Should I switch to Snap-On?

[MN4x4]

First, I am a serious mechanic but I don't wrench for a living. I take care of a small 'fleet' for family and friends - 3 diesel trucks, 3 cars, 2 diesel tractors, and a diesel generator.

I currently have mostly Craftsman (USA only) and GearWrench (Not USA :-0) stuff. I have perhaps 400 sockets, a dozen ratchets, and 100 wrenches.

The thing that bugs me most is that I started with smaller sets of stuff, and now can't match or complete them. For instance, my Craftsman elbow ratchets go up to 3/4", but yesterday I needed a 1". My GearWrench reversible wrenches only go to 1" , but their non-reversibles go to at least 1-1/4". Yes I am aware that there are 'completer' sets to some of these, but they don't always fill in all the holes.

And yes, I am OCD. Uncompleted sets or 'holes' on a Hansen socket rack drive me NUTS! I was thinking (please correct me if I am wrong) that SO would give me the opportunity to buy pretty much any tool set I might want or need in any size And they have oranizers for most of their sets.

I also know that my USA Craftsman stuff is probably about as valuable as it's ever going to be if I sell it now.

Thoughts, anyone?

 

[MJB24]

First, I am a serious mechanic but I don't wrench for a living. I take care of a small 'fleet' for family and friends - 3 diesel trucks, 3 cars, 2 diesel tractors, and a diesel generator.

I currently have mostly Craftsman (USA only) and GearWrench (Not USA :-0) stuff. I have perhaps 400 sockets, a dozen ratchets, and 100 wrenches.

The thing that bugs me most is that I started with smaller sets of stuff, and now can't match or complete them. For instance, my Craftsman elbow ratchets go up to 3/4", but yesterday I needed a 1". My GearWrench reversible wrenches only go to 1" , but their non-reversibles go to at least 1-1/4". Yes I am aware that there are 'completer' sets to some of these, but they don't always fill in all the holes.

And yes, I am OCD. Uncompleted sets or 'holes' on a Hansen socket rack drive me NUTS! I was thinking (please correct me if I am wrong) that SO would give me the opportunity to buy pretty much any tool set I might want or need in any size And they have oranizers for most of their sets.

I also know that my USA Craftsman stuff is probably about as valuable as it's ever going to be if I sell it now.

Thoughts, anyone?

Snap On doesnt offer all sockets to fill a hansen rack. They also dont offer nearly as broad a range of ratcheting wrenches as gearwrench.

I dont see the need to replace all your sockets that you didnt mention are not working for something else that wont fill your racks anyways.

Why not take all the thousands of dollars you would save replacing everything with Snap On and spend some money on a really fantastic tool box organizing gear. Hell have foam lasercut for all your tools. It will cost a hell of a lot less.

 

[MJB24]

By the way where in Minnesota are you?

 

[scaron]

i don't think you necessarily need to go snap-on if you're looking for something a little nicer, there are lots of great full-line tool companies out there still producing in the US e.g. S-K, wright, armstrong, proto... nothing wrong with old US-made craftsman in my book, either. honestly i think truck brands are overpriced anyway, i don't believe that anything snap-on or any of the others sells is materially superior to S-K or wright but ultimately there's a lot of personal preference involved, i'm not trying to dog guys who buy snap-on but it's not for me as an amateur mechanic.

 

[Rusty32]

I wrench for a living and use snap on at work. But if I was in your position I would settle for off brands lot of other good choices, unless I had money falling out of my ******* then I would go snap on.

 

[03protege]

I am happy with my Craftsman Industrial sockets and Snap On ratchets.

While the Craftsman sockets are not all that great in the fit and finish department, I so rarely round a bolt I can't fault the sockets. Usually if I do round something it is due to not fully seating the socket on the fastener.

 

[CWP1616L]

Have you ever tried SNAP-ON tools? Sadly, there's some people out there that can't tell the difference between a SNAP-ON wrench and a Craftsman wrench. People like that I tell them to keep their Craftsman tools.

EDIT:

Can I put SNAP-ON in all caps?

I like seeing SNAP-ON in all caps.





.

