Snap On - USA?

[Duplo]

Back in the 90's early 00's, when Snap On had the nice red hard handle screw drivers, Snap On meant 'made-in-USA' and anything that wasn't made in the USA or made by a third party was branded blue point.

I've got early 00's SOEX flank drive plus wrench set which is stamped snap on USA.

Today, I bought a ratcheting wrench in the flank drive plus series, to match the rest of my kit.

To my disappointment, there's no USA stamp, no patent stamp, the finish isn't the same - the quality isn't the same. Especially annoying since here in Australia we pay a premium for this gear.

I'm guessing that snap on isn't made in USA anymore and that everything comes from Taiwan or more likely from China.

I understand that companies have to compete with low-cost overseas imports, but we're paying a premium for China made tools. A bit annoying.


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[Rossco]

Way of the world.

I only buy 'Bread and butter' ****-On tools. Socketry and long running tool offering.

Says on the website - Country of origin.

Personally i'de a bought gear wrench 'Ratchet wrenches' Flexy.

 

[JonnyMac]

Post some pics... most of my snap on gear is marked but i havent bought a wrench in a few years...

 

[Strouty]

Where did you buy this wrench? I have recent wrenches and they are all stamped USA.

 

[mr.speaker]

Some of them don't have"USA" on them. Maybe it's a new thing but the website still says USA for country of origin ..Who knows, maybe it's USA with global materials type b.s.

 

[redwrench60]

The Snap On Flank Drive Plus ratcheting wrenches aren't marked USA for some reason but When I bought mine I specifically looked at the box and it said Made in USA right on the package. Website also lists the COO as USA.

 

[Strouty]

I did not have that issue, but I bought Proto and they are made in Dallas.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

The Snap On Flank Drive Plus ratcheting wrenches aren't marked USA for some reason but When I bought mine I specifically looked at the box and it said Made in USA right on the package. Website also lists the COO as USA.

Same here. (I thought my GW wrenches were nice until I used my buddies SO FD+ rat wrenches. Totally worth the money.)

 

[DemoFly]

Why is snap-on putting their name on chinese junk?

If you go to the auto-parts store there's snap-on folding knives and terrible led pen lights that are made in china.

Are they close to bankrupt?

I was gifted a 2000 lumen work light that is branded snap on, and it's also made in china. I was really excited when I received the gift because of brand recognition, after looking it up online it's for sale on amazon for $50.

I'm not that upset about the light, though, because it's a fantastic work light.

 

[Duplo]

Post some pics... most of my snap on gear is marked but i havent bought a wrench in a few years...

I've attached three pictures:

• the first is the snap on side - note the top wrench is the ROE from a set that I bought in about 2003; the bottom one is the ratcheting wrench I bought this morning from a Snap On truck. Note that the old one is stamped USA, and the new one is not.
• the second is the model number side - the old USA one has the patent details the new one does not
• the third is the open end - note that the old USA one is far better finished. The finish/polishing inside the open end is higher quality.

 

[Parabellum]

Could this be a counterfeit?

 

[Duplo]

Could this be a counterfeit?

Unlikely.

I bought it from a Snap On truck. I went in the truck, asked for one, he looked around and didn't have any loose singles, so he pulls a fresh complete set wrapped in shrink wrap plastic, cuts it open and hands me the 10mm ratcheting wrench.

 

[derosa]

Don't see the difference in the open ends, what are we looking for? Probably as someone else mentioned they specd the internals from overseas meaning they can't stamp made in the US not that its Chinese junk. I'm not a SO person but I think I'd move on and just enjoy the tool.

 

[CNGsaves]

Little scary that SnapOn ratcheting wrench getting the Lobster Claw look ??

 

[ibedayank]

Why is snap-on putting their name on chinese junk?

If you go to the auto-parts store there's snap-on folding knives and terrible led pen lights that are made in china.

.

could it be that Snap-off has a factory in china??

bluepoint=made in china junk

 

[Duplo]

Don't see the difference in the open ends, what are we looking for? Probably as someone else mentioned they specd the internals from overseas meaning they can't stamp made in the US not that its Chinese junk. I'm not a SO person but I think I'd move on and just enjoy the tool.

If you look in the open end, you'll see that the old wrench is finished nicer - it's ground and polished to a higher standard. On the new one, the open end looks like it was finished by a lazy dude at the end of his Friday shift.

Not a big deal and it doesn't affect use, but for the price, I didn't expect a drop in standard / quality.


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[Skin]

None of their ratcheting wrenches are stamped USA probably owing to the fact that they were introduced when Snap-On went on their stupid stance of removing COO markings and they never updated the stamping machine. As stated the packaging does list USA though.

To me it looks like you're complaint is with the broaching machining marks which is kind of nit-picky in my opinion. The chrome difference is because the older wrench were nickel copper hexavalent chrome, the new ones are nickel trivalent chrome due to the EPA. Hexavalent chrome has been classified a toxic carcinogen so its been mostly phased out by everyone. Most full polish tools have the darker luster anymore, even ones from different manufacturers out of China and Taiwan for the same reason US manufacturers dropped it. If you liked the lighter chrome look into Proto/MAC which tint their plating to a brighter luster.

