That is simply just your experienced based opinion. What's interesting to me is that my experienced based opinion is that I prefer MAC Knuckle Saver wrenches that I've tried over the snap on and craftsman wrenches that I own. In fairness, I've never tried to use the polished craftsman wrenches. However my snap on wrenches absolutely grab on to nuts and bolts better than the standard craftsman wrenches that I own. However, after trying the KS, I now dislike the way the snap on wrenches feel (and kind of "dig") in my palm.
Tool Poll
- Thread starter Ducroix
- Start date
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I liked Snap-on before joining, i owned, used and wanted them before i joined. Still do.
I don't believe they're the only brand you can use professionally, i still use cheaper tools along with my Snap-on at work.
Overall, i prefer Snap-on over most brands for most tools/jobs. But there are other alternatives out there. My toolbox has a decent mix of tools.
I don't believe they're the only brand you can use professionally, i still use cheaper tools along with my Snap-on at work.
Overall, i prefer Snap-on over most brands for most tools/jobs. But there are other alternatives out there. My toolbox has a decent mix of tools.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
the reason why i like snap on tools because my snap on guy always show up every friday and he will notice me if he will be off for bike week or vacation so i can pay double to make him happy. matco guy are AWOL!!! i dont like Matco tool guy because he is never show up every week... i had to call him many times to come for replacement of tools... so i dont buy any tools from him... The mac tool guy are new and act like he dont know how to communication to me or try to sell something to me that i already has... so i dont buy any from mac tools.... so it only left me is Craftsman and snap on....
russlaferrera
Well-known member
The poll clearly shows that people are not influenced by this board to buy more Snap-On tools.
Most will agree that overall Snap-On tools have a better finish, design, support, and if there was a box of tools for free, and you could pick from one box most would pick Snap-On.
So why do people pick other tools? Well they are not free! Can you afford the tool? Do you need a tool of this quality? Will a tool of lesser cost do what you ask of it? Can it be warranted?
Most Mechanics are very knowledgeable in a lot of areas. They do plumbing, electrical, building, welding, metal working. Maybe not great as pros in that field but they get by. This means they also have to buy the tools to complete these projects. As stated above if professional tools were for free, everyone would pick them...but the same principle applies.
Most will agree that overall Snap-On tools have a better finish, design, support, and if there was a box of tools for free, and you could pick from one box most would pick Snap-On.
So why do people pick other tools? Well they are not free! Can you afford the tool? Do you need a tool of this quality? Will a tool of lesser cost do what you ask of it? Can it be warranted?
Most Mechanics are very knowledgeable in a lot of areas. They do plumbing, electrical, building, welding, metal working. Maybe not great as pros in that field but they get by. This means they also have to buy the tools to complete these projects. As stated above if professional tools were for free, everyone would pick them...but the same principle applies.
foul_ball
Well-known member
My brother who used to work for a Toyota dealership said the techs there had a love/hate relationship with the Snappy truck- kind of a "bend over, here it comes again" kind of thing...As for me, I'd buy more if I could afford it. The nicest Snap -on tool I own is a 1940's t handle I found at a consignment shop for 6 dollars.
Attachments
speed bump
Well-known member
At home I can't see the advantage to most Snap on tools other than 1/4" and 3/8" drive rachets. Even then its only certain ones such as the 737 and 747. Also chasing down a SO guy is ridiculous when I have a Napa, an SK dealer, a Wright dealer, and a sears all less than 10 minutes away from me. Finally working for a company that does lots of business with Grainer means if I ever break a Proto tool the turn around time is just as fast as if I had a SO guy coming to my place of business.
At work well Snap on doesn't make the tools that I use the most or doesn't make very good ones compared to what I use.
At work well Snap on doesn't make the tools that I use the most or doesn't make very good ones compared to what I use.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
My Snap-on guy was reliable. Not anymore. I've called him and told him where i'm not working, called and tried to pay him over the phone. He said he'd call me back and didn't, i called him and got no answer. I'm not going to chase him to give him money now. He knows where i work, so if he wants the money he can come and get it.
Uncle Buck
Banned
What if I already had Snap On before joining this board and I'm one of the guys pushing everyone else to buy them; what category do I fall into?
That makes you the Crack dealer of tools!
