how many Snap on tools do you break each year

[potomac]

I am a DIYer and so far I haven't broken any single of the below Snap on products:
Ratchet,
breaker bar,
socket,
wrench
pliers
ratcheting screwdriver handle

But I had very bad luck with the below Snap on tools:
screwdrivers (esp. the mini ones)
hex bit sockets
torx bit sockets


Lessons learned: I have to scan and keep every single receipts for my screwdriver and bit sockets.

 

[mayday0017]

Broke a few sockets and bent some specialty pliers.

Ratchets and Wrenches don't typically break regardless of brand unless you toss a big cheater pipe on them, and even then they will hold up most of the time...

Sockets are my most common thing to break, also screwdrivers, but all tools wear out just give them time....

 

[Brownsfan]

In all my years of buying and using Snap On I have only had to warranty 2 Items. A flat head screwdriver and a ratcheting driver. The flat head was 100% my fault I was using it to pry when I was doing my brakes. The ratcheting just stopped working out of no where. I did not even ask my dealer to warranty the flat head. I asked him how much a replacement blade was. He said I do not know ANYONE that has ever not used a flat blade driver as a pry bar. He warrantied both. I have been using and buying Snap On since 1996. I have lost picks well before I ever had to warranty them so I dont know the durability.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

ZERO, and yes I am a professional mechanic! Tools do not usually break when they are used properly! However, tools do wear out over time!

 

[plinker]

I have broken various tip style screwdriver blades for both the mini tips and my ratcheting screwdriver. Usually around 3-4 a year. And yes they are used properly (I have other screwdrivers for chisel's punches and prybars). With mini picks I also get about 1-2 a year with a broken tip. I also use them a LOT.

The screwdriver blades seem softer then they used to be too, or I got some bad batches.

Tools do not usually break when they are used properly!

Never had a defective one I take it?

 

[gbh]

Flat head screwdriver tip snapped off.

 

[barcalo]

Tools do not usually break when they are used properly! However, tools do wear out over time!

+1
on that

 

[mrpizza]

I work on helicopters in the Marines, and we break a lot of snap on tools. Probably mostly they wear out and then break, but we bust tons of screwdrivers. Damn screws get corroded they never want to come out!

 

[metaleltr]

Sounds like someone needs an impact driver!

 

[4x4gearhead]

I break bit sockets from time to time but I find they hold up longer than any of the others i have, i.e. cornwell, mac, vim, craftsman, and matco. Other than that I have a ratchet rebuilt every few months usually.

 

[bcradio]

ZERO, and yes I am a professional mechanic! Tools do not usually break when they are used properly! However, tools do wear out over time!

What all tools have you worn out? Just curious. When do you make the call when a tool is worn so much that its time to replace?

I haven't worn out any tools since I am only a home wrench and don't use my tools a ton.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

none, yet, wait the tire valve core remover

 

[ndoran]

couple of screwdrivers each year, this is why I have two of most sizes and four of the ones I use all the time. No they are not used as prybars or chisels but for some reason older electrical equipment seams to have a lot of difficult to remove fasteners. I actually managed to break of a flat tip the first time I used it ($30 screwdriver) I did have a stubby wrench on the screwdriver shank hex nut but still not a lot of torques.

 

[OEXL16B]

I've broken one Snap-on tool my entire life and that was a pair of duckbill pliers. But only because I was using them to grip a round object when I shouldn't have.

I had a hex bit socket get rounded on the tip and the Snap-on dealer put a new bit in the socket for me. Didn't have to replace the whole thing.

 

[twincam00]

This is the OP's THIRD effing snap-on thread in less than 24 hours, a pro troller


To answer the question, one torx bit socket

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

3 T72 Ratchets this year since March,
I dont know what the problem is with that particular ratchet it is supposed to be good for up to 90ft lbs.
And the handle is not big enough or comfortable enough for me to use it and even come close to that torque amount.

Either way no big deal I have back ups and it gets exchanged every time for a brand new one.

24" 1/2" breaker bar that I had and used for 10 years, broke it removing a seized lug nut on a neighbors WII Dodge M37 Army truck.
Atleast it loosened the lug enough to get off before breaking

No big deal again was given a repair kit for it.

Green Soft handle stubby ratcheting screw driver handle
Replaced with a brand new one.


Besides that a few hex bits that I lose that my guy just hands me a replacement and doesn't charge me for.

 

[ricleh]

I've broken 6 tools in 40+ years. I got these tools replaced under warranty with no problem. I have broken some tools because I was seriously abusing them or using the wrong tool for the job. I do not attempt to warranty a tool under those conditions, I just purchase a new one. It was my fault, not the fault of the tool.

 

[Motor-Mechanic]

Generally none. In 25 years of professional spannering the only tool i've ever had break was a pair of Snap-On slip joint pliers, picked 'em up one day and one of the handles fell off!

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I don't break tools very often of any manufacturer. I did have to rebuild my 1/4" flex head SO ratchet.

 

[bobcatdan]

I had one ratchet I had so much trouble with, when SO updated the design, my dealer replaced it and it wasn't even broken at the time. Taps is probably the the most common thing I break. No questions asked, always replaced. Overall my SO tool failure rate is very low and never had one problem having stuff warrantied. I pay SO prices for to my door service and I get it.

 

[MrMark]

I've broken one Snap-on tool my entire life and that was a pair of duckbill pliers. But only because I was using them to grip a round object when I shouldn't have.

I had a hex bit socket get rounded on the tip and the Snap-on dealer put a new bit in the socket for me. Didn't have to replace the whole thing.

Those bit sockets can do that, especially when working on old rusted up crapturds.