 

[Strouty]

I know all the conspiracy theories are out there, but a product can be labeled made in USA and still have "negligible" foreign made parts.

This is from the FTC website:

Example: A company produces propane barbecue grills at a plant in Nevada. The product’s major components include the gas valve, burner and aluminum housing, each of which is made in the U.S. The grill’s knobs and tubing are imported from Mexico. An unqualified Made in USA claim is not likely to be deceptive because the knobs and tubing make up a negligible portion of the product’s total manufacturing costs and are insignificant parts of the final product.

 

[bobcatdan]

 

[DemoFly]

You seem to be trolling harder than diamonds.

Klein has their name on stuff made in China. Mercedes-Benz assembles autos in China, Turkey, Hungary, USA. My Fein charger is made in China. My Snap-On batteries are made in Taiwan. Apple's top selling products are made in China. Ford has autos assembled in Mexico. Literally the list of globalization at work is astronomical.

Just because a company has products made in China, doesn't mean all their products are made in China. Country of origin can not always reflect on quality.

You put words in my mouth.

I am not stating everything from China or other markets is junk. I am asking why Snap-on is putting their name on LITERAL JUNK. $3 15 lumen LED lights made of complete plastic, and folding knives that are worse than the schrades next to them.

 

[Wes J]

I think that what's happening is that parts of the ratcheting mechanism are made in Taiwan. The body is made here and it's assembled here. However, they can't or don't feel that it's right to stamp USA on it.

Same thing with with Dual 80 ratchets. It's 90% made in USA, but that 10% keeps them from stamping USA on it.

It's still a good product. It's probably still worth the money. It's probably more American than tools from other brands that are stamped "USA".

 

[Allaround]

Why is snap-on putting their name on chinese junk?

If you go to the auto-parts store there's snap-on folding knives and terrible led pen lights that are made in china.

Are they close to bankrupt?

I was gifted a 2000 lumen work light that is branded snap on, and it's also made in china. I was really excited when I received the gift because of brand recognition, after looking it up online it's for sale on amazon for $50.

I'm not that upset about the light, though, because it's a fantastic work light.

Bankrupt ? FAR from it. This graphic illustrates and also debunks the lie of "can't compete with China"
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=SNA+Interactive#{"range":"5y","allowChartStacking":true}

 

[isr2kba]

I know all the conspiracy theories are out there, but a product can be labeled made in USA and still have "negligible" foreign made parts.

This is from the FTC website:

Example: A company produces propane barbecue grills at a plant in Nevada. The product’s major components include the gas valve, burner and aluminum housing, each of which is made in the U.S. The grill’s knobs and tubing are imported from Mexico. An unqualified Made in USA claim is not likely to be deceptive because the knobs and tubing make up a negligible portion of the product’s total manufacturing costs and are insignificant parts of the final product.

I'd go with this theory. And to expand on it, although the wrench apparently qualifies for the "Made in USA" tag per the FTC standard, Snap On's standard differs. A snap-ring, spring and/or screw may be sourced globally.

As for the absence of patent, it probably ran out, so need to stamp it on the newer wrenches.

My experience:

I've been using these wrenches for years, starting with a complete set marked USA. I have 3 left that say USA (the sizes I hardly use) -- all the others have been warrantied for ratchet mechanism failure.

Take heart, OP, the newer ones seem to fail less often, and hence are in a sense "more" American.

 

[Hiball]

I think that what's happening is that parts of the ratcheting mechanism are made in Taiwan. The body is made here and it's assembled here. However, they can't or don't feel that it's right to stamp USA on it.

Same thing with with Dual 80 ratchets. It's 90% made in USA, but that 10% keeps them from stamping USA on it.

It's still a good product. It's probably still worth the money. It's probably more American than tools from other brands that are stamped "USA".

Just to clarify, as you seem well out of the loop. Outside of a small window of time the dual 80 rats initially had the USA stamp upon introduction, then it went away for a short period and for quite some time they Now carry the USA stamp on the handle.

 

[Wes J]

Just to clarify, as you seem well out of the loop. Outside of a small window of time the dual 80 rats initially had the USA stamp upon introduction, then it went away for a short period and for quite some time they Now carry the USA stamp on the handle.

OK. Their website has always listed them as USA.

Who knows why they do various things for no explicable reason. If I was selling a USA made product, I'd be shouting "USA" every chance I had. Maybe Snap-On feels its a fore-drawn conclusion.

 

[Hiball]

OK. Their website has always listed them as USA.

Who knows why they do various things for no explicable reason. If I was selling a USA made product, I'd be shouting "USA" every chance I had. Maybe Snap-On feels its a fore-drawn conclusion.

