Why Buy Snap-on?

[andrewthesith]

i'll never buy Snap On. if i'm gonna pay that much money for hand tools, i want them made in America.. wrapped in gold.. and delivered to me by a naked woman.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Yes, there is intl. shipping, but not every sale offers this.

For the last month I have been looking at buying a Hazet something or other and no USA retailer stocked it. I did find a few on eBay in other Euro countries; all but one didn't offer intl. shipping. The one that did, shipping costed more than the item. :/

So, are all items "available" "everywhere"? "Yes". ;-)

Did you try here?

http://chadstoolbox.com/hazet.aspx

 

[Wamsutta]

$500 for 11 wobbles? come on man thats just ridiculous. they may make most of their stuff in america, but its still mass produced.

Are you talking about their chrome flex sockets? Theirs will flex further than any other brand without binding. When you're in a frustrating situation and you need to depend on a tool to get you through it, it's nice when the tool does what it's supposed to without adding to the frustration provided by the vehicle. There's been times when I was so pleased with the performance of a Snap-on tool, the price I paid for it seemed insignificant compared to the benefits I received. You'll hear guys say the tool they used is "worth it's weight in gold." That comes from experience; there's no way joe homeowner will ever understand that.

 

[David Jackson]

That is certainly a good question. I started buying SO in about 1971 when I had a motorcycle dealership and repair shop. Partly, I must admit, because of SO's reputation and also because AT THAT TIME I don't know of any other wrenches, sockets, ratchet handles and so on, which were as nicely finished or felt as good in the hand. Nowadays Craftsman Professional wrenches seem as nicely finished but they did not exist then, nor did Harbor Freight and others.
After saying, in another thread, that I probably should not buy any more SO I saw a truck man today and told him of a couple of broken pieces I have and he was very nice and said he would fix them for me. I then bought a little gadget I read about in an old motorcycle magazine, it limits the torque for Schrader valve cores to only 4 inch pounds. Having had slow leaks before whose source I could not indentify this tool seems as though it might be the way to go when changing tires. I don't know if Harbor Freight has one of those or not.

 

[jensputzier]

Yes, there is intl. shipping, but not every sale offers this.

For the last month I have been looking at buying a Hazet something or other and no USA retailer stocked it. I did find a few on eBay in other Euro countries; all but one didn't offer intl. shipping. The one that did, shipping costed more than the item. :/

So, are all items "available" "everywhere"? "Yes". ;-)

You can buy all Hazet items from me at reasonable prices and lowest shipping costs and as an authorized Hazet dealer (opposed to some other German Ebay "dealers") I honor Hazet's lifetime warranty for material and manufacturing defects.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

You do notice that NO ONE ever copies MAC, MATCO, or Cornwell tools. (I wonder why?) (NO name recognition perhaps)?

That's a good one!

YES, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, and YES, I DO DRINK THE KOOL-AID™

You sure do. You sure do.

 

[spoon671]

yes, without question

Cool! Good to know... I just tried my hand at polishing. I thought I'd have to replace a bunch of them, but now I was able to get most of them from this..

To this..

Did you try here?

http://chadstoolbox.com/hazet.aspx

Yes I have! They ship fast and they stock alot too. But some items I am looking for are 2-4 week special order. It's impossible to stock every single thing, ya know? I guess this even goes for domestic brands as well.

You can buy all Hazet items from me at reasonable prices and lowest shipping costs and as an authorized Hazet dealer (opposed to some other German Ebay "dealers") I honor Hazet's lifetime warranty for material and manufacturing defects.

Nice to know you will be my Hazet guy from today forward!

 

[supersteve]

Cool! Good to know... I just tried my hand at polishing.

That looks really good, what were the dark spots in your first picture? Was this where the plating wore off? Did you have to take any spots down to bare steel?

 

[KamiCrit]

Cool! Good to know... I just tried my hand at polishing. I thought I'd have to replace a bunch of them, but now I was able to get most of them from this..

To this..

WOW that's amazing! What's your method?