 

[brokeguy]

take it slow. and buy what you feel that you need over time.

 

[crewchief888]

 

[jeremy v]

Quick comments for you to ponder on when making your decision. If I have a socket set that is all one brand but a single socket is missing it does annoy me a bit having one socket that is a different brand "messing" up the otherwise clean lines of the set in its' storage rack. However if I have a different socket set that instead consists of several different brands of sockets (with visual variation all over) for some reason I could really care less what they look like visually and my primary concern instead becomes just making sure the sets are complete. In the back of my mind I also have a calm peace with the mixed socket set, because I know if a socket is lost or broken I can go almost anywhere and get a replacement quickly and easily. It is also much easier to find great deals if you allow yourself a lot more tools and brands to draw from.

I think it is human nature. If every one of my pliers were SnapOn brand with red handles and I had one blue handled Channellock plier in the same tool drawer it would annoy me a bit. I would feel the desire to replace it even though they work just fine, but having a plier drawer full of Channellock, Knipex, Klein, Craftsman, Gearwrench, of various ages, styles, and condition does not bother me at all. I actually take pride in the fact that I have stretched my dollar and found the best tools for the money and for the actual job instead of just buying the tools that all looked the same.

If you are the same way I am, I think you have reached a crossroads in your tool collection. You are going to have to decide whether you want every tool to match which will cost a lot of money to achieve, or else you will just have to dive in and instead start buying the best brands of each tool that you can find for the money. Start upgrading key areas and filling in holes in your existing tools. You will just have to trust me that as your variation increases, your issue with things not matching will fall to the wayside. Allowing things to mix and match will save you a lot of money in the long run, and you will be much happier if you ever lose or damage a tool. Losing a tool will signal more of a chance to possibly upgrade to a new and better tool instead of a mad search for the exact replacement to the one you lost.

Remember, even SnapOn changes the look of their sockets and wrenches occasionally, so just because you buy all SnapOn doesn't mean that a wrench you buy 10 years from now will look the same unless you find it used.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

You should check out Koken... They offer a WIDE selection of sockets.

I'm sure you'd be able to fill your Hansen trays.

 

[alinc100]

i don't think you necessarily need to go snap-on if you're looking for something a little nicer, there are lots of great full-line tool companies out there still producing in the US e.g. S-K, wright, armstrong, proto... nothing wrong with old US-made craftsman in my book, either. honestly i think truck brands are overpriced anyway, i don't believe that anything snap-on or any of the others sells is materially superior to S-K or wright but ultimately there's a lot of personal preference involved, i'm not trying to dog guys who buy snap-on but it's not for me as an amateur mechanic.

I agree with the above.And would add JH Williams to the list.They have an offshore line and a made in USA line. I just purchased a fair amount of "completer" sockets to add to a Craftsman 299 pc,made in USA set.I bought some Armstrong ,via Sears as they matched my Easy Read Made in USA Craftsmans(made by Armstrong/Parent Co) along with some Williams to fill in extra blanks.I fully understand the OCD parts.

 

[rsanter]

Snap on says....yes, you should switch all your tools over the snap on and snap on only

Bob

 

[firebox40dash5]

For $10k or so, I'd buy some of those awesome Westling Machine billet socket organizers. Or stock up on the Sears/Matco/??? plastic socket rails... I've got Hansens, but I'm thinking about switching to those, riveted to some aluminum stock, to make customizable socket organizers that actually hold the socket on and aren't so fragile.

Gearwrench seems to have about as complete a socket collection as Matco when it comes to chromes, which is at least even with Snap On, if not better.

 

[rodm1]

I wouldn't replace them but would fill in the holes you have. If you haven't needed that size you are missing yet you probably will never or rarely use it. Sow buying SO for a socket or wrench you probable will only use once might not be cost effective to you.

You will have to decide if a $60 SO socket is worth it over a $5 HF socket. I'm a tool lover and try to buy USA when ever possible and decided that Wright has the quality and price in line with my budget. They don't have every size neither dues anyone else I believe.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Snap On doesnt offer all sockets to fill a hansen rack. They also dont offer nearly as broad a range of ratcheting wrenches as gearwrench.

