I was looking at buying a 1/4",3/8", and 1/2" drive snap-on ratchet. Problem is that there around 150$ each for the quick release ones i want. So i started looking around the snap-on sight and i saw a set of all three from snap-on's blue point brand. from the spec's they seem to be of a better quality then the snap-on ones i was looking at for less money. Only difference i can see is that they are made in Taiwan rather then the USA which the snap-on brand is. Just wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with blue point ratchets? and whether or not the 150 dollars for all three is a good deal in regards to there quality?
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Snap-on V.S. Blue point
- Thread starter Chevy91
- Start date
GoBlue
Well-known member
They are no where close to the quality of a Snap-on ratchet. You can get the same ratchets as blue point for a lot less! They are imported and available in many differant brands.
NinetyTwoFifty
Banned
NinetyTwoFifty
Banned
So you saying if im gonna spend the money go for Snap on then?
thanks you just saved me from buying a 150 dollars worth of ****.
Keep in mind they're not **** they're just not quite as good as Snap On.
GStaz
Well-known member
Chevy91, I have the 1/2" drive Blue Point ratchet and I love it. I have had it for about 6 years. Works great.
JohnFreeman
Well-known member
If you're going to buy import , you might as well do it at real import prices (HF)
William Payne
Well-known member
If you're going to buy import , you might as well do it at real import prices (HF)
Isn't bluepoint rebranded Williams though not the usa Williams but a rebrand of their imported line? I mean its pretty hard to miss the similarities with the rather "unique" handles on those bluepoint ratchets when you compare them to the imported Williams ones.
cobblemizer
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Messages
- 35
A while back I was talking to my local snap-on dealer and he says anything with the blue point name on it is not made by snap-on, but rebranded tools from other venders.
davesnothere
Well-known member
snap-on ratchets.
never look back.
never look back.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
very trueIf you're going to buy import , you might as well do it at real import prices (HF)
back2class
Well-known member
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- Jan 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,723
That and most bue point hard line stuff is of the same quality as Stuff like dualast, Blackhawk, Stanley, evercraft from Napa and the better tiawanese hand tools sold at harbor frieght. Good tools,...yes. Overpriced by about four times....YES! Seriously, what is the point in buying a $15 ratchet for $60?
Now that said I have a Williams ratchet that is essentaily the same as the Blue Point one shown. LOVE IT! In fact, I would reach for it over a snap-on ratchet any day. Listen, I have owned about 20 snap-on ratchets of just about every design. I don't own a single one anymore because they are no better or nicer than ratchets like my williams and Proto units that cost a fraction of the price. In fact, I plain dislike the snap-on NON fine tooth ratchets in anything but long handle 1/2 drive and up. Just too clunky. The new fine tooth are great and I have had a few, though no better than other quality units.
When I purchased my first snap-on ratchets I thought I was about to embark on some tool-life changing passage. That faded quickly once I owned one, and by about the fifth or sixth one I was just excited to list them here or on ebay. If you need the snap-on for because you "just have to have it" thats is fine. But if you are on a budget and not caught up on having to own the most expensive ratchet that you have lusted after since childhood thing, then you will find ratchets that are just as good or better at a fraction of the price. When I see guys here buying Snap-on ratchets thats cool, but when I I see someone trying to buy a top quaity ratchet on a budget and thinking that snap-on has more to offerer than intrinsic value over dozens of others models I feel the need to post that that an't true.
Now that said I have a Williams ratchet that is essentaily the same as the Blue Point one shown. LOVE IT! In fact, I would reach for it over a snap-on ratchet any day. Listen, I have owned about 20 snap-on ratchets of just about every design. I don't own a single one anymore because they are no better or nicer than ratchets like my williams and Proto units that cost a fraction of the price. In fact, I plain dislike the snap-on NON fine tooth ratchets in anything but long handle 1/2 drive and up. Just too clunky. The new fine tooth are great and I have had a few, though no better than other quality units.