 

[kctyphoon]

I'm not a professional, but I can't see "investing money" into tools that a company still charges a 33% markup on even when they are being sold online instead of the tool truck.. Also not a fan of the tactics of targeting students that attend "for profit" schools, knowing that most will never wind up in the field. They target these kids with discounts, hoping to entice them to take out even more loans while they are in school since "they should buy as much as they can while they get the discount". Meanwhile, most never stay in the field, and just leave with even more debt to pay. Those that do likely get out of school and land the same job changing oil that they could have gotten right out of high school.

Yes the tools are good, but I can't see putting yourself into debt to try to make money in a "work for someone else" field. You can get the same job, and earn the same money weather your 10mm socket says snap on, gear wrench, craftsman or harbor freight.. In my mind, the best investment for you money is the one that earns you an immediate return on investment. How many oil changes have to be done to pay for that snap on tool kit as opposed to a craftsman one..

I wish the snap on people would stop preaching about owning superior tools is the best investment for your money, and less things breaking earns you money money, and how it's cause of the connivence of having a tool truck.. Please... Just come out and say " because it's what I wanted" instead of trying to sell everyone else into owning a a weekly snap on payment for life.

 

[ATC]

I wish the snap on people would stop preaching about owning superior tools is the best investment for your money, and less things breaking earns you money money, and how it's cause of the connivence of having a tool truck.. Please... Just come out and say " because it's what I wanted" instead of trying to sell everyone else into owning a a weekly snap on payment for life.

Well said.

Snap-On guys will never convince the rest of us that their tools are worth the cost. Buy 'em 'cause you like 'em. That's perfectly fine...SO makes great tools. But don't take it out on everyone else because your wallet hurts.

Basically, all the added cost of SO is due to one guy coming by your workplace once a week. But hey, I pay less to get my tools the same day instead of waiting a week.

 

[supersteve]

I'm not a professional, but I can't see "investing money" into tools that a company still charges a 33% markup on even when they are being sold online instead of the tool truck.. Also not a fan of the tactics of targeting students that attend "for profit" schools, knowing that most will never wind up in the field. They target these kids with discounts, hoping to entice them to take out even more loans while they are in school since "they should buy as much as they can while they get the discount". Meanwhile, most never stay in the field, and just leave with even more debt to pay. Those that do likely get out of school and land the same job changing oil that they could have gotten right out of high school.

Yes the tools are good, but I can't see putting yourself into debt to try to make money in a "work for someone else" field. You can get the same job, and earn the same money weather your 10mm socket says snap on, gear wrench, craftsman or harbor freight.. In my mind, the best investment for you money is the one that earns you an immediate return on investment. How many oil changes have to be done to pay for that snap on tool kit as opposed to a craftsman one..

I wish the snap on people would stop preaching about owning superior tools is the best investment for your money, and less things breaking earns you money money, and how it's cause of the connivence of having a tool truck.. Please... Just come out and say " because it's what I wanted" instead of trying to sell everyone else into owning a a weekly snap on payment for life.

When I started as an auto repair guy, I had almost all Craftsman stuff. Over the next year or two I found myself gravitating to pro grade tools out of necessity. I found myself time and again in a tight spot when rusted fasteners refused to cooperate but I borrowed Snap-on stuff from the experienced guys who were training me and it gave me just enough of an edge to get the bad guys busted loose instead of rounding. I have always been a cheapskate at heart, so I wasn't buying Snap-on and Mac to be cool and stylish, I did it because it was a smart move.


Now I buy Snap-on to be cool and stylish

And for all the guys griping about being a debt slave to the tool guy, I have never carrried a balance with any truck guy other than, "Can I just get you next week when the other tool comes in?" I always paid in full.

 

[Ruger_556]

Well said.

Snap-On guys will never convince the rest of us that their tools are worth the cost. Buy 'em 'cause you like 'em. That's perfectly fine...SO makes great tools. But don't take it out on everyone else because your wallet hurts.
:

Gee, aren't we hypocritical tonight... There is a new thread almost daily on how evil Snap On is and why no one should buy them. I have never seen a thread on why no one should buy HF, ever. I'm sure one exists if you dig through the archives but don't be throwing rocks when you live in a glass house.

 

[ATC]

Now I buy Snap-on to be cool and stylish

The first step in the recovery process is admitting you have a problem...

 

[ATC]

Gee, aren't we hypocritical tonight... There is a new thread almost daily on how evil Snap On is and why no one should buy them. I have never seen a thread on why no one should buy HF, ever. I'm sure one exists if you dig through the archives but don't be throwing rocks when you live in a glass house.

