If Snap on is not over-priced,
- Thread starter ToolGlutton
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That is so true wrenchr! With this economy shops are closing left and right.
Nissan_Crawler
LOL dumb I guess I've been called worse! As far as tool abuse yeah you could call it that, kind of one of those deals where you use what you have at the time. We was doing this at my buddies house, he has no torches nor do I at home, most of my tools are at work and I have just a basic set of craftsman tools at home with a williams ratchet. He called me because he had broken everything he had I didn't have my good breaker bar with me,I have a 24" mac also but at work. All I had was the williams ratchet that didn't fail. I think it did say something, the snap on folded like a accordian, on the same bolt I though the williams was going to break the way the handle was flexing but broke the bolt loose and held up fine. The point I was trying to make is there are other alternatives that are just as good as Snap on for less money! I know i'm probably in the minority here but I can get my williams, proto, and armstrong tools warrantied out faster than you will your snap on's. I just have to walk across the street to the Industial warehouse supply store that sells williams, Proto, Armstrong, and Urrea tools and they have the biggest display of tools that ( a whole showroom of just tools) I have ever seen! With the tool truck warranty issue what happens if you break a snap on, mac, or matco tool, depending on when you broke it you could wait up to a week before the truck comes around again, if you don't have a duplicate tool your screwed so what good it that warranty doing ya then?
Merkava_4
Banned
cruiser808
Well-known member
Yep, like Snap-on flare nut wrenches. For rusted brake bleeder nuts, nothing else will do.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Elora will do them just fine. 
CAT_serviceman927
Well-known member
kythri
Well-known member
Not saying that.
What I'm saying is, if one group is getting tired of hearing how much Snap-On is "not worth it and you should buy Craftsman", the other group is most definitely getting tired of hearing that Snap-On "is sooooooooo much better, and Craftsman is worthless, nobody should own it."
And no, it's not everyone, on either side of the thing. We're all (both "sides") getting annoyed at the same thing, and to an extent, many of us are personally identifying with our purchase decisions, and don't like being told that we're wrong.
This board is great, but what we really need is an easily-accessible to all central location where we can get some good beer, and instead of passing around pictures, actually demo all of these tools...
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cruiser808
Well-known member
Elora will do them just fine.
Not if you can't buy them in Hawaii. "Elora what tools ???, what've you been smokin boy?????"
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eschoendorff
Well-known member
Not if you can't find them in Hawaii. "Elora what tools ???, what've you been smokin boy?????"
Craftsman Pro have always worked for me. Then agai, I do have Snap On as a second string....
Value is in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone needs to get over this.
cruiser808
Well-known member
AutoTech - just curious, what model Williams ratchet did you use?
Part of the reason for the frustration is we all use tools differently with different requirements.
I have had a unique experience where it is not just the silo of how I use them, it is how they are used in many different environments by others. Here is a summary of what we have found and how we do it. As you look you may find your niche.
1. Key farm shops, busy 8-12 hours a day 365 days a year, responsible for routine maintenance and rebuilds. Truck tools to a minimum of Wright to Proto or equivelent in styles they do not offer. Duplicates abound. We do not want this group to be waiting on tools to work.
2. Maintenance and fueling pickups - trucks. A high quality mix of Wright to Proto with some truck tools thrown in. We are upping the quality - reliability of these locations. No mystery tools allowed and minimally Craftsman. These are responsible for daily repairs and adjustments and unexpected downtimes that can be fixed in the fields and outlying building maintenance. We found trips to replace a broken tool were very costly.
In 1 and 2 a tool not working can cost into the thousands of dollars, so it is worth it to have it right. For this group much of the argument is moot and this is the group that I see frequently leaning truck on the board.
3. Tools on individual machines or secondary pickups. Usually Craftsman raised panels, Wright satin or equivelent in other lines. Used for daily adjustments and quick fixes where a service truck - pickup is not required. Need to be inexpensive and stand up to being buried in dirt, grease, bounced hard daily in tool boxes. If they fail we have the service truck quickly available as a replacement so minimal time is lost. Similar in demands to a fair amount of DYI requirements minus the storage abuse we give them.
