Blue-Point???

[VOMA07]

Who has Blue-Point and what do you think about what you have? Is BP just Taiwan made Snap-On or just overpriced import stuff?(low quality). I like the look and price of their ratchets for my diy projects.

 

[krusty the clown]

the only blue-point tools i have are either rebranded lisle, thexton, etc and some older us made 3/4 drive sockets. i cannot speak on the quality of the current taiwanese products. i would think that a decent quality asian imported tool could be bought far cheaper though.

 

[AutoTech]

Who has Blue-Point and what do you think about what you have? Is BP just Taiwan made Snap-On or just overpriced import stuff?(low quality). I like the look and price of their ratchets for my diy projects.

The Blue Points I have are older, made by Par X I'm told. The new stuff I wouldn't call it low quality but it's definatley way over priced taiwan tools! A guy at the shop bought a set of Blue Point SAE wrenches and there holding up great but they also look just like the Stanley wrenches you get at wal mart though. Unless you can get the ratchet cheap I wouldn't pay retail truck prices for Blue Point. JMO

 

[krusty the clown]

The Blue Points I have are older, made by Par X I'm told.

both blue-point and par-x are brand names not actual manufacturer's. at one time blue-point hard line was outsourced but later made by snap on, par-x from what i was told was made by snap on but factory seconds. i'm not sure if they were actually seconds but rather just didn't get the extra finish that the snap on got so they were offered at a lower price.

 

[AutoTech]

both blue-point and par-x are brand names not actual manufacturer's. at one time blue-point hard line was outsourced but later made by snap on, par-x from what i was told was made by snap on but factory seconds. i'm not sure if they were actually seconds but rather just didn't get the extra finish that the snap on got so they were offered at a lower price.

Thanks Krusty I didn't know that

 

[VOMA07]

So I guess Gearwrnech is comparable at a much lower price?

 

[Uncle Buck]

So I guess Gearwrnech is comparable at a much lower price?

Absolutely, not worth the cost difference to me. You are paying more for the name, and ironic as it is, the warranty with BP will not be as good as it is with GW!

 

[snapmom]

There is a collector I know in Canada, who only collects blue point wrenches, he is a guy whos job is testing metal. He says that the best blue point tools were made in 47-48.

 

[Uncle Buck]

There is a collector I know in Canada, who only collects blue point wrenches, he is a guy whos job is testing metal. He says that the best blue point tools were made in 47-48.

Does not surprise me a bit, hard to explain but the steel on many old timers just looks like better material. As I said, hard to explain.

 

[krusty the clown]

Does not surprise me a bit, hard to explain but the steel on many old timers just looks like better material. As I said, hard to explain.

tap a wrench with something and listen to the ring..........older wrenches definately have a better ring to them. kind like dropping a silver coin on a table versus a copper clad one

i do kind of find it ironic that the 47-48 blue point wrenches tested better since it was 1948 when they were officially labled as snap on wrenches. possibly snap on upgraded the steel content since thier name was going on it?

 

[snapmom]

There are some snap on specialy wrenches, pre 48, but the reg. wrenches were blue points, then in about 28-30 they were changed to to blue point.

 

[383astro]

I recently bought a set of Blue Point composite handle adjustable wrenches thinking that they were US made. I got them and they looked good then I seen on the back of the box it says made in Taiwan so I am now out 47.50 and looking for a new set of adj wrenches. They do look good and feel good, just not what I expected from them.

 

[davestlouis]

I think they are very nicely-made Asian tools, my objection is the price. I will say that when I compare my Taiwanese BP 1/4 inch drive pearhead ratchet to my US-made Bahco 1/4 inch pearhead, the BP feels nicer, looks like a better tool, is less notchy, and if I was asked to choose one I'd grab the BP every time.

 

[davestlouis]

A Bahco/Williams/Blue Point comparison test could be interesting

 

[Nik_95Cobra]

I won a Blue-Point cart loaded with Blue-Point tools from my Snap-On driver and they seem good to me, and from my experience while not on S/O's level of course, they aren't at all any lower of a grade than C-man or most other brands. If you're not picky or aren't wanting to pay s/o prices or want some tools you can beat on they'll work out well.