The SO socks are the real stars of the show.
Everybody's got some Snap-On...
- Thread starter bonneyman
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cherrybomb
Well-known member
I agree!!The word displace is a great way to explain it.When you have a tool that you use alot is a problem,displace it with a Snap on.Another displace I did was buy a ratchet,as we have learned here,they are great.My experienceI, slowly, try to displace the other brands in my toolboxes, cart, workbench… with Snap-on. I haven’t found a honeyhole in months.
It is a numbers game. I get more excited when I find metric.
The gold glitter pocket screwdrivers were one of my favorite finds. I found them on the second day of a sale and a shitload of “usual suspect” pickers (mostly old men that subsidize their retirement by reselling tools) had been through the sale… and I still found a decent amount of Snap-on.
Don't forget their socks. They're very popular.
I had a pair once, but not sure what happen to them nor do I think I ever actually wore them.
Absolutely.
One of the few things, that I have bought off the truck, is Snap-on ratchets. They are my favorite, by a mile.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think for the average home hobbyist or weekend wrencher, your observations would be quite accurate. If I were an occasional wrencher I would more than likely feel much the same way.
I've been known to be a bit of a tool ***** and have been buying tools for over 4 decades now. The vast majority of my tools are in fact Snap-on but have been purchased over those 4 decades of wrenching. I started wrenching professionally as an apprentice with a basic Craftsman set in the late 80's and saw the difference between average tools and great tools quite early on. Not saying everything Snap-on makes justifies the cost, but many do so I slowly replaced my Craftsman with Snap-on, MAC, Cornwell and Matco as the need arose and have been purchasing tools for 40+ years now.
My philosophy on tool purchases has been more along the lines of looking at the intended purpose of said tool, determining the frequency in which the tool will be used and/or the importance of the job and lastly, if the tool fails during the job how much impact will it have. Then the choice is made on whether to spend the money on the upper brands or will an import tool or lesser quality tool do the job with the same outcome.
That being said, I feel there are other tools that do the job equally well in many aspects, but there are some areas that the Snap-on (and other tool truck brands) really shine and warrant the higher cost, especially when wrenching professionally vs. weekend hobby style work. When these topics come up over and over it seems there are some that defend the brand(s) to the fighting death and others who discount them as being too expensive or downplaying their quality and then criticizing those who choose to purchase the brand. Some even come off trying to sound more credible because they have chosen to be more frugal and not bow to the costs of the tool truck brands. Then there are those of us who also feel money doesn't grow on trees yet opt to buy quality when and where we see fit. Bottom line is we are free to spend our money where and on what as we see fit and no need to justify them nor discount those choices.
As for pictures, I have too many to post but have shared pictures in the "Let's see your toolbox" thread as well as a video from Toolbox Tours that can be found on his channel.
I have a bunch of snap on stuff, but it’s really only the pry bars, screwdrivers and ratchets I regard as a must buy. Don’t see the point of paying the snap on tax for sockets and extensions, and prefer Facom 440 wrench’s. Knipex is so much better (and more sensibly priced) for cutters/pliers/etc.
stillnostrebor
Well-known member
No photos...
Line wrench/open end wrench combo set that I bought one piece at a time from the bay. A set of green padded chisels and punches and a weird "headlamp" that wraps around your neck that were Christmas gifts, and a single 1/4" drive ratchet that is wore slap out.
The only necessary ones IMHO are the line wrenches. I would manage fine without the rest. I do have Williams hard handle screwdrivers, so they *almost* count!
Line wrench/open end wrench combo set that I bought one piece at a time from the bay. A set of green padded chisels and punches and a weird "headlamp" that wraps around your neck that were Christmas gifts, and a single 1/4" drive ratchet that is wore slap out.
The only necessary ones IMHO are the line wrenches. I would manage fine without the rest. I do have Williams hard handle screwdrivers, so they *almost* count!
