Is There That Much Difference Quality Wise.....

[z28toz06]

To justify the difference between Snap on or Mac sockets Versus Craftsman? My Mac guy who is great gave me a price of $366.99 for the complete set of metric 10 through 32 MM shallow sockets. I can buy a whole set of deep and shallow 12 point metric from craftsmanwith ratchets, extensions, etc. for almost half that. They both have a lifetime guarantee so I don't understand the value difference.

 

[eschoendorff]

It depends on who you ask. All sockets will break or strip if you use them improperly. As far as I'm concerned, Craftsman sockets work just as well as any others. I recall hearing somewhere that Craftsman sockets were made on the same assembly line as Matco. Dunno if it's true. But ever since Snap On's patent on "flank drive" ran out, everyone (including the Taiwanese and Chinese manufactuerers) have their own version of flank drive. Not exclusive to Snap On any more.
I just purchased a couple of specialty Snap On sockets... and they don't appear to be better constructed than Craftsman or SK. Save your money.

Ratchets, however, are a different story.


My .02....

 

[MarkH]

There have been multiple similar discussions. The summary is pretty much this in my opinion. Craftsman even though the quality of regular Craftsman tools has decreased over the past years, they have moved from competing in the high dollar professional tools with the regular Craftsman name to selling to the DIYer. They have Craftsman Professional which in some cases provides a good option to some professional tool users. For the average person Craftsman offers one of the best values in tools. I love when I am helping someone with a project and I need a tool and they come with Craftsman vs some tool shaped object they paid the same price for out of the low cost Asian lines.

Snap On (and other high end tools)is great, worth the price for many people who live with a tool in their hand 8 hours plus a day. Those little differences can add up when you are holding a tool that much of the time. The other part is when done right there is a level of service. The dealer comes to you which is always more expensive. After a day working you want to go home, not go and exchange tools.

This is why a number of people whose jobs involve professional use of tools that I know have the high end tools at work and Craftsman or similar at home.

For those who can afford it or desire it, what you use and defend as the best is your own choice. Since we all have different size hands, fingers, budgets, and needs we will select different tools and brands. That will be right for them, you have to figure out what is right for you.

For example in my experience I had my farm set of tools, mostly very large. Did not use much less than 1/2 in drive sockets. I then got married and set up a house, my first tools for the house were much too large because I had used my past experiences. My nees were different and I had to change.

 

[dink]

If you hold a Mac or any other high end socket in your hand and then hold a Craftsmen socket in the other hand you will feel the difference in quality in steel....after owning Craftsmen sockets and now have moved onto SK I see and feel the difference....the steel on the Craftsmen sockets are ALOT softer then your higher end (new Craftsmen not the really old stuff)

Investing in Mac or any other high end line will not have to worry about any type of warranty with the socket because the quality will be there for a very long time....that is why I have switched my sockets over to SK....I plan on having these for a very very long time....and having the idea that the socket or whatever is going to break is not good for me even though "there is a lifetime warranty"

Personally this is the last thing I want to think about when buying a tool is the warranty...I shouldnt have to worry about this type of thing...I should already know the manufacturer has put the best quality out there and the so called "lifetime warranty" is to show a line of good faith to there customer

 

[Big_John]

There is a difference in tool "feel" between Craftsman and Snap-On. The Snap-On will be better quality and will last longer.

That said, if I were making my living wrenching, there would be Snap-On, Matco and tools like that. Wrenching out in the garage though, I can't justify the added expense. For me, and I'm sure for others, the quality of the Craftsman is fine.

 

[l_bilyk]

Between MAC and Craftsman, definitely no
I dont think MAC tools live up to their name
Snap on sockets might be a little better but unless you're a mech i dont think it's worth spending all the money
Craftsman = great value for the weekend warrior

 

[filthy_shovel]

Depends who you ask. If you ask the teenagers, hobbiests and DYIers on this site, they will tell you no difference.

But if you ask a pro tech (aviaiton, millwright, mechanic), they will tell you otherwise.

So, i say yes there is a definite difference in quality and performance. But, what do i know, i am only a tech.

