Snap on tools to get next

[BWdiver]

Hi all, I just purchased a new Snap On KRL7022B series box and a Solus Pro scan tool, and Got a tool voucher for 1,050.00 in free tools (I Know nothing is free) but at least I got to make my best deal and then I got the voucher! lol.

Anyway, I cant afford to fill the box with all Snap On tools. So, my question is what should I get from S-On with the voucher?
I have a few things I plan on getting, I'm basicly starting from nothing. All I have now is a few Craftmen, Gear wrench sae sets, hardly any metric tools. I realy have nothing. I was thinking about getting there swivel sockets in 3/8's and some of there wrenches that have the non slip teeth in the tool and maybe a good 90* angle air wrench which I hear is top notch.

The reason for my purchase is that I'm a small time auto dealer and tow company (3 to 4 cars a month) and I have to tow my cars to my mechanic and most times he can fix almost anything untill he needs a scantool, I get tired of towing to other places to have a diagnostinc done on vehicles plus the cost, so I bought my own.
I really like my box and plan on dressing it up in the future after its full of tools.

 

[Kurn]

Dual 80 ratchets........

 

[back2class]

Much of the snap-on line is a waste and overpriced. For instance a snap-on adjustablw wrench and craftsman will perform 100% the same duty. Another area where the slightly higher quality is wasted is stubby wrenches and other low torque tools. Hammers are another where you will not find Snap-On offers the best value or any real value over items costing 1/4 the price. Some pliers are another one I would skip.
Things where snap-on shines between warranty and quality are items that are often stressed to the limit/breaking point of the tool. Thesee are the snap-on items where that 2% better quality makes the most sense.

Torx bits, both male and female
Snap-ring pliers.
Wrenches with open ends..combos, line, crowfoot and so on
Screwdrivers (top quality though no more than others, but great warranty)
Tripple square and other sockets/bits prone to break, strip.
Taps and dies (not any better than other less expensive, but they are consumables and that warranty is great)
Mini pick set.
Some may say sockets, but I personaly have not found a lick of difference in quality of any decent usa made socket.
Some may say prybars but I feel USA made mayhew are every bit as good.
Some will say 24" breaker bar and I tend to agree. When I ca get hurt of it breaks, best to know you have the best.
Many will say ratchets, but I never liked Snap-On ratchets and personaly feel there are many better ones regardless of cost and that 99% of the times means they cost less.

If you are hung up on snap-on tools like many here, it does not matter, just get what you want. But if you just like top quality tools and are not a sucker for the brand and image, then outside of the stuff I listed, you can buy just as high quality tools for much less. I personaly would rather have top quality tools with different brands, than a good deal fewer with snap-on stamped on every one. The list I gave you should eat up every bit of that credit.

 

[Super Sport]

Personally I wouldn't have spent the money for a Snap-On box if I wasn't able to afford to fill it with good tools. But that's just me...

I don't own many Snap On tools but the ones I feel are worth the money are ratchets and torque wrenches. These are tools you will be using almost all the time and it's best to make sure they are high quality. I find that these tools made by Snap On are smaller and much better made than most other brands.

 

[diesel research]

prybars

 

[earlthegoat2]

The tools which SO makes which no one else has better or equal of....

For instance: Ratchets, torque wrenches, I personally like their large needle nose pliers and electronics cutters. That could get you close to 1050 if you buy enough ratchets.

 

[plinker]

Off hand I would reccommend these;

Ratcheting screwdrivers

Mini pick & hook set

Screwdriver bit set (made by zypher, IIRC)

Angle wrenches

The tools which SO makes which no one else has better or equal of....

That or where they re-sell the tool with a better warranty

 

[Wakefield]

I think they are trying to make the most compact (at the head) possible breaker bar that has good strength. They should make two designs (in 1/2"),one for compactness,fits the tightest places,and another one that can be bulky but is made to be as indestructible as possible,for bragging rights as to having the absolute strongest one. Otherwise people are liable to get a Wright or S-K 3/4" one and put an impact adapter 3/4">1/2" drive on it.

 

[Avgas]

Dual 80 ratchets........

yep, dual 80 ratchets are a great starting point, you don't necessarily have to get snap on sockets, there are great US made socket sets out there that will take full advantage of the dual 80 smoothness.

