Are Snap On Tools worth the price

Are Snap On Tools worth the price?

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Rob Faucett

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I need to buy a new ratchet set. Snap On has a great rep but I was unaware of how much more they cost!!:doh::doh:Do you guys think Snap On tools are worth the money? On average they cost something like 4x more than others (Crafstman etc.).

Thanks for you opinions.
 
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I assume you aren't going to be using them daily, like as a mechanic. If not, no, they aren't worth the extra money. In my opinion.

-Spike
 
-Spike- said:
I assume you aren't going to be using them daily, like as a mechanic. If not, no, they aren't worth the extra money. In my opinion.

-Spike
Click to expand...

Exactly. Honestly, I have some SnapOn tools and a box, and I'm not that impressed. Their quality has taken a dump in the last several years.

Craftsman is fine, but the kit ratchet handles are junk. When they break, take them in to Sears and ask to pay the difference to the "fully polished" handles. Much better. I don't have any of the crappy handles left, but I haven't broken a polished one yet.
 
For an everyday grease monkey, that would lose money on downtime from unreliable tools? Yep, sure. Otherwise, hell no. Hell, my wife's grandpa gave me some Stanley stuff from Wally's for a gift. They work just fine for trail tools, and have been okay in the garage.
 
Hard to justify buying new Snap on tools for the non-professional. Yes, they're nice, but very expensive. I'd look at Mac ratchets. I'd look for nice used Snap On or Mac tools. Don't really care too much for craftsman tools that are made these days. Very poor quality, unless you buy the fully polished "professional" line.
 
Used Craftsman for years. Can't see why you would want to pay twice the price if not more for basically the same tools.
 
Twice the price! Are you kidding??? Try more like five times the price. Snap on looks pretty and it'll impress your mechanic buddies but no way in hell are they worth that price. I used to vacation at Havasu and Parker Arizona all the time; who do you think was driving around in the $100000 to $300000 boats? The Snap-on, Mac, and Matco guys. I don't have a problem with the money they make, they've invested a large amount into a franchise and truck and inventory so they deserve the rewards of those risks but when was the last time you saw the local grease-monkey who bought all those tools out on the water in a shiny 32 - 46 foot boat? Did he make more money using those elite tools, did that 5x cost improve his bottom-line?

When your on your deathbed are you gonna say "Damn, I've owned some nice tools in my time", hell no. But take the $30000 and go see the world or buy a classic car, or a nice boat, etc. and, on your death bed, you'll likely say "Damn, those times we had traveling the world, or with the family at the lake during summers, or cruising the strip on the weekends and bench racing with the guys where some of the most memorable times of my life."

Heck ya the stuff is nice but no way is it that amazing.
 
For the non professional, Snap On is not worth the extra $$$. Yes, I have a S/O roll around box and it is full of S/O tools; but only one socket was purchased new, off the truck. Have found all the others at pawn shops and even garage sales. They are great tools; but craftsman, blackhawk, sk do just as well for weekend wrenching. Have a box full of these in the shop and in the small box in the truck.
 
To edit my last post, I should say that if you need a "professional" grade roll-away, you'll have no choice but to second mortgage your house and buy one of the big three brand ones. None of the other "lesser" brands make anything near as rugged or large. Buy used, like ar2stp48 says, and you'll save at least half the cost of new. Craigslist is filled with used tools and boxes being sold by retiring and out of work mechanics at a huge discount to new. You'll still be blown away by how expensive the tools are, and the best values are those that include everything under the sun for $5000 to $15000 or so. the good thing about the expensive tools is that everyone who owns them treats them like gold, why not;they cost as much, so you'll get used tools in new condition every time. Also, the big three do rebuild their air tools for a reasonable price. I have Mac impacts and the 1/2 would cost about 70 - 100 to send in for a complete rebuild.
 
I havent bought tools in a while. I do have the all fully pol craftsmen. but seen them lately they have been getting cheaper. I have use craftsmen all my life working on cars. but I use alot of snap on. mac and others being in the shop alot. and having a student 50% off discount is nice.


Eric
 
snap-on is not a good value for me,,, i used to be a craftsman guy, but they seem to have gone downhill over the years. i tried a few tools from husky at home depot, ended up trading all my craftsman for husky in the pilot program and have not regretted it.

i would put the husky brand with the craftsman polished pro line, same look and feel, maybe the same maker. home depot is much more convenient than sears for me so thats what really makes it.
 
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I have some tools from all of the big guys .

I bought my snap on mac and matco stuff used for a steal. Husky and Craftman and Lowes stuff new
The problem with the Big "3" is the dealers dont want to know you unless you have a account with them (and owe them cash) Walk ups cost them money on warranty stuff.
So far Ive not taken any of the HD or lowes stuff back but I do like the feel of them and havent broke one yet .
The craftman stuff I got theres a few broken that Ive not taken back and they are the last ones I pick up anymore as they feel like hell with the crappy finish and casting .
Is it worth it new ,no way . used for the same price as new from the others ,yes
 
For me, craftsman tools are good for trail duty and loaning out. I won't loan out my good tools to anyone.
Look around on craigslist. I have seen some really good deals out there on tools since the economy is tanking.

Snap on ratchets are nice, but I prefer Mac ratchets to snap on. Cornwell makes a nice ratchet too.
 
Snap on

You will find that even for a full time pro mechanic Snap on is an expensive option--do I like them, well yes they're pretty. Do I need them nah not really


I bought MATCO for my main set and never regretted it but also snap on MAC and several others that are just as good

There is a diff between hobbyist tools like Craftsman and pro tools like MAC/Snap On/MATCo etc. Not only in how they last but how well they do the job

Buy pro tools and you wont regret it and you will find each brand has a tool that just does the job so well it becomes a favorite you reach for again and again
 
Michael Hanson said:
I have been buying old american made tools in garage sales,the quality is excellent compared to todays tools.
Click to expand...

That would be the case with most tools such as a milling maching, lathe, sheet metal brake, shears, etc.

Craftsmans tools from 15-25 years ago were MUCH MUCH better than the crap today. I have craftsman ratchet that I bought in 80's that is still holding up after replacing the insides once. Of course it was made by Stanley back then.

Stanley tools made in the USA is an excellent buy also. SK Tools is another good tool company. I have SK combo wrenches and they're very nice and reasonably prices. You can buy a 15 piece fully polished set for around $100.

This is the one of the metric sets I have.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SK-1...318QQhashZitem140254737897QQitemZ140254737897
 
trail tools to me = Harbor freight..

course, I would never use a HF ratchet, even on the trail..
 
Most of my stuff is craftsman and sk but i do have a set of 3/8 drive swivel sockets from snap on and they are totally worth the money. Now i need to save up some more so i can get the deepwell set! Other than the swivel sockets and a few rachets i dont see anything that snap on has that you cant get cheaper elsewhere.
 
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