Wrench97
Well-known member
People buy Snap On over Craftsman for the same reasons people buy Mercedes Benz, Audi, Lincoln, Cadillac or Lexus over Chevies, Fords, VW's or Toyotas................................
Things Snap-On Tool owners say.
- Thread starter 5ubtle
- Start date
Few years ago I spent 2000 hours per year using my toolbox. But only 2-300 hours per year in my car.
As it happens, at the time I had probably 10 times more money in my toolbox than in my car. I still have the box and all the tools in good shape, but the car is long gone.
I could have spent less money on tools, and saved some bucks. But working 2000 hours per year fixing other peoples stuff is boring and I needed all the enjoyment I could get. I always liked pulling out some tool remembering the story behind it, this one I bought from a guy on Garage Journal (Snap On ratchets) this one I got from ebay Germany and so on and so forth. Not to mention enjoying the comfort and benefits from good tools.
As it happens, at the time I had probably 10 times more money in my toolbox than in my car. I still have the box and all the tools in good shape, but the car is long gone.
I could have spent less money on tools, and saved some bucks. But working 2000 hours per year fixing other peoples stuff is boring and I needed all the enjoyment I could get. I always liked pulling out some tool remembering the story behind it, this one I bought from a guy on Garage Journal (Snap On ratchets) this one I got from ebay Germany and so on and so forth. Not to mention enjoying the comfort and benefits from good tools.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Both would be similar:
Main computer would be a dell tough tablet, and another laptop for parts hunting. Boxes would be snap on epiq rather than the current masters series, but I would likely be buying some lista style industrial cabinets for larger items. This would hopefully save enough space to allow me to use an 84" epiq with dual lockers and a hutch as my box.
Ratchets would be mainly SK round heads, Matco, and Snap on. Plenty of single brands and specific styles, but that would be the main choice. Snap on, Wright, and Proto for wrenches; snap on, koken, and proto for sockets. Koken and snap on for extensions, cornwell for their knurled impact extensions. Astro pneumatic for most air tools, with some snap on. Milwuakee and snap on for electric stuff. Hammers from Nupla, snap on, and my amazon special 8oz baby brass hammer. Pliers from snap on/knipex.
Snap on Zeus+, topdon or autel flagship model with the other brand being a middle of the road option. Probably would need to look at a J2534 interface and see if it's worth buying a flagship tool from topdon/autel when I could just do OE stuff with that. Would probably try to just get a RAP program rather than messing with that. So maybe just the Zeus+ and two middle trim tools for Topdon/Autel. Pico 4425, but I'm buying the pico and snap on official pressure transducers, no more DIY or aftermarket ones.
This ignores all the specialty stuff like astro pneumatic low profile impact sockets, ball joint presses, bearing splitters, etc. That's all case by case.
This is kind of fun. Frankly why would you buy anything but the most premium top-shelf stuff if someone else is footing the bill? Looking at the list above.... kind of looks like a fancier version of what I've ended up with.
At the end of the day, most would appreciate using snap on/matco/proto/etc. - but they often do not due to price being a barrier to entry. The nice thing with such brands is you're typically guaranteed to get a good product. Matco gets a lot of hate for rebranding, but if you buy something from them odds are it won't be a dud. That's a big plus for people who don't "like" tools in the same way we do and get enjoyment out of shopping and comparing. Go to brand X, buy what you need. Snap on may not be the best value, but it isn't going to be junk.