You? Maybe not.

Others? Yes.

Have I started a thread on this topic? Nope.

People don't need to be told not to buy HF. It's like playing with fire. We all know not to do it...yet it still happens

 

[supersteve]

Gee, aren't we hypocritical tonight... There is a new thread almost daily on how evil Snap On is and why no one should buy them. I have never seen a thread on why no one should buy HF, ever. I'm sure one exists if you dig through the archives but don't be throwing rocks when you live in a glass house.

C'mon, let's go over to this thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263520

We'll throw some rocks and jab people in the ***, it'll be a blast.



Nah, I'm going to bed.

 

[Contract_Pilot]

Thin wall thickness and strength! + Specialty Tools!

 

[west wind]

Because i like using there tools. Period. Saves me lots of frustration of screwing around with cheap stuff. I dont have any time for that.

 

[blown94conv]

I'm not a professional, but I can't see "investing money" into tools that a company still charges a 33% markup on even when they are being sold online instead of the tool truck.. Also not a fan of the tactics of targeting students that attend "for profit" schools, knowing that most will never wind up in the field. They target these kids with discounts, hoping to entice them to take out even more loans while they are in school since "they should buy as much as they can while they get the discount". Meanwhile, most never stay in the field, and just leave with even more debt to pay. Those that do likely get out of school and land the same job changing oil that they could have gotten right out of high school.

Yes the tools are good, but I can't see putting yourself into debt to try to make money in a "work for someone else" field. You can get the same job, and earn the same money weather your 10mm socket says snap on, gear wrench, craftsman or harbor freight.. In my mind, the best investment for you money is the one that earns you an immediate return on investment. How many oil changes have to be done to pay for that snap on tool kit as opposed to a craftsman one..

I wish the snap on people would stop preaching about owning superior tools is the best investment for your money, and less things breaking earns you money money, and how it's cause of the connivence of having a tool truck.. Please... Just come out and say " because it's what I wanted" instead of trying to sell everyone else into owning a a weekly snap on payment for life.

I can't see someone spending $150,000 dollars in student loans to get degrees in social work, to then make $45,000 a year in a social services government job. Happens everyday though. Do you have any problem with the government backing loans for just about every college in the country, even though only 50% of them finish their degrees, but 100% of the loans are still due? Isn't that a government tactic? Who benefits the most from that, other then the colleges that all say you need a degree to get anywhere in the country?

And as your first statement says, you are not a professionial tech. So you probably don't understand the difference between a "you get paid by the hours you flag" guy and the guy that gets paid the same if the job takes 2 hours or all day. For the pro tech, time is money. For the backyard hack to cheap to pay someone for a job "I could totally do", go get your Harbor Freight tools to change the spark plugs in your F-150. A pro will be there later to fix it after you break the plugs in the head and need a tool kit to get them out.

I guess the main thing that fires me up is all these "Shadetree Guys" that think most mechanics are just dumb hillbillies that don't know they are being duped into buying overpriced tools. Most of them are just as smart as you, and just as good with money as you are.

 

[SantaAna12]

WOW that's amazing! What's your method?

Yeah Spoon.......tell us how you "polished" that wrench?

 

[carterbeauford]

Typical SO owner.

forgot to add, I'm pretty much the furthest thing from a typical SO owner. just finished installing a stone backsplash in my kitchen and removed the outlet covers with an Instinct flathead.

 

[trpearcy]

I can't see someone spending $150,000 dollars in student loans to get degrees in social work, to then make $45,000 a year in a social services government job. Happens everyday though. Do you have any problem with the government backing loans for just about every college in the country, even though only 50% of them finish their degrees, but 100% of the loans are still due? Isn't that a government tactic? Who benefits the most from that, other then the colleges that all say you need a degree to get anywhere in the country?

And as your first statement says, you are not a professionial tech. So you probably don't understand the difference between a "you get paid by the hours you flag" guy and the guy that gets paid the same if the job takes 2 hours or all day. For the pro tech, time is money. For the backyard hack to cheap to pay someone for a job "I could totally do", go get your Harbor Freight tools to change the spark plugs in your F-150. A pro will be there later to fix it after you break the plugs in the head and need a tool kit to get them out.

