Snap-On tools. Are they worth it?

I have quite a few Craftsman tools and rarely break them while working on bikes, yet I do manage to break a couple of sockets a year on four wheeled vehicles and their Philips screw drivers don't stand up well.

I managed to buy small set of used Snap-on wrenches, sockets and screwdrivers from a retired mechanic a few years ago. The quality of Snap-on stuff is top notch. I especially like their screw drivers, they never break whereas I always managed to wear out Craftman Philips screwdrivers - since there is no Sears store here, only a catalogue outlet, replacing them under warranty is time consuming where the Snap-on guy just comes by my place, takes the broken tool from me and gives me a new one on the spot.

Are Snap on tools worth it? NO. There are plenty of other makes around such as, Sidcrome, Kincrome, Stanley, Minimax with just a good as lifetime warranty, exceptional finish and comfortable in hand and with out the price tag. Most tools today are made of Chromed , Vanadium steel (same steel T Ford chassis are made of) so there shouldnt be much if any variation in strength. These tools handle every day rugged use. I admit to buying the best quality allen wrenches or keys I can buy, Stahl Willie (German) for instance as Allen heads can hang on pretty tight!
I have to go along with Swooshdaves recommendation on the Metrich tools. Ive recommended these before on this forum as I have given my Metrich sockets a hard time on the farm with out no failures. The rachet handle is a copy of the Snapon and the finish is as good.
We all have a bottom line to abide by and most of course "petty coat governments" influencing what we can afford?!
If I had Jay Leno,s income and garage, I would definately have Snapon to match all the other pretty stuff!
Foxy

I own one Snap On tool. A 1/2 drive torque wrench I bought used. I do have Mac ratchets, Mac screwdrivers and a couple of Mac specialty tools. After that it's a mixture of Husky, sold by Home Depot, and Craftsman. One thing about Craftsman, lay a broken tool on the counter and they immediately replace it. No questions asked. If were to start all over, with money still being tight, I'd buy Snap On or Mac ratcheting torque wrenches, Snap On or Mac ratchets and Snap On or Mac screw drivers and Bondhus style T-handle allen wrenches. After that, many tool brands have some fine fit and finish tools. I suspect they are all coming from the same plant. My Whitworth sockets and wrenches (spanners) are Britool, made in England. I bought them from Bob Raber (Raber's Parts Mart) years ago. They are twelve point sockets and twelve point combination wrenches. Very good quality. When I hit the lottery, I'll buy a Snap On truck, unload what I want and sell the truck to someone else.

JimC said:

When I hit the lottery, I'll buy a Snap On truck, unload what I want and sell the truck to someone else.

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Which leaves me thinking, I don't know why anyone would bother heisting a Brinks truck when they could make out better with a Snap-On truck! Safer, too, unless they've taken to armed guards as well.

My Dad made a living with his tools and all he would buy was snapon tools. I now have all his tools in my garage and they will probably be around for my Grandson. I've bought many different tools over the years but none are as nice as good old snapon. As good as they are, you have to find a snapon truck to return your broken tools. Not hard for guys in places where the trucks come by weekly. For the average guy though it"s hard to beat craftsman.

Foxy said:

Are Snap on tools worth it? NO. There are plenty of other makes around such as, Sidcrome, Kincrome, Stanley, Minimax with just a good as lifetime warranty, exceptional finish and comfortable in hand and with out the price tag.
Foxy

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I always thought Stanley only made wood working tools until I ended up with one combination wrench I got with a bunch of used tools. I'm really impressed with the design and finish of this really solid wrench and have thought I'd keep and eye out for more. I just googled stanley wrench and can't believe the price of a whole set, $16.99 If they are anything like I have here they are a steel.

http://stanley.links.channelintelligenc ... &nRGID=531

I got a low profile socket set the other day. I'm blown away by the quality and the mechanical construction is miles ahead of the Craftsmen socket set I have now as far as the ratchets go.

Needless to say I'm on ebay now hunting for a used 1/2" drive set since new ones are a fortune.

Coco said:

I need some new ratcheting wrenches. I don't like buying crap but I don't want to waste my money on a name. Snap-On is probably twice the price of a similar Craftsmen set I'm looking at. Cheap tools break, wear out fast and need to be replaced so I want a good set of ratcheting wrenches. I have some Craftsmen sockets and they are decent that I've been happy with. I do own some ratcheting wrenches from Canadian Tire (probably a step down from the better Craftsmen stuff) and the quality is not so great.

Yay or nay to Snap-On?

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Buy the best you can afford.

I don't like Snap-Ons, they're too shiny and don't grip well with oily hands.

I'm with Ludwig. Stahwille just sit in the hand so nicely but in some Whit. sizes, contrary to appearances, Gedore actually have slightly thinner jaws. I enjoy using the Gedore 3/8" drive sockets, they have nice fine ratchets.

I don't suppose that I have more than half a dozen spanners from any one manufacturer but they all have a specific job on the bike.

Hi in my view the only problem with Snap on is the addictive way we buy them, The van arrives each week and off you trot to "just have a look" and end up coming away with a set of wobbly 1/4 drive sockets that I now know I cant possibly live without. How did we ever find that screwdriver when the handle wasn't dayglo? And for years I made do with one small crowbar, now I couldn't even think of working without my dayglo prybar set! Standard ratchet, stubby ratchet, long ratchet, wobbly ratchet and make the tea and tune into radio 4 ratchet. 1/4,3/8,1/2,3/4. What next?

Ps have the hat, jacket, overalls and sweatshirt. waithing for a snap on thong!

Regards Bob

Their wobble sockets/extensions would make Snap On superb even if they were the only thing they ever made!

Hi Mike

I absolutly agree, I used to work on light aircraft and one airframe/engine had an exhaust manifold nut that you couldnt get on unless you used a 1/4 drive wobble socket.

I made up a 4' extention with 3/8 drive at the ratchet end and 1/4 at the socket end.

Regards Bob

MexicoMike said:

Their wobble sockets/extensions would make Snap On superb even if they were the only thing they ever made!

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I was working in a restoration shop back in 1980 when the Snap-on guy first came around with the wobbly extension set. 'How much for the set?' I asked. $45 was the reply. 'How much for the 1-1/2" extension by itself' I asked. $5.50 was the reply. I bought the short wobbly and was able to turn all my extensions into wobblies. Mr. Snap-on was not happy, but I was a kid making $300 a week, and couldn't justify $45.

Bought a 1/4" drive long handle fine tooth ratchet a couple of weeks ago - $74(!)... Cheap, I guess, compared to what the wife spends at Talbots.