Laser etching on new snap on crows foot wrenches?

[WestOfSeven]

I ordered two new crowsfoot wrenches 15/16 and 7/8 to replace wrenches I lost on a service call this winter and was shocked to find out that they where laser etched not stamped

Is snap on currently laser etching their new crowsfeet wrenches? The date code on the wrenches I just bought is 2014 hopefully this is not the new norm or I will stop purchasing new snap on tools.

I know they laser etch the mechanical tq wrenches but my dealer said that they are moving away from etching and can retrofit a stamped body if you send a etched tq wrench in.

Imo $40 crowsfoot wrenches should be stamped. Laser etching seems cheap and something I thought I would never see on snap on hardline tools.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I really don't get the big deal about this. It's been debated on here before. I have etched stuff from everyone with no issues. Except 1/4 ADT set on most used sockets. But that's china junk

 

[Skin]

Its not a big deal but it is cheap on a product that is marketed and sold as anything but. For what they charge they don't have the right to play cost cutting games without getting flak for it.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I think it's a little more elegant and easier to read. Engraved seems old school these days

 

[WestOfSeven]

I really don't get the big deal about this. It's been debated on here before. I have etched stuff from everyone with no issues. Except 1/4 ADT set on most used sockets. But that's china junk

I would expect etched import stuff but its just ridiculous that snap on is trying to cut costs and laser etching hardline tools. I expect the best when I pay for snap on and not some laser etched to cut costs on ridiculously overpriced truck tools

 

[WestOfSeven]

Its not a big deal but it is cheap on a product that is marketed and sold as anything but. For what they charge they don't have the right to play cost cutting games without getting flak for it.

This

 

[Skin]

I think it's a little more elegant and easier to read. Engraved seems old school these days

Old school? Most tools are roll stamped, pretty much every other snap-on hand tool is. If its about readability then take a lesson from Matco and do both using the etching for large easy read numbers. The etching on the crow foot is small and not any easier to read than a quality roll stmaping in my opinion.

 

[AA/FC]

I bought a set of crows foot wrenches a year ago from the SO truck. I knew they were etched but I was hoping they were also stamped on the opposite side. Of course after I open the package I realized that they were only etched. I called Snap-on customer service to see if I can get crofoot wrenches that were stamped and the lady who helped me was not sure. She asked for my phone number and said she would get ahold of the product manager and find out more information for me. She called me back a few days later and said the product manager told her they are all being etched from now on. In fact they wanted me to believe that this was the preferred method of labeling...... as if this was BETTER than being stamped. I told her this was very unfortunate because I could not accept these and I will have to return them the following week to my dealer. I told her that I don't know a single mechanic who prefers etching over stamping. I also told her this is really just a cost-saving measure in disguise, and that Snap-on is already one of the most expensive tool brands in the USA and if they really needed to make more money, all they had to do was raise the price a little more, and not sacrifice quality. People would still buy them.....

I returned my Crowfoot wrenches the following week to my dealer no questions asked. My dealer was disappointed but I bought something else that day to make up for it. Even my dealer tried telling me how the etching was better than stamping. The only opinion that matters is the customer's opinion. I suspect this will be another deal like the ratchets with the USA stamp. If enough customers complain, they will go back to stamping. Hopefully.

 

[WestOfSeven]

I bought a set of crows foot wrenches a year ago from the SO truck. I knew they were etched but I was hoping they were also stamped on the opposite side. Of course after I open the package I realized that they were only etched. I called Snap-on customer service to see if I can get crofoot wrenches that were stamped and the lady who helped me was not sure. She asked for my phone number and said she would get ahold of the product manager and find out more information for me. She called me back a few days later and said the product manager told her they are all being etched from now on. In fact they wanted me to believe that this was the preferred method of labeling...... as if this was BETTER than being stamped. I told her this was very unfortunate because I could not accept these and I will have to return them the following week to my dealer. I told her that I don't know a single mechanic who prefers etching over stamping. I also told her this is really just a cost-saving measure in disguise, and that Snap-on is already one of the most expensive tool brands in the USA and if they really needed to make more money, all they had to do was raise the price a little more, and not sacrifice quality. People would still buy them.....

I returned my Crowfoot wrenches the following week to my dealer no questions asked. My dealer was disappointed but I bought something else that day to make up for it. Even my dealer tried telling me how the etching was better than stamping. The only opinion that matters is the customer's opinion. I suspect this will be another deal like the ratchets with the USA stamp. If enough customers complain, they will go back to stamping. Hopefully.

Unfortuneately I will have to return these as well. This is just a bs cost cutting measure.

I would have gladly paid more for a properly stamped tool.

I guess its proto or sk now

 

[hautpot]

Like I said before in a previous thread:

LASER *****.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Is there any concrete proof etching is cheaper than stamping?

 

[Strouty]

Laser etching makes everything feel cheap.

 

[WestOfSeven]

Is there any concrete proof etching is cheaper than stamping?

No tooling used=cheaper after the machine is paid for.

