Blue point

[bman123]

Hello all I am new here and would like to join the great crowd you have going here.I have a few questions and would like experienced opinions so here we go.
I had a old tool set (crescent) it worked horribly bad wrenches would round of bolts,I broke both ratchets and cracked 3 sockets.It is time for a new tool set I say to myself.
A snap on truck comes to my job every weds at 9am,so I figured I'll look inside for once.I have worked here for 14 months and never been in the snappy truck.So I go in and get a great welcome from the snappy guy.He says oh look a new face,are you ready to spend some money and we laugh.He seems nice,has a positive attitude and not greedy like the cornwell guy.I asked about purchasing a set of wrenches,ratchets,and sockets since my tool set is now in the trash.He asked what I wanted to spend so I told him $400.He pointed out the BLPGSSC100 pc set.I asked questions and here are the answers I received.
Lifetime warranty,will swap out all tools but ratchets will be rebuilt.Tools are not made by them they are made overseas but to snap on's standards.Better then craftsman but not as good as snap on hence the price difference.
I said fair enough and had him order the set,as well as sae and met hex keys,screwdriver set,and plier set.Total was $560 w/tax I put $200 down and will pay $200 evey 2 weeks.I bought all blue point stuff.
Now how did I do,how do you feel about blue point quality vs crapsman,is the blue point stuff I ordered worth the money?
I have had crapsman before and broke the cheap ratchets 3 times and wont buy from them again,so my only real choice is snappy,blue point,cornwell.
So I figured I'll take the plunge and buy myself some nice tools since I deserve them.
The reason being why I bought the tools is that I am a super weekend warrior.I am young 23years old but have watched my old man since I was a boy and I know how to do alot of stuff.I work on family and friends cars every weekend to make spare money since I don't make alot at my current job $12Hr.
Work on motorcycles,lawnmowers,weed eaters,put house stuff together.Basically I don't and won't pay to take something somewhere to get it fixed unless I have no choice which is very rare.
Well I am gonna go and say thanks in advance for advise you'll supply and hope to talk to you all soon.Thanks brice

 

[chad s]

Well, I hate to say it, but the blue point line of sockets and ratchets is going to be top of the line Taiwan tools, but those can be had elsewhere for much less. I wouldt be surprised to find out that they come from the same factory many of the tools stanley has made overseas do.

I would have gone with USA made Proto or SK, whichever brand you can find a local dealer for.

 

[chad s]

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SK-94559.html
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SK-86016.html
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SK-86123.html
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SK-3866.html

Thats around $358, all USA made, much better quality than Blue Point Taiwan made, and also a lifetime warranty, however, if you use the right tools for the job, you shouldn't need much of a warranty anyway with that set.

There is still time to cancel that order!

I love snap on tools, but most Blue Point stuff is just extremely high markup overseas average stuff, with a good warranty.

 

[Coach James]

Welcome to the board bman.

Why is your tool set in the trash?

No experience with Blue Point, so I can't speak to that issue.

Why do you not like the Cornwell guy?

I would also vote for SK. I have several of their wrenches and a couple ratchets and they are A+.

Coach

 

[dxdexter]

Well, I hate to say it, but the blue point line of sockets and ratchets is going to be top of the line Taiwan tools, but those can be had elsewhere for much less. I wouldt be surprised to find out that they come from the same factory many of the tools stanley has made overseas do.

I would have gone with USA made Proto or SK, whichever brand you can find a local dealer for.

I have to agree with Chad. If I was going to buy Chinese or Taiwanese tools then I would go with Husky, Stanley , Mastercraft etc. I don't think one is any better than the rest and more often than not they are identical. For $400 at Canadian Tire (Mastercraft) you could practically outfit your entire socket and wrench setsb(short and regular length) in both SAE and metric.

By buying Blue Point you are more or less buying the name and getting offshore tools.

 

[bman123]

Well I already gave him $200 cash and he put it on order.Have any of you gave cash then canceled an order?If so did he give cash back or just credit?

 

[Uncle Buck]

bman, don't sweat it, you are young, the deal has been stuck and I am sure the tools will be everything you expect and more. Do not let anyone tell you decent tools only come off the truck though as there are still a good many quality brands not riding on the truck.

Here is my advice, enjoy your new tools and do not be in a real hurry to add much to your pile for now. Read this board and follow the tool topics daily, and the next time you are itchin to buy more tools start a thread and ask for some input regarding brand, cost etc. and see what you get for feedback; you will learn a lot about quality tools in a hurry. Enjoy your new purchase and welcome to the board.

 

[chad s]

Well I already gave him $200 cash and he put it on order.Have any of you gave cash then canceled an order?If so did he give cash back or just credit?

