kidrubicon
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2017
- Messages
- 60
I'm a pro-am level automotive mechanic, have access to the truck, but do not buy enough to maintain a "relationship" with the driver. Personally nothing is a "must-have" from the truck, but speaking from a automotive and personal point of view:
The "preferred" list - hard lines made by Snap on themselves:
1. 1/2 long handle flex-head ratchet: loosen a tough break caliper bolt, a suspension bolt, or an oxygen sensor from almost any angle of access even when the car is not lifted;
2. 3/8 long handle flex-head ratchet, straight or bent: smooth ratcheting mechanism, no unwanted wobbling;
3. flank drive wrenches: this one is a bit overkill for me, but the open end is almost as good as a flare nut wrench, the handle is a bit too thin though
4. hex socket bits with golden color bits: tougher than most of the other competitions that I've used;
5. crowfoot flare nut wrenches: thin but tough.
The "runner-up list":
1. regular flare nut wrenches: they don't spread under load, but I've got some Gray and SK that work equally well;
2. 1/4 shallow sockets: superior finish and fit especially for the smaller sizes, but likely overkill for most people;
3. 1/4 long handle flex-head ratchet: the long handle adds a bit of momentum when grabbed from midway or close to the head;
4. 3/8 mid-length sockets: I have a set from another brand and it allows me to appreciate the convenience of mid-length sockets;
5. pin-less impact swivel sockets: again I have a set from another brand but people here seem to prefer Snap on's offerings.
6. ratcheting screw driver: a close tie to its Williams cousins. I prefer the palm handle on the Williams - it saves the wrist, but I also prefer the knurling on the Snap on that helps to rotate the shaft with fingers rather than the wrist.
The "better value elsewhere" list:
1. hammers: get Trusty Cook hammers for equally great balances, slightly less comfortable handles, at a fraction of the cost;
2. 3/8 and 1/2 chrome sockets: get Grey Pneumatic dual sockets that double as impact sockets;
3. 1/2 impact sockets: almost every reputable brand is good enough;
4. screwdrivers: any flat head screwdriver works just as well as a temporary pry bar, and so many brands make good Philips tips that there is a comfortable handle design for every hand;
5. Pry bars: Mayhew, period;
6. Breaker bars: A situation that breaks the anvil of a Pittsburgh breaker bar will likely break the anvil of a Snap on breaker bar.
The "preferred" list - hard lines made by Snap on themselves:
1. 1/2 long handle flex-head ratchet: loosen a tough break caliper bolt, a suspension bolt, or an oxygen sensor from almost any angle of access even when the car is not lifted;
2. 3/8 long handle flex-head ratchet, straight or bent: smooth ratcheting mechanism, no unwanted wobbling;
3. flank drive wrenches: this one is a bit overkill for me, but the open end is almost as good as a flare nut wrench, the handle is a bit too thin though
4. hex socket bits with golden color bits: tougher than most of the other competitions that I've used;
5. crowfoot flare nut wrenches: thin but tough.
The "runner-up list":
1. regular flare nut wrenches: they don't spread under load, but I've got some Gray and SK that work equally well;
2. 1/4 shallow sockets: superior finish and fit especially for the smaller sizes, but likely overkill for most people;
3. 1/4 long handle flex-head ratchet: the long handle adds a bit of momentum when grabbed from midway or close to the head;
4. 3/8 mid-length sockets: I have a set from another brand and it allows me to appreciate the convenience of mid-length sockets;
5. pin-less impact swivel sockets: again I have a set from another brand but people here seem to prefer Snap on's offerings.
6. ratcheting screw driver: a close tie to its Williams cousins. I prefer the palm handle on the Williams - it saves the wrist, but I also prefer the knurling on the Snap on that helps to rotate the shaft with fingers rather than the wrist.
The "better value elsewhere" list:
1. hammers: get Trusty Cook hammers for equally great balances, slightly less comfortable handles, at a fraction of the cost;
2. 3/8 and 1/2 chrome sockets: get Grey Pneumatic dual sockets that double as impact sockets;
3. 1/2 impact sockets: almost every reputable brand is good enough;
4. screwdrivers: any flat head screwdriver works just as well as a temporary pry bar, and so many brands make good Philips tips that there is a comfortable handle design for every hand;
5. Pry bars: Mayhew, period;
6. Breaker bars: A situation that breaks the anvil of a Pittsburgh breaker bar will likely break the anvil of a Snap on breaker bar.
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