I wonder how high the cost on Snap-On Tools would have to go before techs quit buying them? They've always be costly, but this is crazy.
I never pay anywhere close to retail ever. Still overpriced
but oh well I can afford it.I wonder how high the cost on Snap-On Tools would have to go before techs quit buying them? They've always be costly, but this is crazy.
but oh well I can afford it.The two most overrated things in life are teenage ***** and Snap-on tools.
They're both great, but they're not THAT GREAT... and it's real, real hard to objectively justify the cost of each.
-Brad
along withMy first thought is always "nice box, but what a fool!"
Metric set is half that price... weird, usually its the other way around.
I was hanging upside down in the bush fixing a pump on a excavator last week.
That 1 1/4" semi stubby saved my ***. A lesser wrench would have spread from the force of my 54" pry bar against it.
Saved me at least a few hours of freezing my A** off.
That to me is worth it.
The two most overrated things in life are teenage ***** and Snap-on tools.
They're both great, but they're not THAT GREAT... and it's real, real hard to objectively justify the cost of each.
-Brad
That's something that needs to be told to every teenage boy out there.
I know the fanboys and Kool-Aid drinkers will always come out with some story about how every other tool failed, and the SO saved the day to justify their price, but truth be told, SO is the most over-priced tool brand out there. They do make good tools, but they're not that much better than the other high quality brands out there. For something that breaks so rarely, paying such a premium for having a truck show up once every week or two just doesn't make sense to me. I know time is money for guys in the trade, but is it worth spending that much on a single set of wrenches?
That's something that needs to be told to every teenage boy out there.
I know the fanboys and Kool-Aid drinkers will always come out with some story about how every other tool failed, and the SO saved the day to justify their price, but truth be told, SO is the most over-priced tool brand out there. They do make good tools, but they're not that much better than the other high quality brands out there. For something that breaks so rarely, paying such a premium for having a truck show up once every week or two just doesn't make sense to me. I know time is money for guys in the trade, but is it worth spending that much on a single set of wrenches?
That 1 1/4" semi stubby lists for $89.. it was the tool needed for the job.. Do you feel stupid or foolish for owning it?? Three hours of reduced downtime on an excavator on a jobsite ((((((((PRICE THAT OUT)))))))) for those who don't know, that can run thousands per hour.... possible that that entire set of wrenches paid for themselves in one use??? yes it is possible....... You and I understand this, and the reasons for owning good tools,,, ya, and they can be expensive,,, .............. For a good share of the majority of consumers, this set would be overkill in both needs and price...... there are lower cost and smaller sets to choose from....
My SnapOn wrenches often fit where my ProTo or Sk are just too fat and clunky..... I don't buy SnapOn tools for show and tell; but to do demanding work.... Shock: I do own my share of HF tools... truth is, I select my tools to match the job that needs to be done..
Kind of like paying $2.50 for a $.50 ice cream bar off the neighborhood ice cream truck. An expensive convience. I know, not quite the same, but you get the point.
That's something that needs to be told to every teenage boy out there.
I know the fanboys and Kool-Aid drinkers will always come out with some story about how every other tool failed, and the SO saved the day to justify their price, but truth be told, SO is the most over-priced tool brand out there. They do make good tools, but they're not that much better than the other high quality brands out there. For something that breaks so rarely, paying such a premium for having a truck show up once every week or two just doesn't make sense to me. I know time is money for guys in the trade, but is it worth spending that much on a single set of wrenches?
Yeah there is... PLENTY of other brands come close and/or exceed these. (Think Wright/Hazet/Stahlwille)
How does Koken compare? What about Nepros?
I've been in a lot of shops, and I'm convinced peer-pressure plays a HUGE roll in tool sales."If you cant run with the big dogs, stay on the porch"
I've been in a lot of shops, and I'm convinced peer-pressure plays a HUGE roll in tool sales.
I've seen guys harassed endlessly about nice Craftsman tool boxes and tools, even the Professional lines of each. Decent Husky boxes, Proto wrenches, etc. etc.
And the teasing ends when that Craftsman or Husky box gets replaced with a Snap-on, or the Craftsman and Proto wrenches quietly get replaced with Snap-on.
-Brad
I've been in a lot of shops, and I'm convinced peer-pressure plays a HUGE roll in tool sales.
