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Snap-On "NOT GUAR" marking

bmwpower

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Got a good deal on a 60's complete set of standard flare nut wrenches. On the 3 smaller wrenches, there is a marking "NOT GUAR". I assume this means "NOT GUARANTEED". What's up with that? Are the smaller wrenches made today also not guaranteed?
 
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kartracer55

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government issue(military) Sold much cheaper without warranty.

I was talking to my uncle as an airforce mechanic in guam during vietnam, and he said if you broke a tool or lost it YOU had to replace it so when you turned in your toolbox at the end of your career it was full like when you started... he said older guys just "borrowed" stuff from the newer guys in a big cycle

Jim
 
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bmwpower

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I thought it was supposed to be a "G" for government?
 

kartracer55

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only for those certain years... According to my uncle when he was in the airforce if the tool broke you had to buy it (or pay for some of it or something) they didnt get warrantied just chucked.

Maybe there were other times when this was the case... where did you get them and how old are they?

Jim
 
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bmwpower

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My father picked them up at an auction for like $30 I think. They're dated over various years - '64, '65, '66, '67 I think.... they don't look like they've ever been used.
 

kartracer55

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hey then why not use them... i doubt the quality will be any different from a regular snap on tool, they were probably just bought cheaper because they didnt have a warranty
 
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bmwpower

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Oh, I'm definitely going to use them. Thanks for the info.
 

krooser

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I remember back in the 60's certain size tools weren't warranted...I think 'cuz they were pretty fragile and prone to abuse from cheater bars, hammers, etc.
 
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bmwpower

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krooser said:
I remember back in the 60's certain size tools weren't warranted...I think 'cuz they were pretty fragile and prone to abuse from cheater bars, hammers, etc.

That makes more sense. They are the smaller 3 of the entire set that are marked. The large ones are not marked.
 

iiibdsiil

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Are they still doing this? How big is the G supposed to be? I have a set of small wrenches that have a G with a circle around it (I think), but it's pretty big, takes up most of the space from the bottom of the open part of the wrench to where the handle starts.
 

gotta56forme

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Guys,

I need a little help with a reality check... I bought four snap-on flare wrenches on ebay recently (my first ebay tool purchase). When they arrived tonight they had a 'Not Guar' stamped on the back that was not shown in the photos. They also have a little surface rust, but I think I can overlook that. They are also a little more well loved than the ad suggested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0&_trksid=m39&_nkw=390129577468&_fvi=1&_rdc=1

I paid $35 to my door. I've read the few threads here with the 'Not Guar' markings, and I'm trying figure out if I should have been told about the 'Not Guar' or if the seller had a responsibility to mention it. I suppose since I bought them used, I shouldn't have any expectations of a warranty, but I decided to pursue a set of snap-on flare wrenches over the craftsman ones I was originally going to buy, because of poor feedback on the C-man's. Poor feedback or not, I would have had a warranty.

I'm trying to gauge whether or not this was really a good purchase after all...

Thoughts?
 

krusty the clown

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Guys,

I need a little help with a reality check... I bought four snap-on flare wrenches on ebay recently (my first ebay tool purchase). When they arrived tonight they had a 'Not Guar' stamped on the back that was not shown in the photos. They also have a little surface rust, but I think I can overlook that. They are also a little more well loved than the ad suggested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0&_trksid=m39&_nkw=390129577468&_fvi=1&_rdc=1

I paid $35 to my door. I've read the few threads here with the 'Not Guar' markings, and I'm trying figure out if I should have been told about the 'Not Guar' or if the seller had a responsibility to mention it. I suppose since I bought them used, I shouldn't have any expectations of a warranty, but I decided to pursue a set of snap-on flare wrenches over the craftsman ones I was originally going to buy, because of poor feedback on the C-man's. Poor feedback or not, I would have had a warranty.

I'm trying to gauge whether or not this was really a good purchase after all...

Thoughts?

the seller should have mentioned that, but for $35 i would use them and be glad i got them that cheap.
 

tonydanzah

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for $35 bucks I think you got a good deal.

those wrenches have the exact same body as some thorsen wrenches i have. Did thorsen used to make some wrench for snap on?
 
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Bull

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The seller should have included that info, yes.

But for $35 you should sleep soundly! What is the likelihood you are going to wear one out in the course of your using them, anyway?
 

Rigmaster

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I have one of those 1/2x9/16 SO Flare nut wrenches too, with "Not Guar" stamped on it.

