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Snap On Stuff made in Korea?

Mmfh

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Korea, I went to Snappy's website looking for a test light. I found one that looks good but I don't want to spend that much. I noticed while there that it is made in the republic of Korea.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=diagnostics&item_ID=69216&group_ID=1393&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

What the hell is going on if SO is made in Korea? I've also noticed that SO stuff is sold at the local True Value Hardware store. I bought the cordless LED droplight from the hardware store. Says Snap On all over it. $40.

I wonder though, if the Snap on stuff sold at other places is not quite as good as the stuff sold on the trucks? I saw Craftsman at the same hardware store.

What the hell is going on?

Mm
 
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Gary S

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Both Sears and Snapon are feeling the recession. Sears isn't likely to survive too many more years, so they are marketing their Craftsman tools through other stores so the Craftsman tools can survive even if Sears doesn't.
Snapon will survive because there are enough snobs willing to pay 3-4x what a tool is worth, even if it is made in Korea or China.

Last week I was at my local Ace Hardware. They have a full rack now of Craftsman tools. And, every piece I picked up was made in the USA. Craftsman will survive as long as they produce those kind of tools. Sears may not.
 

wchamberlain

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That's the republic of Korea, meaning south. Guys S Korea is a worldwide leader in electronics, what is the big deal where it's made, warranty, find the truck or mail it in. How many times is the topic gonna be discussed????

We all know the corvette emblem bears a French flag, do we ***** about that???
 

ricleh

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I'm sorry if this subject has been beaten to death, I've not noticed before where anything SO was made in Korea on this site or any other.

I guess I need to search better before posting.

Thanks

Snapon multimeters and test lights have been made in Korea for several years now. That is not to say the quality is not good. These products are very good. The flat panel and most of the components for your computer were probably manufactured in Korea.
 
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Mmfh

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Snapon multimeters and test lights have been made in Korea for several years now. That is not to say the quality is not good. These products are very good. The flat panel and most of the components for your computer were probably manufactured in Korea.

I remember not too many years ago, that made in Korea or made in Taiwan were just things you stayed away from.

I guess some of that older thinking is still with me? Got to get with the times I guess.
 

Roots

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South Korea has top notch world class manufacturing capabilities. Heck, who do you think designed and built most of the high end televisions out there today.

I've also noticed that SO stuff is sold at the local True Value Hardware store. I bought the cordless LED droplight from the hardware store. Says Snap On all over it. $40.

I wonder though, if the Snap on stuff sold at other places is not quite as good as the stuff sold on the trucks?

The Snap-On branded items, generally being sold at Ace, True Value, Costco, Amazon, etc. are not the same things found on the trucks or from Snapon dot com. For some unbelievable reason, IMO, Corporate Snap-On sold licensing rights to some other manufacturers who are producing Chinese junk, literally, putting the Snap-On name on it and sending it to all of the above mentioned distributors and retailers. You can't return it to Snap On, have warranty done by them, it's not made by them, and only associated by the similar name and color combinations.
 
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ishiboo

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For some unbelievable reason, IMO, Corporate Snap-On sold licensing rights to some other manufacturers who are producing Chinese junk, literally, putting the Snap-On name on it and sending it to all of the above mentioned distributors and retailers.

Probably because after removing "USA" from the handles, that's their business plan for the rest of the line? :)

:deadhorse
 

Toolhorder

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That's the republic of Korea, meaning south. Guys S Korea is a worldwide leader in electronics, what is the big deal where it's made, warranty, find the truck or mail it in. How many times is the topic gonna be discussed????

We all know the corvette emblem bears a French flag, do we ***** about that???

