Who here has never touched a Snap-on tool?

[Wamsutta]

I've always been curious about that. I see a lot of recommendations for SK, Wright, Tekton, and Harbor Freight. Makes me wonder if some people have never touched a Snap-on tool.

 

[machine_punk]

As far as I know, I haven't. I don't have any problems with Snap-On, it just seems difficult to buy them, if you are not in a mechanical trade.

Kev

 

[Briancapecoral]

I haven't used any of their tools. I have some triple square and hex bits. I figured since I have worn out cheaper brands, it would be worthwhile to buy those. Since I don't use my tools professionally I can't justify spending the higher amount.

 

[davethorik]

I only have a few Snap-on tools. The few I do have were bought used.

 

[jakemac]

I'm in my 50's, until a few years ago when I started buying used tools on the weekend, I had never touched a SnapOn tool. (My grandfather had a 1/4dr socket set from the war, but it never got used)

Honestly, I prefer the vintage Williams (pre-SnapOn), SK, and Craftsman tools that my grandfather raised me on. Other than the used market, I just don't have convenient access to truck brands and have no desire to pay their prices for the work that I do.

 

[Keelhauled]

I'm poor, so no, never.

 

[jshillin]

I have a decent amount of snap-on for not being in the trade. Several sets of Snap-on sockets, numerous ratchets, a couple wrench sets, impacts, air ratchets, tool boxes, etc. For some things I prefer Snap-on, but definitely not in every case and I suggest whatever I think the best tool for the job would be.

 

[MOTOWN M]

I have Snap on flex head ratchets which are extremely nice but overall the price keeps me away from buying more of their sockets and other tools , but hell I just bought a used Snap on Epiq so what do I know?

 

[kythri]

As far as I know, I haven't. I don't have any problems with Snap-On, it just seems difficult to buy them, if you are not in a mechanical trade.

Kev

I'm far from a Snap-on evangelist, but:

eBay, direct from snapon.com, or get local dealer information (from Snap-on) and visit him/her when they're stopped at a particular location.

I'm sure there's other alternatives that are easier, but it's really not all that difficult, if there's something you want.

 

[B_Bimmer]

For decades I had none. Now if I started over some of the first things I would buy would say snap on. Productivity and quality are simply worth the price sometimes.

 

[Kev442]

I have one lonely 3/4" combo wrench that probably came out of a crevice in a car I scrapped. I never liked the feel of it and I'm not a pro, so no Snap On.
Of course, I rarely make any tool recommendations either.

 

[wrenchr]

OP, you make it seem so wrong...................

 

[KMdef9]

I have, but then you see the price tag.

 

[ocloc24]

Psh there's no difference between snap on and husky/ Pittsburgh.

Actual quote from someone I work with. It's so strange the polarizing effect snap on has. People who've never held a snap on tool love to tell you how their Chinese socket set they got for $7 Is just as good or even better. "Trust me I know a guy who said his ratchet broke the first time he used it." I can completely understand if someone doesn't want to pay that kind of money for tools especially when they don't make a living with it. I used nothing but harbor freight stuff for almost 2 years, then I started taking my career more seriously and investing in tools that made my life a million times easier. Not just Snap On either, Knipex, Milwaukee, IR, Wera, even a little Matco(very little lol). I want the best tool for the job. Others may feel they get a satisfactory level of quality from SK or Proto. And that's fine because it all comes down to personal preference.

It just drives me up a wall when someone who doesn't know a thing about the trade or the tools tries to tell you that their harbor freight tools are just as good as yours. Especially when they've never even held a snap on tool. If your happy with your Chinese tools, great for you. I get happiness from using a tool I know time and effort went into delivering the best/most efficient product to the end user. I will say I am not above HF or anything, they have their gems and one time tools. End rant. Hopefully I didn't start a war lol.


Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[jeeper46]

The auto plant I worked for decided that all the Tradesmen in the new section of the plant had to have a tool set supplied by the company, and stop using their own personal tools. They supplied each of us with a big Snap-On roller cart, filled with tools specific to our trades. The tools were certainly nice enough, but not THAT nice, to me. I didn't really care for the Blue-point hand tools, and went back to my Channellock and Craftsman stuff. I will say the SO wrenches were nice,though.