I've seen guys harassed endlessly about nice Craftsman tool boxes and tools, even the Professional lines of each. Decent Husky boxes, Proto wrenches, etc. etc.
And the teasing ends when that Craftsman or Husky box gets replaced with a Snap-on, or the Craftsman and Proto wrenches quietly get replaced with Snap-on.
-Brad
Highly disagree with just about everything you just posted. I actually laughed out loud at almost that entire statement.$50 EACH for for 4" long wrenches?? REALLY!!!
I quite honestly have to wonder about the integrity of the Snap-On corporation and the truck salesmen that can, in good faith, sell these ridiculously overpriced tools to a new tech that's making $10-12-15/hr?? Plain and simple it's fiscally irresponsible even for a "pro".
Quite frankly, I consider these guys as bad as the predatory car sales outfits that sell cars to anyone stupid enough to walk onto their lot, OR the quickie cash loan places.
Plain and simple, they are preying on the new tech that's been convinced, mainly by peer pressure, that they have to spend stupid money on tools or they'll be forever labeled as hack mechanics.
Spend any time in farm country??
Ever see a Snap-on truck in front of a farm shop??
Ever wonder why not??
I can tell you why. It's because farmers are some of the most savvy businessmen you will ever know, they spend money where it needs to be spent, and they know value when they see it.
Farmers are also some of the best mechanics you'll find. The days of the hack farm mechanic are long past in successful operations, the stakes are far too high to not be doing the job right.
I've spent ALOT of time in farm shops, many of which rival serious commercial shops, but one thing you seldom find in a farm shop is Snap On tools. They just don't make sense.
A lot of the other wrenches out there just don't have the shape that I want. I can take a Snap-on wrench and twirl it around in my hands like the girl does with her baton at the front of a parade. The other wrenches out there just don't give me the same level of coordination.

That's when you take a grinder to your Pittsburgh pro and cut it down. Job done and for 22 bucks pop I can buy 3 more sets for the price of that wrenchThis right here.
I got an old ratchet and sockets from EBay years ago. I tried to get the ratchet replaced and my dealer wouldn't even talk
To me. If you didn't buy it from a truck, apparently they don't
Have any obligation to warranty it.
And why should they, the warranty is for the original purchaser, this has been cover several time here.
Honestly have had no issue getting stuff that I bought second had warrantied, but I also have made purchases with my dealer so he likes me.
There's no issue with integrity. No one is forcing the buyer to buy.
The SO business model is based on much more then the product:
- High quality product
- One stop shopping at the job site (no need to use personal time). Everyone places their own value on off time.
- Ease of warranty
- Financing
Unless the buyer can benefit from most of these factors then it's simply not a good value.
All this hooplah over a set of $1,000 stubby wrenches? Wow, SO really struck a chord with this one.
FWIW, here is my 2¢. I've been wrenching for many years, I've used and own(ed) craftsman USA, Sk, SO, Mac, Matco and even Husky, Kobalt, HF. I own my own shop and when the shop is busy I'll grab the first tool I see. Every once in a while I'll lay my hand on a craftsman ratchet or a Husky wrench, etc... I'm here to tell you that aside from warranties, replacements, tool truck, credit, blah blah blah... There is no substitute for the high end tools. The lesser wrenches spread and flex, the ratchets have a ton of slop, the sockets aren't the right size/spec, bits twist and break, the problems are numerous.
When you're getting paid/billing flat rate you can't afford to be breaking tools, rounding or stripping nuts and bolts. Or more importantly breaking or cutting hands and fingers when a wrench or socket slips off a fastener.
I'll pay the extra money to not have to extract fasteners or be down due to injuries.
Quality tools are just as much safety equipment as are safety glasses, gloves, face shields and welding gear.
My $.02
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Wow! I just bought a ratcheting Metric Gearwrench stubby set for $100 from my Snap On Driver.
Here is a question nobody has been able to answer. You are a rookie mechanic and you break your 9/16ths Snap On wrench. How many days does it take for the Snap On truck to visit your shop again? So you cannot finish the job until the truck comes back. How is that "easy warranty." Easy warranty is buying the tire changer guy lunch and sending him to the local HF, Sears, HD etc...