Does Snap-On make any bad tools?

[AA/FC]

I think it proves to use quality first and forget about buying stuff that is iffy from the start.


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I couldn't agree more!

In this case I was using one of those Craftsman "Lug-Out" double ended spiral sockets for damaged lug nuts. (Which absolutely impressed the hell out of me. They workd excellent on all three stuck lugs) It's like a flip socket in that it cannot be used without an extension. I never in my wildest dreams thought a small VW lug bolt could be frozen to the point of snapping 1/2 drive tools. I just grabbed the first extension that I saw and let 'er rip..... twice! That's when I knew it was time to get out thd good stuff. Lol. No problems after that.

 

[bcradio]

I own them both. Do you?

You own the mayhew dominators? lets see your pretzel shaped dominators.

I also take it you have put your snap ons through the exact same rigor you did with your dominators? or did you go easy on them because they cost four times more?

Funny how i have heard of NOBODY on this site has mentioning anything remotely similar to that that before.

I could bend a dominator into a pretzel if i want to and i can do the same with a snap on if so desired.

 

[Wakefield]

I couldn't agree more!

In this case I was using one of those Craftsman "Lug-Out" double ended spiral sockets for damaged lug nuts. (Which absolutely impressed the hell out of me. They workd excellent on all three stuck lugs) It's like a flip socket in that it cannot be used without an extension. I never in my wildest dreams thought a small VW lug bolt could be frozen to the point of snapping 1/2 drive tools. I just grabbed the first extension that I saw and let 'er rip..... twice! That's when I knew it was time to get out thd good stuff. Lol. No problems after that.

"small lug bolt" with a tall 17 mm. hex head I found is a lot thicker (the shank) than studs such as were used for the lug nuts on an Oldsmobile so I would think it would take more torque to break them-and a broken lug bolt is worse than a broken easily replaced stud. (Must be a BMW running around here with a missing lug) also I would not be comfortable trying to take off a lug with a socket not broached deep enough to fit over the whole hex
is VW some kind of M14 on the lug bolt?

 

[1950mercury]

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

 

[abvw]

"small lug bolt" with a tall 17 mm. hex head I found is a lot thicker (the shank) than studs such as were used for the lug nuts on an Oldsmobile so I would think it would take more torque to break them-and a broken lug bolt is worse than a broken easily replaced stud. (Must be a BMW running around here with a missing lug) also I would not be comfortable trying to take off a lug with a socket not broached deep enough to fit over the whole hex
is VW some kind of M14 on the lug bolt?

Broken lug bolt is a gazillion times easier to remove than broken studs (unless crossed or galled). Once the bolt head snaps there's no tension in the threads and they spin right out.



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[abvw]

If the bar flexes that much, you need a bigger bar, or go on a diet.

No different than a 300 lb guy jumping into a Smart car and calls it gut-less. Let's see him do the same on a 48" or 56" bar.

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[Carbonblk46]

Never really found a bad tool as in use wise just a couple defective tools here and there.

 

[WhiffySpark]

If the bar flexes that much, you need a bigger bar, or go on a diet.

No different than a 300 lb guy jumping into a Smart car and calls it gut-less. Let's see him do the same on a 48" or 56" bar.

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Exactly what I was going to say. I can recreate that with any pry bar if I weigh 300 lbs

 

[WhiffySpark]

You own the mayhew dominators? lets see your pretzel shaped dominators.

I also take it you have put your snap ons through the exact same rigor you did with your dominators? or did you go easy on them because they cost four times more?

Funny how i have heard of NOBODY on this site has mentioning anything remotely similar to that that before.

I could bend a dominator into a pretzel if i want to and i can do the same with a snap on if so desired.

I have the matco branded Mayhew. And yeah snapon is my go to. Matco flexes way too much for my liking. And the tips wear down easily

And they don't cost 4 times more. Snapon set is only $160 on promotion I believe. I paid 200 for the matco set with a 42 or something bar

 

[danski0224]

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?

The only bad ones that I know of say "Snap-On" somewhere on the tool......

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm 99% sure SO makes their own prybars. I've heard the Mayhew rumor, but also have been told that is false. I own both brands and both have been good. The SO ones made it about 15 years before the tips started breaking. No big deal, dealer happily replaced them with the new capped end ones. Mayhews have been fine two, except the handles start to fall apart after five years.

