First Snap On Socket Set

[JoeyMitch]

Alrighty guys...I am thinking about buying my first full Snap On socket set. I just have a few questions about them (I am getting SAE):

1) Semi Deep or Shallow? I will mainly be working on boats and around the house. I also have a deep set of sockets.

2) 6 point or 12 point?

3) Are the truck prices the same as online?

I am thinking about these:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=674832&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Please give your feedback. Thanks!!

 

[kiatech]

I think you are wasting your money and would be just as satisfied with something at a fraction of that price.
IIRC you are still a teenager right?
if you are dead set on getting them you can get them as BOGO on the truck.

 

[padronanniversary]

Get all three : shallow, deep, semi

Cash is king with dealer

 

[JeremyManning]

If you already have deep, I would get shallow and I prefer 12 point for shallows, makes them easier to get in tight spaces, you can sometimes get a deal on the truck if your paying cash.

 

[JoeyMitch]

I think you are wasting your money and would be just as satisfied with something at a fraction of that price.
IIRC you are still a teenager right?
if you are dead set on getting them you can get them as BOGO on the truck.

What BOGO deals are running now?? I am deadset on getting them because I have many odds and ends of Snap On that I sold and have the cash. Yes I am 15 but I have 5 Snap On ratchets and I like matching sockets!!!!

 

[kiatech]

What BOGO deals are running now?? I am deadset on getting them because I have many odds and ends of Snap On that I sold and have the cash. Yes I am 15 but I have 5 Snap On ratchets and I like matching sockets!!!!

I couldn't tell you of any deals ATM since my dealer only stops by once a month and never has fliers. I know they offer them a few times a year though.

 

[padronanniversary]

What's the later snap on deals on sockets ? Is bogo still going on ?

 

[wornoutoldman]

I think you are wasting your money and would be just as satisfied with something at a fraction of that price.
IIRC you are still a teenager right?
if you are dead set on getting them you can get them as BOGO on the truck.

Agree

Get all three : shallow, deep, semi

Cash is king with dealer

I agree ^^^^ and in that order if your buying a set at a time. I would get 12 point. Many will argue this and with lesser sockets it's a point to consider. But you will likely need them (12 point) sooner than you think.

You should call the Mothership in Kenosha and request a student discount.
Since you are learning to be brand loyal.

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

What BOGO deals are running now?? I am deadset on getting them because I have many odds and ends of Snap On that I sold and have the cash. Yes I am 15 but I have 5 Snap On ratchets and I like matching sockets!!!!

Nothing socket wise for bogo or the sales flyer mainly autobody stuff for our area

 

[JoeyMitch]

Agree



I agree ^^^^ and in that order if your buying a set at a time. I would get 12 point. Many will argue this and with lesser sockets it's a point to consider. But you will likely need them (12 point) sooner than you think.

You should call the Mothership in Kenosha and request a student discount.
Since you are learning to be brand loyal.

To get a student discount, I must be attending a technical or vocational school. Unfortunately, I attend neither...

 

[kiatech]

To get a student discount, I must be attending a technical or vocational school. Unfortunately, I attend neither...

Im sure he is aware of that but he said it because you are at such a young age.

 

[JoeyMitch]

Oh ok...Now I get it!!! If only I was that lucky to get a discount for being young...LOL

 

[CWP1616L]

If you gonna spend money on Snap-on, don't waste it on sockets. Spend the money on wrenches, ratchets, or extensions. There's plenty of good sockets available for a fraction of the cost of Snap-on. Kobalt has their set in the same sizes for $22.97. Take the $150 and spend it on some Snap-on combination wrenches.

 

[JoeyMitch]

If you gonna spend money on Snap-on, don't waste it on sockets. Spend the money on wrenches, ratchets, or extensions. There's plenty of good sockets available for a fraction of the cost of Snap-on. Kobalt has their set in the same sizes for $22.97. Take the $150 and spend it on some Snap-on combination wrenches.

I have 4 full sets of combo wrenches and a single set of combo wrenches is over $300!!!!!

Plus I use sockets more...

