Snapon or Craftsman?

[Hiball]

Wow.. I guess things have changed for High School kids in todays world, I can appreciate you wanting to learn about tools and gather opinions but various brands but trying to compare Craftsman to Snap on for a 15 year old is like asking us if you should buy a 2014 Corvette or a $800 72 Chevy pickup truck as your first car. My advice will mimic others, Having The Correct tool for the job will supersede the Brand on the tool at this junction in your life, Lots of choices in between Craftsman and Snap on.

I would think questions like, Should I take Amy or Angela to the Movies Friday night would be more appropriate... LOL

 

[Plombob]

That's one hell of an angle. When I was racing motocross at 15 I knew quality in bikes, parts, tires, etc. Same with BMX. Same with firearms. etc etc etc.... 15 doesn't mean he's ignorant or irresponsible. And maybe you did not mean it that way, but it came across that way. Afterall, he is on here asking for advise and wisdom.

Ignorant and irresponsible, no. Just a kid who will change direction many times in the next few years.

At 15 I, like many others my age, would become intensely interested in something for a while and then move on to something else. I remember picking up the Blue Chip Stamp catalog (who remembers those?) and picked out all of the watches I wanted to own. If they'd had S-O tools in the Blue Chip catalog, I'd have picked out the set I'd own.

Most of the tools I had as a young pup were lost, stolen or sold off to buy better tools. A couple of the guys had a great comment - if you go to mechanic's school, they'll have a deal on tools. That's where to start your S-O collection.

Even with the school discount, I was too broke to afford S-O. I found an industrial supplier who sold many brands at 50% off. I bought a lot of Proto, Bonney, Williams, Utica etc. through them.

And until a few years ago, Scotch was nasty....

 

[Outlawmws]

Bob, you are most certainly right for many or most 15 year old kids, but certainly not all. As an example, I was one of the minority:

As a freshman in high school I was all over the drafting classes offered. I kept at it and by my senior year, was a TA in one drafting class for the first half of the year (only 3 classes available for a 4 year HS), until the Vocational Center opened up a Drafting class in mid year. I wound up spending a half day there, again as a Teacher's Aid, doing only special projects and instructing other students. For my major project I designed a 3 stage dry sump oil pump for a race boat that was built in the VC's machine shop.

The inked exploded isometric assembly drawing I drew, (other classmates did the detailed drawings under my direction) was displayed in that classroom for years afterwards I discovered, when I stopped in to say "Hi" to the instructor one day.

I started my first engineering job literally the day after graduating HS. I stayed on the engineering track for decades, and it is still a factor in my current work. While ********* engineering is not what I do now for an income, almost everything I do both at work or at home is influenced by my decision to go for an engineering career early on. Heck even my primary hobby included engineering of another sort: race cars; again, I got involved before even graduating HS. and was on a Local NASCAR pit crew at 17. so you could say I was dual track for two interrelated interests.

How early did I first get interested? I actually got interested in the drafting/engineering part in Jr, HS metal and wood shop. Because if you wanted to make it, you had to draw it first...

Will most kids stay with it and land in their chosen profession from that age? Nope. Most will change majors at least once, even in collage.

So to be fair, you can't say "you will change tracks"; only that it's likely... Those that find a true vocation early on are lucky. Some will NEVER find that vocation.

This kid could easily be one of the lucky few: Most guys his age are only interested in video games and those classmates in skirts. You never know...

 

[Outlawmws]

ps: I do agree he doesn't need to go whole hawg after SO right now, but he's already recognized that from his comments: I think this is a pretty level headed 15 year old: most collage grads can't manage to digest a lot of mixed information and readjust their opinions...

 

[nick.koehler6]

Because Ive never met a 15 year that put away tools or didn't loose them. Nothing against them, its just inherent in being a teenager. I lost so many of my dad's tools, I probably owe him a whole set. My brothers, cousins, and friends were the same way.

I am EXTREMELY orginized with my tools. I will take a picture and post up on here tomorrow.

