Snap-On Replacements

[Rickster]

Here's a pic of my latest garage-sale find, a 1/4 inch drive Snap-On set I found in a small beat-up plastic parts drawer bin. Paid $2 for the whole bin, kept these and pitched the rest. The ratchet isn't working properly and my question is how does an average guy go about getting a replacement. Do I have to chase after a Snap-On truck and flag him down, or does the company have another outlet for me to get a new one?

 

[kartracer55]

One of my dads closest friends is a mechanic, so whenever we break something (only twice) We give it to him to get a replacement for. If I were you, Id carry the thing in your daily driver, so if you do infact encounter a snappy truck one day on your way to work, see what he can do for you.

I dont think they will warrantee those tools because if you go on the snap on website and read the whole warantee, they dont cover abused/neglected tools, and rusty tools are usually considered neglected.

Jim

 

[Luckydevil]

Get out the buffer wheel and polish that bad boy up first and then you might have a better chance.

 

[kartracer55]

I dont know if that "t" hadle thing is plated. If it isnt, get some stuff called naval jelly. It disolves away rust fairly well, but it will destroy paint and platings. Its phosphoric acid. I poured a bottle into a briggs gastank and I kept sloshign it around and after a while it got it almost totally clean. Giver a shot.

Jim

 

[pl_silverado]

i work for a snappy dealer, best thing to do, polish them up, and then break them

 

[Rickster]

I'll give them a clean-up right away then. That T handle thing is actually a speed wrench, the knurled section can be held firm while you spin the T handle.

 

[jstbecauz]

That 1/4" ratchet comes apart real easy. Just take off the two screws that are on the back there and then turn it over and the front will come off. Soak those parts in penetrating oil after you take them apart and then put it back together, it will work after that so long as there are no broken parts. If that doesn't work then any local dealer will still replace/repair it for you. There is no "Breaking this seal will void warranty" on ratchets.

 

[kartracer55]

Yup, like greg said, two screws on it. I would first clean it out, because Im sure there is million year old dirt and grease in there. Then soak it all in oil.

Jim

 

[afwrench]

snap on replacements

Call me an old poop but I dont like what I am reading here . You buy an old rusty box of stuff and want to get a new tool for it . You did not buy the thing in the first place , that is what a warranty is for . Look at the thread about guys wanting to have a tool route. Its a tough deal they ,dont need to take up time with people trying to get over. For crying out loud go buy what you need or want like a man. What you are trying to do and all the great advice you got on how to do it is just a way to steal . Look at yourself in the mirror, or am I the one who is wrong here.

 

[kartracer55]

I see what you are saying here Afwrench. But Whats somebody to do, throw away a broken tool that has a warrantee on it? One might say he got lucky. The person he bought these from never made the claim, so he paid broken tool price, and will wind up with a like new tool. What hes doing is perfectly legal, and when a snappy dealer warantees a tool, he gives the mechanic a new tool, but the broken tools gets sent back to snap on and thedealer gets a replacement. Its kinda like sears. When you go there, it doesnt cost the store anything when you return a broken tool, they give you another one and the broken one gets sent back.

Jim

 

[afwrench]

Snap on replacements

While I am willing to concede a small gray area here , one person above feels he should clean the tool and the break it . Never be able to convince me that this is in any way ethical . Sounds to me like the guy bought something that was neglected and left to rot , now he is looking for something for nothing. If it was in reasonable condition and broken ,perhaps a different story. Just not the way I do bussiness.

 

[pl_silverado]

Ethics, why are we talking about ethics here.
I have bought many abused used snap-on tools and exchanged them for new. Nothing wrong with that, brokens just get send back and reused. Snap-on dealers send their brokens in about monthly, and snap-on reimburses them. Everyone is happy, guy with broken tools gets some new tools and snap-on dealer gets reimbursed. So whats wrong with that?