 

[Fedwrench]

Flare or line wrenches, heavy duty torx bit drivers. What's your skill level? Why are you towing cars to someone else to fix?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

good reason to buy a scan tool

 

[BWdiver]

Thanks for those replys, much appreciated.
But first let me correct from my post above. I did say I couldn't afford to stock everything SO in my new box. What I should have said is that I don't won't too if not nessary.
yes, I do believe SO makes a great product and like many said the open end wrenches that don't slip is on my list.

I'm Not a mechanic by no means and yes I use others to fix my cars, mainly because I cant do everything like sell cars and tow cars and so on. I do make 90% of my money selling cars I find reasonably priced and can have fixed and sell them to the common man...thats where I thought the Solus pro would help me diagnose cars that I may buy or not buy.

But I do and will fix minor things when I can, but find even that hard to do with a wanna be starter kit. I just wanted to know what you guy's consider must haves from SO.

I know SO is pricy but my birthday is comming up and I treated myself to something nice that I always wanted. yes a general old toolbox could have worked, but I wanted this I like wide drawers on professional boxes. plus it's an item that I can pass down later on.
keep the replys comming.
I do own SO screw driver set and a ratcheting one too, and a large SO TQ wrench.

 

[warmpancakes]

save the voucher and wait for the 99.00 deals buy 10 of them sell on ebay for 2k and pay 2k towards tool box

 

[BWdiver]

save the voucher and wait for the 99.00 deals buy 10 of them sell on ebay for 2k and pay 2k towards tool box

What am I buying for 99.00?

 

[plinker]

A rethreading kit would also be good to have, but it may be less expensive from Craftsman or Kastar (they are the OEM). Snap-on does have replacement rethreading tap & dies available where the other two do not.

 

[Gareth68]

The universal sockets are top notch. The semi-deep sockets are another very nice item that is somewhat hard to find comparable quality in.

The screwdrivers are good....but I prefer my felos and rarely grab the snap on ones I have.

If your voucher covers blue point too, consider stretching your dollar nd getting some of their line.

For instance, I get a LOT of use out of my snap on 1/4 drive general service set:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...6&group_ID=101&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

However, were I buying new I would strongly consider saving serious coin and picking up the blue point version:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=81676&group_id=20261

HTH,

Gary

 

[treasureseeker]

I am had to please and recommend the Snap On ratcheting screwdriver and their wrenches. I have the Craftsman pro pry bars and am very happy with the Snap on striking cap pry bars in comparisons that I just got. I am not into Snap On hard handles on screwdrivers but on the pry bars I am very impressed. I like the Snap on red dead blow ballpeen hammers with the comfort section in the handle.

 

[BWdiver]

The universal sockets are top notch. The semi-deep sockets are another very nice item that is somewhat hard to find comparable quality in.

The screwdrivers are good....but I prefer my felos and rarely grab the snap on ones I have.

If your voucher covers blue point too, consider stretching your dollar nd getting some of their line.

For instance, I get a LOT of use out of my snap on 1/4 drive general service set:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...6&group_ID=101&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

However, were I buying new I would strongly consider saving serious coin and picking up the blue point version:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=81676&group_id=20261

HTH,

Gary

What a difference in price!
yeah, I'm seeing that a grand doesn't go far with SO. but he will cut me a deal since I just spent 8600.00 bucks with him.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Since you aren't looking at daily/heavy usage, you can make your dollar go a lot farther by picking up the Bluepoint hardline.

 

[BWdiver]

Since you aren't looking at daily/heavy usage, you can make your dollar go a lot farther by picking up the Bluepoint hardline.

True, whats the deal with SO selling BP? theres not as many BP tools in the catalog.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

Id get combo wrench sets metric and standard that is one thing snap on makes better than most everyone else.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

True, whats the deal with SO selling BP? theres not as many BP tools in the catalog.

The Bluepoint line is mostly specialty stuff, but there is a limited selection of wrenches, sockets/ratchets, screwdrivers and the like. It's all in the catalog, but sometimes it takes some looking to find it.

