Snap On help

Yep! The American equivalent of the Wurth and Pirelli calendars! <grin>

 

Pic of how I pay my bills!!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Pawn shops are another source for tools. You need to know what you're looking for and at in order to get good deals there. Lots of power tools and a few hand tools is the usual fare.

Bob Wassam

 

This is a very interesting thread, thanks!

Greg

 

Snap On's gimmick is to get young mechanics on their "revolving line of credit" early in their careers and max out that line.

Then the young mechanics become at their mercy for YEARS making minimum payments.

The only convenience is the truck that comes around once in awhile

Most expensive doesn't mean the best.
Been there done that.
Have had some old Craftsman sockets and ratchets for 30+ years. Never broken a single one, even when using it as something other than a socket.

Thought I would treat myself to some Snap On a few years back. Broke one socket the very first day.

Never again.

 

can't speak for the new snap-on stuff as all mine is 30+ yrs old. nary a problem, same for the 60yr old craftsman.

 

Hey Paul, you're dating yourself! I have plenty of use for 12mm and 14mm sockets and wrenches for the earlier (250/330) cars! <grin>

-Peter

 

Lost many of my original tools several years back to burglars (STRONG burglars), and have a very mixed set today. Lots of Snap-On, seasoned by Craftsman, Proto, FACOM, USAG, Armstrong, Klein (electrical), and Crescent, plus a few German ultra-specialty tools. No Home Depot or Harbor Freight tools in my boxes.

But if I was starting from scratch today and knew what I know, I'd go Craftsman for the core of the set and supplement it with Snap-On for the specialty tools - especially pullers. In addition, USAG makes very thin combination wrenches that are the only things that will fit on certain fasteners on vintage Ferraris.

 

I recommend Snap-On ratchets, sockets, extensions and wrenches.
Matco makes some excellent ratcheting wrenches that I use every day.
I usually have to replace a worn tool long before it ever breaks.
Other stuff I will buy whatever brand that looks like it will do what I need it to do.
I like to have a selection of cheap tools to weld, bend, cut, or whatever to make it work.
Some favorite special tools are:
Streamlight flashlight (super bright and rechargable)
Power probe (allows me to test power/ground and apply power/ground to a circut)
Butane soldering iron (endless wiring repairs)
Small cordless screwdriver with changeable bits (interior work)
Relay pulling pliers (sometimes they are packed together and TIGHT)
and three sizes of torque wrenches.

 

What a great idea. How much does each sponsor pay you to have their sticker on your toolbox?

 

Im kind of in the same boat. I had put a large chest together with a lot of new tools, as well as many tools my father gave me, and someone went through the shop and stole everyones tools. I got my box back all tore up with some lerge POS Crescent wrench, everything else was gone. I thought a lot differently about tools after that, as well as the way the insurance company wanted to depreciate it all. Now I keep my dads old tools locked up, and use a lot of cheaper tools. I still want and use a lot of snap on tools, but im not crazy enough to go out and buy it new anymore.

 

So...did I read correctly that you paid $13,000 for your tool cart? If so....wanna buy a bridge?

I certainly mean no disrespect - I understand it's how you make your living. I can see paying $400 for a Snap-On torque wrench vs. $100 for a Craftsman when the Craftsmans are known to have calibration issues, but if S-O is charging 13k for a rolling cart, that's just ludicrous.... I hope I'm misunderstanding, and you meant that you have $13k *worth* of tools IN the cart or something!

 

A friend of mine own a Mechanical workshop and he bought the big Snap On tool cart around 1 year ago. The big roll cab with the handle on the front to move it around, which has a little lever operated disc brake to slow the big mother down. It has golf buggy style wheels on it. He paid AU$15K for that, on special from $20K. WITHOUT any tools in it. Just an empty box. It is around 6 foot tall and 7 foot long I think. He has around $AU60K in Snap On tools that he has invested in over the last 10 years.

I am also friends with the guy who used to drive the Snap On van here. I found out at work the other day, this guy has a tool fetish. His wife is on the verge of divorcing him (Which I didnt know about ), because he spends most of his pay on Snap On tools (Which I knew about. ). He buys one of each apparently. You name it, he has it. I saw his garage 2 years ago. It would put most Formula 1 teams to shame with the amount of Snap On tools he has in there. All brand new, as he is NOT a mechanic. Never uses them. Just buys them for their beauty and the hell of it I think? He told me 2 years ago that he has over $120K in tools, since he started driving the Snap On van in 1996. He pays alot less than we do he said. But he wouldnt tell me the discount he is entitled to. He never owned the van, he just drove it.

 

Sears.

 

Lots and lots of swivels. Extensions. Magnetic and non-magnetic retriever. Good torque wrench. MIRRORS. Small, long fingers. Hand with 2 thumbs. Triple jointed arms. Good funnels. Compressed air. Electrical spray cleaner. Eye protection. Rags. Rags. Rags. Does snap on make rags???

 

Not sure. But if they did, they would be worth a fortune!

 

The best advice I have had from an old timer was that Craftsman tools were ok for a home mechanic except for Line Wrenches. Those should be the highest quality available such as Snap On, due to the need for very close tolerances to avoid stripping the brass fittings. As anyone who has tried both ends of the quality spectrum knows, the cheaper stuff doesn't quite fit as tight and what a pain if one of those lines is stripped.

