Snap On vs. Craftsman!!!

[DieselPower]

I suspect most folks have no idea of the amount of money their mechanics have invested in their tools. Before my brother became a Matco Tool distributor, he was working as an RV service technician and had to supply the company with an inventory of his tools so they'd be covered by the company's insurance; a $4,000 toolbox containing $16,000 worth of tools, and many, if not most, auto mechanics have even more than that invested their tools.

Shoot, in the last 10 years I have spent over $20K on tool box's and close to $120K on Snap On and Mac tools. Being a heavy truck mechanic in these modern times is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. Heck, I spend close to $10K a year on diesel engine diagnostics program subscriptions.

 

[Ifixcars]

120k seems like a lot. even to me. I used to buy a lot more than I do now. I stopped buying so much when I realized that the shop owner is responsible for buying shop tools and equipment and diagnostic information and programs, because shop owner profits directly from these items, not me. I only buy tools now that I can use to make money directly, and that pay for themselves quickly. I have enough tools to work at any shop, do any job, without borrowing a thing. Snap on guys love to sell those 10000 dollar boxes nowadays, they perk up if you mention "new tool box".

 

[Bird]

I stopped buying so much when I realized that the shop owner is responsible for buying shop tools and equipment

Sometimes they are, sometimes they are not. When I was repairing air tools, my best customer had what to me was an unusual situation. The company owned a lot of expensive tools and equipment and I repaired a lot of their air tools. But their mechanics also used a lot of their personally owned tools. If an individual's tools broke, the company would not replace them, but would pay to have them repaired. They didn't care what it cost; just get them fixed right as fast as possible. The company they had been using to repair their tools was very slow and sometimes repaired old tools and charged more for the repairs than a new tool would cost.

Snap on guys love to sell those 10000 dollar boxes nowadays, they perk up if you mention "new tool box".

As do MAC and Matco. Toolboxes are the major profit item for them.

 

[Ifixcars]

An example of what I am talking about when would be the purchace of a special tool or piece of diagnostic equipment that would enable the shop to make more money, but not increase the mechanic's pay. You wouldn't buy a $5000 tire machine and let someone else profit from it's use would you? Yeah, I'd like to have a $7000 Modis, but if I don't bill for it's use, I don't buy it. If you are a flat rate mechanic then you can justify the purchace or some shop type tools, like scanners and specific speciality tools by making more money from them indirectly. I'm not talking about standard air tools, or extensive collections of assorted pro tools. I'm not saying I don't buy trick tools or tools that make my life easier, but that now, before I spend serious money, I think about who's really going to profit by it, me or my employer. If it's me I don't hesitate, if not, hmmmm, I'll pass.

 

[Bird]

An example of what I am talking about when would be the purchace of a special tool or piece of diagnostic equipment that would enable the shop to make more money, but not increase the mechanic's pay.

I can understand that, and agree with you. I think that's the way it should be.

 

[brande]

I've had tools from Snap On, Craftsman, Proto, Challenger, SK, Klein, China etc.

From my humble opinion, and as one who made as living with tools
for the past 30.

Sockets/rachets-Snap On and Proto Challenger.

Pliers-Klein

Screwdrivers-Klein

Electronic Meters-Fluke or Extech.

Hammers or striking stuff--from anywhere that gives a good tool.


Keep in mind what you are paying for...

Snap On does not make hammers, chisels, air tools, power tools, precision measuring, and so on.
They make sockets and wrenches-with great fit, I might add.
As far as the other stuff most of these off items are purchased from other mfg, given a Snap-On number, and then they nail you to the Cross.

A premium is collected on many of these items for the Snap-On name.

Be sure to spend your money wisely.

Good Luck


brande

 

[Bill Barrett]

Years ago I was **** about everything had to be the same brand. Now I have Snap-on to China, different tools for different jobs. I do think Snap-on has some of the finest tools around, but I think they might be slipping some, like everyone!

 

[cp1969]

I have bought two brands of screwdrivers recently which I've been very impressed with: Facom (affiliated with SK, I think) and Whia (a European company). They are MUCH better than Craftsman, maybe not as good as Snap On but not nearly as costly, either. About $10 each.

I have a hodge-podge collection of tools, some inherited (Snap On, Blue Point, Plumb, Craftsman, Blackhawk), some of my own purchase (Craftsman, SK, Proto, Sparta, Chinese). Usually, the old tools are of noticeably higher quality but not always. My Snap On 1/2" ratchet is of '40's vintage and is a really crude instrument. My Proto 3/8" ratchet is of '60s vintage and although it was a very cheap tool at the time, it is like a Swiss watch compared to my low-end Craftsman ratchets.

 

[VA_Joe]

My thoughts are to go snap-on/bluepoint (or some other pro tool manufacturer) for both the smaller combination wrenches (less than 3/4") and the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" socket sets. I have had too many problems with craftsman and others with these sizes due to poor tolerances, easily broken sockets, and weak pawls on the rachets (too many scraped knuckles).

For the larger tools (3/4" socket sets and the big wrenches) - I don't really think it matters. The tools are so large that I can't break them and the tolerances really don't matter anymore. For these tools - I've been buying Harbor Freight (i.e. go cheap).

Joe

 

[schmism]

the info may be a bit dated these days i dont know....

Who Makes What Tools

I have mostly craftsman, but i do have a small selection of snap-on tools. mostly specility and my open end box wrenches.

for the ocational nut or bolt, i dont care what i reach for. but when im working on a major project the first thing i reach for is my snap-on wrenches.

they just feel so much better in my hand, easyer to use, handle, etc.

As many have said, for the shade tree mechinc craftsman makes a quality hand tool. but for the guy what wrenches for a living, turning a wrench day after day, id own nothing but snap-on.