4. Home use. Anything goes of a quality that will not hurt someone. That leaves off a suspicious, mystery tool bottom. Usually the misfit sets, merged sets. etc. Is the standard DYI use usually described here. Hobbies include rebuilding. Wives to not understand it, you worked on combines all day and come home to work on the old Malibu. The use is there but not as hard. Failure does not have a high cost. Stop at Sears on the way back from somewhere, etc. The wife may disagree but it can wait until tomorrow.
3 and 4 are the groups that most people on the low dollar worked for me side. There will always be exceptions.
If for 3 and 4 you can afford the top lines more power to you its your money, but the lower priced ones will work. Usually the issue is for work you use the better stuff and get spoiled and look at that mystery ratchet with great suspicion.
Think of that and understand we may end up agreeing to disagree. Then again we need a few popcorn munches.
SCguy
Well-known member
So what exactly is a full-time student? A student with no job? A student that is taking every class available?
RD
billymade
Well-known member
Full time traditionally has been a minimum of 12 hours; 3 credit hours per class; 4 classes 3X4=12 hours. YMMV but this was always the case when I was in school; ask your school what they consider "full time"; you might go to the Snap-On site and see what their requirements are.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
A full time student, has to take so many credit hours.
When I started off to college (LONG time ago), I was one class shy of full time. The next semester, I signed up as full time, while working full time, but I quickly had to drop a couple of classes, as a relative was diagnosed, terminally. I was working full time, trying to go to school, and doing the hospice thing for a relative with a brain tumor.
I ended up in a house, after that, but in four more years, that will be paid off. MAYBE I can go back to school.
Now, DON'T be a sheep!
Now back to responsibilty and taking on debt. These are lessons you learn in life from watching others and how you handle your money. But while 95% of it is the debtors fault, 2% is the way our economy is set up (makes everyone think they have to have it now), and 3% is the tricks, the sellers (in this case the tool company), use to try to push you into buying. (aka My box is bigger then yours)
We had a Snap~on guy, who really didn't have a clue. (one of the reasons they approached me, to try to make me one) He tried the "oh no, my xyz is faster/better then yours", what he had NO clue on, was what he was trying to sell us, I had bought from the OEM for THEM.
Whether it is this board, your driver, your store of choice, etc. Don't be a sheep and blindly follow what your told. You have to figure out what works for you. If being a sheep worked, then maybe there would be only one woman, that everytime a new one was born, she was just like the others, and we would have had them figured out by now.
But if that happened, they would probably be self cloning and no need for us.
When I started off to college (LONG time ago), I was one class shy of full time. The next semester, I signed up as full time, while working full time, but I quickly had to drop a couple of classes, as a relative was diagnosed, terminally. I was working full time, trying to go to school, and doing the hospice thing for a relative with a brain tumor.
I ended up in a house, after that, but in four more years, that will be paid off. MAYBE I can go back to school.
Now, DON'T be a sheep!
Now back to responsibilty and taking on debt. These are lessons you learn in life from watching others and how you handle your money. But while 95% of it is the debtors fault, 2% is the way our economy is set up (makes everyone think they have to have it now), and 3% is the tricks, the sellers (in this case the tool company), use to try to push you into buying. (aka My box is bigger then yours)
We had a Snap~on guy, who really didn't have a clue. (one of the reasons they approached me, to try to make me one) He tried the "oh no, my xyz is faster/better then yours", what he had NO clue on, was what he was trying to sell us, I had bought from the OEM for THEM.
Whether it is this board, your driver, your store of choice, etc. Don't be a sheep and blindly follow what your told. You have to figure out what works for you. If being a sheep worked, then maybe there would be only one woman, that everytime a new one was born, she was just like the others, and we would have had them figured out by now.
