| Author | Message | ||
| nick m........ (Nickm)
Junior Member Username: Nickm Post Number: 163 Registered: 8-2001 |
Hi Tom, I wish I could remember what I was doing to break the Snap On wrenches, cant though. I do know that about 1/2 of the wrenches I broke were the thin wrenches which aren't ment to be used with gorilla force. They snapped (pun intended) with very little force applied to them. When they broke, I literally started laughing 'cause I had barely touched the nut. I do like the feel of the snap on wrenches, but the value of Snap-On tools is debatable. Usually I will split the sockets using a Snap-On torque wrench, tightening lugnuts. I would like to think that it was my massive strength (not) applied to the torque wrench which split the sockets, but I don't think so. Hehe. My wonderful Snap-On guy won't even look me in the eye anymore. I think I hear him mutter a "hello" every other time I see him. (Makes me want to buy more Snap-On stuff). Gotta mention this though, I was spoiled for years with probably the BEST Snap-On guy in the history of Snap-on, super cool guy! The new guy needs to find a new calling in his life. | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 111 Registered: 6-2001 |
Though this is off topic, it may apply to this discussion. A few years back a woodworking magazine (Fine Woodworking?) had an article on large machine tools (table saws, drill presses?). Can't remember. The interesting point was every machine was made in the same factory in Taiwan. Each company was able to specify its exact quality level (e.g. flatness of table, quality of cast iron, degree of run out of motor shaft, etc.). The bottom line was the same exact factory produced essentially the same tool with different tolerances and characteristics. Further, the best tools in terms of performance were not the most expensive (but they were the tools with the tightest tolerances--some companies just insisted on lower profit margins and/or had other economies). I wonder if this happens in the hand tool business? It has to with air tools. | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
Member Username: Arlie Post Number: 645 Registered: 5-2002 |
The irony is that you will seldom see Snap-On tools at a flea market. I have been prowling local flea markets for over 10 years, and I think that I may have seen one or two Snap-On ratchets for sale. If I ever saw a bunch of Snap-On tools for sale, I would be wary of them. Quality tools are a common theft item, and I would make sure that I got a genuine receipt for them. Estate sales are a better place for tools. I found a few Snap-On universal joint sockets a few months ago along with 3 or 4 Klein ratchet wrenches similar to the Sears Gearwrenches. Paid $3 apiece for the Klein wrenches and about $1 apiece for the Snap-On sockets. The Snap-On sockets are probably over 40 years old, and still look good. Love those estate sales where most of the people are looking for Victorian furniture and silverware while I am cleaning their clock buying dirt cheap American made tools!!! | ||
| James H. (Jamesh)
Junior Member Username: Jamesh Post Number: 169 Registered: 5-2001 |
I have heard stories of Snap On saleman not honoring their lifetime warrantee to walk up customers. I heard their reasoning is "you may have bought this at a flea market." What the heck does it matter where it was bought from. With that, my favorite tools are still Snap On's Most of my tools are Snap On. Purchased most of them over 28 years ago and the only thing that has gone bad are the 3/8" rachets. Seems the gear are stripped. Now I am going to have to track down one of them snap on trucks and see if I will have problems with getting them repaired | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 881 Registered: 6-2001 |
Robert: On those tools which can easily break, such as screw drivers, ratchets, etc. I would get craftsman. Sears is usually open, the tools can be replaced when you need them. For those tools which have a distinct feel, such as hand held wrenches, I buy Snap On. They feel better, and unless you really use them, generally will last your entire life. The problem with Snap On for a non professional mechanic, is that you have to wait for the salesman. That could be a problem. Art | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Junior Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 170 Registered: 9-2002 |
Bruno..I agree it can be a big pain triing to get warrenty out of the snapon dealers. And yes I've gone trough my share of snapon rachets. I guess they brake because there head design is so thin. | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 918 Registered: 5-2002 |
