Snap On Quality?

[kngelv]

In the past few years I've broken exactly two tools and both happened within the past few weeks. One was an 8mm Williams USA 1/4" drive socket that cracked holding the upper control arm ball joint of a 2005 Jaguar Vanden Plas while I torqued the securing nut. I used a Koken Zeal after this broke with no issues. The other was a 7/16 Snap-On nut driver that broke while twisting off a bolt on the top of a valve actuator. This was done by hand and I'm somewhat strong but not "that" strong. I've never seen anything like this before.

James

 

[tool_scrounge]

Have you exposed the handle to Loctite Thread locker compound? I have seen some rather spectacular failures of otherwise tough plastics when exposed to Loctite liquid or even fumes.

 

[kngelv]

Have you exposed the handle to Loctite Thread locker compound? I have seen some rather spectacular failures of otherwise tough plastics when exposed to Loctite liquid or even fumes.

I have not.

James

 

[ChefRex]

**** breaks when you use it, my SO has been outstanding, when it breaks I get a new one.

I can only imagine how many$ I have warrantied, did I pay up front? Yes but SO has been my only constant dealer.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

All that grip strength broke that handle!

 

[zendriver]

About how old is that driver?

Plastic does not necessarily last forever.

I did break a Snap On socket about 15 years ago, but I was yanking pretty hard on a stuck brake bolt.

 

[General Geoff]

I've never seen anything like this before.

That's what the lifetime warranty is for, both of those failures seem like defects in materials or craftsmanship and not abuse.

If the nut driver was made in the 20th century, I'd chalk it up to aging plastic and just buy a replacement.

 

[kngelv]

The nut driver came out of a brand new package last year. I guess I’m most shocked on how shallow the tang was. This happened in front of three other tradesmen at work.

James

 

[whateg01]

That's what the lifetime warranty is for, both of those failures seem like defects in materials or craftsmanship and not abuse.

If the nut driver was made in the 20th century, I'd chalk it up to aging plastic and just buy a replacement.

If I paid snap on prices because of their warranty, I would make them replace it. And I don't buy new snap on, warranty or not!

 

[Wamsutta]

Williams is not as easy as Snap-on. They'll want you to send the socket in.

As far as the nut driver goes, see if the customer service email portal will allow for uploading photo attachments.

I would say with that picture, it's a slam dunk for a replacement.

What's still not clear to me though is why you chose a 1/4'' drive socket for anything chassis related and I have no idea what a valve actuator looks like on a 2005 Jaguar Vanden Plas.

 

[KnurledNut]

What's still not clear to me though is why you chose a 1/4'' drive socket for anything chassis related

Looks like a 3/8 drive socket.

 

[johninct]

What's the problem. If something breaks, Snap-On just gives you a new one.

 

[scooby074]

That would be the worlds easiest replacement. No driver Ive ever had would question that. Cant speak to the Williams brand though

 

[d.mcfarland]

What's the problem. If something breaks, Snap-On just gives you a new one.

That's the whole argument that tool trucks will continue to be around. They deliver tools, provide warranty replacements, and finance all in one place.

 

[neophyte]

In the past few years I've broken exactly two tools and both happened within the past few weeks. One was an 8mm Williams USA 1/4" drive socket that cracked holding the upper control arm ball joint of a 2005 Jaguar Vanden Plas while I torqued the securing nut. I used a Koken Zeal after this broke with no issues. The other was a 7/16 Snap-On nut driver that broke while twisting off a bolt on the top of a valve actuator. This was done by hand and I'm somewhat strong but not "that" strong. I've never seen anything like this before.

James

These are two completely different types of failures.
One is a steel failure, so maybe that lot of sockets didn’t get annealed enough.

The other failure is a plastic resin failure.
I doubt Snap-On makes their own resin, which means the resin batch might have been bad, or Snap-On screwed ip on the injection molding, maybe by heating the resin ip too jot, causing the resin to become more brittle than expected. Another possibility is that the additives used to produced that particular color made the plastic mire brittle than other colors might have.
Those handles according to Google are dome sort of Acetate compound, and acetate handles usually last decades while still remaining impact resistant, so I doubt that is the issue.

As has been said, one of the main purposes of the tool truck brands is that warrantee replacements are supposedly given Readily, so maybe try that root.

 

[f121]

I’ve got a few of those spinners, but not broken any yet, despite getting dropped regularly. Guessing that’s a bad batch.