George

 

I went to "Snap On" tools when my Craftsman 14mm wouldn't fit the Bora's hydraulic accumulator lines (Citroen owned Maserati at one time...). The Snap On fit perfectly and is an indicator of their quality.

Have you used Snap On tools?
The handles are very ergonomic, especially on the screwdriver and ratchets.

While they are higher priced, I don't think Snap On tools are out of line for a DIY. Then again, you could buy cheaper tools and when they break (or don't fit, etc...) you might spend that savings on purchasing the same tool from another manufacturer.

 

Boy you guys in Cali have it rough! You need to call Snap ON and get a better tool guy. My Snap On guy warrantees my broken drill bits! I can't tell you how many times I've warranteed tools that were....just getting old....cause I wanted a new one.

I guess I need to thank my tool pusher tomorrow by buying some gifts off the truck ;-)


d

BTW, I use most of my 20 or 30 year old craftsmen tools to hack on my mill and lathe to make those high dollar Ferrari tools. ;-) I'll have to post photos sometime for grins.

 

Aaron,

No, you read it right the first time. The roll cab cost $13K. The tools filling the box total about $30K. Want a pic of each drawer open?

I will agree that Snap-on is damned expensive but I have yet to have one of their tools fail. And as someone here mentioned, it is imperative to have top quality flare nut wrenches and Snap-on makes the best. I have an assortment of things in my box, as certain tools from certain companies feel better to work with. For instance, I don't like Snap-on box wrenches, I prefer Stahlwille. I don't like MAC screwdrivers, I prefer Hazet, etc..etc...

When you work with your hands to make a living, it is important to have tools that not only feel right but work effectively. Those on here bashing Snap-on must be in a minority. I think their stuff is top notch, but yes you do pay for it.

Some people say that the only reason a tool fails is because it was used improperly by a mechanic. That is completely false. Not that it can't and doesn't happen, but poor casting makes a tool fail and that can be dangerous! Just a month ago, I had a MAC box wrench break at the jaw opening with only slightly more than normal pressure. Could've gouged my hand on something sharp if I wasn't more conscientious about it.

Also consider normal wear on a tool. Now a DIY'er won't really notice it because his tools are only out now and then. My tools, many of which are used on a daily basis, do get worn out. Example; I've replaced enough worn out screwdrivers over the years to choke an elephant. Those were S-K. Finally had enough of that and replaced the whole set with Hazet, a German manufacturer. This was three years ago and I haven't had to send a single one back for replacement.

As for boxes, I will agree again that Snap-on boxes are expensive, but having drawers jam and locks not function properly isn't something I want to have to deal with. Yeah, you can "get by" with a Craftsman box, but in all honesty, boxes take a lot of abuse in a shop environment, you'd be surprised. I've had that chest for about 9 years and it's paid off along with everything inside of it. And if you have a peek on eBay or other such venues, you'll see that anyone selling a "master set" such as what I have, can still recoup quite a high percentage of what they originally paid for it. Probably a better return than buying some cars!

So again, Craftsman are just fine for someone wrenching on their cars at home on a Saturday morning. They can take the time to run to Sears and get a new whatever when it breaks. I don't have that luxury when I'm turning hours at the shop, nor do I have any other mechanics working with me from whom I can borrow something if I break a tool. So I rely on being able to call my tool dealers and they'll have a replacement to me right away. THAT'S what you're paying for. My Snap-on guy will bend over backwards for me. I've bought over $10K just in shop equipment from him, not including my own tools. So as you may imagine, he's on point when my number pops up on his phone.

Cheers,
Aaron
'82 GTSi
'83 400iA

 

Ha, if I received that kind of pay, I could retire!!!!

Cheers,
Aaron
'82 GTSi
'83 400iA

 

I totally agree with you here. I have had bolts in recessed cavities that only a Snap On wrench would fit. Craftsman was to thick in the box portion. Only reason for it being that thick is making it from weaker material. But even at that I have snapped the box open on Craftsman wrenches. Ditto on the flare nut wrenches, they have to be very good.

A long time ago I was trying to loosen a 3/4 inch suspension bolt on an old Chrysler. I snapped two Craftsman sockets, broke a SK breaker bar, and finally stuck a Snap On wrench on it. I slipped a 4 foot piece of pipe over the wrench, stood up on it, and jumped. I slightly bent the wrench, but the bolt turned. I dont know about MAC, but nothing else I know of would have done that and not broke. SK didnt want to warrantee the breaker bar, saying I put a pipe on it and cheated. I threw a fit saying thats BS, everyone cheats with a pipe. Snap On and Sears dont question it, but SK isnt as good? They handed me a new breaker, but I wont ever buy SK ever again.

As my father taught me when I was young, there are no cheap tools. You will keep replacing cheap tools until youve eventually paid for the good ones.

 

People don't understand unless they have really used tools before. I have a Snap-On box that is 15 years old and still feels like new. I was out of town a few months back and happened to have a Snap-On screw driver with me that was a bit worn. I saw a dealer while I was getting gas and he replaced it for me, no questions asked. The feel and performance is second to none.

 

I doubt my screwdrivers will ever see the day that they are a bit worn, with a combination of my mates and my brother borrowing them, one usally goes MIA

No arguments here about Snap On performance and public relations either