Snap-On Sockets

[Chris_Hamilton]

I miss the Snap-On girls.

 

[Shop-hound]

I’ve never regretted what I paid when I bought the best, but often when upgrading tools wish I had just ponied up in the first place. “Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten”.

Snap on gets a lot of flack, but people don’t bat an eye paying Knipex, Vessel Nepros pricing. I Support North American innovation and workers

 

[ecotec]

I've broken a lot of Craftsman sockets over the years before I finally just gave up on them. But that is the only well known brand that has given me problems. Williams, Proto, Wright, SK all work just fine. I even have a Harbor Freight set of spline sockets made in Taiwan that have held up. Though to be honest, I haven't abused that set like I do most others.

I think that a few brands had chrome peeling issues over the decades. Pretty high end brands. I have had chrome loss on many different brands at all different price points.

Unless it is a custom tool, that I customized for a specific purpose, I donate give away most tools with chrome damage/owner marks… if it is a truck tool brand, I will give them a friend with a tool truck account. If it works out… it works out. I honestly do not consider 95% of my truck brand tools to be warrantied, because I bought them used…

My Facom era chrome SK is pretty terrific, but I have had Wayne era SK sockets with major chrome peel issues.

My favorite sockets are chrome Snap-on, and I have seen many of their sockets with chrome loss. It happens to the best of them. If you buy them retail, they will replace them for you.

 

[CGarage]

I’ve never regretted what I paid when I bought the best, but often when upgrading tools wish I had just ponied up in the first place. “Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten”.

Snap on gets a lot of flack, but people don’t bat an eye paying Knipex, Vessel Nepros pricing. I Support North American innovation and workers

Knipex and Vessel do not have a 1/4 inch drive set that retails for $2400 USD or thereabouts…..

 

[housewolf]

Knipex and Vessel do not have a 1/4 inch drive set that retails for $2400 USD or thereabouts…..

About a third of my sockets are SO, maybe a little more. I haven’t bought any at retail or off a truck. I have no 1/4” dr SO. 1/4” seems disproportionally high in price.

 

[cgrutt]

Knipex and Vessel do not have a 1/4 inch drive set that retails for $2400 USD or thereabouts…..

Not sure what set you're referring to but would think it must be master set including sockets in short, mid and deep, multiple ratchets, extentions etc. For example a 12 PC metric 5 to 15 (no skips including 5.5mm) deep 1/4 socket set currently retails for about $340. Seems a bit disingenuous without specifics.

ETA here is a $1500 63 pc knipex set...

 

[CGarage]

Not sure what set you're referring to but would think it must be master set including sockets in short, mid and deep, multiple ratchets, extentions etc. For example a 12 PC metric 5 to 15 (no skips including 5.5mm) deep 1/4 socket set currently retails for about $340. Seems a bit disingenuous without specifics.

 

[cgrutt]

Ok so 100 pc master set, or about $24 per tool. Similar pricing, at least on a per tool basis, as the 63 pc knipex set I posted above.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

About a third of my sockets are SO, maybe a little more. I haven’t bought any at retail or off a truck. I have no 1/4” dr SO. 1/4” seems disproportionally high in price.

1/4 is where I'll spend the money. I can always find space to do battle with a 27mm bolt, but if that 10mm subaru valve cover bolt rounds..

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

For a DIY'er, they are absolutely not worth the price premium. Save your money.

If I had to start over for hand tools, I'd probably go with something like GearWrench. Just been impressed with everything I've gotten from them, good bang for the buck.

I think 99% of home users (including me) could get Stanley at WalMart and it would be fine. But this being a tool enthusiast website, that's not going to be a popular answer.

 

[CGarage]

1/4 is where I'll spend the money. I can always find space to do battle with a 27mm bolt, but if that 10mm subaru valve cover bolt rounds..

I agree.

The most sensitive drive size for fit is 1/4”.
So 1/4” one should invest the most in.
Koken for me. And I have Facom and Hazet, and a few other sets, too.

 

[Shop-hound]

Knipex and Vessel do not have a 1/4 inch drive set that retails for $2400 USD or thereabouts…..

Because they don’t make sockets lol. If you compare the pliers snappy vs Knipex and drivers Snap on vs Vessel the pricing is comparable here in canada (snap on about 15% higher)

 

[CGarage]

Because they don’t make sockets lol. If you compare the pliers snappy vs Knipex and drivers Snap on vs Vessel the pricing is comparable here in canada (snap on about 15% higher)

Vessel makes sockets and I own sets from Vessel, in 1/4” drive.

