Why Buy Snap-on?

[mechanicalchild]

I was just wondering why my fellow mechanics all buy snap on and blue point. It Seems like a waste of money to me, because I have had the same set of Gray Canada wrenches for all the time I have been working, and even the chrome is still good on them. My mechanic friends complain about broken tools sometimes, yet I have only broken a few tools in my life. I have always used Gray, old craftsman, belzer, and old husky. The snap on tools that I own, in my opinion, don't exceed the quality of the others. I don't want people attacking me, I just want to know why you think they are better.

 

[rice rocket]

Hmm, I don't think I've seen this asked before.

Subscribed.

 

[cheechi]

Just an FYI this won't go the way you want it to.

 

[schmelpboy]

Good luck...

 

[mechanicalchild]

Good luck...

Thanks. I think may need it.

 

[Dust Devil]

If you have to ask you will never know

 

[BirdMobile]

I've wondered the same thing.
I own a bit of Snap On, but I've only ever bought 2 tools from them new - because I wanted them at the time and no other alternatives from other manufacturers seemed available.
I personally think their tools are overpriced for what you get, and don't make economic sense unless you are making a damn good living with them.
For those who love Snap On and regularly buy their tools (my best friend included), I have no problem with you or your choice to spend your money how you see fit. However, it's not my choice... for me the Snap On brand is just not a good fit when there are so many other quality makers available at substantially lower cost.

 

[mechanicalchild]

I've wondered the same thing.
I own some Snap On, but I've only ever bought 2 tools from them new, because I wanted them at the time and no other alternatives from other manufacturers seemed available.
I personally think their tools are overpriced for what you get, and don't make economic sense unless you are making a damned good living with them.
For those who love Snap On and regularly buy their tools (my best friend included), I have no problem with you or your choice to spend your money how you see fit. However, it's not my choice... for me the Snap On brand is just not a good fit when there are so many other quality makers available at substantially lower cost.

That is exactly what I was thinking as well.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Why buy Mercedes when you could have a perfectly good Kia or Hyundai

 

[mechanicalchild]

I know, right.

 

[nitrohog]

Coming from a guy who owns a box full of snap on tools, I find myself having a harder and harder time justifying the price. Part of the problem is our truck guy has become hard to get a hold of and has a poor attitude on the rare occasion that I need something replaced. The quality of tools is excellent but on most tools it can be met with different brands for less money if you really shop around.
Just one opinion.

 

[pi_guy]

I have yet to find 1/4 flex sockets that work as well as the snap-on ones.
I have 30 year old snap-on air tools that work better than new harbor freight stuff.
There is a great assortment in different type wrenches, size, angle and ratchet
Two the feel of the tools I prefer over most others.
I have had any of my tools warrantied with out any question.
You get credit, walk off the truck with stuff and give him money later.
My snap-on guy at times will go out of his way for me.
Plus I do not have a hard sell one, he is laid back and knows his product.
He does my area on Tuesday which is often a track test day and I miss him, I meet him else where and he spends the time I need.
He answers texts 7 days a week even when out fishing, sometimes he makes me jealous by sending me pictures of big fish he caught.

 

[Biomed]

I was just wondering why my fellow mechanics all buy snap on and blue point. [Stuff deleted.] I don't want people attacking me, I just want to know why you think they are better.

Why don't you ask your fellow mechanics?

I buy Snap-on when they make a tool that is far superior to other manufacturers or is not available from other manufacturers. Examples of items I have purchased include Snap-on ratchets, Instinct screwdrivers, ratcheting screwdrivers, universal joints, pliers, cutters and hex insert bits.

I have a few Snap-on sockets but many more SK, Williams and Wright since I believe those are quality and a better value. Since Snap-on did not offer the hard handle screwdrivers in black I purchased black hard handles from Williams.

Warranty and on-site truck delivery/customer service are factors for some people. For some folks there is a certain amount of snob appeal with truck brands.

 

[merbie]

For me snap has always been the best out if a bad bunch, over here in the uk snap on is a little more expensive than other euro brands and warranty is easier that's why it is my choice but for certain things I go for euro brands due to them being superior like the knipex cobra pliers far superior to the snap on equivalent where as a koken 24 tooth ratchet is not equal to a snap dual 80 it's just whatever I like best it just happens to be snap on most I the time


Sent from the sticks

 

[Adam.C]

Hang on, I think I may need some popcorn.

 

[mmack66]

Why buy Mercedes when you could have a perfectly good Kia or Hyundai

So Snap-On tools are a status symbol?

I guess that explains the high prices.

 

[Adam.C]

I was just wondering why some people buy Apple computers. And that iPhone. Do any of you have one of those? I just can't justify the high price for all that good design and convenience.

One more thing, does anybody here vote Democrat?

 

[rsanter]

Snap on is easy...they come to you
Snap on is easy...they finance for you
Snap on is high quality, when tools break you can get hurt.
Snap on is shiny....we are guys...we like shiny things

Bob

 

[1950mercury]

The dual 80s are awesome. I like the soft instinct screwdrivers, and ratcheting screwdriver all the bits for it have a lifetime warranty you cant beat that. I buy all my snap on stuff new for about half price. I would not pay list.

