Industrial hand tools vs Professional Mechanics tools

[P0300]

Is there a difference between Industrial hand tool brands like Proto, Armstrong, ect, and Professional Mechanics tools like snap-on, mac, and matco?

is it just marketing? or is there a difference?

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Not really - seems to primarily be a difference in where, and how, they're sold. Industrial tools are easier to get from places like Grainger; mechanic's tools, from the trucks.

From the Proto tools I've used, they're strong but much rougher than their counterparts.

 

[Davefr]

Is there a difference between Industrial hand tool brands like Proto, Armstrong, ect, and Professional Mechanics tools like snap-on, mac, and matco?

is it just marketing? or is there a difference?

Mainly marketing, branding and distribution channels.

However there are product differences. For example industrial tools often lack the fine tooth, polished chrome finishes of mechanics tools. Industrial tools focus on strength and finishes like satin chrome and/or non plated.

 

[SMKS]

Sometimes there are differences when you compare brands.

An example would be Snap-On wrenches vs. Williams wrenches. The Williams are very nice, but are bulkier. I assume the Snap-Ons are slimmer due to the tight confines in many vehicles.

But sometimes there are no differences. Compare Armstrong and MATCO 88 tooth ratchets.

 

[Fedwrench]

Industrial hand tools in the US offer mostly SAE tools. Proto probably has the widest metric selection of the industrial brands listed.
Modern automobile tech/mechanics need a wide array of metric tools to meet their needs.
In addition to a wide selection of metric tools, the tool truck brands offer more styles in ratchets, different lengths of extensions, ratcheting screwdrivers, wrenches in every shape and length imaginable, etc.
This is just in hand tools. No industrial brand offers the vehicle specialty tools, diagnostic, and electrical devices found in a tool truck's catalog.

 

[OEXL16B]

^ What's the difference between an Armstrong full polished combination wrench and a Matco full polished combination wrench?

 

[Fedwrench]

^ What's the difference between an Armstrong full polished combination wrench and a Matco full polished combination wrench?

The matco will have a modified optitorque open end, and is available in more sizes and lengths.

Merk, what's the difference between a current Armstrong chrome socket and a Cratsman dual marked chrome socket? Nothing but the name and logo stamped on the socket.

 

[beerdog]

I think the top automotive lines like Mac and Snap-on are truly optimized for automotive work. Makes them a bit better if your are wrenching on cars all day for a living.

 

[shoturtle]

Well the industrial tools also have a wide amount of Large drives 3/4" and up.

And each brand is different with the industrial. Proto makes both satin finish and full polish. But the satin is more popular, as the ASD grip is more secure vs the smooth polish. But better when working with big work gloves on work sites. While other brands just have unfinished and polished industrial tools.

But the key is strength, the industrial stuff are a bit thicker to give it the added strength to deal with high torque fastener all day long.

 

[OEXL16B]

I'm happy to see people starting to take an interest in industrial tools. The quality is a heck of allot better than what you'll find in department stores where they sell bras and *******.

 

[shoturtle]

Proto is a brand allot forget about. They make excellent tools. At full msrp, they are truck truck price. But it is easy enough to find them for allot less.

Protos are my favorite US tool brand, and I deal with them allot at work. They make great tools, wright is another really good one, and williams is pretty good as well like armstrong.

 

[OEXL16B]

I remember my very first Proto purchase consisted of a 15/16'' impact socket and the matching 6'' impact extension that I needed to turn a Ford 351C engine over by hand so I could set it at 0 degrees TDC so I could drop the distributor in. Sears didn't have the socket that day.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The primary difference is thaamount of abuse they may receive. I'm sure this comment may insight an argument but Snap On shortens its warranty from life te to 1 year for basically the same tool in an industrial setting. It is my opinion that in an industrial situation it is more likely that the employee may not own the tool but the company owns it, this places the tool into the potential to receive more abuse. Note, I' e been working in industrial
maintenance for 30 years and I'm the odd man out in that I'll buy Snap On, Matco and other truck brand tools along with the standard industrial brands Proto, Wright and Armstrong.

TheGrooveking

 

[beerdog]

I too have been in idustrilal settings for many years. Another point is the supply chain to aquire tools. Many compnies have long established relationships with their industrial supply house who sell everything from shop towels to 1-2 tools lines like Armstrong or proto. You often get steep discounts when your company spend hundreds of thousands or millions. It was very difficult to get a tool truck to stop at a factory since they knew sales would be limited.

 

[stonesfan68]

I'm sure this comment may insight an argument but Snap On shortens its warranty from life te to 1 year for basically the same tool in an industrial setting.

The Snap-on Industrial Brand hand-tools have a lifetime warranty.

Warranty

Limited Warranty:
Snap-on Industrial Brands warrants that its’ products shall be
freefrom defects in workmanship and materials for the usable
life ofthe product. This warranty is limited to products purchased
fromauthorized Snap-on Industrial Brands distributors.

 

[HandyManny]

Yup pretty much as the others have said about marketing and distribution.

Keep in mind though that there was a time not long ago (late 1960's to about 1981) when you could buy many Proto hand tools at certain auto parts stores. Same goes for Blackhawk. S-K tools were also carried in many rural ranch and feed stores back in the day.

 

[HandyManny]

I'm happy to see people starting to take an interest in industrial tools. The quality is a heck of allot better than what you'll find in department stores where they sell bras and *******.

Back in the old days it was a lot of those industrial tool manufacturers who made many hand tools under contract for places like Sears, Mongomery Wards, JC Penney, etc. to be sold along side those bras and *******. I'm talking companies like Wright and JHWilliams.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The Snap-on Industrial Brand hand-tools have a lifetime warranty.

Warranty

Limited Warranty:
Snap-on Industrial Brands warrants that its’ products shall be
freefrom defects in workmanship and materials for the usable
life ofthe product. This warranty is limited to products purchased
fromauthorized Snap-on Industrial Brands distributors.

I stand corrected, I recall reading here on GJ that, it may of been military tools. Thanks for correction.

TheGrooveking