Look familiar?

[SSCustoms]

I was on Brownells.com looking for some parts for my AR, and I found this

It looks surprisingly similar to this one!

At $30, it is less than half the price of the SO. I might buy one just to compare it to the SO I have in my toolbox.

 

[Brad54]

Yeah, let us know. I'm not a huge "gotta have it" tool guy, but I'd get that if it's SO quality.

-Brad

 

[ZRX61]

It looks surprisingly similar to this one!

At $30, it is less than half the price of the SO.

No surprise there, it doesn't have a $35 label stuck on it.

 

[freeskier]

for 30$, worth having im sure

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Since the COO is U.S I would bet that Snap-on or one of its subsidiary's is the OEM.

Product link. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26298/Product/MAGNA_TIP_reg__RATCHET_HANDLE

 

[SSCustoms]

Just got a box full of parts from Brownells and I got one of these screwdrivers. It looks identical to my SO, but I wasn't certain until I pulled the #2 Phillips bit out of it. It's stamped SDM222IRB. Roll it 180 degrees and the other side of the bit has USA, the S with the box around it, and ACR. I tried to take a pic of it, but my camera wouldn't focus on it.

 

[Bull]

Now, this seems to show that much of the premium you pay is for that name, huh? Identical product for 50% of the price? Damn!

I'm sure the warranty factors in too, though.

 

[mikevango]

Now, this seems to show that much of the premium you pay is for that name, huh? Identical product for 50% of the price? Damn!

I'm sure the warranty factors in too, though.

Did the brownwells tool truck bring it to you? Can you hand it to the brownwell guy next time you see him for a replacement if it's broke?
Just saying.

Oh jeez I just posted on this site!

 

[Bull]

Did the brownwells tool truck bring it to you? Can you hand it to the brownwell guy next time you see him for a replacement if it's broke?
Just saying.

Oh jeez I just posted on this site!

Most home hobbyists don't have trucks come to their houses to deliver tools, and so consequently have no one to "hand it to" if their SO tools break. So, what's left?

 

[91bronc300]

But the SO one looks like it has knurling on it. That has to be worth something.

 

[Altec]

Most home hobbyists don't have trucks come to their houses to deliver tools, and so consequently have no one to "hand it to" if their SO tools break. So, what's left?

I just go to the local private owned auto shop and ask them when the tool truck is coming around. Or, if your local shops aren't cool cats, you can always mail it in. Which is the case with a lot of the cool non-truck stuff anyway.


But, I digress. Not what the thread is about!

SSC- Awesome find on the T-Handle ratchet driver. Looking, they also had some nice looking regular screwdrivers.

 

[back2class]

This is what I try and explain to the new guys buying tools. Snap-On is a good tool like many others. The insane prices do not reflect insane quality. It reflects the need to pay a driver/rep, easy credit terms, warranty and so on. The sky high price creates an illusion of "if it is so expensive it must be better" This is perhaps the best example to show them. I bet for everyone who sees this and wants that kind driver, 1/2 will still spend twice the price for the snap-on. It is just the way the american consumer is conditioned.

 

[Bull]

I'm sorry that any thread like this seems to have the potential for a blowout. I'm a USA tools guy, and if I was breaded and rolled in dough, I'd buy SO them all the time. So, my remarks aren't a slam against the brand.

But if you can get a tool made by SO but without their name stamped on it, then I find it to be interesting.

 

[ohmfab]

These are awesome! I have the black handled Snap-On version and it's one of my favorite and most frequently used tools. I use it with a 1/4" socket adapter and small sockets up to 12mm more than my 1/4" ratchets.

I've had this at least 10 years and you can hardly read the white lettering on the handle anymore, but it still works and rachets like new. I bought it for around $70 back then, if this is near as good for $30 I would say it's a good deal but I wouldn't trade my trusty Snap-On one for it =).

Omer

 

[pipsters]

This is what I try and explain to the new guys buying tools. Snap-On is a good tool like many others. The insane prices do not reflect insane quality. It reflects the need to pay a driver/rep, easy credit terms, warranty and so on. The sky high price creates an illusion of "if it is so expensive it must be better" This is perhaps the best example to show them. I bet for everyone who sees this and wants that kind driver, 1/2 will still spend twice the price for the snap-on. It is just the way the american consumer is conditioned.

That and guys on here like to buy Snap On stuff for the same reason women buy expensive purses and sunglasses - to "show off" their money. I much prefer a retirement account myself.

Another "version" of the same thing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JH-WILLIAMS-T-H...916?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3efd50fe0c

 

[powertrip]

Snap on... great tools, horrible prices

 

[six-T-seven]

Did the brownwells tool truck bring it to you? Can you hand it to the brownwell guy next time you see him for a replacement if it's broke?
Just saying.

