Educate Me

[Bull]

I always like to think that I am the kind of person who buys quality tools when possible. I just did a lot of research prior to buying a pair of come-alongs, and was able to get some very heavy duty domestic items and avoid the CCJ (Cheap Chinese Junk).

However, my hand tools are mostly (99.9%) Craftsman. I have a few Snap-On brake tools, a Wizard ratchet, and a Proto ratchet.

My question is whether someone can take the time to educate me on what makes a Snap-On ratchet or other tool superior to the Craftsman equivalent. Also, what other brands, current and past, surpass Craftsman in terms of quality?

Thank you.

 

[LoneGunman]

LOL

 

[Bull]

LOL

Come on. That's cold.

I'm really curious. I've been on a Craftsman budget all my life, and it's the brand that my father started buying for me when X-mas and birthday gifts switched from toys to tools.

Do I need to drop coin on a Snap-On ratchet to see the difference myself? Will a used ratchet suffice?

It'd be nice to help someone who has questions, rather than to make fun of them.

 

[1320stang]

Well, I've chosen NOT to take that step to a Snap-On ratchet, I don't wrench that often and I'm thinking in the long run, it'll save me a LOT of money.

 

[Bull]

Well, I've chosen NOT to take that step to a Snap-On ratchet, I don't wrench that often and I'm thinking in the long run, it'll save me a LOT of money.

I certainly know that feeling.

But, used SO ratchets and other tools seem to be affordable. Forum member wrenchr has listings in the classifieds each week that I drool over.

 

[GDA]

Come on. That's cold.

I'm really curious. I've been on a Craftsman budget all my life, and it's the brand that my father started buying for me when X-mas and birthday gifts switched from toys to tools.

Do I need to drop coin on a Snap-On ratchet to see the difference myself? Will a used ratchet suffice?

It'd be nice to help someone who has questions, rather than to make fun of them.

Posts and requests like this indicate that this board should have a pay forward section or tool forward section. There are many who seem to have doubles and triples of high quality tools which could be offerred up to those who have never tried/used such tools.

OT - might have to post up something in the suggestion area.

 

[Bull]

GDA, a couple other boards that I am on do have such threads for car parts.

I'm not looking for charity, though, just advice.

 

[rsanter]

the quality difference between any two products is the same with any products
design and manufacture

design
ergonomics. how does it fit in your hand, how does it feel in your hand, how easy/hard are the controls to operate and what kind of feedback does it give you.

manufacture
quality of the materials, precision of the manufacturing, quality/accuracy or the assembly

personal experience tells me that the materials in the SO are better based on the number I have broken over time.
the SO feels better in my hand than the older Cman. however the newer type of Cman feel good too.
another point of feel has to do with the precision of the gears and their fit. this has to do with how the ratcheting will feel

bob

 

[GDA]

GDA, a couple other boards that I am on do have such threads for car parts.

I'm not looking for charity, though, just advice.

I did not mean to imply it as charity; sorry about that. A tool not needed/left unused is just not in the right hands. This process helps fix it.

Try out a 3/8 SO 80 tooth.... its every bit as good as its cracked up to be.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

I have been using craftsman all my life, which isnt saying too much as im only 20. they were in my college budget. I just had my bday and i bought a new FL80 (long handled 80 tooth from snap on) and let me say. I havent even really used it yet, just tinkered around and i dont see myself ever grabbing for my craftsman's. unless i need a stubby or my flexhead but thats just because i dont have snap on.

I dont see myself every buying snappy sockets, possibly wrenches if they are used and a good deal. otherwise its snap on ratchet plus cman sockets.

I love my new FL80!

 

[W-Cummins]

GDA, a couple other boards that I am on do have such threads for car parts.

I'm not looking for charity, though, just advice.

Well go and buy f80 and try it out! If you get a used one you can get your money out of it if you decide you don't like it..... Only YOU can decide if they are worth the extra $$$ to you....

William...

 

[Bull]

I did not mean to imply it as charity; sorry about that. A tool not needed/left unused is just not in the right hands. This process helps fix it.

Try out a 3/8 SO 80 tooth.... its every bit as good as its cracked up to be.

I wasn't offended or anything, just don't want people to think I was looking to be on the tool dole!

Bob, thanks for that description.

Cummins, you're making me want to buy one of those! How much are they? And, if you don't have access to a SO truck, where is the best place to buy?