I didnt want to say anything but now that someone else said something about almighty overpriced snap on. i break their ratchets a lot.I also strip out the wrenches.I find it easier to exchange craftsman under warranty than snapon.jmx (just my experience) | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Junior Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 167 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hey Pete..Those GearWrenches are the best tool I think I have ever bought. They have made my life working on cars so much easier and yes they do hold up extremly well. Havn't broken one yet!! Nick... Craftsmen tools are a good tool,and they do hold up very well. But I have an entire drawer in my garage full of broken sockets and rachets and breaker bars. By far the socket that is broken the most is (for me anyways) craftsmen. The other thing is the Craftsmen line wrenches really are awful. I went through a set of Mac line wrenches, also until buying the SnapOn's and I have to say that these are the best line wrenches out there. Yes they do cost a bunch. How did you manage to brake a wrench? I have on many occations tried to get warranty on a wrench (because I have wore it out) and tried to break it in such away that it did not look like it was done on perpose. I could not do it for the life of me. I even tried with a SnapOn 15mm socket to split it with a oversized ball bearing in a vise and all I did was jam the bearing inside!! I could not break it!!. 10mm, 8mm 11mm 13mm ya I've broken lots of those,includeing SnapOn. But to say that they are a high buck tool with no real advantage is a bit of a strong statment to make. | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
Member Username: Arlie Post Number: 642 Registered: 5-2002 |
Now some tool ramblings from me: I have wondered if those Gearwrenches are any good. Peter says they are the "feline's posterior". They sure look handy. Regarding Sears and Craftsman. Years ago, most every tool that Sears sold was a Craftsman. Nowadays, Sears also sells alot of foreign made tools so you have to be careful and make sure that what you're buying is a "Craftsman", which, for the most part, are American made. But it is depressing to look in the Sears tool catalog and see that all their big tools like drill presses and table saws are foreign made. Not good. As for Home Depot and Husky brand, I was actually able to buy a Husky brand air powered cut-off tool that was made in America. All their other Husky air tools were Taiwan made. Unfortunately for me, Husky has discontinued their half inch air powered reversible drill within the past few months (also made in Taiwan, but you take what you can get). I ended up buying a Cambell Hausfeld drill which is essentially the same thing, also made in Taiwan. I have done alot of comparison shopping of air tools lately, and alot of the cheap stuff is made in China. American made air tools are just about unobtainable unless you want to spend 5 times the price. The Taiwan air tools appear to be made quite well. As for Stanley tools, all their stuff USE to be made in America. But they have also sold out to Taiwan within the past few years. I bought a small Stanley socket set about a year ago from a discount outlet store and to my surprise, it said USA on the package. That was the last American made Stanley tool that I've bought. I don't care for Stanly's tactics lately. A few months ago, there was a story on the news about Stanley attempting to move it's corporate headquarters to the Bahamas in order to avoid American taxes. So apparently Stanley doesn't care much for our American flag anymore, and their tool quality shows it compared to days or yore. And you guys missed the boat a few years back. The national Home Quarters hardware store chain went out of business. They had 2 stores here in Little Rock, Arkansas. During the final week, they were selling their American made sockets for 25 cents each, regular price about $3. I bought several hundred for myself and a friend. | ||
| Michael Davidson (Cabrio_fan)
New member Username: Cabrio_fan Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2002 |
Allyn, To your point earlier about your Lotus requiring metric and getting your sockets mixed up, Craftsman offers a nice set of socket organizers that fit into two drawers of a standard rolling toolbox. They break down into SAE and Metric, 6 point and 12 point, 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive. You can even get them in red to match your Lotus! I got the gray ones for Christmas. I think the labels on the gray ones are easier to read. Great product. Only about 20 bucks or so. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1407 Registered: 8-2002 |
