Snap On vs. Craftsman!!!

[benski]

Snap-on stuff, on average, is well made, well supported, and expensive. All the professional-grade tools will share these traits. If you ever go on to a tool truck, and have CASH in pocket, ask the vendor for a 10% discount if you are going to pay the balance in full. Almost all the high-timers in the business will do this for you, especially if you don't need a receipt. My personal favorite tool boxes are the top-tier Matco boxes. Snap-on and Matco ratchets are great, their sockets are about equal, as far as I'm concerned, and whatever top tier set of wrenches that your hands fit in is all good. I smile every time I can use a high end tool on a job. That being said, I've bought a couple of disposable tool sets in my time for less than the cost of a 1/4" Matco ratchet.:laughing:

 

[Toyboy]

I was always told back in the 60's that Craftsman tools were made in Germany. You guys have pretty much dispelled that. But if you have an old wrench from the 60's or older, and compare it to the new ones, there sure is a difference in design.

 

[LD1]

Just wondering if you guys realized this thread is 5 years old:laughing:

Everyone has their preferences though. I perfer not to pay premium for the snap-on. Craftsmans work just fone for me:thumbsup:

 

[RandyT]

a lot of the snap-on and craftsman tools are made by the samw company.

 

[benski]

Nope. I'll guarantee that Danaher corp.(Matco, NAPA,Irwin, Sears Craftsman professional grade hand tools, etc.) and Snap-on hand tools are not manufactured by the same company. Sears and Snap-on are two discrete organizations.
For power tools, both go to different vendors.

 

[ducks13]

I haven't read this entire thread but I though my experience is to the mix. Snap on tools are the finest with Mac being very good too, but I don't have a lot of experience with them. The Matco and Cornwell would be down a notch and craftsman would be down another notch along with Kobalt and others.

As a professional mechanic 20 years ago Snap on was my choice as other mentioned for the service etc. What I haven't seem mentioned is that the wall thickness on sockets and box end wrenches, the length of u-joint sockets, and the size of the head on open end wrenches make some jobs much easier with Snap on and Mac tools. Also, if you want to get the best tool available without having to shopping around and perhaps being disappointed with what you do get go to the snap on truck.

If you just like to have high quality tools (money not really an object) they are very nice to have or if you those situations where the factors I mentionied become important.

 

[creekbend]

Craftsman has always been my personal choice. Break, damage, or misuse them and get a free replacement. No questions asked, simple enough. Works for me.

 

[grsthegreat]

I used to love craftsman, but over the past few years the ratches iv had to buy SUCK. Most slip, and i recently took one back to sears, and they wouldn't let me exchange it as it had a few flecks of rust on it.

Anyways, Ive started buying home depot husky tools, seem to work great and way cheaper.

The only snap on tools i have were given to me by my wifes grandfather. Very well built. Too $$$ for me to buy though