 

[nick.koehler6]

Thanks for all the compliments,Hates and, good information! I know I am only 15, that doesn't mean that I don't respect my tools. I am extremely organized with my tools. I use them,Clean them and put them back in their rightful place.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks for all the compliments,Hates and, good information! I know I am only 15, that doesn't mean that I don't respect my tools. I am extremely organized with my tools. I use them,Clean them and put them back in their rightful place.

Good attitude! Keep that open mind, for your entire life!

 

[MattPersman]

XJ trying to work on it yourself at 15 years old you need a torch http://t.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-UL100-Basic-Propane-Torch-Kit-334458/203665003/ and have a technician help you out using it a couple times on stuff on that jeep. There are some things that may be a bit easy to do on that jeep to repair or replace but so much is gonna be way over your head if this is your only vehicle and need to drive it somewhere in the next part of the day. Older jeeps lots of stuff is tough to get off at this point, easily can break. Not saying you can't do it because I am amazed at what people accomplish at home on their own vehicles with basic hand tools it may take them all weekend for a 1 hour job but it got done.

So yeah ask for a nice set of tools for birthday, Christmas, hannakah, Memorial Day, July 4th, whatever. Husky is advertising a 268 piece set in the car magazines now. It's 200 bucks probably go a little less around Father's Day, Dads like tools so they have stuff on promo around that point if you can wait another couple weeks. http://t.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-268-Piece-H268MTS/203541462

 

[bsaint]

I am EXTREMELY orginized with my tools. I will take a picture and post up on here tomorrow.

Well that's great then!

 

[Bruce57]

I started out with Craftsman at home at your age and they got the job done. For work I use Snap On, Matco, Proto and Armstrong. It's a good idea to research each type of tool and check reviews on individual items before purchasing. Tools can be a big investment. People can be very opinionated on this subject, myself included. The more homework you do, the better informed you will be to make decisions you will be happy with. Good tools obviously don't make someone a good mechanic, but they may make a difficult task easier, faster, or more enjoyable to do. Some people like nice cars, homes, hobbies, etc. I like nice tools.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Hey Nick....welcome to GJ! Life as you know it is about to change. I was in the same boat as you....albeit 30 years ago. I bought a small Craftsman 1/4" & 3/8" socket set in 1984/85 and 90% of them are in my road box and still get used everyday. The only ones I have broken were due to my abuse....and they are few and far between. Used Craftsman USA stuff is out there for pennies. Remember.......every guy got a box of Craftsman sockets/wrenches etc for Father's Day/Christmas and most of them only got used to tighten the handle bars on a bicycle or something like that............if at all. Hit the yard sales.........check out Craigslist in your area......and see if you can do something with ebay. I would be willing to help ya out with the ebay thing.....been doing that for quite a while.

As a lot of guys have said, dump the Craftsman raised panel ratchets.....there is MUCH better out there for very reasonable prices. Get yourself a used S-K 45170 3/8" ratchet. Not a huge tooth count...........but they have been making the same ratchet for around 80 years.........good ones can be had for less than $15 shipped to your house. http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-K-TOOLS-4...30233441?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item418096b061 Rebuild kits are readily available even if you get one that is worn out.....worth EVERY penny and a VERY inexpensive upgrade.

There are still items from Sears to be found in NOS Craftsman USA as well.....just takes the time to weed it out.

Good luck with all your endeavors Boss. if you have any questions, there are a 100 guys on here that you can message who would be more than willing to point you in the right direction.

 

[Hantke]

Beating a dead horse, dog, and turtle at this point guys.
Craftsman is regarded as a lower quality brand, with easy warranty proccess.
Snap on is bar non, one of the most respected brands, with a wait time on warranties(do to waiting for the truck, and mail), but high quality.

Subject done.

Snap-On is no better than Matco, with these two, it really depends on the location for which is better. If your Matco dealer kicks *** and is great, then go Matco, if your SO dealer is like that, go SO. If you have a preferred feel between the two than go with what feels most comfortable.


