Snap-on vs matco Impact sockets

[tw33k2514]

Just curious as to what everyone's opinion is. I need to buy impacts, and at the moment am kinda leaning towards Matco just because I like how readable they are. Price is not an issue as I can get them for about the same price.

I am just wondering if there is some advantage that Snap-on's have that the Matco's do not.

 

[Merkava_4]

I've got a couple of Matco impacts and I like them - they're more black than the SO's are too; the SO's are kinda on the brown side.

 

[fordracing200]

as far as I've been told, matco impacts are the same as craftsman impact, same with the impact swivels pinless design. I'd go cman if it were me, especially for the money, My friend got the snap on deep impacts, one rail, full metric set 1/2" drive on special for 285 bucks...a new metric set of cman are 50...then again everybody loves snap on and the name is there...its like that with anything, but for something like an impact socket...I mean ratchets no doubt, worth the money but a socket?

 

[Merkava_4]

I might take a Matco impact into Sears sometime and compare. I've been wanting to do the same with a combo wrench, but I don't have any Matco combo wrenches yet.

 

[kartracer55]

matco impacts are the same as craftsman impact, same with the impact swivels pinless design. I'd go cman if it were me, especially for the money, My friend got the snap on deep impacts, one rail, full metric set 1/2" drive on special for 285 bucks...a new metric set of cman are 50...then again everybody loves snap on and the name is there...its like that with anything, but for something like an impact socket...I mean ratchets no doubt, worth the money but a socket?

Matco impacts are actually quite different than craftsmans. Only the swivels MAY be the same. Their regular impacts are top notch and I prefer them to snap on. My Metric 3/8's are Matco's and they take a beating.

 

[fordracing200]

Matco impacts are actually quite different than craftsmans. Only the swivels MAY be the same. Their regular impacts are top notch and I prefer them to snap on. My Metric 3/8's are Matco's and they take a beating.

huh? really? i was always told they were the same, but alot of people, all made by Danaher. the pinless impact swivel I'm almost positive is the same though, same price too.

 

[Snap on]

Just curious as to what everyone's opinion is. I need to buy impacts, and at the moment am kinda leaning towards Matco just because I like how readable they are. Price is not an issue as I can get them for about the same price.

I am just wondering if there is some advantage that Snap-on's have that the Matco's do not.

I have one set of deep well Matco impact sockets they are very sturdy but, when compared to my Snap On sockets the Snap On's are thinner allowing you to fit into tighter places.

Both are quality sockets. My Matco's are before they came out with their version of Flank Drive, I think Matco calls it Opti torque.

 

[caper]

I haven't been impressed with the newer Snap on impact sockets.I've had a set for almost twenty years and replaced the 15/16 last year.It's already more mushroomed on the drive end than the rest in the set that have been in service for twenty years.The 9/16 was beat to **** after using it doing mufflers for years,replaced it about 5yrs ago,it's holding up well but I'm not impressed with that 15/16.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Both are great, all of my big 1/2" are Matco and they still look good after being used and abused.

 

[tw33k2514]

I think im gunna go Matco. My school uses snap-on and I am always squinting to see the size, especially on the well used ones. So the fact that Matco's are easy to read is probably going to make me buy them.

 

[myslow2002gt]

I have both Snap On and Matco impacts, and I think the quality is much better on the Matco's. As mentioned though, the Snap On's are thinner which helps them get into tighther places.

 

[tw33k2514]

Is there a lot of tight spaces in the Diesel Mechanic field though? where anyone who is in that field has thought to themselves "if only I had a slightly thinner socket" ?

I am just starting out in school so I do not know, but I would think that would not be an issue in said field.

Is this the case from someone who is in the diesel field?

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Is there a lot of tight spaces in the Diesel Mechanic field though? where anyone who is in that field has thought to themselves "if only I had a slightly thinner socket" ?

I am just starting out in school so I do not know, but I would think that would not be an issue in said field.

Is this the case from someone who is in the diesel field?

Sure there are especially on newer trucks where the current trend is to pack 10 pounds of **** in a 5 pound bag. With that said it wont be a daily occurrence but it does happen.

 

[tw33k2514]

Honestly, I think im just putting to much thought into this. I like the Matco's therefor I am going to buy the Matco's. I think its the Snap-on is the best stigma that is messing with my head.

 

[Snap on]

Both are good sockets but if they are priced the same I would buy the Snap On's that way when you do run into that job that requires a thinner socket you wont be standing there with a thicker socket thinking if only I had bought the thinner socket set I could do this job.

 

[bry@n]

Both are good sockets but if they are priced the same I would buy the Snap On's that way when you do run into that job that requires a thinner socket you wont be standing there with a thicker socket thinking if only I had bought the thinner socket set I could do this job.

That's funny. I would buy which ever you like. It's only money and in the end, you'll probably have both sets.

 

[Snap on]

Why would he buy two sets of deep well sockets each from a different company?

Makes no sense.

 

[TNToy]

My deeps are Matco, my shallows are Snap-On.

They both work great, and are almost impossible to kill. Even your go-to socket that gets used to R&R thousands of lugnuts a month will last over a decade.

The Snap-On's are easier to read once they have some wear under their belt. The matcos are nearly unreadable once the large number wears off, just like Craftsman's. Snap-On's stamped-in number is easier for me to find.

 

[Merkava_4]

The matcos are nearly unreadable once the large number wears off, just like Craftsman's.

The Matco's I have are easy to read, unless they've changed them in the last 10 years.