Uncle Buck
Banned
I agree, well said
cruiser808
Well-known member
I would have to say no, this board has not influenced me with regard to Snap-on tools. I have mostly Proto followed by Snap-on and then a mix of everything else. My Proto 500 combo and offset box wrenches are equal to or better than my Snap-on's and I love my Proto puller sets. My Snap-on flare nut wrenches are the best I've ever used and have saved my **** many times with rusty brake jobs. My Snap-on 24" breaker bar has also been a superior tool when called upon to take on a tough task. What I'm trying to say is that each tool in my collection has its special place and uses.
Where this board has had a great influence on my puchases is in persuading me to buy GearWrench tools. Now If the board could just come to a concenus on the best screwdrivers, I could update my very humble and antiquated group of Proto's, Klein's and hardware store junk.
Where this board has had a great influence on my puchases is in persuading me to buy GearWrench tools. Now If the board could just come to a concenus on the best screwdrivers, I could update my very humble and antiquated group of Proto's, Klein's and hardware store junk.
GDA
Well-known member
I owned Snap On before joining this board and its all due to my decision to buy a pro's entire toolset used off craigslist. That Porsche mechanic box of tools was almost all Snap On. I had asked around to several mechanics and they all said if you can afford it go Snap On, otherwise go CMan Pro. I voted no btw.
Since joining the board I have become aware of similar high quality tools like Hazet, Facom, Beta and Stahlwile. Snap On is very good but its surely not the end all be all the way some people put it out there.
I could easily see this thread substituted around the world with local high end brands that have sales and support locally like Facom (UK and Europe), Stahlwile and Hazet (throughout Europe) and Beta (Italy).
Since joining the board I have become aware of similar high quality tools like Hazet, Facom, Beta and Stahlwile. Snap On is very good but its surely not the end all be all the way some people put it out there.
I could easily see this thread substituted around the world with local high end brands that have sales and support locally like Facom (UK and Europe), Stahlwile and Hazet (throughout Europe) and Beta (Italy).
I have always been a fan of Snap-on from the first time I really got to use them back in my childhood and then when I was in my H.S. automotive tech classes. I was always impressed with the fit/finish and attention to detail that the ratchets & related accessories had Plus the wrenches just seemed to fit better in both my hand and on fasteners/bolts.
There is just something about the ballance and feel of their tools in my hand, I dunno what or why that is but it is.
There is just something about the ballance and feel of their tools in my hand, I dunno what or why that is but it is.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
MAD
Well-known member
l like the narrow shank on the MAC wrenches for the extra clearance they afford. I was replacing an A.C. condenser and drier a couple weeks ago and my old MAC 19 mm gave me a little more rotation on the fitting which made it much easier. The couple of newer MAC Knuckle saver wrenches I have though are very sharp along the edges of the shank and uncomfortable to use. It is interesting that you like the way yours feel. Maybe mine are not typical for these. I could use mine as a draw knife they are so sharp.
I'll never switch to Snap-On. For me, Craftsman hand tools have done everything I have ask of them without any major issues and I don't use them to make a living. I cannot justify the added cost. I've had maybe 4 returns for broken tools. The Sears store is 2 miles from my house. I had a small pick break and the rest were bent tips on the smaller screwdrivers. My rivet gun broke on me, but that was after the 1 year warranty on it so it did not get replaced. I do have one Snap-On tool. It's a flat head screwdriver model SDD6. I found it on the side of the road one day at work. It's nice, but I'd never pay retail price for it.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
I think everybody here would agree tools don't make the mechanic, they just help him. (nor do we all have good dealers, low theft locations, enough income for everything we want, etc.)
I was told years ago, that I had mechanical ability, but I have always lacked the confidence, since I came from someone who "afro engineering" would be an MAJOR upgrade.
But some humor, injected into this discussion........
I got done at the garage today, and went to help my BiL, put up some railing. He borrowed my miter saw and stand, earlier in the week. I went over today and helped, but wanted to redo a section he did (leaned and twisted), he said no, it was "good enough". I asked him whatever became of his old Ryobi miter saw, and he said, "with good tools, your sister, expects me to use them, and get stuff done."
So Junk tools, and good enough, get him out of stuff.
Hmmm, maybe I should buy some HF/Homier stuff, for those jobs I don't want.