 

[cammok5]

does your school have anykind of shop class? even if it doesnt i would still try to make an acount with your schools info. the snapon rep for your area might sing off on it and give you the discount. if you want i can send you my reps email since he might do your area too. you could email him see what he says. mine as well try, could save 50%

 

[JoeyMitch]

does your school have anykind of shop class? even if it doesnt i would still try to make an acount with your schools info. the snapon rep for your area might sing off on it and give you the discount. if you want i can send you my reps email since he might do your area too. you could email him see what he says. mine as well try, could save 50%

They do have a wood shop class but I do not take that class...They also no longer have metal shop.):

 

[Boiler]

My guess is that snap on uses the discount to make techs brand loyal out of the gate. Once you use the best it's hard to settle for the rest, and they know it.

I think there is a good chance you can convince them to give you the discount. You may try telling them Matco is giving it to you....

 

[toddacimer]

Keep an eye on ebay, you might be able to get a set for 1/3 to 1/2 list price, or buy several "lots" of sockets and build set or 2

 

[JoeyMitch]

My guess is that snap on uses the discount to make techs brand loyal out of the gate. Once you use the best it's hard to settle for the rest, and they know it.

I think there is a good chance you can convince them to give you the discount. You may try telling them Matco is giving it to you....

Ok maybe I will give it a shot. When I used to work at a marina, the Snap On guy always used to ask me why I never bought Snap On like the other mechanics. My reply was always that I didn't have enough money. (I was the kid that only changed spark plugs and props so I didn't get paid a lot and was only allowed to work a certain number of hours) His answer was to go get a job... Now that I have the money to buy a set, I am deeply considering it. If I can get the discount, that would be even better.

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

Get a student discount and spend a **** ton of money and get two **** tons worth of tools. But, i have silver eagle and crapsman sockets and dont regret it for a second. I am not very tool biased, I mainly look at warranty and now that i have discounts SE is the best deal for me.

 

[CWP1616L]

I have 4 full sets of combo wrenches and a single set of combo wrenches is over $300!!!!!

Plus I use sockets more...

Snap-on combination wrenches are very maneuverable in the hand; more so than other wrenches on the market. Plus they give you more length for leverage.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

They were having a buy one get one free deal with a set of deep metric sockets, buy that and you get a 1/4 ratchet and shallow metric sockets for free. I can't seem to find the deal but I do remember it expired on Nov. 30.

It was on the Snap-On Facebook page.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Bingo! Found it.

http://www1.snapon.com/display/231/...h_Snap_on_Socket_Promotion_10_02_12_final.pdf

 

[JoeyMitch]

They were having a buy one get one free deal with a set of deep metric sockets, buy that and you get a 1/4 ratchet and shallow metric sockets for free. I can't seem to find the deal but I do remember it expired on Nov. 30.

It was on the Snap-On Facebook page.

Awesome thanks. I will try and find it.

 

[JoeyMitch]

Can someone also explain what is so good about their extensions?

 

[JoeyMitch]

Anyone?

 

[genevabuck]

Can someone also explain what is so good about their extensions?

Snap On extensions are as solid as anybody's. I have the MAC locking ones that have the screwdriver handles in them. Love em. Honestly though, aside from being knurled, an extension is an extension. Durablity is what you are looking for. Years ago I bought an S&K set that did everything that MAC and Snap On extensions do, and they were only $25. They came in a nice tray too. In my opinion, buy your ratchets, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, torx sockets, hammers and punches/chisels off the trucks. Other brands are fine for the rest of your hand tools. Craftsman sockets are just as good, especially if you are like me and lose them all of the time.

 

[cammok5]

i have a snapon woble extension only becouse i found it. compared to the hf one i just got the snapon has more angle of flex but the hf in knurled. imho snapon not worth the extra cost.

 

[Fast LT1]

My dealer is about to run a deal Monday with the hard handle ratchets, buy a socket set get the ratchet free, I don't know what socket sets though. I'm going over to his hous Monday so I can get to pick it over before anyone else.

 

[cgv69]

I have sockets from many different companies including Snap-On, MAC, SK, Wright and Craftsman. I will say that IMO Snap-On does make some of the nicest sockets out there and they have a very wide selection of sizes and types too but their prices on those sockets are insane (again, IMO). Even with the student discount they are still more expensive then 90% of the other options out there.