 

[afwrench]

Snap on replacement

This will be my last comment on this subject. How can you not think that ethics dont apply. You assumed that the tool was neglected and that he should clean it and then break it , if you think that is right then I think that you are wrong. If he bought a broken tool and the dealer will give him a new one ,ok. But what you suggest is that if I leave my stuff out in the rain then I should just break it intentionally to get a new one , no way that is right. How many times do we all complain about people taking responsibility for our own actions? I have said enough , go do what you want . Pehaps Im just too old.

 

[djjack]

One more opinion.

As long as the tool was used under the terms of the warranty then I think a replacement is Snap-on’s obligation. As far as I know Snap-on’s warranty requires that the tool fail under proper use. Screwdrivers are not chisels, extensions are not drifts, no impacts on chrome sockets, no cheater bars, etc. I think the warranty keeps buyers from paying for tool abuse by hacks and I have no problem with that. Second, if the manufacturer has to design tools to withstand abuse, the tools will be bulky and less optimal for proper use.


As far as the old tools go I’d clean them up and use them. If the ratchet failed due to rust or abuse I wouldn’t call that proper use. Otherwise I’d ask the dealer for a rebuild kit.

 

[swgray]

I've never had any problems exchanging any tool under warranty. Even when they've been abused.

I've used chrome sockets with impact wrenches, but have broken (split down the side) more just using ratchets. To Sears, chipped chrome is normal wear and tear.

I've also bought worn tools at yard sales and auctions with the intention of taking it back for new whenever the urge strikes me. I think thats why its a lifetime warranty.

I do the same with brakes and mufflers. Don't you all?

 

[kartracer55]

SW, Dont use chromes on impacts. Not for the socket, but because of your gun. Impact sockets are mae of a slightly softer steel, so When there is an impact, the socket absorbs it a little. With chrome, if the socket doesnt break, you can be damaging the hammer mechanism. IF you use good guns, Id recommend investing in impact sockets.

Jim

 

[swgray]

I have impact sockets. They just aren't always where I'm at. At those times, I make do with what I have at hand.

 

[kartracer55]

I can understand what you mean, but its crucial to the life of the actual impact mechanism to use impacts in any significant torque, IE 50ftlbs or more.

Jim

 

[bmwpower]

SW, Dont use chromes on impacts. Not for the socket, but because of your gun. Impact sockets are mae of a slightly softer steel, so When there is an impact, the socket absorbs it a little. With chrome, if the socket doesnt break, you can be damaging the hammer mechanism. IF you use good guns, Id recommend investing in impact sockets.

Jim

Impact sockets are softer? I was under the impression that impact sockets are hardened to take the abuse.

 

[Rickster]

Call me an old poop but I dont like what I am reading here . You buy an old rusty box of stuff and want to get a new tool for it . You did not buy the thing in the first place , that is what a warranty is for . Look at the thread about guys wanting to have a tool route. Its a tough deal they ,dont need to take up time with people trying to get over. For crying out loud go buy what you need or want like a man. What you are trying to do and all the great advice you got on how to do it is just a way to steal . Look at yourself in the mirror, or am I the one who is wrong here.

I bought these with the intent of using them. As I said in my original note "The ratchet isn't working properly and my question is how does an average guy go about getting a replacement." I've already cleaned up everything today and they came out rather nice. I haven't taken apart the ratchet yet to clean out the inside like suggested so I'll follow up on that. As for your comments on integrety... I took the comment on breaking them the way I believe it was inteneded, as a joke. But I have to tell you there's nothing wrong with picking up tools at a yard sale that have a manufacturers warranty and replacing them if they need it.

 

[iiibdsiil]

The thing about breaking it is no joke. I have seen one Snap-on guy break the tools himself. The end result is a happy customer, and for what we pay for Snap-on, I think a replacement is due. For instance, that 1/4 ratchet is what, $47? I think I should be allowed one abuse for that.

I had a hammer that my dad found on the side of the highway, dead blow ball pein with the rubber or whatever grip. I brought it in, he said "What the heck happened to this?" since the rubber was substantially missing, I told him I found it on the side of I-95. He laughed and brought me out a replacement.