I was told years ago, that I had mechanical ability, but I have always lacked the confidence, since I came from someone who "afro engineering" would be an MAJOR upgrade.
But some humor, injected into this discussion........
I got done at the garage today, and went to help my BiL, put up some railing. He borrowed my miter saw and stand, earlier in the week. I went over today and helped, but wanted to redo a section he did (leaned and twisted), he said no, it was "good enough". I asked him whatever became of his old Ryobi miter saw, and he said, "with good tools, your sister, expects me to use them, and get stuff done."
So Junk tools, and good enough, get him out of stuff.
Hmmm, maybe I should buy some HF/Homier stuff, for those jobs I don't want.
What this forum has done is make me buy tools like never before. Its like drinking wine occasionally all your life, then you do something to learn the fine points of good, better, and best wines and the next thing you know there are racks in the basement which is rapidly turning into a wine cellar.
Merkava_4
Banned
There are guys over on the BITOG board that turn their wine sellers into racks for motor oil.
kythri
Well-known member
Hype is already built-in to the price. Individually serial-numbering tools would increase the price even more.
Besides, they'd never trade hype for something useful...
kythri
Well-known member
Only Snap-On tool I've paid money for:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=414&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
If anyone else made it, I'd have bought their version.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=414&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
If anyone else made it, I'd have bought their version.
I voted no because I already had lots of Snap-on before joining the board and have actually bought more Gray Tools than Snap-on since joining. I just like quality tools and prefer to buy tools made in Canada more so than the US or China.
rsanter
Well-known member
when I was younger I started using my dads tools which were mostly Cman with a few SO and misc mixed in. his 1/4 dr SO ratchet was a favorite for the feel
my first basic set of tools containing wrenches, sockets, and ratchets (gift from dad) and I filled in with overseaes stuff. over time I continued to add Cman to the set as I could.
one thing I noticed is that it was much easier to break my Cman tools than it was to break my dads......
when we started the race shop we had access to the SO guy so I bought a few things and really liked them
over time my primary tools (combo wrenches, ratchets, sockets) all got replaced with SO a little at a time and the Cman became backups.
what sticks with me is that the SO fits the fastener better (to the point that there were bolts rounded by a Cman wrench that I was able to get off with a SO flank drive), I also noticed that the rate of breaking Cman was much higher than SO. I would easily break several Cman ever week but have only ever broken a handfull of SO.
so now to answer the question..
I have (and have had) Cman and SO with some Mac and other misc tools before joining this board. I go back anf forth between woodworking and cars and joined the board because of my current mode of bieng in the cars and starting the 66 mustang project.
mix that with the point that I now have access to a SO guy again along with the fact that sears has been taking a serious slide in the past couple of years
so I am back on buying SO tools on as as needed basis. since the begining of the year I think I have spent about $200 with him not including the value of the stuff I traded him. while that is not alot of money I already have most of what I need
bob
my first basic set of tools containing wrenches, sockets, and ratchets (gift from dad) and I filled in with overseaes stuff. over time I continued to add Cman to the set as I could.
one thing I noticed is that it was much easier to break my Cman tools than it was to break my dads......
when we started the race shop we had access to the SO guy so I bought a few things and really liked them
over time my primary tools (combo wrenches, ratchets, sockets) all got replaced with SO a little at a time and the Cman became backups.
what sticks with me is that the SO fits the fastener better (to the point that there were bolts rounded by a Cman wrench that I was able to get off with a SO flank drive), I also noticed that the rate of breaking Cman was much higher than SO. I would easily break several Cman ever week but have only ever broken a handfull of SO.
so now to answer the question..
I have (and have had) Cman and SO with some Mac and other misc tools before joining this board. I go back anf forth between woodworking and cars and joined the board because of my current mode of bieng in the cars and starting the 66 mustang project.
mix that with the point that I now have access to a SO guy again along with the fact that sears has been taking a serious slide in the past couple of years
so I am back on buying SO tools on as as needed basis. since the begining of the year I think I have spent about $200 with him not including the value of the stuff I traded him. while that is not alot of money I already have most of what I need
bob
paramudduck
Well-known member
I still buy what is available when I need it. If I'm helping out some where and realise I need a tool. The first truck that pulls in when I need it gets the sale.