 

[Mikeske]

I have worked in the aviation field for 40 years and yes I have used Snap-on, the best I would guess if you say so. Personally I have always preferred Bonney as I used the same set for my entire career until I retired in April. My former employer ended up buying Snap-on after Bonney was no longer produced. I have bought Snap-on 1/4" ratchet and their ratcheting screwdriver (black handle) and I like them in particular the screwdriver but the rest of my stuff I much prefer the Bonney tools.

But I ain't particular and will buy what ever is cheap and works for me and I have everything from Harbor Freight to Snap-on.

 

[deberly12]

I have handled snap on but never used them except for an extension and 1 socket....that came from...who knows. I am a big advocate for harbor freight because of value. I will not say that it is higher or even equal quality. But are they 8 to 10 times better? That is an average price difference between the two. Some things for a professional mechanic may be that much better but is everything? I really don't like seeing someone straight out of high school getting in alot of debt because they were been told that no tool is worth owning if it doesn't need a payment plan. I usually tell people to start with cheap and once you start making money you can upgrade the tools that get alot of use. The tools that only get used a time or two can stay harbor freight. Even though you bought 2 of some things. You have still saved a ton of money over their crazy interest rates.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

 

[JohnDeere1]

My wife but she owns many in pink and purple as well as owns Mac and matco and i have a **** ton of Snap on myself.

 

[65k10]

I think for the longest time the only Snap-On tools on my family's farm was an old DBE wrench and a cold chisel I found on the road. Over the past year, I've been building up my tool set mostly with brands like Proto and Wright since I didn't think Snap-On was worth the extra cost for my non-professional use. I guess my sort-of introduction to Snap-On tools was through the Williams ratcheting screwdrivers, which have impressed me.

I finally caved in the past few months and bought several Dual 80 ratchets and some of their pliers. I have to admit I would have been ahead of the game going with them from the get go over buying and trying other ratchets. Even if I had bought them off Snap-On's website (I chose ebay for most of the ones I now have) I would have been money ahead. Live and learn I guess. I haven't used the pliers yet, but I do see some things on them I do like. Hopefully they get into use to see if they were worth it.

Will I buy more Snap-On stuff? I'm not sure. So far what I have bought was because I felt what I had was somehow deficient and thought that maybe Snap-On might be better. So far that looks to be true. I guess as I use what I've bought, if I find something I'm not happy with, I'll consider upgrading.

 

[Super Sport]

I've had enough Snap On tools pass through my hands to see that they are great tools, but you pay for the convenience of service and warranty, and for a DIYer like myself you can't really justify that. That said, I'll take WrightGrip wrenches any day over FD+, and I think Wright's sockets give SO a run for their money. The only SO tools I have kept are ratchets, because in that category they're hard to beat.

 

[D-Vice]

I do every day. Several snap on tools in my box. They are great. But. Not the end all of everything. I just sold a couple of my snap on tools after I replaced them with some KTC tools that I actually liked better.

 

[Olafur]

Generally speaking, Snap On tools are only faint rumor over here. Until I bought my first Snappy ratchet few years ago I had never touched one.

 

[Gmonkee]

I have -touched- and even own a few bits of Snappy.

1927 ratchet
1945 breaker bar
1960 ratchet adaptor
192? socket wrench

All in a glass display case. The rest was flipped for double the money to buy what I use at work. Mostly Mexican branded made in Asia tools.

I don't need more to do my job.

 

[Yarpo]

Depending on the service truck we go out in, I'm either equipped with mostly snap on or mostly craftsman, and I can tell you that I have never ran into a task in my ~4 years in the field that the craftsman tools my boss has wouldn't do the job, or did it significantly worse than the snap on stuff in the other truck.