 

[Walkers]

My Sos have served me well for 30 years, and I expect them to serve well for the rest of my days. My son is now using my dads SOs. They are good tools, and I use them every day.
That said, there are a lot of tool brands that are pretty good now, so unless you are a pro mechanic, it is hard to go wrong. Buy whatever makes you happy, you can get service easily, and are in your budget.

 

[housewolf]

About a third of my sockets are SO, maybe a little more. I haven’t bought any at retail or off a truck. I have no 1/4” dr SO. 1/4” seems disproportionally high in price

1/4 is where I'll spend the money. I can always find space to do battle with a 27mm bolt, but if that 10mm subaru valve cover bolt rounds..

Fixed that today. I stumbled on this at a garage sale yesterday but didn’t have enough cash on me. I asked them to hold it for me until I got back. He said he was closing, just come back tomorrow. I was half surprised to see it still there. Lightly used and not a single piece missing

 

[diernosaj]

Fixed that today. I stumbled on this at a garage sale yesterday but didn’t have enough cash on me. I asked them to hold it for me until I got back. He said he was closing, just come back tomorrow. I was half surprised to see it still there. Lightly used and not a single piece missing

Well???$$$??? We all want to know if we need to tell you that you ****.

 

[housewolf]

Well???$$$??? We all want to know if we need to tell you that you ****.

$250 not “cheap” but less than I could have put it all together buying 3 sets of sockets, an extension set & ratchet even if I got fair “deals”’on all of them

 

[B_Bimmer]

Cheap enough for a you **** from me.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

$250 not “cheap” but less than I could have put it all together buying 3 sets of sockets, an extension set & ratchet even if I got fair “deals”’on all of them

That's darn cheap and a great deal for 3 sets of Snap On sockets, a ratchet, universal, and 3 extensions. New that was $800 or so many years ago.

 

[98ssuck]

The op didn’t say if these are for work or home. To me that’s a big difference.

At home I patiently wait to find whatever socket or wrench I am looking for on the used market.I’d rather wait and have vintage Snapon made in Canada. Currently I’m looking for a metric wrench sent to around 30mm. Because at home tools are a joy to use and I want them to be heirlooms to be past down.

At the industrial plant I work at my tools are disposable. My employer required me to supply a few basic hand tools. But will “replace any lost, damaged or stolen tools with a suitable replacement of the tradesman preference” is what the policy reads. Over the years work has replaced a few tools. Our supply chain makes Acklands or Snapon industrial the easiest place to procure tools from

The long story short is I’ve tried most of the made in USA tools from those suppliers I can. Mostly in 1/4” and 3/8” drive. Proto, Williams and sk is what I’ve rotated between. They are all the same. Expect Williams. It appears to me that Williams has more than one production line. Some are absolutely Snap-on sockets with different markings. Others are USA stamped but do not look like Snapon sockets. But the bad news is the Williams sockets I have received are sometimes a mix between the two types. Proto has become my go to. I recently tried a set of sk 1/4” metric deep sockets that are very nice. But who knows how that will play out with their change of ownership.

 

[housewolf]

The op didn’t say if these are for work or home. To me that’s a big difference.

At home I patiently wait to find whatever socket or wrench I am looking for on the used market.I’d rather wait ...

Yes, for me as well. I started buying tools 50 years ago. Back then Craftsman was what I could afford and worked well enough for me as a hobby/DIYer. Over time as I got more involved in the hobby (motorsports) I bought more tools. I like nice “stuff” so along the way I upgraded some things I use often. None of my higher end stuff was purchased at full retail, when I saw a good deal, I upgraded. When I wanted something sooner than later, I searched and sometimes waited a bit to find a decent deal. My first post in this thread was a comment about SO 1/4” dr sockets seemed disproportionately high in cost relative to 3/8” & 1/2”. I really didn’t think I’d ever own SO 1/4” dr and honestly it wasn’t high on my priority list because I don’t use 1/4” much. (For the last year it seems like 90% of what I do is pull this trans out & in ). Two weeks later I was lucky and stumbled across the 1/4” set I posted yesterday.

All my SAE tools are old C-man and are rarely used. I have no interest in upgrading tools I seldom use.

Professionally; I was a plumber by trade. I always bought the highest quality tools that were available with little regard to price. If the tools in your hands are putting groceries on your table, having something reliable before you need it has more value than a few bucks in your pocket waiting for a killer deal to come along. It’s a totally different mindset.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have Snap-on ratchets and a few sockets ,flare wrenches in sizes that a home gamer knows he can depend on in certain situations. But its really hard to beat Proto,they are a better choice in most situations.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I always wondered why some would say SO ratchets are worth it but not sockets. I would think the sockets quality is more important on the fastener especially in the rust belt. Rounding the fasteners becomes a PIA.