I don't have a ton (at least as a percentage of my overall tools):
The newer stuff - mostly gotten as a gift to myself of some kind:
I'm selling the FLL80 as I just don't use it, but most of the rest are pretty often-used. The F80 is probably my first-reach 3/8", and the beat-up LN46-ACF is in my hands a ton, which is why I got a second one. The little flare wrench is to complete the size range of the Carlyle set I have. I like the 1/4" roto, but reach for its Icon brother more often for some reason (though it's one of the shallowest 'regular' ratchets I have).
The older stuff was bought/acquired before I even knew what Snap On was:
I've had the shorter 1/4" driver for a long time, and it's great because it will take a 1/4" ratchet (or extension) at the base of the handle, which has come in awfully handy a couple of times (alternators...). I've had the flex driver and the fuse tested for a couple decades - no idea where I got them either. The torque wrench was one of my first purchases when I started working on my own cars and it's still spot-on (calibration date is Oct 2012, so it was only about 18 mos. old when I bought it). I got it from Craigslist for what I recall being a really good price. It's the only one of these I remember getting and generally what I paid for it ($115 or so)
The newer stuff - mostly gotten as a gift to myself of some kind:
I'm selling the FLL80 as I just don't use it, but most of the rest are pretty often-used. The F80 is probably my first-reach 3/8", and the beat-up LN46-ACF is in my hands a ton, which is why I got a second one. The little flare wrench is to complete the size range of the Carlyle set I have. I like the 1/4" roto, but reach for its Icon brother more often for some reason (though it's one of the shallowest 'regular' ratchets I have).
The older stuff was bought/acquired before I even knew what Snap On was:
I've had the shorter 1/4" driver for a long time, and it's great because it will take a 1/4" ratchet (or extension) at the base of the handle, which has come in awfully handy a couple of times (alternators...
). I've had the flex driver and the fuse tested for a couple decades - no idea where I got them either. The torque wrench was one of my first purchases when I started working on my own cars and it's still spot-on (calibration date is Oct 2012, so it was only about 18 mos. old when I bought it). I got it from Craigslist for what I recall being a really good price. It's the only one of these I remember getting and generally what I paid for it ($115 or so)
I don't know about that, ****... Frequent customers should get a "free" pair of knee pads.
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I mean if I can't pay in cash...I don't know about that, ****... Frequent customers should get a "free" pair of knee pads.
Boogerman
Well-known member
Don't have extensive toolbox full Snap-on like some showed here; but did buy Snap-on wrench for $3 at garage sale last weekend. Don't have any use for it, but have enough room in toolbox that I'll let it live there for now.
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Some more stragglers
Extra long lo offset DBE's XDH1618A and XDH1214A. Dang those things are nice!
(For some unknown reason the 1618 wrench was marked $2 so, that's what I paid! The 1214 wrench I bought 2 weeks later at a pawn shop for $30. Had an owners mark hidden under the price tag but 2 Snappy's for a total of $32 is my price)
My XDM1315
Blue Point brake line wrench
Extra long lo offset DBE's XDH1618A and XDH1214A. Dang those things are nice!
(For some unknown reason the 1618 wrench was marked $2 so, that's what I paid! The 1214 wrench I bought 2 weeks later at a pawn shop for $30. Had an owners mark hidden under the price tag but 2 Snappy's for a total of $32 is my price)
My XDM1315
Blue Point brake line wrench
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housewolf
Well-known member
I’ve acquired quite a few without having to pay full retail.
1/4” dr general service set
~ 75% of my sockets, all bought as sets
A couple of ratchets
Two sets of metric wrenches, one set is ratchet
Tech angle torque wrench
1/2” clicker torque wrench
A couple of screw driver sets
Impact extension set
cordless ratchet
Krl box
and a few others
1/4” dr general service set
~ 75% of my sockets, all bought as sets
A couple of ratchets
Two sets of metric wrenches, one set is ratchet
Tech angle torque wrench
1/2” clicker torque wrench
A couple of screw driver sets
Impact extension set
cordless ratchet
Krl box
and a few others
joel63
Well-known member
I don’t need another punch or chisel… but I can’t say no if it says Snap-on…I don’t need another punch or chisel… but I can’t say no if it says Snap-on…
Here is the punch drawer, it is less than 10% Snap-on and Blue-Point. It is a good mix of tool truck brands, industrial brands and machinist brands.
