Why Buy Snap-on?
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flyingtpot
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Snap-On sockets, along with other American and Chinese brands (Husky, MasterCraft, Johnnesway, etc.) have a cheaper finishing process, it seems. Plain chrome all of them.
I really miss the knurling on the early Snap-On sockets. The knurling, for lack of a better term, is decorative on the newer style, more typical Snap-On socket. Below is a picture of both early, and later model socket by Snap-On.
This decorative type of knurling is tacky.. is this a quality of an "outstanding" socket?
More Stanford MBA BS! Don't get your hopes up. That isn't BS as in Bachelor of Science!
You buy your tools because of the looks?
Man, I hope they don't get greasy or anything when you're using them... Might look cheap you know 
flyingtpot
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You buy your tools because of the looks?
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
You buy your tools because of the looks?
Or whored out because they are filthy...
Snap On tools look anything but cheap. The quality of the finish is excellent and holds up very well, I do not understand this criticism that Spoon keeps bringing up, makes no sense at all. What should they be finished in instead? Gold? Platinum?
Chrome is very tough and corrosion resistant, and looks good. I don't know what more could you ask from a finish other than that.
Are you aware of the FR80, or is that not what you meant?
There are different types of chrome, right? I understand it's strength and I'm not disputing that.
Is the socket set pictured below any less tough than the Snap-On socket?
Or whored out because they are filthy...
Snap On tools look anything but cheap. The quality of the finish is excellent and holds up very well, I do not understand this criticism that Spoon keeps bringing up, makes no sense at all. What should they be finished in instead? Gold? Platinum?
Chrome is very tough and corrosion resistant, and looks good. I don't know what more could you ask from a finish other than that.
I do not understand much of the objections raised. To some people it would only be worthwhile if it was free and you got a bj.
Some of my Snap-on stuff is getting close to 40 years old and it still looks good. Some of my craftsman screwdrivers the handles look like they died and they have been living in the same drawer as the snap-on ones.
One other point they are often the first to come out with a new tool that is then copied, and they produce & carry tools that others do not have.
Snap-On is well worthwhile for me, to buy only used. I often times will spend money on a tool that is more expensive than an equivalent tool made by Snap-On (which as we all know is already expensive). But that is because the other tool is more worth it to me, as I see qualities in that tool that make it a better tool than the Snap-On.
The strength of the tool and the ability to do it's job is a given, when talking about tools like Snap-On and Hazet. What's the next thing you look for? How the tool feels in your hand. How smooth and accurate is the tool engagement on the fastener. How the tool looks. Gasp!
Hazet doesn't look Chinese to me. And feels great in my hands. ;-)
SASORacing
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How can I buy hazet? Does he come to my shop right after the snap on guy and I just miss him everytime?
Snap-On tools are excellent quality and I know that % 90 of hardline is made in usa. It has one of the most massive product lines, incredibly huge tool selection, tool boxes, and diagnostic equipment. Hazet Is good, but snappy is better in a lot of ways. I actually consider hazet as a slight cottage / collectible company, which is awesome, I love some of thier designs of wrenches and tool carts (they don't make full size boxes afaik ).
Snap-On tools are excellent quality and I know that % 90 of hardline is made in usa. It has one of the most massive product lines, incredibly huge tool selection, tool boxes, and diagnostic equipment. Hazet Is good, but snappy is better in a lot of ways. I actually consider hazet as a slight cottage / collectible company, which is awesome, I love some of thier designs of wrenches and tool carts (they don't make full size boxes afaik ).
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When I was the teenage, hourly guy at the local Firestone back in the early 2000's, I was doing header gaskets on my then-girlfriend's Fairlane. There was not enough room for a socket/box end on a few of the bolt heads, so I proceeded to use the open end of my craftsman pro's (very proud to have purchased them at the time). They slipped. I used my buddy's Macs - they slipped. I used a coworker's SO FD+ and it gripped like mad.
I realize many people offer off-corner engagement on their open ends now, but I never forgot about that, which is why I have a set of FD+ wrenches. Sometimes the $hit just plain works better. Nobody I've worked with has ever cared how a tool looks, just how well it works vs how much it costs, so the whole "look" conversation blows me away.
That Fairlane received a set of internal hex bolts.
I realize many people offer off-corner engagement on their open ends now, but I never forgot about that, which is why I have a set of FD+ wrenches. Sometimes the $hit just plain works better. Nobody I've worked with has ever cared how a tool looks, just how well it works vs how much it costs, so the whole "look" conversation blows me away.
That Fairlane received a set of internal hex bolts.
SASORacing
Well-known member
Flankdrive plus, wright grip, proto asd?, matco opti torque pro, etc. Is really the only way to go if you plan on being confident using the open end!
The semi bad result is that mr. Wrench puts his 3 letter initials in every bolt or nut he has personal relations with..
