In Sept. of 21, I ask the Snap-on driver to order me a 7pc. 6pt metric combination wrench set. I've called him once a month since then and it's always "on backorder". The driver is a young guy and seems really nice, but I think he's blowing smoke up my *** about this order. For me it's gotten to be a game to see how long it will take to get them. Thankfully I don't need them that much right now or I would have ordered them online. I was just trying to support this truck guy. I'll give him a call tomorrow when he's in the neighborhood and if he doesn't have them, I'll cancel my order and go online.
Has snap on tools changed (for better or worse?)
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CGarage
Well-known member
Tons of tools are on back order. Call Snap-On corporate and ask to see what the ETA is.
1 (877) 762-7664
I tried to get motor oil yesterday to do an oil change on a vehicle. Even the specialty European motor oil was not in stock and backordered due to COVID.
javyLSU
Well-known member
I have to know… What spurred one of the most epic thread resurrections I’ve ever seen on the internet?
I had no idea this thread was that old. I'm thinking it was something that popped up on similar threads on the bottom of the page of another thread. I admit I don't always look at the date of the first post when answering a thread.
I have to know… What spurred one of the most epic thread resurrections I’ve ever seen on the internet?
Alpine4x4
Well-known member
Thats pretty common right now. Snappys website has a long list of items on backorder. My roll cart has been on order for three months now.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I have a 120lb keg of grease on back order along with Mobilith SHC 007 wheel bearing grease for 2 months now.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I love old threads but it was not me who bumped this old thread.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Even Napa seems to be getting slower when ordering tools through them. I'm just happy when the stuff finally shows up.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Wrench97
Well-known member
They usually don't plate the working part, I.E. inside the box.
Thank you for the replies.
The entire wrench is submerged in the bath. Anything else would be impractical, as it required to conduct current and would be impossible to control wicking. I realize the wrenches are suspended from one end during the process. None the less, I had a look at some of my Asian sets and they are all more finished inside the open and box ends. Furthermore, some of the snap on wrenches are flawless on both ends, indicating that the finish I am looking for is obtainable, but inconsistent.
I ended up cleaning and polishing the inside ends of all of my wrenches, so that they do not always look dirty. Attached is a before and after of the 18mm box end. I found the insides of many wrenches are essentially unpolished. Although bothersome for **** folks like myself, the chrome plating appears to have continuity and should not be susceptible to corrosion in the future.
Call me crazy, but when you pay this much for hand tools, they should be polished inside and out.
The entire wrench is submerged in the bath. Anything else would be impractical, as it required to conduct current and would be impossible to control wicking. I realize the wrenches are suspended from one end during the process. None the less, I had a look at some of my Asian sets and they are all more finished inside the open and box ends. Furthermore, some of the snap on wrenches are flawless on both ends, indicating that the finish I am looking for is obtainable, but inconsistent.
I ended up cleaning and polishing the inside ends of all of my wrenches, so that they do not always look dirty. Attached is a before and after of the 18mm box end. I found the insides of many wrenches are essentially unpolished. Although bothersome for **** folks like myself, the chrome plating appears to have continuity and should not be susceptible to corrosion in the future.
Call me crazy, but when you pay this much for hand tools, they should be polished inside and out.
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Ricky Joe
Well-known member
I actually prefer the inside to not be plated, as plating eventually flakes off and that changes the size and fit. I won’t buy wrenches plated on the working surface.
It totally depends on the driver, ours is clearly making too much money and has stopped showing up, think I have seen him once since October. Meanwhile amazon delivers tools next day and the local big box stores are open till 8pm, and if I get really stuck for the vehicle in pieces, someone will lend me a tool.
demarpaint
Well-known member
I agree the wrenches are 100% fine. His point is that for the absolute premium charged by Snap On, the expectation of the finishing should be high. If this were an Icon set people would be squawking about how Icon cuts corners/etc.