My LED TV was made in Korea too. :wtf:
 

hammergodthor

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I've seen a few test leads made in Korea, they seem to make good silicone test leads there, and not just SO. My MTTL500 are Korean too. I thought my new Load Pro's were Korean, but they're China.
 

hairtrigger

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Never thought I'd see the day when Craftsman lost their made in USA majority, but it's getting there with the quickness. Kobalt has been there for the longest, but at least they make good tools. Sears quality is declining to the point where they're lower quality than Stanley. It's horrible. I see lots of companies moving in that direction.
 

jameswrx

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Snapon will survive because there are enough snobs willing to pay 3-4x what a tool is worth, even if it is made in Korea or China.

Don't think that's a very fair statement to be honest, you're calling me a snob when you don't know me!

Snap on make some really good tools. They make some average ones too but there's some tools made by snap on without which my working life would be a misery! Having tried the rest when a specific tool works and doesn't break you start to understand.

I prefer various tools in various makes, for example I like the fine facom ratchets, they have a smaller head size than snap on ones too. But there's a lot of stuff that just won't do in any other make.. Their gold finish hex and torx bits are a prime example. You see a pic and price for their pliers and convince yourself to buy another brand, when you finally try them you see world leading jaw grip and understand

It's usually DIY'ers that slate snap on. Anyone in the trade that relies on their tools for a living will generally tell a different story.
 
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hairtrigger

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I don't really "slate" snap on. But I think a lot of the people I know that buy them do so for bragging rights. (Not saying you, just the people I know). Most professionals use their air tools 90% of the time. I'm a DIY that does mostly suspension and brakes, and I do a lot of them, and I work with hand tools all the time, hardly any air tools. If they're not comfortable, use a good padded glove.
 

kythri

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We all know the corvette emblem bears a French flag, do we ***** about that???

We don't ***** about it because we all know it's not true.

A fleur de lis is not a French flag, nor does it appear on the French flag.

Just in case there's any confusion:

This is the French flag:

200px-Flag_of_France.jpg


This is the Corvette emblem:

vette_logo.jpg


I can see how one might be confused by the incredible similarities, but I assure you, they're quite different.

Perhaps we should complain about the similarities between the US flag and the French flag, since, you know, those pesky Founding Fathers pretty much ripped-off the whole color scheme from the French, who didn't help out AT ALL against the British...
 
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Kurn

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S.Korea is home to Hyundai,one of,if not the,biggest manufacturing concerns in the world.Samsung,as well.I would not be worried about quality issues.And they are an ally of the U.S.
 

oldtools

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The name Chevrolet is Fench. I believe the French did help America to fight the British. Remember Lafayette. The fleur de li is a French symbol.
 
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fivespdcat

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The name Chevrolet is Fench. I believe the French did help America to fight the British. Remember Lafayette. The fleur de li is a French symbol.

Detroit was also founded by the French and the fluer de lis is used in the flag of Detroit and is a fixture in many of the buildings around town. Saying the corvette emblem has French in the emblem is a bit of a stretch, but not untrue.
 

diesel research

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Korea, I went to Snappy's website looking for a test light. I found one that looks good but I don't want to spend that much. I noticed while there that it is made in the republic of Korea.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=diagnostics&item_ID=69216&group_ID=1393&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

What the hell is going on if SO is made in Korea? I've also noticed that SO stuff is sold at the local True Value Hardware store. I bought the cordless LED droplight from the hardware store. Says Snap On all over it. $40.

I wonder though, if the Snap on stuff sold at other places is not quite as good as the stuff sold on the trucks? I saw Craftsman at the same hardware store.

What the hell is going on?

Mm

I posted the list of global/stateside manufacturing plants. The countries of Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Mexico are not on that list.

What does this mean? They are either under 50,000ft (not so likely) or the parts are contracted out to 3rd party manufacturer (likely) China being the only plants listed in all of asia, having 2 plants.
 

geologist

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Sorry, but I'm not paying a premium U.S. price for Korean ****-On. Sure, they have fantastic facilities and modern industry, but sorry, I prefer to give my dollars stateside, especially when I'm paying a premium.
 

diesel research

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Sorry, but I'm not paying a premium U.S. price for Korean ****-On. Sure, they have fantastic facilities and modern industry, but sorry, I prefer to give my dollars stateside, especially when I'm paying a premium.