What pisses me off is that my screwdriver handles aren't warranteed. They are cheap enough, but that is still messed up to me. Especially since they don't tell you this stuff when you buy it. But since I found that one out with a screwdriver that was found on the road, I didn't argue.

 

[kartracer55]

iiibdiil, I think the screwdriver should have been waranteed, but NOT the hammer. The reason is that a hammer, in my book, is considered an expendable, just like chisels and punches. Its a tool that was designed to be used to hit other steel objects, so of course it is going to wear. the screwdriver handles arnt waranted because they dont want guys hitting them with hammers. IF you can only get the blade replaced, but not the handle, you arnt going to hit the handle with a hammer? The only time your really going to break a blade is when you are hitting it, so by not waranteeing the handles, less people will hit the handles, and so less blades will have to be waranteed.

Jim

 

[pl_silverado]

I guess while we are on the subject of what snappy dealers do and dont do....

dont think that when you buy something from them its always brand new, even if its shrink wrapped.

I just shrink wrapped a few grand worth of tools and put them back on the truck.

 

[iiibdsiil]

kartracer:

To me, life time warranty is just that. Besides that, the handle on the hammer should not have been screwed up, because that is just held, I would understand if I was complaining about the head.

m3transporter:

That to me is messed up. But, I will agree that I am purchasing a warranty more than a tool, although I am also purchasing the precision of the tool. I bought most of my Snap-on stuff used off ebay. To me, it is just as good as new, and still has the warranty, although I only pay about 50% shipped. I just don't like it when people are misleading, and thus causing me to pay full price.

Another similar thing is say the dealer performs a repo on a set of wrenches. He can break them, then warranty them, then have all brand new wrenches, which the customer already paid half of retail on before they got repo'd, then sell them as brand new. I guess it's just how you want to play the game.

My guy always had used stuff on the truck, screw drivers, impact guns, etc. But there was nothing ever that could easily just be warrantied free and clear. But, there were deals most of the time.

 

[pl_silverado]

m3transporter:

That to me is messed up. But, I will agree that I am purchasing a warranty more than a tool, although I am also purchasing the precision of the tool. I bought most of my Snap-on stuff used off ebay. To me, it is just as good as new, and still has the warranty, although I only pay about 50% shipped. I just don't like it when people are misleading, and thus causing me to pay full price.

Another similar thing is say the dealer performs a repo on a set of wrenches. He can break them, then warranty them, then have all brand new wrenches, which the customer already paid half of retail on before they got repo'd, then sell them as brand new. I guess it's just how you want to play the game.

My guy always had used stuff on the truck, screw drivers, impact guns, etc. But there was nothing ever that could easily just be warrantied free and clear. But, there were deals most of the time.

Theres nothing better than buying used snap-on tools. Ive bought a lot of them, but also spent a fair share on new tools. You basically are paying for just the warranty like you stated.

I agree that it is messed up, but i work for the guy, so if he wants me to shrink wrap tools and put them on the truck, thats what pays my tool bill.

 

[pl_silverado]

iiibdiil, I think the screwdriver should have been waranteed, but NOT the hammer. The reason is that a hammer, in my book, is considered an expendable, just like chisels and punches. Its a tool that was designed to be used to hit other steel objects, so of course it is going to wear. the screwdriver handles arnt waranted because they dont want guys hitting them with hammers. IF you can only get the blade replaced, but not the handle, you arnt going to hit the handle with a hammer? The only time your really going to break a blade is when you are hitting it, so by not waranteeing the handles, less people will hit the handles, and so less blades will have to be waranteed.

Jim

Well, snap-on does not warranty handles, but do warranty screwdrivers. I personally find screwdriver handles expendable, i mean, they are only like 5 bucks a pop for the snappy ones. A replacement snappy hammer runs in the $ 80's.