I dont see why you cant cancel the order with him. If it were me, I'd just tell him you thought it over, and although your budget is limited, you would feel better buying american made tools, instead of supporting offshore manufacturing. I would think he would have to give you your cash back, or at minimum write you a check, this isnt walmart, and your receipts is in your pocket as well as his computer.

I would also buy a little something from him, just to show you arnt a flake and wasting his time. I would STRONGLY suggest getting some snap on screwdrivers. The real deal snap on screw drivers (not blue point) are VERY good, with some of the best wearing tips in the business, and the philips ACR tips really do work very well.

 

[Lyaec350]

Tools are not made by them they are made overseas but to snap on's standards.Better then craftsman but not as good as snap on hence the price difference

[....]

how do you feel about blue point quality vs crapsman?

I'd take my USA made Craftsman sockets over Chiwianese imported stuff any day of the week--Blue Point or not. With Craftsman sockets, C-man pro wrenches, C-man pro screwdrivers, and some Snap-on ratchets you'll be set for a lonnnnnng time at probably the best price possible.

I'd try to change your $200 cash in to a set of the new 80 tooth ratchets or some screwdrivers and take the other $400 to Sears and buy a sale 145 piece socket set for $99, the 28 piece C-man pro wrench set for $170 and whatever other odds/ends you need.

 

[bman123]

there are 4 people at my job with this set of tools,everyone recommended me to get them.I really respect one of the guys and he pulled me aside and told me that they were offshore made but the quality was still there.He doesn't like c-man for the same reason as me and that is why he got the blue point,
I mean it is so convenient to pay every other week instead of trying to save it all up and then go buy a set and that is my main reason for getting the blue point.
I know a 100pc set for $350 isn't cost friendly and I can get others instead but I cannot afford snap on.At what I make er hour it would seriously take me a long time to get all snap on stuff.
How does blue point fare to snap on?

 

[Merkava_4]

I won't buy any Blue-Point tools if they're made in Taiwan or China, period. And I don't know why you felt you had to get a whole set at once; it's OK to buy one piece at a time.

 

[bman123]

It will take me forever to buy all snap on stuff.I should probably just get this set and replace it slowly with actual snap on stuff or cancel the order and get all c-man stuff besides ratchets

 

[chad s]

Well, it looks like you are happy with your purchase, and thats all that matters. Its not how I would have approached it, but its your money, your tools. Enjoy them!

 

[chad s]

How does blue point fare to snap on?

Its apples and oranges, the only thing is common is the guy who sells them. I have felt the blue point ratchets on the truck, and the SK's are much nicer. All of my ratchets are snap on, but I'd take an SK over the blue point, just my opinion. I didnt care for the blue point handle, and the SK's are VERY smooth.

But to compare a blue point to an 80 tooth snap on F80, night and day.

Both are somewhat overpriced for what they are. I always say "is it 5 times better than craftsman? No. Its 3 times better, you just have to pay 5 times more to get it".

But if Im going to pay what I feel is a premium for an item, and USA made options are available, it better be USA made.

 

[bman123]

well how would you handle my situation chad s if you were in it where I am?
Should I just cancel the 100pc set and get my money back?

 

[chad s]

well how would you handle my situation chad s if you were in it where I am?
Should I just cancel the 100pc set and get my money back?

Personally, I would get the same group of tools from SK. Perhaps I am somewhat extreme (as a lot of us here are) about buying USA made tools as much as I can.

Just think, the guys who used to build the lawn mowers you work on dont have jobs anymore, because they are now made in asia, by workers who make the equivalent of 50 US cents an hour (no kidding!). I try to support american labor and companies as often as possible.

The Blue Point tools Im sure are nice, snap on wouldnt sell you junk. However, I think based on their country of origin, and how cheaply those countries product these products, the markup on that blue point set has to be astronomical, and for the same money, the SK tools will give better longevity, while supporting your country as well.

Now, as far as the financing, thats good too, and part of the extreme profit margin on Blue Point tools is paying for the financing.

 

[hamburglar]

.................

 

[Coach James]

bman, I think you're stressing way too much about this. You bought yourself a nice set of tools. Taiwan or not, they're a good quality set of tools and will serve you well for many years just like they have the older guys at your shop. I would keep the tools, put them to work, enjoy them and sleep good at night. When you're ready to add to your set, take a look at SK, Craftsman Pro or Wright. All three are A+ quality tools, USA made and will cost you less than Snappy or Blue Point.

And I'm still curious why your tools are in the trash.

Coach

 

[le6920]

Was Blue Point always made overseas? What about the older BP stuff?

 

[chad s]

Was Blue Point always made overseas? What about the older BP stuff?

Since the early 1920's Blue Point has always been snap on's line of outsourced tools. BP was originally Snap On's wrench line, as snap on didnt make standard wrenches until the 1940's (they did make some specialty wrenches since the 1920's, but not general combo,open, box wrench sets prior to the 40's, and as early as the 20's).

