Are snap on sockets worth the money?

[trackwelder]

And then the cost analysis comes about, return on investment blah blah. The same guys who have giant shops with tons of space to store stuff that could easily go in a shipping container. They could have a smaller shop which would have been cheaper to build, less yearly taxes paid, cheaper to heat or cool. Talk about wasted dollars over how many years.

No different than taking a road trip in a yugo or a Lincoln towncar. They both get you there but there is a difference to some people.

 

[trackwelder]

It's all about what you need and your preference. It's been said some guys think it's an ego trip and maybe so for some guys. I like working with top grade tools, equipment, and just about anything shop or car related. I could give a rats *** about fancy clothes, watches, shoes, etc.

 

[BK13]

If I had the chance to buy Snappy sockets at roughly half off, I would definitely get:
1/4" chrome, shallow, deep, semi deep 6 point, universal, 12 point semi deep
3/8" chrome, same
1/2" semi deep SAE chrome, MM semi deep impact
Gold HD removal Torx/hex
If I was flush with cash I'd get everything I could....

 

[sberry]

I have half a dozen of each size from accumulation, some of the common sizes more and over the years recognize many of them. They all work or they wouldn't be there and some have minute feature differences a collection seems to bring out.
Most would be correct that I don't own many snaps and havnt logged 1000's of intimate hours with them.

 

[MN_Runner]

I have been buying Snap On (or Mac Tools) sockets but limited to sizes I absolutely need:

10mm and 11mm 6pt deep socket 1/4" drive
10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm 6pt shallow socket in 3/8" drive
17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 24mm, 36mm 6pt shallow socket in 1/2" drive

I just like the way Snap On (Mac Tools) sockets fit and feel.

 

[Markfothebeast]

I use my sockets/ratchets/Dewalt 20v tools 365 days a year. I beat them to death. I have my cheap Husky tools replaced when I pass a Home Depot. No hassle, takes 2 minutes. I shook my head when I saw that my little brother had taken out a loan for a tool box that says "Snap-On". It added 3 imaginary ***** inches.

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[sberry]

And then the cost analysis comes about, return on investment blah blah. The same guys who have giant shops with tons of space to store stuff that could easily go in a shipping container. They could have a smaller shop which would have been cheaper to build, less yearly taxes paid, cheaper to heat or cool. Talk about wasted dollars over how many years.

No different than taking a road trip in a yugo or a Lincoln towncar. They both get you there but there is a difference to some people.

You would be correct, Sears tool box, full size shop.

 

[Infinia]

You would be correct, Sears tool box, full size shop.

just one bottom box?
If I made my living from wrenching mechanics tools I'm sure id have many Snap-ons esp. for the most used ones ... like sockets, so yes. BUT since I'm just a DIYer for over 30 years my USA Craftsman bottom box 12 drawers is loaded of mostly the like kind and age & it works well. But I realize there much more to a tool than it just works....

 

[Snap_cap]

For the most part we're grown men here. If someone wants to argue your science with their intuition it's not a viable slam on your character or honor, it's their opinion.
Laugh out loud and crack open a cold one. I guarantee you wont find a better forum for what is done here.

It has descended into a physics versus tactile feel argument at this point, neither side is completely wrong in their opinion.


At work I use Bonney, Craftsman (US manufacture), DeWalt and Snap On sockets.

All work well enough, but somehow, the S-O just work better.

 

[1950mercury]

If I had the chance to buy Snappy sockets at roughly half off, I would definitely get:
1/4" chrome, shallow, deep, semi deep 6 point, universal, 12 point semi deep
3/8" chrome, same
1/2" semi deep SAE chrome, MM semi deep impact
Gold HD removal Torx/hex
If I was flush with cash I'd get everything I could....

Do they even make 1/2 semi deep chrome?

 

[BK13]

Do they even make 1/2 semi deep chrome?

Only SAE. Metric is only impact.


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[BK13]

Link won't work.