I like the feel and the fit and finish of the snap on stuff we have, and that of the few snap on tools I own personally own, but I'm not crazy about their prices. Maybe since I'm mobile and not getting a guy checking on my tool collection weekly is why I feel that way, who knows. I have no doubt that If I made millions of dollars, I'd probably buy snap on for the name and for those little extra bonus points here and there. However I really find the prices astonishing on some of the mid tier tools and the quality they offer at said price point is often amazing. Those type of tools get most of my money.

 

[Bacon Man]

touched yes, used never.

Its far and few in between that industrial guys get access to truck brands.
I've called the Snap-On guy in my area and the Matco guy and they said we aren't worth their time.

Cornwell said hell yeah but then my boss shut it down, they don't want us standing on the tool truck for too long but are ok with the guys standing in the parts room trying to pick up on the fastenal girls that come in.

 

[pi_guy]

I just realized that I have never touched a Snap On tool. Since I wear white gloves when I fondle and use my SO tools.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I only have a few Snap-on tools. The few I do have were bought used.

Same here. I'm not overly impressed with the few snap on tools I have, but I do like them okay.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I just realized that I have never touched a Snap On tool. Since I wear white gloves when I fondle and use my SO tools.

So I take it that you don't use your screw drivers for prying on things and never beat on handles with the hammer? Man, you're missing out on the full experience.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Only one I ever handled and I found in one of my vehicles under carriage. The vehicle was purchased used. So I ended up the owner of a large black handled slotted screw driver.

 

[nutsnbolts]

When I was younger I asked my mechanic friend why he spent the money to buy Snap On tools when Craftsman tools had the same lifetime warranty. His answer was simple. "Because you can always tell who has Snap On tools and who has Craftsman tools. The guy with Craftsman tools is always pissed off at his tools and swears at them a lot."

On the occasion that I used his tools for anything, I noticed the difference. They fit in your hand well. They seem to naturally do what they are designed for. They don't break and they seem to instill confidence in the user. Is this all upstairs? Maybe. But I made a decision back then to buy Snap On tools when I could afford them. I have some now, mostly basics, which is all I need as a non-mechanic, and I love them. As far as the cost, I personally have this philosophy that tools are free. If you compare the cost of tools with the cost of paying someone else to do what you need done, you can afford to buy whatever tools you want and still come out ahead. What is REALLY expensive, in my opinion, is trying to do a job without the right tools, or with substandard tools. Those conditions are more unreasonable than the cost of good tools in my book. But I'm a tool snob so take that for what it's worth

 

[Himjo]

When I was younger I asked my mechanic friend why he spent the money to buy Snap On tools when Craftsman tools had the same lifetime warranty. His answer was simple. "Because you can always tell who has Snap On tools and who has Craftsman tools. The guy with Craftsman tools is always pissed off at his tools and swears at them a lot."

On the occasion that I used his tools for anything, I noticed the difference. They fit in your hand well. They seem to naturally do what they are designed for. They don't break and they seem to instill confidence in the user. Is this all upstairs? Maybe. But I made a decision back then to buy Snap On tools when I could afford them. I have some now, mostly basics, which is all I need as a non-mechanic, and I love them. As far as the cost, I personally have this philosophy that tools are free. If you compare the cost of tools with the cost of paying someone else to do what you need done, you can afford to buy whatever tools you want and still come out ahead. What is REALLY expensive, in my opinion, is trying to do a job without the right tools, or with substandard tools. Those conditions are more unreasonable than the cost of good tools in my book. But I'm a tool snob so take that for what it's worth

^^THIS^^

 

[Gittgo]

Noop. Nor Mac. Tool trucks are like crack houses on wheels for people who cant save enough to buy quantity at once or qualify for real credit

Nah. I've got a couple wrench sets and a bunch of ratchets but I paid cash and got 35-40% for the 'efffort"