But if that happened, they would probably be self cloning and no need for us.
cruiser808
The model number is S53. It's a long handle fine tooth ratchet. It's a older ratchet I would say from the late 1980's but tough as nails! I have a friend that works on John Deere heavy equipment and I've seen him use his out in the field to break head bolts loose to prove a point of there strength.
billymade
Well-known member
Is it similar to this one? This is a REV "A" model:
Catalog page download: http://www.jhwilliamstoolgroup.com/Cat-21-1-218/Drive-Tools.htm#lightbox8
1/2" Drive Round Head Ratchets
Knurled Handle, Chrome and Black Industrial Finish
Product Code Description Length (Inches) Number of Teeth
S-53A Chrome Finish Round Head Ratchet, Long 15 72
Fed. Spec: ANSI B107.10M
Features
Double pawl design with 72 teeth action provides a 5° ratcheting angle.
Shift lever reverses action instantly.
Knurled handle provides a non-slip grip.
Chrome finish models provides increased protection from rust and corrosion.
Seems to me the long handle would give you good leverage for those hard to get off nuts and bolts!
Catalog page download: http://www.jhwilliamstoolgroup.com/Cat-21-1-218/Drive-Tools.htm#lightbox8
1/2" Drive Round Head Ratchets
Knurled Handle, Chrome and Black Industrial Finish
Product Code Description Length (Inches) Number of Teeth
S-53A Chrome Finish Round Head Ratchet, Long 15 72
Fed. Spec: ANSI B107.10M
Features
Double pawl design with 72 teeth action provides a 5° ratcheting angle.
Shift lever reverses action instantly.
Knurled handle provides a non-slip grip.
Chrome finish models provides increased protection from rust and corrosion.
Seems to me the long handle would give you good leverage for those hard to get off nuts and bolts!
Is it similar to this one? This is a REV "A" model:
Catalog page download: http://www.jhwilliamstoolgroup.com/Cat-21-1-218/Drive-Tools.htm#lightbox8
1/2" Drive Round Head Ratchets
Knurled Handle, Chrome and Black Industrial Finish
Product Code Description Length (Inches) Number of Teeth
S-53A Chrome Finish Round Head Ratchet, Long 15 72
Fed. Spec: ANSI B107.10M
Features
Double pawl design with 72 teeth action provides a 5° ratcheting angle.
Shift lever reverses action instantly.
Knurled handle provides a non-slip grip.
Chrome finish models provides increased protection from rust and corrosion.
Seems to me the long handle would give you good leverage for those hard to get off nuts and bolts!
billymade
yes thats what my ratchet looks like. It might not be all shiney and chrome, I guess you would call in satin finish but it's one ratchet!
billymade
Well-known member
Looks like these guys carry it for $37.50! Not too bad!!
http://www.powertool-box.com/product.php?productid=17187&cat=640&bestseller=Y
http://www.powertool-box.com/product.php?productid=17187&cat=640&bestseller=Y
paramudduck
Well-known member
The Williams ratchets are an often over looked tool. I have used them for many years with out a single failure.
And yes the length helps a lot on those stiff bolts. A friend of mine who does heavy equipment work swears by them.
And yes the length helps a lot on those stiff bolts. A friend of mine who does heavy equipment work swears by them.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Bottom line is, Snap On tools ARE overpriced for the casual user, but NOT for the Professional. If your livelihood doesn't depend on your tools, Snap On can be a luxury. If it does, it's a necessity.
And that makes perfect sense, does it not?!?
And that makes perfect sense, does it not?!?
billymade
Well-known member
I think Williams tools are overlooked because they are distributed through the Industrial Supplier sector; the general public (unless they work in the industry) do not go to these places or have easy access to a Williams tool dealer. I have yet to find a Williams dealer in my area.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Snap-on is expensive, even second-hand. I mean, just today i paid a fifth of the new price for a Snap-on side locker. If that's not extortionate, i don't know what is.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
when I started as a mechanic , my 235 dollar weekly paycheck was 50 bucks for snap on and 20 dollars for the s-k /bonney guy
$235 a week now would very tough.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I've tried paying my Snap-on guy. Apparently he doesn't come to the shop i'm at now because "there's nowhere to park". 