 

[sberry]

just one bottom box?
If I made my living from wrenching mechanics tools I'm sure id have many Snap-ons esp. for the most used ones ... like sockets, so yes. BUT since I'm just a DIYer for over 30 years my USA Craftsman bottom box 12 drawers is loaded of mostly the like kind and age & it works well. But I realize there much more to a tool than it just works....

No, I have more than 1 and a full size service truck also. Maybe a thousand sockets, not really sure. I had a 1/4 Napa set I lost a while back which I really liked.
I have used hi end sockets, nothing wrong with them. But they would need to be given to me to get off my old stuff. I really don't have a golden arm anyway.

 

[CafeTools]

Snap on sockets have nice thin walls. Despite being the nicest socket I have used I don't think they are worth the money vs a decent USA craftsman socket.

 

[Banshee365]

I have seen people claim that SO sockets are really worth it in 1/4 drive.

I just received a new set of SO 1/4 drive semideep metrics. I am comparing them abainst my USA Craftsmans that I've used for years and I'm trying to see how they are so much better. I have tried a few fastener figments but haven't wenches with them yet.

I'm not making an argument here. I'm just asking what makes the 1/4 drive sockets worth it so much from SO.

 

[Strouty]

Does it happen often, no, but when it does generally the Snap On sockets will fit where others won't. The wrenches seem to have a lot better clearance and strength. I do have other brand sockets and wrenches, could I live without the Snap On tools, of course, but I enjoy the service I get from my driver.

 

[sberry]

Good thing you enjoy it.

 

[Cato]

At 1/2 off, MAYBE. Snap On sockets are pretty good, but way over priced. They have become a luxury good and are priced about their worth.

 

[T45]

I'm just asking what makes the 1/4 drive sockets worth it so much from SO.

Covered here

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6153209&postcount=71

 

[Banshee365]

Covered here

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6153209&postcount=71

Hardly...

FWIW I paid less than half of retail for these semideeps. Retail for the 12pc set is $288 and I paid $114 shipped.

The identical assortment set from SK is $84 prime on Amazon or $67 from HJE. Even at the pride I got the sockets at, I'm wondering if the SK's are just as good at even cheaper than the more than half off I got off these Snap-On sockets.

 

[gdocktor3]

I had a 1/4 Napa set I lost a while back which I really liked.
.

Thats a legit reason as to why Snap On sockets are not worth buying for service work. Losing a couple hundred dollar Snap On set vs a sub hundred dollar Napa set (I'm assuming) is pretty difficult to swallow when it's gone.

IMO, when it comes to the sockets/ratchets department, Snap On ratchets are superb and worth every penny, as are their wobble plus extensions and universals. As for sockets though, any reputable USA brand, and most Taiwan for that matter, are more than capable of turning fasteners just as well as SO. There are so many other brands out there for less than 1/2 the price of Snap On that work perfectly fine. If I worked in a shop/garage, I'd buy another brand, then buy off a tool truck if and only if I was in a pinch and absolutely needed a replacement socket that day.

 

[1950mercury]

Hardly...

FWIW I paid less than half of retail for these semideeps. Retail for the 12pc set is $288 and I paid $114 shipped.

The identical assortment set from SK is $84 prime on Amazon or $67 from HJE. Even at the pride I got the sockets at, I'm wondering if the SK's are just as good at even cheaper than the more than half off I got off these Snap-On sockets.

Retail is 218 not 288

 

[94EG8]

I've bought and used a lot of different brands of sockets over the years. Snap-On, Gray (Canada), Craftsman, Challenger, Easco, Mastercraft (Canadian Tire), Proto and some others I'm forgetting. The Snap-On sockets definitely fit better and have far less tendency to round a rusty fastener. They're also thinner for better clearance, and especially on the smaller 3/8 drive sockets the way they're shaped lets you get in a much tighter space. I'm slowly replacing other brands with Snap-On and for the most part wish I'd just spent the money on Snap-On in the first place. At 50% off I'd definitely buy some sockets, but I wouldn't go crazy either.

 

[Banshee365]

Retail is 218 not 288

Good catch. My bad. I just looked on the site and they're listed at $228. I must have had another set in mind that's 288.