I swapped out my Xframes because the chrome was flawed on almost all of them and I didn't want to deal with a warranty scenario later with that many things in a set, and frankly I expected better. The replacement set is great. I'd 100% hold SnapOn to a high standard. At that price, finish your damn tools or charge me a blem price.
I swapped out my Xframes because the chrome was flawed on almost all of them and I didn't want to deal with a warranty scenario later with that many things in a set, and frankly I expected better. The replacement set is great. I'd 100% hold SnapOn to a high standard. At that price, finish your damn tools or charge me a blem price.
Here is a 1/2'' drive socket that I received last month. It is worth saying that snap on has been great, and returned the defective socket(s) (there were three) without hesitation. Here are my thoughts:
1. This is a clear visual defect, how would three sockets from the same set all make it through a functioning QC system?
2. These are defects that we can spot visually. Which other defects or discontinuities are present that we cannot see (material properties resulting from variation in the base materials, forging process, or heat treatment)?
For example, if you looked at a welded product where the welder took no pride in their work, and did not clean or finish their product, how much confidence would you have in their internal weld quality?
1. This is a clear visual defect, how would three sockets from the same set all make it through a functioning QC system?
2. These are defects that we can spot visually. Which other defects or discontinuities are present that we cannot see (material properties resulting from variation in the base materials, forging process, or heat treatment)?
For example, if you looked at a welded product where the welder took no pride in their work, and did not clean or finish their product, how much confidence would you have in their internal weld quality?
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vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
To me as a tool user and buyer for 45 years Snap On was the best in the sixties through early 80's with a cursive script logo as the wrenches were different then than when they went to the block lettering every thing got thinner and was really hard on your hand so I stopped using them.
Wakefield
Well-known member
The main thing I don't like to see is obviously off center broaching in the box end or flare nut "tube" wrenches. It's only as strong as the thinnest side. For sockets too.
I bought these new from the website this week and was pretty disappointed when they arrived. Hard to see in the picture but the teeth are misaligned and there’s a gap on one side. Nvm they are all scratched up.
it should make contact on whatever it’s grabbing but as a hobbyist who certainly doesn’t need Snap On I’m a little disappointed.
I wanted to avoid overseas “original” vise grips and people here seemed to like the grip ons so I thought I’d give them a shot from Snap On as they are actually a fair price.
it should make contact on whatever it’s grabbing but as a hobbyist who certainly doesn’t need Snap On I’m a little disappointed.
I wanted to avoid overseas “original” vise grips and people here seemed to like the grip ons so I thought I’d give them a shot from Snap On as they are actually a fair price.
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All of which can/should be set at a high level of QC given the price they set.
I mean, these aren't rustic/handmade leather boots where part of the charm lies in the variability of the materials and execution.
Granted, tools are probably never going to be better than the day you open the box, but for the most-expensive professional-grade tools, that day should be a nearly perfect one. I've got decades of experience in jobs that involved a manufacturing component one way or another that tells me not every single thing is going to be perfect, and in the situation that it's not, I expect them to make it right, not make excuses. In fairness, I don't think SO does anything different than SK did - they make it right. It's people on the internet that want to make excuses.
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CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
The last Snap-on truck I saw was sitting in a parking lot with a giant "For Sale" sign on the window. I don't even see the other brand's tool trucks driving around. I can't imagine it being as profitable as it was with so many mid-level tool companies springing up all over.
Well, I decided to see if I could actually polish the chrome after removing the oxides/scale.
I used 000 synthetic steel wool with a citrus degreaser as a lubricant, then Auosol metal polish and a microfiber towel to finish the job.
Here is the same box end 18mm wrench.
I used 000 synthetic steel wool with a citrus degreaser as a lubricant, then Auosol metal polish and a microfiber towel to finish the job.
Here is the same box end 18mm wrench.
What brand of wrenches are available without chrome on the inside of the box end?
Never mind, I guess you are referring to industrial wrenches that have no chrome at all.
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
I have a lot of vintage tools.