarter than them buy what works and is cheapest best you can and save money or keep craftsman sockets and buy snap on ratchets... Up to you..... Just my 2 cents

 

[PelicanPines]

Needed a 3mm hex key socket... knew I had a 90% chance of breaking it... So I bought Snapon... cost me about $7... it's worth it to me since I will be in for a warranty for sure.

 

[Tenex]

I say no I have craftsman and snap on and every other brand you can think of really and all are the same and do same job. Just about every good brand has a life time warranty and so what if you can't get a USA socket at Sears you can buy a replacement all day long for pennies that are USA made. On the used market you see more craftsman than snap on and hell for the Money you save you can get 10 of every socket used and still have most of your money. Don't listen to the guys that say snap on is a better socket because they are no different as long as you use them right and not abuse or use wrong drive size they will last a lifetime. Also you hear so many people bitching about craftsman being from China now but do you freaking hear anything about oh my Chinese sockets broke hell no just people bitching about where they are made who the hell cares we own and use stuff and buy stuff from China and Taiwan everyday of our life even in the cars we drive and people want to get on a forum and ***** and bash a Chinese tool redicolous be smarter than them buy what works and is cheapest best you can and save money or keep craftsman sockets and buy snap on ratchets... Up to you..... Just my 2 cents

There is a difference between Snap On and Craftsman. Period. But the principle of diminishing returns on investment should clarify why it doesn't make sense to spend 8-10 times as much to obtain a product that is, at most, 10-15% better in quality.

By no means am I a proponent of Chinese tools. Search this forum and you'll find plenty other American brands suggested.

 

[HaroRider]

In my opinion Snap On sockets are a luxury item when compared to USA Craftsman. Can I get to work in a Honda? Sure, but it would be nicer in a Benz.

I consider Snap On line wrenches a necessity over other lower quality..but thats just my opinion..

 

[Sticks McGee]

I have been turning wrenches and buying tools since 1986. I have snap-on, mac and craftsman sockets and wrenches. Just this morning I used 1/4" drive sockets from my first tool set (200 pc craftsman I bought to attend tech school the summer of 85) I used the 7/16 and the 1/2 deep sockets. They work just like they worked when I bought them. Back 20 years ago Mac and Snap-on were very closely matched in price. Now the Snap-ons are way more for the same thing. Every shop I worked in from the time I started had a Snap-on guy coming by. Some had Mac and I had a Matco guy for about 6 months. Back then Snap-on beat the piss out of Mac with specialty tools and since Snap-on was very regular in every shop I worked in, they got my business. Like most 20 year olds starting out, I went in debt for a box and started building my tool collection for work.

My current shop I have been here by myself since 1997. I did not owe any tool truck any money at the time. First week I was here a Mac guy stopped by. he told me he would stop every friday. I told him I had a good box and most of the basics and would most likely never make any large purchases. he told me he would stop every week and if I never bought a tool from him he would still come by. He did. He was my Mac guy for 10 years until he retired around 2007. he missed one friday in that time when his son got married out of state. I have probably had at least 8 Snap-on guys in that same time frame. They are hit or miss on coming regularily.

I have no issues with sockets from Mac, Snap-on or Sears. The only thing I don't like is the markings on the impact sockets from Snap-on are very hard to read for me. I have no problems with wrenches from any of them either or screwdrivers really. The Snap-on screwdrivers have nice handles on them to give a good amount of torque. Currently my main set of screwdrivers in my work box is Mac. I think the Snap-on and Mac regular torx sockets are better than sears as they hold up and stay in the fasteners better and break less than the sears although I have broken my fair share of them and they are always warrantied.

I bought a 3/8" drive set of impact sockets (shallow and deep) in standards (5/16" to 1") from Mac. They are "expert" brand and they came on blue twist lock rails. he said they are made by Stanely I think...Very very good so far. Right now they have a sale on 1/2" drive impact sockets in metric. 10mm-24mm deep and shallow with a short impact extension and an impact swivel for $219. It includes a 23" breaker bar and twist lock socket rails. That's one hell of a deal IMO

 

[rsanter]

IMO......yes they can be
If you are getting a nice discount and you are really going to use the stuff then get some. But still keep a lot of the Cman that you have.

What would I buy?

A few good ratchets
Then the half deep 3/8 sockets

Start to use those and then you can make further choices from there.

You do not need to have all snap on. Some of the Cman stuff will work just fine for you

Bob

 

[Deej]

at first glance i thought you were asking if snap on socks were worth the money. Yes, snap on socks are very much worth the money.

