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NCC Forum Home Page -> NCC - General Discussion -> Tool Debate - Why Snap-On, or Craftsman, or ??
Post Info TOPIC: Tool Debate - Why Snap-On, or Craftsman, or ??
John D


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Tool Debate - Why Snap-On, or Craftsman, or ??
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I started this thread to continue our discussion/pro/con of tools.

 

(I'd like to leave the other post "clean", as Snap-On was very courteous to me)



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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5

2018 Factory Five MkIV Roadster build thread
Dan Williams


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RE: Snap-On Tools pt.3
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About 30 years ago,I had a half dozen friends that worked there. Kind of lost track of most of them. Quality control is high, was on the list for scratch and dent back in the early 80's for a year or so, they just never have any.angry



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Forest City, IA
Lost in the 60s


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Dan Williams wrote:

About 30 years ago,I had a half dozen friends that worked there. Kind of lost track of most of them. Quality control is high, was on the list for scratch and dent back in the early 80's for a year or so, they just never have any.angry

They usually get "scratched or dented" during shipping or assembly/loading by the mobile distributor and sold off the trucks. I had to pass on a REALLY nice Yellow hot dog stand size box with a dent in one end a few years ago because I still couldn't afford the "discount" cost. It was a 2k reduction but the box still cost 5k...doh

Thanks for the pics, John. Nice to know some things are still hand made in the USA...thumbsup

 



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
Derek69SS


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Cool stuff, but I can't see how anyone can justify their prices. headscratch



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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
Chris R


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It doesnt make any sense to buy Snap On tools if your just a guy working in his garage at home. Working in the field is a whole different story. Many of the tools Snap-On makes are way better then the next nearest competitor. Thier scan tools are much easier to navagate and operate IMO compared to others and they do make one of the nicest tool boxes you will ever find. Of course you end up paying for those qualities and im glad I did. 5K snap on scanner I bought I got my moneys worth back out of in work in the field.

I have my dream Snap On tool box that actually retailed off the truck for 12 grand. But I traded in a Matco box I had bought for 3 grand in. Which they gave me 6 grand for plus they offered several grand in rebates off the price even further to make the deal way worth it. I took a bunch of the rebates and rolled them back to snap on for a stainless steel top and a nice hutch on top. After all is said and done. I had less then 4 grand invested in the entire deal where boxes half this size from Snap On started at 4,500.

After all is said and done though. Thats about it for Snap On tools I have. Accept for a super handy cordless electric screwdriver that kicks *()^)*&%^ for doing dash work. Its a super sweet tool that was probably the best 100 dollars I ever spent off the truck. Totally love that tool.

There is also a cheap tool Snap On sells that everyone needs and to my knowledge. Only snap on sells it and its less then 10 bucks. Its a handy tool that grabs the bottom of windshield arms that have a push on fit like Chevelles and all other GM cars had, as well as many other models. It grabs under the wiper arm and allows the tension to release enough to get the arm off the splined shaft. Big thanks to Karl for turning me on to that little tool at a January meeting about 6 or 7 years ago. Boy has that thing come in handy too. 



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Chris - Ramsey, MN.

Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist.

While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water. I drank it!

Sincerly,

The opportunist.
John D


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"It doesnt make any sense to buy Snap On tools if your just a guy working in his garage at home"

I'll disagree on a few points, but let me clarify:

 

Wrenches... You'll never go back to anything after working with a Snap-On wrench. Other brands will cut your hand (on the open end), the angle of the box end is wrong, they're too bulky, the length is either too short or too long... If you can afford a 5/16" to 3/4" set of "Snappy's" go for it

Socket and ratchets - Craftsman, Proto, whoever are fine... until you get into the hernia-rendering sizes of fasteners 11/16" and up, or an exceptionally tight-quarters fastener. There is a difference, and a Snap-On socket will remove a gut buster that another will just round off, or fit into a space 'cause they're less bulky.

