Snap On - USA?

[Murphy4570]

OP those wrenches are USA made. Your fears are unfounded.

 

[mdtaylorjr]

All of my dual 80 ratchets say USA on them. Its just not stamped on the back like the 936s are its stamped around the side of the handle near the grip. Will post pics tomorrow when I get back to work

 

[Keelhauled]

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.

Just to make it clear for the record, Snap-on doesn't make those, they're made by some other company (I think it starts with an A) who licenses the Snap-on name. Personally I'm not really sure that it's a good idea for them, brand dilution is a thing, but it's not a sign that Chinese tools are in or going to be in the trucks.

 

[Wakefield]

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.

Doesn't a grainy inside surface in the open end help keep the wrench from slipping? (Unless it is the Flank Drive + or Wrightgrip with teeth or groves)

 

[popparoach]

But is the inside chromed or painted?

 

[Duplo]

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.

Great information skin. Very helpful.

I do admit that I am picky about tools. I mean, most of the people on this forum must be, given that it is a forum about garages and tools.

Here in Australia, the little SOEXRM10 retails for about AUD$55.

To give some comparison, an equivalent Sidchrome ratcheting 10mm wrench retails for about AUD$31.

Moreover a complete Sidchrome ring-open-end spanner (wrench) metric set can be had for AUD$109.






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[d4dawg]

My Taiwan made DeWalt combination wrenches have far better finish on the inside surface of the open end than the USA made Snap-on wrenches. The OP's suspicion on the COO of his Snap-on wrenches *also* based on the surface finish of the wrenches is unjustified.

 

[Wes J]

What does the surface finish on the inside of the open end of a wrench matter? Use it a few times and it will look like every other used wrench.

As said before, the Asians can use all the nasty chrome chemicals that we can't use anymore. It makes no difference in how the tools works.

 

[Super Sport]

Just to make it clear for the record, Snap-on doesn't make those, they're made by some other company (I think it starts with an A) who licenses the Snap-on name. Personally I'm not really sure that it's a good idea for them, brand dilution is a thing, but it's not a sign that Chinese tools are in or going to be in the trucks.

Alltrade. And rumor has it that the guy at SO that signed this contract is no longer there because of it. You can find all kinds of SO licensed **** now at B&M retailers, and it's all lower quality China stuff.

All of my dual 80 ratchets say USA on them. Its just not stamped on the back like the 936s are its stamped around the side of the handle near the grip. Will post pics tomorrow when I get back to work

They are stamping them there now, but at one time they were not stamped with USA in any location.

 

[2oolhound]

My Taiwan made DeWalt combination wrenches have far better finish on the inside surface of the open end than the USA made Snap-on wrenches. The OP's suspicion on the COO of his Snap-on wrenches *also* based on the surface finish of the wrenches is unjustified.

"All that glitters is not gold"

Many tools today are finished with coatings that posses a hardness factor greater than the tool surface itself. I have no inside info on what snap-on's new compliant chrome finish consists of but the degree of shine is not paramount to quality. Hardness, longevity or wearablillity and resistance to corrosion are some important characteristics of the finish. Although I'll miss the bright shiny chrome of yesteryear it is a short lived benefit anyway. Any of my 30 year old S-O wrenches have long since lost that sheen and are a dull metal appearance.

It's pretty hard to judge the wrench in the op's 3rd photo because the wrench in question is out of focus. You can see the zone of sharp focus is further back where the stampings on the beam are which is the same distance from the focal point of the lens as the jaws on the old wrench to the left. We're also seeing wood grain reflections (out of focus) on the inside jaws of the wrench in question. Finally when a lens enters into the wide angle focal length items in the foreground appear larger than items in the background giving the wrench in question a slight lobster claw appearance. The only lobster claw wrenches I've seen manufactured in the last 30 years were the 1st run of china made craftsman wrenches which were quickly rectified.

 

[scw1991]

Pretty soon you'll be able to purchase your brand new Buick Envision from China. Thank goodness we won't have to worry about any defects in quality or workmanship whatsoever since GM is an "American" company.....