When I purchased my first snap-on ratchets I thought I was about to embark on some tool-life changing passage. That faded quickly once I owned one, and by about the fifth or sixth one I was just excited to list them here or on ebay. If you need the snap-on for because you "just have to have it" thats is fine. But if you are on a budget and not caught up on having to own the most expensive ratchet that you have lusted after since childhood thing, then you will find ratchets that are just as good or better at a fraction of the price. When I see guys here buying Snap-on ratchets thats cool, but when I I see someone trying to buy a top quaity ratchet on a budget and thinking that snap-on has more to offerer than intrinsic value over dozens of others models I feel the need to post that that an't true.
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treasureseeker
Well-known member
The Snap on 1/2 drive dual 80’s are overkill for a lot of applications, but for what they sell for on here and EBay are well worth owning. I use my STAHLWILLE and Facom for light duty. I would like to see some Williams’s(Blue Point) ratchets up close and personal. My only Asia Tools I know of are Gear Wrench.... Ratcheting Wrenches which four had chrome peeling when purchased new.
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
I've got a ½" drive Bluepoint that is a trusted friend - not to say that there aren't better values out there, because there are. I probably wouldn't have bought it if it weren't a "need it right now" type thing, but I don't regret the purchase either.
Seriously, what is the point in buying a $15 ratchet for $60?
True. Although you can buy that ratchet from either CaseIH or New Holland farm machinery dealers, as part of a set with sockets and extension, for about $50. Which, depending on the way you look at it, is either confirmation that Blue Point branded items are overpriced for that item, or that the CNH tools are a good and economical way to get into the Blue Point product line.
earlthegoat2
Well-known member
The Snap On ratchet is better than the Blue Point one by far. As has been said, the Blue Point ratchet is merely a rebranded and marked up import. It is not a bad ratchet but the SO is just better.
Not all Blue Point tools are created equal either. Some are a competitive substitute for their SO contemporaries. The 3/8 impact wrench is an example. Others like this ratchet example, are not so close in quality.
Not all Blue Point tools are created equal either. Some are a competitive substitute for their SO contemporaries. The 3/8 impact wrench is an example. Others like this ratchet example, are not so close in quality.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
I won't buy blue point hardline stuff. Overpriced junk. My dealer only carries it for the guys who are poor and can't afford the real deal.
To each his own though. I'm happy with my Mostly Snappy rats, couple of c-man rats, Matco 1/4 88 long handle and Mac spark plug rat.
To each his own though. I'm happy with my Mostly Snappy rats, couple of c-man rats, Matco 1/4 88 long handle and Mac spark plug rat.
metalgodlb
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2011
- Messages
- 129
I know this thread is old but the last post brings up a point I have been wondering.. The williams non usa and blue point non usa sockets vs snap on.. what are the differences besides country of origin? Have any of you guys broke alot of them but very few snap on? Or major warranty differences maybe?
metalgodlb
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2011
- Messages
- 129
I have a 1/2" usa willams ratchet and also have the williams taiwan version. Correct me if I wrong (cuz I may be) but the williams usa is the same design as the snap on (before the dual 80 design) and the williams taiwan is identical to the blue points. the williams usa feels tighter like the gears do not have any slop in them at all and the taiwan version is smoother but probably easier to break.. new vs. new the taiwan version costs 75 percent of the usa one. also the taiwan is quick release which depending on preference can be good or bad.. now if williams usa comes out with a dual 80 type ratchet that would be awesome.. only one of either brand i have broken was a snap on f710 with 20 teeth... that thing felt like a dinosaur but tough..
It's so sad what Blue Point has come to...
They were once equal to Snap-On. In the 40's and earlier, Blue Point was for wrenches and Snap-On was for sockets: they were equals. Now Snap-On uses Blue Point to rip people off. Can't say the other premier brands are much better. Facom is ALL made in Taiwan nowadays.