What brand of testlight/multimeter did you buy made in the USA? Give the op some info to help him make a better purchase decision.
 

dieselmike

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That's the republic of Korea, meaning south. Guys S Korea is a worldwide leader in electronics, what is the big deal where it's made, warranty, find the truck or mail it in. How many times is the topic gonna be discussed????

We all know the corvette emblem bears a French flag, do we ***** about that???

Im a ford guy, built with out MY or YOUR tax dollars. And made in Korea is just as good as made in taiwan. and thats just as good as made in china. NO THANKS
 

dieselmike

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South Korea has top notch world class manufacturing capabilities. Heck, who do you think designed and built most of the high end televisions out there today.

the japanese designed, and mexicans made my tv stamped with a korean name and chinese /japanese/korean components
 
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billybudge

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Well, about 10 years ago, I bought a snap on 1/2 air ratchet impact gun, and it was made in China,
and about 6 weeks ago I replaced a snap on roll cab set wih new badges ,just repainted the rollcabs, ordered the badge kit from the US, and on the label, made in Thailand, bought from snap on America,
I have no problems with any off it, none whats so ever,
 

geologist

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What brand of testlight/multimeter did you buy made in the USA? Give the op some info to help him make a better purchase decision.

I have a Fluke multimeter that was made in the USA as well as an old Simpson. I have no idea who made the test light I use because it's sitting in my deceased father's garage, pending release of his estate. Suffice to say, the body is yellow plastic, and it has MADE IN THE U.S.A. in raised letters.

Anything else?
 

Ed_EOD

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Someone show a test light or multimeter that is made in the USA.

South Korea is one of the best electronics manufactures in the world and their workers are treated very well. They are a free market capitalist country, and have been one of our closest allies for over 50 years.
 

Ed_EOD

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I have a Fluke multimeter that was made in the USA as well as an old Simpson. I have no idea who made the test light I use because it's sitting in my deceased father's garage, pending release of his estate. Suffice to say, the body is yellow plastic, and it has MADE IN THE U.S.A. in raised letters.

Anything else?

So you have some older stuff that is US made. That doesn't help when someone needs one. I have a Fluke that's about 5 years old that says "designed in the USA," but nothing about where it's made...
 

diesel research

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I have a Fluke multimeter that was made in the USA as well as an old Simpson. I have no idea who made the test light I use because it's sitting in my deceased father's garage, pending release of his estate. Suffice to say, the body is yellow plastic, and it has MADE IN THE U.S.A. in raised letters.

Anything else?

Like Ed-EOD stated, show us a new one. Anything else or is all this preaching a waste?
 

geologist

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So you have some older stuff that is US made. That doesn't help when someone needs one. I have a Fluke that's about 5 years old that says "designed in the USA," but nothing about where it's made...

Its flatly idiotic to pay $65 for a foreign test light. If you don't see why it's crazy to pay a Snap-On price for $0.50 worth of material that *could* have been manufactured here, by all means, spend freely within the global economy.

I would venture to say the HF version is made right down the street.
 

KraftwerkMk1Jetta

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Its flatly idiotic to pay $65 for a foreign test light. If you don't see why it's crazy to pay a Snap-On price for $0.50 worth of material that *could* have been manufactured here, by all means, spend freely within the global economy.

I would venture to say the HF version is made right down the street.

jealousy will get you nowhere.
 

Kurn

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If owning and using SO tools makes me a snob,then I'm proud to be one.Iffn ya don't like SO,then DON'T BUY 'EM!
 

Catamount

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I bought some "Snap On" mechanics gloves at Costco last week. $17 for 2 pair. Nice price, but clearly made in china on the packaging.
 

dsgbraves

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I have a snap-on test light and the cord on it has fallen apart. snap-on wont warranty it. id look elsewhere.
 
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