Snap-on or Craftsman???

[Fatandre]

Hi guys. I am about to start buying some tools here in Poland but getting tools is hard when it comes to the American ones like Snap on or Craftsman. You have any recommendations. Maybe something european?
I am all new to this and want to know your opinion.

I like to stick with one brand.

Have you heard of Bahco?

 

[mrholeshot]

Bahco is a Snap-On owned company. Some of their tools are quite nice but I can't speak for the entire line

 

[oldjacks]

You might try contacting mechanics in your area who would have a handle on the best tools available to you. They are the ones using them day in and day out and I am sure they will be a good source of info for you.

 

[tonydanzah]

polnad does share a border with germany, i would probably go that route

 

[Fatandre]

polnad does share a border with germany, i would probably go that route

What do you mean?
German tools?

 

[lauver]

Send a PM to Monte on this site or see his thread "Tools from the old world" . He may be able to advise you on the Euro tools.

 

[Fatandre]

Ok, sweet. But it would be nice to see what more people have to say

 

[spongerich]

I have some Beta tools. They're (mostly) made in Italy and the ones I have seem to be excellent quality. In particular, the chrome on their sockets is mirror like and even better than what I've gotten from Snap-On. I think they're fairly widely distributed in Europe.

 

[diesel research]

I'm not sure asking a "mechanic" would be a reliable indicator either. Having lived in germany and never hearing/seeing the names of hazet or stahlwille should tell you something. LOTS of cheap tools that make HF look like gold there.

 

[Tom2]

Just depends what you can afford. If money isn't too much of an object, I'd go Snap-On. If money is tight, go C-man or similar.

I broke 2 Craftsman deep walls last week doing front end work on my truck.. Not the greatest quality by any means.. but at least with a Sears in about every mall, they're easy to exchange.

 

[diesel research]

There is not a sears in every mall in Poland.

Had the same experience while using snap on there. Never saw a tool truck.

 

[Fatandre]

Diesel, youve been in Poland?

 

[diesel research]

No, that was an assumption based on living "next door" for a few years.

The snap on experience was also "next door".

If I am wrong, please correct me.

 

[Fatandre]

No, that was an assumption based on living "next door" for a few years.

The snap on experience was also "next door".

If I am wrong, please correct me.

I see. Germany is pretty glose and I really like it there. Just cannt deside what tools do I want. I bought a one 3/8 set from snap one one your ago and basically love it. I had a friend take it from the US, but I will go broke if I try shipping it and so on. Thats why I am trying to find a better solution. Maybe something european?

 

[Davefr]

If I were you I'd get a US address from one of the many forwarding services and then buy on Ebay and the classifieds.

It would probably be a lot cheaper in the long run and open up many more possibilities.

 

[billymade]

I don't see how you could go wrong with German tools: stahlwille, hazet, gedore,

http://www.stahlwille.com/

http://www.hazet.com/

http://www.gedore.de/en/index.html

Snap-On does have a polish division and offices all over europe; maybe contact them for more info and how much they would be buying them there? If you get serious about buying snapon; you should be buy them here and ship them to poland.... I'm sure you could save allot of money!

http://www.snapon.com/international/europe.asp#twentyfour


POLAND
Snap-on Tools
International, LLC.
European Division
Office - North
e-mail: European Division North
([email protected])

I don't speak polish but it does look like their are some Snap-On dealers out there..

http://pl.search.yahoo.com/search;_...snap+on+tools&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-740-s&rd=r2

 

[eborcim]

Maybe you should become a Snap-On dealer in Poland

 

[Fatandre]

I dont think so. This is more of a hobby.
So you say no to Craftsman.

 

[Fatandre]

I don't see how you could go wrong with German tools: stahlwille, hazet, gedore,

http://www.stahlwille.com/

http://www.hazet.com/

http://www.gedore.de/en/index.html

Snap-On does have a polish division and offices all over europe; maybe contact them for more info and how much they would be buying them there? If you get serious about buying snapon; you should be buy them here and ship them to poland.... I'm sure you could save allot of money!

http://www.snapon.com/international/europe.asp#twentyfour


POLAND
Snap-on Tools
International, LLC.
European Division
Office - North
e-mail: European Division North
([email protected])

I don't speak polish but it does look like their are some Snap-On dealers out there..

http://pl.search.yahoo.com/search;_...snap+on+tools&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-740-s&rd=r2

I tryed to send them a email, but get a delivery failure notification :/

 

[Geared]

Craftsman is the best bang for the buck. You'll go broke buying snapon tools. (I know) just as an example: swivel sockets 1/4 metric 6 piece craftsman average $50.00 USA lifetime warranty. Snapon swivel sockets 1/4 metric 12 set average 470.00 USA lifetime warranty.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Hi guys. I am about to start buying some tools here in Poland but getting tools is hard when it comes to the American ones like Snap on or Craftsman. You have any recommendations. Maybe something european?
I am all new to this and want to know your opinion.

I like to stick with one brand.

Have you heard of Bahco?

If you have a hard time finding an Snap-On dealer, you can always try to buy on e-bay, or try to get hold of a dealer in a country nearby.

If you decide to go the european route, Bahco is great quality for the money.