They were once equal to Snap-On. In the 40's and earlier, Blue Point was for wrenches and Snap-On was for sockets: they were equals. Now Snap-On uses Blue Point to rip people off. Can't say the other premier brands are much better. Facom is ALL made in Taiwan nowadays.
STELLA
Member
I bought a 3 piece Blue Point ratchet set @ my local pawn shop. They are stand length, fixed head 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2. The 1/4 & 3/8 appear to be rebuilt, all have a tight tooth count, and work well. For the $45 I have invested in them, I think I did well. They might not be worth $150 a set, but, they are much nicer than a comparable alternative. For the record, I didn't NEED them... I just couldn't walk away from the deal.
JerseyBoatBuilder
Well-known member
I bought 2 of the Blue Point 155 piece sets 5 years ago when they were around $200 a set.
Since then they have raised the prices $30 or more a year since then.
Which is really outrageous IMO
I bought them to serve as emergency kits in both cars since they had a nicely organized case and the sets were better planned out then a craftsman set.
Minus a couple of wrenches and a longer breaker bar they have served pretty well with engine swaps at friends houses that seem to not have enough tools or the right ones for the job.
The real sad thing is I have only had to warranty my snap on ratchets while those supposed pieces of **** keep going trouble free.
My truck guy has even admitted it is embarrassing
If you really want those ratchets I would look on Amazon or some place for the JH Williams versions they will be less than half the price of the blue point labeled version's
Since then they have raised the prices $30 or more a year since then.
Which is really outrageous IMO
I bought them to serve as emergency kits in both cars since they had a nicely organized case and the sets were better planned out then a craftsman set.
Minus a couple of wrenches and a longer breaker bar they have served pretty well with engine swaps at friends houses that seem to not have enough tools or the right ones for the job.
The real sad thing is I have only had to warranty my snap on ratchets while those supposed pieces of **** keep going trouble free.
My truck guy has even admitted it is embarrassing
If you really want those ratchets I would look on Amazon or some place for the JH Williams versions they will be less than half the price of the blue point labeled version's
tjmonsen5
Well-known member
blue point does not have a huge hard line of tools like snap-on does. Blue point has nice little sets that you can throw in your trunk, or start your kid off with instead of going with craftsman. They have the basics, basic ratchets, basic sockets, a few wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers, thats it.
They have lifetime warranty just like Snap-on tools do, and are just as easy to warranty.
Its a great option if you are on a budget.
I love my new hose grip pliers from blue point, they are very sturdy and tough looking, and make in China. It seems you cannot find USA hose grip pliers anywhere.
They have lifetime warranty just like Snap-on tools do, and are just as easy to warranty.
Its a great option if you are on a budget.
I love my new hose grip pliers from blue point, they are very sturdy and tough looking, and make in China. It seems you cannot find USA hose grip pliers anywhere.
thejudges69
Well-known member
So you saying if im gonna spend the money go for Snap on then?
thanks you just saved me from buying a 150 dollars worth of ****.
you would not have spent 150 on ****, many many people use blue point and other taiwan branded ratchets, I disagree with the previous statements, they are just as good of quality and will do just a good a job and are warrantied for life. We have had zero issues with blue point anything and we are hard on tools.
I would save the money and buy the bluepoint, or I just bought williams ratchets made in america by snapon for like 90 bucks for a long half inch and long 3/8 drive.
I used to use the blue point ratchets and thought the snap-on ones couldnt be that much better until i bought an 3/8 dual 80, quality is amazing and its my go to rat now although you can buy the new Bahco dual 80 for less money for what is pretty much the same tool.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
The USA made Willams pearhead is basically a 36 tooth SO which I know I am in the minority here, I like the old 36 tooth better then the dual 80. Also the fame willams "super ratchet" is made. If imported blue point was sold at a price more in line with other imports, I maybe would not be so against it.