I recently bought my friend the new Astro 401k air hammer and some bits. Partially because I wanted to try it out and see how it was vs my snap on 3050, and partially because he really needs one. I got to be the first to use it, nice air hammer for sure. I can't say I've met anyone who got excited about a new air hammer in the market like I am just out of curiosity. That makes the average GJ a lot different than even a lot of techs. People say I don't do anything nice for myself. "Did you not see the new 3/4 torque wrench I got?"
wafrederick
Well-known member
There are some that say Snap On does not have rebranded tools and this is not true.For example Lang makes their rethreading tap and die sets.Same set but the Snap On name in the red case.Also there are also say Koken copied Snap On with the wobble plus extensions which is incorrect.Koken came out with them first and the patent ran out,Snap On copied the design.Koon trucking put out a video on it last week at the Koken booth,this video
Took my 2 grown boys for dinner Sunday night. Spent way more than that and it wasn’t a fancy place. So a crappy dinner out is fine, but a tool that works really well and will last for 30yrs is extravagant?In neither of the above thought experiments, would I buy/have employer buy a ratcheting screwdriver for $78.95.
Snap-on Store
shop.snapon.com
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Who has ever said snap on doesn't rebrand?
Their mainline/hardline stuff is in house, but there's plenty of rebranded and even tool sold with the OEM brand on the label populating all the snap on trucks I've ever seen.
You can buy OTC, Tiger Tools, Gearwrench, LTI, SIR Tools, etc branded as such out of the supplemental catalog.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
I could comment on the video; but then You Folks would know I actually watched it
I long ago stopped buying other brands off the truck, if I can buy it outright why am I paying the truck premium?
LWB
Well-known member
I just started buying off of trucks. I destroyed a flashlight by leaving it attached to a lift while dropping it. I told him what happened and he gave me a new one. I was just looking for a part to fix it. So I bought a PI torque wrench lol
All good fun.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I couldn't watch it... that youtuber is on my banned list.I could comment on the video; but then You Folks would know I actually watched it
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I'll pay a small premium if they have it in stock and I can handle it prior to purchase. Sometimes they'll sell me something for~5% what I can buy it for elsewhere, and I don't mind paying the finders fee.
I enjoy working with my Snap On tools. They are well made and I get satisfaction knowing that I can afford them by having saved piles of money fixing my own stuff. I think I've earned it.
Most of them were purchased second hand but a few like the flex head wrenches and swivel sockets were new. Those were expensive buggers but Worth it to me.
Snap on may only comprise 1/4 of my hand tools. I have plenty of Craftsman, Armstrong, Proto, Nepros, Williams, SK, Knipex, Koken, Klein, etc. so I share the wealth.
Most of them were purchased second hand but a few like the flex head wrenches and swivel sockets were new. Those were expensive buggers but Worth it to me.
Snap on may only comprise 1/4 of my hand tools. I have plenty of Craftsman, Armstrong, Proto, Nepros, Williams, SK, Knipex, Koken, Klein, etc. so I share the wealth.
The funny thing is, used Harleys in nice condition aren't really that expensive. I just picked up a mint 1999 Softail Custom with less than 9K miles on it for $6500.The Battle cry of wanna-be Harley riders everywhere...usually it's their ol' ladies idea that they ain't never gonna spend that $$ to own anything like a Harley, instead they dream up reasons why theirs is better.
DISCLAIMER: I've owned lots of bikes and there are some really great bikes out there other than HD, older Goldwings are an example and even tho I'm a Geezer and a Boomer, I wouldn't be caught dead on one. Had some older Triumphs and BSAs when they were quality, and even owned an 84 Honda with an 1100CC Vertical 4 and 4 carbs, a cruiser on steroids till Yamaha introduced the VMAX. Never felt the need for Snap-On tools to do anything to them...lol
I love "some" SnapOn tools, especially their wrenches and ratchet handles just feel better in the hand to me. Not too impresses with their pliers after they sent me a grungy looking pair that looked like it had been banging around in the bottom of someone's tool box for awhile, also the jaw alignment wasn't that great. I complained and they sent me another pair that was a little better. But that experience kind of turned me into a Knipex fanboy for pliers.
Still wouldn't trade my SO wrenches and ratchets for anything else though.
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
I was asked at an interview once, by a female interviewer, if I had a Snap-on box. I answered the question without elaboration, “No”. With no further investigation, she fairly quickly terminated the interview. At the time I had a Proto box, full of Snap-on and other quality tools. I didn’t beg for the job or grovel. I figured if she was that dumb and superficial, we probably wouldn’t be a good match.
