Hey guys, 2nd post here, I finally bit the bullet and bought some Snap On items tonight. Seven 3/8” ratchets to be exact. I know, it’s a problem lol. I ended up getting; FC72, FCF72, RAF80A, FRLL80, FHRLLF80G, FKF80A, and FHNFD100G for anyone wondering. What are some other Snap on items that you guys would recommend? Thanks!
Must have Snap On items?
- Thread starter Rickkyyr8
- Start date
18" 3/8 drive breaker bar I recommend to everyone. I use my 3/8 drive crowfoots a lot and Snap On is one of the very few that makes them over 1". I also like their flexible rechargeable magnetic base lights better than anyone elses. Needle nose pliers with talon grip are very nice. But mostly I buy specialty tools no one else makes.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
I'd avoid going with Snap on unless it's a tool where their design is clearly superior to the competition. Their ratchets are an example. It's also worth going with Snap on if safety is a concern. An example would be swivel impacts. But otherwise, your money can go further with cheaper tools without a big gap in quality. It took me two years of using my cheap made in China impact sockets with an MG725 to break one. It's also good to know which tools Snap on actually makes themselves so you don't over pay for rebrands. Snap on tools aren't always the best.
71firebird400
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2016
- Messages
- 142
Ratchets, wobble extensions, flush cutters, crimpers, dead blow ball peens, bronze face hammer, crowsfeet, flare nut wrenches, feeler gauge blade set, PWZ’s are all exceptionally well done by Snap-On.
Lou's Garage
Well-known member
In my experience Snap On makes the absolute best flare nut wrenches. They are the only ones I've found that don't spread so they rarely round off a fitting.
Lou Manglass
Lou Manglass
General Geoff
Well-known member
Dual-80 Ratchets and FD+ combo wrenches are superb and probably worth the money for someone who turns em every day
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I think you spelled ratchet wrong.
Raineman
Well-known member
trackwelder
Well-known member
1/4” drive swivel sockets.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Get a paper catalog. And another credit card...
Personally the only Snapon tools I would buy again at full price would be the wobble plus extensions and a single 5/8 deepwell 12 pt. I use that to turn over our blower motors. Where I live I don't really use flare wrenches. The rust is so bad it's usually Visegrips or just cut it. With few exceptions the quality of the competition is a lot better than it used to be at a fraction of the price.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Williams, Blue Point, Proto, Tekton, all do a fine job in most cases. The truck guys generally don't bother with home gamers anyway, so for me the price is not justifiable. Snap-On's flare nut wrenches, and ratchets are extremely good tough. But I would check the used markets first.
Dual 80 ratchets are exceptional.
Years ago, a friend bought me a SO test light in return for helping him out. As he put it, if the light doesn’t come on, you don’t have to wonder if it’s the circuit or the light.
I want to find a good used set of flare nut wrenches, after reading so much good about them here.
Years ago, a friend bought me a SO test light in return for helping him out. As he put it, if the light doesn’t come on, you don’t have to wonder if it’s the circuit or the light.
I want to find a good used set of flare nut wrenches, after reading so much good about them here.
I ordered one with one of my 3 orders
Alpine4x4
Well-known member
Anything in which I need precision fit I go snappy. Torx, hex, triplesquare as well as screwdrivers. Ratchets are nice.
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,482
1/4 and 1/2 drive ratchets, sockets, combo wrenches, screwdrivers, & pliers.
It always amazes me that so many can give a recommendation without knowing what you intend to do with said tools. What is your trade and need for tools? Some accountant maintaining his garden tractor will have different needs than the mobile mechanic supporting the farm community. So give us a clue of what you do and your needs in the tool arena.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
seber
Well-known member
Small long nose pliers. Extremely accurate and indestructible.
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
Pocket screwdriver. Not because it's any better that other brands but because people can see it clipped in my shirt pocket. No more being treated like an idiot at the parts store (works at all of them). Doesn't hurt that it was free.
Everyone needs needle nose pliers.
Well I do have one of those also but it costs more than the breaker bar.
ex-x-fire
Well-known member
tyyost
Well-known member
twss
New member
I love the A161 trim tool for automotive work. It is my go to for most plastic clips and trim removal. 
jobo1004
Well-known member
It's even on sale through the end of the month.I love the A161 trim tool for automotive work. It is my go to for most plastic clips and trim removal.
Tennessee Cattleman
Well-known member
Plus one on the Duel 80 ratchets, the only must have Snap-on tools for me.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
Ratchets and wrenches
johnny_boy02
Active member
I don’t own a lot of SO and I only buy SO used/like new but used (eBay). But the stuff I would buy again… semi-deep sockets and some of the pliers.
Have you tried Knipex yet? I have a set a set and they are quite nice the few times I've used them.
All my SO purchases were from ebay. (10+ years ago)
Unfortunately it's getting hard to find any good deals there now.
Dual 80's and the 72 teeth 1/4" rats, and the ratcheting screwdrivers would be something I would start with.
Unfortunately it's getting hard to find any good deals there now.
Dual 80's and the 72 teeth 1/4" rats, and the ratcheting screwdrivers would be something I would start with.
