Was SO always so expensive?

[treasureseeker]

I purchased most of my Snap on in the late eighties. I don’t remember the prices only that the difference between wages and cost were not as great as today.

 

[Bart Simpson]

UPDATED:*************************

So, anyone have prices for a Snap-On 3/8" ratchet from older price lists?
So, far:

2010: F80 $80.75
2002: F936 $60.50
1965/6 : F-71D $7.77

Ok I can give you a little help with that.


SNAP - ON 3/8 DRIVE CHROME PEAR HEAD STANDARD LENGTH HANDLE RATCHET PRICES

12/31/84 F720 $28.85
12/31/84 F730 $28.85
1/1/90 F720A $38.25
1/1/90 F730A $38.25
11/23/92 F830 $48.75
11/30/98 F936 $58.95
11/25/02 F936 $61.71
4/4/05 F936 $67.50
3/3/07 F936 $69.50
8/13/08 F80 $76.25


THERE ARE TWO LISTINGS FOR THE 700 SERIES AS THEY WERE AVAILABLE IN BOTH 20 AND 30 TEETH .
THE 700 SERIES WERE NOT SEALED HEADS BUT THE YEARS REFERENCED ABOVE DID HAVE THE DUST CAPS (EXCEPT FOR 1/4" DRIVE WHICH NEVER HAD THEM ).
THE 700 SERIES WERE AVAILABLE IN 20 OR 30 TEETH IN 1/4 " AND 3/8 " AND 24 OR 32 TEETH IN 1/2 " DRIVE.

THE F830 WAS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE F730 AND WAS THE FIRST SEALED HEAD RATCHET.
THE 800 SERIES ARE EASILY IDENTIFIED BY THERE SEALED HEAD DESIGN WITH THE BOLT ON LEVER.
THE 800 SERIES WERE AVAILABLE IN 30 TEETH IN 1/4 " AND 3/8 " AND 32 TEETH IN 1/2" DRIVE.

THE 900 SERIES WERE THE NEXT SEALED HEAD DESIGN AND LOOK VERY SIMILAR TO THE 800 SERIES BUT THE LEVER DOESN'T BOLT ON.
ALL THE 900 SERIES RATCHETS WERE 36 TEETH.

 

[billymade]

Thanks for the info! I think I like the prices from '84!
12/31/84 F720 $28.85

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the wages were better in the eighties as was a 28% top tax rate
more business from happy customers

 

[MattT]

My SO man thought this argument had some merit. Since real wages for working people have gone down, tools do seem more expensive.

He did say (he's been selling SO for over 30 years) that "guys have always complained about the price".

I wonder though, if in proportion to income, SO tools haven't outpaced wages by quite a bit. Certainly, with distribution channels for industrial tools over the 'net, that's got to take a bite out of it as well.

Not sure about the individual tools but the total investment has definitely outpaced wages. Between cramped engine bays, **** like metric and torx, and diagnostics the amount of tools needed has increased bigtime. In 1963 MAC's top of the line tool storage was a 26"x18"x36" rollcab topped by a 26"x15"x17" chest. That's considered barely adequate for an apprentice these days.

 

[Wakefield]

Metric, Torx,Golden look Torx, New wide fluted Torx+ instead of just SAE and Allen keys= tool proliferation. And all kinds of different Phillips look screwdrivers that are not really Phillips.

 

[Bart Simpson]

$7.77 for a F-71D: 3/8 ratchet in 1965/1966..Looked this up in a catalog with the price guide.

I thought I may add a little info / clarification to wafrederick's post.

There were 2 standard handle chrome 3/8" drive ratchets offered in 1965

In the 1965 catalog " Z " the F-71D is the 30 tooth model.
There is another variation of this ratchet, the F-710B which is the 20 tooth model.
The ratchets are identical except for the part # on them and the different pawl /gear ,and should have the same list price.