Here is my extension drawer, it is about 15-20% Snap-on (some is the bare metal Snap-on that you can still find cheap from the wars. Some is still in 1951 Cosmoline.) Overall, it is 90% truck tool and industrial brands.
I make an effort to leave behind the Snap-on with inscriptions or chrome loss. My 3/8” chrome semi-deeps is an exception. Out of 14 sockets, only 8 are Snap-on… and 6 are inscribed…
I try to buy cream puffs as much as possible. The sooner that you get picky, the better your collection is. Sometimes, there are so many pickers breathing down your neck, that you are just grabbing everything as fast as you can… and you miss heavy wear, chrome loss, inscriptions… I do my best.
There is a ghoulish nature to the hobby… you are picking the bones of the recently dead and people being forced into nursing homes…
I have told this story way too many times on GJ… but, my first honeyhole estate sale was the estate sale of a guy who had previously owned a collision shop. I got 2/3rds of a five gallon bucket of truck tool sockets. The family brought the homeowner… and he thought we were stealing his stuff… he had dimentia… it was a great and terrible day…
Oh, I know what you mean, ratchets, sockets and wrenches. It's a sickness of some kind.
joel63
Well-known member
As always, "Bottom line is we are free to spend our money where and on what as we see fit and no need to justify them nor discount those choices." Courtesy of Zmotorsports.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
These random assortment of Snap-on tools from different years are much more interesting to look at than a box full of new complete sets. They have so much more character, many having survived years on the mechanic warfront. I particularly like the 70’s-90’s stuff, but appreciate all the design changes over time. A lot of the old hardline tools had flank drive off-corner loading making them plenty usable in modern times.
If I get time, I will try to contribute some pictures later.
If I get time, I will try to contribute some pictures later.
Banjorear
Well-known member
I'm fortunate to have a friend who was a Snap-On dealer. He retired last year. Over the years, I've bought bit pieces from him. When he retired, I bought a ton of tools which I got at his cost. Ratchets, sockets, extensions, flank drive+ wrenches, etc. Previously I was using US made Craftsman professional series tools I bought in the '90's.
There was nothing physically wrong with the Craftsman tools, but I couldn't pass up the SO deal. I'm so happy I did. The quality, especially the fit tolerance of the sockets and wrenches, is much better than the CM stuff.
I'm pretty much set with tools for now. Having both 80 & 100 toothed ratchets is nice. Ironically, I often reach for a hard handled Snap On ratchet I bought in the late 90's. Not sure the tooth count, but something about that ratchet just works for me.
There was nothing physically wrong with the Craftsman tools, but I couldn't pass up the SO deal. I'm so happy I did. The quality, especially the fit tolerance of the sockets and wrenches, is much better than the CM stuff.
I'm pretty much set with tools for now. Having both 80 & 100 toothed ratchets is nice. Ironically, I often reach for a hard handled Snap On ratchet I bought in the late 90's. Not sure the tooth count, but something about that ratchet just works for me.
Madjik Man
Well-known member
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I only have one thing Snap On and I got it for $2 from a neighbor’s moving sale down the street.
I’d love more Snap On but being just a home gamer it makes no sense for me to spend the money.
Although I will be going to the truck that visits my buddy’s shop so I can buy a 10mm and 14mm flare nut wrench.
I’d love more Snap On but being just a home gamer it makes no sense for me to spend the money.
Although I will be going to the truck that visits my buddy’s shop so I can buy a 10mm and 14mm flare nut wrench.
Do you like them? Do you want them? That's all the sense it needs to make.
Madjik Man
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I have to be smart with money though.
That's always the bummer....
And also the reason I buy used. I have found that I can buy tool truck brands on the secondary market for about the same as I can buy decent Taiwan sourced tools. For me, that's a no brainer.