Don't feel pressured into the whole "Snap-On is the best" and if you don't have SO you aren't a real mechanic or for that matter don't go for the "matco reigns supreme" either. I actually found i love the feel of most matco stuff, but the SO ratchets are my favorite. There are a lot of people who mix-n-match, nothing wrong with that. I'm using Husky USA sockets at school and a mix of random stuff at home, I also have a tool box with the motorcycles / motorized toys that is almost all Craftsman USA that I recently discovered. In the long run i found it to be the most cost effective to get a few pittsburgh, a few snap-on, and a few others (from blank made i taiwan to MAC) that will end up in my home tool-box as soon as i upgrade it to what I want. On the plus side, with this i will have a whole set in my garage for wrenching on various projects, on the not so plus side, I have a lot less garage space now.

 

[nick.koehler6]

I also have a propane torch. I would LOVE to have an (acetlyn?) torch. I can buy one right now with full tanks for 250. Just lacking the money.

 

[Hantke]

I also have a propane torch. I would LOVE to have an (acetlyn?) torch. I can buy one right now with full tanks for 250. Just lacking the money.

I love Oxy-Acetylene (OA) Torches, it is my hands-down favorite when it comes to welding. I'd love to get one if i had from for it!

 

[KinzeMech]

I'm an ag machinery mechanic. I wrench on things that are bigger, tougher, rustier, and tighter than you will typically find in automotive. Craftsman has been just fine for that.

I have no brand loyalty. My box runs the full range. Brands I can think of off the top of my head, in my box, are snap on, craftsman, harbor freight, ingersoll rand, irwin, gearwrench, napa. There are more, but you get the point.

In 4 years of doing this, I have broken two wrenches, 0 ratchets, a few hex/torx bit sockets, a few allen wrenches, and a few HF air tools.

There is nothing wrong with a craftsman ratchet. Snap on may be more of a pleasure to use, but from a functional can-it-get-the-job-done standpoint, there is nothing wrong with a craftsman ratchet. The mechanism is coarse, the finish less than impressive, and it's just a generally ugly tool, but I didn't buy it to look at it. I've had cheater pipes on it that I was certain was going to shell out the ratchet guts, but it just keeps on taking punishment.

Their thin profile ratchets are much nicer. 60 tooth mechanism, much smoother operation, nicer finish on the handle, etc, and they are still quite affordable. The handle isn't as friendly to having a pipe slid over it, but that's why I still keep my craftsman RP rats in the box.

You don't have to go all in on this. Buy one or two snappy wrenches, in the sizes you commonly use, and compare using them to others. Be objective. If you see a difference that justifies the price, then get a set. If not, think of all the money you just saved.

I have craftsman's flare wrenches, and they've never let me down, but I'd still be tempted to consider SO. If there's anywhere you absolutely don't want a wrench to let you down, flare nuts are probably where it's at. The nuts themselves are (why!!? WHY!!?) almost always made of softer material mad:) and if you do mess one up, you're possibly replacing an entire line instead of one nut or bolt.

When you're just starting out, I'd buy what you need, when you need it. Anticipatory buying is great for having what you need before you need it, but not so great on the budget. I've made some anticipatory purchases I was very glad for, but I have others that have sat in my box unused for far too long, and really just wasted money for me. I'd encourage you to buy what you need, when you need it (or when you see an awesome sale price on something you are *SURE* you will need/use). Save the anticipatory purchases for when you have a few years of experience. At that time, you will certainly be a better judge of what you might need that you don't yet have, than you are right now. Besides which is the point, if you are just starting out, immediate needs will be presenting themselves on a fairly regular basis.

 

[espyking83]

Snap On for their ratchets/ratcheting screwdrivers.
Proto/Wright Wrenches.
SK Sockets and 1/4" ratchets (best in the world IMO).


Nothing wrong with old Craftsman. Buy quality tools used at first, then upgrade down the road when you get more money. When you buy Snap On, you're buying the warranty (hands down the best customer service in the tool industry). They do nothing exceptionally better than any other tool company, though, everything in my experience with the exception of their power tools has been of great quality. Check out the classifieds on here, also Epsteins online store. Ebay is good, and depending on where you live, Craigslist has some gems from time to time.

 

[espyking83]

if I were a tech starting out I'd buy a ton of Gearwrench, happy medium between the two. affordable and high quality like Craftsman used to be, yet with the feel of Snap-On.