 

[billymade]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=hand&Group_ID=20864&store=snapon-store
http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=snapon+ratchet+&_fromfsb=0&_trksid=m270.l1313

 

[Merkava_4]

Snap-on ratchets are like having *** for the first time; you can't describe how it feels in words; you have to experience it for yourself!

 

[84TurboBuick]

Snap-on ratchets are like having *** for the first time; you can't describe how it feels in words; you have to experience it for yourself!

You know....as odd as this sounds....I gotta agree with him on this one!

 

[danc333]

Being a life long Craftsman user myself I can relate. I have used and been very happy with Craftsman tools. I remember when I went to Pep Boys and bought 2 sets of sockets, one standard and one metric for all of $6. ($2.99 each)LOL. After I broke those (first time I used them) I figured I better buy better tools. When I got a Sears credit card the first thing I bought was a 200 piece socket set. That was 20 years ago.Since then I have replaced all 3 (1/4",3/8",1/2") ratchets with the new next generation ratchets. They are a great improvement to the originals.Since joining this board I have been exposed to the truck brands and have started shopping for those. I have a 3/8" snap on ratchet now and I like it. It is heavier then my craftsman and it feels nice and has nice action, but the sockets work the same on it. I am not a pro, I am a weekend warrior type so I don't make my living with my tools. In my trade I use the best there is and appreciate the difference, so I understand why the pros rave about the truck brands so much. That said , If you have the means pick up a truck tool or two and judge for yourself. I have just gotten a Snap on ratcheting screwdriver from another member of this board and it is by far the best I have ever used. As a result I will probably buy more truck tools in the future as I can afford them, but in the mean time I'll continue to use the Craftsman tools I have.Just now with a greater appreciation of the tools I don't

 

[Joe B.]

Snap-on ratchets are like having *** for the first time; you can't describe how it feels in words; you have to experience it for yourself!

Why would a Snap-on ratchet make me feel dirty and ashamed with an urge to gnaw my arm off to escape?





Sorry, I should not be up this late!

 

[Rickster]

I wouldn't limit your tool options to more than just the Snapon tools. There a lot of very good brands out there that are levels above the Craftsman but don't command the high dollar prices you'll pay for Snapon. A lot of guys here have several different brands in their tool boxes. For me the 3/8 dr Snapon chrome handled ratchets aren't that comfortable, I perfer the the really awful lookng black Cornwells because of the way they feel, smoothness of operation, reversing mechanism, ease of clean-up and that I don't have to worry about the ratchets finish all that much. But when you add the black plastic comfort handle then I have to go with the Snapon but the mechanism for changing direction on my roto-head model isn't as nice as the SK. If you were looking to upgrade a few items, Id check out a few pawn stores and car swap meets, not necessarily to buy, but pick up a few different ratchets and wrenches in your hands and see if there's a brand that impresses you.

 

[eschoendorff]

Okay, the OP had a question and I am going to try to provide some sort of answer.

If yu put a Snap On ratchet and a craftsman ratchet next to each other, they are like comaring two brand new cars: a Chevy and a Cadillac. Both are American vehicals, but the fit and finish on the Caddy is [supposedly] better and you'd probably be less fatigued after a long trip in the Caddy than in the Chevy.

The Snap On ratchets are better really due to materials used and quality control. The tolerances are tighter, the finish is more consistent, the engineering is a little more thorough. Now whether they are $50 better or not is for you to decide.

Here's what I did: I finally broke down and bought a new F936 off the truck a few years ago just to see what all the fuss was about. I made sure that I bought new and not used so that I could compare new to new, Craftsman to Snap On. Several years later, I have purchased more Snap On ratchets and fewer Craftsman ratchets if that tells you anything...

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

My question is whether someone can take the time to educate me on what makes a Snap-On ratchet or other tool superior to the Craftsman equivalent. Also, what other brands, current and past, surpass Craftsman in terms of quality?

Thank you.

Some ergonomics are involved, but those are personal feel. A chinese made Duralast may feel better in the hand, but if it is made of worse material, it will break and you will still get your hand smashed.
So material also matters.
Then there is design. This is the big one to me. The Snap~on's of old, have a lip the cover plate rested on, the new ones have an O-ring (it helps keep the gunk out of the grease/oil (on the old) so they don't fail).
The homeowner (regular) Craftsman's use a cover plate that is exactly the size of the opening, and held on by a gunk retaining snap ring.
The new thin line pro, have an O-ring. The older design 45 tooth round heads, have a spinner, built into the drive, that keeps the gunk away from the innerds.

