What to get from snap-on?

[Dj.SammyOaks]

Yes i know, its another one of those threads again, if you dont like it then dont read it. ANYWAYS, im in the ford asset program and have my awesome student discount that im definitely taking advantage of. Im mostly a matco guy because hes the most reliable dealer at work but matco doesn't always cut it. So what are some must haves from SO that matco just wont do? I already got a ratchet in every drive size from matco but im considering maybe a new 1/4 dual 80? I already plan on getting the flare nut wrench set and a set of FD+ wrenches. But what else are some SO musts? I dont need any extensions or swivels.

On a side note, I am also looking for a good work light. I dont want any that are like a 'stick'. just like a magnetic swivel led w. good battery life or rechargeable.

Thanks in advance!

 

[sac02]

Why not just buy what you need?

 

[wild cowboy]

Torx bits are one of the very few things where there is not a much less costly but equally good tool from another maker, and Snap-On is justified.

I also like the $39.95 Snap-On LED work light at Costco.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Why not just buy what you need?

Do this. Don't need it, don't buy it.

 

[bulletpruf]

How about a long (24") 1/2" drive flex head locking ratchet? Don't think Matco sells one. Not sure on new price, but a nice used one still goes for $200 or so.

 

[Wamsutta]

So what are some must haves from SO that matco just wont do?

1/4-drive swivel sockets.

 

[Dj.SammyOaks]

Why not just buy what you need?

I know what I need. but im just wondering what i should not 'cheap out on' where its actually justified.

 

[wild cowboy]

also, what is your discount from Snap-On list? - that makes a difference on what I would recommend

 

[ChevyEFI]

Crowsfeet / flarenut crowsfeet.

Rotohead ratchets.

 

[vandezand]

Everything. Buy everything.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Everything. Buy everything.

This kills the wallet.

 

[SASORacing]

I like chrome S-O sockets the most out of any other company.

 

[Dj.SammyOaks]

also, what is your discount from Snap-On list? - that makes a difference on what I would recommend

i get about 40-50% off pending on what it is.

 

[2oolhound]

Pullers, bearing splitters, hand impact driver (only $65 for the tool only plus your discount), ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[chipper]

I love all the dual 80's but I have big hands and the 1/4 feels really small in my hands I thought it would be my go to 1/4 but instead its hardly used...if I was starting out I would buy all the so screw drivers I could afford and then every drive in sockets and whatever you do and however long you have the step DO NOT miss out on the fd+

 

[92integra]

50% off hardline... comming from a guy about to place a big order.... i would tell you to grab at least the 3/8ths techangle and i agree about the torx sockets and flare nut wrenchs while u have the discount you might as well grab the flare nut crow feet as they will kick some *** if you ever do a power steering rack....... i dont have any other top notch ratchets and dont see the need since i have a few dual 80s / 72s ..... i love the fcf72 with flare nut crow foot for steering racks.... 1/4" rachets from so are bomb IMHO. i'm personally looking to get a coolent pressue tester from SO even tho i know its rebranded if ever have an issue with it warrenty is easy...... if u want 1/4" crome swivels just get the ones u need because even at 50'% off those things a pricey (I have gear wrench that i got for 30 bucks and am very happy with them besides the 10mm wich is more like a semi deep then a shallow)................................... impact swivel sockets go with matco if you can get the discount, even if a rep didnt come to your school you should be able to sign up online with them. GOOD LUCK! CHOOSE WISELY

 

[Givl Reggin]

Dual 80 3/8 ratchet

Flare wrenches

Ratcheting screwdriver

Screwdriver set

Flank drive plus wrenches, 7mm - 24mm & 3/8" - 3/4" -- SOEXRM wrenches are one of my favorites. Flank drive plus open end and a 15° offset and reversible ratcheting box end--hard to beat.

1/4" Drive flex (swivel) sockets, 4mm - 14mm & 5/32" - 9/16" -- Snap-on flex sockets will flex further and give you more angle to work with before binding. You almost have to have a Snap-on flex socket at 90 degrees before it will bind. Having a flex socket that doesn't flex far enough defeats the whole purpose of having a flex socket in the first place.