I'm sorry but until someone on this forum actually works at Snap-On and posts pics of Snap-On tools being manufactured in the various stages on USA soil, I'm not not buying off on 100% Made in USA bull ****. More importantly, where is Snap-On sourcing the raw material to manufacture their tools? Is the stamping, forging, heat treating, annealing, chroming, QC, and numerous other manufacturing processes ALL taking place on USA soil?

 

[d4dawg]

What does the surface finish on the inside of the open end of a wrench matter? Use it a few times and it will look like every other used wrench.

As said before, the Asians can use all the nasty chrome chemicals that we can't use anymore. It makes no difference in how the tools works.

I made no point on whether a shiny smooth finish works better or not. It was the OP's suspicion that Snap-on might have sourced the manufacturing from China or Taiwan because he noticed the finish isn't as nice. So his assumption was: Shiny = USA made = good.

 

[GTO]

Mods please delete.....this thread will not end well.
Also dozens of other threads just like this one have been posted here for years now.
Thanks you

 

[Wakefield]

My Taiwan made DeWalt combination wrenches have far better finish on the inside surface of the open end than the USA made Snap-on wrenches. The OP's suspicion on the COO of his Snap-on wrenches *also* based on the surface finish of the wrenches is unjustified.

The wrenches in a local hardware store look much much shinier than my Wright wrenches. Will they work better? I don't think so.
Given a choice,I will buy stuff in "satin" or matte finish rather than "polish",it just doesn't seem to get scratched up as much. Even though the Nepros wrench allows you to see yourself looking back.

 

[toddoky]

Mods please delete.....this thread will not end well.
Also dozens of other threads just like this one have been posted here for years now.
Thanks you

Why is sharing differing opinions on these subjects so uncomfortable to some of you guys?

 

[Wes J]

Given a choice,I will buy stuff in "satin" or matte finish rather than "polish",it just doesn't seem to get scratched up as much. Even though the Nepros wrench allows you to see yourself looking back.

Lots of industrial tool brands sells tools that are black oxide finished like impact sockets. I really like them except that they harder to see in a low light situation and can be lost more easily.

Nothing wrong with satin finish. Think about how many Craftsman raised panel wrenches have been made over the years. Millions I'm sure. Thousands of mechanics made a living with those tools.

 

[mdtaylorjr]

Super sport you are correct. I just pulled out my very first FL80 I bought in 2007 out of my road service bag and it is not stamped USA at all. I never noticed that at all. Just noticed the newer ones are.

 

[Vortaku]

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

Are they made in Dallas? If so I am about to start supporting them, since they are local!

 

[Strouty]

Are they made in Dallas? If so I am about to start supporting them, since they are local!

Pretty sure it is just the ratcheting wrenches, the I beam style, not the cheaper ones, those are made in taiwan.

 

[TheMadMech]

I've got two proto ratcheting wrenches. Worst by far than the Gearwrench. I like a lot of Proto tools but their ratcheting wrenches ****.

This is my clever signature.

 

[Strouty]

You have the offshore ones.

 

[Buckgnarly]

The Proto spline ratcheting and whatever they call the gripping open end are US made and very, very nice!

 

[AbnDaddy]

Hey everyone, I know this is an older thread but I wanted to give an update, I work at Snap-On and I have noticed the striations in the open end of all the box/open wrenches, not just the ratchet wrenches. Haven't seen it in the open/open angle wrenches or any sizes over 3/4 or 22mm (so far) I brought this issue up to our QC manager and she immediately sent out an email to Kenosha HQ that garnered a response from the National Director of Quality Control who agreed this is a visual defect that does not affect performance and they will be looking in to it, so more to follow.....

 

[Sugarfryz]

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".

All my dual 80s are stamped USA. All recently bought in just a little over two years. All the new ones on the truck are stamped USA as well.

I believe Snap on had a period of time where they didn't stamp USA to see how people would react and people flipped. (No actual proof of this, I heard this info on the forum.)

I also believe you are right about the wrenches, my FD+ ratcheting wrenches aren't stamped USA and I think some part of the ratcheting mechanism isn't from the us. The standard non ratcheting fd+ are all stamped USA.