 

[kartracer55]

If you ask the teenagers, .

now whats that supposed to mean


different brands have different strong points. FOr the record, im 2 for 2 with broken craftsman and snap on sockets.

There is a noticable difference between snap on and craftsman fit, but the real question is, is it worth the price? For some, yes, others no.

Just because its got a high pricetag, doesnt mean its a good tool. I personally hate the feel of snap on wrenches, and actually prefer using regular craftsman wrenches because the body fo the wrench is so much thicker, i find it more comfortable. SK has rather thick wrenches as well, and Proto full polished ared byf are the most comfortable. Id put the up against snap on anyday.

Snap on ratchets are nice, but sometimes you need a finer tooth ratchet (proto big dawg ) IF your goin pro, Id probably say spend the extra $$$ on SK, proto, mac or matco sockets. Craftsman tools have had a noticeable decline in quality over the years, and while still a good tool, Thier sockets leavea bit to be desired

Jim

 

[dink]

I really really really really like my Facom sockets

 

[l_bilyk]

now whats that supposed to mean

 

[milly]

When I was still turning wrenches the Snap-On, Mac, and Matco stuff was great. The high end stuff lasts longer under the torture of every day abuse. If it does fail, the tool truck will be there to replace it fairly quickly. I used Craftsman and Husky tools at home with no problems, also. If your pay check depends on your tools, the high end stuff won't let you down. If you're just tooling around in the garage, then the cheaper stuff will be ok. I know techs that have the same Snap-On tools that they had bought over 15 years ago, that they have never had to replace.

 

[evildky]

do a pricecheck on similar sets form SK, I've picked up a few of thier tools lately (due to recomendations here) and been very pleased with them, their sets eem to be a bit more complete than the craftsmans and they sell all their peices alacart as well, you might find some of the craftsman sets skip a size here and there

 

[filthy_shovel]

now whats that supposed to mean

Jim

It means just that.

If you were a 80 year old retired professional tech, i would call you an old timer, if you were a middle aged hobbyiest, i would call you a shade tree mechanic. But you are a 16 year old HS student with a little experience. SO i call you a teenager. What else do you want me to call you?

 

[evildky]

the techs that I know have no idea how good they've got it, 90% of the cars they work on and 1-5 years old, if your breaking tools on new cars your doing it wrong, you want to test your tools start busting some 30 year old rusted bolts

 

[SoCalGarage]

how many folks on this site actually wrench 8 hrs +a day though..??

for 99.9% Craftsman work fine. Ive had them since I can remember, and have broken only what I can count on one hand..

YES, granted the stuff is thinner and lighter these days but.. 2-3x price doesnt make(SnapOn , Mac, etc )better..

Most guys that wrench 8 hrs a day I know, dont even want to think about tools or working on vehicles on their days off, let alone visit a custom garage site like this since all their tools are in their boxes locked up at their place of biz.
I know of none that do any work at home on vehicles..


my .02

 

[dink]

Yea Craftsmen is good for your average joe schmo.....but the average joe schmo can have SK which is alot better quality at about the same price as Craftsmen.....heck we all reference http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net

All the time....and they are just a few dollars more the Craftsmen...and I mean a few dollars...not $40

 

[kartracer55]

It means just that.

If you were a 80 year old retired professional tech, i would call you an old timer, if you were a middle aged hobbyiest, i would call you a shade tree mechanic. But you are a 16 year old HS student with a little experience. SO i call you a teenager. What else do you want me to call you?

Of course I dont have much experience, Im not going to argue that, however I did not see it fitting to lump "teenagers" into a general group as not knowing much. Granted, I dont have as much experience as Im assuming you do, but I do know for a fact there are quite a few middle aged guys out there that even I am lightyears beyond. Its actually sad how many people struggle to turn a wrench (figurativly speaking), who cant change a flat, or even thier own oil. Do I use my tools 8 hours a day? No, but I do use them quite a bit to notice/experience quality and lack thereof. Ask the average joe walking on the street a basic mechancial question and they will stare at you like a dear in headlights.