 

[F-22]

I always wondered why some would say SO ratchets are worth it but not sockets. I would think the sockets quality is more important on the fastener especially in the rust belt. Rounding the fasteners becomes a PIA.

If we're being honest, Snap On is never worth it if you also account for the cost. The dual 80 ratchet is nice, but even Snap On sells it under the Bahco name for about half the cost. Even then, at ~70-80$, the Bahco isn't a cheap ratchet, but Snap On is absurd at 140-150$.
A 3/8" "starter set" from Snap On with a ratchet, breaker bar, 3 extensions and 17 sockets is 560$. Similar set from Williams made in Taiwan is ~60$ together with a case. A Williams USA set made in the same factory as Snap On is more, but still not half of what a Snap On set costs.

But if you ignore the costs, Snap On is nice...

 

[finn]

I have to say that the only tool with flaking chrome I ever recall returning for warranty is a SnapOn roto head ratchet.

Yes, I have had chrome plating issues with other tools, but it was always because of abuse, ie using a socket as a drive tool in a vice, damaged long extensions used as a drift in the heat of battle, etc. Nothing not abused though.

Is SnapOn worth the premium? Probably not. It’s sort of like jewelry at a certain point. It adds no value over lesser brands as far as function goes, in many cases, but it looks nice and people want it.

it’s not necessary to do a quality job, though.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

If we're being honest, Snap On is never worth it if you also account for the cost. The dual 80 ratchet is nice, but even Snap On sells it under the Bahco name for about half the cost. Even then, at ~70-80$, the Bahco isn't a cheap ratchet, but Snap On is absurd at 140-150$.
A 3/8" "starter set" from Snap On with a ratchet, breaker bar, 3 extensions and 17 sockets is 560$. Similar set from Williams made in Taiwan is ~60$ together with a case. A Williams USA set made in the same factory as Snap On is more, but still not half of what a Snap On set costs.

But if you ignore the costs, Snap On is nice...

Bahco sells like 3 ratchets, normal length comfort grip, with dual 80 tech.

So unless one is in the market for an F80 comfort grip, bahco doesn't sell the same thing snap on does.

 

[F-22]

Bahco sells like 3 ratchets, normal length comfort grip, with dual 80 tech.

So unless one is in the market for an F80 comfort grip, bahco doesn't sell the same thing snap on does.

Very true, but that was not my point. You probably do not think a larger product lineup is supposed to make the product twice as expensive?

Bahco does not offer them mainly cause it's primary market is supposed to be Europe, where it is far more common to only have a single ratchet size - the standard one.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Very true, but that was not my point. You probably do not think a larger product lineup is supposed to make the product twice as expensive?

Bahco does not offer them mainly cause it's primary market is supposed to be Europe, where it is far more common to only have a single ratchet size - the standard one.

That's a fair assessment about pricing. SO has a distribution model built in, and likely a higher warrant expectation.

My point was that bahco doesn't really offer the same breadth as SO. So while bahco can sell you one ratchet with dual 80, I don't feel the claim of "one can buy dual 80 from bahco" is entirely valid. They don't have literally 95%+ of the dual 80s.

You can get a steak at Walmart. But you don't have the options and variety of a real butcher. But a real butcher is likely more expensive for a basic piece of meat.

 

[ecotec]

I always wondered why some would say SO ratchets are worth it but not sockets. I would think the sockets quality is more important on the fastener especially in the rust belt. Rounding the fasteners becomes a PIA.

I like their sockets… but they are astronomically expensive. I do not see how the price can be justified if one does not have a Snap-on guy coming to your job.

One Snap-on 1/4” drive chrome 10mm shallow is $20ish.

Before Covid, you could buy a CAT 5-15mm 1/4” drive chrome shallow socket set for under $50.

Three Snap-on sockets cost as much as I paid for an entire set of CAT sockets… and the CAT sockets look just like the Snap-on other than the stamping.

I would rather have 4-5 sets of CAT sockets than one set of Snap-on.

 

[Raineman]

I'd like to offer an alternate opinion that I have not seen mentioned yet.

NAPA Carlyle

Think about it. EVERYONE more than likely has a NAPA close by, and if you are a professional mechanic, your shop probably gets deliveries from them daily, if not multiple times a day. If you break one, simply call NAPA and you could likely have a replacement delivered within the hour. If you need to drive to one, still almost an immediate replacement.

Carlyle tools are as good as any other, if not better than some. Yes they are made in Taiwan, but today's Taiwan tools are made from great steel and most have excellent quality control. Tekton comes to mind, which would be my 2nd choice if I was still swinging wrenches for a living.