Sometimes it's far better to have one expensive tool that works well instead of a whole set of tools that don't work. I'd suggest getting the sizes you need even if it's just a handful. They are far superior to anything else available.

 

[devoncoolman]

Fd+ wrenches, snap-on's puller sets are some of the best on the market including the slide hammer set. Open end line wrenches are awsome. Stubby wrenches as well.

 

[SASORacing]

Check out the butane soldering gun kit, very nice!

Also the ratcheting wrenches, flank drive plus, reversible. Nice wrenches!

What do you need?

 

[Wakefield]

Specialties such as the S6160 that looks like a 1/2" drive extension but where the male end belongs there is a 12 mm. 12 point socket opening -might be better at reaching into a recessed hole than a regular 1/2"drive socket on a normal extension because it is skinnier-and it is probably stronger than using 3/8" drive stuff which would be as skinny.
Double jointed spark plug getter like S9721A (that one is for 5/8" plug)
the little 1/4" and/or 3/8" drive Universal sockets
when the money's a little tight there are Wright and S*K wrenches and sockets
Six Point Snap On combination wrenches? (I wish they had the grippy FD+ open end)

 

[beatcad]

flank drive wrenches are nice. i dont have them, but i've used 'em and want 'em.

if you can get 'en cheap i love my snap on torque wrenches.
on is foot lbs and one is inch lbs.
depending on what you're gonna work on you may never need an inch lb torque wrench, but you might.
its been 15-20 years since i bought mine but i think its was just under $150 for the inch lb and around $250 for the foot lb.
if you can get one or the other for close to half that i'd say do it.

 

[Dj.SammyOaks]

I always see people raving about those ratcheting screwdrivers but i just dont see when they would be so amazing? i have a bit driver and it works great for everything, when would i use the ratcheting screwdriver?

 

[JoeMA]

I would love to get a BJP1 ball joint press for half off.

 

[gsingh]

I would love to get a BJP1 ball joint press for half off.

X2 on that.

 

[beatcad]

I always see people raving about those ratcheting screwdrivers but i just dont see when they would be so amazing? i have a bit driver and it works great for everything, when would i use the ratcheting screwdriver?

oh, yeah. those are great.
handy as hell.
i mosty use them for car int trim panels but i use mine for a bunch of stuff in the garage non car related

 

[Jarhead0408]

How about a long (24") 1/2" drive flex head locking ratchet? Don't think Matco sells one. Not sure on new price, but a nice used one still goes for $200 or so.

Yeah they do.

CFR248LFTG is the green handled one. I don't know how it compares vs. the Snappy version, but I believe the profile is thinner.

I have one. Freaking awesome ratchet. Doesn't flex at all that I've seen. Since buying it I've retired my 1/2 breaker bars.

 

[pi_guy]

The 1/4 inch swivels are my go to sockets.
I use my mid length 1/4 sockets on shock adjusting nuts gives me a better feel than std or deep length.
The others ones I have been very happy with are 3/8 deep swivels had metric for years and std are on my want list.
In wrenches I have mostly used short in combination, ratchet and box style, recently have added midget to the lot.
But the bulk of my work is 1/2 or 7/16 bolt heads and 1/4 or 5/16 aircraft nuts.
But any Snap -on hand tool is the way to go.

 

[92integra]

word of warning if you dont think you'll use the ratcheting screwdriver DONT BUY IT. i didnt think i would use mine but every one of GJ love's theres so i have to have it and see what all the fuss is about... it sit's like a worthless 60 dollar bill in my tool cart used once.... sure mabye i could use it on interior but my cordless ratchet and hex impact can do that same job as it twice as fast.

 

[Dj.SammyOaks]

word of warning if you dont think you'll use the ratcheting screwdriver DONT BUY IT. i didnt think i would use mine but every one of GJ love's theres so i have to have it and see what all the fuss is about... it sit's like a worthless 60 dollar bill in my tool cart used once.... sure mabye i could use it on interior but my cordless ratchet and hex impact can do that same job as it twice as fast.

see thats how i feel what would happen if i actually got one.

 

[pi_guy]

I do a fair amount of electronics work and avoid the use of power stuff, so I find the ratcheting driver worthwhile. Plus we do a bunch of fasteners into nutcerts and to much torque rips them out.
I just told my Snap-on guy to try and find the limited edition Red and white one.