As for ergonomics, I like the Craftsman 3/8" thin pro, the 1/2" needs to be longer. The 1/4" sometimes feels the correct length, other times I wish it was longer. Then I have a Flexhead Snap~on ratchet, that is too long.

 

[v8garage]

Bull, This subject has been worn out over and over again on this forum. If you want to see LOTS of opinions on this subject just start looking through the old threads. Happy reading!

 

[Mugenlude]

I'm in the same boat as the OP, my dad had a lot of Cman, and what I received for presents as I grew up.

Until I really started looking around I didn't know that my Cman were that bad, 99% of the time they got the job done (I broke a 1/4" ratchet once). Since being introduced to this board I have acquired several ratchets to compare to my teardrop Craftsman ratchets...

1/2" Snap-on (standard and long pattern)(1980's models)
1/2" Williams
1/2" Proto big dawg standard
1/2" Blackhawk Freewheel
1/2" Craftsman Round Head (older)
3/8" Proto big dawg standard and long pattern
3/8" offset flex head Gearwrench
3/8" Roto-head Pittsburg (ie Harbor Freight)

Just to say again, my Snap-on ratchets are older models, but they don't impress me at all. The only ratchet that I would pick up AFTER the Snap-on is my teardrop Craftman. I would (and do) pickup my Proto Big Dawg or old Craftsman before it, no doubt. I bough the 1/2" Williams because is it basically a Snap-on, and I don't doubt it one bit, they feel exactly the same... bulky head, heavy feeling, and the action is too coarse compared to the other ratchets I have.

Again, based on the way everyone praises the new Snap-on I would have a VERY hard time believing it feels anything like these old models I have... however, you did ask if you needed to purchase a new ratchet to get the feel... I would say that you need to purchase a NEWER model Snap-on. I'm sure that my SO ratchets will hold up to whatever abuse, but they just don't compare to the other stuff I have, so they don't get used... at this point I have them in my to-go box...

 

[Danglerb]

I've got three ratchets I really like to use, and one I like to borrow.
FLHF80 Snapon 3/8 long handle cushion grip flex head.
Mac micro touch 1/4 short handle
Proto 5250 1/2
Don't know the number of the one I borrow, old Snapon 3/8 stubby flex head.

Depending on what I am doing, one of those is the FIRST choice to grab, but sometimes I still use a cheap ratchet because its fine for what I need to do and handier.

An experienced mechanic is going to know which of his tools does the job best, safest, fastest, etc. OTOH I end up going back to the tool box frequently to try something else, mostly getting the right sizes, or extension length.

 

[a390st]

I use the Snap On high strength 1/2" ratchets (36 teeth) because when you are using a 1/2" ratchet you are probably putting out pretty good. That was how the Craftsman raised panel teardrop got me injured. I don't particularly think the Snap On ratchets feel so much better than anything else. It just comes down to trust for me. I really think they are made with good metal and a strong design, and not to a $20 price point. I don't know what the *** thing is about. Maybe the new double 80 design, or something. It sure isn't the 700 and 800 series Snap On ratchets I have. Maybe it is just somebody needing more or better ***. I just don't get that analogy/comparison.

I had a Mac Tools labeled Proto Big Dawg that I never really used. It just didn't feel that smooth to me for a fine (52), was heavy, and I didn't need it, so it got sold. I have a SK round head 1/2 and 3/8 that doesn't seem bad for a backup. They're actually pretty fine, too (also 52 I think). I like the Craftsman Next Generation alright so far, for a fine (60), but haven't got much time into them. They're too heavy, to be honest, but at least the head is thin. I like the Craftsman round head fine tooth with the built in spinner. They feel good, aren't too heavy, and are sort of fine (45). They are a really good compromise, unless you need a really thin ratchet, at which time the Proto design is great and light, but generally too coarse to use in the fine space that the head will fit (24 tooth in 3/8). I could go on all day about the 50-100 different ratchets I've owned, but it would just take space and add nothing. The thing you will find about ratchets is that they are all a compromise. Too thick, too coarse, too weak, and on and on. The double 80 Snap On ratchet is something I really want to try. I think they could really have a winner in strength and versatility. For me, that could allow me to dump a few ratchets that I rarely use that are clutter until I need them. I hate to try them, though, for fear that I'll want to buy them all. I wouldn't need to worry about a fine not being strong enough or vice versa.

When I try a new SO, if it somehow does compare to ***, I'll apologize to Merk.