 

[ekeller]

Skip the snap ring pliers. Channel lock makes them, and they are also avaible in the craftsman professional line for alot less than snap on. I do like Snap On sockets, ratchets, extensions, ect. The 1/4 general service set gets used all the time. Their wrenches are also very good. I try to just buy the stuff that they make, not outsourced rebranded products as they can be had for alot less from other venders.

 

[Hiball]

Skip the snap ring pliers. Channel lock makes them, and they are also avaible in the craftsman professional line for alot less than snap on. I do like Snap On sockets, ratchets, extensions, ect. The 1/4 general service set gets used all the time. Their wrenches are also very good. I try to just buy the stuff that they make, not outsourced rebranded products as they can be had for alot less from other venders.

Channell Lock does NOT make Snap on Snap ring pliers, Stride is the OEM for the convertible version but Snap on makes the Good Set. I believe Stride is the OEM for most of the Truck brands including Cornwell, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, KD etc...

 

[tankboy_taylor]

I think cornwell makes a better snap ring plier than snap on

 

[ekeller]

http://www.channellock.com/Category.aspx?zcid=123

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=22614&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

They look exactly the same to me. The Channel Locks are very good.

 

[back2class]

http://www.channellock.com/Category.aspx?zcid=123

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=22614&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

They look exactly the same to me. The Channel Locks are very good.

Those are the homeowner style, at least I call them that. If you are going to go interchangable tips, then just get the $15 channelock or $10 Craftsman Version. I have a craftsman one and it is fine, but I will keep my 4pc Proto set with fixed tips.
When I was talking snap-ring pliers, I meant fixed tip.

 

[warmpancakes]

http://www.channellock.com/Category.aspx?zcid=123

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=22614&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

They look exactly the same to me. The Channel Locks are very good.

those are junk the tips go missing quick

 

[ekeller]

How do you loose the tips? They have a screw to tighten them. I have gotten along just fine with mine. And I can have internal or external in 1 second, no need to fill up the tool box with several different pairs.

 

[dieselmike]

snap ring pliers that are not fixed are junk. blue point is all made in taiwan republic of china. aka china.

if ya gotta buy snappy buy USA!

 

[Hiball]

http://www.channellock.com/Category.aspx?zcid=123

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=22614&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

They look exactly the same to me. The Channel Locks are very good.

LOL.. Yes I was talking about Real Snap ring pliers. Those are fine for your Light snap rings but they will show there true colors when used on heavy rings for any extended period of time. Good for 90% of GJ members, Not so good for anyone who uses them daily. There is no doubt in my mind that Snap on doesnt produce those pliers you linked but they do produce this set.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=15546&group_ID=771&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Bad ***...

The Below Sets are made by Imperial and as i said they make them for Cornwell, Craftman, KD, Mac, Matco, Armstrong, Blackhawk etc....


Snap on

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=7016&group_ID=13158&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Mac

http://www.mactools.com/Product/tabid/120/productid/319781/variantid/310540/Default.aspx

Matco

http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/pliers-and-sets/snap-retaining-rings-and-sets/sets/

SK

http://compare.ebay.com/like/140573787255?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Armstrong

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&xhr=t&q=armstrong+cam+lock&cp=18&qe=QXJtc3Ryb25nIGNhbSBsb2Nr&qesig=bVpD5d5sRKXSgak17rjb-w&pkc=AFgZ2tn2POTVG_QvMvwqL5EZNieS6WMdLLc_WNxz59ti_O0JBy-zTu0J_129U_PCxmFjDJhu6tw5ZEMMG-McC6SyMm-z2yXf-w&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4GZEU_enUS426US426&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=577&ion=1&wrapid=tljp1310944049955030&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12083648720822825358&sa=X&ei=OGsjTouSOYudgQeQjLm-Cw&sqi=2&ved=0CC8Q8wIwAw#

These are just examples of the Cam Lock version, You can find identical sets that are deemed Quarter turn sets and they will all look the same from all the above Sellers.

