I think Snap On charges something like $30 to calibrate. I use my torque wrenches so infrequently that I figured I would get them done once and see whether they are close to being within calibration. If so, then I probably won't worry about doing it again for a long time.

As far as comparing Snappy (or you can also include other "upper-end" tools which have been mentioned here, such as Matco, MAC, Haxet, et al) with the lower brand or no-names (Buffalo, Craftsman, Globemaster) it can be looked at like lots of other fields of goods. Mercedes vs Kia for example. Both transportation, sure, but most of the similarities end there. Snap On is "professional grade" stuff, has a better look and feel to it, but Snappy or Craftsman can both do the same job. Or I'm sure Omegabenz can relate to this; how about a Timex vs an Omega or Rolex? Both tell time, but you don't see Omega in the same spot normally that they sell Timex. Whole different league, whole different class. Either you aspire to own the best, or you just want something that'll get the job done. Nothing wrong with either route you take, either you want to spend extra and get something you feel is superior, or you feel any amount of money beyond what is absolutely neccesary to get the job done is a waste.....

Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Gilly,

That was all said very nicely. If you want to know why I have an Omega, just read the cars and watches thread. I know you have.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Austin
I have an Omega too, and a big 'ol box of Snappys, 'course they used to make me my living.
Not to change the subject too much (well OK I'm changing the subject) I had to return the new Speedy (moonwatch) I originally got, because the Tachy function didn't work correctly. Got my new replacement this week and seems to work fine.

Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Gilly,

Yeah, I remember the thread you couldn't decide. The speedy is one of my favorites, but that is kind of bad that the chronometer didn't work. I hope the new one will be perfect. When you get it, email me, I know how to get to COSC certificate for omegas.

Yeah, I dont have as many tools as a pro mechanic, but I have a lot of them. Speaking of nice tools, Im selling one of my klann spring compressors. I bought three of them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2481292715

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Being an ametour mechanic with a slim budget for tools, I have a Husky socket set, a set of Craftsman wrenches, and a collection of various other bits and pieces. It gets the job done.
With Snap-On, you're paying for quite possibly the best tool made and the best support and customer service. And you're paying out the nose. I really don't think you can cost-justify the expense unless you either have the money to burn or you're making good money as a full-time mechanic and can put the best of the best to almost continuous use. Sure you can get the tools and make payments, same as you can buy a new semi and make payments, but it's extra overhead that you may or may not be able to handle.
Personally, I don't think I've ever run into anything that I used one of my Craftsman or Husky tools on where I felt better quality would be especially helpful. Seems you can always use more tools, but I've found as long as you're using something of reasonable quality (and I've broken a few "Made in China/Taiwan" tools we have laying around) it's not going to make or brake your ability to get the job done. So like I said, sure they're the best, but it's a whole lot of wasted money to be putting into something if you can't put it to good use.

__________________
Once and future king:
'64 Ford Fairlane w/approx 238,000 - looks rough, but amazingly reliable if you know how to look after it; I will soon begin work to totally restore and modernize it.
Family vehicles that I lay some claim to:
'78 300D w/approx 350,000 original, '62 Ford F100 4x4, '90 Ford E150 w/171,000 original

It is your personal prerogative because when I got hurt using craftsman tools, I vouched to never use them again unless I was forced to.

When you round off bolts and nuts with craftsman sockets and you have to borrow your friends Snapon stuff to extract the old bolt, why not just start with snapon wrenches and not round over bolts. Craftsman stuff flexes too much.

Do you know how much work goes into making a snapon wrench? They actually forge the whole wrench instead of cast it then bend the box-end end.

Yeah, husky, craftsman, etc can get you by...but if you live the mercedes lifestyle, might as well have the best tools to go with it.

It is your personal preference in the end. And how much it matters to you.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Snap-On tools are awsome! Their just a lot nicer, they feel better in your hand. Snap-On and Craftsman really dont compare. Think Mercedes to Chevy.

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

To truely live lifestyle, buy the snap-ons for your manservant who takes care of your cars.

I am ofcourse kidding...well, sort of.

__________________
I'd rather argue against a hundred idiots, than have one agree with me. — Winston Churchill

Thats it right there, they offer financing and convinience. Plus I guess for the pro using tools 8-10 hrs a day, it might make a difference.

On a side note, you can pick up whole tool sets / chests for a decent price used, when the reps repo unpaid tool sets.... I looked into that one time, and then breaking it down and reselling in pieces...

__________________
1995 E320 smoke silver / parchment

Pages of both new and used Snap on tools on Ebay............

William Rogers...............

I've got alot of snap on over the years and they are certainly veru nice to use and I've only broken one 3/8th drive socket by overdoing it. Craftman tools used to be real nice too though a little more fragile. They quit making their nice 3/8ths thin walled sockets years ago. Those where great for working on some of the old benzos in tight spaces.

Recently I've discovered some high grade chromed forged combo wrenches from wall mart. they are of chinese manufacture and have a nice feel like the snap on wrenches. $9.00 for a set 6MM to 19mm. Heck I bought three sets. Keep a set in each car and one in the plane. They're great. Stinking chinese!

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Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)