If I was just starting out as a professional that uses tools daily (I was/am one), NAPA would be my FIRST choice, followed very closely by TEKTON. If I had to go USA made, I would strictly go with Snap on. Wright not so much, other than Epstein I wouldn't know where to go for them, and who knows how they handle warranties. Williams, same scenario and I can't read the damn things. And don't give me that Amazon ****, Amazon is NOT going to warranty your tools.

NAPA should be a no brainer for everyone that uses tools. My opinion.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I don't have a napa anywhere near. I have many snap on sockets. I don't have to justify them to anyone any more than I expect any one to justify their new car, phone, or whatever fancy **** they are into to me. I justify them to myself as follows,, life's short, I don't have time for crappy tools, and the cost per use is miniscule.

 

[ecotec]

My 1/4” mid length and universals are Carlyle… they are perfect… but CAT was cheaper than Carlyle before Covid.

I had a few things that I preferred to never mention on GJ… CAT tools, Kitts Industrial (they had tonnage of NOS Facom era SK), and Production Tool and Supply (they had NOS Wright in the red metal boxes).

I have enough of all of it, that I don’t worry about mentioning it anymore…

I figured if one person mentioned parts.cat.com (or whatever it was called) that there would be a huge run. My take was is the website said there was a given number of the tool you needed… and it all shipped free to Michigan CAT…

I wish that I had bought the Torx drivers and a few other things… the set looked just like red hard handle Snap-on…. But cheaper and the set had more drivers. it was a good run.

 

[finn]

I'd like to offer an alternate opinion that I have not seen mentioned yet.

NAPA Carlyle

Think about it. EVERYONE more than likely has a NAPA close by, and if you are a professional mechanic, your shop probably gets deliveries from them daily, if not multiple times a day. If you break one, simply call NAPA and you could likely have a replacement delivered within the hour. If you need to drive to one, still almost an immediate replacement.

Carlyle tools are as good as any other, if not better than some. Yes they are made in Taiwan, but today's Taiwan tools are made from great steel and most have excellent quality control. Tekton comes to mind, which would be my 2nd choice if I was still swinging wrenches for a living.

If I was just starting out as a professional that uses tools daily (I was/am one), NAPA would be my FIRST choice, followed very closely by TEKTON. If I had to go USA made, I would strictly go with Snap on. Wright not so much, other than Epstein I wouldn't know where to go for them, and who knows how they handle warranties. Williams, same scenario and I can't read the damn things. And don't give me that Amazon ****, Amazon is NOT going to warranty your tools.

NAPA should be a no brainer for everyone that uses tools. My opinion.

Is 110 miles away considered “close by”?

Napa seems to have taken a beating since the other chains, ie ORiley, Autozone, Advance, etc have largely displaced the independent parts stores. The three closest NAPA stores disappeared over five years ago, and in traveling across the country, I noticed that there are a lot of empty buildings that look like they are former NAPA storefronts.

 

[jimindm]

I have mostly SO. I am not sure I have ever had peeling chrome, or many other issues that some here have had.

I can say that more than once, I have come across a fastener that has been rusted, flattened, or just plain messed up, that a SO will not fit. Many others go right on. Not going to get into how precision made tools are. Just a observation of a guy that uses tools for a living.

Getting away a little more from the OPs question, I think it is all about what you want and can afford. SO is a professional line of tools, geared towards the professional using them. Really is that simple. Can people not in the business use them? Sure.

It is much like anything else. Tools made for the professional just different, and many times better for them. Many times people not in the business can enjoy owning them.

You can use the same argument about many things. Will you walmart steak knife work as well as the chefs at the restaurant? Maybe.

Landscapers are the easiest way of showing this. Everyone does yard work. Do you need a lightweight trimmer and blower to do the job. Likely not once a week, but the person using it 50 hours a week there certainly is a value to them. Your twenty pound Ryobi trimmer does the job, for a few years. The pro is going to have a ten pound stihl that will run for years.

Lastly I will say no one has mentioned the value that tools have once you are done using them. Some day they are going to get sold. Many tool brands mentioned here will be sold by the bucket full, likley sitting out in the driveway or under the folding table. The SO will be sitting on the table, by themselves.

The SO you will use as long as you need, but when the sell they will bring much higher value than any others mentioned. I seen this at an auction last weekend. I seen SO selling for as much as I paid new off the truck, a few short years ago.

 

[Raineman]

Is 110 miles away considered “close by”?