I've tried paying my Snap-on guy. Apparently he doesn't come to the shop i'm at now because "there's nowhere to park".
Your dealer needs to relocate here
paramudduck
Well-known member
I have seen a lot of these young guy's paying out most of their checks. They think they have to have everything the 20 and 30 year guys have.
Don't realize those guys bought most of their stuff off of the kids losing their butts before them.
Don't realize those guys bought most of their stuff off of the kids losing their butts before them.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
I had been paying 500 a week at times
easy with the 100+ hour checks I was getting in the day
I miss the eighties to mid nineties
easy with the 100+ hour checks I was getting in the day
I miss the eighties to mid nineties
speed bump
Well-known member
nissan_crawler said:
Well I have never had a problem with calling up my local Wright dealer and having them drop by that day. Sears drops off refrigerators at our shop for recycling and doesn't have a problem delivering tools to us as well. If I have a problem with Klien tools I call up or supplier and a new one shows up the next day and next time they are in town they will pick up the old one and credit our company account. Our Napa dealer will bring tools if you are getting parts delivered to the local garages. Proto, Williams, Mac, Armstrong don't have any local dealers, however when we used to deal with Grainger all the time they offered to replace Proto tools sight unseen if we were doing a certain amount of business.
paramudduck
Well-known member
You know over the years I've only seen 3 dealers two Mac and one Snappy who would swing by to drop a tool off.
The rest were liable to say, "Ok I'll change it when I stop by again". Then when they did show up go, "Oh I just sold the last of them I'll get it next time".
After a bit of that you just get extra tools and when the one breaks you pull out another one until you can get the first replaced.
The rest were liable to say, "Ok I'll change it when I stop by again". Then when they did show up go, "Oh I just sold the last of them I'll get it next time".
After a bit of that you just get extra tools and when the one breaks you pull out another one until you can get the first replaced.
That is why I will not open an account with any of the tool trucks, I know personally I would not be able to restrain my self, so I either pay cash out of my spending money or start to save on the next pay check
I have an account with a Mac dealer and I keep it to $40.00 a week, you would not believe how much I have added to garage with that.
Vinko
Well-known member
I've also had Proto & other stuff replaced next day. (I've also sent the stuff in to Proto direct). If you call before 8pm, you can get a new one the next day, delivered by courier for very, very cheap surprisingly. $4-$7 bucks for light deliveries. You get billed for the new tool, but when you send the busted one back, you get a credit. Provided of course you didn't, say, weld a cheater to it or something really far out.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
If I break a Snap-On tool and need it immediately, I can usually have it delivered within 1-2 hours. Mac is sketchy on when they show up. There is no Matco/Proto/Williams/Armstrong/Napa.
Coach James
Well-known member
"Interesting though about the 50% pricing. Most products sold don't have that kind of profit margin"
I worked in retail when I was in college in a Lowes/HD type of store. Our UPC book showed that over half of our inventory was marked up 100% over our cost. We sold a few items at cost as loss leaders like 20x20 air filters and 8 penny nails, but majority were sold at a 100% mark up.
Coach
I worked in retail when I was in college in a Lowes/HD type of store. Our UPC book showed that over half of our inventory was marked up 100% over our cost. We sold a few items at cost as loss leaders like 20x20 air filters and 8 penny nails, but majority were sold at a 100% mark up.
Coach
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krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
remember that the 50% student discounts are sold directly from snap on and not the dealers. the dealer mark up is 33% so the company is only really giving up 17%
Shoot half the trucks that came weekley dont even show up anymore, Havent seen cornwell since the end of july, mac hasnt been by since january, only Matco, USA tools and Snappy comes by every week even then USA is only coming by once a month
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