On the flipside, Just because you are doing a job doesnt mean you are qualified to do so. Just because you can take a rearend appart and "set up" a new ring and pinion doesnt mean you can actually set backlash and pinion depth and do the job to rightway. On the same note, just because you can take apart a small engine and put it back together doesnt mean your qualified to do so; to set up points or to ream a valve guide, set ring gap or valve lash. There are plenty of guys who rebuild thier own engines, and quite frankly, shouldn't be. Just because they are doing this task, doesnt mean they are truly capable.

I dont consider myself to be at the level of "backyard mechanic" just yet, but Im not an idiot. I have done a bit of work with many different brands of tools, enough to notice absolute quality. As a 16 year old kid I cant afford to buy all snap on tools, but I cant "afford" to have **** tools that wont hold up in the long run. This is what drove me to seek more afordable alternatives, and in that quest I have discovered a few different things, first hand that just because it has an insane price tag, doesnt mean its a good tool. Its just like a car... just because its a 60k mercedes, doesnt mean its quality... they have tons of problems but people still pay.

I just took a bit of offense to that, but its no big deal

Jim

 

[vjquan]

I buy all my Craftsman tools when they're on sale. Where else can you get an 18 piece deep socket set for $20 or 6 piece hex bit set for $15? You'll never see that with SK. Easier to warranty too.

 

[dink]

Of course I dont have much experience, Im not going to argue that, however I did not see it fitting to lump "teenagers" into a general group as not knowing much. Granted, I dont have as much experience as Im assuming you do, but I do know for a fact there are quite a few middle aged guys out there that even I am lightyears beyond. Its actually sad how many people struggle to turn a wrench (figurativly speaking), who cant change a flat, or even thier own oil. Do I use my tools 8 hours a day? No, but I do use them quite a bit to notice/experience quality and lack thereof. Ask the average joe walking on the street a basic mechancial question and they will stare at you like a dear in headlights.

On the flipside, Just because you are doing a job doesnt mean you are qualified to do so. Just because you can take a rearend appart and "set up" a new ring and pinion doesnt mean you can actually set backlash and pinion depth and do the job to rightway. On the same note, just because you can take apart a small engine and put it back together doesnt mean your qualified to do so; to set up points or to ream a valve guide, set ring gap or valve lash. There are plenty of guys who rebuild thier own engines, and quite frankly, shouldn't be. Just because they are doing this task, doesnt mean they are truly capable.

I dont consider myself to be at the level of "backyard mechanic" just yet, but Im not an idiot. I have done a bit of work with many different brands of tools, enough to notice absolute quality. As a 16 year old kid I cant afford to buy all snap on tools, but I cant "afford" to have **** tools that wont hold up in the long run. This is what drove me to seek more afordable alternatives, and in that quest I have discovered a few different things, first hand that just because it has an insane price tag, doesnt mean its a good tool. Its just like a car... just because its a 60k mercedes, doesnt mean its quality... they have tons of problems but people still pay.

I just took a bit of offense to that, but its no big deal

Jim

Sheesh teenagers...give them a quarter and they want $50 bucks hahaa

 

[eschoendorff]

On the flipside, Just because you are doing a job doesnt mean you are qualified to do so. Just because you can take a rearend appart and "set up" a new ring and pinion doesnt mean you can actually set backlash and pinion depth and do the job to rightway. On the same note, just because you can take apart a small engine and put it back together doesnt mean your qualified to do so; to set up points or to ream a valve guide, set ring gap or valve lash. There are plenty of guys who rebuild thier own engines, and quite frankly, shouldn't be. Just because they are doing this task, doesnt mean they are truly capable.


Jim

Jim, that can be said for ALOT of professions. I see it all the time with "musicians" and "teachers." You, on the other hand, have the good sense to listen when others talk... especially others more experienced than yourself. Keep doing just that and you'll learn more, and quicker.


Okay, now that I've said that, I'm gonna go back to my original stance. I own and have used sockets by Snap On, Facom, Craftsman, Proto, SK, and Armstrong. I still feel very strongly that the Craftsman sockets will do 99.9% of what you will ever ask of them just as well as any of the others. The price, the warranty, and the fact that they are made here in the United States just cannot be beat.