I guess the main thing that fires me up is all these "Shadetree Guys" that think most mechanics are just dumb hillbillies that don't know they are being duped into buying overpriced tools. Most of them are just as smart as you, and just as good with money as you are.

+1

I agree

 

[Snap_cap]

I can't see someone spending $150,000 dollars in student loans to get degrees in social work, to then make $45,000 a year in a social services government job. Happens everyday though. Do you have any problem with the government backing loans for just about every college in the country, even though only 50% of them finish their degrees, but 100% of the loans are still due? Isn't that a government tactic? Who benefits the most from that, other then the colleges that all say you need a degree to get anywhere in the country?

And as your first statement says, you are not a professionial tech. So you probably don't understand the difference between a "you get paid by the hours you flag" guy and the guy that gets paid the same if the job takes 2 hours or all day. For the pro tech, time is money. For the backyard hack to cheap to pay someone for a job "I could totally do", go get your Harbor Freight tools to change the spark plugs in your F-150. A pro will be there later to fix it after you break the plugs in the head and need a tool kit to get them out.

I guess the main thing that fires me up is all these "Shadetree Guys" that think most mechanics are just dumb hillbillies that don't know they are being duped into buying overpriced tools. Most of them are just as smart as you, and just as good with money as you are.

Because their student loans will be reduced or forgiven for public work sector jobs. The .Gov has set up a specific program that outlines this avenue to reduce/retire college loan debt. That is why.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

This thread cracks me up, ridiculous. The 'pros' the shade trees', the blah, blah...

I am a professional mechanic, having the right ******** tool is what makes money. Could be Snap-on, don't have to be, DEPENDS! Specialty tools, power tools, hand tools.

Having the right tools, makes a pro money, and the brands are endless that can deliver 100% results. Snap-on is GREAT, but their prices are, well......... outrageous, and not better IN MOST CASES than the likes of other top brands. Some prefer it
so be it.

All this chest pounding about 'I'm a pro, blah.............. I work with pros. ALOT of the worst mechanics, that piss and moan, and look for gravy, and have the most come backs, have the largest truck tool collections. Not always but, the best tools are only PART OF THE EQUATION.

Buying 100% Snap-on is as ridiculous as buying 100% Harbor Freight. Variety and quality, having many tools, and the right tools, gets you somewhere. Buy what you NEED.

Some of the ******** cars I work on are such rusty, greasy ****, I don't want my best tools on them... LOL... A mechanic needs alot of tools.

In most cases mechanics are not paid enough, the whole flat rate deal works against the mechanic and the customer. That is a whole different discussion.

All you guys like this Because someone said something about any brand you use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Toolhorder]

I hate when this gets brought up here constantly....

Buy what makes you happy. I had a dad that told me buy quality tools and own them for life. Don't do something if you aren't willing to do it right, etc..
I own Snap-on. In the auto industry they are the top of the line in the US. So most of my tools are Snap-on. They make an excellent product. It costs a lot of money but it's an investment for me I don't look at the one time cost when I buy tools. If you don't feed yourself or family working on cars for a living you will never understand the difference.
I started out with Sears tools. I used raised panel wrenches in my first shop job. Then I bought a set of metric Snap on flank drive wrenches and I NEVER use raise panel wrenches again unless it's an emergency. They **** IMO. The round off bolt heads, hurt your hands to use, shorter length, too thick to fit in smaller spaces, etc..

If you don't work on cars daily then you won't notice this.
I could go on and on. Sockets and ratchets and 100 times better IMO too.

 

[Steinmetz]

"...In most cases mechanics are not paid enough…".

Only two occupational groups in this world make their living on their backs. And mechanics are the least-paid of the two.

 

[Wakefield]

This thread cracks me up, ridiculous. The 'pros' the shade trees', the blah, blah...

I am a professional mechanic, having the right ******** tool is what makes money. Could be Snap-on, don't have to be, DEPENDS! Specialty tools, power tools, hand tools.

Having the right tools, makes a pro money, and the brands are endless that can deliver 100% results. Snap-on is GREAT, but their prices are, well......... outrageous, and not better IN MOST CASES than the likes of other top brands. Some prefer it
so be it.