(There is a reason they are expensive. They are the best. I'm using tools my Dad purchased in the late 1940s, and other than a few nicks in the chrome, they still fit fasteners better than brand new stuff (of any brand). And the stuff I own is even better).

JohnSrsbox.jpg

I will agree that there's something fishy about an empty steel box costing the better part of 5 digits... but again, you'll only buy one once... unless you trade it in and "upsize" to another Snap-On box. (Why do people "trade-in" Matco's, MAC's, and others if Snap-On is so outrageous??)

 My advise on tools is buy the best you can afford... it's not a lost investment. There's nothing more annoying than a failed tool at a critical time.



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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5

2018 Factory Five MkIV Roadster build thread
Lost in the 60s


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I have to agree with John on quality and fit. I have a number of Snap-On and Matco tools from my days as a full time wrench. After the frustration of Craftsman tools not making the cut or breaking prematuraly, I started buying Snap-On and Matco. I used the common size wrenches and impact sockets so much that I wore them to the point of needing replacement. Not a peep from the distributor about it either, just handed me new tools. When you use tools for 8 hours a day and amke a living from them, there is no substitute for quality and fit. I still have the Matco roll cab and top box that I bought in the early 80's and aside from the paint rusting off the bottom from caustic floor cleaners at the shop I worked at, they are still in very good condition. My problem is I've continued to acquire many more tools to deal with working on a semi, restorations and body work, that I now have 3 tool boxes and need more storage. I may have to spring for a hot dog stand some day to get them all in one place.



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
SShink


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I've posted about the GarageJournal.com site before, but this tool/box discussion sent me there again. 

Here's the link to the tool discussion portion of their site that talks tools, boxes, vintage, and old world tools:  http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Some pretty cool stuff in there.



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Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

2001 Mustang GT Convertible 

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 
bowtie


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RE: Tool Debate - Why Snap-On, or Craftsman, or ??
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I use Craftsman. For me, it started when I was a kid. Dad bought me a basic set of Craftsman tools and I have built it up form there. Mostly due to cost, I have stayed with Craftsman. Even though I see a Snap-On truck every week when I leave for the day, I just can't afford to replace what I have. If I were starting out new, I would probably go snap-on. Another factor is that I can bring a tool in to a Sears any day of the week at almost any time of day and get a new one. I have broken very few tools-most have been screwdrivers and some pliers, and there has never been any hassle with that either. It also seems when I need a certain socket, I can find it at my Sears. I do have a used tool place by work which I stop into every so often, and they have good sets, but even those are usually really high priced. (but you can buy a crappy Craftsman one there and go right to sears to get a new one in trade....)

As in most things, the higher priced things are better, but it's up to you to justify the price on your own.

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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more
Derek69SS


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I have mostly Craftsman, but have a few Snap-On and MAC hand tools that are awesome.

I completely understand the justification for the high-end tools... it's the high-end toolbox that I can't wrap my mind around, probably because I've never had the pleasure of using one.

...then again, most people probably couldn't "justify" half the stuff I spend my money on. cuckoo



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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
John D


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Found a few cool links on YouTube:

How It's Made - Snap-On Wrenches

How It's Made - Snap-On Sockets

How It's Made - Snap-On Toolboxes

These vids really give an insite into how much "hand" work, and attention to detail goes into the creation of the tools (and justifying the high-cost).



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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5

2018 Factory Five MkIV Roadster build thread
Dave Seitz


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I have Craftsman, Mac, a few Snap On things left, and machinists tools plus a big tool box with all sorts tools in it.

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dashboard


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Some years ago, Consumers Reports did a report on hand tools ie: wrenches, sockets and ratchets. They where all there Mac, Kennedy, Snap On, Craftsman, SK Wayne and several others.

They tested the tools for comfort, functionality, quality of manufacturing and precision. All tools where then tested to failure.

Now I know this sounds nuts, I just spent the last hour trying to find the report on line and could not.

The best tool as tested by CR 20 years ago….“BENCH TOP” sold only at K Mart.

I have several in my box and really like them.

I agree with Derrick, Snap on is over priced.  2cents



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Kevin

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