Really? Interesting...even before I officially switched over to "Truck Tools" instead of Cman and others, I had turned to SO for all the weird ones I needed to complete my Hansen's...
.

 

[2jz4me]

I would like to start by saying that I am not a professional mechanic. I do however love my tools and tools in general. I have a very complete line of snap on in both metric and standard and I also have the same in craftsman. I can honestly say that after having a box half full of snap on I'm no more prepared to do a job any better than before. I do love the way the inside of my drawers look now and I take a lot more pride in how they are organized. Still, I can't do job any faster, better or more skillfully than I did when I only had craftsman and harbor freight. Tools are a novelty to people like us (gear heads), the same way a new guitar is to a guitar player. The new guitar may look a lot nicer and sound a lot nicer but he/she almost definitely has no greater ability to play the new guitar vs the old one. All that being said, my simple opinion is no you should not replace all your tools with snap on unless you simply want it for novelty. If you replace them all to get better function your return on investment will be slim to none. Best of luck.

-Jeff

 

[theknurl]

that depends on you....

my father gave me a set of Craftsman metric combos and a 3/8" drive set when i was ~10 still have them......somewhere

most of my wrenches are metric SnapOns because i work on motorcycles
last year i grabbed 2 new sets, 6mm-32mm open end and box end for $162
a set of Flex-heads 8mm-19mm for $117
6 piece flare nut set for $85
deep offset short box ends for $82
and a set of sort combos for $80

so the deals are out there.....

best one i missed?
a guy put up 2 new combo sets 6mm-36mm $340 BIN.....

i went and made a cup of coffee....

i came back, one set was gone and some idiot BID on the other it went to almost a grand

 

[richfinn]

Absolutely not, it would just be a vanity project.

Spend your tool money on something you don't already have.

Why replace decent workable tools?

No one cares if your sockets don't match, not even you (if you sit down and think about it logically).

 

[ChevyEFI]

I'm not saying I don't want to have a matching set of tools.

But if you really want your OCD to cost you a lot of money, it can and will.

SO doesn't make every matching socket size. Neither does Ko-Ken; there are some sockets I'd like in 15mm they don't list. Their round-head ratchets I like? Not offered in much; they have way more levers. I don't want mis-matched breakers & ratchets, but that's how I'd end up.

I found last week an old 2003 SO catalog. It's no problem at all to find tools in each of 18 sections that are discontinued or have been updated. Those dual 80 ratchets you hear about now? Not around back then. The ratchets in this cat. are all kinds of old news.

Do you really want to invest hundreds in a wrench set just to warranty one and the design be different?

Break yourself of the OCD is the answer. The way to think of SO or tools in general is for individual pieces that you definitively need. I bought a hex bit insert socket off eBay. Because I had a recurring need for it. I don't care about the rest of the set. But I want the rest of the set. I'm just not going to let the desire cause me to waste money.

 

[kythri]

Regardless of brand, styles change. If you plan on using your tools, over time, something will break or get lost. Depending on age, the replacement, even of the same brand, won't be guaranteed to match.

 

[genevabuck]

If you really want something from Snap On, buy it. Don't even think about turning in to their ***** though. I have some Snap On stuff, and it is top notch. But I also buy from a variety of vendors though, including eBay, etc. As I tell the young Snap On whores who rag on me, "I will retire soon." Especially as the Snap On guy comes in to repo their tools.

 

[Piles]

I'm sorry but I work on more equipment than that and I have never thought I needed ALL snap on. Hell I even still have sockets that still look new for christ sake.

Not to say snap on is overpriced (maybe to some, maybe not to others), bad or not worth it. I own alot of snap on stuff too and I love it, but I find people lose all reason when it comes to this brand specifically.

Another thing to point out is that alot of the time snap on charges the same for their sets, as it would to buy each piece individually. So if you hit up flea markets, garage sales, and anywhere else for used stuff you can save yourself alot of money buying single wrenches/sockets. Obviously this doesn't factor in their bogo deals or discounts. I did this with my metric flare wrenches, I didn't see them have a reasonable deal on for a long time, found a couple at a garage sale and saved myself $100 building a set.