 

[popparoach]

craftsman socks are better than snap on socks.better warranty too.

 

[sberry]

I bought 6 Snap wrenches for 75$ in about 80 or so.

 

[four.cycle]

Depends on what you do, and how much you'll use them. Personally, I like Snap-on and have them. Could I get by with lesser quality? Sure, especially in my 1/2" drive. But, it's a real pleasure to have nice stuff, if you can afford it. If I had to choose between other things in life and having Snap-on sockets, I'd sure look at whether I could get by with less expensive sockets.

In 1/4" drive, I absolutely think they're worth it if you work on automotive stuff. The strength and usability in the small sockets makes them extremely well suited for automotive work. There's not quite as much advantage in 3/8" drive. The 1/4" drive Snap-on are flat out better than any others I have used. I use mine now where I used to use 3/8". The extra clearance by using the small stuff and the less weight makes them easier to use, and reduces fatigue.

(emphasis added)

I'm going to concur with Dave's assessment there.

The only Snap-on I own is a set of 1/4" drive metric 12-point deep-wells. They were $10 a pop 23 years ago. Are they worth it? Yes, if I have to get into a hole on some tiny bolt on my truck.
I have 1/4" drive in Indestro, Duro Chrome, Thorsen, Giller, Wright, S-K, Powr-Kraft (Wright), Craftsman, and a few others. They all work. Sometimes you have to get into a hole with something that has an exceptionally good fit; that's why you pay $10 for a 1/4" drive socket.

The 3/8" and 1/2" drive stuff I have a mess of other brands (mostly Indestro, Thorsen, and Craftsman.) They work just dandy. I don't break sockets, so "warranty" isn't an issue for me.

I will say, though, that the 1/4" shallow S-K's are actually much nicer than some of the others, but that may just be because the numbers are stamped on them large enough that I can see them without a magnifying glass!

 

[T45]

Snap on 1/4 are definitely worth the investment for modern enginework. I like the mid deeps and the deeps, the shallows are great tools but I like 25-28mm socket depths more for day to day work than the 22mm shallow depth regular snap ons (lack of knuckle clearance).

In general, the SEP toolkits are not unwiese investments. The retail sticker shock is there, but with the discount and the high resale value to mitigate risk down the road, its probably smart money if you have the capital to invest. That last sentence is not to be taken forgranted tho.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Read the front pages of a Haynes manual at Autozone or the Library about buying tools and upgrading when necessary. Let the basics work, replace when it needs to be.

Learn to identify quality forgings, chrome, ergonomics of handles, machining, and other tangible features. Craftsman raised panel wrenches.****; their handles hurt. Facom pliers have great handles in many cases.

If your career absolutely will put you in a Honda shop for the.first few years, buy the sizes you need, not the whole set.

Think smart. Brand names don't help make smart choices.

 

[M6erfan]

Read the front pages of a Haynes manual at Autozone or the Library about buying tools and upgrading when necessary. Let the basics work, replace when it needs to be.

Learn to identify quality forgings, chrome, ergonomics of handles, machining, and other tangible features. Craftsman raised panel wrenches.****; their handles hurt. Facom pliers have great handles in many cases.

If your career absolutely will put you in a Honda shop for the.first few years, buy the sizes you need, not the whole set.

Think smart. Brand names don't help make smart choices.

^^^This should be sticky'd...

 

[sberry]

I am not under the hood full time but more than a bolt on my truck crowd. I got nothing against high dollar tools but a guy got to ask this probably wont be helped a lot if he has stuff he already owns outright that will do the job. It would be one thing to compare Cman if it was near the price but the shate is less than the sales tax for a premium brand in Michigan, its so cheap the loss or risk is rather irrelevant. Some of the sales are at 3% of retail to the best and as someone asked,,,, how much better is it especially if you got something that works.
I wo0uld move on if I could unless you got xtra for a hobby and find something I did need or would greatly improve my life.

 

[ilovevocs]

I have allot of friends that are in their mid 30's that only by snap-on. I think the branding gets to them as much as owning a quality tool. It's like buy a Harley. They can't afford a Harley though, or to move out of mom and dads house. But hey they have 80k in snap-on tools though, and from time to time have enough to wear their snap-on jacket and hat to the ********** and flip a few singles at some ladies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sberry]

I duped on occasion from auto parts with impact sockets back in the day, it wasn't that 3 or 4$ was a great deal but they deliver and its still under warranty with them despite owner changes, they mark them up 8 times at their cost and don't even blink, bring me a new one with delivery an hour from now but it was bought as a labor saver at the time. Same for a single today at Lowes, 6 or 7$ but you can get what and when and its a good socket. I don't go to HF so I don't know the stock, probably 1/2 price though. I figured it was for convenience, people pay thru the nose for truck convenience but piss and moan about a dollar or 2 for it.