It saves me a trip down town. Place where I used to work the local NAPA would deliver parts and tools. Usually faster then we could get down there ourselfs. So we all had a lot of NAPA brand items and used a lot of NAPA parts.
When I buy on ebay I usually buy lot deals. Pick out what I like and sell the rest.
It saves me a trip down town. Place where I used to work the local NAPA would deliver parts and tools. Usually faster then we could get down there ourselfs. So we all had a lot of NAPA brand items and used a lot of NAPA parts.
When I buy on ebay I usually buy lot deals. Pick out what I like and sell the rest.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I have two "free" snap-on ratchets courtesy of that. Actually, I made money on one deal.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
the whole hatred of snap on is Obama Campaign class envy thing .
ask the pros - it's snappy !!!
ask the pros - it's snappy !!!
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
PowderKeg
Well-known member
Like many others, I already have a good mix of Snappy's in the cabs, so no need to "switch", just a desire to add more....
Deafautotech
Well-known member
i thought obama used snap on tools............i gotta get out more
HUH??? i am confused now... maybe you need more Harley rides???
Me too!!paramudduck
Well-known member
I don't hate Snap On. I do hate the undependability of a lot of their dealers.
One thing that annoys me is people acting like, you can hold a Snap On tool near a bolt and it will come loose out of fear.
They are tools they do break and the warrenty can be a pain in places. Reminds me I need to call my buddy and see if the Snappy guy has came to the dealership yet. I could have used those sockets and the ratchet today. I think it's 4 weeks and counting since the last time he showed.
One thing that annoys me is people acting like, you can hold a Snap On tool near a bolt and it will come loose out of fear.
They are tools they do break and the warrenty can be a pain in places. Reminds me I need to call my buddy and see if the Snappy guy has came to the dealership yet. I could have used those sockets and the ratchet today. I think it's 4 weeks and counting since the last time he showed.
There are guys over on the BITOG board that turn their wine sellers into racks for motor oil.
That makes sense now that a quart of premium motor oil is more expensive than some wines.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
That's awesome!Vinko
Well-known member
I've got a lot of Snapon. Some of my grandfather's Craftsman, as well as some of my own, and a full set of Proto, which I really like.
Edit:
The Snap On guy doesn't like me because I was breaking tools every week. He said he was losing money on my account. Esp. impact guns. I switched to IR and another, made in Germany model (don't remember the name), for my workers. Maybe things have changed, but the impact guns weren't really meant for industrial applications as far as I can see. I still have to have them rebuilt every so often.
That is, screwing in 2 1/2 " grade 8 hex bolts into steel all day, every day. I found a German gun that aircraft mechanics use, and we started using those.
I love all the other Snap On stuff. If money was no object, I'd buy it all for myself at home.
Though I love Craftsman because my grandfather had tons of it, and we'd build all kinds of things growing up together. So it's got sentimental value to me.
Edit:
The Snap On guy doesn't like me because I was breaking tools every week. He said he was losing money on my account. Esp. impact guns. I switched to IR and another, made in Germany model (don't remember the name), for my workers. Maybe things have changed, but the impact guns weren't really meant for industrial applications as far as I can see. I still have to have them rebuilt every so often.
That is, screwing in 2 1/2 " grade 8 hex bolts into steel all day, every day. I found a German gun that aircraft mechanics use, and we started using those.
I love all the other Snap On stuff. If money was no object, I'd buy it all for myself at home.
Though I love Craftsman because my grandfather had tons of it, and we'd build all kinds of things growing up together. So it's got sentimental value to me.
Last edited:
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
kythri
Well-known member
Neat.
3/8" drive, though, that's why I never found it...
Too bad - I'd have bought a 3/8" impact gun just to use that...
paramudduck
Well-known member
Man this board has some great researchers. Any thing you mention wanting and some one on here can find it for you. It's one of the reasons I'm always checking this board.
Of course teasing the Snap On people is fun too.
Of course teasing the Snap On people is fun too.
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
a guy i used to work with had the sk socket for driveshaft bolts.........his was always broke so he borrowed my snap on. the sk guy wouldn't warranty it after the second time......sk warranty *****.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
you supply the tools ? what kind of operation you running there ?