Snap-On/Mac/Cornwell vs Craftsman

[portcity]

i think that they are that better. I dont own any, because of the value i get from cman. But then again, im a shadetree, using them on personal projects. Im a newbie, just finding this site, so now im on the lookout for used now. Just never thought about it before. I am a residential contractor, and my building tools are very important to me; the quality, durability, and comfort. I pay extra for those features, so i understand value. If I were a mechanic, I would buy the big brands for the extra features. It would be worth it then, because that is your bread and butter. Also from what I understand, the trucks let you buy on time easier then the retail places. Then on top of that you have the convience of the truck coming to you. Not relating to cost factor, but going to a retail usually takes time away from the home life; which is priceless to many.

On another note, I have a friend that is a transmission rebuilder, and does r&r when he has nothing to build. He has an assortment of tools, but once a cman wrench broke and caused him to cut his hand open pretty badly. As far as I know that was the last retail tool he bought. So when you consider the cost of those repairs, more reason to use the big brands for your living. It all comes down to what the value is to you

 

[Boiler]

I have full sets of SK wrenches and sockets, and I'm more than happy with them. They are much cheaper than SO, but more than craftsman. I have lots of c'man otherwise. I have only two Snap On tools right now, my 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets.

Those ratchets are worth every penny. $30-50 on ebay is worth every cent. Yes they are 4x higher quality than craftsman ratchets. They operate smoother, quieter, and don't have to turn as far before they engage. The fine tooth thing can really make work a lot easier.

Now as far as wrenches and things go, I can't afford them, but personally I believe 25% better quality can be worth 100% more cost. If more goes in them to make them that quality, the price is reflected. Tools aren't priced by if they are a piece of junk or not. They are priced based on cost to manufacture and demand.

Anyone that thinks everything is equal and SO is a scam should buy a 1/4" or 3/8" SO 72 tooth ratchet, in their favorite style and use it for a while. Pick up a c'man (or one of my sk's) and use it and you WILL agree that there is a large difference. Some tools maybe not as much, but some there is for sure.

I'll have to try out some of those screwdrivers...

 

[Aberdale]

I can see why SO owners defend their tools so much. They're good tools. Besides, if I spent that kind of money and said they were only as good as C-mans, I would look like a fool for spending that kind of money, wouldn't I?

I've got both C-mans and SOs, (as well as a full set of MAC, SK, and Barcalo wrenches, and some mixed Bonney and Proto). I lived with C-mans for 20 years without complaint. Three years ago I decided to move up a notch in quality and bought a set of SO flank drives, a set of ratchets in 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 drive, a set of extensions, and a set of 3/8 swivel sockets. Yes, they're nice, but after all the hype I heard over the past 20 years I expected more. They're good tools, but I won't spend that kind of money again. I believe the C-man polished professional wrenches are by far a better value, and easier to replace under warranty vs. waiting on a truck to show up. And I never thought I would say it, but the HF fine tooth composite ratchets are exceptional for the money, and I probably use them more than the SOs.

I keep trying to figure out why everyone thinks SO is so much better, but I haven't figured it out yet. I thought it would be obvious once I owned a few wrenches and ratchets, but it hasn't been. Maybe I'm a slow learner . . .

Dale

 

[Vinko]

threads like this need to be banned. countless times this question has been asked./QUOTE]

For some reason, I've never get tired of these threads

 

[iandh]

I can see why SO owners defend their tools so much. They're good tools. Besides, if I spent that kind of money and said they were only as good as C-mans, I would look like a fool for spending that kind of money, wouldn't I?

I've got both C-mans and SOs, (as well as a full set of MAC, SK, and Barcalo wrenches, and some mixed Bonney and Proto). I lived with C-mans for 20 years without complaint. Three years ago I decided to move up a notch in quality and bought a set of SO flank drives, a set of ratchets in 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 drive, a set of extensions, and a set of 3/8 swivel sockets. Yes, they're nice, but after all the hype I heard over the past 20 years I expected more. They're good tools, but I won't spend that kind of money again. I believe the C-man polished professional wrenches are by far a better value, and easier to replace under warranty vs. waiting on a truck to show up. And I never thought I would say it, but the HF fine tooth composite ratchets are exceptional for the money, and I probably use them more than the SOs.

I keep trying to figure out why everyone thinks SO is so much better, but I haven't figured it out yet. I thought it would be obvious once I owned a few wrenches and ratchets, but it hasn't been. Maybe I'm a slow learner . . .

Dale

Hopefully nobody bites my head off either, but I've found the latest HF ratchets to be superb. Very strong, good polish, good plating quality/thickness, fine tooth pitch, and very tight ratcheting action. The surface finish isn't snap-on good, but it's definitely Craftsman good. Mechanically, I say (the particular ones I have at least) are damn good. Very clean, tight action.

I hate to admit it, but they're among the best I've used, and I've used just about every big name, in an industrial setting to boot.