The cat's ass...? i've never heard that term, before... | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2410 Registered: 12-2000 |
I recently purchased a set of their (Craftsman, but sold under licence to Canadian Tire, for their Mastercraft brand) "Gearwrenches". These things are the cat's ass. I have been using them at work (heavy industrial environment) and have been holding up well. | ||
| nick m........ (Nickm)
Junior Member Username: Nickm Post Number: 161 Registered: 8-2001 |
I also happen to have a bunch of Snap-on tools (w/ the $8K box). Lots & lots of the basic tools, wrenches, sockets, ratchets, pliers, about 6 sets of screwdrivers (60 or so) the list goes on and on... I'm pretty sure if I remember correctly, the guy I bought the tool box & tools from had around $18,000 worth of snap-on stuff (including the boxes) Everything pretty much in new condition . I also happen to have a Craftsman tool box, but only about $750 worth of tools in that one. Guess which tools I REGULARLY BREAK? Snap-on is the hands down winner. This is no exaggeration, I think I break 15 Snap-on tools to every 1 Craftsman tool!!! I have broken about 6-8 wrenches (how can a wrench break?), split at least a half dozen sockets (I didnt know a socket could split open), had everyone of my 4 ratchets seize up on me, my Snap on buffer ($350) has required fixing at least 5 times, the screwdrivers hold up pretty good, a butane soldering pen has split open on me, leaking butane while still burning, my tool box has a pushbutton combo-lock on it that ALWAYS does not work early in the morning when it is cold out (I live in So. Cal) If it is really cold in the morning I have to break out a heatgun to heat up the lock mechanism...then it works! You would think that from all the above griping, my tools are old and nasty, they are not! They actually look very nice, they just don't hold up. While I've been writing this, I've been trying to think of a Craftsman tool that has broken on me, I think I have broken a socket extension. But I have broke at least a half dozen Snap-on extensions! Sure, Snap-on will replace them, but how would you feel calling your Snap-on guy all the time? Also, unless you have another IDENTICAL tool you will have to STOP working and wait for the Snap-on guy, HOW FUN!! I got a deal on my Snap-on tools that is why I bought them, but ALL my additional tools (starting about a year or two ago) are Craftsman. Sure, they dont have the prestige of Snap-on but who cares, they last! PS: If you can keep the ratchets working, they are nicer than Craftsman. | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 110 Registered: 6-2001 |
My opinion: I have a ton of old Craftsmen, and it all works great. I have some Proto and Snap on--seems nicer, but I'm not sure the functionality is any better. Also have a little Kobalt and Husky--very nice stuff. If you have the money, and you dig "trophy tools", invest it in the few things that you will use often (e.g. rachets, perhaps a combination wrench set) to start. I would (and have) gotten Asian knock off tools when I need something only rarely (crow's foot wrenches come to mind). Two observations about Craftsmen--their Phillips screwdrivers seem to "cam out" more easily than other brands, and their new rachets (recently they warrantied one that I had for 26 years) seem coarser and more crudely made--should have gone to Home Depot. I have a Husky torque wrench (one that does inch pounds) because I do a lot of work on bicycles--it has performed flawlessly, and the price was unbeatable. | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Junior Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 164 Registered: 9-2002 |
Being a mechanic myself..I've come to rely on Snapon tools. It's the quality of the wrenches and of the sockets and rachets that cannot be beat. If you take a close look at Snapon rachets the differences are very noticeable. One being the much thinner heads of the rachets. This allows for access to thight areas that a proto or craftsman rachet would never fit. I've tried them all and I always return to the snapon's. Yes they are very expensive. I have approx $20,000 in tools inside my tool box. And that dosen't even cover half of the tools that would make my job so much easier. And the real crappy part is I can't write my tools off at the end of the year even though I need them to do my job!! Anyhoo...SnapOn all the way for me | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1193 Registered: 7-2001 |