 

[tw33k2514]

Every time I get ready to buy, someone says something that makes me reconsider lol. I have to wait a couple days now anyway, Just won a Fluke 88 on ebay for $82.

So keep the comments coming!

 

[AutoTech]

Between Matco and Snap On, MATCO all the way. The new Snap On's are way to soft, they round out alot easier and the drive end mushrooms badly. They used to be a hard long lasting socket but the new ones ****!

 

[bry@n]

The Snap-On's are easier to read once they have some wear under their belt. The matcos are nearly unreadable once the large number wears off, just like Craftsman's. Snap-On's stamped-in number is easier for me to find.

Why would he buy two sets of deep well sockets each from a different company?

Makes no sense.

read above. Also, deals come by and sometimes they are cheap enough to try for the heck of it.

 

[phat_ridegt]

i have first hand experience with both....i have a set of the matco 3/8 impact swivels, and they have been great. i use them daily, and really work them hard with no issues.

however another guy in the shop had matco 1/2" impact swivels 13/15/18 and all three have broken about 3 times...he ended up breaking a new 15 in front of the matco guy, and gave all three back to him for a refund...got some snap on ones, and they've been perfect....

also, i prefer the matco large axle impact sockets (30-36mm) better than snap on's....they seem to be more true.

 

[billymade]

I was on the snapon truck the other day; the newer snapon impact sockets, seem to have a redesigned large stamped numbers on their sockets..... should be easier to read then the older ones!

 

[CamarosRus]

Set, Socket, Metric, Impact, Deep, 6-Point (15 pcs.) (10 to 24 mm)

Item Qty Price**
Set, Socket, Metric, Impact, Deep, 6-Point (15 pcs.) (10 to 24 mm)
Stock#: 315SIMMYA

$358.00 MSRP (Truck Price??)

I just picked up the above set as I've copied from SO web site.........

Never had a gun on on any of them.

$200 shipped 48 states.....

Pictures to follow (but as new as on the truck !!!!!)

 

[mrshaun]

my freightliner shop uses only snap on sockets. I rarely have to replace one. they love the impact swivels.
My international diesel shop uses everything under the sun. The older guys have snap on and I rarely have to warranty them. My automotive guys are the ones that beat up the impact sockets. mainly the 15mm.... and thats about it...

the new sockets DO have the larger number now. no laser marking to wear off...

 

[md21722]

Any current opinions on which is better? I have both in front of me. The Snap On 1/4" sizes are almost unreadable, in some cases the size is obscured by the pin hole, the 3/8" is a little better. The 1/2" metric are easily readable. The 1/2" and 3/8" SAE are OK. I wish the size stampings were a bit deeper and larger. The Matco's are by far the easiest to read. In some cases the Snap On are a hair thinner, in other cases the Matco are thinner. Where lenhgh applies, the Snap On's are either a bit shorter or the same length. In the smallest sizes, the Snap On's are fluted down past the drive end whereas the Matcos are only fluted down at the socket end. I'm inclined to keep the Matco's and dump the Snap On's.

What about long term use?

 

[md21722]

why the hell do you own 1/4" impact sockets????

Because chrome is not for power tools & I have a 50 ft-lb 1/4" air impact ratchet.


I don't mean for this to be a ******* contest, but since I have both, and figure I only need one, I am trying to figure out which one I should get rid of. I am inclined to dump the Snappy's, but someone might chime in and say keep them for *** reason because the Matco's are a huge miss in yyy.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like the MAC impacts better than either one.

 

[gdocktor3]

Md21722 - Keep whichever brand is easiest to warranty if/when you ever need to replace one. Snap On's are made in USA if that makes a difference.

 

[Mr_B]

I think point above on easy warranty is highly valid when spending top price on a set.
Who going give you best warranty over next 4-5 decades ...
Plenty lower cost option good impacts about too, I got a set sold by laser tools of japanese style sockets as liked bold stamped markings and ridge at base made easy pull off tools, price was reasonably cheap but they done 2 decades of work and still going strong with minimal wear . I tend use impacts for all sort in a pinch tool such as bushing drifts and press work spacers etc so never buy expensive and just cover a new set myself when needed .

 

[md21722]

I like the MAC impacts better than either one.

Why do you prefer the MAC impacts? What feature(s) do they have that Snap On and MAC do not?

 

[md21722]

Md21722 - Keep whichever brand is easiest to warranty if/when you ever need to replace one. Snap On's are made in USA if that makes a difference.

I think point above on easy warranty is highly valid when spending top price on a set.
Who going give you best warranty over next 4-5 decades ...
Plenty lower cost option good impacts about too, I got a set sold by laser tools of japanese style sockets as liked bold stamped markings and ridge at base made easy pull off tools, price was reasonably cheap but they done 2 decades of work and still going strong with minimal wear . I tend use impacts for all sort in a pinch tool such as bushing drifts and press work spacers etc so never buy expensive and just cover a new set myself when needed .

Will the corporate offices replace worn or broken impact sockets or do they consider them consumables and request that you buy another?

Matco told me that their hard line impacts are Made in U.S.A. I don't know how many of them are overall. There is a company called NMG in the same town as Matco that claims to engineer and manufacture specialty tools including Matco sockets. How many or which ones, and if the manufacturing is done in the U.S. is less clear ;-)

 

[AJ1978]

Go with who will be supported locally, Less down time. I know I read you are just starting out I believe. Pick which one you can afford, Which ones will be easiest to get warranted.