 

[Jim C.]

It sounds like you already have a pretty nice set of tools, but you're looking for an excuse to buy snap on stuff. If you really want to "up grade" your set, send me a PM and let me know what you want for your used, but probably still perfectly good, USA made Craftsman tools. Yes, I think you should "up grade."

Jim C.

 

[ckblum]

My sockets are MasterCraft, any gaps in my Hansen trays (4.5, 5.5, 14, 15) are either GearWrench or Blue Point. They all match from afar so I don't care. All chrome, all 6 point.

I may or may not slowly convert them to GW or BP as I lose or break. No sure which way I'd go, I really like the GW with the knurled bottom on the metrics.

I think the general concensus is don't do it unless you **** gold bricks. Many guys on here are self proclaimed OCD but I think that's a lame excuse to spend more money, just look at the "green Snap On tool ****" thread. I like being organized and matching but I like saving money more.

 

[Brownsfan]

If you really want to upgrade your sockets look VERY hard at Williams USA. The sockets are the EXACT same thing as snap on sockets in every way besides the name stamp. No reason at all to upgrade your ratcheting wrenches. Gearwrench is just fine for those. For regular wrenches look at SK. Hell look at SK for everything. I have a lot of Snap On tools. Probably more than I need. But I don't own one snap on socket or wrench. I have all USA craftsman for sockets and have been using them for almost 20 years some of that in a shop. Pliers look at Snap on for some. They are great. Also knipex and channellock. Screwdrivers, can't go wrong upgrading to snap on. You won't regret it

 

[Piles]

I will also say, despite me pretty much loving snap on. I think I am the only person on GJ who isn't a fan of their screwdrivers. I love the instinct handles, but my cheap crappy tire drivers have held up way better and still turn screws better despite being WAY more used.

 

[Rezeppa]

Yes!

 

[FLRover]

I use SO cause there is a truck that comes by every week and they have good quality tools. That being said if I was building a private set I would probably use more of the European brands and S&K since I love a comeback kid.

 

[woody 73]

Interesting question should I switch to snap-on?

If it would make you very happy then yes by all means start buying all snap on tools.
Some people like yourself have the means (money) then why not, no need to ask your question.

 

[jmm]

Well, they haven't failed you yet, so I'd say no. Snap-On is most justifiable for professionals who use tools daily, and have a lot to gain from the warranty and service. Not saying it's a bad idea for non-pros to have their tools, just that the circumstances you own them under can make the price a little easier or harder to swallow. You'd lose a ton on your initial Craftsman investment if you sold them.

You've got perfectly capable tools which've served you well thus far. If I were you, I'd just start buying Snap-On (or other higher quality brands) to upgrade often-used tools (i.e. ratchets) and on new additions to your box (the higher end brands are good for hard to find specialty tools).

OCD won't kill you. Ignore it, or else cut up your Hansen trays. Chances are, you'll barely use that 5/8" 1/4" drive socket too often. And there are too many good brands out there to limit your box to just one.

 

[Benji]

For work I like snap on the best but for home use whatever works unless you have serious money.

 

[mrg7243]

This forum has helped me learn a ton about tools. I am in the same boat as you with the fleet. I maintain 2 classics, a van, a jaguar, tractor, 2 cars, my own personal project car, and all the lawn power tools . To me I love craftsman. If you are looking to upgrade I would say look at their industrial line which I feel gets over looked. For the gaps check ebay. Thats what I am doing currently to fill my gaps.

The next time I am looking to upgrade or add on to my wrenches I will probably go to SK. Screwdrivers would be snap-on, pliers would be channel locks, electrical tools and cutters would be knipex. Not sure what I would do for ratchets.

The only consistency in my tools is that all of my sockets are craftsman unfortunately they are not all the easy read ones though. I have a junkyard box of mixed chinese no name and stanley stuff.

 

[mudflap]

I wrench for a living and use snap on at work. But if I was in your position I would settle for off brands lot of other good choices, unless I had money falling out of my ******* then I would go snap on.