 

[Toolhorder]

I believe snap on was much more affordable when I first started working on cars. you do the math yourself, snap on increases their prices about 10% a year, inflation is 4-6%. I bought more snap on tools my first 3 years wrenching than I have the last 10 just for this reason.

Seriously? You have too time on your hands if you micro manage tool purchases based on price increase to inflation ratios.

 

[volvo420coupe]

Seriously? You have too time on your hands if you micro manage tool purchases based on price increase to inflation ratios.

I was just making a quick comment on how I felt, seeing the price lists posted by other members I realize how I felt was not totally accurate.

One thing I do not have, is too much time on my hands.

I base most of my tool purchases based off of need, and then whatever tool salesman treats me the best. I don't have a need for very many tools anymore so I get picky with what I buy for retail prices.

I would rather spend my buck with the cornwell guy who has no problem telling me that something was imported than the snap on guy who tries to convince me that everything that says snap on is still made in the usa.

 

[King Bojack]

Ok I can give you a little help with that.


SNAP - ON 3/8 DRIVE CHROME PEAR HEAD STANDARD LENGTH HANDLE RATCHET PRICES

12/31/84 F720 $28.85
12/31/84 F730 $28.85
1/1/90 F720A $38.25
1/1/90 F730A $38.25
11/23/92 F830 $48.75
11/30/98 F936 $58.95
11/25/02 F936 $61.71
4/4/05 F936 $67.50
3/3/07 F936 $69.50
8/13/08 F80 $76.25

If my calculations are right these prices severly outstrip inflation. to SO for pulling these kinds of price hikes successfully!

 

[Vinko]

Seriously? You have too time on your hands if you micro manage tool purchases based on price increase to inflation ratios.

This charge could be leveled at all of us in one form or another who post on here. And anyway, does anyone really ever have enough time? And if they did, would that be a bad thing? It never fails that someone rejoins with the "too much time" comment as if that were a a bad thing.

 

[Busted Bolts]

Unions, and not lowering the prices when the market changes. Gas isn't at $4.00 like it was, they hiked up prices due to fuel and metal prices, but they never went down when the market did.

 

[ngk22r]

and the other tool companies are guilty as well then... $50 for a Craftsman 1/4 ratchet, thats pure inflation right there!!!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

gas prices are rising due to a devalued dollar

 

[BerninicaCO3]

but a devalued dollar could garner more work, more industrial demand & exports. Double-edged sword. Seriously: factories aren't opened overnight, but it could be healthy in the long run. Lots of foreigners complaining about a devalued dollar, because they invested in bonds that now are worth less-- but it could be the right thing for this country.

Interesting thread: I liked the timelines!
But tools are nothing. You spend $15,000 on a car that'll last only 10 years before it has a $1000 kbb value, and it only had a 3yr warranty; what is $15,000 on tools then that hold a lifetime warranty and actually earn your income? And after 10 years, with SO upping the price, you might RESELL them for $15,000 again (0% return over 10 yrs btw is no investment, and let nobody ever buy a diamond ring thinking it's good finance because debeers told you it was-- but just sayin' that it's much better than -100% return on so much of what we buy and burn up)

I think the worst offender however is college. Soooo many friends with $80,000 in tuition debt, right back working at starbucks or at a call center as if college had never happened. Kudos to the (public) trade schools, who deliver a better product at 1/10 the cost.

 

[Vinko]

but a devalued dollar could garner more work, more industrial demand & exports. Double-edged sword. Seriously: factories aren't opened overnight, but it could be healthy in the long run. Lots of foreigners complaining about a devalued dollar, because they invested in bonds that now are worth less-- but it could be the right thing for this country.

Interesting thread: I liked the timelines!
But tools are nothing. You spend $15,000 on a car that'll last only 10 years before it has a $1000 kbb value, and it only had a 3yr warranty; what is $15,000 on tools then that hold a lifetime warranty and actually earn your income? And after 10 years, with SO upping the price, you might RESELL them for $15,000 again (0% return over 10 yrs btw is no investment, and let nobody ever buy a diamond ring thinking it's good finance because debeers told you it was-- but just sayin' that it's much better than -100% return on so much of what we buy and burn up)

I think the worst offender however is college. Soooo many friends with $80,000 in tuition debt, right back working at starbucks or at a call center as if college had never happened. Kudos to the (public) trade schools, who deliver a better product at 1/10 the cost.