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
That is because eBay has shot up so much on charges to the seller. I sold a socket set for $275 plus $9 shipping. The buyer paid $305 with California sales tax. eBay charged me 13% on the whole nut, so got 13% of the shipping and the tax. Their payment to me was $244, and I still had to pay $19 shipping. So a$275 item netted me $225. The deals on eBay are evaporating because eBay takes so much of the money that, unless you just want to work for them, it isn’t worth the effort. I am trying to eliminate a 45 year hoard. So far, between the post office, eBay, and my own ignorance, it has cost me more than I have gotten.
housewolf
Well-known member
Point taken. “Must have” is going to be very task dependent. 90% of the time my tools are used it’s on the same car. I race the car so it gets a wrench put on it much more often than a daily driver. I have some SO tools because I know they are higher quality than what I could have bought at HF, HD, etc… I have some SO tools that I own because that’s just what I wanted. I didn’t spend a week researching to the nth degree what’s “good enough” and whats best value.
I also have tools that don’t get used often, some hardly at all (SAE). Some are old, some SO, Proto, SK, etc.. mixed in with some newer Tekton, Gearwrench etc… I’m not wealthy, don’t “collect” tools, I’m just a user and it doesn’t bother me at all to have a 9/16 Proto socket next to a 1/2 Kobalt.
For me and what I do, my must have SO were; 3/8” swivel impacts & 1/2” deep impacts. I believe my 3/8” deep impacts are HF but when they get used it’s with a worn out Milwaukee cordless. I have the 1/2” to use mostly under the car with a pneumatic if need be.
Of the tools that “I just wanted“ and like the most, SO Techangle torque wrench.
This is nothing new- for 10+ years Ebay has been generally getting 10%, or more, of the total selling price, including shipping. They started including shipping in the fees because, in order to get out of fully paying fees, people were listing $30 items that cost $10 to ship for $10 for the item plus $30 shipping. It didn't last long.
Ebay (supposedly) collects the sales tax and passes it on to the state, like any online seller, so I'm not sure how sales tax aspect is relevant to their fees. Yes, paying taxes ****, and many times that item has already been taxed.... but that's not Ebay's problem.
I'm not an ebay fan, but people sell there because they generally get the most $ for the sale. And then they ***** about the fees. Yes, I realize that sometimes Ebay is the only place to sell something, but most of the time it isn't. But it is generally where you'll get the most $ for it.
And I'm sure you know now, but it's almost impossible to ship anything for less than $10. So now USPS *****. Ok, then use UPS
I realize this is OT to the "what to buy from SO", so I won't post again on the "Ebay *****" aspect of this. So back on topic....
I've bought some SO stuff from Ebay. There are still some good deals on things like Dual 80 ratchets where sellers list dozens of new ones over time. Buying a new $160 ratchet for $100-120 is a pretty good deal IMO.
I don't have a lot of SO stuff, but their ratchet selection isn't matched by any non-tool truck brand, and probably is better than anyone's selection overall. So for general hand tools, I'd say to buy the ratchets that you can't otherwise buy from another brand, unless you want to spend the $ on all SO ratchets. They also have a great plier selection. Besides that, their crowfoot wrench holder is one of their best offerings.
richfinn
Well-known member
Dual 80 Ratchets
Line wrenches/Saltus wrenches
Impact swivel sockets
Ratchet Screwdrivers
Those are the things I've bought and been 100% happy with, pliers and regular screwdrivers and any kind of power tools or diagnostic equipment I would look elsewhere. Not to say they aren't good tools but just very expensive for no extra value (to me at least)
Line wrenches/Saltus wrenches
Impact swivel sockets
Ratchet Screwdrivers
Those are the things I've bought and been 100% happy with, pliers and regular screwdrivers and any kind of power tools or diagnostic equipment I would look elsewhere. Not to say they aren't good tools but just very expensive for no extra value (to me at least)
I thought I had a ratchet problem. I like their ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers and wrenches. Everything is expensive, but it's tool truck quality and what the mechanics use along with Matco and Mac. I also think their pliers are good, but don't have any. I went mostly with Knipex on those, some Klien and Channellock - they are far less pricey. As you did, I mostly loaded up on Snap On ratchets and a set of sockets in 3/8" as that is what you will use the most. I bought a few in 1/4" and one in 1/2".
msharley
Well-known member
Old School.
Double ended offset box wrenches!
Also, the Double Ended Open Ends...
You can find them used, at times....
Often...they are my "first choice" for breaking ignorant (rusted) fasteners loose.
If doing motor cycle work with loads of CHROME Fasteners, the SIX POINT SNAP ON DOE is the way to go.
Will not mar the chrome...or round the corners...
Double ended offset box wrenches!
Also, the Double Ended Open Ends...
You can find them used, at times....
Often...they are my "first choice" for breaking ignorant (rusted) fasteners loose.
If doing motor cycle work with loads of CHROME Fasteners, the SIX POINT SNAP ON DOE is the way to go.
Will not mar the chrome...or round the corners...
Boogerman
Well-known member
Used probably almost as much as #2 phillips!