Must own Snap-on tools

[BHH]

With all this talk about Snap-on no longer being made in the USA or soon to be moving offshore what are the must haves to get while they are still american made?

For me one would for sure be a flex head dual 80 ratchet (3/8, 1/2, 1/4 in that order)

'MERICA!!!!

 

[metaleltr]

ratcheting screwdrivers

 

[boostedgt]

i like snap on ratchets marked USA!

 

[Humble Mechanic]

Box wrenches for sure! The flank drive + are great!

 

[booya719]

I'd recommend getting some spare rebuild kits for your favorite or most-used ratchets. I've got a 3/8 ratchet F720 made in canada that has the guts gone from it. Gotta get a few rebuild kits for it if I can ever find any.

 

[SMKS]

The SPP744 ratchet assembly tool. $0.89 + tax. I have one and it's really handy for reassembling ratchets.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/searchLN.asp?partno=SPP744

 

[sickboy motors inc.]

Pick sets looks like chinese mac pick sets are on ebay for sale already. Mini screwdriver and pick sets my vote! (Hard handle)

 

[wreckerman5357]

1) Dual 80 ratchets in all drive sizes.
2) Instinct Soft Grip Screwdrivers
3) Ball Peen Deadblow
4) Body Hammers (for bodymen only I guess)
5) Gold Heavy Duty Torx Bit Sockets

 

[jeffmoss26]

ratcheting screwdrivers
1990s hard handle picks/screwdrivers, not the 10 piece 'remakes'

 

[gatewaysysop]

I love my 936 series ratchets, very distinctive sound and feel in the hand, good heft too. I definitely second the ratchet repair tool for holding the ball bearing in place, those are indispensable and a true 'must have', even for other brands of ratchets.

Snap On also makes a really nice distributor wrench for Ford's, I have yet to find someone else who makes a better one. I've also got their special tool for EEC-IV ignition module removal, it's marked Blue Point but it's still US-made at this time (according to the site).

 

[Black89LX]

Dual 80 ratchets
hex and torx socket drivers
dead blow ball peen hammers
instinct screwdrivers
flare nut and flank drive wrenches

I like a lot of their tools, I know I can depend on them, but besides what I listed, there are other brands that are just as good in most cases, like impact sockets, prybars, and punches, but from what I listed they are bar none, the best.

 

[greasemonkey44]

hex bits, the gold ones
they really take a pounding and loosen some really stuck bolts

 

[Skin]

Snap-On makes nice tools, no doubt, but i cant think of much that is an exclusive must own that you cant find anywhere else. I guess if anything their diagnostic hardware is very nice but huge money. Not a dual 80 fan myself, the design could use some improvement. Matco 88s all the way. Really like my flat blade 12" striking pry-bar that i just got, dont think anyone else makes one of those.

Trusty cook makes much cheaper dead blows and dead blow ball peen hammers. They're also the OEM for many of the truck brands and were the manufacturer for Snap-On until they started making their own.

 

[85FourEyedGT]

I cant honestly believe that Snap On is moving the entire manufacturing process offshore, where is the proof?

 

[Skin]

I cant honestly believe that Snap On is moving the entire manufacturing process offshore, where is the proof?

They arent and wont but they've definetly introduced a ton of China stuff over the last 5 years to their catalog. Course who hasnt?

 

[shamrock12]

With all this talk about Snap-on no longer being made in the USA or soon to be moving offshore what are the must haves to get while they are still american made?

Would you mind providing a link to this source? I did a search and cannot find anything that match this claim.

 

[BHH]

haha jesus does no one read the threads in the forum? The "snap on made in china" thread is like a weekly thread. It was meant as a joke. Just wanted to know peoples thoughts on their must have Snappys

 

[lennoxlennox]

haha jesus does no one read the threads in the forum? The "snap on made in china" thread is like a weekly thread. It was meant as a joke. Just wanted to know peoples thoughts on their must have Snappys

as good ole Abe says...

 

[OEXL16B]

Combination Wrenches
Screwdrivers and Screwdriver Bits
Sockets
Extensions
Ratchets
Pliers
Punches and Chisels
Dead Blow Hammers

All of that stuff is made in the USA whether it says so or not.

 

[otis66]

Snap On 936 ratchets are the last ratchets I'll buy from Snap On untill they put USA back on them.
I'd get Snap On wrenches
Snap On Ratcheting screwdivers
Snap On Sockets (chrome and impact),and Extentions.
Breaker bars.
That is unless they stop stamping them USA.

 

[magova1104]

ONLY ITEMS MARKED AS USA ARE USA MADE! PERIOD.
We don't need a proof, or more believers.
If you have more than 10 years buying Snap on tools, you already know what are we talking about.
I think that the people who doesn't care about the Made in USA stamped tools is the same people who buy tools from HF. And their tool boxes(If they have one) are full of CHEAP tools.
Maybe they just need to see threads like: "Look what I found in HF!" or " Look what I bought for $10!"

 

[OEXL16B]

ONLY ITEMS MARKED AS USA ARE USA MADE! PERIOD.

That's not true. If you email Snap-on customer service with a part number, they'll tell you where the tool is made right down to the street address. Most of their tools are made at the Elisabethton Tennessee plant.

 

[magova1104]

That's not true. If you email Snap-on customer service with a part number, they'll tell you where the tool is made right down to the street address. Most of their tools are made at the Elisabethton Tennessee plant.

Ok.Thanks! Maybe if I call NASA they will tell me that we went to the moon?

 

[TheGrooveking]

Ok.Thanks! Maybe if I call NASA they will tell me that we went to the moon?

That's a classic line I'm going to borrow it.

TheGrooveking

 

[booya719]

Ok.Thanks! Maybe if I call NASA they will tell me that we went to the moon?