Snap-On takes advantage of new techs by convincing them they need the absolute best tools starting out, then offering easy credit. I used to run a shop and I'd hire a guy and a week later he was $5,000 in debt for a box. if you're just starting out in any career, learn to save, not spend. you can buy the best stuff later.

Snap-On is somewhat controversial but damn do they make the best punches and chisels and screwdrivers I've ever used. they also do some pretty good brainwashing.

Sad but completely true.

 

[KinzeMech]

I would think questions like, Should I take Amy or Angela to the Movies Friday night would be more appropriate... LOL

I have snap on and craftsman. Can I take them both?

 

[texasfiremedic]

I think I am going to stay with Cman/proto/S.K For a while. That list of my tools was not complete. I was running late for school. My entire list I will say now.
-Craftsman 263 piece (Not 220)
-Craftsman 3/8 IN.LB Torque wrench
-Craftsman 1/2 Impact Sockets
-Craftsman 33 Gallon Quiet Air Compressor
-Craftsman 50' 3/8 Air Hose
-Craftsman 3 Drawer Service Cart
-Craftsman Wrench set 6mm-18mm
-Craftsman extensions
-Craftsman Crow foot
-Campbell hausefield Mig welder
-De-Walt Grinder
-Tool Shop Exacto Knife set
-Craftsman 1/2 Cordless Impact

What I want from Snap-on are the Dual 80 Ratchets and the Screw drivers from Snap-on. Also, the T-handle torx and hex drivers.

This being said you done made your wish list. I do agree with the want list except with the SO torx set. For the amount that you are going to be using them look else where. To me the price is not justified. I will catch it for this statement. I like Bondhus and Klein (both made U.S.)for the T-handles. They will save you money and give you great service. At least they have for me.

I also have a propane torch. I would LOVE to have an (acetlyn?) torch. I can buy one right now with full tanks for 250. Just lacking the money.

This also says that you don't have the extra money just lying around for extra's or new snap on tools. Look in the used market. Also look in flea markets, auctions and estate sales. It looks like getting up early is not a problem judging by the time of your last post. You will have to beat everyone else. Here comes another roast for me. Buy the ratchets new.(keep the receipt) If you have to warranty them no problem call snappy and ship. The ratchets that are going to be used the most out of all the tools that you have.

All this being said you have a great start and probably enough to get you by for now. I would focus on upgrading away from cman if that is want you want to do. Although I do agree with many older cman are good sockets except for a couple of sizes. Some are too thin walled and break. I don't know about the big diesel world but the SAE is being phased out first. But, all I know is the 5.9 Cummings second gen. On the upgrade part start with metric then when time SAE.

Just my two cents. Take it for what you will.

Oh and by the way welcome to GJ.

 

[monomach]

Craftsman vs. Snap-On? Well, you're not going to find anyone telling you that Craftsman is better. It's always been a price vs quality thing. Snap-On is better, but it's definitely not always better by enough for it to be worth 5 or 10 times what the Craftsman tool goes for. The best you can hope for is equality on some select tools. You don't work in a shop, so the Craftsman warranty will certainly be worlds easier for you to take advantage of.

In any case, don't be a brand slave. You're 15, so you won't have a big income. Start off combing over pawn shops, garage sales, and craigslist to build your first set piece-by-piece. Just look for USA-made stuff that isn't broken. You could even get rusty premium USA-made tools out of bulk buckets for 50 cents or a dollar each, wire brush them, and wipe them down with transmission fluid. They won't be pretty, but they'll be better than a lot of what's on the market. You can get a whole pile of old Craftsman, Williams, and Proto like that.

Don't forget Kobalt or Pittsburgh Pro, either. Their Taiwan-made offerings are better than most of the new Chinese Craftsman stuff. Hell, the ratchets are about 1000x better than the US made Craftsman raised panels. There isn't a tech in my shop that doesn't have some quality Harbor Freight pieces. The composite ratchets and Pro screwdrivers are particularly popular. You just have to ask around to sort the quality from the trash before buying.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have the SO Gold Torx set. I say look at the VIM complete set. It's like $75. I didn't know about those when I spent $$$ for my SO.