 

[warrent]

Well not sure where to go on this. Some brands have tools that I really like. So I have a mixed bunch. I pulled wrenches for over twenty five years so you get a little taste. I love my MAC 1/2" long handle ratchet, tough ****** even with a 4 foot cheater pipe. The 3/8 MAC is so so. The box set of 3/8 Snap On are okay. Wrenches I can not stand the Snap-On. Using an impact with the wrenches was too thin. Craftsman sockets I have broken way too many of those, and also use to get chrome splinters from them. When you are a mechanic having the tool truck pull up was always very nice. Having to run to Sears or somewhere else to exchange a tool was a waste of time. Furthermore if you broke a socket or other tool other guys did not mind lending theirs because they knew the tool truck was coming. But actually the ratchets were probably the least used tool. You got to have some good air tools with some good sockets. Macs’ were the best. I still have an Indusco 1/2" drive ratchet that was the first one I bought back in 1970. Still works even though the handle is bent.

 

[Underdog]

Anyone have the new fk-80 stubby 80 teeth ratchet, How do you like it? About to buy a new one on line. I've been looking for used but they all are going for to much $$. I'm thinking with the dual 80 action it would outperform the old 30 teeth ratchets in a tight spot where space is limited, Thanks.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20864&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Mugenlude]

I use the Snap On high strength 1/2" ratchets (36 teeth) because when you are using a 1/2" ratchet you are probably putting out pretty good. That was how the Craftsman raised panel teardrop got me injured. I don't particularly think the Snap On ratchets feel so much better than anything else. It just comes down to trust for me. I really think they are made with good metal and a strong design, and not to a $20 price point. I don't know what the *** thing is about. Maybe the new double 80 design, or something. It sure isn't the 700 and 800 series Snap On ratchets I have. Maybe it is just somebody needing more or better ***. I just don't get that analogy/comparison.

That makes sense to me, I've never had a ratchet break and injury me, so I don't think of it that way... my Snap-ons are couple SL-710s and a SL-715, and you are right, nothing like ***...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Snap-on ratchets are like having *** for the first time; you can't describe how it feels in words; you have to experience it for yourself!

Buying my first Snap-on ratchet wasn't awkward and didn't make me nervous..

 

[dxdexter]

Snap-on ratchets are like having *** for the first time;

You mean you are $100 shorter on cash.

 

[Merkava_4]

Buying my first Snap-on ratchet wasn't awkward and didn't make me nervous..

You mean you are $100 shorter on cash.

LOL!

 

[speed bump]

It all comes down to preference. Personally I haven't really found anything that to me Snap-on was the best choice other than rotohead rachets.

 

[LoneGunman]

Come on. That's cold.

I'm really curious. I've been on a Craftsman budget all my life, and it's the brand that my father started buying for me when X-mas and birthday gifts switched from toys to tools.

Do I need to drop coin on a Snap-On ratchet to see the difference myself? Will a used ratchet suffice?

It'd be nice to help someone who has questions, rather than to make fun of them.

Notice the "LOL" meaning I'm not serious about banning you. I have Craftsman tool, SO tools and some other brands. My OPINION is if you don't wrench as a pro you don't NEED the SO tools. I've replaced most of my C Man stuff with SO stuff because I got good deals on the SO stuff on Ebay. I would never pay retail for any SO tools. I prefer SO over anything but don't NEED it even though I do use some of my SO stuff professionally.

 

[wrenchr]

I have been using craftsman all my life, which isnt saying too much as im only 20. they were in my college budget. I just had my bday and i bought a new FL80 (long handled 80 tooth from snap on) and let me say. I havent even really used it yet, just tinkered around and i dont see myself ever grabbing for my craftsman's. unless i need a stubby or my flexhead but thats just because i dont have snap on.

I dont see myself every buying snappy sockets, possibly wrenches if they are used and a good deal. otherwise its snap on ratchet plus cman sockets.

I love my new FL80!

That is how I started Now look at me

 

[wrenchr]

Yes a used ratchet would work!! Pm me and we can work something out!!!

 

[wrenchr]

$50.00 for this + $5.00 to ship.

 

[paramudduck]

What model is that one wrencher?

 

[wrenchr]

Fh936.........

 

[wrenchr]

FH936A...............Sorry!!

 

[paramudduck]

Thanks, I thought that might be a 936 but wasn't sure. Good price too bad I just had to buy a new fridge.

 

[wrenchr]

That *****!!!!