Something that people don't always realize is that the technology gap that seperates the best from the worst is getting smaller and smaller every year. I'm seeing more and more Gems come from places that used to produce nothing but paperweights. This goes all the way from the machining and production techniques down to the steel itself.

There is still plenty of garbage to be had if you're not careful, but if you have an open mind, a good sense for feel, and a sharp eye, you can do very well sometimes.

 

[Vinko]

Price sometimes reflects the difference in quality, sometimes however it also reflects warranty and customer care (meaning they calculate a % for tools you might return), sometimes price also reflects marketing.... High-end brands of any industry have a tendency to markup on marketing/brandname for a big part.

Since I've been on this forum, I've been amazed at the prices of Snap-On, Matco and others.
I'm thinking it's a completely different market. Since Techs are buying tools for themselfs, it seems it's a very brandname-sensitive market.I'm thinking it's like wearing a Hugo-Boss jeans or driving a BMW instead of Walmart and Ford or Chevrolet.

I've seen Snap-On prices that are 3 to 4 times as high as the top European brands like Stahlwille, Hazet and Facom. I cannot believe SO is 4 times as good as them.

Bear in mind that (except for the UK) most countries in Europe state that the employer has to provide all tools to the worker. Hence the buyer of tools here is less brand-aware then in the US.

Therefore I think the price difference is at least partely explained by:

1. Warranty (I can't image buying used and wornout Hazet wrenches and having them traded for new ones (I've read here that SO appaerantly does that).
2. Customer service (a sales-rep driving around in a truck coming to your shop).
3. Nationalism (Made in the USA is a selling point, and some people are willing to pay for that).
4. Status symbol. A Tech who can push his fully equipped Snap-On box could get a bigger ego-boost then the one pushing his HF-box.
5. Market price (Price of goods are established by researching what people are willing to pay as a maximum and how many people are willing to pay that maximum).

I think it's a good observation that SO is priced more than Stahlwille. I've certainly seen this in a few comparisons. Like 3/8ths sockets. (Though SO on sale through the truck isn't bad).

I do have to say on the BMW's, driving one is pretty fun. For sheer thrills, I'd take it over anything by Ford or Chevy.

 

[oldtools]

I can see why SO owners defend their tools so much. They're good tools. Besides, if I spent that kind of money and said they were only as good as C-mans, I would look like a fool for spending that kind of money, wouldn't I?

I've got both C-mans and SOs, (as well as a full set of MAC, SK, and Barcalo wrenches, and some mixed Bonney and Proto). I lived with C-mans for 20 years without complaint. Three years ago I decided to move up a notch in quality and bought a set of SO flank drives, a set of ratchets in 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 drive, a set of extensions, and a set of 3/8 swivel sockets. Yes, they're nice, but after all the hype I heard over the past 20 years I expected more. They're good tools, but I won't spend that kind of money again. I believe the C-man polished professional wrenches are by far a better value, and easier to replace under warranty vs. waiting on a truck to show up. And I never thought I would say it, but the HF fine tooth composite ratchets are exceptional for the money, and I probably use them more than the SOs.

I keep trying to figure out why everyone thinks SO is so much better, but I haven't figured it out yet. I thought it would be obvious once I owned a few wrenches and ratchets, but it hasn't been. Maybe I'm a slow learner . . .

Dale

Craftsman professional wrenches are made by Armstrong and I believe Armstrong wrenches are as good as SO (not 4 times worst). Cman professional tools made by SK are not as good as SO (but still not 4 times worst).

 

[Salem747]

Thanks for all the ideas guys.

The two areas I was thinking about buying of the truck brands is screwdrivers and ratchets. The machining of a screwdriver is SOOOO important to keeping your fasteners from getting ruined and a ratchet is just such an important tool.

I just don't think I could justify the cost for some of the other things (wrenches, sockets, tool storage).

I realize this question is asked a lot but that's because it really deserves some air time, especially for us shadetree types.

 

[Zrexxer]

I realize this question is asked a lot

Oh, I don't know about that... not more than about once a week, anyway... lol.

 

[chicane]

I just had a quick look and the price for a Blue Point set from 3/8-1" is $169USD. Is it even physically or mathematically possible that the SO wrenches are 4 times better than the Craftsman ones?

The short answer they aren't 4 times better but you will be hard pressed to find a "premium" tool owner that won't try to convince you otherwise. I think the best tool these jobber carry is the mind control ray emanating from their truck saying: "Buy more overpriced tools, Buy more overpriced tools"

 

[LincolnCont.]

As far as Dead Blow Hammers go I think I'm pretty much sold on Snap-On ever since I witnessed what my new co-worker put his through and survived without a scratch! I work on industrial equip and through the years i've seen countless Nupla, Westward, and Harbor Freight shredded to bits by the side fins of large electric motors being hit side to side to bring a pump and motor into alignment when the motor base has no jack bolts to properly move it. Albeit they are made of the black rubber and softer than the Urethane but even those solid orange Stanley's(which are pretty freakin tough) dont last that long. Havent ever used any from Mac, CornW, Or Matco so I can't make a comparison to those brands.