Hey guys this question is for all you mechanics out there. Is the hype about snap-on tools and there boxes really true. Is there is big difference in how they perform or are just paying for a name. I mean because i believe you get what you pay for but theres a HUGE HUGE difference in prices between tools and boxes
Snap-on vs craftsman
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snap on for sure. Craftsman is good for a starter set, but if you plan on using them for your career, Snap-on is the way to go. They have a bigger variety of tools, and you'll probably have a truck that comes once a week. Snap-on wrenches are quite a bit more comfortable to use as well.
Like 94H said above me, They will warranty anything, including things that are designed to wear out.. (soft faced mallets, brass drifts, etc)
If you want to be a professional mechanic, you have to have professional tools. Atleast thats what i told my wife when she saw the $500 bill from Snap-on, hah
Like 94H said above me, They will warranty anything, including things that are designed to wear out.. (soft faced mallets, brass drifts, etc)
If you want to be a professional mechanic, you have to have professional tools. Atleast thats what i told my wife when she saw the $500 bill from Snap-on, hah
phyregod
!!YTINASNI
My two cents:
Snap on tools are better, hands down. They have a lifetime waranty and if one happens to break, it is replaced free, no questions asked.
Craftsman tools are very good tools. They have a lifetime waranty and if one happens to break, it is replaced free, no questions asked. But they are 1/4 the price of snap-on.
I choose craftsman.
Snap on tools are better, hands down. They have a lifetime waranty and if one happens to break, it is replaced free, no questions asked.
Craftsman tools are very good tools. They have a lifetime waranty and if one happens to break, it is replaced free, no questions asked. But they are 1/4 the price of snap-on.
I choose craftsman.
phyregod
!!YTINASNI
And Craftsman's ratchets blow balls. Horribly designed, clunky, loose, I think the gears are made of glass.. I've broken a dozen or more. And I second the lawn mowers, I've had one top of the line model and one base model, and they both ate shit in short order. In all fairness, I'm pretty damn rough on tools.
Some of their power tools are good, some are not, just have to read consumer reviews for a clue there. The professional line is usually pretty good stuff.
Some of their power tools are good, some are not, just have to read consumer reviews for a clue there. The professional line is usually pretty good stuff.
Anyone else the more the merrier. How exactly do the snap-on tool trucks work ? i know you can finance them but is there a limit to how much you can finance or do you need to pay one tool off before you get another one ? Also how about there boxes ? Craftsmans are 1000 snap-on 10,000 whats your input on them.
94H_Ex
Under employed
I've broken a snapon racthet. They don't like rusted bolts and pipe extensions. 
But every tool I've used I liked. They even have digital torquers, of course you have to pay to have it calibrated every couple of years. From what I hear though craftsman has good boxes but they don't hold a price like snapon's do.
But every tool I've used I liked. They even have digital torquers, of course you have to pay to have it calibrated every couple of years. From what I hear though craftsman has good boxes but they don't hold a price like snapon's do.
I've broken both snapon and craftsman tools.
Craftman tool breaks.... no problem go to any sears 7 days a week and its replaced. Snap on tool breaks. wait for the snap on guy to come around, if you dont work at a garage you will have to track him down.
over all the snap on tools are made better however all my major tools I have 2 sets, 1 cheap and 1 craftsman, for the tools I use a lot or special tools I get snap on. for the most part I don't use them unless what I'm trying to do is really tricky, snap on tends to be slimmer and easier to get to hard to reach stuff.
If I could only use one, there's no way in hell I'd use snapon I'd have to have 2 of every in order to make sure I dont have any downtime.
Craftman tool breaks.... no problem go to any sears 7 days a week and its replaced. Snap on tool breaks. wait for the snap on guy to come around, if you dont work at a garage you will have to track him down.
over all the snap on tools are made better however all my major tools I have 2 sets, 1 cheap and 1 craftsman, for the tools I use a lot or special tools I get snap on. for the most part I don't use them unless what I'm trying to do is really tricky, snap on tends to be slimmer and easier to get to hard to reach stuff.
If I could only use one, there's no way in hell I'd use snapon I'd have to have 2 of every in order to make sure I dont have any downtime.
92stoccord
Big Member
I use Craftsman, I'm no professional, I don't totally torture my tools, but I've taken lugs off with a ratchet cause I didn't have a tire iron, etc. I don't have anything to complain about, I can walk to the nearest Sears though, but I've never broken anything. I think unless you're a professional I wouldn't waste the money on something you don't need. Like Phyre said, if you bust one, you get another in both cases, you're probably not gonna break a snap-on as easily as you do a craftsman, but granted you don't lose them, you have tools for life. Plus you get the feeling when your shit breaks you're fucking them back by getting free shit. Just make sure you don't get this shit:
That's Chinese shit. I'm not patriotic, but I kinda feel like I want my tools to be made in Amurrka.
That's Chinese shit. I'm not patriotic, but I kinda feel like I want my tools to be made in Amurrka.
i dont know about large purchases like tool boxes, but with most trucks, they let you carry a balance. i had a balance of $500 at one point.. He let me pay it off $50 a week, with no interest.
