Which tools you will only buy Snap on

[ToolGlutton]

For myself:

1) Ratchets, including breaker bars (other brands will hurt your knuckle ).
2) Screwdrivers (although Wiha and Wera are also good).
3) Open-end and flare nut wrenches (other brands will expand ).

It would be interesting to see how people add to this list. Please do not say that you want all your tools to be Snap on.

 

[walrus]

I never say never to any tool I'd have to agree on wrenches but I'd buy others if I wasn't going to use them much. One thing Snap On makes that I've seen made better is NeedleNose Pliers, of course I have several pairs so I'm not buying any

 

[Stephenw]

If I had an unlimited budget, I'd only buy Snap-On tools. It is my opinion that they are the very best.

I think any of the lower priced U.S.A. made tools are a serviceable option.

Craftsman
SK
Kobalt

 

[davestlouis]

Line wrenches are about it, off the top of my head. I like their other wrenches, but haven't seen a reason to not buy Proto or MAC.

 

[gotmud13613]

Body Hammers & Dollies, perfect weight, balance and feel. They have held up better than any other brand I have tried.

 

[7892]

I own quite a bit of SO but there isnt anything that I have that could not be replaced with another brand and be just as good of a tool.

 

[back2class]

I own quite a bit of SO but there isnt anything that I have that could not be replaced with another brand and be just as good of a tool.

I agree. I do very much like their needle nose pliers.

I HaTE HaTE their ratchets... am I the only one who thinks they are clunky and unimpressive?

 

[Vulturej]

I'm partial to the SO Miniature Pick set. I know a lot of companies make them but I have never found one that held up as well as the SO set.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I HaTE HaTE their ratchets... am I the only one who thinks they are clunky and unimpressive?

Yes.


+ 10 Characters

 

[dxdexter]

There are no tools that I would only buy from Snap-on unless of course they only sold that particular tool. My first choice is definitely Gray and Snap-on, but any name brand quality tool made in North America would suffice if I couldn't get either.

I didn't get my first Snap-on ratchet until I turned 40 and I didn't feel I was ever missing anything important. I bought a set of Snap-on screwdrivers when I was 19 or 20 and lost most of them and replaced them with Klien and they have performed exactly the same. I always use Snap-on flare nut wrenches so I can't compare them with anything else.

 

[Fedwrench]

I had an instructor once tell me that if you could get hurt using a tool then buy it from Snap on. Otherwise, you could get by with another brand.
For me, I prefer Snap on for Flare wrenches in crowfoot and combination styles. I also think they make the best Torx drivers if you buy the gold colored heavy duty ones. They'll fail too but, last much longer than other brands. The Snap on phillips#2 screwdriver blade seems to fit automotive screws better than other brands. Snap on also makes the best 1/2 cordless impact. Although lots of other brands try to emulate it, the 4850 is the best one by far. Except for these items, I can't think of another Snap on tool with mythical powers.

 

[Laredo]

Sockets and box end wrenches - there IS a difference that justifies their higher price. "Flank-drive" design grips better and reduces rounding off corners of the nut/bolt. It's not hype, it actually works.

Their boxes however are another story. Yes, they are very nice. But.....what is the purpose of a tool box? To store, organize, and secure your tools. That's
it. There are many other nice boxes that provide this function at a much lower cost. I would rather spend less on the box and have more $$ left over to buy the very best quality tools to go INSIDE the box. That's what counts.

 

[v8garage]

I will only buy snap on if they are in the $1.00 bin at the flea market or pawn shop. You would be surprised how many I have bought that way.
V/8

 

[Truxx1956]

I agree. I do very much like their needle nose pliers.

I HaTE HaTE their ratchets... am I the only one who thinks they are clunky and unimpressive?

Nope, youre not, I think they are the worst ratchet (the pear head ones) on the market. I love the round flip head ratchets. I have a 1/4" and a 3/8" one that I dearly love but the pear shape head ones are JUNK in my opinion but I really like fine tooth ratchets.

As far as tools that I think are the best in SO line, I'd agree the line wrenches are the BEST!! The regular wrenches they make are good too, but I dont have any of them I have some SO screwdrivers, but am not impressed with their warranty when they only give you the "shaft" when you break one of them Thats why in screwdrivers I go Matco, Mac, or Craftsman.

Just my 2cents

 

[dxdexter]

Sockets and box end wrenches - there IS a difference that justifies their higher price. "Flank-drive" design grips better and reduces rounding off corners of the nut/bolt. It's not hype, it actually works.

.

Once upon a time that was correct, but nowadays even the cheapest imported tools have their own version of flank drive on both their sockets and wrenches.

 

[gofastman]

-Sockets
-Wrenches
-Ratchets
I'm new to the pro wrenching game and grew up tinkering with Craftsman tools. often times I catch my self thinking, "wow these work so well!" when using my SO stuff on older fasteners
I will admit Im very impressed with some of the Gearwench stuff, ratchets specificly, especialy for the price.

 

[speed bump]

I'm partial to the SO Miniature Pick set. I know a lot of companies make them but I have never found one that held up as well as the SO set.

Thats about the only tool I own that I specifically wanted to buy Snap-on.