Also early to 50's screwdrivers were outsourced and labled blue point, as well as a lot of tools other than sockets, ratchets, handles, etc.

There are examples of outsourced tools that were labled snap on as well.

In those early years, it was all made in the US regardless.

Today, blue point is a different approach. Snap On sells many outsourced items that are labled snap on, many US made, a few non-us made.

It really appears as though the current blue point line of basic hand tools is just a line to cover the market that doesnt want or cant pay for the Snap On tools, but still wants to utilize the truck for service. It keeps the sales from going elsewhere, but I believe very few of these blue point sets sell, as most people who dont want to pay snap on prices go to sears anyway. The other blue point labled specialty tools are usually labled blue point as they are not US made, but of course there are exceptions.

 

[eschoendorff]

If you are looking for top-line Taiwanese tools, do not overlook GearWrench...

http://gearwrench.com/


Interesting warranty...

http://www.gearwrench.com/warranty.jsp

Just be happy with your Blue Point stuff. Trust me, this is just the beginning!

 

[bman123]

Coach james it is a long story about the trash tools.
I got the set 9 years ago when I used to work on bicycles.I recently broke my 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets.I once had a good drunk day working on the olds 88 the ole lady wanted to go get dinner and I forgot the tools outside,I didn't do any work with them for 2 weeks.It rained like hell and they rusted up.
I have 5 cracked sockets,somehow lost all the hex keys and torx bits.So I am left with 10 wrenches which are rounded off 30 rusted cheap sockets,2 good 3/8s extension and 2 good 1/4 extensions.I need tools to make money with on the weekends.I only make $12hr ,work 120-140hrs every 2 weeks.Ole lady doesn't work,have 3yr old daughter and I pay for everything so being the blue point seemed best bang for buck I jumped on it with the money I made from selling my xbox 360 since I can make payments I know I couldn't save up $300-$400 to spend on tools because something would of happened

 

[64merc]

bman, don't sweat it, you are young, the deal has been stuck and I am sure the tools will be everything you expect and more. Do not let anyone tell you decent tools only come off the truck though as there are still a good many quality brands not riding on the truck.

Here is my advice, enjoy your new tools and do not be in a real hurry to add much to your pile for now. Read this board and follow the tool topics daily, and the next time you are itchin to buy more tools start a thread and ask for some input regarding brand, cost etc. and see what you get for feedback; you will learn a lot about quality tools in a hurry. Enjoy your new purchase and welcome to the board.

bman, I think you're stressing way too much about this. You bought yourself a nice set of tools. Taiwan or not, they're a good quality set of tools and will serve you well for many years just like they have the older guys at your shop. I would keep the tools, put them to work, enjoy them and sleep good at night. When you're ready to add to your set, take a look at SK, Craftsman Pro or Wright. All three are A+ quality tools, USA made and will cost you less than Snappy or Blue Point.

And I'm still curious why your tools are in the trash.

Coach

All of the above is what I would have said, except they said it clearer and more concise.

Good luck, and welcom to the board!!

 

[reversegear]

If you are looking for top-line Taiwanese tools, do not overlook GearWrench...

http://gearwrench.com/

Interesting warranty...

http://www.gearwrench.com/warranty.jsp

Just be happy with your Blue Point stuff. Trust me, this is just the beginning!

Gearwrench is not even close to being top of the line tools. On what information do you base this claim?

 

[GDA]

bman

Welcome to the board and get ready to get hooked on talking tools and man caves

In regards to your question I think you did just fine. I have several blue point air tools and they have served me (and many of my friends) very well. Once you get them, put them to good use and be proud of your accomplishments.

G

 

[bman123]

Blue Point has to be better then the cheap crescent **** I had

 

[Merkava_4]

Who's making Blue-Point wrenches I wonder?

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Who's making Blue-Point wrenches I wonder?

I'm not sure, but recently the BP wrenches I've seen on the truck say USA on them. I heard rumors they're made by SO, just unpolished versions of their wrenches, but I have no source really.

 

[davestlouis]

I own some BP sets that I have been very happy with. I too like Snap On tools but there is a time and place where throwing $75 at a 3/8 ratchet doesn't make sense for a particular person...it's more important to eat and pay the rent. The BP tools will give good service, don't fret about it.

 

[Lyaec350]

Gearwrench is not even close to being top of the line tools. On what information do you base this claim?

Fit and finish. They're some of the nicest Taiwanese prodcuts out there.

Nobody was saying that Blue Point stuff is low quality, just that it is not a good value. There are much better US made choices available for the same or lower price (S-K, Proto, Blackhawk, Craftsman). If you do your research you will find out that even Snap-on doesn't make the best tool in every category, mixing and matching really is your best bet for quality vs price.