I wouldnt ever buy a brand new box off of a truck. I bought my box from craigslist and got a $7000 box for $2500.. Granted its not snap-on, it's a Mac, but it works just as well.. The most important thing with toolboxes is the drawer bearings. Ball bearing toolboxes last a hell of a lot longer then 'regular' drawers.
I think that Snap-on, Matco and Mac have pretty similar quality. I dont have much experience with Mac, but i have plenty of Matco tools, and i have nothing but good things to say about them. Out of those Three, I prefer Snap-on mainly because of their reputation and because my Grandpa's house is about 1/4 from their old factory.
I would definately spend the money on Snap-on wrenches, sockets and ratchets right away. Other, less used tools you're fine with craftsman. I even have a number of harbor freight tools in my box, but those tools i either hardly ever use, or use them as a sacrificial piece.
I don't have much experience with snap on, some with craftsman. Craftsman ratchets are the biggest pieces of shit. I would wear one out with an average of 2-3 hours of use a week moderate to the rare torture use. The gears are crap. You go in and most of the time get a used ratchet with new gears in them. Their T handle allens are ok, but you get a new set when you break one.
I have been using Husky for years and have not broken one socket or the ratchet.
I have been using Husky for years and have not broken one socket or the ratchet.
If you have a tool box that works and it is big enough, i wouldn't worry about that. If you're drawers are falling apart or if you're out growing it, then start considering a new box. Until one or both of those have been met, a new box is not needed. There's nothing wrong with a craftsman box. Use some of that money that you just saved on a good set of wrenches. Two sets of wrenches isnt a bad thing to have. I have 3 sets of wrenches. 1 set of craftsman, 1 set of snap-on and one set of gear wrench ratcheting wrenches.
For your most used tools, buy the best quality tools. Thats why i said wrenches, sockets and ratchet in my post above. For tools used less often, craftsman are more than sufficient.
For your most used tools, buy the best quality tools. Thats why i said wrenches, sockets and ratchet in my post above. For tools used less often, craftsman are more than sufficient.
I have nothing but Craftsman here at home. They work good. But when I was at UTI we had nothing but Snap-On... It's like night and fucking day. The Snap-On tools are much more comfortable to work with. Their wrenches and sockets tend to not strip bolts as often as Craftsman do.
Go mess with a Snap-On box. Feel it, slide the drawers in and out, push it around, ect... Then go do the same to a Craftsman box. Trust me, the Craftsman box will almost feel like it's made out of foil to you lol.
A few Techs at Mercedes-Benz all told me to buy the box last though. Because what ends up happening to most guys is that they start to outgrow their boxes. They just end up needing a bigger box since you collect so many tools over the years.
Hit up Craigslist, buy a cheap/decent box, and rock it for about 5 years. Then get a nice one.
I don't know if you've seen my other thread but i'm starting a new job at Mercedes-Benz. I will be starting out with all my Craftsman since I have no choice but eventually all my tools will be replaced by a combination of Snap-On, Mac, Matco, and Ingersoll Rand (for impacts)
Craftsman are solid tools but the higher end stuff really is that much better so the only one who can really say if they are worth it is you.
Go mess with a Snap-On box. Feel it, slide the drawers in and out, push it around, ect... Then go do the same to a Craftsman box. Trust me, the Craftsman box will almost feel like it's made out of foil to you lol.
A few Techs at Mercedes-Benz all told me to buy the box last though. Because what ends up happening to most guys is that they start to outgrow their boxes. They just end up needing a bigger box since you collect so many tools over the years.
Hit up Craigslist, buy a cheap/decent box, and rock it for about 5 years. Then get a nice one.
I don't know if you've seen my other thread but i'm starting a new job at Mercedes-Benz. I will be starting out with all my Craftsman since I have no choice but eventually all my tools will be replaced by a combination of Snap-On, Mac, Matco, and Ingersoll Rand (for impacts)
Craftsman are solid tools but the higher end stuff really is that much better so the only one who can really say if they are worth it is you.
I've had my Snap-on sockets for about 4 years now, and i have nothing but good things to say about them. I have yet to break or strip a single one. My old Craftsman ones, however, i stripped/broke way more then i care to share, hah.
i've been using this for about 8 months, and it's probably the best tool i've invested in.
i've been using this for about 8 months, and it's probably the best tool i've invested in.
phyregod
!!YTINASNI
As funny as it is, you can get a very nice ratchet at auto-zone. Its "Great Neck" brand, same waranty, but it is much nicer to hold and use, the gears are fine toothed and very strong. It is also a low profile ratchet and will fit where most will not. I have broken one of those, but I had a cheater on it.
I have only broken one craftsman socket in my life, and that was a regular socket with a 6 foot cheater and a sledge hammer.. No normal socket would have stood up to that.
I have only broken one craftsman socket in my life, and that was a regular socket with a 6 foot cheater and a sledge hammer.. No normal socket would have stood up to that.
I have a bad taste in my mouth from Great Neck. Bought a torque wrench that didn't work and I snapped 2 cam holder bolts sidelining the Teg for about a week. Replaced it with a Craftsman piece and I love it.
I choose Craftsman because Sears is right down the road. I don't have to go chasing a truck. I've broken a few tools but never while using them for their intended use.