 

[espyking83]

Some buy for warranty.
Some buy for prestige.
Some buy because their quality.
Some buy because they think they're supposed to.

 

[Davefr]

It's simple:

1. Dealer support (financing, ease of warranty and on site shopping)
2. Wide breadth of product offering
3. Consistent high quality
4. Brand name (ie "monkey see, monkey do" in the tech community)

If you don't care about all of the above, then the value proposition falls apart.

 

[Mike007]

I heard Snap On is just rebadged Harbor Freight tools.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

I own 4 times as many tools as most of the users on this site, I use them at work, on the farm, around the house, in my garage, many sets in different places and vehicles. I do own Snap-On tools and find them to be very well made. However, I find other brands, like Armstrong, Wright, Proto, Stanley, etc. to be very well made also. However, to be honest, most of the tools I have were bought used at garage sales, flea markets and auctions. Probably why I have 4 times as many as most guys here, not because I need that many, but because I bought them so cheap that I got spares upon spares upon spares. If a tool breaks, I often time don't fuss about getting the warrantied replacement, I just chuck it and pick up another one I have. Lots of my tools are from the 1940s-1960s timeframe, and they work great too.

Back to SO - why do they cost so much? Because guys pay it. Some guys believe they are the best in the world, and you can't argue with them against that. It's their opinion, and they are entitled to it - for the Snap-On prices, their opinion came with the tools. I don't think it's worth the prices they charge, but they do, on the other hand, have a decent warranty that comes along with it, a good sales and service team, and the tools last a long time. So who can argue with quality re: the asking price of the tools?

Like I said - I do own some Snap-On tools. But I have never purchased them new, only used and for a fraction of their original price. Otherwise I would never have bought them, not because I don't like their quality, just because in my mind, it's too much to pay for tools I'm going to beat to hell on the job.

 

[wagzilla]

Snap-on, If I'm putting my heart and soul in to it Sanp-on The quality of tools is excellent I have broken a lot of tools and not miss used. I just like the way most of my snap-on feels in my hand and I trust them. Now if I didn't turn wrenches every day, I wouldn't spend the money, I can't tell you how meny times a guy working next to me messed up some bolts of fastners and my snap-on tools took it right off. The other thing is too if I hurt my self then I can't work, My Snap-on guy works great with me, I can call him any time and he will come to me.......So I will give him my money any time

James

 

[DieselSaves]

I can walk to a toolbox with Apex, Barcalo, New Britain, SK, Proto, Plomb, Wright, Wiliams, Klien, Craftsman, MAC, MAC Sabina, Matco, Armstrong, Stanley, Vaughn, Mayhew, Lisle, John Deere, Cummins, OTC, other American brands, lots of Chaiwanese and Harbor Freight tools and Snap On.

The only tools people want a justification for owning are the Snap On ones. Go figure.

 

[bob15]

I heard Snap On is just rebadged Harbor Freight tools.

Actually, It's Matco tools are the ones that are rebadged HF tool rejects.

 

[ATC]

I was just wondering why my fellow mechanics all buy snap on and blue point. It Seems like a waste of money to me, because I have had the same set of Gray Canada wrenches for all the time I have been working, and even the chrome is still good on them. My mechanic friends complain about broken tools sometimes, yet I have only broken a few tools in my life. I have always used Gray, old craftsman, belzer, and old husky. The snap on tools that I own, in my opinion, don't exceed the quality of the others. I don't want people attacking me, I just want to know why you think they are better.

It's alright dude....I'm on your side

Snap on is easy...they come to you
Once a week. Break a socket on Tues and you have to wait 'til Monday to replace. No thanks.
Snap on is easy...they finance for you
As does my 0% credit card.
Snap on is high quality, when tools break you can get hurt.
There are many, many other high quality tool brands available
Snap on is shiny....we are guys...we like shiny things
Truth!

Bob

None of that was directed toward you...I just hear these same statements all the time.

 

[GSEninja]

I own quite a bit of snap on tools only because when my wife and I first got together she would always get me gift cards for snap on... however...

I dont think I would ever buy snap on tools on my own.. they are overpriced in my opinion, i hate financing anything (Id rather save for a while and then drop cash), and the warranty thing is a pain in the *** at times

I have plenty of tools from Craftsman (yes i said it) and even Kobalt... they are all comparable in quality to the Snap On tools and if I ever have a problem with the tool Sears and Lowes both give a lifetime warranty... AND with Lowes I dont even need a receipt because of the awesome 'MyLowes Card'

 

[pi_guy]

The other part of what I do is perform at the track it is a bit of putting on the show.
A couple of times a weekend I will see one of the mechanics having issues with a fastener and I will pull out a short wrench and a flex socket and finish off the fastener in a short hop with no busted knuckles. Often I can leave sections of body work or heat exchangers in place and still remove or tighten nuts which saves time.
I just picked up today tap sockets they allow you to use a 3/8 ratchet as a tap handle or easy-out holder. Who else makes that?
Last tuesday when we were testing we broke a part we had to change a part normally it would take the better part of a hour with all the stuff you would remove, we did it in 30 minutes and made the next on track session. My driver and his wife were so happy that we did not miss any track time. That strokes the ego and helps justify the expense.

