Snap-on tools questions
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I have to agree with everyone here. Starting out, Craftsman is a good way to go. But, inevitably, they will fail on you and you WILL use their warrantee to get a new one. (By the way, Home Depot does exchange Craftsman for their Husky brand- seems to be to be about the same quality, perhaps a tiny bit better).
Those Craftsmans will fail also at the worst time (have for me), but then the price and warrantee allow me to forgive them.
As I do more of my own auto work, I too will tend to pick up the higher quality tools that are more prone to break (socket wrenches- agreed!).
Those Craftsmans will fail also at the worst time (have for me), but then the price and warrantee allow me to forgive them.
As I do more of my own auto work, I too will tend to pick up the higher quality tools that are more prone to break (socket wrenches- agreed!).
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: "tween the cotton and tob
Bottom line is.. you have to watch what ya buy! Especially in the "special tool" area. Most tool trucks, Matco, Snappy, Mac, Cornwell etc have their "own" line of special tools. BS.. Most of the specialty stuff is all made by OTC, Leslie, K-D ect. After doing this for over 25 yrs, my box, err boxes, are full of different brands and types. Start out with good quality stuff, never spend more than you can afford (haha) build as you go. As you replace the starter stuff with better (?) stuff, take it home and start a good box there. As car and truck lines and models change, you have to change your tools to meet the requirements. You cant make any money not having the right tools and being slow. Wait til ya get to the "real world" to see what you really need.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
I would buy a large set of craftsman tools, one that has the full range of wrenches and common sockets but contains as little useless stuff as possible (only costs maybe a few $$$).Then buy the following....
SK ratchets to replace the craftsman
Craftsman tool box (you can buy bigger and better later)
more extensions
Swivels
pry bars
IR231
deep impact sockets
IR air ratchet
SK screwdriver set (with torx)
SK full torx set
flare wrenches
brake tools
few hammers
I know there is a lot more you will need but this is a good start I think. Remember you can buy whatever becomes you favorite later on when you have the money to do so.
snapon is great but the cost will hinder you when you are just starting out.
SK ratchets to replace the craftsman
Craftsman tool box (you can buy bigger and better later)
more extensions
Swivels
pry bars
IR231
deep impact sockets
IR air ratchet
SK screwdriver set (with torx)
SK full torx set
flare wrenches
brake tools
few hammers
I know there is a lot more you will need but this is a good start I think. Remember you can buy whatever becomes you favorite later on when you have the money to do so.
snapon is great but the cost will hinder you when you are just starting out.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Medford, Oregon
Hello, I have a nice broken Craftsman ratchet that sears wouldnt replace..They said I abused it and it was improperly used beyond the means of its use. So I took it to another sears..next town over..said same thing. So now I buy SK, Snap On and Mac. I broke it tearing down an engine...breaking loose the exhaust manifold bolts...seems like a simple task. I used my Mac ratchet and all was good. My Snap On ratcheting screwdriver is used daily and has been rebuilt twice and replaced once..no questions asked
My Buying craftsman...not anytime soon.
I am a weekend hobbist, but do use screwdrivers and wire cutters and such daily
Glack
My Buying craftsman...not anytime soon.
I am a weekend hobbist, but do use screwdrivers and wire cutters and such daily
Glack
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
I have tools made by everyone and as far as overall quality goes, it depends on what it is and how you use it.
Snap-on is high priced and the quality is good but some of what they sell can be found at Sears and other places at half the price, (same item) many Sears or other tools will perform just as well as the high priced tools, it just depends on what it is.
I would not buy any of the tool sets that are offered because you wiil get a lot of tools that will be used very little, if ever, build your own tool set with socket and wrench sets that you need now, and add to it as you go along.
Snap-on is high priced and the quality is good but some of what they sell can be found at Sears and other places at half the price, (same item) many Sears or other tools will perform just as well as the high priced tools, it just depends on what it is.
