Blue Point v Snap-On ??

[BarnFab]

I thought i would ask here as I am sure someone will know but am I correct in thinking that the purpose of Blue Point is so Snap-On can get cheaper tools made without damaging its reputation ?

Do Snap-On make ratcheting Spanners or are they all Blue Point ?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Lets close this before it even starts.

 

[BarnFab]

Lets close this before it even starts.

What do you mean ?

 

[Musicinabottle]

I have a Blue Point Box and really like it. I think that Blue point just puts the chance to own a fabulous tool in the average guys hands, for those who can't afford Snap on. I like my Snap on tools very much by the way!

 

[Musicinabottle]

What do you mean ?

There's a certain mentality against snap on, craftsman, harbor freight etc. These threads tend to spiral out of control, but this is still a valid thread in my opinion. Also, since you're new, never admit that you exchanged yard sale tools under warranty. Bad move!

 

[Stuart in MN]

I thought i would ask here as I am sure someone will know but am I correct in thinking that the purpose of Blue Point is so Snap-On can get cheaper tools made without damaging its reputation ?

Blue Point tools have been around since long before most of us were born, it's not about damaging reputations. Blue Point is their 'value' line, so they can offer a decent tool for a little less money; it's no different than what many other companies do.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

The SO truck has certain tools that can only be had with the Blue Point name. I have a few Blue Point tools and they are all well made. If I every break anything I just trade it out for a new one on the SO truck. The same as a Snap on branded tool.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Pretty much and it's also still being able to sell something to someone who can't justify buying at Snap on prices for certain items. Snap on at least is smart enough to keep it's Made in China and Taiwan stuff mostly under Blue Point unlike Mac. There's ratcheting wrenches under both Snap on and Blue Point. The Snap on ones are Made in USA and the Bluepoint ones are Made in Taiwan.

 

[shawhite]

Do Snap-On make ratcheting Spanners or are they all Blue Point ?

Yes snap-on makes a line of ratcheting wrenches/spanners

 

[AA/FC]

Blue Point is a name that Snap on uses for tools that are not made by Snap-on. It does NOT mean that Blue Point tools are made overseas.... At one point, when there were many tool manufacturers operating inside the US, Blue Point tools were often stamped made in USA. But now that most manufacturing has moved away, a good majority of BP tools are no longer made here.

And just to be clear, Blue Point is "a" name that SO uses for tools not made by them, its NOT necessarily the "only" name SO uses for outsourced tools.

.

 

[bob15]

Blue Point also had a chrome tool line that was USA-made as well.

 

[Tonyuk]

You can get blue point tools made in the US and you can get snap-on tools made in China,

Buy what you like.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Where is this Chicago you speak of?

 

[Wamsutta]

Do Snap-On make ratcheting Spanners or are they all Blue Point ?

If it says "Snap-on" on the spanner then it's made by Snap-on.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Where is this Chicago you speak of?

It's a "V" tool as well...

Seriously, tho, just because something is made in the US does not automatically mean it's the best of the best... there are budget tool manufacturers here, just like in the orient.

 

[eyeball]

Lets close this before it even starts.

This thread caught my attention and I for one want to see where it goes.

Since you are under no obligation to participate, why do you feel it is necessary to prevent the rest of us from exchanging our thoughts and opinions?

 

[Jbullfrog]

Originally, Snap-On was the socket and drive tool line and Blue-Point was everything else. Now, Blue-Point is used on tools from manufacturers outside of Snap-On.

 

[MayerMR]

This thread caught my attention and I for one want to see where it goes.

Since you are under no obligation to participate, why do you feel it is necessary to prevent the rest of us from exchanging our thoughts and opinions?

I think he was just being cheeky...

 

[ChevyEFI]

It is all economics.

When you run a massive company that sells goods, you have to make what sells. If you have a new and unique piece, or some other reason that it can sell at top riding, that is what you do. There are lots of ways a Snap-On or a Tiffanys keeps their upper end market.

By the same token, if all kinds of aftermarket companies from Lisle to Harbor Freight make a knock-off of an item for minimal cost, you can't really be bothered with making it, because margin and volume fail to make worth your while. So the seal puller bar made in the 70s by SO that is damn handy that is now made by HF isn't made by SO anymore. If you can do analysis and keep yourself skimming at the top of the market, you're better than chasing all the volume.

Etc. etc. etc. Lots of things drive name branding, and SOs decisions are pretty transparent if you study them.

 

[WittHay]

No rhyme or reason for the way Snap-on currently markets Blue-Point tools. With Mac its just Mac whether it is made in China, Taiwan or USA.

Snap-on you can get a SO made in China claw hammer, BP USA feeler gauges or filter wrenches. SO made in Denmark blow gun or a BP made in Sweden blow gun.

Snap-on sources a lot of Blue-Point tools from Taiwan along with Williams and Snap-on Industrial makes tools for brands like Case IH/NH and Cat. I assume Snap-on owns a tool factory in Taiwan.

Way back when, I think Snap-on was the ratchets and sockets and Blue-Point was the wrenches, punches and chisels and other tools.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I think he was just being cheeky...

In a Bavarian granola, and goat hair tunic sort of way.

 

[AreYaSerious]

Williams USA, snap on for Taiwan blue point price.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

In the beginning of Snap-on they sold sockets and drive tools and the very earliest were not even made them. At some point Snap-on offered wrenches to round out the line a little and they bought the wrenches from a company named Blue Point. Eventually they bought the BP company and the wrenches kept the BP name but at some point started marking the wrenches Snap-on. Blue Point was for a long time a name used on tools SO bought from outside vendors but some OEM stuff has always been labeled SO (like vises, torque wrenches, test equipment and etc). Now there seems to be no rhyme or reason why one name is used and the other not. Plus SO owns many companies in many countries so even if it made elsewhere it may well be made in a plant SO owns.


Attached is from the 2017 Snap-on annual report.

 

[Gmonkee]

SO is slightly less Chinese than BP now. Mainly the SO wrenches and sockets are US and the rest could be anywhere.

Still good tool like most other major makers.
Buy what makes you feel better about stuff.

Then go get the job done like everyone else.