Good points.

But on reselling tools: aren't you assuming that there's going to be a healthy resale market? We've already seen, to some extent, the contraction of that used market, because fewer people have extra cash around.

Agree with you on college tuition. Compared to the last 50 years (and 25 when I was in college), the cost is way out of whack. It's incredible how inflated the costs are. I have some idea of why this is so, but it seems to me to be such a complex set of variables that it's hard to wrap your mind around it.

 

[SOKnight45]

I think this is a great question to ask; maybe on a anecdotal level, we could ask everyone to remember how much they paid for a basic 3/8" standard length ratchet; F936, F830 etc. The earliest price list I have is from 2002; in this example, a F936 was listed @ $60.50... and now the "same" ratchet a F80 is listed @ $80.75! Maybe we can go from there! People list what they paid for a basic 3/8" ratchet and circa what time frame.... I'm sure there are some bean counters or a online adjustment; that could get us in the ballpark! The other issue is; the diminished buying power of your average "mechanic" and how in the past, it seems everyone was able to make a better living then now.

Let us take a moment to revive this thread to mathematically address it. I am going to break this down to the best of my ability. You may even find yourself purchasing more tools after you see this. Here goes:

In 2002, the F936 (which is a great ratchet and I use it daily/bang it around etc) cost $60.50 USD. Using the CPI Index (https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm) Today, as I am writing this, equates to $93.26

Now it is 2021, and the superior ratchet is the F80 (3/8" Drive Dual 80® Technology Standard Handle Ratchet) which is listed on SO website for $121.50. You have to pay $28.24 to get the same quality ratchet. Now if you are buddies with your SO guy and can get the 23.5% discount which means you are paying $93.26 for a new F80, then no need to worry about this.
If you do not have a SO dealer and buy from the website at full retail, yes you are paying more.

In theory, it would have been better and yes, cheaper to have bought the tools in 2002 than in 2021.
Extra points, you would have an even superior ratchet (My $0.02).

Yes I own a suite of 36 tooth SOs: T936, F936, FL936, S936, SL938 and SX936 which just love to abuse and remove fasteners.

I do have the new SO T/F/S 80 series because I like to use them to tighten down new fasteners.

 

[m6z]

UPDATED:*************************

So, anyone have prices for a Snap-On 3/8" ratchet from older price lists?
So, far:

1965/6 : F-71D $7.77

12/31/84 F720 $28.85

12/31/84 F730 $28.85

1/1/90 F720A $38.25

1/1/90 F730A $38.25

11/23/92 F830 $48.75

11/30/98 F936 $58.95

11/25/02 F936 $61.71

2002: F936 $60.50

4/4/05 F936 $67.50

3/3/07 F936 $69.50

8/13/08 F80 $76.25

2010: F80 $80.75

So yeah, looks like they've always been expensive.

I know my 20 year old self wouldn't have spent $60 for a ratchet in 2002. Of course, I never thought twice about spending that same money at the bar or for dinner.

 

[dnschmidt]

Yea, you better believe that Snap-On ***** and price gouges. On the other hand I'm an SNA stockholder and what a consistent money maker they have been for me. So my advice here is that everybody here should go in debt up to their *** and load up on Snap-On. I and my buddies on the other hand went nuts and bought damn near everything TOPTUL makes for 1/15 the price. We're very happy and better yet still rich instead of broke. Life's a ***** isn't it?

 

[dutchgray]

Whilst Snap on has gotten more expensive over the years, the main difference is the cheap but decent stuff has gotten very much cheaper, which make it seem like Snap on has inflated their prices more than they have really done.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Whilst Snap on has gotten more expensive over the years, the main difference is the cheap but decent stuff has gotten very much cheaper, which make it seem like Snap on has inflated their prices more than they have really done.