Yep, even thru the Non-stamped Era they always claimed USA on the website, not to mention the hundreds of emails Snap on customer crevice fielded by GJ members in regards to the missing stamp. It was quite the time here at GJ, even then it was ludacris to think after Stanley/Mac lawsuits for lieing to consumers in regards to COO, that SO would follow in there shoes on such a hot topic. IRC the reasoning they gave for the missing stamp was to appeal to the global market, seems silly to me, but whatever.

 

[AA/FC]

OK. Their website has always listed them as USA.

That's because they've always been made in the USA.... regardless if the stamp appeared on the ratchet.

Who knows why they do various things for no explicable reason. If I was selling a USA made product, I'd be shouting "USA" every chance I had. Maybe Snap-On feels its a fore-drawn conclusion.

If I'm not mistaken, SO felt they should remove the USA stamp becsuse their tools are sold globally..... why that makes a difference is still a mystery to me. Anyway, after great backlash from customers, they put USA back on the ratchets. This does NOT mean the ratchets were made anywhere other than the USA.

And I do agree with you..... If I was selling a product that was made in the USA, it would be the biggest stamp on the product itself, and printed front and center on the packaging.


Edit: Tree'd by Hiball by one minute. Lol

 

[nutsnbolts]

I did not have that issue, but I bought Proto and they are made in Dallas.

Hmmm...all my Proto tools say Los Angeles on them, although none of them are real new.

 

[redwrench60]

How about this pic I just took on the Snap On truck 10 mins ago of a new sealed in packaging Snap On standard FD+ ratcheting wrench set. The wrenches aren't stamped USA. Someone will still argue.

 

[redwrench60]

Also, tell me about this lobster claw thing? Here's my 5/8" FD+ from 1998 and a newly minted FD+ ratchet wrench. Can you tell the difference? There's a lot of straight ******** in this thread.

 

[redwrench60]

Here's one more to drive it home. These are outstanding quality wrenches with nicely rounded beams, thin ratcheting box end walls for clearance, long length and that proven FD+ open end.

 

[1982fxr]

this thread is a joke Jesus Christ people

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

How about this pic I just took on the Snap On truck 10 mins ago of a new sealed in packaging Snap On standard FD+ ratcheting wrench set. The wrenches aren't stamped USA. Someone will still argue.

Obviously the packaging is made in the US

 

[AA/FC]

Also, tell me about this lobster claw thing? Here's my 5/8" FD+ from 1998 and a newly minted FD+ ratchet wrench. Can you tell the difference? There's a lot of straight ******** in this thread.

Yeah, there is nothing "lobster claw" about any SO wrenches.

 

[bcradio]

I pity all of those who live somewhere without Fleet Farm.

Never heard of Fleet Farm. I do wish we had an Ikea though

 

[oldtools]

How about this pic I just took on the Snap On truck 10 mins ago of a new sealed in packaging Snap On standard FD+ ratcheting wrench set. The wrenches aren't stamped USA. Someone will still argue.

The packaging can be made in the US and the tools somewhere else and SO still not violating any law. Why can't SO just put it on the tools. Once the packaging is gone, COO tracebility is gone also. I also have several "Snap On" branded tools with no COO stamping.

 

[redwrench60]

The packaging can be made in the US and the tools somewhere else and SO still not violating any law. Why can't SO just put it on the tools. Once the packaging is gone, COO tracebility is gone also. I also have several "Snap On" branded tools with no COO stamping.

Snap On seems to go out of their way to be clear on stuff like this. For instance the punch sets say "pouch made in China, tools made in USA" I've seen similar wording before when more than one COO is involved. I just don't belive in a conspiracy here in this case. I do wish they'd just put USA on them......with a roll stamp, not ****** laser engraving.

 

[Rosso]

I've noticed on some of the toolbox's they no longer have COO on the sticker.

Both of my KRA's are made in the USA according to the website. No mention that the guides and wheels are made in China.

 

[Wamsutta]

You might have a legitimate gripe about the vertical striations in the arch of the open end, but the darker chrome is just the result of our EPA running amuck.

 

[Loscaldazar]

This is a topic that irritates me almost as much as the whole painted interior of sockets threads.

They are made in the USA. The ratcheting mechanism is made in the USA too (not sure if they still have the repair kits listed on their website, but last time I checked, those repair kits were listed as USA COO). It's not a conspiracy that Snap On is trying to sell Chinese tools as USA made.

The striations in the open end are really the only potential problem there. Although I've seen the same on numerous brands of polished chrome wrenches.

The darker chrome is because of a switch to Trivalent Chrome. There are two main types of chrome ( trivalent chromium (Cr III) and hexavalent chromium (Cr VI)). hexavalent gives a nice bright white/silver chrome finish, and is what most people are used to when they hear chrome. Trivalent is a darker grey chrome. The EPA has made using hexavalent chrome super expensive, so many companies have switched. They give about the same level of protection, but hexavalent looks better and trivalent is WAY WAY less toxic.