Snap-On Files

[aprikh1]

I friend of mine is offering to sell me the SGFMN106 miniature file set and the SGHBF500A full size set for about 40% off the retail price. These files would be replacing some crappy HF files I bought eons back, and I am wondering whether at 40% off these are worth it. I am a DIYer and a shade tree mechanic, and although the price of tools is important, I try to follow the principle of buy once, cry once.

I priced-out some Nicholson files, and even with Snap-On at 40%, I can still pick-up the Nicholsons for significantly cheaper. Furthermore the COO of the Snap-On files is Portugal and not USA, which makes me think I am paying for the brand name, and not necessarily quality.

Also, if I were to wear a file down, would Snap-On warranty cover a replacement?

Chime-in folks, "Yay" or "Nay" on the Snap-On files?

Thanks in advance ...

A few picks:

 

[lbgradwell]

Chime-in folks, "Yay" or "Nay" on the Snap-On files?

Nay, of course.

Besides, the Snap-ons might be Nicholsons anyway. Many current Nicholsons are made in Portugal...

 

[Syndicate]

You are paying for brand, but so you know all snap on files are from port. that are in the bigger sets, and have been for many years. I have 2 sets and a set in classifieds, all from there and my sets that I use work just fine.

It is up to you but I would pull the trigger on the snap ons.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I have both Snap On and Nicholsons and they all file the same exact way. But since you have the chance to get the SO's and 40% of retail, I'd get them.

 

[Boiler]

I have that exact set and love the size / handles

 

[wreckerman5357]

I have the miniature file set. I bought it about a month ago to replace the miss-matched set of hand me downs I got from my dad when I was a teenager. I don't need files a whole lot at work, but I have used a couple of the files on one or two occaisions so far. They are nice and I would refinement them even at full price. They set has a good variety, they cut well, have good handles, and they come in a nice pouch.

 

[fordbroncodave]

one of the few mac tools i like are their red hard handled files. at $20 each, it isn't too bad.

 

[vintagefan]

I inspected some Snap-on files on the truck the other day for the first time (was a Simonds guy for a long while), and they seem to be absolutely top notch quality. Good enough quality that I'm having my Snap-on guy order in a custom 4pc. Instinct handled set for me.

I was concerned about them being Portugal as I was not very happy with Nicholson's recently switched from USA files, but they were very well cut.

 

[Syndicate]

I inspected some Snap-on files on the truck the other day for the first time (was a Simonds guy for a long while), and they seem to be absolutely top notch quality. Good enough quality that I'm having my Snap-on guy order in a custom 4pc. Instinct handled set for me.

I was concerned about them being Portugal as I was not very happy with Nicholson's recently switched from USA files, but they were very well cut.

Well like I said up above, they have been from Port. for many years, at least the last 20, and they are very nice indeed. Hope you got the green set

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the second ones pictured but in the old hard handles. I have had them for about 12 years now. Never and issue.

 

[lestat]

Actually there might be all Bahco, given that they have in Portugal the biggest file production facility in Europe.

I have a few, made in Portugal obviously, and they seem identical in looks and function with the Snap on ones for what I can gather.

 

[vintagefan]

Well like I said up above, they have been from Port. for many years, at least the last 20, and they are very nice indeed. Hope you got the green set

I was very satisfied with the quality of the cut on the teeth... I'm notoriously picky, too, because I do a fair bit of machining work, and poorly cut file teeth make for poorly cut chamfers when deburring parts. That is once instance where the quality of the tool truly translates to the quality of the work.

 

[aprikh1]

Thanks folks! Based on everyone's responses and after some comparison shopping, I decided to get the miniature file set, and hold off on the full size files.

Here is hoping they are worth $40!

Cheers, Alex

 

[Syndicate]

You could always get the bigger set and sell them to me
I like to save money too!

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Chime-in folks, "Yay" or "Nay" on the Snap-On files?

Always push a file, never pull it.

 

[cbracer]

Well like I said up above, they have been from Port. for many years, at least the last 20, and they are very nice indeed. Hope you got the green set

The Nicholson files I've seen at Lowes and HD were all made in Mexico, and cut very nicely. Not sure where you thought Portugal?

 

[defy]

I just got this exact set, Snap on had it on special this month but the big set, get the miniature set free, Haven't used them a lot yet but they seem real nice. I used the big round one today and it already bent the shank into a handle slightly, its like the shank should do deeper into the handle. I've used the mini set a bit with trim pieces installing switches etc and they are good.

They are all made by Bahco because I went through trying to buy the Bahco ones because they are usually cheaper and had orange handles instead of red, but when the special came up it was easier to grab off the truck than searching for ages online for a seller.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have the mini SO set and they are very nice. The little guys seem to work better then my made in the USA mac files I have. My thinking with anything SO made in Europe is made by one of the companies they own over there which are all top notch tool companies in their own respect.