 

[BirdMobile]

I've heard "easy financing" as one of the main justifications for buying Snap On tools on many occasions. To me, this is one of the WORST reasons for choosing a tool brand, I do not personally want to buy tools from someone who makes it easy for me to mortgage my future time and hard work to them! I've always been of the "if you need it bad enough to go in debt for it, you just don't need it" mindset. In those rare situations where I'm forced to borrow to obtain something I need, I've always selected the lowest cost item that will accomplish the task, not some premium brand high priced thing that will take me forever to pay off!

 

[Dust Devil]

I just picked up today tap sockets they allow you to use a 3/8 ratchet as a tap handle or easy-out holder. Who else makes that?
.

Part # PLEASE!!! I WANT!

 

[SASORacing]

Yeah I think it's like % 19 which is crazy high and just bad business for an aspiring mechanic.

 

[Dust Devil]

Financing anything at 19% is not smart

 

[cheechi]

I was just wondering why some people buy Apple computers

In my bag are brand new Lenovo & Apple notebooks. same size, but different options inside each. for argument's sake we'll say they're about 90% the same. The apple is thinner, lighter, easier to carry one handed, I could go on. Even if I didn't prefer OS X, (don't get me wrong I don't prefer a lot of the gimmicky improvements in recent years. 10.6 was basically perfect) it's a better portable machine. Every generation of Apple notebook since you could compare.. wait for it.. apples to apples, Apple has made a better notebook computer than the next guy. And considering the price difference isn't great enough to turn me away, I feel like a desktop PC depending on the usage 'should' be Linux of Windows, and a notebook 'should' be Apple.

Since your question wasn't really directly related, neither was my answer to it. Apple computers sell not just because they are a higher price point or because they're made of better materials - the two direct comparisons you could make between a good brand (SK, Knipex, Klien, etc) and SO, even if you consider SO to be better than 'good' in this comparison.

Also drawing comparisons between hand tools and computers is kind of reaching. Also also, iphone isn't better than android.

 

[ken w.]

I like my SO tools. I never get a hassle about warranty. I see them every week without fail. Anything I ask for will be there the following week if out. Nothing compares to the quality ( we can all argue this ) . No other truck brand or store brand compares to what SO will do for you. However,as I get older there are some things from SO that I can't justify the price. I wont spend $ 150.00 and up for a ratchet anymore.

 

[nieuport17]

Theres a demand for them and people buy them.
If theyre bad tools, I think Snapon would be out of business.

 

[BirdMobile]

Theres a demand for them and people buy them.
If theyre bad tools, I think Snapon would be out of business.

Same can be said for Rolls Royce. Doesn't mean everyone needs one...
It boils down to "If it's worth it to you, then it's worth it". Everyone has their own standards of value, for me personally there are plenty of other tool brands that offer better value (by my standards) than Snap On.

 

[ATC]

I just picked up today tap sockets they allow you to use a 3/8 ratchet as a tap handle or easy-out holder. Who else makes that?

What? A ratcheting tap handle? Several companies do.
I much prefer a T-handle for taps and easy-outs though....I feel I have better control.

http://www.gearwrench.com/cutting-tools/ratcheting-tap-and-die

 

[RedneckWelder]

Snap On makes some good stuff, and some damn nice boxes too. Personally I think their prices are a little extreme, but no one is holding a gun to your head to buy them.

With the advent of the internet, and in particular Ebay, Amazon (and Amazon Prime 2 day shipping!) and other sites that carry tools (HJE, ToolTopia, Zoro, etc) makes it a lot easier to get quality brands that were previously much harder to lay hands on. For the most part, as a pro mechanic I buy a lot of the industrial brands. On the rare occasion I break a tool, I've saved more than enough to, if necessary, buy the replacement or I can wait while it's mailed in to be warrantied. Tool trucks, while they make warranty exchange easy by providing a quick and easy "take it from your box and hand it to the tool truck guy" normally we see him once a week. I may be able to get him to come by or meet him to exchange a tool, but I try to respect his business as well (he's got a lot of shops other than mine to service!)...and hopefully he will have the tool I broke in stock to be able to exchange it.

And of course, some stuff is available only from the tool trucks, or the tool truck brand carries a superior version of a tool found elsewhere. Those I buy when I want to.

Now in the past before the internet, I would have had a box full of mostly tool truck and some Craftsman tools, but todays world if you are willing you can build your tool set a lot cheaper.

 

[bob15]

I just picked up today tap sockets they allow you to use a 3/8 ratchet as a tap handle or easy-out holder. Who else makes that?

You mean this: http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=398

Been around for years.....