If you use your tools professionally, then by all means buy them off the tool truck. Buy here, pay here and warranty here. It's the ultimate in service (well, most of the time) and convenience and you don't have to worry about quality. Speaking of quality, there are some pieces (ratchets) where tool trucks really seem to have the corner market on overall quality. I just wouldn't put sockets in that same category.

My .02. Flame suit ON.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Jim (kartracer), he said "a teenager with a little experience" He didn't say you were inexperienced or stupid, or not knowledgeable, just that you had a little experience (as opposed to alot or none at all).

When I was 15 my dad told me I was gonna need some tools someday, that I would not want to, or be able to afford to pay someone to do everything for me. We watched Sears sales and everytime something came up that I could use (wrench sets, socket sets, etc) I bought them. Pretty soon, between his tools and mine, we had a real good collection. Over the ensuing 35 years, I've acquired alot of tools. I work professionally every day for a major airline, as a mechanic in the hangar. I have alot of Snap-On, I like the fit and feel of it and I don't care for Mac at all, even thought the Mac salesman was a real wheeler dealer and gave some good cash prices to everyone (for a couple of years, he was THE top selling Mac salesman in the entire US), and a hodgepodge collection of everything else. I buy what will do the job best. Large sizes I use, just not alot, so I pickup the used surplus stuff from a used tool dealer that comes by work. He has old, old,. Proto, Herbrand, Bonney, Industro-Duro, and alot of other odd stuff, I like quality and the old stuff is quality. Got a brand new two inch combination wrench, Industro-Duro, for a whole ten dollars! I use 2" often enough to keep it in the toolbox, saves a trip to the tool room.

Just don't get too bent about the "teenager comment", I don't think it was intended the way you apparently took it.

Charles

 

[dink]

Jim (kartracer), he said "a teenager with a little experience" He didn't say you were inexperienced or stupid, or not knowledgeable, just that you had a little experience (as opposed to alot or none at all).

When I was 15 my dad told me I was gonna need some tools someday, that I would not want to, or be able to afford to pay someone to do everything for me. We watched Sears sales and everytime something came up that I could use (wrench sets, socket sets, etc) I bought them. Pretty soon, between his tools and mine, we had a real good collection. Over the ensuing 35 years, I've acquired alot of tools. I work professionally every day for a major airline, as a mechanic in the hangar. I have alot of Snap-On, I like the fit and feel of it and I don't care for Mac at all, even thought the Mac salesman was a real wheeler dealer and gave some good cash prices to everyone (for a couple of years, he was THE top selling Mac salesman in the entire US), and a hodgepodge collection of everything else. I buy what will do the job best. Large sizes I use, just not alot, so I pickup the used surplus stuff from a used tool dealer that comes by work. He has old, old,. Proto, Herbrand, Bonney, Industro-Duro, and alot of other odd stuff, I like quality and the old stuff is quality. Got a brand new two inch combination wrench, Industro-Duro, for a whole ten dollars! I use 2" often enough to keep it in the toolbox, saves a trip to the tool room.

Just don't get too bent about the "teenager comment", I don't think it was intended the way you apparently took it.

Charles

From dealing with MRO for awhile I am finding out that the airlines and there mechanics alot of airlines are going to issue tool cases to there mechanics with tools that will do there specific job and not clutter up there work area...for example a guy that is fastening plates will not have lets say wrenches in his tool case or any other tool that doesnt fit his job description....

 

[Snap on]

When I was still turning wrenches the Snap-On, Mac, and Matco stuff was great. The high end stuff lasts longer under the torture of every day abuse. If it does fail, the tool truck will be there to replace it fairly quickly. I used Craftsman and Husky tools at home with no problems, also. If your pay check depends on your tools, the high end stuff won't let you down. If you're just tooling around in the garage, then the cheaper stuff will be ok. I know techs that have the same Snap-On tools that they had bought over 15 years ago, that they have never had to replace.

LOL, most of my Snap On, Matco, MAC and Cornwell is 30 years old. I have upgreaded some of my stuff over the last 4 years and have some newer Snap On wrenches. I have never had an issue with using professional quality tools from Snap On, MAC, Matco or Cornwell. My Snap On tool box is 24 years old.