And why wouldn't you use those duckbill pliers for grabbing something round, that is what they are for.

You sound like a guy so obsessed with Snap-on tools that when you break a tool that you would rather blame your own stupidity than a shoddy tool.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

To the OP

Seeing how this isn't the only thread you've started up concerning snap on I hope your intent on this one has merit to it. If your intentions are less noble well shame on you. There is entirely to much bashing, bickering and political drama on this board.

With that being said, to answer your question, not to many. Some deep sockets, a ratchet and an extension. The extension didn't break so to speak, the little detent ball fell out.

I have tools from most everybody in my boxes and really haven't noticed any difference in failure rates between brands of same type tools. ie crafty socket vs snappy socket.
I like all of the brands I have and I feel fortunate to have sampled as many as I have since the 1970s

 

[Snapped-off]

I haven't broken any yet, but I did get 2 defective tools.

The first was an 11" 3/8 drive impact extension, took it out of the packaging with a missing o-ring under the snap ring. My dealer didn't have a replacement o-ring on his truck so he just gave me a brand new extension.

The second one was a 1/4 drive Quick Release ratchet. The detent ball wouldn't keep a socket locked onto it for some reason, but again, the dealer replaced it with a brand new one right on the spot.

I can't see how people can regularly break tools, aside from purely abusing them.

 

[wafrederick]

Broke the tip off of my long Snap On flat tipped screwdriver on Monday,second one this year.Broke the tip off a #3 phillips screwdriver bit socket,on a screw holding on the front brake rotor for a Honda Civic.I have broken Mac,Craftsman,SK,Cornwell including Matco also including Snap On tools.

 

[Fishey]

I break my 3/8 Impact swivel sockets all the time from SO... I wish mine were the Matco design that is a billion times stronger and more compact. I would say my 19mm and 17mm break every 2-3months at the center pivoting pin. I also break my flush cut side cutters (only used for zip-ties) every year or so. I did use a bent handle 3/8 SO rachet but without detente it would become loose and floppy driving me insane. I now use a craftsman and am way happier as a result.

 

[crewchief888]

This is the OP's THIRD effing snap-on thread in less than 24 hours, a pro troller

it's nice to have an ignore feature.....

 

[tkonetzke]

A dozen, maybe two dozen. My tools get used to and quite often beyond there capabilities. Not because i dont know how to use proper tools, but rather i use the only tool that can get the job done. I build and service municipal snowplow trucks. Since all the trucks we build are generally one-offs and each designed and layed out by the tech building said truck, there is not alot of innovation in tooling. The automotive industry has only so many cars, so tools are invented to solve common issues. I would have to say my most warrantied item is a snap on 12 foot tape. Truthfully i think its a POS but it has a lifetime warranty for $20.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

I think alot of has to depend on where you live, when I lived in ohio I seen and had socket failures. I havent seen or had one since I have lived down here.
Yes I am referring to the amount of rust.

 

[twincam00]

it's nice to have an ignore feature.....

I'll give it a try

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I average breaking 2 or 3 3/8" hex bit sockets a year (1/2" drive), and the occasional screwdriver tip.

 

[Canadian Cowboy]

I had one ratchet I had so much trouble with, when SO updated the design, my dealer replaced it and it wasn't even broken at the time. Taps is probably the the most common thing I break. No questions asked, always replaced. Overall my SO tool failure rate is very low and never had one problem having stuff warrantied. I pay SO prices for to my door service and I get it.

Your Snap-On dealer warranty's Taps, It was/is to my understanding that Taps,dies,drill bits,Etc are considered consumables items by most tool manufacturers and therefore not warranted including Snap-On.
Maybe he is absorbing the cost himself to replace them for you.


CC

 

[D9H 90V]

Actually alot, mainly torx bit sockets, 15 and 13mm sockets, workin on GM trucks gas and diesel, Ive broke my locking flex head 936 ratchct a couple times and my SLX80A a few times never ever broken any of my wrenchs though

 

[davesnothere]

How many snappy tools I break is directly related to how many times I use t8 torx sockets, 1/2 to 3/8 reducers, 90 degree picks, and small flat blade screwdrivers.

And also how often I attempt to break bolts loose with the cordless screwgun. I've gone thru a few of those shanks in the last couple months.

I also manage to wear out the guts of at least one of my t72 rat variants per annum.

 

[ianguilly]

Ratchets, screwdrivers, and prybar tips, all of wich were fixed under warranty.

 

[mrpizza]

Sounds like someone needs an impact driver!

They don't let us use them. We use this thing thats like a sliding t-handle that one end goes under a different screw. That, or an ez out thing that grips over the outside of the screw head.

 

[OEXL16B]

Those bit sockets can do that, especially when working on old rusted up crapturds.

And why wouldn't you use those duckbill pliers for grabbing something round, that is what they are for.

You sound like a guy so obsessed with Snap-on tools that when you break a tool that you would rather blame your own stupidity than a shoddy tool.

Those duckbill pliers are supposed to be used for grasping thin flat objects. I tried grasping something about 3/8'' in diameter and when I did, one of the jaws broke in half. It was my fault; I accepted the blame for being stupid and threw the pliers in the recycle bin.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

Those duckbill pliers are supposed to be used for grasping thin flat objects. I tried grasping something about 3/8'' in diameter and when I did, one of the jaws broke in half. It was my fault; I accepted the blame for being stupid and threw the pliers in the recycle bin.

Oh god, someone put a bullet in my head.

 

[MrMark]

Oh god, someone put a bullet in my head.

LOL - this guy has it HARD. El tanque Prohibito

 

[marcusicp]

I pretty much only break bit sockets.

 

[jethro29]

none,and i'm a pro who uses them everyday.