 

[Hiball]

Does Snap on Make any Bad tools? IMO NO... But, Anytime you bring innovation to the Marketplace you are bound to have some duds, So undoubtedly there will be some Iffy Products along the way. Its part of putting yourself out there, They could have played it safe and just continued to produce the same standard stuff over and over and probably still turned a decent profit. Instead they strived to make Mechanics life easier and more profitable and listened to there Target Audience. Obviously.. There Product Line Pricing isnt for the the Faint of Heart, They arent the Only Tool company out there and even then they still continue to make Record profits, Whether you like there business model or Not.. That speaks volumes. If they where producing Junk, People wouldnt continue to pursue there Product in both New and Used at such a Rampant pace.

 

[Wamsutta]

This may be the wrong thread for this but I'm going to post it here anyway. Lol.

Long story but I broke two Chinese 1/2 drive extensions today before finally getting the job done with a Snap On extension. I was using a breaker bar trying to remove seized lug studs on a VW. Dont get me wrong, Im not saying SO extensions are the greatest ever made, but they sure proved themselves today.

That extension worked well for you because Snap-on has been making tools for close to a 100 years. They got tool making down to a science. They have always maintained their quality throughout the years and they're not shy about charging good money for that quality either. I can't say enough nice things about Snap-on. I love that company.

 

[Tim37]

Wow this thread went to the toilet. I originally found it a interesting subject because while Snapon tools are good in general no tool company is gonna get it right 100% of the time and I thought it would be nice to here about some of the other duds

But as usual its turning in to the so haters vs the so lovers.

 

[MDK22]

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

I know for a fact this is inaccurate because I own Mayhew prybars. Mayhew prybars outshine them so bad it is funny. Auto guys might not notice it but, diesel guys sure as hell do. Hell Craftsman Professional Driving head bars are better then Snap-Ons and I own them as well. I have litterally had to switch other mechanics Snap-Ons out for mine because they flexed way to much. I thought the Craftsman and Mayhew were the same at first they are not but, extremely close.

I am not 300lbs but, damn close and my fat *** is not why they are flexing that bad. As for use a bigger bar when you do not have room you do not have room. I have used all of them extensively Mac, Matco, Snap-On. Now what I am pondering is if the driving head ones are thicker cause if so this might be the descrepency because no one i worked with that had Snap-On prybars had driving end ones. Some were even brand new right off the truck and this guy didn't have them sitting on the truck for long either.

All I know is both flexed. The SO ones flexed more. The Mayhew and Craftsman Professional Driving end ones did not. Hell I would say I like the Craftsman Professional ones the best but, they kept walking and i needed a wider variety of sizes.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Wow this thread went to the toilet. I originally found it a interesting subject because while Snapon tools are good in general no tool company is gonna get it right 100% of the time and I thought it would be nice to here about some of the other duds

But as usual its turning in to the so haters vs the so lovers.

It's a shame, really. You can tell neither party is being objective because they both use absolutes.

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[Hiball]

It's a shame, really. You can tell neither party is being objective because they both use absolutes.

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If your expecting anything else you are wasting your time, People will always defend there personal Consumer choices, and Honestly the Majority of todays tool choices come down to Ergonomics, Availability and Brand Recognition. Its Human Nature and I dont care what Brand, Specific tool or Retailer in question, you will always find someone who has had a bad experience and willing to Argue.

 

[BMack37]

It's a shame, really. You can tell neither party is being objective because they both use absolutes.

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Pretty much reminds me of the political parties in the United States. Much the same as that, all you can do is watch and shake your head.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Pretty much reminds me of the political parties in the United States. Much the same as that, all you can do is watch and shake your head.

I couldn't agree more.

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[90zcar]

I'm going to go through my box tomorro and comment to the actual ops question


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[1950mercury]

If the bar flexes that much, you need a bigger bar, or go on a diet.

No different than a 300 lb guy jumping into a Smart car and calls it gut-less. Let's see him do the same on a 48" or 56" bar.

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I agree with you. I posted that so the guy who said snap on don't flex. I own so. Mayhew and cm pros and they all are good. And they all flex. My buddy had some hf and they didn't flex they snapped. But to say so are the best??? I have not found one to be better than the other.

 

[AKUSMC]

Although a majority of my tools are Snap-On I have no problem seeing they aren't without issue. Not a quality issue so much as a size issue...the MG725 while it hits hard and is a great gun is HUGE! Working on off highway mining trucks, where space isn't at a premium it was fine but moving to a heavy duty truck shop it is ridiculous how slimmer the Mac 1/2" impact is.