The semi bad result is that mr. Wrench puts his 3 letter initials in every bolt or nut he has personal relations with..
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That is true, which is why I also have a set of Cornwell's. But when you just need to get the damned bolt off with an open end.....
I remember being the biggest "These Craftsman Pros do everything that your expensive wrenches do" guy, until they didn't
If you were in Germany, a Hazet truck would be rolling up to your repair facility...
No, I was not. If I can get the truck to come by sometime I will have to look at one. I'm not sure, but I think it was 2012 when I saw him last. There's no big spenders at our shop, so If I want to see him every other week, I have finance something small. The only time he ever came by predictably was the two months where I owed a $50/biweekly payment.
WTF is the middle of the inning? Visiting team at bat = top of inning. Home team at bat = bottom of inning. Who bats in the middle?
BDT/NWMN
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Haven't you ever seen Hockey played with Golf Clubs??
bcradio
Well-known member
Oops. Sorry, I meant is this Hazet socket set pictured below any less tough than a Snap-On socket set?
Who's in the other pic?
I thought is was the other way around?
In Germany you can buy Hazet, Gedore, and Stahlwille right off store shelves. They have high-end tool stores.
Toyota mechanic
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This thread is still going on! I'll take the Hazet side, lol..... Germany's Snap-on. Might as well be unique.
I'll take the Hazet side, lol..... Germany's Snap-on. Might as well be unique.mmack66
Well-known member
Or whored out because they are filthy...
Snap On tools look anything but cheap. The quality of the finish is excellent and holds up very well, I do not understand this criticism that Spoon keeps bringing up, makes no sense at all. What should they be finished in instead? Gold? Platinum?
Chrome is very tough and corrosion resistant, and looks good. I don't know what more could you ask from a finish other than that.
He probably prefers tools have a satin finish, rather than a shiny chrome finish.
I sort of like the satin finish as well, though I don't have any disparaging thoughts about chrome.
Coach James
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RedneckWelder
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This thread desperately needs this
Does it have to be factual or can we just say we have proof?
ez-duzit
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Sour grapes. It mostly sounds like a few kids here complaining about the cost preventing them from owning Snap-On.
Boredmechanic
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I have a SO charge account. Good credit does wonders.
BirdMobile
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Some of us have the cash for Snap On, if we want it... but choose more economical or better tools instead. I know that's blasphemy, but it's just how it is. Snap On is not the end-all be-all of tools.
I own some Snap On, I just find that in most cases I am able to find other tooling that works as well for me, without the Snap On price tag.
SantaAna12
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Exceller8
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There are other outstanding tools out there but Snap-On is almost always right there quality wise like it or not. They may not be the end all end, but damn do they make fine tools.
ez-duzit
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Sure, chrome looks nice and is easy to wipe off, but it can be slippery; whereas satin finishes allow better grip. Mechanic's gloves would solve some of the slippery issues I suppose.
Boredmechanic
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Wamsutta
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These are the reasons why I buy Snap-on:
1. Ergonomics (fits my hand)
2. Precise fit to the fastener (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers)
3. Precise fit to each other (socket to extension connection)
4. Strength without unnecessary added bulk, giving them a crisp clean look
5. Precise fitting internal parts (ratchets)
6. Precise mechanical movement (ratchets)
7. Precise manufacturing tolerances (all their tools)
1. Ergonomics (fits my hand)
2. Precise fit to the fastener (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers)
3. Precise fit to each other (socket to extension connection)
4. Strength without unnecessary added bulk, giving them a crisp clean look
5. Precise fitting internal parts (ratchets)
6. Precise mechanical movement (ratchets)
7. Precise manufacturing tolerances (all their tools)
BirdMobile
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There are other outstanding tools out there but Snap-On is almost always right there quality wise like it or not. They may not be the end all end, but damn do they make fine tools.
Indeed. LOVE my F80 and TLL72 ratchets! FHLF80 ain't no slouch either.
I happen to like SnapOn's hard line. My question is why do people buy SnapOn brand stuff that is rebranded other companies tools. I have a guy trying to sell me a SnapOn brand welder. It is a rebranded Century at 2x the price. He has over $3500 ******* in a welder that sold for $1800 painted yellow.
I know it is easy to pick up stuff off the truck, but to pay 2x and then having to pay interest on financing it boggles my mind.
I know it is easy to pick up stuff off the truck, but to pay 2x and then having to pay interest on financing it boggles my mind.
Those reasons are the exact reasons why someone would pay more for a product that is branded as SO even though it's made by a different company. They can get it delivered to their work, get it financed, better warranty, and the item might be built to a better level of quality than the standard products that comes out of that particular factory.
I throw the BS flag on that. You can change QA procedures, but any product that rolls of a production line is the same as any other. Putting it in a red box instead of a yellow is not going to change its quality.
Out of curiosity what is the going interest rate for Snappy corp credit and truck credit? I imagine truck credit varies widely by driver.
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