Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy

[RobertN]

I can see a tool breaking once, maybe twice in its life time, but I just don't enjoy going to Sears and the likes to return the product. I'm a horrible shopper, there is simply no joy going to the store for me. When a tool breaks, I'm typically covered in grease, irritated and have no desire to run off to get the guaranteed tool replaced. I suppose that is what is at the heart of my post.

You just really hit the nail on the head there... Tools usually break when
- your already dirty
- It's late, so most stores aren't open to return the tool anyways
- It's a 45-60 minute drive back and forth to return the tools
- The person at the return counter does not understand because they have never turned a wrench
- You're bleeding from where the skin is missing from your hands and fingers where your hand crashed in to the sharp object on the other side of the bolt that you were putting a lot of pressure on when the ratchet/socket/breaker/screwdriver broke.
- You're really ticked off...
- You need the truck for work the next day

It's one thing to shop for new tools. It is another thing to have to run out to return/fix something

 

[Ifixcars]

Craftsman's upgrade/pro series tools seem nice to me. High polish, nice casting, finish etc. I never really had any problems with my old style Craftsman 1/2" ratchet, I've used and abused it at home for 30 years. Yeah, it has a coarse, heavy mechanism, and is a tad short, leading to cheater pipe usage but has held up fine. I broke the head open on a SK of the same length, and it took months to get a free replacement. It hat a better feel, with a nicer mechanism, and knurled round grip. I like a round grip better than the Craftsman's kind of flat narrow grip. I still have the replacement SK, and use it for medium duty 1/2 jobs at work. I have an extra long Snap on 1/2" I use for anything that needs more umph. I move up to a bigger tool if I have problems. I generally don't use cheater pipes at work, I step up to 3/4" tools if I can't pull the extra long. I have broken teeth on 1/4" Snap on ratchets, because sometimes tight spaces demand small tool abuse. Generally though, if I can get an air tool on something that would require a 1/2" ratchet, I go that route. I generally don't grunt off too many larger fasteners. I have Mac ratchets, and like them too. But I had problems through the years with MAC and Matco dealers coming and going, and had stretches of years without dealers. My Snap on guy has been regular for 20 years, so I feel more comfortable buying from him, cause I know if I break it, I can get a new one easily. Ease of replacement is important to me. Sears has always replaced my broken stuff without questions. Not that I break all that much, but I've not had a problem. I use mostly Snap on and Mac at work, with a few Craftsman old style wrenches and socket sets mixed in.

 

[VA_Joe]

What I've never understood is why there isn't anything between the $20-$30 dollar consumer set and the $200 professional set in both price and quality (and this is just for nine or ten sockets - without rachet). Making good tools is not difficult (well understood principles - no magic involved).

MAC, Snap-On, and etc. are just too expensive for the homeowner/occasional user. Although pros need high quality/dependable tools - I've never really understood how just starting out VOTEC grads can afford even the most basic Snap-On starter sets (other than financing that will keep them in hock for the next five years).

With that said - from looking at the Snap-On website - it appears they may have closed the gap. It appears that the blue-point product line is a prosumer line (Snap-On calls it "mid-tier"). The prices appear to be in line with what Lowes was selling under the Kobalt name (i.e. $30 rachets vice $80). You might want to give them a try.

Joe

 

[Farmwithjunk]

SNAP-ON. They aren't cheap as we all know, but having a wrench break while you're in a bind to get a piece of equipment up and running and back in the field isn't "cheap" either. Snap-On tools "fit" nuts and bolt better. You don't round off bolt heads. I've dealt with 4 different Snap-On dealers since I bought my tools 20+ years back. They all seemed to be proud and happy to help a satisfied customer on those rare occasions when you do need help.

A bit of advice though. Buy a SECOND set of cheap tools if you have a son who likes to work on dirt bikes. That goes a long way to keep family harmony at peak levels AND keep your Snap_on tools where they belong. This much I do know.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I go with the TSC hand tools lately - seems to last for a reasonable price. Of course, I can brake anything if I try hard enough, but thats not the point.