Seems like they sold alot of flare nut wrenches with that stamping, since I don't remember seeing anyone who had and combo wrenches, sockets or ratchets with it......

I found mine under the hood of my old boss's car, he was having problems with it running like ****- so he took it to a local shop to be worked on- they did a bunch of stuff to it, but it still ran like ****- especially when cold. One cold night as we were leaving work, he asked me to take a look at it, I found the coolant temp sensor unplugged- plugged it in and it ran like a champ!! Plus I found this wrench on the radiator support- he said I could have it, he was just so happy to have his car running right again.

;)
 
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Zrexxer

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I shouldn't have any expectations of a warranty, but I decided to pursue a set of snap-on flare wrenches over the craftsman ones I was originally going to buy, because of poor feedback on the C-man's. Poor feedback or not, I would have had a warranty.
Tools that don't break are better than any warranty. If you use those wrenches as they're intended to be used, they'll likely last you the rest of your life. Use 'em and be happy with them.
 

T56 Impala

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"NOT GUAR" is a post WWII marking for government/military issue tools. "G" is a date mark used on Government/military issue tools made, per Snap On dating charts, in 1945. I only have a little info on Snap On war tools as I am a Plomb collector of that era. From what *I* have seen, Snap On didn't make many war era/miliraty tools.

Please, correct me or educate me if my information is wrong. This is all I have been able to learn so far. Again, I haven't looked deep into their War time efforts.
 

J.A.F.E.

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T56 as far as I can tell you are correct.

G was a date code for 1945. E was a date code for 1944. Military issue stuff as far as I know was either marked "Not Guar" or had a separate part number (like the flat ratchets such as the FV-70, which also seem to carry no date code, at least on any I've seen).
 

devilphrog

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None of the Snap On tools I used working on Helicopters for the past 5 years ever were marked "Not Guaranteed." Our tool kits/ boxes were not built by Snap On, so that may have had something to do with the labeling as tools were being replaced with Snappy as they broke/wore out.
 

mrshaun

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well guys in the 40-50 they had tools that were meant for one year of use in the war on the battle field. They put a V for victory in most part numbers.
that has since changed of course and the government and industrial customers all use the same tools. ( some industrial tools look different and they have access to other stuff)
I get the tools on a monthly basis and have to repeat the story over and over.
you might find a government rep to warranty them for you if you ever have a problem, but good luck finding one. ( the govt rep is one of my best customers )
 

Red Green

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Guys,

I need a little help with a reality check... I bought four snap-on flare wrenches on ebay recently (my first ebay tool purchase). When they arrived tonight they had a 'Not Guar' stamped on the back that was not shown in the photos. They also have a little surface rust, but I think I can overlook that. They are also a little more well loved than the ad suggested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0&_trksid=m39&_nkw=390129577468&_fvi=1&_rdc=1

I paid $35 to my door. I've read the few threads here with the 'Not Guar' markings, and I'm trying figure out if I should have been told about the 'Not Guar' or if the seller had a responsibility to mention it. I suppose since I bought them used, I shouldn't have any expectations of a warranty, but I decided to pursue a set of snap-on flare wrenches over the craftsman ones I was originally going to buy, because of poor feedback on the C-man's. Poor feedback or not, I would have had a warranty.

I'm trying to gauge whether or not this was really a good purchase after all...

Thoughts?

As the other guys said the seller should have said they were marked. But I doubt that you will ever have any issue with those wrenches if you use them correctly. :thumbup: I think that is still a good price from them.
 

devilphrog

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Yeah mrshaun, our Gov't Rep from my active duty time sucked even when my workcenter tried to get a custom foam cut set/ laser engraved tool system (read: over 50k in one shop in one shot) put together through him. Instead of giving him his commission or even our business, which we got the A-OK from the command to build it... instead we had to build it piece by piece through FedLog, and the kitting was never completed when I got out; dunno if they ever finished the project.
 

gotta56forme

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Thank you to those of you who offered your thoughts. I'm not prone to misusing tools (except for old/cheap screwdrivers) so I'm sure you're right that the tool will meet my needs over my lifetime. I'll trust your judgement that I still made a good buy.

Finding the unexpected 'NOT GUAR' on the back of each wrench did take away a little of my satisfaction in my purchase. I decided to mention this to the seller, and am awaiting his/her reply.