All this chest pounding about 'I'm a pro, blah.............. I work with pros. ALOT of the worst mechanics, that piss and moan, and look for gravy, and have the most come backs, have the largest truck tool collections. Not always but, the best tools are only PART OF THE EQUATION.

Buying 100% Snap-on is as ridiculous as buying 100% Harbor Freight. Variety and quality, having many tools, and the right tools, gets you somewhere. Buy what you NEED.

Some of the ******** cars I work on are such rusty, greasy ****, I don't want my best tools on them... LOL... A mechanic needs alot of tools.

In most cases mechanics are not paid enough, the whole flat rate deal works against the mechanic and the customer. That is a whole different discussion.

All you guys like this Because someone said something about any brand you use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do Toyota mechanics tend to have a lot of KoKen and/or KTC tools?

 

[spoon671]

WOW that's amazing! What's your method?

I know nothing about polishing..but I was able to have one of the machinists here at my shop help me out. I know that we used three different cotton wheels on a grinder and three different colored "sticks" of what I think was abrasive, or polish. I really only performed the last step and it was with green polish.

It's funny because while he was doing the first couple steps I thought he was ruining my tools. LOL! But yeah after using the green stuff (less abrasive?) the bling really came out and made me happy.

No wonder why Snap-On guys like shiny tools; there's the satisfaction of spending hours polishing them to look like new after they've taken a thorough beating! Who knows how long since my Snap-On set has seen a good polishing job. I'm happy with how they turned out.

---

With that said though, I do hold a sense of pride having my set of Snap-On tools. My particular set of wrenches I just polished is from the 70's, and I'm proud to have them looking this good now. I would rather have this old set of wrenches that I put some elbow grease into than a brand new set off the truck.

Anyone can buy something off the truck. That's nothing to be proud of.

 

[FMC1959]

I can't see someone spending $150,000 dollars in student loans to get degrees in social work, to then make $45,000 a year in a social services government job. Happens everyday though. Do you have any problem with the government backing loans for just about every college in the country, even though only 50% of them finish their degrees, but 100% of the loans are still due? Isn't that a government tactic? Who benefits the most from that, other then the colleges that all say you need a degree to get anywhere in the country?

And as your first statement says, you are not a professionial tech. So you probably don't understand the difference between a "you get paid by the hours you flag" guy and the guy that gets paid the same if the job takes 2 hours or all day. For the pro tech, time is money. For the backyard hack to cheap to pay someone for a job "I could totally do", go get your Harbor Freight tools to change the spark plugs in your F-150. A pro will be there later to fix it after you break the plugs in the head and need a tool kit to get them out.

I guess the main thing that fires me up is all these "Shadetree Guys" that think most mechanics are just dumb hillbillies that don't know they are being duped into buying overpriced tools. Most of them are just as smart as you, and just as good with money as you are.

This thread cracks me up, ridiculous. The 'pros' the shade trees', the blah, blah...

I am a professional mechanic, having the right ******** tool is what makes money. Could be Snap-on, don't have to be, DEPENDS! Specialty tools, power tools, hand tools.

Having the right tools, makes a pro money, and the brands are endless that can deliver 100% results. Snap-on is GREAT, but their prices are, well......... outrageous, and not better IN MOST CASES than the likes of other top brands. Some prefer it
so be it.

All this chest pounding about 'I'm a pro, blah.............. I work with pros. ALOT of the worst mechanics, that piss and moan, and look for gravy, and have the most come backs, have the largest truck tool collections. Not always but, the best tools are only PART OF THE EQUATION.

Buying 100% Snap-on is as ridiculous as buying 100% Harbor Freight. Variety and quality, having many tools, and the right tools, gets you somewhere. Buy what you NEED.

Some of the ******** cars I work on are such rusty, greasy ****, I don't want my best tools on them... LOL... A mechanic needs alot of tools.

In most cases mechanics are not paid enough, the whole flat rate deal works against the mechanic and the customer. That is a whole different discussion.

All you guys like this Because someone said something about any brand you use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am really on the fence about all this (keep pulling slivers of wood from my ****). As I get older, I find time more valuable. Any weekend afternoon I need to run to the store for something just kills my mojo and the day. If I was a pro mechanic, I just might pay the truck guys the extra coin for the service.