WNYflyer
Well-known member
I have no allegiance to Snap-On but that said, I have a whole tool box full of Snap-On wrenches, sockets, etc. picked up for pennies on the dollar at estates and yard sales and that is the only way I buy any Snap-On, Mac, Blue Point etc. Has to be a good deal or I will do without.
neharr41
Well-known member
Here's a few of the "Snappiest" drawers in my tool box. I've been lucky enough to find almost all of this used, mostly at garage sales, estate sales, eBay, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
I would say I'm a Snap-on guy but I wouldn't pay retail for the majority of their tools.
I would say I'm a Snap-on guy but I wouldn't pay retail for the majority of their tools.
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Madjik Man
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I always look but where I live the prices on FB Marketplace for used is hilariously over priced.
Plus the tools I have now are upgraded from my original mid-90s Craftsman mechanics set and serve me more than well.
oscarsnapkin
Well-known member
- Joined
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I’d say $3.00 for a 32mm Snap On combo wrench is a steal. Nice score.
Heck $3 for a piece of lint from the Snap on truck is a steal.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Picked these up at a Minden, NV yard sale today. 
Fractional wrenches on the left, metric on the right
12 point 1/4” drive socket set from 3/16” to 9/16”
-Don
Fractional wrenches on the left, metric on the right
12 point 1/4” drive socket set from 3/16” to 9/16”
-Don
Nah, I’m not paying insane amounts of money for a name. There are equally good quality options out there at a fraction of the cost.
I do have one FL80 ratchet I bought used just to see what all the fuss was about. It does nothing better than the others in my drawer.
I do have one FL80 ratchet I bought used just to see what all the fuss was about. It does nothing better than the others in my drawer.
It's hard to pay current asking prices. It's been years since I bought a Snap On ratchet. I still don't own any of the newer 100 tooth Cynergy versions.
That said, you're technically correct. My non-Snap On ratchets do the same thing my Snap On ratchets do.
But that's not the point, and neither is the name... at least in my opinion.
All of my primary use ratchets in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" are all older dual-80 Snap On's. I like the way they feel in my hand, the way they operate, the smoothness, crisp sound, ease of use, fit and finish, etc.
Your experience may vary.
This is the way I feel…why make do with cheap stuff that is “just as good” when you can have the benchmark.
Life’s too short to settle….but there’s also no real reason to pay retail unless you just absolutely want to. Getting the good stuff at the cheap stuff prices is where it’s at…
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Snap-On pricing has gotten absurd in the last couple years. Stuff that I bought 5 years ago is now a little over 50% more expensive.
Their warranty is still excellent. I broke a socket last week. Apparently, our local truck has retired. A couple emails to corporate had a new socket in my hands within a few days.
I will say that my 24" flex 1/2" Dual-80 ratchet is my favorite tool lately. As strong as a breaker bar, but way more convenient.
-Ryan
Their warranty is still excellent. I broke a socket last week. Apparently, our local truck has retired. A couple emails to corporate had a new socket in my hands within a few days.
I will say that my 24" flex 1/2" Dual-80 ratchet is my favorite tool lately. As strong as a breaker bar, but way more convenient.
-Ryan
ssjones
Well-known member
I never owned a Snap-On tool until my father-in-law passed and I inherited his 1970's box. His tools, all Snap-On, MAC and Chrysler were all very beat - he worked them hard. Odd SAE sizes from the 1950's to the 1970's. I sold those off for his estate and kept a few pieces. Every time I reach for one, I say "Thanks, ****, this old tool is still getting used". The ratcheting adaptor for a 1/2" breaker bar is one tool I'm not sure I lived without!
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I have some too! The list is pretty short but includes: A few line (flare nut) wrenches, a 1/2" ratchet spinner, 1/4" drive breaker bar, 1/2" wrench, 1-1/8" wrench, and a 1-1/4" wrench. I might get a picture and edit it to this post later, but I have a hard time taking a phone in the shop with me.
Jblount3
Well-known member
I can start with the two orange boxes, but there is quite a bit of snap on in my shop. When I used to dismantle cars at a salvage yard snap on was the truck that came uvery week and it was nice to warranty out stuff with out having to drive.