They look like this.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=armstrong+snap+ring+pliers+set&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8468760611876468570&sa=X&ei=lmsjTrvSO4HTgQeOrr2-Cw&ved=0CGMQ8wIwAg#

And they come from this Manufacturer.

http://www.stridetool.com/aboutus/aboutus.html

 

[jtfc]

I love the 1/4 6pt general service socket set, the dual 80s are awesome. The flank drive plus(the one with teeth on the open end) with a ratcheting box are awesome as well. Im sure you can get cheaper better stuff but if your asking for snap on tools that's what I recommend.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Yeah, buy a good set of snap ring pliers....from SO or whoever makes a good set. Those are another item where quality is all over the place.

 

[Toolhorder]

A rethreading kit would also be good to have, but it may be less expensive from Craftsman or Kastar (they are the OEM). Snap-on does have replacement rethreading tap & dies available where the other two do not.

I thought the same thing but the Craftsman kit is smaller than the Snappy kit. FYI

 

[Skin]

I think cornwell makes a better snap ring plier than snap on

cornwell doesnt make snap ring pliers.

I thought the same thing but the Craftsman kit is smaller than the Snappy kit. FYI

nope, they're the same. Craftsman offers 2 versions.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=56049&group_ID=1148

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942275000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

heres the smaller kit the Cman also sells

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...threader&sLevel=0&prop17=craftsman rethreader

True, whats the deal with SO selling BP? theres not as many BP tools in the catalog.

Blue Point is Snap-Ons "budget" line but frankly if you'd be far better off buying Williams, Gearwrench, SK etc.. to make your dollar go further. Essentially you're still paying a 50-100% markup on imports and generic tools.

Frankly i find your question rather odd. Nobody here will know better what tools you need than you yet you ask a bunch of strangers how to best spend your money but you dont exactly specify what you want to accomplish. Simply focus on what you need most. Tools that make you money are a good investment. Tools that are going to look pretty but sit in your box are a bad investment.

If you're indeed trying to cover all your basis on that 1k voucher then you're finished. I'd second the suggestion of either flipping new SO items for as much of a return as possible or selling the voucher [if you can] for a small loss and taking the cash and purchasing other brands.

 

[punkenduro]

Since you aren't looking at daily/heavy usage, you can make your dollar go a lot farther by picking up the Bluepoint hardline.

bluepoint makes a few beginner sets that include a lot, thats where i started and i havent broken a socket or wrench, just a rachet that i got fixed by my dealer. if you do anything euro at all, triple squares, torx are on most everything now. impact gun, cordless if you dont have air/or are mobile. pry bars and hammers are always fun...

 

[diesel research]

snap ring pliers that are not fixed are junk. blue point is all made in taiwan republic of china. aka china.

if ya gotta buy snappy buy USA!

Absolutely INCORRECT. I have new bluepoint tools (purchased within last 2-3 years) that are indeed stamped made in the USA.

They are a "special tool" for cummins diesel engine work (bosch pump "timing gauge"). The kicker is, there is only one other brand producing a somewhat similar set, that is OTC/SPX/Miller. That SPX set is not close to the same, and is more expensive. There for, you find that most in the industry go to the snap on/blue point set. A few bluepoint special wrenches added into the mix as well.

Now you know bluepoint is not just imported tools, and should have reason to doubt all the rest are simply rebranded.


a lot of them are though...

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Absolutely INCORRECT. I have new bluepoint tools (purchased within last 2-3 years) that are indeed stamped made in the USA.

They are a "special tool" for cummins diesel engine work (bosch pump "timing gauge"). The kicker is, there is only one other brand producing a somewhat similar set, that is OTC/SPX/Miller. That SPX set is not close to the same, and is more expensive. There for, you find that most in the industry go to the snap on/blue point set. A few bluepoint special wrenches added into the mix as well.

Now you know bluepoint is not just imported tools, and should have reason to doubt all the rest are simply rebranded.


a lot of them are though...

Looking at my Bluepoint stuff, a full 80% is marked USA, the rest is Canada or Taiwan. Granted, this stuff has been acquired over a period of about 20 years, but still. Bought a set of non-magnetic (brass) feeler gauges last week that are PLAINLY stamped USA.

 

[TozziWelding]

One of my favorite Snap-On tools is my long 1/2" flex head ratchet, well worth the price, as well as my 3/4" and 1" ratchets with interchangeable handles.