They're nice, almost Snap-on looking, tools but their adapters are not guaranteed. I found out the hard way. I broke a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer and when I took it back to have it replaced, they told me it wasn't guaranteed like the sockets and wrenches. Baxter's Auto parts, where I bought it, did replace it that one time but told they wouldn't the next time.
IMO, stay away from S-K.

My trade isn't where I use the tools eight hours a day, five to six days a week either. So I can see where fatigue failure comes into play.

< $20 a year, for the last 20 years. Anyone can repair cars with a $10k tool set, but it takes brains to do it on the cheap.

I once lived next door to a guy that had $6k in tools in his garage, right along side his 3 cars that were less than 2 years old. I asked him why he had the tools, and he said "It seemed like a good idea at the time." :)

Joe

Probably around $50. tops....If I need something I don't have for a 1X use I ask my old Indy mechanic to borrow his and he's OK with that. He doesn't work on MB's so no $$$ lost.

I personally spent about $350-400 on tools last year, my dad spent an additional $700-900 or so. This year its only been about $20-30 for either of us, we have so many now that the numbers should hopefully fall dramatically....

You answered your own question. Had that 18MM wrench been a Snap On, it would NOT HAVE CRACKED!!!!! If it had cracked, you would have had the same warranty except he would come to you, you would not have to go to the Sears store.

Anyone who recommends Craftsman tools over SnapOn has very obviously never used both brands of tools on a daily basis.

The problem is that Snap On has gotten even crazier with their prices and have started moving away from their old warranty. Hard tools such as wrenches and sockets are no trouble on warranty, but things that can wear such as screwdriver handles and ratchets, they don't deal with the same as they used to. I expect that there will be a class action suit against Snap On at one point by some of the older customers who bought their tools under a different agreement than what Snap On now honors.

I had some Snap On screwdrivers that were about 35 years old and I finally took several to the tool truck for warranty with handles worn out and slipping off. He would only warranty them by charging me the difference of the handles. Since they were such expensive pieces to buy new, I did it, but this was in violation of the warranty under which they were purchased new.

If I were a young tech starting out, I'm not sure if I would be buying from the Snap On man or not, but the fact remains, they are THE BEST HANDTOOLS, PERIOD, END OF STORY. Now whether or not they are worth todays prices with todays warranty is a different matter.


As far as $3K worth of tools go, if they are Snap On, it will only take one trip from the tool truck to the toolbox to haul $3K worth of tools.

What I WON'T buy from Snap On is their toolboxes. I agree that there are no boxes any better, but those big fancy toolboxes cannot make you a DIME. More often than not, when I see a $10K Snap On toolbox it is either full of junk tools or it is nearly empty. OCCASIONALLY you will see a tech with a BIG Snap On box, packed with Snap On tools but that is rare, and if you do find one he will not be a young guy. I have yet to see anyone use a toolbox to loosen or tighten a fastener.

My $0.02,

I spend at least 3000.00 to 5000.00$ a year easy.Mig's plasma,tigg etc etc...and there's no end in sight!

While I agree that Snap On are the best tools out their and I have used them extensively. I know how sweet they are.:cool: For the weekend diy'er I just cannot justify the cost to upgrade from Craftsman to Snap On. Many of the Craftsman tools I use today my dad purchased 20 years ago and they still work perfectly fine. If one breaks I take a quick ride to Sears and get a replacement.

If I worked on cars everyday for a living I would invest in Snap On tools, but considering I may only use my 1/2 drive a couple of times a month it just isn't worth it.

If I had $3000 to spare, I'd be all over a plasma cutter. :D Goodbye die grinder!

AFAIK, Snap-On won't come to your home.:P

If you are a for real customer, the Snap On guy will stop by your house, or meet you somewhere, no problem.

Good luck,

I have a Snap On tool that I've been trying for over 20 years to get replaced. It's been a pain to coordinate with one of the Snap On guys. They're never around when I can meet one.

That is not reasonable.
 

At the shop where I work, we see the Snap-On, MAC and Matco trucks...the Cromwell guy never comes in. I just watched an apprentice mechanic buy his first "real" Snap-On box, a bright blue Classic 78 box. He has about 20 tools in it, but as long as you don't open the drawers, it looks like he knows what he's doing. One of the body men claims to have in excess of $100K in tools and boxes in his bay, he has almost 30 running feet of boxes, all in matching bright Snap-On red with stainless steel counter tops. I don't turn wrenches for a living, but have spoken to the Snap-On guy about getting a used set...he says he can save me a bundle on a set he repo'd, but the guy can still bail the tools out (apparently has a 30 day window to retrieve the tools) so I have to wait a bit.

I have many Snap On tools and yes the rep does stop by,of course he visits his big customers first ...