snap on or cornwell

[bayoutoolguy]

I had mentioned a while back that I had found a Mac dealer about 80 miles from where I live, I've come to my senses and realized even though I like Mac tools and their quality, its just not feasible to go that far when I have a Snap On and Cornwell guy 35 miles away, and also a Snap On guy that passes locally every Monday. I bought a mac socket set and a ratchet, but that will be it for my mac purchases unless someone pops up local. I'll def be going Snap on for ratchets, but if you guys had to pick between SO and Cornwell for hardline stuff (sockets, screwdrivers, etc) which would you go with? I'll be buying little by little, Id like to get a complete 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 set SAE and metric set 6 and 12 point. Does Cornwell make sockets other than the ones that only have the hole for the detent ball on one side? Thats what deters me from buying Cornwell sockets.

 

[Skin]

As much as I like Cornwell, Snap-On sells nicer products. They have better ratchets, better sockets (all types) and a much larger selection of wrenches. In just about every other tool category Cornwell is rebranding (Kabo ratcheting wrenches, VIM bit sockets, Waterloo tool storage, Witte screwdrivers etc..)

The one thing Cornwell has going for them, and its a big one to most people, is much better pricing. If you shop off their fliers you can pick up sockets, wrenches, ratchets etc... for about half of what Snap-On wants. So yes while Snap-On products are generally nicer, they're not worth twice the price, at least in my experience.

 

[texasfiremedic]

In my opinion both are great products. For the most part it is a matter of preference. I don't think that either company will be going anywhere anytime soon. My question does the hole for the detent ball really disturb you that much and why?

 

[Scout Driver]

Why pick one when you can have both?? Take a firsthand look at both dealers offerings. A lot of people would love to have the option of Cornwell. Climb on both trucks and buy what suits you from either one.

Scott

 

[zkdiesel]

Snap on sockets and torq bits are way better than cornwell. The kids cornwells break off at work the. Comes borrows my snap on to remove same bolt

 

[CWP1616L]

Does Cornwell make sockets other than the ones that only have the hole for the detent ball on one side?

That's a good question. I haven't had a chance to look at any Cornwell sockets within the last 10 years. But if you were asking about combination wrenches or ratchets, I'd be advising you to take a serious look at Cornwell because of the fantastic comfort they provide.

 

[Skin]

In my opinion both are great products. For the most part it is a matter of preference. I don't think that either company will be going anywhere anytime soon. My question does the hole for the detent ball really disturb you that much and why?

Modern sockets have scalloped areas at each of the four sides for the ball to secure the socket to. Because of the antiquated design Cornwell uses if you don't line up the single hole to the ball the sockets can slide right off the drive end with relatively little pressure. Ever have a ratchet buried in an engine bay or a socket on a long extension you couldn't possibly get your hand into? Those are areas you definitely don't want your sockets simply popping off the drive tool.

I use to have a quarter inch drive set of import sockets that had no means for retention, not even a single hole like Cornwell has. They didn't stay long. Every time i'd pull the ratchet away from a fastener the socket would try to slip off.

 

[rusty65]

Cornwell has good impact sockets from what I have heard but there chrome sockets leave something to be desired when used. If I were you I would at least pick up one Cornwell ratchet because they are very comfortable and smooth to use.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[Brownsfan]

Wrenches Cornwell. Everything else snap on. Although I absolutely LOVE my Jr72 and Tr42 ratchets. The Tr42 is 3/8 ratchet in a 1/4 body. Don't count out Cornwell for ratchets. The 72t ratchets and even the 30t ratchets are some of the smoothest strongest you will every use.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a couple of cornwell ratchets.
both short/stubby 1/4"dr & 3/8" dr in a 1/4" body

they both work, but the 1/4" dr head is a little bulky....

picked one out of a bunch of **** at a flea mkt, it needed rebuilt, but for $1 i didnt mind.

 

[RV77]

Snap-on has better resale value than any another tool brand except for the german stuff.Should you need to ever sell.

 

[shockwave]

I have experienced the opposite for sockets I so like cornwell and the ones with the single hole on them is cornwell own sockets and for chrome metric in 3/8 offers the broadest range from truck brands and I have broken more snap on sockets and ratchets than any of my cornwell stuff. But on a side note snap on is much better to deal with on warranty reasons. But stay away from there blue power line they are the same as matco adv line

 

[bobcatdan]

I have several Cornwell sockets and have no problems with sockets falling off. I have used their sockets for years before reading here that I should have an issue with their design and I don't..

 

[Chuck122]

The way I shop is looking at the products and picking the one I prefer. If you hop on the cornwell truck and figure you like their wrenches better then the snap on's go for it and so on for every tool purchase

 

[Honda guy]

Cornwell has some nice stuff but I haven't seen anything that I thought really stood head & shoulders above SO. I do like their screwdrivers (rebranded Witte. Made in Germany), but I ended up getting mine off the Matco truck.