Oh jeez I just posted on this site!

yup ... he comes by my house every day about 10:30 a.m. ... little white jeep looking truck ... blue and red stripes on the side.

nice guy too.

 

[MattT]

Oh jeez I just posted on this site!

But the SO one looks like it has knurling on it. That has to be worth something.

The Brownells appears to be the Williams version. Essentially the same as Snap on except they don't have knurling. And I agree the knurling is definitely worth something. Not sure it's worth $30 though. The Williams versions would definitely be a good buy for someone who could knurl the shanks themselves.

 

[Don 18]

Get the rest of the family while you are at it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JH-WILLIAMS-T-H...529?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e56925921

http://cgi.ebay.com/JH-WILLIAMS-T-H...532?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e56966064

 

[SSCustoms]

That and guys on here like to buy Snap On stuff for the same reason women buy expensive purses and sunglasses - to "show off" their money. I much prefer a retirement account myself.

Another "version" of the same thing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JH-WILLIAMS-T-H...916?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3efd50fe0c

It does look the same as the Williams. But, does the Williams come with a Snap On bit in it?

 

[Bull]

What benefit does the knurling yield?

I've never paid any attention to knurling, but then again, I'm an amateur hack.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

This is what I try and explain to the new guys buying tools. Snap-On is a good tool like many others. The insane prices do not reflect insane quality. It reflects the need to pay a driver/rep, easy credit terms, warranty and so on. The sky high price creates an illusion of "if it is so expensive it must be better" This is perhaps the best example to show them. I bet for everyone who sees this and wants that kind driver, 1/2 will still spend twice the price for the snap-on. It is just the way the american consumer is conditioned.

that"s all well and good, but we can't even get a Snap-On guy To stop around even once a month.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[back2class]

What benefit does the knurling yield?

I've never paid any attention to knurling, but then again, I'm an amateur hack.

Knurling is nice. Great when you have greasy hands. I constantly reach for my Popular Mechanics socket extensions (ones I was going to throw in the junk bin) over my Mac ones because they have knurling. You can get some speed rolling shafts between your fingertips and that finger rolling works great in tight places. The knurling itself is a real advantage when greasy. Same reason I dislike polished shafts on ratchets. I would not pay more than a few dollars extra for knurling on a screwdriver though.

 

[Bull]

Knurling is nice. Great when you have greasy hands. I constantly reach for my Popular Mechanics socket extensions (ones I was going to throw in the junk bin) over my Mac ones because they have knurling. You can get some speed rolling shafts between your fingertips and that finger rolling works great in tight places. The knurling itself is a real advantage when greasy. Same reason I dislike polished shafts on ratchets. I would not pay more than a few dollars extra for knurling on a screwdriver though.

Thanks for your reply.

I do understand the value of knurled ratchets. On this ratcheting screwdriver, though, do you reckon it's something that many people would put to use?

 

[larry_g]

Thanks for your reply.

I do understand the value of knurled ratchets. On this ratcheting screwdriver, though, do you reckon it's something that many people would put to use?

Not 30 minutes ago I was working on the weedeater and had to remove some Torx screws. Used the SO t-handle and broke the screws loose with the T then spun them out with the knurled handle. Perty standard operating proceedure for me.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Bull]

Not 30 minutes ago I was working on the weedeater and had to remove some Torx screws. Used the SO t-handle and broke the screws loose with the T then spun them out with the knurled handle. Perty standard operating proceedure for me.

lg
no neat sig line

Well, there you have it!

I have taken to wearing Mechanix gloves as often as I remember to, so I think that reduces the oily, slippery-fingers deal for me.

 

[Altec]

When I used to have a SO driver the knurling was handy. I could break screws loose, and slide my hand down some to use my thumb, and index finger to spin it. Although, I wouldn't think twice about putting a strip of grip tape on the driver if it didn't have knurling.

 

[back2class]

yeah, wearing gloves reduces the benefit quite a bit. I can't stand wearing gloves and only do when absolutely necessary

 

[Bull]

yeah, wearing gloves reduces the benefit quite a bit. I can't stand wearing gloves and only do when absolutely necessary

The Mechanix ones are thin enough that they don't make me feel like I am trying to work with pillows on my hands. But I know where you are coming from.


I got tired of washing my hands three times during a project just so I wasn't contaminating everything I touched with the same oily filth.

 

[Bart Simpson]

You can get Snap On tools with your company logo on them.

Click on the Tools , Retail programs , and Promo items tabs on the web page linked below.

http://www1.snapon.com/ToolsForResale.nws

 

[mofo62]

Snap on... great tools, horrible prices

 

[Sick Puppy]

Would be nice to get a set of these with the different lengths... don't know if I could reconcile the $100+ all up it would cost to get them to me though! lol