 

[Mike83]

I have a set of the needle nose, slip joint and cutting pliers and they are probably my favorite Snappy tools. I have other brands of the same, and would rather have Snap-On.

Breaker bars are another area where Snap-On is my brand of choice.

 

[Danglerb]

Any of a number of brands work for me.

I like the combo wrenches, ratchets, and line wrenches.

I would avoid anything electronic or with a computer inside of it.

 

[AutoTech]

-Sockets
-Wrenches
-Ratchets
I'm new to the pro wrenching game and grew up tinkering with Craftsman tools. often times I catch my self thinking, "wow these work so well!" when using my SO stuff on older fasteners
I will admit Im very impressed with some of the Gearwench stuff, ratchets specificly, especialy for the price.

I agree I don't think you can go wrong with the Gearwrench Ratchets, there fine tooth and they hold up well under pressure

 

[stricht8]

True about the body hammers. They are the best made and balanced that I have seen.

Body Hammers & Dollies, perfect weight, balance and feel. They have held up better than any other brand I have tried.

 

[ossaguy]

The SO compression guage is best I've seen,since its hose is so long,then it has the quick-release adapter hoses for different hole sizes.The 45 degree curved small electronics needle nose I use many tmes a day,and its jaws really hold up.The Stork series of needle nose/cutters in the pistol grip style are super nice.The tru-flush-cut
sidecuters work slick for cutting rope in 1 snip and cutting zip ties flush so thre are no sharp edges.I like the extra-long spline wrenches,and the cordless impacts are the best.Their 4-way wrenches are great.I think the punches/chisels and rolling fulcrum prybars are the best out there.
These are all tools that although seem overpriced,I have never regretted buying,once I see how excellent they are to use.
Steve

 

[volvo]

.
1) Flair tubing wrench's ( the only wrench's that will not spread)
2) 36" Breaker bar
3) O2 socket

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

Flare-nut wrenches and angle wrenches. They have the magic numbers: 30* and 60* angles. Other than that there isn't anything I need that would have to be Snap-On.

 

[NugeConstruction]

Volvo good buddy,

Has the 36" breaker bar* of which you speak gone the way of Alloy-Artifacts dot com?

(*) http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/Product_Directory2.asp?Cat_ID=333368

NC

 

[nissan_crawler]

4-way 30/60 wrenches.

I like their ratchets, but much prefer the fine tooth round heads over the pearhead ones. My th72 has NOTHING on my t860.

 

[Delray]

The combination flare nut wrenches.

 

[isr2kba]

Given the choice, I choose to buy nearly every hand tool in Snap-On.

I agree with all the positive posted here so far (although I've never really used body hammers before). In addition I'd add to the "only" list:

Any socket in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive

Extensions, breaker bars

Nearly any wrench (except "slimline" -- they're not thin enough)

Pry-bars and other prying tools.

torx/allen tools.


Who cares what the warranty is when the stuff doesn't break!

I'd qualify all of this by saying, if I need something in a pinch, I won't hang around waiting for the Snappy truck in order to finish the job -- I'll buy what's needed from wherever.

 

[The Muffin Man]

Like others stated, the only tool I would buy strictly from Snap-On is their angle wrench.

 

[peterbilr98]

eny of there end wrenches.

 

[rsanter]

I cant say it the only brand I would buy, but SO is the brand I PREFER to buy/use for:
wrenches
ratchets
sockets

bob

 

[rwhite692]

I like my 1/2" drive Snap-On click-type torque wrench better than all others that I have tried.

 

[arkangel06]

1/2'' drive sockets, open end angle wrenches maybe some ratchets, those bluepoint plyers im not sure the name of...... and torque wrenches.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

My experiences with the JH Williams made, Kobalt Flare nut wrenches, makes me feel I could trust them.

However, as far as I know, they don't make the open end, flare nut end wrenches that Snap-On does. Those are the one tool that I prefer Snap-On, from experience.

 

[autoace]

An honest answer to your question, although I feel no need for any basic hand tools from Snap-on. One thing Snap-on (whoever makes them for them) does well,is selection of different pullers. I really like the puller selection Snap-on has. Snap-on also has the best tool box selection. Too bad service was soo bad. I was talking to my Cornwell dealer tonight, and we were discussing the Snap-on following. Snap-on has one of the best marketing, and probably the "prettiest" chrome in the industry. It must be it, because they didn't build any recent reputation on service and tool quality per say.

 

[Merkava_4]

I cant say it the only brand I would buy, but SO is the brand I PREFER to buy/use for:
wrenches
ratchets
sockets

bob

That pretty much sums it up for me too. I especially won't buy any brand of (chrome type) swivel socket other than Snap-on; I just don't trust the other brands to not bind up when at a steep angle.

 

[rhp]

In general I find that the Snap-on hand tools are generally superior to other brands in regards to long-term durability and design ergonomics. The tool cabinets, top chests and Bluepoint carts, IMO, stand head & shoulders above similar items from other manufacturers. The torque ratchets and breaker bars are great.
Specific items which I would not preferentially buy Snap-on are cordless products and items that wear easily such as punches and chisels.
Dependent on the value price point, my choices for an item are divided between Snap-on, Matco, Mac, Craftsman & SK.