 

[purplezr2]

Yeah they do.

CFR248LFTG is the green handled one. I don't know how it compares vs. the Snappy version, but I believe the profile is thinner.

I have one. Freaking awesome ratchet. Doesn't flex at all that I've seen. Since buying it I've retired my 1/2 breaker bars.

This ratchet is one of the thinks that matco does better than Snap-On in my opinion. I have had both and still have my matco

 

[Exceller8]

The short gasket scraper is awesome! I use it for all kinds of things around the shop. Everything except gaskets...

 

[Askme42]

How about a long (24") 1/2" drive flex head locking ratchet? Don't think Matco sells one. Not sure on new price, but a nice used one still goes for $200 or so.

Really? I would say it is one of matco biggest sellers

 

[wagzilla]

Torx bits are one of the very few things where there is not a much less costly but equally good tool from another maker, and Snap-On is justified.

I also like the $39.95 Snap-On LED work light at Costco.

I have two of them they are great! And they don,t get hot

James

 

[EricTheTireGuy]

My first Snap on purchase is going to be a rotating head ratchet.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

My favorite items from snap on are their wrenches, screwdrivers, and ratchets. I have a set of their Torx bits and Hex bits and they are probably the best on the market but I also have a master set from Cornwell which are rebranded Taiwan that get the job done just as well. For a light would look at getting a stream light and a magnetic swivel base for it. Very handy and bright. I don't care much for snap ons lights.

 

[skylinegtr20]

I would love to get a BJP1 ball joint press for half off.

I have this set, its fantastic. Very handy that the pieces "clip in" making it easier to assemble.

CFR248LFTG is the green handled one. I don't know how it compares vs. the Snappy version, but I believe the profile is thinner.

I have one. Freaking awesome ratchet. Doesn't flex at all that I've seen. Since buying it I've retired my 1/2 breaker bars.

+1 for the matco 24" locking swivel ratchet, I sold my Snappy after using it.

The 1/4 inch swivels are my go to sockets.
The others ones I have been very happy with are 3/8 deep swivels had metric for years and std are on my want list.

+1 for the 1/4 swivel sockets, I have the impact version and I use them alot with my air ratchet or small 12v impact. I would also recommend Matco for these though in any size (1/4, 3/8 or 1/2) as I like feel better than SO.

-----

Here is the list I would buy to get going with the 50% off discount.

- Snappy Dual80 or Matco 88 tooth Ratchets
1/4 - get the long 6 1/2" w/ swivel
3/8 - long handle w/swivel
1/2 - 24" swivel/locking
- Matco 1/4 & 3/8 metric impact swivel socket sets
- Matco 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 universal impact swivels (for all other swiveling needs)
- Snap On 3/8 techangle torque wrench
- Snap On Flank Drive+ metric wrenches (8-19, 21, 22 & 24mm)
- Snap On Flare Nut Crowfeet metric (10-19mm)
- Snap On Metric Flare Nut Wrenches
- Snap On, Matco or Mac Knurled extension set
- Snap On Torx bits w/tamperproof
- Snap On Hex bits
- Snap On Dead Blow hammers (16oz & 32 oz or bigger)
- Mac Antivibe hammers


And if you really want to get baller. Add a set of extra long flank drive+ wrenches for alignments, front end puller set, ball joint removal set and a set of Snappy 4 angle wrenches they are pricey but worth their weight in gold!

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

+1 for the 1/4 swivel sockets, I have the impact version and I use them alot with my air ratchet or small 12v impact. I would also recommend Matco for these though in any size (1/4, 3/8 or 1/2) as I like feel better than SO.

I have used the 1/4 chrome swivel sockets and they are fantastic, I just can't justify the almost $500 price tag. I'm not sure what the discount would do for the price but they definitely are the nicest.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I always see people raving about those ratcheting screwdrivers but i just dont see when they would be so amazing? i have a bit driver and it works great for everything, when would i use the ratcheting screwdriver?

I always wonder why people love them so much too? I have the stubby and regular hard handle version and have never used them. I prefer my electric screw guns. Much faster.

 

[kctyphoon]

Snap on strikes again, getting students to spend more money..