 

[hautpot]

Yeah I used to work in manufacturing and Laser etching is cheaper because:

1.) There is very little maintaince on Laser machines.

2.) Stamping obviously uses stamps, you gotta pay a tool/die marker to make them. Then soneone needs to heat treat it and inspect it.

3.) Stamps are usually not interchangable between parts, If you need the font bigger you need to make a bigger stamp. Laser you just scale it the program

4.) laser can image really tiny and complex shapes. To make micro stamps or something with alot of geometry is more costly.

5.) You gotta keep inventory of every stamp. Laser is just on memory.

 

[oldtools]

After the marking wear off, people might think you are trying to sell them HF tools for SO price. I have several SO pliers where the laser marking is barely noticeable (must be at certain angle too). If rust develop, it will look like cheap pliers and who is going to pay me SO price since I cannot prove it is SO.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I hate laser etching.

 

[bfm336]

Honestly other than initial cheaper COG I think they are also banking on less warranty swaps since you won't be able to prove it is their tool!

 

[shockwave]

This is common on crows foot from snap on I was thinking the same thing when I got my set a few months back

 

[dirtydogintex]

honestly other than initial cheaper cog i think they are also banking on less warranty swaps since you won't be able to prove it is their tool!

+1.00

 

[WhiffySpark]

My Cornwell wrenche is laser etched. No issues. I think blue point is etched too

 

[gdocktor3]

They laser etched them because they are expensive enough. Engraving would add an additional $20 to the cost. So realistically they did it as a favor to those who complain about the price. They're saving you money for once.

 

[WestOfSeven]

They laser etched them because they are expensive enough. Engraving would add an additional $20 to the cost. So realistically they did it as a favor to those who complain about the price. They're saving you money for once.

Weird I didn't know people bought snap on tools to save money

At the price they charge (2xmore than other domesticlly produced crow foot wrenches) theres no reason they cant stamp the tools.

The price of the crowsfoot wrenches did not go down with laser etching snap on just increased their profit margin.

 

[gdocktor3]

Weird I didn't know people bought snap on tools to save money

At the price they charge (2xmore than other domesticlly produced crow foot wrenches) theres no reason they cant stamp the tools.

The price of the crowsfoot wrenches did not go down with laser etching snap on just increased their profit margin.

I was joking about that. I just made it up... I agree they shouldn't be laser etched. That's just ridiculous. But technically you do save money buying Snap On, in the long run. Quality stuff allows you to work faster, with less tools, therefor increasing production.

 

[Fedwrench]

You guys need to collectively ***** to snap on about the laser etching. Tell your dealers, write an actual letter to snap on, or email them. Tell them you don't want your snappy stuff looking like harbor freight

If enough people ***** they might change it. Complaining seemed to work when snap on dropped the USA off of their ratchets and now it's back.

On a side note, snap on pricing isn't an issue. The price has other things like truck to you service & pay as you use interest free financing built into it so, stick to the laser etching issue and don't worry about pricing in your compalints.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Weird I didn't know people bought snap on tools to save money

At the price they charge (2xmore than other domesticlly produced crow foot wrenches) theres no reason they cant stamp the tools.

The price of the crowsfoot wrenches did not go down with laser etching snap on just increased their profit margin.

they will kill the golden geese before it's all said and done

 

[AA/FC]

You guys need to collectively ***** to snap on about the laser etching. Tell your dealers, write an actual letter to snap on, or email them. Tell them you don't want your snappy stuff looking like harbor freight

If enough people ***** they might change it. Complaining seemed to work when snap on dropped the USA off of their ratchets and now it's back.

On a side note, snap on pricing isn't an issue. The price has other things like truck to you service & pay as you use interest free financing built into it so, stick to the laser etching issue and don't worry about pricing in your compalints.

I basically said most of this in my original post on the first page. I maybe left out a few details about my phone call with SO customer service, but I made sure to be clear that I did not like the etching, and I even used the "harbor freight" line with them. Customer service didn't really seem to care what my opinion was. She even CLAIMED that I was the first person to complain about the etching. Don't get me wrong, customer service was very nice and pleasant on the phone, as was I, but you could tell whatever I had to say was going in one ear and out the other. They didn't care....

 

[bobcatdan]

They have been laser etching for 7 or 8 years, at least that's how old my Crowfeet are. The letter stays readable just fine. My 15 year old SO torque wrench is laser too, still fine. Yes if I had a choice, I'd prefer stamping, but really, it's a non issue.

 

[Fedwrench]

I basically said most of this in my original post on the first page. I maybe left out a few details about my phone call with SO customer service, but I made sure to be clear that I did not like the etching, and I even used the "harbor freight" line with them. Customer service didn't really seem to care what my opinion was. She even CLAIMED that I was the first person to complain about the etching. Don't get me wrong, customer service was very nice and pleasant on the phone, as was I, but you could tell whatever I had to say was going in one ear and out the other. They didn't care....