My most warrantied SO items are screwdriver tips (ph2 tips seem a lot softer than they used to be) and chisels. I’ve broken a few chrome sockets using them on the impact, they’re thinner walled and more fragile than my cheaper sockets.

 

[finn]

The nut driver came out of a brand new package last year. I guess I’m most shocked on how shallow the tang was. This happened in front of three other tradesmen at work.

James

It would have failed earlier if the tang was larger, as the cross section of the phenolic handle would be thinner with a bigger tang.

Either that or less ergonomic.

My guess is that there were residual stresses in the plastic from cooling too fast in the molding process, aka a manufacturing defect.

 

[finn]

Looks like a 3/8 drive socket.

Looks like 1/4” to me.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

That's the whole argument that tool trucks will continue to be around. They deliver tools, provide warranty replacements, and finance all in one place.

It is a good argument. In fact, that is why I chose Craftsman over other brands for 30+ years.. Of course, Craftsman was usually price competitive against most brands.
And we all thought Sears would be around “forever” to warranty the stuff.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Did Honda buy Snap-On?

 

[Skellyii]

In the past few years I've broken exactly two tools and both happened within the past few weeks. One was an 8mm Williams USA 1/4" drive socket that cracked holding the upper control arm ball joint of a 2005 Jaguar Vanden Plas while I torqued the securing nut. I used a Koken Zeal after this broke with no issues. The other was a 7/16 Snap-On nut driver that broke while twisting off a bolt on the top of a valve actuator. This was done by hand and I'm somewhat strong but not "that" strong. I've never seen anything like this before.

James

I've had a couple of Snap-On screwdrivers break just like that over the years, can't remember if I was doing anything special.
They were replaced, no questions asked.

 

[L.Cheapo]

In the past few years I've broken exactly two tools and both happened within the past few weeks. One was an 8mm Williams USA 1/4" drive socket that cracked holding the upper control arm ball joint of a 2005 Jaguar Vanden Plas while I torqued the securing nut. I used a Koken Zeal after this broke with no issues. The other was a 7/16 Snap-On nut driver that broke while twisting off a bolt on the top of a valve actuator. This was done by hand and I'm somewhat strong but not "that" strong. I've never seen anything like this before.

James

That handle looks like it's more brittle than it should be. Is that nut driver from one of the newer sets where all the handles are the same color?

 

[kngelv]

That handle looks like it's more brittle than it should be. Is that nut driver from one of the newer sets where all the handles are the same color?

No it was from one of the multicolor ones.

James

 

[kngelv]

These are two completely different types of failures.
One is a steel failure, so maybe that lot of sockets didn’t get annealed enough.

The other failure is a plastic resin failure.
I doubt Snap-On makes their own resin, which means the resin batch might have been bad, or Snap-On screwed ip on the injection molding, maybe by heating the resin ip too jot, causing the resin to become more brittle than expected. Another possibility is that the additives used to produced that particular color made the plastic mire brittle than other colors might have.
Those handles according to Google are dome sort of Acetate compound, and acetate handles usually last decades while still remaining impact resistant, so I doubt that is the issue.

As has been said, one of the main purposes of the tool truck brands is that warrantee replacements are supposedly given Readily, so maybe try that root.

There was a Snap-On truck a few blocks from my house last week. He would not warranty it, said to call Snap-On.

James

 

[kngelv]

Looks like a 3/8 drive socket.

I apologize - 100% a 3/8 drive. I used the Koken 1/4“ drive Zeal afterwards and it worked fine.

James

 

[kngelv]

What's still not clear to me though is why you chose a 1/4'' drive socket for anything chassis related and I have no idea what a valve actuator looks like on a 2005 Jaguar Vanden Plas.

The socket was just to hold the ball joint end on the UCA while I tightened the nut to 50 ftlbs. The valve actuator was not on the Jag. It opens a gas line at the tank farm where I work.

James

Valve Actuator

 

[isr2kba]

I used to use those nut drivers a lot — never broke using them on bolts, but I have broken several in that same spot when using them to pry things in the cold.

Of course I’m not suggesting that’s what happened to yours.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

There was a Snap-On truck a few blocks from my house last week. He would not warranty it, said to call Snap-On.

James

HF would have given you a new set!

I dont buy SO because the driver wont stop at my shop. He told me before that he wont stop unless I have 3 techs but if I buy a tool box he would deliver it to "save me the trip". I watch him and all the other tool trucks drive by me weekly.... If I have to mail tools in its not worth the premium when I drive by HF daily. Its worth mentioning that I have never broken an Icon tool....

