How It's Made - Snap On Wrenches, Sockets, and Ratchets

[AaronMartin]

How It's Made - Snap On Wrenches:

How It's Made - Snap On Sockets:

How It's Made - Snap On Ratchets:

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Ratchets seem pretty straightforward to repair if you ever needed to. Probably just take five minutes.

Really the most important aspect is the quality of metal used, and most tool companies use the exact same metal.

Snap, Mac, and Matco have very high profit margins, but who can blame them, honestly, who can blame them when manufacturing and doing business in America costs so much more here than overseas.

But honestly, I would love American manufacturing to make a comeback and to see more products that say "Made in the USA". But the cost of doing business in America is too high and the government is the main problem. It is one of the biggest reasons there is an economic crisis in Europe, in America, and around the world, this failed economic pipe-dream philosophy they have been smoking for so long. While emerging markets in Asia and South America are booming, experiencing unbelievable exponential economic growth and prosperity, 50 million Americans are on welfare (SNAP - Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), not including healthcare and unemployment and so on. Fifty million. It is absolutely unbelievable. What happened to what was once America? But that's a very complicated and different topic for a difference place. But I believe it can change, and with sweeping economic reforms, we could see a renaissance of American manufacturing and countless jobs created and companies and business flocking back to the US where they belong. But until sweeping reforms are made, it'll never happen.

Anyway, I'm just waiting for the day a Snap/Mac/Matco disgruntled whistleblower finally comes forward and tells us what everyone already secretly knew inside: that their tools are overrated, overpriced, and made of the exact same metal as many of the other tool brands.

But even worse, I've heard rumors that other companies produce many Snap On Tools and they're simply rebranded, so while both tools may be identical, the one with Snap-On stamped on it costs more. But anyway, pretty cool videos I thought I'd share.

 

[yogitech]

There are way too many threads about rebranding between ALL the companies, do a quick search and you'll see...

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Definitely cool videos.. The whole overrated thing I think is a frame of mind. For instance, I wouldn't go buy a Harbor Freight ratchet and expect it to perform like my dual 80, but on the other hand, I don't think I'd go buy a 250 dollar set of impact sockets, when I can get them at Harbor Freight.. if that makes any sense..

 

[ClineWrench]

One other factor to bear in mind. What's in the steel. People like to think all steel is created equal but there's nothing further from the truth. Steel, like your mommas spaghetti sauce, has different ingredients and processes it undergoes to become what is ultimately a tool.

The steel and it's recipe is probably the most important factor involved in tool and die making. If it weren't, the Chinese wouldn't send their people to American and German factories in hopes of picking up some pre-finish Steel to analyze.

The other factor involved is purely political. I don't want to give my money to a country that uses prison labor to produce tools. That's exactly what China does, and that's why the tools are so cheap.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Really the most important aspect is the quality of metal used, and most tool companies use the exact same metal [...] their tools are overrated, overpriced, and made of the exact same metal as many of the other tool brands.

Terrible. Yes, they use metal and so does every tool company. False, in that the way to produce steel worth using as a quality tool is what takes, time and effort which equates to costs. The rest of the cost is customer service for the truck brands.

 

[tshetter]

Terrible. Yes, they use metal and so does every tool company. False, in that the way to produce steel worth using as a quality tool is what takes, time and effort which equates to costs. The rest of the cost is customer service for the truck brands.

I worked at Pepperidge Farm bakery for a few years.

Why is Pepperidge Farm bread $4/loaf?

A large percentage of it never leaves the bakery. If the toasting, seeding, or shape are not just right it doesn't ship.

There is a large amount of QC that goes into their product at all stages of production as well as QC of the ingredients upon arrival at the bakery.

They pay incredibly well, their benefits are great, and their maintenance department is well stocked and very capable.

Can the same be said for Snap-On or other premium tool brands?

I have no idea. I haven't worked in their production facilities. But I would imagine that it is.

Does this account for the cost alone? No. They price themselves as a premium brand on purpose, run tool trucks, and warranty products fairly liberally. They also make a good profit.

I still enjoy Pepperidge Farm products, know people that work there, and support them because of that and how their facility is run. I like Snap-On's dual 80 ratchets and have no issues paying a premium.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

...........

You've been on this forum for 2 years and have just rehashed everything that is covered on a weekly basis in one post.

