Mac vs. Snap-on tools

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Apr 9, 2008 | 07:21 PM

#31

Panzerbrumbar

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 194

Likes: 0

From: North Dakota

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhardy501

I had a account on the truck at one time and if you keep a small truck account there is no interest. If you get one of the large sets or over a certain amount then it goes through Snap-On financing at around 25% interest like a credit card. Snap-On is owned by a coorperation I have seen it somewhere but have been unable to locate it.

You must have issues with your credit if that is the rate they quoted you. I filled out the app 10 mins later I had 14,000 dollars at 7.5%. Which I felt was plenty steep considering I could have put it on the credit which and still has a fixed 4.99%.

Apr 10, 2008 | 06:48 AM

#32

bhardy501

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 626

Likes: 0

From: Rome, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzerbrumbar

15 years ago and no credit.

Apr 11, 2008 | 01:19 PM

#33

rebocardo

Post Fiend

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 13,873

Likes: 3

From: Atlanta GA

Snap-On for anything I want to last or not round off nuts. Even though I no longer work at a dealership, when I need a quality tool I usually think of Snap-On at least once.

Apr 12, 2008 | 07:29 PM

#34

RV67

8th Gear

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

From: Springfield,IL

Snap-on makes 98% of the best tools money can buy.The other 2% can be found other places and yes at a lower price.

I have been buying tools for work for 20+ years and yes I have bought other brands to save money but In the long run I end up paying more because I now have to replace the cheaper tool w/ a better one.

I own 90% Snap-on & 10% Mac.I do shop around to check price/quality between the two as sometimes they are very similar in design etc...but.....if you have been pricing tools at all SNAP-ON holds their resale value better than any other tool in the world.Plain and simple......QUALITY !!!

I try to limit my "off the truck" purchases and look on ebay,craigs list and pawn shops.

The secret to buying off ebay is dont bid high on something too early because some dumba** will run the price up.....instead BE PATIENT and watch the auction.If it goes too high for your budget then KEEP LOOKING for another one to come along.I waited 3 months for a used set of Snap-on metric deep well impact 1/2 dr. sockets(10-21) and finally won a set for $110 shipped.Most of them were new.

So I have learned over the years of buying tools to earn a living is Be Patient and You get what you pay for.

Apr 12, 2008 | 09:39 PM

#35

OverEngineer

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 282

Likes: 1

From: Quad Cities, Iowa

If the same tools cost just 25% more IE: $5000 vs $4000 The decision is obvious. Make sure you have the pricing up front.

Apr 22, 2008 | 02:24 PM

#36

Bart99GT

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,245

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordenthusiasts

I think that I will probably buy the main tools, (ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.) snap-on and then less used tools mac, and then some that are just outrageously expensive in Snap-on and Mac I will buy Craftsman, like 3/4 drive socket set. Snap-on charges $2800 for the set and Craftsman is $400. I will be getting these for college and will receive about a 50% student discount on them so it won't be too bad. I will probably have close to $10,000 of snap-on tools but will only be about $5000 will discount so not to bad. Not to mention I will be working internship during college making about $5000 total the first year so I will have them almost paid off after the first year.

You don't want that much in debt. Trust me. Enjoy this time in your life and don't get yourself into a situation where you MUST work to pay bills any sooner than you have to.

Discount or not, get most of the stuff in Craftsman, S/K, Kobalt, etc., then get the stuff that those companies doesn't sell or doesn't have a good reputation with (ratchets, air tools) from someone like Snap-On, IR, Mac, etc. Most of the wise professional mechanics I know do this, they don't get into the name brand BS. They buy what works for the job at the best price and their wallet thanks them for it. If their experience shows them that the more expensive stuff is really worth it, then they'll buy it. Otherwise, you're just paying for a name.

Like others have suggested, there is nothing that says you have to buy all NEW tools either. Basic hand tools that have been taken care of will last forever and if you don't get hung up on buying a pretty looking tool, can be had for a fraction of the price of a new one.

Apr 22, 2008 | 04:47 PM

#37

daveeich337

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 102

Likes: 0

From: Acadiana Louisiana

I don't know what y'all's experience with sears has been like lately, but around here things sure ain't what they used to be. Those people don't just take anything back anymore and when they do they always claim they're out of that particular tool. I'll NEVER buy another craftsman anything because of the experiences that I have had over the last several years with them. I have to sneak around the store and make like I want a new something and then at the last minute pull out my piece of crap tool to exchange till the next time.
As far as MAC vs. Snap on is concerned, it's been over ten years since I've worked in a mechanic shop so I got a shoe box full of snap on junk that's broke and needs to be fixed or exchanged and a few drawers full of MAC stuff that's still doing what it's supposed to do. All my air tools are MAC and I love em.
The last time I tried to change a ratchet at sears they told me my slipping ratchet wasn't broken enough to be exchanged so I went in the parking lot and broke it enough.
Also around here pawn shops are excellent sources for any tool and most are made in USA guaranteed for life tools.