 

[Boiler]

if it cuts and is made by Bahco, I would have no reserve in buying them.

 

[SRSemenza]

Happened upon this thread while searching for info on files. Just to reinforce the likely hood that Snap On files are really Bahco. The Snap On ergo handles look exactly the same as the Bahco ergo handles and so does some of the packaging.

Seth

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Actually there might be all Bahco, given that they have in Portugal the biggest file production facility in Europe.

I have a few, made in Portugal obviously, and they seem identical in looks and function with the Snap on ones for what I can gather.

Yea, Snap on files are Bahco from Portugal. You can buy the Bahco set much cheaper, or do one better and buy old USA/Swiss files NOS on ebay and get Wood Lutz handles that have the threads in them. And/or use a golf ball.

These are some of my files. Some Snap on ones in the mix that I picked up on the cheap. I do like their Instinct handles for the larger files.

And before any one has a heart attack about them touching, I open and close the drawer as hard and fast as I can. I just slam it. Throw the files in there at mach speed.

 

[kythri]

Use a golf ball??

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I love my nicholson files so it's a toss up. Can you get more nicholson files (the same amount from both sets or more) for cheaper than your friend is offering his snap on files for? If yes, i'd go for nicholson. If not, i may consider snap on if i worked in a shop due to the ease of warranty (if they warranty files, i know technically they're "cutting" tools). Speaking of files, you should pick up a few of the flatter diamond files. They'll come in handy some day, trust me.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Yea, Snap on files are Bahco from Portugal. You can buy the Bahco set much cheaper, or do one better and buy old USA/Swiss files NOS on ebay and get Wood Lutz handles that have the threads in them. And/or use a golf ball.

These are some of my files. Some Snap on ones in the mix that I picked up on the cheap. I do like their Instinct handles for the larger files.

And before any one has a heart attack about them touching, I open and close the drawer as hard and fast as I can. I just slam it. Throw the files in there at mach speed.

You do? I'll do you one better. I rub mine together to get the grit out of them and then bang them to let the remaining dust escape the grooves.

 

[bob15]

Happened upon this thread while searching for info on files. Just to reinforce the likely hood that Snap On files are really Bahco. The Snap On ergo handles look exactly the same as the Bahco ergo handles and so does some of the packaging.

Seth

FYI: Snap On has owned Bahco since 1999.......

 

[AngryBeaver]

some of the best files in the world have been made in portugal... there are a lot of tool snobs that think certain brands are better than most...

Take a chisel bit file.. the best ones mades were made by Pferd in portugal....most people don't even know what that is, its used for sharpening chainsaw chain square. six sided with three working edges for the one cut.

not saying bahco doesn't make them, but I own they snap ons and they are better than any american made file i've ever had on par with the pferds I've had. bahco more than likely has them made by someone else which is common in the tool world

 

[bob15]

Take a chisel bit file.. the best ones mades were made by Pferd in portugal....most people don't even know what that is, its used for sharpening chainsaw chain square. six sided with three working edges for the one cut.

Might want to try a Swiss-made Vallorbe file. They are very nice. And you don't need the six-sided file to sharpened chisel square-cut cutters.

not saying bahco doesn't make them, but I own they snap ons and they are better than any american made file i've ever had on par with the pferds I've had. bahco more than likely has them made by someone else which is common in the tool world

Not sure what you are trying to say. Bahco makes them for Snap-On....after-all Snap On owns Bahco. Also, what American made files are you comparing them to? A 20-30 year-old file that has been around the block six times?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Use a golf ball??

Yea. I haven't done it yet. But dudes on the internets say that using a golf ball for a handle is super comfortable. I have big mitts, so I just don't see that working for me...but maybe...

 

[Teenager with old tools]

You do? I'll do you one better. I rub mine together to get the grit out of them and then bang them to let the remaining dust escape the grooves.

I like to hold the tang of mine with a vise and give it a few good hits with my 4 pound sledge to knock all the dust out of the grooves.

Sent from my P027 using Tapatalk

 

[AngryBeaver]

Might want to try a Swiss-made Vallorbe file. They are very nice. And you don't need the six-sided file to sharpened chisel square-cut cutters.



Not sure what you are trying to say. Bahco makes them for Snap-On....after-all Snap On owns Bahco. Also, what American made files are you comparing them to? A 20-30 year-old file that has been around the block six times?

The vallorbes are ok... and most of the triangle chisel bit files ****. no, american files nowadays **** compared to new old stock files of yesteryears. i carry cheap nicholsons on my service truck. the snap ons are kept at the shop where a quality file is needed.

I'm saying someone in portugal is making them, not nessessaily Bahco....bahco makes hand tools, not cutting tools.... bahco has tools made just like snap on, blue point, mac, etc. yes snap on owns them....

I miss the swiss and german made stihl files that are no longer made.