Does Snap-On make any bad tools?

[AmateurMechanic]

We all know that Snap-On is generally considered to be the top brand of tools in the world (or at least in the US). With that said, nobody's perfect, so here's the question...does Snap-On make any tools (especially hand tools) which aren't that good compared to the competition?

 

[abvw]

Their impact wrenches can be a hit or miss for some. I really like the 3/8" but not a fan of the 1/2".

Otherwise, there is no competition. Blue-Points don't count!

 

[cg81]

So far the only things I haven't liked from snap on has been their impact extensions with the snap ring retainer on the end. Within a week it would not hold even a brand new impact socket without it falling off. I got a matco with the detent ball. Much better extension.

The other thing I didn't like from snap on was their first generation electric torque wrench. I traded it in for credit to my account for other purchases. Nothing wrong with it, just prefer the click style.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

The stuff they rebrand and charge extra for that you could have bought from the original company. The things they actually manufacture are top notch and if not the best then in the discussion. Whether its worth it to you or necessary is another discussion.

 

[Tim37]

Their roll pin punches ****.

 

[JoeMA]

The locking mechanism on their ratchets is inferior to others.

 

[MDK22]

Actually they make a lot of stuff that is bad. Just not bad for the reason I believe you are implying. They do make some stuff that is just outright bad but, it is few and far between and atm I can not think of anything other then extensions, 10mm 3/8" drive socket, and pot metal direction switches on ratchets.

There are some SO stuff that I would not buy because of this. Quick Release ratchets. Other then the 1/4" and that is because of a lack of viable options their 3/8" and 1/2" **** because the button sticks out and if you bump it at all it drops. I only use quick release ratchets and try like hell to make sure the buttons are flush or recessed. 1/4" is the only one i could not get a flex, fine tooth, quick release with a flush button.

Another thing is their diagnal side cutters. They dull very fast when compared to knipex. There slip joint pliers while they hold up well are way way too aggressive in the teeth. Their screwdrivers lack a driving cap which makes them really crappy when working on rusted vehicles.

Another is their pry bars. They flex way too much as do their wrenches but, unfortunately with wrenches its hard to find anyone better.

TBH there is not much made by them that impresses me over what I can get from their suppliers or other companies. Flank Drive + is about the only thing and that was taken from Williams when they bought them and reinvented. If it wasn't patented all of the companies would be doing it and I would not own Snap-On wrenches. The newer MG325 and MG725 are good impact guns as well but, there are others that make stuff just as good if not better.

Snap-On is there for convenience and that is about all that is a major plus from them.

 

[tonycastec]

Snap-On electronic Torque wrenches have a bad history of failures,expensive repairs ,failed repairs and outright refusal to honor their obligation to repair the tools. Lots of this was discussed here on Garage Journal.
Worse, Snap-on did not even make the tool.They just had their label stuck on it !

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I'm not impressed by most of Snap On's air tools. The exception being a 3/8's Blue point air ratchet, Snap on 1/4 air ratchet and a mg1250. Even though I have to send the 1250 in once a year for repair.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Snap-On electronic Torque wrenches have a bad history of failures,expensive repairs ,failed repairs and outright refusal to honor their obligation to repair the tools. Lots of this was discussed here on Garage Journal.
Worse, Snap-on did not even make the tool.They just had their label stuck on it !

The only issue I knew of is people leaving the batteries in. And the very first generation having problems with that cap. But snapon replaced them

They own the company that makes them

 

[K-Dog]

Nothing that is objective as far as I am concerned.

 

[Brownsfan]

Nothing that I have ever seen. This is the stuff that they make not rebrand. Everything they make is high quality. IT may not be the best out there. I'm sure there is better in some categories. Everything I own by Snap On is damn good stuff.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Some of the air tools ain't too impressive, same goes for the power tools.

Hand tools that they make? Tend to be top notch. Rebrand and Bluepoint tools are usually pretty decent but some of it can ****...not a lot of stinkers in their catalog as far as I can tell.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

The stuff they rebrand and charge extra for that you could have bought from the original company. The things they actually manufacture are top notch and if not the best than in the discussion. Whether its worth it to you or necessary is another discussion.

Couldn't have said it better. Cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobcatdan]

The only thing off the top of my head that is really bad is their version of a classic channellock. Very cluncky overly massive awkward things. I can grumble a bit about some of their wrenches fit too tight that makes them hard to get on hydraulic fittings, but I survive. Other then that, I say its really personal taste. To some people SO can do no wrong and to others they can do no right.

 

[KnurledNut]

Flank Drive + is about the only thing and that was taken from Williams when they bought them and reinvented. If it wasn't patented all of the companies would be doing it and I would not own Snap-On wrenches.

I believe this is inaccurate.

FD+ was patented by Snap-on in 1990.
J.H. Williams was acquired in 1993.

 

[Cato]

I've never been fond of their screwdrivers.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't care for snap on's multimeters but, that's just me. I feel that there is no such thing as a perfect tool brand. Every brand has a few dawgs in their line ups too include the truck brands.

 

[Murphy4570]

Their impact wrenches are inferior to IR IMO. Conversely they make the best air hammer out there.

 

[zkling]

Barring the service/driver factor. Anything outside their hand tools and some specality tools I don't think is a real good value.

The only thing off the top of my head that is really bad is their version of a classic channellock. Very cluncky overly massive awkward things. I can grumble a bit about some of their wrenches fit too tight that makes them hard to get on hydraulic fittings, but I survive. Other then that, I say its really personal taste. To some people SO can do no wrong and to others they can do no right.

Do they rebrand these? The clock spring they put in them really threw me for a loop.

Their impact wrenches are inferior to IR IMO. Conversely they make the best air hammer out there.

Really, you think even better than cp and atlas?