 

[Fatandre]

Ok. Bahco, Beta or Craftsman?
And dont look at the warranty, cus I wont be getting one

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Ok. Bahco, Beta or Craftsman?
And dont look at the warranty, cus I wont be getting one

Hands down Bahco, & you don´t have to worry to much about the warranty!

 

[Fatandre]

I think I will get myself a starter set of bahco and then just tryto buy some snap on ones on the bay. Have to have something so I can work with.

 

[diesel research]

Craftsman is the best bang for the buck. You'll go broke buying snapon tools. (I know) just as an example: swivel sockets 1/4 metric 6 piece craftsman average $50.00 USA lifetime warranty. Snapon swivel sockets 1/4 metric 12 set average 470.00 USA lifetime warranty.

In a case like this, it is NOT about the warranty. i'd rather have a tool with a 14 day warranty, but of better quality, than a triple life time warranty with lesser quality.

Why? When you have tool trucks driving all over BUT also have malls all over, you can enjoy the luxary of exchanging tools under warranty.

What if, just imagine, there was NO sears store within a thousand miles? Would it still be such a bargain?

Sure you can mail in for warranty, but what will you use to put your brake caliper back on in the mean time?

Let's face it. The current run of cman sockets are not all that great. Ratchets that come in the kits aren't too exciting either. Specialty bits and screw drivers aren't anything too great either. Raised panel wrenches, I'll pass.

What does craftsman have that turns some heads on a budget? Premium ratchets and "professional" wrenches. Their swivel impacts may also get some recognition.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

I think I will get myself a starter set of bahco and then just tryto buy some snap on ones on the bay. Have to have something so I can work with.

That´s a good decision.
I worked for many years as a tech at a BMW dealership using almost only Bahco, & never had a problem with the tools.
Then when i started my own independent BMW shop i did the Snap-On route...

 

[Fatandre]

That´s a good decision.
I worked for many years as a tech at a BMW dealership using almost only Bahco, & never had a problem with the tools.
Then when i started my own independent BMW shop i did the Snap-On route...

You have a BMW shop?
Thats nice. I am currently restoring this car

Would you say 80$ ould be a good price for this rathcet. Its 1/4"

 

[canuckian]

^^^ not a great deal IMO. i just bought a TL72 (same thing only non-flex but brand new for $35 from Ebay). Unless you have a store nearby, I wouldn't bother with Craftsman because it wouldn't be cost effective to pay to import it from the states. You'd chew up all the money you saved by buying Craftsman in shipping and duties. I'd pick a european company that's readily available to you (Wera, Wiha, Stahwille, Hazet, Bahco, etc etc) and if you want a few Snap On pieces, keep an eye on Ebay. I'm pretty sure that if you have Snap On in Poland, then if you had a warranty issue, you could do like we can do in North America and send the busted tool in to them for warranty replacement.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

You have a BMW shop?
Thats nice. I am currently restoring this car

Would you say 80$ ould be a good price for this rathcet. Its 1/4"

I closed the business about ten years ago. But I´ve just bought back my Snap-On tools. But now I´m just working out of my garage at home (for fun), mostly with E31´s & older M Power cars...

About that ratchet, I think it´s a little pricey, a new one retails for about $82 + tax.

Btw, I think I know that car from another forum!?
Good luck with the restoration.

 

[shampoop]

I would never buy craftsman if there was not a store close by.

 

[billymade]

Why don't you try emailing customer service; they should be able to help you...

http://www.snapon.com/international/Customerserv.asp

 

[Jeffvette]

Andre, what are you looking to buy?

Nice looking 8 Series. V8 or 12?

 

[thrifty bill]

If I were you I'd get a US address from one of the many forwarding services and then buy on Ebay and the classifieds.

It would probably be a lot cheaper in the long run and open up many more possibilities.

+1 This is an easy way to buy off of ebay with a "USA" address. Just check with the forwarding service on what they will charge to send you a box load.

+1 Tool choice depends a lot on budget. Snap On tools are great, but they are also very expensive.

 

[Skin]

What does craftsman have that turns some heads on a budget? Premium ratchets and "professional" wrenches. Their swivel impacts may also get some recognition.

i'd not tell someone to concentrate on a brand they cant warranty but theres a bit more to Cman than ratchets, wrenches, and swivel impacts.

Pro Screwdrivers/Torx
Pry Bars
Flex aka U-Joint sockets
Extension Set 1/4-1/2 [no knurling but its cheap and of good quality]
Pliers/Cutters are decent
Bit Socket sets
USA made reversible ratcheting wrenches
Cross-Force wrenches

i'm sure i could think of more. Someone could do a hell of a lot worse or spend a lot [and i mean a LOT] more getting the same product from another brand. And there are of course cheaper import routes also.


As far as Bahco goes, just watch that you dont pay a premium for Taiwan tools as there are quite a few Taiwan Bahco tools floating around.

 

[Fatandre]

Andre, what are you looking to buy?

Nice looking 8 Series. V8 or 12?

Its a V12.

To start with I want to get a 1/2" set. I think thats a good starters set.

 

[Fatandre]

As far as Bahco goes, just watch that you dont pay a premium for Taiwan tools as there are quite a few Taiwan Bahco tools floating around.

So you are saying that there are Bahco fakes?

 

[Skin]

not fakes, legitimate Bahco tools made in Taiwan. They're owned by the JH Williams divison of SO and as such are subject to outsourcing on some products/lines.