If the laser etching helps the snap on corporate bottom line, the bean counters are happy. All I'm saying is that snap on tool users need to unite in the face of snap on and vent about their unhappiness with this laser etching ****. It can't hurt.
I've got all of the crowfeet I'll ever use and I doubt if I'll break any in the future. My days of buying tools are dwindling so, the laser etching aside from cheapening the brand and looking like **** isn't a real issue for me. However, this laser etching is a slippery slope. Snap on starts off with their crowfeet and pliers but, what's next? Do they move to sockets and wrenches next to improve profits?
You pay more for snappy because, you expect and get more for the most part from them but, I just don't care for the etching.

 

[AA/FC]

They have been laser etching for 7 or 8 years, at least that's how old my Crowfeet are. The letter stays readable just fine. My 15 year old SO torque wrench is laser too, still fine. Yes if I had a choice, I'd prefer stamping, but really, it's a non issue.

See, that's the mentality that SO hopes everyone will have towards etching. It's Snap On getting away with removing quality in the name of higher profits for them, and somehow they think the customer should be happy about it. Etching is something cheap tool manufacturers came up with to make cheap tools even cheaper..... not for high end, high quality tool manufacturers to make another dollar or two on each tool. If they really need another buck or two, don't take away quality, just raise the price a buck or two. (For example) People don't buy SO because they are affordable, they buy SO tools because they are high quality. Etching is normally found on cheap tools. If SO really wants their tools to look like the same cheap junk sold at Harbor Freight, thats fine.... but they can keep them. (That's why I returned my 2 sets a week later)



.

 

[AA/FC]

If the laser etching helps the snap on corporate bottom line, the bean counters are happy. All I'm saying is that snap on tool users need to unite in the face of snap on and vent about their unhappiness with this laser etching ****. It can't hurt.
I've got all of the crowfeet I'll ever use and I doubt if I'll break any in the future. My days of buying tools are dwindling so, the laser etching aside from cheapening the brand and looking like **** isn't a real issue for me. However, this laser etching is a slippery slope. Snap on starts off with their crowfeet and pliers but, what's next? Do they move to sockets and wrenches next to improve profits?
You pay more for snappy because, you expect and get more for the most part from them but, I just don't care for the etching.

I know all of this.... and I agree with all of this.... The only reason why I quoted you was to point out that almost everything you posted, I already posted in my original post.

That is all. carry on.

 

[crewchief888]

They have been laser etching for 7 or 8 years, at least that's how old my Crowfeet are. The letter stays readable just fine. My 15 year old SO torque wrench is laser too, still fine. Yes if I had a choice, I'd prefer stamping, but really, it's a non issue.

the last SO crowsfeet i bought were lazer etched.

i'd prefer stamped, but it really doesnt bother me...

 

[bobcatdan]

See, that's the mentality that SO hopes everyone will have towards etching. It's Snap On getting away with removing quality in the name of higher profits for them, and somehow they think the customer should be happy about it. Etching is something cheap tool manufacturers came up with to make cheap tools even cheaper..... not for high end, high quality tool manufacturers to make another dollar or two on each tool. If they really need another buck or two, don't take away quality, just raise the price a buck or two. (For example) People don't buy SO because they are affordable, they buy SO tools because they are high quality. Etching is normally found on cheap tools. If SO really wants their tools to look like the same cheap junk sold at Harbor Freight, thats fine.... but they can keep them. (That's why I returned my 2 sets a week later)



.

You are splitting hairs. The tool itself is the same thing and works the same no matter the identifying marks.

 

[WhiffySpark]

You are splitting hairs. The tool itself is the same thing and works the same no matter the identifying marks.

Yep.

Who's to say laser etching g wasn't a cost cutting measure due to another part rising?

And honestly it's very rare for me to actually look at a socket to see what size it is. 9/10 I can tell just be looking at tool

 

[AA/FC]

You are splitting hairs. The tool itself is the same thing and works the same no matter the identifying marks.

You're missing my point all together.....

 

[bobcatdan]

You're missing my point all together.....

Your point is pointless.

 

[woody 73]

I think most of you know how much I hate the laser etching from some of my postings on the GJ. I have had tools in the past where the etching has come off and lord forbid if they ever fail, I don't ever see some company wanting to replace them;Let alone me ever trying to remember what company they came from...Laser etchings ****, when you have a good product why on earth would you want to cheap out on it ?

Rant over.

 

[WhiffySpark]

What tools has the etching came off of? The only etching ive lost is cheap atd tools. Even my matco adv sockets are fine

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

Etching coming off of Snap On tools sounds like a manufacturing/workmanship defect to me and the tool needs to be warrantied.

 

[Hiball]

What tools has the etching came off of? The only etching ive lost is cheap atd tools. Even my matco adv sockets are fine

The quality of the SO etching is pretty good, the only issue I have ever seen would be on the pliers, but it's not near as defined out the door as the crow feet. Then again... I'm talking about normal use, I can see where some members could have issues after hours and hours of weekly hand polishing, your bound to rub some etching off.

 

[gbh]

I can see a day when the customer will be offered the "premium upgrade stamped" option...at a little extra cost.