 

[kngelv]

I used to use those nut drivers a lot — never broke using them on bolts, but I have broken several in that same spot when using them to pry things in the cold.

Of course I’m not suggesting that’s what happened to yours.

Don’t be passive aggressive. That’s exactly what you’re suggesting and that did not happen. I used it like you would regularly use a nut driver. I’m an industrial electrician and use them all the time. I have no idea why it broke. I have the entire set of Snap-On in metric and standard. None of the other ones have ever broken, just that one. It’s just flipping weird is all.

James

 

[rust in the eye]

There was a Snap-On truck a few blocks from my house last week. He would not warranty it, said to call Snap-On.

James

THIS is the fine tool truck service all the Snappy heads rave about? Sounds like my local guy.
You will get better service calling SnapOn direct.
No experience with Williams warranty to comment but would expect good service from them as well.
As far as the breakage? **** happens, nobody is infallible.

 

[a6hux]

Had that Williams socket been used before or was it brand new?

 

[rust in the eye]

The socket was just to hold the ball joint end on the UCA while I tightened the nut to 50 ftlbs.

It's a tapered stud, right? Once snug these should bind and not even need to bear against the small hex.
Still doesn't excuse the socket failure, although it is a pretty big ask* if that stud didn't bind up.
I'm curious to know the replacement part brand. Word is that Jaguar themselves (what remains)has contracted out some replacement parts manufacturing to URO. If unaware of their reputation check with any EURO car enthusiast group.
* an 8mm hex head typically appears on m5 bolts which would usually get around half or less the amount of torque applied here.
Me thinks, from here, a poor interference fit of the ball joint stud may be the root cause here.

 

[Mr_B]

I've had those hard handle snap-on and williams screwdrivers for decades and never broke a handle and some of mine been misused at times .
Maybe just unlucky with that one, also assume lot of newer snapon not the best era of snapon quality ...
certainly should get the driver replaced easy enough, socket not a big loss and not worth warranty time waste with williams .

 

[Hakeem]

HF would have given you a new set!

I dont buy SO because the driver wont stop at my shop. He told me before that he wont stop unless I have 3 techs but if I buy a tool box he would deliver it to "save me the trip". I watch him and all the other tool trucks drive by me weekly.... If I have to mail tools in its not worth the premium when I drive by HF daily. Its worth mentioning that I have never broken an Icon tool....

haha I’ve written in to Snapon to ask for a warranty on a pair of pliers that I ordered directly and they told me to get it warrantied through the driver that comes to my shop. Agreed that the warranty process can be too complicated, considering the premium they charge

 

[L.Cheapo]

There was a Snap-On truck a few blocks from my house last week. He would not warranty it, said to call Snap-On.

James

I dont think they make the multicolor nut drivers anymore. That's probably why. Or he's a jerk

 

[kngelv]

Had that Williams socket been used before or was it brand new?

First time I used it. I bought it off Amazon after seeing it mentioned in the deals thread.

James

 

[kngelv]

It's a tapered stud, right? Once snug these should bind and not even need to bear against the small hex.
Still doesn't excuse the socket failure, although it is a pretty big ask* if that stud didn't bind up.
I'm curious to know the replacement part brand. Word is that Jaguar themselves (what remains)has contracted out some replacement parts manufacturing to URO. If unaware of their reputation check with any EURO car enthusiast group.
* an 8mm hex head typically appears on m5 bolts which would usually get around half or less the amount of torque applied here.
Me thinks, from here, a poor interference fit of the ball joint stud may be the root cause here.

Nope it's threaded with that weird 5mm Allen/8mm socket head on the end. It was a Delphi UCA. I used URO ball joints on the large swan neck shaped steering knuckles with the built in wheel hubs and they worked out very well. I was super paranoid pressing the old one's out but they were shot so I had no choice. They are aluminum and if you accidentally crack one then it's an OEM only part at about $1200.00 a pop.

James

 

[Wamsutta]

Here are the email links. Upload the picture as an attachment. Make sure you include the part numbers.

[email protected]

[email protected]

 

[Rinspeed]

Last time I needed Snap On service I just called. I had a 1/4" ratchet that was well worn and a 12" adjustable wrench that was frozen up. If I remember correctly they paid for return shipping and sent me a new ratchet and a new wrench. Great customer service, I would be pissed at that driver for not helping and let them know when you call or email.