One thing I would consider, is the ease of getting something warrantied. It's a lot easier to find a SO dealer, than a Cornwell dealer. at least in my area.

 

[Wrapitinbacon]

^i agree with the ease of warranty, there are SO dealers everywhere.

 

[Terra Nova]

I am a Cornwell fan, mainly because I like stuff that's not mainstream but still quality, cool, etc. (why I have a '68 Bronco instead of a Jeep).

Anyhow a couple very good points were made for Snap-on and that's warranty replacement and resale. Snap-on will sell faster and for more than Cornwell.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I choose both. I buy from Cornwell stuff that I dont use a lot but its nice having when I need it like hex/torx bit sockets, torque adapters, broken tap extractors, magnetic light holders ect, ect . Small stuff like that that would cost me double or more if I bought it from Snap On.

Also the warranty is a valid point. I can call the Snap On guy any day of the working week and he is somewhere in the city relatively close. The Cornwell guy travels to other small town around us so its a break and wait situation.

 

[jvitez]

Get one of each. I like variety, but I specifically picked different companies for my sockets so I instantly know which it is, ie Gray Canada is 3/8 metric, Armstrong is 1/2 SAE, Snap On is 3/8 SAE, etc.

I've got multiple companies worth of wrenches but my favorite is Cornwell. They have a thicker very comfortable beam, but still a thin box end to get into tight places. Snap On wrenches have sharp beams.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have never once considered resale or ease of warranty when buying a tool EVER. I buy the best I can get at the time. I have never bought something and thought well this will sell for more if I sell it. Nobody I know thinks this. It's only this forum that brought it to my attention. It's only on this forum that resale value and are factored into tool purchase decisions. All that said. I should probably sell some stuff. I have piled up 34 ratchets since 1996. Why I have that many ratchets I have no idea.

 

[Davefr]

At least get the Cornwell ratchets. They're the best there is!!!

 

[Chuck122]

I have never once considered resale or ease of warranty when buying a tool EVER. I buy the best I can get at the time. I have never bought something and thought well this will sell for more if I sell it. Nobody I know thinks this. It's only this forum that brought it to my attention. It's only on this forum that resale value and are factored into tool purchase decisions. All that said. I should probably sell some stuff. I have piled up 34 ratchets since 1996. Why I have that many ratchets I have no idea.

I have to disagree on the resale value point. For a pro mechanic that can accumulate over tens of thousands of dollars worth of tool in his career, it is nice to know that when he retires, he can sell his tools and have some return on his investment. If can get an extra 5 000 of retirement money, it's kind of nice

 

[d.mcfarland]

The SO comfort handles are better than Cornwell's, but Cornwell metal handles are better than SO in my opinion.

 

[NHBandit]

Cornwell has good stuff. That said I have been a professional mechanic for 40 years and just recently retired. In all the time there was ALWAYS a Snap On guy close by to take care of warranty issues, sell me more stuff, etc. Cornwell on the other hand has a huge turnover in dealers with long gaps in between where there was nobody available. Just my experience. It may not be that way in your area.

 

[Hammer1963]

Easy. Go with both of them.

 

[Farmall450]

Cornwell has good impact sockets from what I have heard but there chrome sockets leave something to be desired when used. If I were you I would at least pick up one Cornwell ratchet because they are very comfortable and smooth to use.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

And indestructible.

 

[Wakefield]

Does the socket with the hole for the detant ball,if you line that hole up with the ball,hold on better (not pull off so easy from the square drive) than a socket that just has the scallops?

 

[genevabuck]

I am pretty much a MAC guy, but generally I go with who ever gives me the better deal. I'm not a truck *****. I plan to retire.

 

[fxgmech]

I have to disagree on the resale value point. For a pro mechanic that can accumulate over tens of thousands of dollars worth of tool in his career, it is nice to know that when he retires, he can sell his tools and have some return on his investment. If can get an extra 5 000 of retirement money, it's kind of nice

I'm retiring soon but still buying tools. (I may last only another day or it may be 10 years; it depends what my bones tell me). Resale value is now the second thing I think about after it has long been ignored completely. (First is reduction of repetitive stress because I like working with my tools more than breaking me or selling them.) Now, of course, I wish all I have is Snap-on instead of the as-needed mix I could afford at the time.
I first heard of Cornwell a few decades ago and spent some $ to establish an account with dealers but have been disappointed every time as I moved from shop to shop. Same thing with Mac for the last 20 years. Seems to me both brand's dealers have cash-flow problems and can only sell the small stock that's already on the truck or wait for the shipment next week.
Now, if I've got to put out the effort to do my homework and still wait I may as well shop online, for Snap-on when it's critical or trace the Blue-Point, Matco, etc to the source (Lisle, OTC, etc) and save a few bucks.

 

[KEH]

The Cornwell ratchets are simple, rugged, and are machined precisely so that they are smooth in operation even though not being ine tooth ratchets. The older SO ratchets had the pushbutton option, Cornwells don't . The new J72 (I may have the model number wrong) have the body forged and machined in the US, and the insides imported, according to someone I called at the Cornwell factory on another matter.