 

[bcradio]

Hey everyone, I know this is an older thread but I wanted to give an update, I work at Snap-On and I have noticed the striations in the open end of all the box/open wrenches, not just the ratchet wrenches. Haven't seen it in the open/open angle wrenches or any sizes over 3/4 or 22mm (so far) I brought this issue up to our QC manager and she immediately sent out an email to Kenosha HQ that garnered a response from the National Director of Quality Control who agreed this is a visual defect that does not affect performance and they will be looking in to it, so more to follow.....

Thank you for posting this information. Keep us updated if you hear more.

 

[AbnDaddy]

Just to clarify, all Snap-On wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, ratchets and all other hardline tools, INCLUDING their internals are made in the USA. I can't comment without speculating on why the ratchet wrenches still don't have a coo roll mark, but I do know for a fact that their repair kits are marked Made in USA.

 

[ToolNuttt]

This whole time I always thought exactly what Wes J said.
Last December I was researching for new work boots and read that a company could not put "Made in America" on their boots unless it's above a certain percent US material.

 

[gdocktor3]

Just to clarify, all Snap-On wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, ratchets and all other hardline tools, INCLUDING their internals are made in the USA. I can't comment without speculating on why the ratchet wrenches still don't have a coo roll mark, but I do know for a fact that their repair kits are marked Made in USA.

What can you tell us about the new PT850 1/2" impact wrench as far as specs and coo?

 

[AbnDaddy]

What can you tell us about the new PT850 1/2" impact wrench as far as specs and coo?

We haven't seen the 850 in our facility yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it.

 

[mudflap]

What does the surface finish on the inside of the open end of a wrench matter? Use it a few times and it will look like every other used wrench.

As said before, the Asians can use all the nasty chrome chemicals that we can't use anymore. It makes no difference in how the tools works.

That explains why the Carlyle, and some other Taiwan tools have such nice chrome...

 

[donpauli2]

It used to be my understanding that at the very least, " Snap On " branded chrome and boxes were US or Canada built
I also agree the "licensed" Snap on stuff at home centers may be of dubious quality. Gas pressure washer, led worklight and air hose reel I have are Chinese made but they do seem decent

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[ToolNuttt]

I laugh every time I see Snap On licensed products. Can't blame the SO if others want to pay them big bucks to use their name.... while they're still on top of the game.

 

[Skin]

Just to clarify, all Snap-On wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, ratchets and all other hardline tools, INCLUDING their internals are made in the USA. I can't comment without speculating on why the ratchet wrenches still don't have a coo roll mark, but I do know for a fact that their repair kits are marked Made in USA.

The revised ratcheting wrenches are finally stamped.

 

[Wamsutta]

I work at Snap-On

After all these years, we finally got a GJ man on the inside.

 

[zendriver]

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.

As a publicly traded corporation, snap on as a fiduciary responsibility to turn a profit to the shareholders.

Charging $35 for the same cheap LED light harbor freight sells for $9, is one way to accomplish that.

The company name itself is a money maker so they use it - to make money.

The fantasy is over.


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[Adam.C]

As a publicly traded corporation, snap on as a fiduciary responsibility to turn a profit to the shareholders.

Charging $35 for the same cheap LED light harbor freight sells for $9, is one way to accomplish that.

The company name itself is a money maker so they use it - to make money.

The fantasy is over.


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Not sure what LED light you are talking about. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and accept your point.

But just to be clear, I have a few China made Snap On branded items including LED lights and I can assure you they are far superior to anything you can buy in HF. Brighter lights, longer battery life, stronger magnets. The corded "Snap On" LED worklights from Costco are even nice.

I'm sure there is some rebranded **** out there. But there's also some licensed merchandise which is good quality.

 

[AbnDaddy]

The revised ratcheting wrenches are finally stamped.

Yep you're right, totally forgot about those, SOXRR's if I recall. Haven't had a chance to turn a bolt with them yet but I like that they're user serviceable, although the new reversing switch on them seems a little difficult to switch back and forth imo. Too small.