I had actually noticed a difference in the 'old' Craftsman and the 'new' Craftsman. I like the old ones a lot better. I did some research and learned that the company that used to make Crafstman is now making Husky (verified below) and I've been buying Husky ever since. I've been very happy with them. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 670 Registered: 10-2001 |
I use Craftsman and they seem fine, but I'm no expert. I've never broken one either. My biggest problem is organization. My Lotus uses both English and Metric and I tend to mix up the wrenches and sockets in the same piles. | ||
| Paul Wehmer (Pwehmer)
Junior Member Username: Pwehmer Post Number: 62 Registered: 10-2002 |
I think Snap-On survives because the trucks come to the auto shops and work with the techs. Also Snap-On will finance the tools. I like the Proto tools & tool boxes. We use metric tools at my plant every day and find them to be good tools. You can buy them thru www.grainger.com. Get a friend with an indutrial plant to help you get them at a discounted price. For heavy duty wrenches and sockets I have found that the Germans make the best stuff. I don't know the brand name but the quality is excellent. None of them are cheap (but cheaper then Snap-On!) We have abused some of these wrenches badly and they haven't hurt anyone. You can buy them at: http://www.metricmcc.com/ | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 3289 Registered: 12-2000 |
Great info, I guess my Husky's are a good choice. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 439 Registered: 1-2002 |
Good blurb on tools: On March 26, 1999 Greg Hutmacher wrote: > I'm not the final word on tools by any means, but since I work in the business, I've learned a little bit about it. Okay, here's more than you ever wanted to know. As someone pointed out in a previous post, Lowes now (as of earlier this year) is selling a line of Mechanics Tools called Kobalt which is made by Snap-On. They are good tools. Home Depot's Husky brand is made by Stanley Mechanics Tools, a division of the Stanley Works. Husky are also good tools and have a good lifetime warranty (they'll even replace your broken Craftsman with an equivalent Husky). Until 1994 or so, Stanley also made Sears Craftsman tools. Sears Craftsman is now made by Danaher Tools. They beat out Stanley on the contract over price. Danaher also manufactures MatCo Tools, the third largest player in the Mobile Automotive industry (behind MAC and Snap-On). Odds are, if you own any Craftsman tools that are older than about five years ago, they were made by Stanley in plants in Dallas, Texas, Wichita Falls, Texas, and Sabina, Ohio. Stanley also owns MAC Tools and manufactures MAC tools in the same plants. Now here's the kicker: MAC Tools, Proto Tools (a very expensive industrial brand), Husky Tools, and, (prior to five or so years ago) Craftsman Tools are all made from the same forgings in the same plants. Proto is unique because it goes through additional testing and certification because it is used by NASA, the military, and industrial customers (including General Motors). There are three MAJOR players in the USA mechanics tool business: Stanley, Danaher, and Snap-On. Stanley and Danaher (almost identical in sales revenue at about $28 billion each) are the biggest followed by Snap-On. Each of these three manufacture and sell tools under a variety of brands (there are many other brands that Stanley makes that I haven't even named). The quality between these three manufacturers is roughly the same. I know its a bit of a let-down to hear that, but its a simple fact. Then there are a hand full of other minor players (Vermont American, etc) and an endless list of Taiwanese import tool companies (some of which Stanley own as well as Danaher to serve the lower end consumer import brands at WalMart, etc). How do I know all of this? I work for Stanley Mechanics Tools, specifically with the Proto Industrial brand. I personally do not think that MAC, MatCo, or Snap-On branded tools are worth the extra markup since they use the same forgings and manufacturing processes that make Husky and Kobalt and pre-1994 Craftsman. Where you need to pay attention are things like ratchets and torque wrenches. There are different specifications of ratchets and you do pay for the difference. Some mechanics require a finer, more precise ratcheting mechanism than guys like me who just bang around in the garage on the weekends. By the way, Metwrench is basically considered a "gimmick" infomercial tool brand that is not considered as a serious competitor to Danaher, Snap-On, or Stanley. Then again, IBM once didn't see Microsoft as a serious force in the personal computer business. Hmmmm.... Regards, Greg Hutmacher (now back in lurk mode) | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1375 Registered: 8-2002 |
