It's hard to imagine but it's true. Edit: This video is a comparison of Snap-on - VS - Harbor Freight ( MG725 / Earthquake XT ) 1/2" Impact Wrenches. Sorry for link dropping.

https://youtu.be/2MDjgY8Vwgo

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Some of the Chinese clones will give the USA moniker a run for their money. However, some of the HF stuff is just junk. BUT, they do honor their warranty without question, just like Craftsman. I have a few Snap-On tools and getting a lifetime warranty from a hand tool is not as simple as you think. For example, their ratchets will end up getting you a rebuilt kit and I believe you pay postage. At least that was my memory and I had to rebuild it. A wrench -- forget it. The truck guy will tell you the wrench is just fine and not in the "zone" for a warranty swap.

I saw a video where a guy used a snap on air hammer vs a cheaper brand.

The cheaper air hammer won.

About the torque wrenches, I have a Precision Instrument split beam 3/8".

I thought about getting a cheaper one but they're too inconsistent.

If score a good one then you're winning honestly.

Tekton makes decent tools
If you're a DIYer like majority of of, there's no need to get anything better honestly.

Tekton being Taiwanese made is a clear step above harbor freight.

I don't know of any pure junk Tekton tools, but harbor freight...

Honestly I pick and choose my cheap tools

I have U.S. Jackstands
Fluke 23/FM multimeter
Precision Instrument torque wrench

My wrenches, ratchets, and screw drivers or cheaper stuff.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Bingo ...


The stuff related to safety or precision ... may want to think going with name brand quality and staying away from the Chinese Clones ...

Agree. Not a tool but last Feb I installed a made-in-India stop valve in my '81 300SD. It lasted exactly twelve months before it failed; original lasted 36 years.

And that is the fundamental problem. You can buy cheaply made Chinese made clones and run the risk of failure but they are so cheap, it's tough not to bite ... however, when you factor in your time and aggravation (and assuming you want to keep whatever you're working on), biting the bullet for USA made or German made is really the only way to go ...

I buy little from Harbor Freight. I agree, most of their stuff is chinese junk. I've never worked as a mechanic. Had I worked as a mechanic I'd have done the snap on stuff.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

My hand tools are almost all Snap On and they're wonderful. On the rare occasion that something has simply worn (like my 1/2", 3/8 drive deep socket that has had the most use) I simply find the truck and the guy exchanges it - no hassle. I bought most of these tools in the 1983 time frame so they have plenty of miles on them. An interesting side note: the Snap Ons FEEL right in your hand. I have a couple of older (non-Chinese) Craftsman and while they work OK they simply don't fall into your hand like the Snap Ons do.

As far as the impact - my old Rodac is basically worn out and is so old that repair parts are no longer available. I do a limited amount of work in my old age and no doubt will opt for the HF. If I made a living as a mechanic I'd pop for the Snap On as it'll be going 25 years from now and if it doesn't the truck will be there every week to make it right (every Snap On guy I've ever dealt with, and there have been a number, has been excellent about making it right).

So it depends on what you need the tool to do and how often you need to do it.

Dan

Were I to be in the business I'd have a Snap On truck stop by anytime they were in near. I'd want the phone number of the local rep and have everything I owned with their label. I own a few SO tools and you're right, they feel better.

Craftsman still works for me. Most of my tools are craftsman brand. They have served me will over the years. I just had a 1/2 swivel head ratchet replaced. It's the one with the 18" handle. The old guy at the counter told me to find one like it on the shelf. He said he wasn't a tool guy and couldn't do repairs. I've used the new one and it doesn't feel right. Maybe it's because it's shinny and fresh.

I bought a 35' and a 30' measuring tape from Sears back in the late 70's. I haven't bought a new one since for Sears has replaced both on demand. They went through a short period when they had replacement blades until they figured out that the springs can fail too. The only issue I had with them was that they quit making the 30 tape and I had to settle for a 25 footer about 15 or so years ago.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

A few things.

Please post a short description of what is in the link, in time the link will go away and the thread will be less useful. Link dumping is pretty common across many boards so don't feel singled out.

Snap-On is a boutique tool company though they have some really useful stuff like torque wrenches that keep track of torque to yield angle , battery led work lights , battery mini impact wrenches.

Low line sockets are dangerous for 2 reasons. They have poor fit on bolts making them prone to slip off / round the head. They also can shatter causing sudden wrench movement and the flying shrapnel can cause injury especially if you are holding on to the socket.

SUNEX makes / sells some pretty decent stuff, their crows foot wrenches in regular and flare are great and well priced.

Sears is in the process of selling the Craftsman name to Stanley - Black & Decker.

The video is a comparison of Snap-on - VS - Harbor Freight ( MG725 / Earthquake XT ) 1/2" Impact Wrenches.

I'll edit the OP and post this description too. I apologize for 'link dropping.' I didn't know that was a thing.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

An interesting side note (well, you guys be the judge on the "interesting" part.....) - The shop I was working in at the time I bought most of the Snap Ons had several mechanics and they all had SO screwdrivers. They all had black handles in those days and screwdrivers, being the most commonly borrowed, were constantly getting lost, set aside somewhere, or stuck in the wrong box. So I bought Macs just so I could tell at a glance if they were mine (red handles). Anyhow, I've had the same set of screwdrivers since 1983ish and they've held up great, too. So maybe all "truck" tools are OK?

Dan

I had a friend who went on a rampage at work one day when another sheetrock (drywall) finisher mistakenly use one of his finishing knives. Now mind you, this was back a while ago when a it took six months to a year to break a knife in. They were crap until they limbered up.

The buddy found a bucket of owl-chit green paint and dipped the handles of all his tools in the paint.

I can't say I blame you for buying a different brand of tool just to be able to keep up with them. Oh, I've never heard a complaint about a truck tool either.

__________________
84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Here's the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUy5y7V6Px8

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.