 

[devoncoolman]

Its all opinion. Im not a fan of the new instinct screwdriver handles. Not a fan of their version of a chanellock plier/water pump pliers. They are big bulky and not really that great. Multimeters are over rated. Just buy fluke way better. The epiq tool boxes and carts are way too damn expensive.

 

[bobcatdan]

Do they rebrand these? The clock spring they put in them really threw me for a loop.

My guess would be they make them as they are made just like their other pliers which I generally consider good, just not the channellock style.

 

[Wamsutta]

I would say everything they make themselves is of excellent quality, if not the best quality in the world. Just my opinion though.

 

[hoston23]

Their roll pin punches ****.

why don't you like them? I have 2 sets and they work great.

 

[hoston23]

Another is their pry bars. They flex way too much as do their wrenches but, unfortunately with wrenches its hard to find anyone better.

.

snap on doesn't actually make their pry bars. they order bars without handles from Mayhew and then puts their own handles on them.

 

[Hiball]

snap on doesn't actually make their pry bars. they order bars without handles from Mayhew and then puts their own handles on them.

According to Mayhew Customer Service and Snap On Customer service that is absolutely Incorrect, Same goes for the 150 line of Punches and Chisels as there are numerous reports that they make them also. Im not ruling out that they are being secretive about the issue, but Snap on in the past has been fairly straightforward with me on OEM of there tool lineup.

 

[trxrx7]

electric power tools are **** and like people already said, their air tools are great when they work but its a hit and miss and there are other brands for 1/3 the price that deliver same performance.

 

[oldtools]

Everything SO rebranded from HF are excellent. Everything else are ****. I just bought an SO MG325 for $110. If I knew SO pneumatic tools are not that good as some claimed, I would have gone with an IR.

 

[1950mercury]

Thecody59 is that you?

 

[2004.5cumminsman]

Ct7850 is garbage
...

 

[techenthusiast]

Ct7850 is garbage
...

Why do you say that?

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[hautpot]

-PWCS9 wire stripper have a horrible aluminium locking button. The handle is awesome, the jaws operate smoothly, very functional.... just the button is ****.

-I like my cordless stuff, but I do keep in mind that Snap-On collaborates with Metabo and Bosch.

-Snap-on tongue and groove pliers are not competitive to Channel Lock's,and not as innovative has Knipex.

-Their torque screwdriver are not comfortable for me.

-GFBS8 non-impact bit holder holds the bit way too tight.

 

[Buster21]

These pliers are absolutely the worst, I have exchanged six pairs of these with the same results, finally gave up and just threw them in the drawer. Here is what the description says.

" Jaw tips are perfectly aligned and feature machined teeth for precise gripping strength with positive control "

Look at the picture and you decide. They are not even close to closing.

 

[ZRX61]

so here's the question...does Snap-On make any tools (especially hand tools) which aren't that good compared to the competition?

Yes, the ergonomics of their wrenches ***** ***. Just not comfortable to handle. They could learn a thing or two Facom.

and being a Brit, you have no idea how much it pains me to say that about French tools

 

[garfunkle24]

The pliers certainly aren't "bad" but the Germans do it better, same with screwdrivers. I especially hate the fat, too wide, foamy, **** handles on their forged snap-ring pliers.

MG725 is a nose heavy pig IMHO. Prefer pinless impact swivels to theirs.

Some stuff isn't "bad" but more gimmicky, like spring loaded extensions and what not.

Most of their hardline stuff is still really well made even if not the most innovative or ergonomic for some people.

 

[redmondjp]

I don't care for snap on's multimeters but, that's just me. I feel that there is no such thing as a perfect tool brand. Every brand has a few dawgs in their line ups too include the truck brands.

It's not just you; their multimeters (at least the ones that I have seen) are rebranded second-rate imports that I would never use regardless of the cost. Fluke all the way for me - I still have my Fluke 73 that I bought new in 1987 - still working just great, and I seriously think I'm only on my third or fourth battery in that time. On the second set of leads as well.

Another thing NOT to buy from Snapon is an air compressor. I have one made by Big Red Air. Almost $4K from Snapon for a 7HP one, whereas you can buy the exact same compressor (with the same Italian-made model K-30 Chinook pump), not painted red, from Belaire/IMC for about half the cost. That's the most expensive red paint job you'll ever buy.

I really can't believe more people don't clue in about this stuff.

 

[Rico.]

They could learn a thing or two Facom.

and being a Brit, you have no idea how much it pains me to say that about French tools

hahahaha..!!

I know exactly what you mean.... I have thousands of pounds worth of
Facom tools in my little English Garage... But the fact is, every single bit
of it is flawless... Amazingly comfortable to use and even when I've had
to really go hard on them to get a job done... nothing has broken and
everythng still works like new...

I am highly impressed with them. (Just promise you won't tell anyone I said that)

 

[Kensgarage]

I could never get too excited about Snap on. I've got some stuff. 4 way wrenches, XV boxes, XXL zero offsets, short(soexm---, not stubby) box FDP wrenches, some ratchets. That's about it and I cant see much more down the road.
There are too many good companies out there with equivalents and better for a hell of a lot less scratch.

 

[WhiffySpark]

snap on doesn't actually make their pry bars. they order bars without handles from Mayhew and then puts their own handles on them.

That's matco. Matco/Mayhew bend like a pretzel compared to snapon

 

[zkling]

These pliers are absolutely the worst, I have exchanged six pairs of these with the same results, finally gave up and just threw them in the drawer. Here is what the description says.

" Jaw tips are perfectly aligned and feature machined teeth for precise gripping strength with positive control "

Look at the picture and you decide. They are not even close to closing.

Are they supposed to? Combination Pliers with a cutter are difficult to make touch at two points and still cut/grip well.