Don't know the P/N but the 3/8 drive electric impact I have out being rebuilt made it just over the warranty time frame to die...got about 13 months out of it. Not impressed. I did see on the Mac truck last week that their version has a 2 year warranty...whatever, already spent the big bucks on the SO so I'm waiting for it to be rebuilt but if I could do it again..

Other than that love all my Snap-On tools no matter how overrated or overpriced people think they are.

 

[90zcar]

Ok I'm gonna give my opinion. I own a lot of snap on stuff and at one point I was a snap on "snob". Now I get whatever the best tool is for the money.
Anyways I never came across a snap on tool that I thought was actually "bad" or garbage.
Anyways here's a couple opinions I have.

MG725 Impact gun- I find this gun to be heavy and awkward to hold and a pain in the *** to change the selector button. It is very powerful tho. It consumed my thoughts with everyone on here always having to send them out for repair and that bugged the hell out of me so I ended up selling the gun

Impact extensions- I can't stand why they need to use a retaining ring instead of a normal ball detent. I can't stand this and won't get snap on impact extensions

Instinct handles - this is a tough one. I don't think the instinct handles are bad per say but I think sometimes they go overboard on the size for some tools. The Phillips #2 for example I feel is too large. The handle should be on a p3 or larger
Here is a picture of my #2 Phillips on the right. I think it should have a handle like the one on the left

The locking flex ratchets. I bought an fx80 about 2 or 3 years ago. I hated the locking switch on the ratchet and bumped it a lot. Plus I realized a locking ratchet wasn't a priority for me. This is another tool I disliked so much I sold it.

I think their files are junk and are no better than a cheap Nicholson from lowes

So there is my little list and if u noticed pretty much all of it is just opinions on the comfort or style of the tool. Not the actual tool being junk. Don't think I know of any that are actually "junk"


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[abvw]

Impact extensions- I can't stand why they need to use a retaining ring instead of a normal ball detent. I can't stand this and won't get snap on impact extensions

I guess it's same same reason why impact wrenches uses hog rings, I've never seen an impact wrench with a ball detent anvil.

I have no problem with it, they fit my Snap-on impact sockets nicely. I can see why that may be an issue if you use chrome sockets on the impact extensions and the socket gets stuck on the ring.

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[BAndritsch]

Hey-my first post. I've worked off and on professionally the last 40 yrs. as a mechanic. Taught auto mech. at a vocational school for 6yrs. before retiring and am ASE certified. I also worked for 20 yrs. as a licensed electrician. I also was a professional motorcycle mechanic during my time spent working as a mech.
So, I'm a tool junkie. For me SO screwdrivers and sockets didn't really last any longer than others, the pliers just **** as do Matco and Mac. Knipex and Klien make the best pliers hands down. I have a drawer full of SO and Mac hex drivers ect. and have been generally been pretty happy with them, but what I will add is the Torx drivers sold off the trucks aren't worth buying. Myself and co-workers went through theses like crazy. Most arguments are that "they replace them" so what, I don't want to wait a week for the truck to show up and then hope they are in stock, besides these are overpriced. I ended up buying Wiha bits and put them in the SO bit sockets-hands down they make the best bits in the business.
1/3 the price and I used them for 3 years under the same conditions before one broke and at $3.50 apiece I had extras in my box.
Now the next thing I'm going to say will piss off the SO devotees' I needed some metric 3/8" drive deep wells and went to HF, bought the 8 piece set. Guess what? Three years being used all day long with my SO cordless impacts and my SO MG 325 impact before one broke. These were only $10 and when I took them back I got a whole new set under warranty! Never rounded off a nut or bolt either. I will say you really have to pay attention to what you buy there, NO drill bits!
I have many SO,Mac,Matco,SK,Cornball,Craftsman,HF,Dewalt,Milw.etc.

This is getting pretty long so really what I want to say is all of them have good and bad, buy what works good for you and lasts long enough so you make money with them. As an aside I worked flat rate.
Bill
Old and worn out but still working in my garage.

 

[shortykorte]

Probably the only bad Snap On tools are the ones that are 100% or more over priced. Other than that, I like all my SO, craftsman, SK and HF (ratchet/sockets) tools.