 

[fatfillup]

I have not read all the responses. I sell used tools and call on shops and mechanics for my other business for over 3 decades, so I have been around a lot of mechanics.

One, you will never get the 50% off deal once you leave school so it is a great opportunity. Second, the Snap on sockets are viewed as the best by most mechanics I know. Third, I sell used Snap on at 50% of retail, so you are getting brand new shiny for the same money i sell used.

So IMO, if you are planning on making a living with tools, it could be a good investment if you can pay for them up front, and you are not like me and lose tools on a semi regular basis.

If you have to finance them, maybe buy a few, but don't go nuts. I would buy ratchets, pliers and screwdrivers before I invested in expensive sockets.

Note, if you buy them and get out of the business, you can easily sell them for what you have in them

 

[shortykorte]

I have all craftsman USA sockets right now but with the SEP snap on discount I get roughly half off. Just wondering if it is really worth the extra money for sockets and why?

Roughly half off? This tells me that SO is like Apple (I own both) and because of they offer a good product and have a big but blind fan base they can charge ridiculous prices. Then you get get to finance because they're high dollar and you have to have SO products. From a business stand point and if your are a mechanic, you are a business with a contract with another business you need to look at income vs. expense (ROI). If I'm starting a taxi cab business, do I buy 3 Honda Accords or one Mercedes? I know which one I'm buying. I'm buying two Hondas and using the difference as capital to cover emergencies.

 

[2oolhound]

As a student the tools you buy now should be with you for 40 years or so. Cost spread over 40 years isn't so scary and if any brand will still be U.S. made in 40 years it will likely be snap-on.
40 years ago when I was working on motorcycles there weren't many tools that would fit into tight spots without grinding them down but snap-on was one brand that usually fit without mods. They were well designed with good materials and thin enough to give clearance but strong enough to take the torque required of them. There's a lot more choices today but if I were choosing tools for a 40 year future snap-on is a brand I'd be happy with. You should probably keep your receipts though because indiscriminate warranties are a thing manufacturers are tightening up on and it will only be worse further into the future.

 

[sberry]

I didn't always follow the cheaper is better philosophy, didn't start that way. some of it has been real change, some of it math, some experience and most of it lasted way longer than we expected and still works fine today.
First few wrenches I got sot some, second some less and the ones I use most today even less and if I am ripping off will consciously take a cheaper tool provided the outcome will be the same.
I can make a combo wrench do a lot of stuff others have difficulty with and the same with shallow/deep and extension set but got some 3/8 wobbles from ATD work so good I buy another set.
I have some swivels and such but its really rare I cant figure out how to rig it simple and will go up a drive size if I can, I use the biggest I can vs the smallest and don't even own 3/8 impacts.
If I was on cars every day would make some changes but I been admiring a job before I even start here longer than its going to take to do it, have every tool in order and simply don't need any more gadgets. As the Chiltons said, be practical and keep a few bucks in your pocket, need a set of new bits today,,, run down to Walmart and get them if you absolutely cant wait.
You can buy a pretty much world class socket set from Stanley there is super good. Nice chrome and super tuff. Lotso trailer trsh beats them with a HF bar and a cheater. Like closer to a dollar a piece than 2 for 1/2 drive just like the wrenches.
A guy can depreciate it in a minor event and own it clear. Not even a concern for insurance, no one steals all your HF ****.

 

[sberry]

A guy could get a set and add to it including a few USA pieces and mostly China, HF or Sears, maybe Stanley even to tear the **** out of late model cars in a demo yard for 5 or 600$ easy. Have sets for it all handy dandy. Stanley sells a lot of the same bits and blanks upper brand I believe, nothing says abuse like Torx and hex bits. They are pretty good. Been used once a week for a decade for brake work, was 13$ when I bought them on a Sunday night for job Monday morning and figured wtf, can replace them, still work.
I had some early ACE stuff, I paid about 15 in a jamb up and they were really tuff and lost them. Worked on seat belt **** back in the day, even tapped a few with air gun.