Snap-On Torx vs Mac Torx

[LGMechanical]

I bought a set of Torx sockets from Mac today. $83 CDN and that was 10% off. Sizes t8 through t60. These are made from s2 steel. What I'm wondering is why Snap-On charges over $350 CDN for the same set. Is it made from adamantium (unbreakable steel from x-men)? Lol.

Can anyone explain? Or is it just the name thats on it that makes it cost that much?

 

[krusty the clown]

i think you'll figure that out about the same time you decide to trade the MAC's off for a set of snap on's. i did, but they were matco's (and most likely sourced from the same vendor).

 

[Big Bad Jon]

i think you'll figure that out about the same time you decide to trade the MAC's off for a set of snap on's. i did, but they were matco's (and most likely sourced from the same vendor).

Agreed I am not a brand zealot but some of Snap ons stuff is just that muuch better. But the price *****!

 

[autoace]

Snap-on are USA made, and the MAC ones are Taiwan....................I never found the SO ones to be that strong, so use wise it does not make a difference. But Snap-on makes their own, and MAC gets re-labeled Taiwan ones, that is the price difference.

 

[krusty the clown]

Snap-on are USA made, and the MAC ones are Taiwan....................I never found the SO ones to be that strong, so use wise it does not make a difference. But Snap-on makes their own, and MAC gets re-labeled Taiwan ones, that is the price difference.

actually zephyr makes snap on's bits....

http://www.zephyrtools.com/index.html

 

[autoace]

actually zephyr makes snap on's bits....

My bad, USA though right? I had the gold heavy duty SO torx bit sockets, I didn't find them phenomenal, I had to buy new inserts often.

 

[LGMechanical]

Before I bought these Mac torx, I used my Mastercraft set. I was removing the side panels off a Volvo truck which is secured with T40 fasteners. It was on a Monday which is the day Snap-On comes. I usually smash them with a hammer a few times to shake them loose. The first few came off but one of them was stubborn and my T40 broke.

Right on time the Snap-On truck came and right away I went over to the truck and asked how much is the T40. He told me $28CDN. I said screw it because I needed it. So now I go back to my job with my brand new SO T40 and I wanted vengeance! I put it to the test and instantly it breaks! Luckily for me the SO guy was still there rebuilding another tech's ratchet and he replaced it for me.

I got out the PH3050 and gave it to that fastener! Then finally I was able to remove it. My point here is that I don't see what's so special about Snap-On's torx. To me they are comparable to my Mastercraft set which cost me $40CDN.

Edit: I would of just kept on using the Mastercraft set but they don't have all of the sizes so this is why I bought the Mac set.

 

[krusty the clown]

My bad, USA though right? I had the gold heavy duty SO torx bit sockets, I didn't find them phenomenal, I had to buy new inserts often.

yes, they are made in the US. no one makes an unbreakable torx but i have been happier with the gold snappy's than any other. i own mac,matco and lisle as well.

 

[LGMechanical]

I seen some of those low profile 1 piece matco gold torx sockets. Anyone here own those? I would like to know how they hold up.

 

[krusty the clown]

i think the gold one piece were vermont american and no longer available.

 

[rhandwor]

I've purchased SO bits for $10.00 I think all the bits are this price. Normally the bit breaks not the holder. For high use bits this is a cheaper way to go.
If a mac bit bit breaks to frequently try this it will be cheaper. I always buy used bit holders at the flea market.

 

[Stick Figure]

From my experience w/ the allen sockets, the Matco's wanted to strip, where the snap on would just break. I imagine the Torx will be similar. The snap on will most likely maintain their shape until they crack in half, where the cheaper versions will loose the side walls, and most likely damage the fastener in the process.

 

[sberry]

I bought a set from Ace hwd for 14$ that worked about as well as any I have ever used. I have twisted up some of the Lisle though.

 

[rhandwor]

Snap On has the finest chrome in the industry.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I have 25 year old snap on torx sockets , they have some bend to em , they don't break

 

[Merkava_4]

I usually smash them with a hammer a few times to shake them loose. The first few came off but one of them was stubborn and my T40 broke.

Right on time the Snap-On truck came and right away I went over to the truck and asked how much is the T40. He told me $28CDN. I said screw it because I needed it. So now I go back to my job with my brand new SO T40 and I wanted vengeance! I put it to the test and instantly it breaks!