 

[ganymede]

How It's TROLLED- Snap On Wrenches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQE...outube.com/... [/QUOTE] Cool links, thanks

 

[abvw]

The other factor involved is purely political. I don't want to give my money to a country that uses prison labor to produce tools. That's exactly what China does, and that's why the tools are so cheap.

This is one of the most ignorant statement I've read.

It amazes me that people think getting paid $20USD a day in a Chinese factory is considered "prison labour" or sweat shop" operation. Do you know how many people in China will kill for $20USD/day? After conversion that's $120 Chinese RMB a day. Any reputable or big Chinese factories (100k population) have hospitals, shopping malls and all other facilities (schools, gyms, etc) imaginable on site at work. Dorm is provided for workers so a huge chunk of that paycheck won't be budgeted for rent. Factory workers in China are pretty well off, much better than working in retail shops.

Chinese don't spend US dollars in China, I can agree with you if cost of living is the same everywhere in the world and if we're using one currency, but we don't. A few US dollars can feed a family in Africa for a week but won't be enough for a Big Mac in Canada.

 

[JR 42]

This is one of the most ignorant statement I've read.

It amazes me that people think getting paid $20USD a day in a Chinese factory is considered "prison labour" or sweat shop" operation. Do you know how many people in China will kill for $20USD/day? After conversion that's $120 Chinese RMB a day. Any reputable or big Chinese factories (100k population) have hospitals, shopping malls and all other facilities (schools, gyms, etc) imaginable on site at work. Dorm is provided for workers so a huge chunk of that paycheck won't be budgeted for rent. Factory workers in China are pretty well off, much better than working in retail shops.

Chinese don't spend US dollars in China, I can agree with you if cost of living is the same everywhere in the world and if we're using one currency, but we don't. A few US dollars can feed a family in Africa for a week but won't be enough for a Big Mac in Canada.

I assumed he meant the the use of actual Chinese prisoners in forced labor factory production, because, ya know, they do that there, regardless of how great the pay scale might be for free factory workers.

JR

 

[ADSR]

As IhateMW pointed out to me, you can clearly see them stamp "Williams" into the socket during the process at the Snap-on factory.

 

[DodgeMech]

everyone doesn't realize that unlike mac or matco that are simply the "head brands" of giant conglomerates...or hell maybe even the same damned one...Snap On owns the Williams, Bahco, and CDI brands...so the factory makes the sockets for snap on, and then stamps them something else...

yes, the cost is different, but, i can't get my williams socket warrantied by my snap on man, and the industrial supply place ain't gonna warranty my snap on socket either

yes it ***** that the snap on brand costs more and is more easily available to auto techs, but, we as techs may only buy one or two of each thing...whereas a plant or factory buys thousands of wrenches and sockets and ratchets...so they make good money either way

 

[dgxlh]

Definitely cool videos.. The whole overrated thing I think is a frame of mind. For instance, I wouldn't go buy a Harbor Freight ratchet and expect it to perform like my dual 80, but on the other hand, I don't think I'd go buy a 250 dollar set of impact sockets, when I can get them at Harbor Freight.. if that makes any sense..

Makes total sense to me. You prettyuch described my set up lol. If I can find a good deal on eBay though I'll pick up a set from snap on. Its not high on my priority list though because I have the HF.
Only gripe is the don't stay on my impact gun

 

[abvw]

I assumed he meant the the use of actual Chinese prisoners in forced labor factory production, because, ya know, they do that there, regardless of how great the pay scale might be for free factory workers.

JR

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-pr...es-big-business-or-a-new-form-of-slavery/8289

http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...abor-pads-corporate-profits-taxpayers-expense

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/prison-labor_n_2272036.html

So... hypocrisy in its finest?

 

[ClineWrench]

For the record, I did in fact mean actual prison labor. In china as well as North Korea, they use actual prison labor to produce goods (just one of which is tools) and then sells them overseas in order to keep thier country artificially competitive.

Think about it a moment. The reason the average struggling Chinese family makes very little cash, so yes $20 is a lot of money to them. Why? Because that same country gives jobs to prisoners rather than the population performing such work. It's the law of supply and demand.

Why would the Chinese government pay the average guy a decent wage when they can use prison labor?

So yeah, there are those who will say it was an ignorant statement, however I imagine they are also the ones who haven't seen the reality...yet. Just wait, this tactic is coming to America too. Read up on the privatization of prisons and the lack of oversight they receive.

 

[bcradio]

These again? Our weekly link to those videos

 

[truckdriver]

4 char