Amen brother. Keep fighting the good fight. It would be nice to have more discussions about the issue but it's difficult with all the nonsense that others chime in with.

One thing I've wondered about is, do you think offshore hardline tools will hurt Snap-on's business in the long run? I don't see them lowering their prices at all ever. If anything they will crank up the prices, so how is that going to work out for them when the masses find out their unmarked tools are all coming out of Asia? They can't keep pushing this "made in USA" malarkey forever if it's not stamped on the shanks.

I think in the end it's only going to help business flourish at Harbor Freight type places, because why pay Snap-on prices for offshore tools? Just like with Craftsman, guys are trying to load up on the last of the good stuff before it's all gone and replaced with Made in China or Made in Taiwan. But eventually in time, when all you can get is made in Asia from every tool company, what is left to set them apart from each other anymore when the history and tradition is thrown out the window? In that case, the average guy is going to go to the cheapest place he can find - and it's not Snap-on or Mac or whoever.

If cash is king then the lowest price will win when all tools are of the same origin. Making all tools offshore only benefits Harbor Freight and whoever else has the lowest prices as I see it...so they are laughing at Snap-on and Craftsman all the way to the bank.

 

[otis66]

ONLY ITEMS MARKED AS USA ARE USA MADE! PERIOD.
We don't need a proof, or more believers.
If you have more than 10 years buying Snap on tools, you already know what are we talking about.
I think that the people who doesn't care about the Made in USA stamped tools is the same people who buy tools from HF. And their tool boxes(If they have one) are full of CHEAP tools.
Maybe they just need to see threads like: "Look what I found in HF!" or " Look what I bought for $10!"

I agree. There are NO Snap On Tools in my box without the USA stamp on it. No Daul 80's in my tool box. In fact all of my Blue Point hand tools are stamped USA.

 

[magova1104]

I saw this coming a long time. And I do not blame the companies of having to import or manufacture tools in Asia. It's the economy that is forcing them to do that.
I really don't think that the economy of this country change for better, and buying imported tools,I don't think it helps either.
There are still many companies that make tools in the U.S. and are suffering because people do not care to buy quality, but price, and I repeat, are consequences of the bad economy of the country, but I personally think that if we help each other to learn more about tools,who ​​and how they are made,we can help make things better.
I know many of us don't know much about economics, finance, globalization, etc, but we know about tools and I do believe that this site is helping to promote the revival of "American Pride".

 

[otis66]

That's not true. If you email Snap-on customer service with a part number, they'll tell you where the tool is made right down to the street address. Most of their tools are made at the Elisabethton Tennessee plant.

A better way to put is. A company cannot stamp USA on a tool unless the tool is made in the USA.

 

[OEXL16B]

A better way to put is. A company cannot stamp USA on a tool unless the tool is made in the USA.

They also don't have to stamp the tool USA if it was made in USA.

 

[magova1104]

They also don't have to stamp the tool USA if it was made in USA.

Here is a reason why from Armstrong tools are proud to mark their tools Made in USA: http://www.armstrongtools.com/content3.aspx?500tuccidi=vgCkVqyHz6ARPyCcSd8SHQ%3d%3d

Interesting eh? BTW, "I am not American and I am proud of their tools."

 

[JoeyMitch]

I would have to choose my F80 ratchet. Best ratchet I've ever used...

 

[Davefr]

I would have to choose my F80 ratchet. Best ratchet I've ever used...

Then you've never used a Cornwell JR72. (most have never even seen one)

 

[rmsg0040]

ratchets, ratcheting screwdrivers, ball peen deadblow, and anything with a classic hard handle (prybar, screwdriver, ratchet, etc)

Thats my opinion

 

[laskt9]

how is it every damn snap on thread turns into a COO ******* match?

 

[sdguy55]

Then you've never used a Cornwell JR72. (most have never even seen one)

Tell you what. I will send you my 3/8's long handled flex head dual 80 ratchet if you let me use your cornwell for a lil while. Just so i can test it out

 

[MoToys]

how is it every damn snap on thread turns into a COO ******* match?

This one was destined to go that way from the start and than the op created another one just in case it didn't.

 

[BHH]

This one was destined to go that way from the start and than the op created another one just in case it didn't.

haha actually with this one I was just hoping people would chime in with some tools that I had overlooked that I didn't know I needed yet

 

[wreckerman5357]

I agree. There are NO Snap On Tools in my box without the USA stamp on it. No Daul 80's in my tool box. In fact all of my Blue Point hand tools are stamped USA.

Never mind that they are fantastic ratchets, arguably one of the best in the industry, that stamp is what really matters. Come on guys.

These guys sure ruined the spirit of a great thread.

 

[wreckercologist]

Then you've never used a Cornwell JR72. (most have never even seen one)

I bought a JR72 when they were first released. It's a piece of ****, and I had to rework the guts to get it into something close to proper working order. It now sits at home looking pretty. On the other hand, I own something like 28 or 29 of the Dual80 design in all three drive sizes, including a few with the USA stamp.

Must own tools for me would be:

open end/flare end combo wrenches

any flank drive socket

ratcheting screwdriver ("T" handle)

ratchets

hard handle screwdrivers (although the instinks are starting to grow on me)

OEX, SOEX, OEXM, SOEXM, OEXL, & OEXLM combo wrenches

138HLP high leverage pliers

 

[booya719]

how is it every damn snap on thread turns into a COO ******* match?

Keep it coming. I've got a gallon jug of water next to me. Summer is coming quick so we gotta stay hydrated.

I'd say a couple good ratchets will get you by for the long haul, but to each his own. I'm going to order a few odds and ends for sure that I've been putting off. Rounding out your socket sets would be a good idea too if you're missing any sizes.