 

[kartracer55]

Why the hell pay 80 for a ******** hammer? your freakin outa your mind if one does. I can see if its something where quality matters, like a hand tool, but for hammers, I have some older ones, but I usualy just buy them from sears. I mean, they are cheap, and work just as well as snapons for like 1/4 of the price.

Jim

 

[iiibdsiil]

kartracer:
Now you see why I like the warranty, in my dad finding it on the side of the road situation.

m3transporter:
I wasn't attacking you personally, please don't take it that way. I have done some shady stuff at the requirement of a boss before, and I understand when bills need paid, or whatever, you do what you are told. I don't think you are unethical or anything, but I do feel your boss is.

 

[pl_silverado]

kartracer:
Now you see why I like the warranty, in my dad finding it on the side of the road situation.

m3transporter:
I wasn't attacking you personally, please don't take it that way. I have done some shady stuff at the requirement of a boss before, and I understand when bills need paid, or whatever, you do what you are told. I don't think you are unethical or anything, but I do feel your boss is.

i didnt take it personally, i just wanted to clear it up.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Sounds good. Pass one this way!

 

[jstbecauz]

I hope that the guy that authored tool routes reads this so that he knows what kind of customers are out there. I really mean no disrespect to anyone when writing this, however some peoples idea of warranty and business seem cluttered.

You can compare the warranty for a handle of a screwdriver and a hammer to the brake pads on your new 2005 Escalade. If you drive it over 12/12,000 they will not warranty the brake pads on your truck. There is something called wear and tear items, the handles, hammers, and brake pads are just that. What does it matter if a product is used if you get the same warranty, so that if it breaks then there should be no issue. In addition, keep in mind that you as a random walk on customer in to a tool truck business warranting an item that you found on the side of the road does not have to be satisfied by the owner of that business.Warranting an item as a tool dealer creates no revenue for that business at all. In fact it actually can create a loss of revenue for that business owner. Before you are so eager to return something that did not really break, put yourself in the shoes of that business owner.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Well, that is their policy. That is the whole point of his business is to sell and warranty tools. Just like at the dealer, you aren't going to get anything past the warranty people. If you perform a warranty job on an item that isn't fit to be warrantied, then you are going to catch a lot of heat, and probably have it come out of your paycheck. So, I am sure the truck guys have a very similar policy. If they don't like exchanging every ones tools, then sorry, get out of the business. Whether it is broken, or just due for replacing, if one guy will do it, they should all do it. And if someone didn't warranty something for me that was due for it, I would be on the phone with corporate in a heart beat.

Even though it creates no revenue for the tool guy, that's not my fault. That's the business he chose to get in, no me. If I return an item to K-mart that I purchased at another store, they will still take it back. That's just how you do business.

And I am trying to figure out how a hammer is a wear and tear item. Like my Snap-on one that my dad found, that has lasted me 3 years and will clean up very well. I have seen other snap-on hammers that are in excess of 20 years old, and still are in very good condition, even for being used everyday. And, apparently snap-on doesn't agree with your wear and tear idea, because when the brass hammer my old boss had that was 15 years old or so, when the handle broke, the snap-on guy replaced it without a flinch, and that was to a customer that is continuously late on payments, and the snap-on guy knew it was only a time before he disappeared.

 

[jstbecauz]

I am not a Snap-On Tool dealer however I was about 1 week away from doing it, as well as being in the business for the last 20 years I have seen and learned alot. First off, KMarts are not independantly owned so that theory is not valid.

However if a hammer handle breaks when in use in a manner that it was not intended for then it should not be warrantied, whether it will be or not that is up to Snap-On to decide. I can assure you that Snap-On Tools as well as other manufacturers do not state proper use of a hammer handle is to throw it out your window on I95, remove a substancial amount of the handle and then feel free to run it back to your Snap-On dealer for a free replacement. If you read your one of your previous posts you will see that it appears you argue my intended point for me.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Hahhahaha. I probably did. I am honestly torn both ways on this. But, since it was me, it should be warrantied