snap on vs others

[crazy cooter7803]

k so I'm not new the the fabrication world but ive recently started a new job were I have to buy my own tools and ive been digging around trying to find out what alloy snap on sockets are made from. all ive been able to find on their web site is "a high quality alloy steel". does anyone have any ideas

 

[American Locomotive]

What are you asking here? Your thread title is "Snap on Vs. Others" while your question is "what alloy are the sockets made out of"? Are you trying to compare sockets from different brands based on alloy?

 

[T45]

this smells like a troll thread...:

but basically, tool steel is your answer.

and to be more particular, the formulation is a trade secret

... so you will not get much further with specifics.

 

[Fcvapor05]

The real question is, why do you care?

Their chrome sockets are almost certainly a high alloy with some chromium and vanadium and some molybdenum and some silicon and some carbon.

They buy in high enough quantity that it's entirely possible the alloy they use is different than that used by any other tool manufacturer.

Even if you were able to get an alloy designation, the heat treatment process applied to the finished parts is at least equally, possibly more important than the fine details of composition.

 

[ssdave]

Like Fcvapor05 said, why would you care. What alloy they are made out of is much less relevant than how well they are made, how well they are heat treated, what is their history as far as durability and usability, and how is their warranty. And, finally, what is their price, and is the quality worth that.

For me, Snap-on chrome 1/4" drive regular and swivel sockets and chrome 3/8" drive swivels are so much better than others that the are worth buying. I don't think their impact sockets are better than reputable brands like Mac, Williams, Proto and Wright. I don't think that in 1/2" drive it matters as much, I'd take Proto, Wright or SK for a price savings instead.

If you will use them hard and professionally, I'd invest in quality tools instead of HF or other cheap import sockets. The reliability, better usability, and warranty will make it worthwhile, as will the intangible pleasure of just being able to use better tools. But, for sockets, if you're looking at costs, consider Proto, Williams (USA only), Wright, and SK sockets as a viable alternative.

The primary advantages of Snap-on are that they're marginally better than the others (that point is disputed by many) and they have a great warranty, with to your door service if you're on their route. If the warranty and service isn't readily accessible to you, you're paying a lot more for a small increase in quality (when compared to Proto, Williams, SK or Wright). Whether that is worth it to you is an open question that only you can answer.

 

[zendriver]

In the Modern Age, it is established that it can also affect non-Kryptonians at a much slower rate, causing people to develop acute radiation syndrome or superhuman abilities.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kryptonite

 

[bcradio]

The real question is, why do you care?

Repeated for emphasis!

 

[540nova]

Totally irrelevant. They're "good enough", and you won't find anything better.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[cherrybomb]

After reading ssdave's reply,he took the words out of my mouth.I totally agree,I like my Williams USA and Proto sockets,I have some of each,my own testing lab.But the very few SK and Wright I have will also never let you down.If the truck and its advantages aren't important,any of the others are keepers.

 

[Finky198]

Sorry for the long winded response but hey its info non the less.

I will add this I own quite a bit of Snap on, sockets included and they are top notch at the same time I do not have dealer support. But I have been extremely pleased working with Snap on cooperate offices for any warranty issues, of which their have been few and its always very quick turn around 2-3 days. I can get on a truck if I like around the corner, but now I tend order online or go third party. I had a dealer in the past except for promos I'm not losing out on much as I'm fairly well equipped at this point.

We also have Craftsman and SK chrome. AND Sunex cr-m, HF cr-v, Snap on cr-m, Craftsman, Wright, and Proto impacts. None of the ones I listed break more than others brand to brand. Out of the 3 chrome brands the Snap on is by far the heaviest/stoutest of the sockets and seem to have the least deflection but I see no issues with my CMan usa sockets I use daily or the backup set of SK 12pts.

AS Far as impact go Sunex is on the thinner wall sizes I use there 3/8 stuff daily great for the money. HF cv impact feel similar to a chrome socket very stiff fairly thick walls but fit without issue my daily use for 1/2 Deeps, also have a full set of metric 1/2 drive sunex Same as with the 3/8 great set for the money. The other shop Box has a full set of Craftsman 3/8 and 1/2 impact they are old USA version They are nice about the same quality as the sunex set. Theres also a set of 1/2 deep snap on impacts they are the similar in wall thickness to the HF, but are much heavier and softer they tend to deform over time but the added weight seems to improve their performance ever so slightly. The wright and proto stuff is all 3/4", 1" drive top notch but that's to be expected for industrial tools.

I hope that gives you an ideas of things

 

[Wamsutta]

The type of alloy that Snap-on uses in their sockets is proprietary information. Same with their heat treatment process.

 

[pi_guy]

Best way to tell is to machine sockets into specialty tools.
This will give you a much better picture as to the processes of manufacturing used.

But this is a pull pin toss into crowd question

 

[MShaw]

FWIW To give a bit of insight when I worked for New Britain Hand Tools in the early 1970s they had just changed their steel from 8620 to 1137. The logic was that the tools still met the requirements of the standards but with much less margin and the saving on material cost was quite large.