This is a big factor. I'm sure US regulations making production more expensive have also been implemented over the years. Not to mention a desire for increased profits, and currency devaluing due to inflation. I'd guess a dual 80 costs a little bit more than the old 936 to make, all else equal, as the parts required are smaller/finer.


Now, for a pro, it's a moot point IMO. $ spend per bolt turn is skewed heavily vs the DIY guys on GJ. I could spend $1000 on a ratchet and still spend less per hour of use than many guys on here with a $5 flea market find. I just use it that much more frequently. Not to say cheaper imports aren't up to the task, but cost vs. use equations change as usage skyrockets. Kind of like buying a bed. You sleep in it for approx 1/3 of your life. Why does cost matter if it improves your sleep quality, which represents 1/3 of your existence and has effects on the other 2/3? All that ignores as well, the OMG EXPENSIVE $100 ratchets are basically free compared to the expenditures to fix cars in 2021. Keeping a snap on scan tool current on updates is $1200/year. And that assumes that's the only scan tool you own. Autels are $500-$1500/year depending on model. Ratchets are basically free compared to other costs, and unless lost should last a lifetime. Again, some cheaper stuff can certainly say the same.

 

[dr_clyde]

This is a big factor. I'm sure US regulations making production more expensive have also been implemented over the years. Not to mention a desire for increased profits, and currency devaluing due to inflation. I'd guess a dual 80 costs a little bit more than the old 936 to make, all else equal, as the parts required are smaller/finer.


Now, for a pro, it's a moot point IMO. $ spend per bolt turn is skewed heavily vs the DIY guys on GJ. I could spend $1000 on a ratchet and still spend less per hour of use than many guys on here with a $5 flea market find. I just use it that much more frequently. Not to say cheaper imports aren't up to the task, but cost vs. use equations change as usage skyrockets. Kind of like buying a bed. You sleep in it for approx 1/3 of your life. Why does cost matter if it improves your sleep quality, which represents 1/3 of your existence and has effects on the other 2/3? All that ignores as well, the OMG EXPENSIVE $100 ratchets are basically free compared to the expenditures to fix cars in 2021. Keeping a snap on scan tool current on updates is $1200/year. And that assumes that's the only scan tool you own. Autels are $500-$1500/year depending on model. Ratchets are basically free compared to other costs, and unless lost should last a lifetime. Again, some cheaper stuff can certainly say the same.

It’s always amusing to me when guys try to compare their home hobby shop where time is basically free to a professional where time is money. It’s apples and oranges.

It rarely makes sense for a home gamer to buy high end tools designed to shave minutes or seconds off flat rate time, or to gain the incremental advantages that superior materials and designs allow for the premium price.

Hobbies don’t justify professional gear. If you have the money, the desire and want the bragging rights or the image, sure. Go for it.

Tool truck hand tools are a small expense for a shop. Negligible compared to a lot of expenses.

 

[dnschmidt]

It’s always amusing to me when guys try to compare their home hobby shop where time is basically free to a professional where time is money. It’s apples and oranges.

It rarely makes sense for a home gamer to buy high end tools designed to shave minutes or seconds off flat rate time, or to gain the incremental advantages that superior materials and designs allow for the premium price.

Hobbies don’t justify professional gear. If you have the money, the desire and want the bragging rights or the image, sure. Go for it.

Tool truck hand tools are a small expense for a shop. Negligible compared to a lot of expenses.