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
Reminds me of the time Charlie Parker traveled to Canada to play, and his saxophone didn’t make it. He played the gig with a plastic toy. There is a good recording of it. Sounds great!Photography is one of my hobbies, and there's a saying that goes something along the lines of "It's not the camera, it's the person holding it." A great photographer is going to get great shots with just about anything - a **** photographer with the best camera and lens in the world is going to end up with ****.
Same thing with driving on the track - "The biggest upgrade you can get is upgrading the driver." I used to have a pretty fast/capable car and thought I was pretty good in it. Once I met up with a guy with a far heavier, less powerful and worse-handling car to follow him through the mountains on the way to a car show. He was so damn fast and tight he scared the ever-loving **** out of me, and when we finally pulled over for a gas stop he hopped out of the car like nothing and said "Nice drive, right?"
It's pretty much the same with tools. I bet a world glass painter would be able to embarrass you using HF spray gun. That's not meant as a swipe on you - it's just the truth. I'm judging a shop on their work, not their tools.
I don't see anyone "bagging on Snap On users here"
I do own a few snap on tools now but when I first started out in 1970, as a mtce. machinist/mechanic in a paper mill, all my hand tools were Craftsman. Machinist tools were Craftsman and Starrett. I still had those Craftsman tools when I retired.
I ain't a hater now, I removed and reinstalled one of my truck's steps this afternoon...a Snap-on on the bolt side and a Mac Your Mother's Brother (RBRT) on the nut. Both fancy schmancy 6 points.
Not really sure why it was vibrating but I flipped it around and resecured it and it shut up.
Maybe it worked because I used tool truck tools. When I just tried tightening it last time, I used a Kobalt socket and a Gearwrench wrench. So I guess they didn't respect me.
Not really sure why it was vibrating but I flipped it around and resecured it and it shut up.
Maybe it worked because I used tool truck tools. When I just tried tightening it last time, I used a Kobalt socket and a Gearwrench wrench. So I guess they didn't respect me.
nbpt100
Well-known member
Ok here is the post I referenced on the 5 levels of tool organization.
I bought my Snap-on stuff because it made me happy to do so. I paid for them as I got them a few at a time. I never bought the boxes from them; my Snap-on live in Craftsman boxes as I would rather spend the money on the tools. I'm just a DIY guy so do I really need Snap-on tools, maybe not but I've always liked the feel and quality of them.
nickbowen5
Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2021
- Messages
- 5
Do I get to say things like this if I am not a professional mechanic but buy snap on tools because I get them at almost the same cost as craftsman?
No that's for the you **** thread.
Wrench97
Well-known member
You must not have used a torque wrench to get the bolts to the proper spec last timeI ain't a hater now, I removed and reinstalled one of my truck's steps this afternoon...a Snap-on on the bolt side and a Mac Your Mother's Brother (RBRT) on the nut. Both fancy schmancy 6 points.
Not really sure why it was vibrating but I flipped it around and resecured it and it shut up.
Maybe it worked because I used tool truck tools. When I just tried tightening it last time, I used a Kobalt socket and a Gearwrench wrench. So I guess they didn't respect me.
I would rather ride a Goldwing across the United States that a Harley and I have.The Battle cry of wanna-be Harley riders everywhere...usually it's their ol' ladies idea that they ain't never gonna spend that $$ to own anything like a Harley, instead they dream up reasons why theirs is better.
DISCLAIMER: I've owned lots of bikes and there are some really great bikes out there other than HD, older Goldwings are an example and even tho I'm a Geezer and a Boomer, I wouldn't be caught dead on one. Had some older Triumphs and BSAs when they were quality, and even owned an 84 Honda with an 1100CC Vertical 4 and 4 carbs, a cruiser on steroids till Yamaha introduced the VMAX. Never felt the need for Snap-On tools to do anything to them...lol
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
You must not have used a torque wrench to get the bolts to the proper spec last time
For best results, I use a snap on torque wrench.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
You must be short
Blasphemous, that's like saying I'd rather watch the neighbors wife get banged on TV, then to do it myself.
nbpt100
Well-known member
If everyone could do that, then they would not be bashed. At least by the people using the tools. Maybe by the shareholders and Wall Streeters.