Even though I think Snap-Ons are one of the best, the difference in functionality and reliability between them and the less expensive brands is very minor at best. For those reasons I agree with others that I would use your student discount on the Snap-On tools that really make a difference like their ratchets, wrenches, torx bits and screwdrivers but save some money with one of the less expensive but functionally equivalent brands of sockets such as SK, Wright or Williams (USA)

 

[lennoxlennox]

OP

See if you can register at your local Community College and take an automotive class(es) at night or even afternoons.

I was able to do that through high school, I think I did my first class at 15 and got enrolled in the tool discount programs.

I'm not sure what your state rules are, but in California, there was even a program that high school students, with approval and sign off by the high school and community college, got to enroll for free, it was called a "special admit program" (and the bonus was, the CC credits counted on my HS transcript towards graduation!)

I saved a fortune on tools that way - and got a great education all the way through high school (I took 72 credits at CC while in high school, all for free)

check it out

 

[nosnerd]

i rarely ever use a 12pt....except my intake manifold bolts on my BBC522

buy deep sockets FIRST

 

[franzdom]

If you gonna spend money on Snap-on, don't waste it on sockets. Spend the money on wrenches, ratchets, or extensions. There's plenty of good sockets available for a fraction of the cost of Snap-on. Kobalt has their set in the same sizes for $22.97. Take the $150 and spend it on some Snap-on combination wrenches.

Why is it that you think the "wrenches, ratchets, extensions" are worth it but spending on their sockets is a "waste"? That really makes no sense.
Now if you are trying to say that it is a good idea to prioritize wrenches and ratchets ahead of sockets, that makes more sense.
I think Snap-on makes some of the best sockets out there, very complete range of sizes and variety, and they are quite enjoyable to use after you have the wrenches and ratchets covered.
I have no regrets over any of my Snap-on socket purchases and don't consider that a "waste".

 

[tjmonsen5]

Telling someone to buy Kobalt sockets instead of Snap-on is crazy. They are not equals. I felt the same way that you did until I bought Snap-on sockets. Ill tell my quick story about how I became a believer.
I was changing out springs /shocks on my car. I went to remove the 13mm nut that holds my sway bar drop link to the trailing arm. I put my craftsman 6 point socket on it, and stripped it rounded the corners really badly. I was using my craftsman 1/4 19v impact. I grabbed the Snap-on 13mm 6 pt socket, and used a ratchet this time. It took the nut right off like it was its job. Now when you look at both a Snap-on and Craftsman socket side by side, they appear identical. Almost all companies use "Flank drive" now. My experience confirms that "There is a difference."

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

If you already have deeps I would go with shallow 12pt, boats use a lot of 12 point fasteners.

 

[davesnothere]

I've got that set for sale in the classifieds here, like new, for $110.
Just saying.

 

[pipsters]

Unless you're coming from a well-to-do family where money doesn't matter too much, you're much better off putting that Snap-On money into a college fund

 

[TwoInch]

if you are set on snap on sockets, which is totally fine in my eyes if you have the means, i would suggest getting a set of semi deeps. you have deep already, and since i picked up the semi deeps, my shallows collect more dust than grease.

shallows are useful tools, but if you were to get one set off high quality sockets, the semi deeps are where its at. if im in a spot that i NEED a shallow socket and or low profile ratchet, i tend to go with a ratcheting wrench in those situation usually. the semis are damn near a perfect socket, they feel good when you are putting some muscle on something, and dont tend to twist and tilt like full deep sockets do. all three designs have their uses, but them semis are super useful.

good thing is if you end up needing cash, a snap on set will fetch a decent return on your money on the used market.

 

[JoeyMitch]

Well guys I am rethinking this because this week I've been getting sockets at garage sales. Turns out I have 6 Snap On sockets out of ten that I need!!!!! Now I only need four!!!!! These six sockets only cost me $6 so I think I can find the other 4 if I keep going to garage sales...Thanks for all of the advice and kind gestures by some of you. I really appreciate it and that's why I love this site!!!

 

[FiendFX]

I recommend you get metrics instead and go with shallow and deep is good enough.