Snap On tools
 

Ok,

So I have looked around since I am in the frenzy of buying new tools and snap on tools seem way over priced. What makes them so freaking too special. Why do people buy tools that are 10 times are much than a less known brand that offers the same lifetime guarantee?

It might be my ignorance but I see a logic to it, convince me otherwise!!!

Peter

Well, did Orange County Choppers build a bike for the cheaper tool companies? :D

Well, it's hard to justify Snap- On tools unless you are a professional or just have a lot of extra money to burn. But consider this, Snap-On is quality and guaranteed for life like a lot of others. But, will the others finance $thousands worth of tools AND come to your shop to replace them when necessary??

well buying 2 ratchet sets and a torque wrench and youre up to $thousands, will they come to my house if I need a socket replaced within 10-20 min if im on a schedule or is a quick hop to home depot to buy a new one for 1/100th of the cost seem much easier.

I think what the Cap'n means is that they'll come to the shop you work at to replace the tool. I've never heard of a Snap-On rep going to someones house.
I have a busted Snap-On (or should I say Snap-off) tool and I'd like to find a place to exchange it.

Snap-On is pretty much geared toward professionals. Most pros have a shop and they come by weekly. I have stopped the Snap-On truck on the highway before and bought/replaced tools. Also keep in mind that Snap-On also offers tech support and upgrades for the industry professionals.

I have both a snap-on ratchet and a craftsman and the snap-on's ratcheting gear has a shorter angle of engagement than any of the craftsman and can take a bit more weight on the mechanism before slipping. Don't know if it's worth the price since all my snap-on stuff are hand me downs.

The fact that thay CAN be handed down is the key. Nobody ever shows off their hand - me - down "Globemaster" tools.;)

I have numerous hand-me-down Craftsmans that I will some day hand down.:)

They also offer on the spot financing with no credit check, where the mechanics can sign an agreement and walk away with the tools they want/need. Then they just have to make weekly payment on the balance. Its kinda hard not to pay the guy when he pulls up to your shop and calls you by your first name.

if you have ever worked in a shop(I worked the front desk in a busy import shop) the snap on man mehanic relationship is very complex. visions of having every tool in the truck some day may be the sole motivation for getting back under that damn VW rabbit after your wonderfull lunch from the snack truck. And Santa shows up every week with his line of credit and the most wonderfull toys in the world.........

William Rogers........

When you break a craftsman ratchet, and bust all your knuckles, you will quickly learn why snap on ratchets are far superior.

Hazet tools are pretty expensive, but I like Snap on, and Hazet the best. I like Stahlwille as well. German allen heads fit better in mercedes screws I think, so I go with those. I dont buy mac tools because the owner of the truck never returned my calls in high school, he thought I was some dumb kid wasting his time. So I droped probably 10k in tools to the snap on man in the last three years, and I just work on cars as a hobby.

I am a big fan of buying something once and keeping it around.

They are worth the money.

I agree. I spent over $5K on Snap On tools twenty three years ago for my short stunt as a mechanic when I fresh out of college. I am still using the same set of tools for all my chores.

I have an old Craftsman ratchet that I like a lot. The Snap On man tells me that it was made by Snap On.

For me, Snap On is worth the extra money, especially when trying to do things like loosen an old rusted nut with an open end wrench. It may be my imagination, but my Snap On wrenches seem to grip nuts and bolts better than other brands. I think they are less likely to buggar up the work. Snap On tools also look nice and feel good in your hand.

When I set out to rebuild my 50 HP Perkins diesel engine, I figured there was no point in using mediocre torque wrenches. I had a pair of SK torque wrenches that didn't hold their calibration, so I went ahead and got a pair of Snap On torque wrenches. They were unbelievably expensive, but I bet I never need to replace them. I am about to send them in for re-calibration after two years of light use. I would hope that they won't need adjusting, but it will be interesting to see.

By the way, the Perkins is up to 15 hours on the hour meter and it hasn't blown up yet. Imagine that.

BTW you can pickup quality Snap-On, MAC and Matco tools at pawn shops for just a fraction of their original price.

I heard somewhere that Home Depot Husky brand hand tools are manufactured by one of those three--anyone know something about that? How much does Snap-On charge to recalibrate their torque wrenches? My 3/8 drive is close to 20 years old now, and probably wayyyy overdue.