Usually have everything at least twice - complete set in my Jeep and another in my shop. Last big purchase of tools were sae and metric ratcheting wrenches from Costco. I am quite happy with them.

 

[DieselPower]

What I've never understood is why there isn't anything between the $20-$30 dollar consumer set and the $200 professional set in both price and quality (and this is just for nine or ten sockets - without rachet). Making good tools is not difficult (well understood principles - no magic involved).

MAC, Snap-On, and etc. are just too expensive for the homeowner/occasional user. Although pros need high quality/dependable tools - I've never really understood how just starting out VOTEC grads can afford even the most basic Snap-On starter sets (other than financing that will keep them in hock for the next five years).

With that said - from looking at the Snap-On website - it appears they may have closed the gap. It appears that the blue-point product line is a prosumer line (Snap-On calls it "mid-tier"). The prices appear to be in line with what Lowes was selling under the Kobalt name (i.e. $30 rachets vice $80). You might want to give them a try.

Joe

VoTech students in my area actually can buy Snap On tool set's at about half price when they graduate. I have worked with a couple of VoTech students over the years that purchased rather nice roll away tool box's with a rather complete set of tools at very good prices. Good advertisement for Snap On and a great way to ensure they get repeat business in the future from them.

Snap On does have their mid line tools, Blue Point. Mac sells Blackhawk as their mid line tools. Matco, well not everyone has a mid line tool selection.

Interesting note to add to the memory banks. Snap On owns Williams tools. Williams tools owns Kobalt. I don't think the packages have it on them anymore but a few years ago on the packages of Kobalt tools they actually had the Williams name in small print on the back. You would be amazed at how many companies Snap On actually owns, they are the tool god's.

 

[Bird]

Matco, well not everyone has a mid line tool selection.

You mean you've never noticed their Red Line stuff?

VoTech students in my area actually can buy Snap On tool set's at about half price when they graduate.

I have a grandson who thinks he wants to do that instead of regular college, and yes, he'd get a nice set of Snap-On tools considerably cheaper than regular retail.

 

[_RaT_]

You mean you've never noticed their Red Line stuff?



I have a grandson who thinks he wants to do that instead of regular college, and yes, he'd get a nice set of Snap-On tools considerably cheaper than regular retail.

So how long do I have to enroll in this school to get the good price Bird?

 

[Bird]

Mark, I've forgotten how long that course is at the local junior college. The boy thinks he wants to be a mechanic and has gotten all the literature. Of course it'll be cheaper for his mother than regular college, and the tuition includes the tools. I saw the list he had and it's a very nice starter set. You can understand why Snap-On would sell to them cheap. I'm not sure what Snap-On's profit margin is, but the distributor (the guy on the truck) makes about 35%. But remember, he has to pay for that truck (a rolling showroom), and he finances the tools for the mechanics with no interest. So if Snap-On can convince new mechanics that their tools are best and get them in the habit of buying Snap-On . . . very good advertising.

 

[_RaT_]

Mark, I've forgotten how long that course is at the local junior college. The boy thinks he wants to be a mechanic and has gotten all the literature. Of course it'll be cheaper for his mother than regular college, and the tuition includes the tools. I saw the list he had and it's a very nice starter set. You can understand why Snap-On would sell to them cheap. I'm not sure what Snap-On's profit margin is, but the distributor (the guy on the truck) makes about 35%. But remember, he has to pay for that truck (a rolling showroom), and he finances the tools for the mechanics with no interest. So if Snap-On can convince new mechanics that their tools are best and get them in the habit of buying Snap-On . . . very good advertising.

I have to admit looking through the SnapOn catalog and either thinking, "wow, I didn't know they made a tool like that" or "wow, I could sure use one of those". There are a bunch of things I can easily have as Craftsman etc, things like impact sockets, but I love the SnapOn regular sockets and ratchets and universal drive sockets, and, and, and....