You had a key phrase there which is: "Tool truck hand tools are a small expense for a shop." The problem with that statement is that it's not the shop paying for the tool truck tools. It's the mechanic. Which is one of the reasons that being a mechanic must absolutely ****. I used and was responsible for 20 million dollars’ worth of KLA-Tencor tools as a staff level defect engineer in the semiconductor industry. I didn't have to chip in to buy any of them. In fact the company paid me (a lot) to fly to San Jose to learn how to use them once STMicroelectronics bought them. This training was all on the company's dime. Hotels, and you can bet I didn't stay at Red Roof Inns, (I’m a Marriot man - they had the best beds) Meals (I prefer Italian and French cuisine which is well represented in the Bay Area) and Rent-a-Cars to get back and forth to KLA-Tencor's campus and just as importantly the driving range not far from it. Me leave for a business trip without my sticks – no way Jose. Auto mechanics seem to have to pay for their own training (I say this because I went to Automechanika in Chicago one year (just for fun) to take some classes from John Thorton and Bernie Thompson along with meeting up with my friends Ivan T. (aka the Russian) and Keith DeFazio. There were a bunch of mechanics in these classes that were there on their own dime so that they could go back to work and make the company more money. WTF! How does that work?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

You had a key phrase there which is: "Tool truck hand tools are a small expense for a shop." The problem with that statement is that it's not the shop paying for the tool truck tools. It's the mechanic. Which is one of the reasons that being a mechanic must absolutely ****. I used and was responsible for 20 million dollars’ worth of KLA-Tencor tools as a staff level defect engineer in the semiconductor industry. I didn't have to chip in to buy any of them. In fact the company paid me (a lot) to fly to San Jose to learn how to use them once STMicroelectronics bought them. This training was all on the company's dime. Hotels, and you can bet I didn't stay at Red Roof Inns, (I’m a Marriot man - they had the best beds) Meals (I prefer Italian and French cuisine which is well represented in the Bay Area) and Rent-a-Cars to get back and forth to KLA-Tencor's campus and just as importantly the driving range not far from it. Me leave for a business trip without my sticks – no way Jose. Auto mechanics seem to have to pay for their own training (I say this because I went to Automechanika in Chicago one year (just for fun) to take some classes from John Thorton and Bernie Thompson along with meeting up with my friends Ivan T. (aka the Russian) and Keith DeFazio. There were a bunch of mechanics in these classes that were there on their own dime so that they could go back to work and make the company more money. WTF! How does that work?

More money for the company, means more money for me. Mechanics are basically independent contractors to their employers. A perfect quote I heard was: "you need to be smart enough to be able to fix them, but stupid enough to do it for a living". Imagine debating your employer to be paid in accordance with their very pay schedule! LOL

I bring $75k worth of tooling, equipment, and know-how. They provide a building, lifts, and book keeping. I pay for my training, tools, and and plenty of consumables. ********, I know. But when the front desk tells me "we" are doing "free diagnosis" of something, I can tell them to **** off. If I find myself needing to grind the operation to a halt too often (to confirm I'm being paid), I grease up the wheels on the tool box, call a tow-truck, and restart elsewhere.

 

[dr_clyde]

You had a key phrase there which is: "Tool truck hand tools are a small expense for a shop." The problem with that statement is that it's not the shop paying for the tool truck tools. It's the mechanic. Which is one of the reasons that being a mechanic must absolutely ****. I used and was responsible for 20 million dollars’ worth of KLA-Tencor tools as a staff level defect engineer in the semiconductor industry. I didn't have to chip in to buy any of them. In fact the company paid me (a lot) to fly to San Jose to learn how to use them once STMicroelectronics bought them. This training was all on the company's dime. Hotels, and you can bet I didn't stay at Red Roof Inns, (I’m a Marriot man - they had the best beds) Meals (I prefer Italian and French cuisine which is well represented in the Bay Area) and Rent-a-Cars to get back and forth to KLA-Tencor's campus and just as importantly the driving range not far from it. Me leave for a business trip without my sticks – no way Jose. Auto mechanics seem to have to pay for their own training (I say this because I went to Automechanika in Chicago one year (just for fun) to take some classes from John Thorton and Bernie Thompson along with meeting up with my friends Ivan T. (aka the Russian) and Keith DeFazio. There were a bunch of mechanics in these classes that were there on their own dime so that they could go back to work and make the company more money. WTF! How does that work?

