my grey pneumatic has snap on date codes?

[KnurledNut]

anyone else noticed this?
whats the deal?

 

[plinker]

I noticed that a 3/8 ext. I got had a '11 S-O dat code. I'm curious as well.

 

[KnurledNut]

yeah man my impact sockets have the '10 and '11 codes
interesting

 

[osborn.ozzy]

Its over! could it be GP is the OEM?

 

[billymade]

Maybe they make stuff for the Blue Point line? Would you mind posting a pic?

 

[Murphy4570]

GP probably makes Blue Point sockets too, perhaps?

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

The Blue Point sockets, extensions, ratchets, wrenches do not have Date symbols like the Snap On stuff does within the past 5 or so years

 

[GSMotorrad]

I just noticed this too! My DUO sets are stamped with the 2013 Snap-On date codes! It's on every socket, extension, and the ratchets. Weird, unless they're the OEM, but mine are made in Taiwan.

Maybe it's just a "tool" thing, and other companies are just following Snap-On's lead, but it's like the EXACT same stamp.

Some new stuff came in the mail today, also with Snap-On date codes! Weird, but not that weird. They're presumably made by Bahco, but in the U.S.A., back in 2002, but they're branded Harley Davidson. I have a Bahco branded 1/4-inch set on its way. I wonder if they'll have the snappy date-codes as well.

I like buying (non-truck branded) tools with Snap-On date-codes. It's almost like getting something for nothing. It's like they're connected somehow. This is a Bahco 801050 ratchet without the rubber grip. These seem to be from 2002:

 

[rsanter]

The other tool companies are doing that on purpose.
One so,you,talk about them on Internet forums.....free advertising.
Two, so,some of you think they are made by snap on for them.
Three, so others of you think they are making tools for snap on.

It's a conspiracy

Bob

 

[GSMotorrad]

The other tool companies are doing that on purpose.
One so,you,talk about them on Internet forums.....free advertising.
Two, so,some of you think they are made by snap on for them.
Three, so others of you think they are making tools for snap on.

It's a conspiracy

Bob

I've been buying the cheaper rebranded tools ever since my first Craftsman set over two decades ago. My latest acquisition were some locking mechanisms that are rebranded for all the truck brands' locking extensions - they're so much nicer than the Harbor Freight locking extensions I returned after getting these. I love the conspiracy; it's like a scavenger hunt!

From Wikipedia: A scavenger hunt is a game in which the organizers prepare a list defining specific items, which the participants – individuals or teams – seek to gather all items on the list

The list can be found on the "Tool Truck Equivalents" thread. Have fun!

Here's a post from that thread that explains things better than I can:

When it is all said and done, there is only a handful of good tool companies and the same products cross different brand is pretty common. Look at Matco and Armstrong owned by Danaher, who also makes gearwrench, allen, napa, masterforce and craftsman wrenches. Stanley owns Mac and Proto, though the cross over is somewhat limited. SO owns Willams and even though Willams has been around longer the SO, their newer offers are mostly older SO designs, ratchets and screwdrivers being the main ones. Its good to dig, you may find some great deals we don't know about.

 

[bobcatdan]

I think imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. I don't know of GP and SO having any real connection. One is not the OEM of the other. Believe it or not, S0 makes their own impact sockets. GP is simply copying SO, like many others. How many cheap ratchets and screwdrivers look like SO.

 

[DodgeMech]

Say what ya will...but penny for penny, GP is the greatest damned impact sockets you can get

 

[bobcatdan]

Say what ya will...but penny for penny, GP is the greatest damned impact sockets you can get

I'm a sunnex man myself

 

[pilotman81]

Say what ya will...but penny for penny, GP is the greatest damned impact sockets you can get

Seconded! I love my Snap On, but GP impact sockets are hard to beat for the $.

 

[webscrounger]

I just found this old thread so I had to check. All my GP DUO socket sets (1/4, 3/8, 1/2, metric and SAE sets) appear to have Snap-On 2018 date codes for 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018. GP sockets are made in Taiwan so I assume they just copied the date code chart because Snap-On sockets are all made in the USA, right?

 

[KnurledNut]

I just found this old thread so I had to check. All my GP DUO socket sets (1/4, 3/8, 1/2, metric and SAE sets) appear to have Snap-On 2018 date codes for 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018. GP sockets are made in Taiwan so I assume they just copied the date code chart because Snap-On sockets are all made in the USA, right?

Man, its been a few days since I started this thread.
I never did find a definitive answer.

 

[webscrounger]

No matter, just a curiosity. Love the Duo sockets, second to none IMO.

 

[bsaint]

I checked my duo sockets. One set is from 2016. A couple extra I bought last year. All have the same "code" so I don't think it's date.

 

[DieselSaves]

I’ve found Snap On date codes on a few large Williams Allen sockets and every one of the old style exposed gear ratchet wrenches I have, be they Craftsman or any of at least three other brand names I have.