You're not striking those Torx sockets directly with the hammer are you? You mean you're striking the fastener and not the Torx socket, correct?

 

[LGMechanical]

You're not striking those Torx sockets directly with the hammer are you? You mean you're striking the fastener and not the Torx socket, correct?

Correct

 

[billymade]

I worked in a semi trailer shop; the main problem area we had with the torx bits breaking was the floor screws for the wood floor in these things! We had to use a 1/2" impact gun to get these out and they were screwed into the structural I-Beams on the frame of the trailer; once, we had to replace the whole wood floor on a flat bed trailer....that is allot of screws! You cannot use run of the mill bits for this type of work; you need something that will take the punishment and last, at least long enough to get some work done! We broke torx bits all the time but the ones that were supplied to us and lasted the longest were made by APEX and I would assume that Zephyr are at the same level (maybe better?)! The Apex market seems to be assembly line work and Zephyr for Aerospace industry... I don't think you can go wrong with either one!

Apex
http://www.coopertools.com/brands/fastening/index.cfm

Zephyr
http://zephyrtools.com/

 

[rjohnson]

Yes, I also like APEX bits. Maybe this is because I get them free, but they hold up pretty well, and I think they may be made in USA, or at least use to.

 

[wildman1]

Guys

I hate to admit this but .....

Last Sunday I was putting new rotors & pads on the rear axle of my 2000 3/4 Ton HD 4x4 Suburban. The truck has 140K mikes, and the rotors were very thin.

As you can imagine, the caliper scew pins were TIGHT. I tried my US made 3/8" socket/T55 bit - SNAP!

My oldest said that he had a 1/2" drive impact Torx set - I asked him to get it out. I was a little worried when I saw that the set was Pittsburgh brand - as in HF.

The pins were a bit bunged up, so I started the Torx into the pin and used a hammer shocking: That's right! ) to set the Torx impact in place. Add my 18" Craftsman 1/2" breaker bar, and out they came (all 4) - no issues, no broken bit!

I bought a set of the 1/2" impact Torx bits today at HF - $32 with the 20% off coupon.

I like the thought of a solid 1/2" drive bit over the 3/8" socket & bit approach.
I may have been lucky, but my son told me that he bought the set after a buddy that is a truck mechanic recommended them to him (after he broke two 3/8" socket bits trying to change his brakes on his 3/4T HD Chevy 4x4.

 

[Vinko]

I worked in a semi trailer shop; the main problem area we had with the torx bits breaking was the floor screws for the wood floor in these things! We had to use a 1/2" impact gun to get these out and they were screwed into the structural I-Beams on the frame of the trailer; once, we had to replace the whole wood floor on a flat bed trailer....that is allot of screws! You cannot use run of the mill bits for this type of work; you need something that will take the punishment and last, at least long enough to get some work done! We broke torx bits all the time but the ones that were supplied to us and lasted the longest were made by APEX and I would assume that Zephyr are at the same level (maybe better?)! The Apex market seems to be assembly line work and Zephyr for Aerospace industry... I don't think you can go wrong with either one!

Apex
http://www.coopertools.com/brands/fastening/index.cfm

Zephyr
http://zephyrtools.com/

I just bought about 100 apex hex bits. Been using them since 1990. I've posted before about how we were breaking every SO bit we had in the shop several times a week. Apex has cut that down considerably. We drive custom-fab bolts 5/8's with 3/8 allen head into threaded steel -- at about 140 ft lbs using 1/2" IR impact guns and torque wrench. Do it maybe 250-500 times a day. I paid about $5 per bit, fyi. From an industrial distributor of Cooper Tools. Forget which one now, but I could look it up.

I was told by the Snappy guy that the gold and the black SO hex heads used to be different quality, but he thinks they're the same now. I have both for the older hand impact drivers. And those old impact drivers have really held up Al

Have no use for torx right now, and haven't tried them. I think I'll get some stahwille when I can afford to.

 

[krazykev]

i live in the uk and some brands will not put a warranty on the t40 size. this is all thanks to Ford who decided to use this size to fit the front brake callipers to certain ford transit vans. as you may well imagine these are tight. it is very common for the tool to break during normal use. i would like to see how the local dealer removes the fittings.