If you’re unwilling or unable to use your skills and expertise to negotiate a wage that allows you to afford high quality tools, then you probably don’t need high quality tools.

I bought SO tools in high school, working part time after school. My buddies bought junk food, concert tickets and video games with their earnings. Life is about choices. I bought tools, they bought fun. I still have my tools, they have their memories. No one was right or wrong.

I know many mechanics who made very good livings while buying high quality tools off the truck. I also know a lot of “mechanics” who overspent on tools they couldn’t afford to do lube jobs and I bought their repo’d tools off the truck for 50% off.

 

[zendriver]

I wouldn't be surprised that global competition on tools - from top to bottom, has kept SO price increases in check, more so than they might have otherwise been.

FWIW In 1976, I purchased (on time payments of course) a 10pc 3/8" SAE ratchet set, a 10pc set of 3/8 SAE deep wells and a 10pc set of 3/8 metric sockets.

I think the total was in the neighborhood of $220, which with my $3/hr pump jockey role, made me actually dodge the truck guy on collection day, more than once.

Ironically it was the last SO tools I ever purchased new, which I still have to this day.

 

[M635_Guy]

If you’re unwilling or unable to use your skills and expertise to negotiate a wage that allows you to afford high quality tools, then you probably don’t need high quality tools.

 

[Sgtboz]

As a former dealer i can tell you that Snap On generally raises its prices 4% a year.

 

[CNH]

In the early 80s I began my addiction to Snap-On by comparing a complete set of combination wrenches from Snap-On, Matco, Mac and Craftsman. This was all sizes from 1/4 inch through 1 & 1/4 inch and FWIW, Craftsman was the only one to not have a 9/32 inch available. At that time the complete set from Snap-On was $444.15, Matco was $399,05, Mac was $376.80 and Craftsman was $64.99. In the end the truck brands seemed to all be about the same price but Snap-On certainly had the better selection. I was fortunate to have a great Snap-On driver and I am sure that also entered into my decision to go with Snap-On.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I mean, it's kinda true. Unless you want it just because or are fixing stuff for money - there's no reason to buy it. Unless you make money with tools, nobody "needs" koken nut-grip universals, or 1/4 metric crowsfeet, or 18" 3/8 ratchets, etc. But god are they nice to have. Yeah, it's a $20/$50/$75 socket?!?. But it's worth it if you're between a rock and a hard place, or you use it all the time. I bought a $70? socket from snap on, for subaru brake caliper bolts. Special long neck and low profile head for the upper bolt on the bracket which is normally obscured by a strut bolt. When you have a day you manage to sell 3 brake jobs on subarus, that seems really cheap. Fighting with a torch and zero offset wrenches get old.

It's like saying dually trucks are too expensive, when I drive less than 15 miles a day towing nothing but myself. I mean this for all of what we'd call premium tools, not just snap on. Nobody "needs" SK sockets or wright grip wrenches to putz with a lawnmower or change their brake pads. The lube tech doesn't need proto either. It's blue-collar luxury which makes you money via efficiency.

 

[Skin]

As a former dealer i can tell you that Snap On generally raises its prices 4% a year.

You don't even have to be a dealer, just watch their website. I've definitely seen a few years where there was an increase in both the Spring and then later in the Fall or Winter to the tune of 5-6%. That's how they got something like an F80 to go from $76 to $121 in 12 years. When you step back and realize most of their catalog has gone up at that rate it's pretty remarkable. I bet most people wished their paychecks went up 60% in just over a decade.

 

[KnurledNut]

I used and was responsible for 20 million dollars’ worth of KLA-Tencor tools as a staff level defect engineer in the semiconductor industry. I didn't have to chip in to buy any of them.

Whether the pun was intended or not, well played sir. Knurlednut approves.

 

[redwrench60]

When I started in the repair industry years ago a Craftsman pro full polish 3/8” drive ratchet was about $25. The Snap on was about $50. The Snap on was twice the price of the Craftsman but was easily four times better in strength, quality and precision. That’s what sold me on Snap On’s products.