Napa seems to have taken a beating since the other chains, ie ORiley, Autozone, Advance, etc have largely displaced the independent parts stores. The three closest NAPA stores disappeared over five years ago, and in traveling across the country, I noticed that there are a lot of empty buildings that look like they are former NAPA storefronts.

I did give more than one option, and for those with convenient access to one, it makes sense.

I've heard very good things about the brand that Auto Zone sells, and I'm sure that whatever box chain auto store is convenient to you you could plug in the same scenario.

I guess my point (which I guess I failed to make) is to not overlook auto parts stores close to your location. Most have professional quality tools and convenient replacement is the point. I used NAPA because Carlyle is a great tool brand which I am partial to, and I have access to 1/2 a dozen NAPA stores in my area.

 

[WWheeler]

I always wondered why some would say SO ratchets are worth it but not sockets. I would think the sockets quality is more important on the fastener especially in the rust belt. Rounding the fasteners becomes a PIA.

In my experience it would be because turning DIYer level grade sockets like AllTrade, Kobalt (when they were USA made) and Craftsman in a professional environment for decades starting back in the 80s, and while still turning the very same set of Craftsmans ever since, and having added to them sockets by Gearwrench, Tekton, Sunex in the past couple decades, I've not yet ever broken a chrome socket or rounded a fastener that wasn't already damaged or rusted to a size below whatever is was originally.

That said, I have cracked/deformed several Craftsman Snap-on and Matco impact sockets over that same period, but I digress.

But when it comes to ratchets, I've had ratchets of all brands let me down at some point except my Snap-on and Matco ratchets (yet).

The professional-level ratchets definitely were a world apart from their DIYer lever counterparts that I've owned, but I've never seen the same kind of difference in sockets.

All that said, there have been some vast improvements in DIYer level ratchets in recent years, but only time will tell.

 

[GrantCee]

Have a mix of both but if you are looking for extra extra long sockets (like gas tank straps or 3" wheel studs) SO is the only game in town.

Nope. Ko-Ken makes extra deep sockets as well.

 

[F-22]

Another observation - any kind of deep sockets are also unusual in Europe. As far as sockets go, your usual mechanic has a set of standard shallow sockets, some extensions, a ratchet and a sliding T handle that's used as a breaker bar, some also have a breaker bar.

Always interesting to me to see how there are differences in what tools are used. Similarly, 3/8" is uncommon here, since a 1/4" and 1/2" sets do everything, but 3/8" seems to be by far the most common in the US.

 

[82355]

I'd like to offer an alternate opinion that I have not seen mentioned yet.

NAPA Carlyle

Think about it. EVERYONE more than likely has a NAPA close by, and if you are a professional mechanic, your shop probably gets deliveries from them daily, if not multiple times a day. If you break one, simply call NAPA and you could likely have a replacement delivered within the hour. If you need to drive to one, still almost an immediate replacement.

Carlyle tools are as good as any other, if not better than some. Yes they are made in Taiwan, but today's Taiwan tools are made from great steel and most have excellent quality control. Tekton comes to mind, which would be my 2nd choice if I was still swinging wrenches for a living.

If I was just starting out as a professional that uses tools daily (I was/am one), NAPA would be my FIRST choice, followed very closely by TEKTON. If I had to go USA made, I would strictly go with Snap on. Wright not so much, other than Epstein I wouldn't know where to go for them, and who knows how they handle warranties. Williams, same scenario and I can't read the damn things. And don't give me that Amazon ****, Amazon is NOT going to warranty your tools.

NAPA should be a no brainer for everyone that uses tools. My opinion.

Our local Napa just closed up.

They were TERRIBLE about warranting tools for the past twenty plus years previous to closing.

Martin

 

[bubinga]

In my opinion using sockets everyday. No Snap-on is not worth it in the area of sockets. They are nice but really expensive and I personally don’t see a need for them. But everyone has their own opinion and experience and that’s fine. For me I just buy whatever gets the job done that I know will last. Country it’s made in doesn’t matter to me personally. Mostly pawn shops stuff, Craftsman USA and auto parts stores tools that have done the job for me. Few other brands mixed in including Snap-on like I bought a Snap-on 10 just because I wanted to have it and see how it compares to others well I can’t tell a difference in it. I also bought a few Snap-on fill ins that I couldn’t find elsewhere and they just are not a big enough difference to spend the money on. Now if it was something like screwdrivers or ratchets I’d tell you absolutely buy Snap-on but sockets no way. And keep in mind I use them everyday professionally fixing cars. The ones I have I’ve warrantied a lot for peeling chrome after a short time which is not something I experience with any other brands.

The Snap On had pealing chrome?