The Dual 80 SO ratchets are in a class by themselves, IMO. I guess resale value is very good. For information's sake only I saw a SLF80?, I think that's the model number, used in a pawn shop. Long handle 1/2 drive flex ratchet. No USA on it. Sticker price $99, he said a few weeks ago he would take $90, claimed new price was over $200, I haven't checked catalog price since I'm not interested in buying it. He also has a SO torque wrench for $99.

KEH

 

[wrenchr]

They are both solid choices.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

How about Ebay, no need to travel and 1/2 the price period?

 

[CWP1616L]

The SO comfort handles are better than Cornwell's, but Cornwell metal handles are better than SO in my opinion.

I agree. The Snap-on metal handles have those sharp turned grooves that cut into my middle finger. I wish Snap-on would at least de-bur those grooves before they ship the ratchets out.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

They are both solid choices.

^This^

 

[RV77]

I have to disagree on the resale value point. For a pro mechanic that can accumulate over tens of thousands of dollars worth of tool in his career, it is nice to know that when he retires, he can sell his tools and have some return on his investment. If can get an extra 5 000 of retirement money, it's kind of nice

Exactly Chuck.....I never considered the amount of money im investing in the profession until I got older.I wont sell all my tools when I retire but probably the specialty tools will go to a young wrencher who I think is respectful,committed to the career and appreciates a great deal on quality tools.

Another point about Snap-on resale.....Look thru the classifieds here and any ad with Snap-on in the headline has three times as many views as the others.......People know quality.

Dont think im a salesman..I have been burned by buying junk tools early in my career and w/ the internet I research just about everything I buy these days.

 

[Skin]

I have to disagree on the resale value point. For a pro mechanic that can accumulate over tens of thousands of dollars worth of tool in his career, it is nice to know that when he retires, he can sell his tools and have some return on his investment. If can get an extra 5 000 of retirement money, it's kind of nice

Another point about Snap-on resale.....Look thru the classifieds here and any ad with Snap-on in the headline has three times as many views as the others.......People know quality.

Hate to burst your balloon but buying cheap initially is the best way to gain money in the long run. Plus i dont know where other people are looking but on Ebay Snap-On tools with 30-40 years of use on them don't fetch a whole lot of dough, good resale is generally limited to the recent production stuff in new or like new condition and even then its 50%. Quick math example just to show what im talking about

Cornwell wrench set, lets say you buy it for $200. The equivalent snap-on set is $350. You use them for a few decades then go to sell. The Snap-On set might fetch $80-$100 while the cornwell set might get $50. In the end you would of come out $150 light in the wallet with the Cornwell set and $250+ lighter in the wallet going for Snap-On. This is also without adjusting for inflation.

Point being, if you can save considerably at the time of purchase, take the savings and do something smart with it, like investing it into your retirement because frankly put, there is no such thing as a good tool investment and buying the most expensive thing going is definitely not going to do you any favors on the flip. Resale is a losing game regardless of the brand but you can minimize your losses by being smart with your money from the get go.

I never considered the amount of money im investing in the profession until I got older

Unfortunately that's a problem most up and comers will experience. Any mechanic, especially ones that aren't earning a very good wage (which is most of them), would be damn smart to actually shop in the Taiwanese brands these days. Doing something like just getting the basics the savings between building a set around a brand like Gearwrench as opposed to the trucks is mind boggling. Even if your GW tools are worthless after you're done with them you'd still come out on top by far. Its that much of a price discrepancy between the brands.

 

[bayoutoolguy]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I will get back on here later to discuss it more, just getting off of work going get some rest

 

[bayoutoolguy]

I know theyre both quality brands, Ill most likely go with snap on sockets, and ill compare snap on to cornwells wrenches. whos the better choice for screwdrivers?

 

[MJB24]

I know theyre both quality brands, Ill most likely go with snap on sockets, and ill compare snap on to cornwells wrenches. whos the better choice for screwdrivers?

I think Screwdrivers is a big preference on feel. I only have a few Snap On flat heads and they seem like great drivers but I don't like the handle. I do not own any Cornwell ones but they look similar in shape and size to some others I have felt. I think you should hold both and decide from there.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have to disagree on the resale value point. For a pro mechanic that can accumulate over tens of thousands of dollars worth of tool in his career, it is nice to know that when he retires, he can sell his tools and have some return on his investment. If can get an extra 5 000 of retirement money, it's kind of nice

You can disagree that's fine. But I buy my tools to use and have no plans to sell any. So when choosing between a Cornwell ratchet and a snap on resale value never crosses my mind. My problem is I don't choose I buy both. Cornwell has some quality stuff but a lot of stuff is rebrands and Taiwan made. So be "choosey" because the same tool bought from the oem much cheaper. Example is their bit sockets. All made by Vim. I own a few Cornwell ratchets and have never had an issue. They are top quality.