Am I missing something when I say they only get bashed for their arrogant pricing.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Snap on specifically gets hate because-
Price
Distribution model
Popularity.
When's the last time someone made a "cornwell is predatory and sells over priced tools" thread? Doesn't happen. Same deal as a winning sport team which amassess haters simply because they're winning regularly. When their winning stops, the hate subsides.
Maybe the 8 inch ratchet was too short to get enough leverage while the 8 inch wrench was enough.You must not have used a torque wrench to get the bolts to the proper spec last time
I am a Snap-On hater. That being said, I DID purchase (used) a bunch of SO flare wrenches because everyone says they are the best – even other SO haters (or at least dislikers) stated so. I’m just DIY, so the only times I buy for quality regardless of price, is where it would be a big PIA if it didn’t work right – in this example, rounding a flare fitting. As stated in an earlier post, they are the only SO tools I own, and at least for now, the only I plan to own.
The primary reason I am a hater is because FOR ME, SO tools are overpriced for what they are (in general), but I’m not a pro where time is money. Pros have different calculations – especially if they’re flat rate. If I was a pro, my calculations may very well be different. I would need tools that HAVE to work, work WELL, and if needed, any replacement COMES TO ME.
I can’t spend the time to run over to the nearest HF because a socket broke. I would need my new socket to come to me while I move on to something else. So at least part of the “pricing strategy” is the service that goes along with that broken socket.
The other reason why I’m an SO hater is because I know a guy that operates a SO truck, and he’s a real jerk of a person.
The primary reason I am a hater is because FOR ME, SO tools are overpriced for what they are (in general), but I’m not a pro where time is money. Pros have different calculations – especially if they’re flat rate. If I was a pro, my calculations may very well be different. I would need tools that HAVE to work, work WELL, and if needed, any replacement COMES TO ME.
I can’t spend the time to run over to the nearest HF because a socket broke. I would need my new socket to come to me while I move on to something else. So at least part of the “pricing strategy” is the service that goes along with that broken socket.
The other reason why I’m an SO hater is because I know a guy that operates a SO truck, and he’s a real jerk of a person.
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Kurt4440
Well-known member
I agree with the first part. I see people who are angry at other peoples decisions which don't affect them at all.
What if they offered a 25% coupon?
Snap-On inside truck club???
I'm sure I'd go into a SO store and buy more than I already do, which is zero since it doesn't exist.
But it probably wouldn't be any more or less than Harbor Freight.
Be pretty cool if they grabbed a retail spot in the same strip mall. Being side by side would be nice.
But it probably wouldn't be any more or less than Harbor Freight.
Be pretty cool if they grabbed a retail spot in the same strip mall. Being side by side would be nice.
Pinemarten
Well-known member
You were paying for an enjoyable, prepared meal with your sons. Good times for sure. How does that compare to spending double to triple for a tool that will do the job as well as other tools. Maybe if your dinner cost 4 times as much as at similar restaurants in town.
I was referring to a Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver. They don't work any better than a Vessel, Anex, Were, Klein, or the OEM ratcheting screwdrivers. By the way, the OEM is the same as the Bluepoint ratcheting screwdriver. All of these will last 30 years as well if reasonable care is taken.
Another bonus with the Anex or Vessel drivers is if using them on the Harley (in the above discussion) carburetor, the tips won't burr the screws.
Blasphemous, that's like saying I'd rather watch the neighbors wife get banged on TV, then to do it myself.
not if you have seen my neighbours wife you wouldn’t
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I enjoy my dual 80s, and have for a lot longer than a dinner lasts.
I will agree, I'm not buying a ratcheting screwdriver from anybody.