snap on tools

[Bumblebee1]

....Not saying what is right or wrong and perhaps the real price for professionals is different but it is a factor 10 X

it's always been that way. Back when a set of Snap On wrenches cost $100, a set of decent, home garage wrenches was $10 or 15.
There is no right or wrong. You put in your toolbox what you want, I'll use what I want. That said, I have snap on screwdrivers I bought when I started working as an aircraft mechanic in 1978 that were used virtually everyday. I just used one this afternoon on a motorcycle I'm working on. I've been retired for 3 years.
My father was a appliance mechanic for Sears. He got craftsman tools for free and was amazed, I didn't have to replace screwdrivers every year or so.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Made a living as an aircraft mechanic for the better part of 50 years. I can count on one hand the number of Snap On tools I've owned. Jus' sayin'...

I have some, but no sets. Also airplane maint.

 

[Grimly]

What you said is very true.
I spent 20 years as a auto mechanic in my youth. People can believe what they want there was a difference between Snap On and all the others. At least there was in the 70s/80s/90s.
For home use whatever works for you is fine.

I used to love my S-O tools until they became a target for magpies. I jealously guard the ones I have left and over the years have substituted most of the missing ones with others I've picked up, either as feeling as good to use or just as top-tier when I can find them.
For general workshop hobby use I can make do with cheaper, but when I use the S-O ones they are better.

 

[Kevin Werner]

My hand fits the tool I own...
Nice craftsmans have been been in the box since 1985. All sorts added since (10mm sockets) but the ratchet heads remain. I sleeved 3", 6" and 9" extensions in heat shrink while building my wife's 66 Mustang in 1992 to prevent paint nicks, shink sleeve still there 30 years later.

 

[DIRTY DOG]

this started to get info on rusting tool box's out there lol, but I was a tech for 35+ years a ASE and GM master tech most of them. I started out with cheap stuff was alway braking sockets and wrenchs ( a trip to sears or napa ) started with snap on littl by little but I have only broke 1 (18mm) wrench and maybe 4 sockets (3/8 drive ) in all that time . and they were prob miss used ( hahaha ) any tool will work in most cases but when making a living ( flat rate} not braking them is $$ . $$ is where its at no down time no skined finger or no broken bones from braking a wrench.is where snap on mac mattco comes into play also the truck comming eery week helps

 

[jetmechmarty]

When I was starting out at a major airline, it was customary to escort the newbie out to the Mac and or Snap-on truck to buy everything on a tool list, resulting in a lot of debt. No matter as the company paid the bill and collected monthly through payroll. These two vendors were doing extremely well. Just park at the hangar 3-5 days per week and sell a whole mess of tools. I avoided it. I got a Craftsman set and upgraded as I figured out what I liked best over time. I saved a lot of money on all those high end tools I never bought because I never needed them. All or most of the Craftsman stuff went to a son-in-law over 35 years later and they're used every day at his work.

 

[Jim]

Soon as I retired from the Air Force, I went to work for TRAMCO (B. F. Goodrich Aerospace) in Everett Wa. First day of Indoc they handed out a "required" tool list and a "nice to have" list. At 42yrs old I filled both lists with what I had "on hand".... tools I been collecting since I was old enough to hold a wrench. A mashup of Craftsman, Mac, SK, Continental American and others I've forgot the name of. For the most part, I still have the same tools... and still use 'em.

Never felt the need to set foot inside a tool truck of any sort.... and never had a loan payment on tools.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Soon as I retired from the Air Force, I went to work for TRAMCO (B. F. Goodrich Aerospace) in Everett Wa. First day of Indoc they handed out a "required" tool list and a "nice to have" list. At 42yrs old I filled both lists with what I had "on hand".... tools I been collecting since I was old enough to hold a wrench. A mashup of Craftsman, Mac, SK, Continental American and others I've forgot the name of. For the most part, I still have the same tools... and still use 'em.

Never felt the need to set foot inside a tool truck of any sort.... and never had a loan payment on tools.

When I started, I had nothing. Previously, I had been working for a NASA contractor and they gave me a roll-away with a chest full of tools. The bad part about that was don't turn your back on an unlocked toolbox. No respect. Coworkers might steal my tools while I'm actively engaged. I lasted almost a year. Working for airlines, I never lost tools to a thief. Those were always an atmosphere of respect in that regard.

 

[Jan_P]

It is off topic a bit but can help someone

BAHCO ratchet is the best I know off Since the 70 ies
I worked for the company a couple of years with Air condition Could buy the tools at a discount but their tools was to expensive even though a discount.

Sometimes they stop working 30 -- 40 --50 years later but that is due to the grease inside are getting old. And hard
There is a center screw on the topside and it falls apart a spring and some cogs. Clean it with solvent and a brush
perhaps a brass wire brush.
Apply new grease and You are happy again.

A joy to use
small steps in the cogs and no resistance to the return stroke that turns the screw backwards.
the best I know

 

[Bumblebee1]

It is off topic a bit but can help someone

BAHCO ratchet is the best I know off Since the 70 ies
I worked for the company a couple of years with Air condition Could buy the tools at a discount but their tools was to expensive even though a discount.

Sometimes they stop working 30 -- 40 --50 years later but that is due to the grease inside are getting old. And hard
There is a center screw on the topside and it falls apart a spring and some cogs. Clean it with solvent and a brush
perhaps a brass wire brush.
Apply new grease and You are happy again.

A joy to use
small steps in the cogs and no resistance to the return stroke that turns the screw backwards.
the best I know


View attachment 252438

I've cleaned and lubed Snap-On ratchets like that as well. Suddenly it's like they're brand new!

 

[cori1234]

hay every one out that but snap on tools they don't have to warranty their tools anymore... and i you bad mouth your dealer they don't hae to come serice you shop any more. been waiting on a tool box or over 2 years.... I havve spent ovver 70K with snap on tools and they don't give a crap. there are over 10,000 krl series tool boxs out there rusting ( because they didn't paint them right.) and now they won't warranty rust on a 5 year old box that cost over $15,000.00. witch they have replace 2 times before if there is anyone with one mesage me thinking of a class action law suite.

I have a kra 2411 roll cab that is rusting under the paint, and they will not warranty it. Bought it new directly from snapon.com in 2017. I would think that a $6k toolbox would last longer than that in a garage. Damn shame that the older harbor freight box next to it doesn't have a spec of rust.

 

[cra-z1]

Funny story about tools. I worked as a commercial HVAC tech for the last 15 years before retiring. I carried the typical set of tools needed for the job which included several fairly expensive Klein meters and basic wrenches. I was working in a GoodWilll store. This store sold items by the pound. I had put my tools down close to where I was working, looked down and they were gone. Found a guy in the checkout ready to pay about $15 for everything in the tool pack.

 

[bosco659]

I have a kra 2411 roll cab that is rusting under the paint, and they will not warranty it. Bought it new directly from snapon.com in 2017. I would think that a $6k toolbox would last longer than that in a garage. Damn shame that the older harbor freight box next to it doesn't have a spec of rust.

Now that would Pi$$ me off. My good tool boxes are in my dry basement so hopefully I’ll never see a rust issue. At the prices paid for these boxes one would hope they’d step up and do something for you.

 

[46th Georgia]

Now that would Pi$$ me off. My good tool boxes are in my dry basement so hopefully I’ll never see a rust issue. At the prices paid for these boxes one would hope they’d step up and do something for you.

At hose prices, they should send a guy/gal to your house once a week and clean/service them.