Not being in the profession, for me any top quality like SK, Armstrong and others do the job without the service charge, that's fine for me. Anyone that wants to pay the extra money, be it because they earn a living at it or just for bragging rights, it's your money, do as you please.

For every person throwing knives at people that "unjustifiably" buy SO, they probably have their own weakness somewhere else...home audio, clothes, art, sport equipment, you name it. Just about everything on the planet always has the ultra high end stuff that others ask why would you pay so much when ** can do the same. And just about everyone has that weakness somewhere, we all have our glass house.

I have a couple of SO that were not bought new, but for me, SO is in general too expensive when I am personally happy with the alternatives. Whoever wants to get SO, more power to you, you don't need to justify to me.

 

[FMC1959]

I know nothing about polishing..but I was able to have one of the machinists here at my shop help me out. I know that we used three different cotton wheels on a grinder and three different colored "sticks" of what I think was abrasive, or polish. I really only performed the last step and it was with green polish.

It's funny because while he was doing the first couple steps I thought he was ruining my tools. LOL! But yeah after using the green stuff (less abrasive?) the bling really came out and made me happy.

No wonder why Snap-On guys like shiny tools; there's the satisfaction of spending hours polishing them to look like new after they've taken a thorough beating! Who knows how long since my Snap-On set has seen a good polishing job. I'm happy with how they turned out.

---

With that said though, I do hold a sense of pride having my set of Snap-On tools. My particular set of wrenches I just polished is from the 70's, and I'm proud to have them looking this good now. I would rather have this old set of wrenches that I put some elbow grease into than a brand new set off the truck.

Anyone can buy something off the truck. That's nothing to be proud of.

This is awesome, great job. If you could get the details of the compounds and buffing wheels, along with some quick notes on the process on a new thread, I would be interested (I think some others would be also)

 

[Conductor562]

Wow, that is a remarkable difference. I'd be interested to see that process laid out myself.

 

[BirdMobile]

"...In most cases mechanics are not paid enough…".

Only two occupational groups in this world make their living on their backs. And mechanics are the least-paid of the two.

Yeah... and they both get Fc'ed. Probably why I'll never do mechanic work for a living... they don't pay you guys enough for the **** you have to go through! $200 per hour sounds about right... until it hits that pay grade, I'll pass.

 

[KamiCrit]

This is awesome, great job. If you could get the details of the compounds and buffing wheels, along with some quick notes on the process on a new thread, I would be interested (I think some others would be also)

Yeah that polishing job is completely new thread worthy. GET THE SECRET OUT!

 

[MagnumForce]

I know you love it and whatever floats your boat but this has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.

 

[LB-1911]

This is awesome, great job. If you could get the details of the compounds and buffing wheels, along with some quick notes on the process on a new thread, I would be interested (I think some others would be also)

Yeah that polishing job is completely new thread worthy. GET THE SECRET OUT!

Posts 3 & 4 @

polishing chrome Snap On wrenches, advise..
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49790

 

[BirdMobile]

I know you love it and whatever floats your boat but this has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.

For some people, it's about the tools. For others, it's about what you can do with them. For many of the people here on this forum, it's both.

 

[Hiball]

I would really think that you guys would get tired of repeating the same old tired responses to these threads. I expect it from the New guys, they don't know any better and still feel the need to bring something to the table. I'm beginning to think some of you know more about brand chest thumping versus actually using your tools.

As redundant as it sounds, it doesn't get any simpler than "buy whatever brand" fits your need/desires.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

Do Toyota mechanics tend to have a lot of KoKen and/or KTC tools?

No, I have alot of Craftsman, GearWrench, some HF stuff, Some Snap-on, quite a bit of Proto. A bunch of others mixed in.. VIM, some Napa U.S.A.... Whatever. I like old Craftsman stuff, but that is more collectible...

 

[gsingh]

I cant believe it. 20 pages and still going. Don't people have anything better to do?

 

[gsingh]

I would really think that you guys would get tired of repeating the same old tired responses to these threads. I expect it from the New guys, they don't know any better and still feel the need to bring something to the table. I'm beginning to think some of you know more about brand chest thumping versus actually using your tools.

As redundant as it sounds, it doesn't get any simpler than "buy whatever brand" fits your need/desires.

Nailed it!