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Like others here, I was weaned on Craftsman tools as a youngster in the late '60's and early '70's when the quality of the Craftsman brand was universally acknowledged and accepted by most non-professionals as a great value. Over time, I was exposed to industrial brands such as Billings, New Britain, Proto, S-K, Williams, Wright and many more. Later on in life I started using some Snap-On ratchets and while impressed by the quality, was put off by the price as my tools seemed to do the same job at a more acceptable cost. That being said, in the past few years, I have purchased a substantial amount of used Snap-On tools to stock my home boxes and relegated my older (and perfectly good) tools to car emergency kits, vacation home kit, individual project "grab & go" boxes and as gifts to my nephews for use in their homes and vehicles. A peek inside my primary boxes would show about 40% is Snap-On or other tool truck brands. 20% Craftsman and the balance a mixture of other quality brands from both US and European manufacturers with an occasional high-end Asian tool for good measure. I guess that you could classify me as intelligent enough to recognize good quality but cheap enough to abhor paying full price for it. This is not intended to insult the pros who use this stuff every day to earn their living, they require the quality and predictability of the tool truck brands. As a "RECREATIONAL WRENCHER", I don't depend on the quality of my tools for a living - but I do appreciate fine quality. To each his own, and if Harbor Freight serves your purposes, who am I to criticize or look down on you. I have also used HF tools for a specific purpose and they have always worked as designed.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I have a few Snap-On tools at home and at work and occasionally have used tools owned by others. No complaints with them, but didn't notice them to be significantly better than other quality brands (for the same tool).

 

[sberry]

They are a better wrench but if it was only 8 or 10X the price it would make some difference, 20X is closer to it. I am not anti Snapon, I only think the quality of some of the cheap stuff has got so good and the price has dropped so low that it makes a difference.

 

[deberly12]

They are a better wrench but if it was only 8 or 10X the price it would make some difference, 20X is closer to it. I am not anti Snapon, I only think the quality of some of the cheap stuff has got so good and the price has dropped so low that it makes a difference.

This is true...I underestimated to avoid 2 pages of people saying that there isn't that much difference.

The second big reason is that the truck doesn't visit my house. There isn't a fixed location I can go anytime. It is very inconvenient for warranty. I forgot about the screw drivers that I have that is snap on. It has a broken tip but I don't even know where to get it replaced. If any of my HF, Craftsman, or other "low quality" brands break I can stop at the stores all just a couple miles from my work and walk out the same day with a new one.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

 

[aka Larry]

I've touched a few since a good friend of mine is a professional wrench, but I've never owned one, nor do I plan to.

 

[American Locomotive]

They are a better wrench but if it was only 8 or 10X the price it would make some difference, 20X is closer to it. I am not anti Snapon, I only think the quality of some of the cheap stuff has got so good and the price has dropped so low that it makes a difference.

Exactly.

While I could notice a difference in fit/finish between my USA Craftsman wrenches and sockets compared to Snap-On, it wasn't anything crazy. I've never broken a Craftsman socket or wrench, so why in the world would I pay literally 4x the price per wrench, just to have a full polish handle? Strangely enough, the only "name brand" tools I've ever managed to break were two Snap-On wrenches helping a friend. I knew the bolt was going to be stuck, so I immediately went for my buddy's Snap-On wrenches. I bent two in succession before switching to a Craftsman wrench that took the bolt off without a problem

The only area where I noticed Snap-On tools being significantly better compared to "consumer" brands like Craftsman were their ratchets. The traditional Craftsman ratchet, while seemingly durable enough, just isn't very nice to use. However, I paid only $55 for my SK 90T ratchet compared to $120 for a Dual-80; there's absolutely no way the Dual 80 is 2.2x the ratchet the SK is.

I think one of the main reasons why Snap-On is so revered in the repair industry is because of the truck service. While the tools themselves are good, nothing beats a truck that shows up every week (or more often) to exchange out any broken tools you have no questions asked. You break a store-brand tool, now you have to go out of your own way to get it fixed.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

I turn wrenches on a part time basis so I have some SO tools, I will buy anything used if it is cheap the only things I will buy new are ratchets and screwdrivers. I feel SO has a clear advantage over competitors with those tools.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[Greeny]

Never touched a Snap-on knowingly. When I was younger and building up a tool set, they (and most name-brand tools) were out of my financial reach.