Like I mentioned before, my thoughts were I probably should have no expectation of a warranty on a used tool. For future reference, is the lifetime warranty on typical S-O tools transferrable or really only available to the original purchaser?

Thanks again,

Scott/Gotta56forme
 
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caper

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According to their policy it isn't transferable from the original purchaser but most dealers will warranty stuff you bought used as long as your not bringing them piles of stuff you bought broken at flee markets etc all the time.I've never had an issue with warranty but I try to be reasonable as well.
 

Skyline

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hey then why not use them... i doubt the quality will be any different from a regular snap on tool, they were probably just bought cheaper because they didnt have a warranty

Are you kidding???

We're talking about the US Military here....they probably paid tripple!
 

mrshaun

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they paid less. and yes the quality is the same and they last for years under normal use

I warranty the tools my customers bring to me.
If you bring a massive pile that I know you got out of the pawn shop or the flea market I will gripe at you, but will still take care of you.
when we deny warranty the customers call snap on and ***** and complain so bad that the big shots call everyone until we get the problem taken care of.,
Now if you run it over with a tank its yours.... lol.... guy asked me to give him a new screwdriver after a tank flattened it. He got pissed and called everyone in snap on and everyone told him to go away....
 

nate379

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Our sucked as well, to the point that I ended up **** canning Snap On and went with Matco. He was bad enough I called Snap On HQ and talked to the gov. rep up there. Things changed for a little while, but it didn't last.

Snap On guy would never show up, wouldn't return calls or emails, kept a bunch of our warranty tools, then claimed he never got them. Would deny warranty on all sorts of stuff with b/s excuses. I don't know if they just don't have a vested interest in selling stuff like the guys with the tool truck or what.

The Matco rep FLEW in from Ohio to visit and help us out with 3 toolboxes & tools for them.... about 15k each. This was after I called him and gave him a rundown. He was an retired Air Force guy too, so he had a good idea how things worked for us.

To warranty something, I just called him and he shipped out a new one along with a UPS label. Throw the old on in the box and send it off. He didn't care if we abused it or whatever, not that we really abused tools the same way a mechanic in a shop might anyhow.


devilphrog I don't even know how the hell you ordered a toolbox worth of tools from FedLog. That program is a PITA even when you have a part number for something! The supply system is worse than trying to figure out how the world began :shocking::bounce:

Yeah mrshaun, our Gov't Rep from my active duty time sucked even when my workcenter tried to get a custom foam cut set/ laser engraved tool system (read: over 50k in one shop in one shot) put together through him. Instead of giving him his commission or even our business, which we got the A-OK from the command to build it... instead we had to build it piece by piece through FedLog, and the kitting was never completed when I got out; dunno if they ever finished the project.
 

gotta56forme

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Update: The seller and I chatted by e-mail about the undocumented 'NOT GUAR' on my tool purchase. He offered a sincere apology for the oversight and offered a few different ideas to resolve my minor dissatisfaction. Because he took responsibility for the situation, I chose to pass on his offers of a full or partial refund. Just knowing that he was willing to work through the situation, was enough for me (I was not so fortunate with a different ebay seller a few years ago, with regards to an autopart which had left me a careful & somewhat cynical buyer). To help ensure I was happy with my purchasing experience, he chose on his own to refund my shipping fee, which I thought was more than fair. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Again, thank you to all for your knowledge and insights...

sidenote: Caper... you have the most distracting avatar of anyone on this site...:thumbup:
 
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Rigmaster

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Update: The seller and I chatted by e-mail about the undocumented 'NOT GUAR' on my tool purchase. He offered a sincere apology for the oversight and offered a few different ideas to resolve my minor dissatisfaction. Because he took responsibility for the situation, I chose to pass on his offers of a full or partial refund. Just knowing that he was willing to work through the situation, was enough for me (I was not so fortunate with a different ebay seller a few years ago, with regards to an autopart which had left me a careful & somewhat cynical buyer). To help ensure I was happy with my purchasing experience, he chose on his own to refund my shipping fee, which I thought was more than fair. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Again, thank you to all for your knowledge and insights...

sidenote: Caper... you have the most distracting avatar of anyone on this site...:thumbup:


Sounds like an honorable seller- I've found that most Ebay sellers are reasonable in situations like this, especially if you keep your calm and just tell them that you were a bit disappointed about the transaction.


And yes, Caper does have a quite, um, distracting avatar for sure....... O Canada indeed!!!!!! ;)
 
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