I would not buy any of the tool sets that are offered because you wiil get a lot of tools that will be used very little, if ever, build your own tool set with socket and wrench sets that you need now, and add to it as you go along.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I don't necessarily agree with that statement. I found the best time to buy a somewhat complete tool set is after Christmas at Sears. Those Craftsman sets get affordable for a nice set. That's how I started building up my tools.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I like SK (bought at NAPA), OTC, and KD. I look at KD for small once a month tools such as fuel filter tools, hub tools etc. I think the quality of the OTC ball joint tools, especially the C-clamps are pretty good. I used my OTC ball joint tools to remove the 30+ year old bushings in my spring packs yesterday.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
R&R an ICP sensor on the 6.0L diesel...Snap-On...nobody else yet
R&R a spark plug on the 2004 F150...Snap-On...nobody else yet
Professionally...Snap-On
At home...Craftsman
A rookie mechanic would do well to start with Craftsman; cost, replacements, bang for the buck! Plus, as they break, replace with Snap-On. And if this field is the way they are going to go in the long run...they can probably get more than they paid for the Craftsman tools when they trade up to Snap-On!
R&R a spark plug on the 2004 F150...Snap-On...nobody else yet
Professionally...Snap-On
At home...Craftsman
A rookie mechanic would do well to start with Craftsman; cost, replacements, bang for the buck! Plus, as they break, replace with Snap-On. And if this field is the way they are going to go in the long run...they can probably get more than they paid for the Craftsman tools when they trade up to Snap-On!
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis,IN
Hey Rangerssv04 Thought this might interest you. There are only three major tool manufacturers in America. They are as follows.
Snap On: Makes Snap On, Kobolt, Williams, and Bluepoint
Stanley: Makes Proto, Blackhawk, and Stanley tools
Danaher: Makes Armstrong, Allen, Craftsman, and Matco
There are good points and bad points to all. Williams and Armstrong are tools worth looking at and are cheaper than Snap On and even Craftsman. I like the armstrong tool line. But as someone mentioned you can not beat snap on for specialties.
Snap On: Makes Snap On, Kobolt, Williams, and Bluepoint
Stanley: Makes Proto, Blackhawk, and Stanley tools
Danaher: Makes Armstrong, Allen, Craftsman, and Matco
There are good points and bad points to all. Williams and Armstrong are tools worth looking at and are cheaper than Snap On and even Craftsman. I like the armstrong tool line. But as someone mentioned you can not beat snap on for specialties.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Near Wamego KS
Glad to see some posts about SK, IMHO its the next step up over Craftsman- and a step down from MAC and Snap On. My "best set" of open and boxed wrenches and sockets are SK - but with a Craftsman rachet. Craftsman is plenty good for weekend wrenchers but Snap ON and MAC are for the pros - guys who make a living with their tools - not just trying to save money by doing repairs themselves. Same way a Craftsman mower or chainsaw is plenty good for a homeowner, but a contractor uses Husquvarna, Steele, John Deere, Walker and Grasshopper.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,318
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From: On A Ship, MI
hate to be this way but something has arose, $1600 for tools or 1500 for a built mustang...... well sory its gonna be the mustang. i have a craftsman tool set it will work for right now
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
I agree with everyone that believes that Snap-on is the best... because they are. If you make a living as a mechanic or technician and tools are needed for income go with the best. If you can afford Snap-on buy it. It ts an investment you will never regret. I started in your position several years back. I was buying Mac, SK, and Craftsman. Over the years I've traded them all in on Snap-on.
I'm an Aircraft A&P former F-15 Crew Chief and a Heavy Equip Tech (CAT,Komatsu,John Deere,Kobelco, Hitachi, and Sakai. I use nothing but the best. Even my 1/2 drive impact is a Snap-on now. Yeah you read that right IMP 6500 <---check that out. Blows away the best IR 1/2 drive impact.
I'm an Aircraft A&P former F-15 Crew Chief and a Heavy Equip Tech (CAT,Komatsu,John Deere,Kobelco, Hitachi, and Sakai. I use nothing but the best. Even my 1/2 drive impact is a Snap-on now. Yeah you read that right IMP 6500 <---check that out. Blows away the best IR 1/2 drive impact.