This is why there aren't many girls that come here- 'cause there's a bunch of guys talkin' about their tools...!  | ||
| Jeff Edison (Euro308guy)
Junior Member Username: Euro308guy Post Number: 171 Registered: 7-2002 |
I use Husky too. Lifetime guarentee. If it, or a craftsman, or a snap-on breaks Home depot will replace it with a husky | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 222 Registered: 8-2001 |
Even though FACOM bought USAG, they are completely independant from each other. USAG manufactures all its tools in northern Italy. | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 914 Registered: 5-2002 |
facom isnt bad . | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 220 Registered: 8-2001 |
Look up our banner on this forum ad you'll see USAG (next to Tubi). We are gauging interest from our airline customers and developping a possible marketing plan for this line of tools. My personal impression of quality, selection and price is very positive (I've had their F1 set since 1983 and used it thru 15 years of racing)but judge for yourself by checking the english version of www.usag.it or going straight to www.usag-tools.com/index.asp?index=cat_auto. In particular check 505 and 519 tool chests/cabinets. Prices are competitive and limited life warranty is just like Craftsman's. USAG was a Ferrari F1 sponsor until FACOM (France) bought them and forced a change. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2368 Registered: 9-2001 |
yeah, but if you break a craftman - you get it replaced for free | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 146 Registered: 11-2002 |
Mr. Lay, I totally agree with your approach as to which tools to "upgrade". I do that, too, and also ask myself "what have I been borrowing from someone else?" That's my next purchase. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 3279 Registered: 12-2000 |
A good approach I heard is to buy a set of something like Craftsman and then if you break or loose one, replace it with a Snap-On because you're using that one more. There's about 4-5 wrenches and sockets I use 90% of the time. | ||
| Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Member Username: Ricrain Post Number: 411 Registered: 2-2002 |
Rexrcr is right about Snap-On wrenches. They are friggin' great. But too damn expensive for me to have all of them. I have several "key" snap-on wrenches, and filled in the odd ones with Crafstman. Snap on makes the best wobble sockets, too. Craftsman Phillips screwdrivers suck. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 3278 Registered: 12-2000 |
I've had good luck with Husky. I think Home Depot sells them. I got 450 piece set for about $350. The same tools from Snap On were over a $1,000. I'm not even a hobbyist though. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 143 Registered: 11-2002 |
If one uses their hand tools for a living, or wants consistently high quality, there is one stand-out in the crowd: Snap-On. Rag on them if you will (cost primarily), but especially their wrench sets are by far the best, certainly better than Craftsman's attempt to knock-off Snap-On's look and feel (which I think are made by S-K for Craftsman) I have tons of Craftsman, and love every piece, they are by far the best overall value. But if cost is not an issue, Snap-On. If you're a hobbyist, the Craftsman stuff has bigger bennefits, primarily availability and cost. The Snap-On guy doesn't stop at your personal garage each week. Craftsman has improved their line considerably over the last five years, and like I said, I do own alot of their stuff. Mac is great, too, I just don't care for the design of their wrenches. I also have a complete mini USAG set, some Facom stuff, K-D, S-K, no-name impact soccets, but I admire Snap-On the most. Organization is key, nothing worse than knowing you own it, need it now, NOW, and can't find it. IMHO... | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 908 Registered: 5-2002 |
Sears craftsman complete sets with boxes are a good start. 1-2k gets it done .Check sales. I got a snapon set and boxes that I would never buy again.For now on it's craftsman. | ||
| Robert (Rjklein4470)
Junior Member Username: Rjklein4470 Post Number: 221 Registered: 3-2002 |
I am looking at my garage, and thinking knowing that my tools are a joke. Some missing, some duplicates. So I was wanting to invest in a master set of tools and start over. Any information would be great. Rob |