Now there’s many more tool choices and Snap On’s prices have outpaced that old figure. They are still top notch tools but I’m not sure that value ratio still exists at current prices.

 

[SOKnight45]

As a former dealer i can tell you that Snap On generally raises its prices 4% a year.

Good to know

While buying tools from the truck are is the primary choice for some, the REAL value is on the secondary market. [NEW 1/2 Metric Deep at $570 vs USED $200 for a used set, not beat the heck up]

If purchased at $200, that is almost the price floor. If say in 3 years you needed to resell it for whatever reason, your investment is sealed. Keep in mind, metal and materials are all going up. Maybe that $200 USED SO set is now worth $300. Cheaper than SO NEW, but still more than used from when you acquired it.

Everyone loves to say HF. Remember, HF has done away with that 20% coupon which was pretty much all over place. Find a balance for what works for you. Do not jeopardize your financial situation. The motto still holds true, invest in your trade (or hobby) to wrench.

 

[gungatim]

LGR

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the short answer is Yes. However, it's not necessarily the tools you're paying for but, service. truck to you delivery, pay for your new tools, while you earn money using them, weekly payments for life A wider selection of tools not found most other places. I think some Nepros tools make snap on look like a bargain but, that's another thread.

 

[dnschmidt]

actually it's been around a long time, I thought it was fairly new as well but read I think it was "The Jungle" upton Sinclair a few years ago and remember it talking about how everyone was in debt making payments on furniture, dishes, nearly everything was on credit. I may have to google it to see if I am remembering correctly.

Someone who actually reads books in this day and age. You Da Man! Maybe there is hope for mankind after all. On second thought, probably not.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

I just did a quick scan through the online and I think the price compared to wages has probably come down. In the mid 90s minimum wage here was around $7/hr for a mechanic just starting out. My first wrench set was around $400 and I paid around $300 on sale. That same set is $640 today and minimum wage is almost $17/hr. Wages have more than doubled, SO tools have not doubled.

I think the biggest difference is the ever increasing flow of cheap tools sold here. Consciously or unconsciously our minds are always comparing and the gap between the "average" price for a ratchet or wrench and the Snappy price has grown considerably. The cheapo stuff is pretty much the same price as it was 20 years ago - every year they find a way to build it a little cheaper.

I'm by no means an diehard SO fan but generally speaking they are the best line of tools for a professional period. There are some tools for specific jobs where you want a Mac or Proto or something else because it's either better or just a different shape to fit a task.

I've got tools of every brand and even some cheapo stuff for specific purposes (usually to cut up and weld) but there is really no comparison for tools that are used daily to the limit of their capabilities. CM, Westward, Proto and all the others are adequate for 90% of tasks but that last 10% is where a job either stops or it gets done. Not a big deal for a home mechanic but when you have hundreds of thousands of dollars in machinery idle it's not acceptable. I've trained numerous people over the years and the majority start out with something cheaper and realize that for some tasks you need the good stuff, just as I did. The best advise I could give them is to get a full set of affordable tools to work with then buy the good stuff one set at a time, only when it's on sale. You will always need a second wrench or socket and there will always be times you don't want to take your good tools to an unsafe location or where you might lose them so they will never be a wasted investment.

 

[gungatim]

LGR

 

[Uncle murph]

Adjusting for inflation and what not has SO always been so much more expensive than a CMan or BHawk back in the day or did they used to have more affordability?

I’ve had this discussion with others many times over the years,when you figure the investment to purchase and operate/maintain that truck,then figure how much could a person sell in a 5 day week and then take into account that the tool man has a mortgage,kids in college etc,the markup has to be absolutely massive!Compared to old Sears store where everything was sold from a fixed location along side everything else you could possibly want knowing full well that Sears always made a profit on comparative quality tools,something just doesn’t add up!Point being that SO sold in regular retail environment could obviously be priced considerably lower than off the truck.