.............LOL..

 

[jd_1138]

I have mostly Craftsman, some SO, some Mac, some Cornwell, and some Pittsburgh Pro. I don't care about having different brands. It was the only way I could complete my sets (size wise) and get everything I need.

I wouldn't bother to replace with SO. You'll lose money on your Craftsman investment and you will have to spend a lot on SO stuff. If you need a certain tool, and the SO is in your budget for that tool, then go for that tool.

 

[331CID]

Well, they haven't failed you yet, so I'd say no. Snap-On is most justifiable for professionals who use tools daily, and have a lot to gain from the warranty and service. Not saying it's a bad idea for non-pros to have their tools, just that the circumstances you own them under can make the price a little easier or harder to swallow. You'd lose a ton on your initial Craftsman investment if you sold them.

You've got perfectly capable tools which've served you well thus far. If I were you, I'd just start buying Snap-On (or other higher quality brands) to upgrade often-used tools (i.e. ratchets) and on new additions to your box (the higher end brands are good for hard to find specialty tools).

OCD won't kill you. Ignore it, or else cut up your Hansen trays. Chances are, you'll barely use that 5/8" 1/4" drive socket too often. And there are too many good brands out there to limit your box to just one.

All great advice, but this guy ^^^^^
Pretty much my thoughts exactly. It is all going to come down to personal preference. I love snap on. Good quality tools, the truck comes to my shop, warranty they stand behind, etc. Personally, if I had a near complete set like you, I'd keep it and use them until they break. I believe snap on make better sockets than harbor freight (duh, right?) but every day I use harbor freight 3/8 sockets on a snap on ratchet, and have yet to break one. I eventually will upgrade but they work fine.

Keep your sockets, upgrade where you either don't have or would greatly benefit. If you are using a craftsman ratchet with a plastic selector, upgrade, you won't regret it. Upgrade to what? Duralast or gearwrench may be a great option for you. You can run to the store of purchase and replace them. I have customers waiting, which requires me to have something reliable, and generally a backup.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[treblarefils]

keep your sockets. Upgrade your ratchets to snap on and chuck the raised panel craftsman ratchets as far as you can throw them. I have a ton of gearwrench sockets they are great for the price. Although the raised panel ratchets have served me well there is no way I could ever say they are good after using many other brands the cman are junk. My craftsman 84t premiums are pretty nice though but for the price you are close to snappy territory on ebay.

 

[tshetter]

keep your sockets. Upgrade your ratchets to snap on and chuck the raised panel craftsman ratchets as far as you can throw them. I have a ton of gearwrench sockets they are great for the price. Although the raised panel ratchets have served me well there is no way I could ever say they are good after using many other brands the cman are junk. My craftsman 84t premiums are pretty nice though but for the price you are close to snappy territory on ebay.

^This

I have Snap-On ratchets in standard length 3/8 and long pattern 1/2 drive and they are just awesome. For sockets and wrenches I have USA Craftsman. For me they do the job just fine.

But the combination of a great ratchet with a decent socket is really nice.

I did just recently purchas a single SK long pattern wrench and a 1/2" drive socket, both in 14mm, but have not used them yet. But the finish is really nice and the wrench very comfortable.

So yea, if I were you I'd get some Dual80 Snap-On ratchets and keep the Craftsman sockets. Maybe get some SK wrenches. ToolTopia.com has some good prices on SK wrench sets and that is where I got my SK pieces from.

 

[BK13]

Curious what the OP did since this is coming up on a year old thread.


I'm sorta kinda going to be doing something like this, though in my case I'll be duplicating the mostly Craftsman 12 point sockets with six point, maybe with Hazet metrics (in 3/8" at least), Koken, Nepros, Williams USA, SK, or Proto SAEs. Probably going to get Wright, Armstrong, or SK combo wrenches. I was thinking about Williams ratcheting combos, but I've read reports here that the finish on them isn't the greatest. I'd love to get some Gedore, but I think they might just be a little too pricey.

 

[mrsnapon]

im gonna say if you can afford snap on and you are carefull and wont loose them , then yes get snap on cus there is a difference.