 

[nissan_crawler]

To justify the difference between Snap on or Mac sockets Versus Craftsman?

Depends who you ask. If you ask the teenagers, hobbiests and DYIers on this site, they will tell you no difference.

But if you ask a pro tech (aviaiton, millwright, mechanic), they will tell you otherwise.

So, i say yes there is a definite difference in quality and performance. But, what do i know, i am only a tech.

I'm an aviation mechanic and feel there is no difference between snap-on and craftsman (regular sockets/extensions) in terms of getting the job done. In fact, I've had guys borrow my Craftsman when their Snap-On couldn't get the job done (due to the depth of the broaching inside a deepwell). I've had the opportunity to latch onto some fairly cheap snap-on socket sets, just never saw the reasoning.

Now, that being said, the craftsman swivel sockets ****, as do the ratchets. I would buy the full craftsman socket set, then get your choice of good ratchets/swivel sockets.

I've only broken a few sockets in my lifetime, both of which involved 1/2" HF impact sockets with over 4' of cheater pipe on a breaker bar, so I don't even count that.

I've seen one Craftsman socket split at work, and it was due to being ground way down on the o.d. to fit on some jet engine mounts. I'll have to ask dad if he ever broke one on the farm, but I don't think so.

Usually when I hear somebody broke a socket/ratchet, it becomes quite clear when you find out the facts of HOW it broke.

 

[Merkava_4]

Instead of rehashing a thread that's 3 years old, why not start a new thread?

 

[nissan_crawler]

Instead of rehashing a thread that's 3 years old, why not start a new thread?

AH ****, I got rooked, FNG's.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Depends who you ask. If you ask the teenagers, hobbiests and DYIers on this site, they will tell you no difference.

At 19 i was working as a full-time mechanic and had a lot of Snap-on stuff. I don't know what you meant by that, but age has nothing to do with it.

 

[Vulturej]

And the question was? Oh yea.. Are Mac sockets better than CM? IMO Yes, you need to justify the difference in cost for yourself. If your going to use them all the time, the Mac sockets will hold up better over time.

 

[Snap on]

If you are going to make a living with your tools you are better off buying from Snap On, MAC, Matco or Cornwell if available.

Craftsman is fine for the home but are not professional quality.

 

[kythri]

I believe we hashed that out THREE YEARS AGO...

 

[goodfellow]

I believe we hashed that out THREE YEARS AGO...

Yup, but why stop now!!! I'm poppin' some corn and am waiting to see where this thread goes

 

[Vulturej]

Instead of rehashing a thread that's 3 years old, why not start a new thread?

I believe we hashed that out THREE YEARS AGO...

If you are worried about a duplicate thread, post a link to old thread that covers this topic to the author of this thread.

 

[kythri]

If you are worried about a duplicate thread, post a link to old thread that covers this topic to the author of this thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2979

There.

I linked to this thread.

 

[Keep]

**Opinion disclaimer**

Okay as for quality, The truck brands MAY be a bit better quality then craftsman sockets (I personally do not see/feel the difference, I have newer and 20 year old craftsman sockets), but not to the extent they are 3 times the cost.

On the other hand, I have never seen a craftsman truck pull up to a shop either. You are paying for the truck/driver/convenience/financing of the truck coming to you if something is broke and needs to be replaced.

**/disclaimer**

 

[paramudduck]

Well since I love these threads.

I have Herbrand, Plomb, Duro Indestro, Bonny, Snap on, Mac, SK, and Craftsman. Most are 30 or more years old. With new ones tossed in here and there. With all brands I've had sockets crack for no obvious reason.

Now for the kicker with all these brands of tools used on heavy equipment and other vehicles, Snap on leads the cracked socket race followed by Mac. Why? I have no ideal, but I have had Snap on sockets crack on the first use removing a radiator shroud.

 

[speed bump]

They all **** if you are using anything less than New Britain sockets then you are throwing money away















Honestly though buy what you can afford which if I was pro wrenching would probably be Craftsman with maybe some other brands replacing the sockets that have the least uptime for me.