 

[davestlouis]

Let's not forget the whole issue of financing...lots of guys in shops would just go to Sears if they had to pay cash, upfront for truck tools. I don't dwell too much on the warranty, I don't use my tools for a living and have never broken anything but cheap disposable ratchets...so far.

 

[eschoendorff]

Gearwrench is not even close to being top of the line tools. On what information do you base this claim?

I said top line Taiwanese tools. I have not seen much nicer coming out of Taiwan. On what information do you claim that they are not top line Taiwanese tools????

 

[eschoendorff]

Fit and finish. They're some of the nicest Taiwanese prodcuts out there.

I have a bunch a of GearWrench stuff (not just their ratcheting wrenches) and have been consistently impressed by the quality of the tools, for what they are.

 

[64merc]

I have a bunch a of GearWrench stuff (not just their ratcheting wrenches) and have been consistently impressed by the quality of the tools, for what they are.

I'd have to agree that the fit and finish of Gearwrench stuff is top notch, even compared to most (not all) made in USA stuff.

 

[wilbilt]

Since the early 1920's Blue Point has always been snap on's line of outsourced tools. BP was originally Snap On's wrench line, as snap on didnt make standard wrenches until the 1940's (they did make some specialty wrenches since the 1920's, but not general combo,open, box wrench sets prior to the 40's, and as early as the 20's).

Interesting. I have some old Blue Point wrenches that look exactly like their later Snap-On counterparts. Same part numbers, even.

For an example, a Blue Point OEX40 1 1/4" long combination that appears to have been forged from the same blank as my 1980s Snap-On OEX-series long combos. The Blue Point has the industrial finish, so it is not polished or chromed, but that appears to be the only difference.

Did SO "absorb" the company making these outsourced wrenches?

EDIT: Never mind, I found the following on the Alloy Artifacts site:

"<I>From its inception in 1923 through to the late 1940s the Blue Point brand had accounted for virtually all of the wrenches sold by Snap-On. <B>Blue Point Tools had been created </B>so that the company could expand its products while keeping the Snap-On mark focussed on sockets and drive tools, and this arrangement had worked very well for more than two decades. During this period the Snap-On and Blue Point trademarks had functioned as co-equal brands, with no suggestion that Blue Point tools were lesser or cheaper in any way. Actually, since there was no real overlap in the tools offered under each brand, direct comparisons were not possible.

The first hint of a realignment of the brands occurred in 1948 when the <B>Snap-On brand took over the very successful OEX series of combination wrenches. This was strictly a change of the brand markings, as there was no apparent change to the specifications, model numbers, or pricing of the wrenches</B>.</I>"

 

[bman123]

See now I feel better about my purchase.I don't have the money to drop up front to buy a new set so I'll make payments.I talked to a dismantler today and he had both SO and BP,I asked to see them and he opened the box.
He told me he wished he would of just bought the BP wrenches instead of the SO.There is a difference-In the finish,the tools felt the same but the price and finish were different.Now the ratchets were a whole new ball game.We compared the f80 to a BP ratchet in 3/8.The SO was way better but I woulds expect that from a $80 ratchet woth more teeth compared to the BP ratchet.
So needless to say I don't care about it not being usa made the quality was there,I have 19 wrenches and alot of sockets plus I am gonna order an f80 ratchet next week when I make another payment on my BP set

 

[chad s]

So needless to say I don't care about it not being usa made...

You have the right to care about whatever you want, however it is this attitude that allows companies like Walmart to flood out country with asian goods, at the cost of American jobs. Our trade deficit with China is over 170 BILLION!!!!

I am gonna order an f80 ratchet next week when I make another payment on my BP set

Good choice! I love my F80! Cant wait to upgrade my other ratchets from 936 series to F80 series!

 

[Merkava_4]

See now I feel better about my purchase.I don't have the money to drop up front to buy a new set so I'll make payments.

It's really none of my business, but I was just wondering since you're making payments on the tools anyway, why not just get some SO tools and keep a $300 debt limit? You don't have to answer that; I'm just letting you know what I was thinking.

 

[bman123]

it's so funny how you guys care so much about made in USA but tell me you don't own anything that isn't made here?
I support mom and pops stores in my area when I can but I tell you what when it comes to my money it's best bang for buck no matter where it's made.
How can a thread about blue point tools turn so political?

 

[DavidtheDuke]

it's so funny how you guys care so much about made in USA but tell me you don't own anything that isn't made here?
I support mom and pops stores in my area when I can but I tell you what when it comes to my money it's best bang for buck no matter where it's made.
How can a thread about blue point tools turn so political?

Happens to every thread. We're not your 'average' tool users, hence why we're on this forum, I guess. I support first-world countries mainly because of the ethics involved with how their tools are manufactured. It is also a quality issue, but not so much.