 

[engineer2]

Maybe it's already been mentioned, but Snap On doesn't make many of their tools. We used to make stuff for Snap On years ago before their corporate purge about 15 years ago. It's amazing how much they marked stuff up.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Maybe it's already been mentioned, but Snap On doesn't make many of their tools. We used to make stuff for Snap On years ago before their corporate purge about 15 years ago. It's amazing how much they marked stuff up.

Oh yeah?


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[engineer2]

Oh yeah?

Yeah. We made a part for them for $100 and they sold it for $1000.

 

[abvw]

Maybe it's already been mentioned, but Snap On doesn't make many of their tools. We used to make stuff for Snap On years ago before their corporate purge about 15 years ago. It's amazing how much they marked stuff up.

They surely have a lot more tools designed and made in-house than Mac and Matco combined.

Auto manufacturers/suppliers sold me a camshaft sensor for $200 that cost pennies to make. Some balls they've got there.

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[Badasssapper67]

Their roll pin punches ****.

Whose roll pin punches do you use? I want the best roll pin punches money can buy.

 

[Badasssapper67]

SO dikes I agree, they dull way too quickly. Pry bars, I haven't used any that are better than SO. Let us know WHOSE pry bars and what part number you use. Some tools I demand the best there is and pry bars and roll pin punches are two examples.
So again, whose prybars are better?

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.

 

[schmelpboy]

I'm a die hard SO user- It's all I buy. But even I will admit they do have some stuff that *****.
For example, their butane solder kit. I hated it so much I used it twice, and then ebayed it for 1/4th of what I paid a few weeks earlier.
Pink handles with white writing-I was trying to build out a pink set for the lady friend when pink was out a few years ago with the white lettering. I bought 20 handles. Each and every one of them the snap-on name would simply wipe off after a couple of strokes over it with a finger. My driver claimed it was because I had brake cleaner or something else on my hands. I told him to order one for himself and bring it with him. He did. He pulled it from the plastic right in front of me, and after just one swipe, most of the lettering disappeared. Obviously it was printed on, and not etched, which makes those pink and white handles about worthless.
Some of my older Philips 3/8 sockets for my impact driver dissolve upon one whack...But of course are quickly warrantied.
My old (late 80's, 90's) orange hammers have all turned to brittle plastic and shatter like glass with even the slightest whacks. I've warrantied 5 in the last year. It happens.
But by far, the worst Snap-On item I have ever purchased was their awful vice grips. Those painted silver ones that come in a 3 pack...Holy garbage. I used them once, and gave them to someone I work with to sell on ebay. I think I paid 80 for the set...they brought something like 30 bucks the next day. I hope he bought himself a steak with that money. Those things are absolute, without a doubt, GARBAGE.
All of this said by an SO fanboy.

 

[BAndritsch]

I've already posted on this but wanted to add, anytime I see a tool other than truck brands that I want I just Google the manufactures item and part number and look for the best price. The truck venders are really pushing other brands but don't warranty any of it.
Bill

 

[DodgeMech]

Maybe it's already been mentioned, but Snap On doesn't make many of their tools. We used to make stuff for Snap On years ago before their corporate purge about 15 years ago. It's amazing how much they marked stuff up.

snapon surely does...they either own the factories that make stuff like wrenches and sockets, or own the companies that make air tools and what not

now of course there's rebrands, but waaaay less than matco, mac, or cornwell

 

[Wamsutta]

Maybe it's already been mentioned, but Snap On doesn't make many of their tools.

Which tools would that be? Are you talking about something like drop lights or latex gloves?

 

[jrobb316]

I actually like the Gripon/Snapon vise grips. After tearing through the chicom Irwin's I bought those and have been happy. SO prybars are the best IMO. Wont go wrong with the Mathew variants though either. Pin pinches I use craftsman. Still USA and pretty strong. For air tools I love the MG325, Far72C air ratchet, and their air hammer. Everything else can be sourced elsewhere and their electric tools, the new ones, ****.

 

[MDK22]

I am currently in the middle of moving and in between jobs. I had to move home because both my parents and grandfather are sick/dying. I txted the guys at my old work to get the SO numbers to appease you. When I get home I will get the numbers off the mayhews if they are not wiped off by now. My craftsman will probably be impossible cause i used it heavily for 2 yrs but, I will see what I can do. Only got one left like i said cause they would grow legs.

 

[K-Dog]

Hmmmm.
Who woulda thought tool quality would be so subjective....

 

[90zcar]

This thread went to ****.
Actually I think me and one or two others actually benefitted to the actual topic


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