Snap-on

[Bill Tattersall]

I needed a new 1/2 ratchet and, since I don't have many, decided maybe a Snap-on would be cool. I priced it; $210.50. After I finished choking, I went to Lowes and bought a Craftsman, supposedly now made in the USA again. Even good used Snap-ons on eBay are over $100.

 

[gmccool]

To each there own. I have Thousands of dollars in Snap On tools and all of them have doubled or tripled in value since I bought them. Meaning I have used them for the last 30-40 years and can sell them for double or triple what I paid for them. Try doing that with your Craftsman. I understand that Snap On is expensive and not for everyone, but just as you choose not to buy Snap On it is the only tool I choose to buy. To each there own.

 

[UncleTom]

I found a 3/8 drive Snap-on ratchet in the street. I turned around and snagged it. I throw Craftsman ratchets away. You will get hurt with them when they slip.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

There are no new Made In USA Craftsman tools, and never will be.

The Craftsman plant in Texas closed without ever producing a tool. They couldn't get the automated systems to work.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I don't see a $210 Snap On tool bought today EVER being worth $400 to $600.

 

[chvet73]

My 1/2 Craftsman ratchet is 61 years old. Never slipped once. My 3/8 was replaced about 50 years ago. And its been fine since. My 1/4 is probably 40 years old and works perfectly.
The only SnapOn tools I have are 1/2 and 3/8 torque wrenches. I bought them because they were bargains. $45 for the 3/8 and $120 for the 1/2. The 3/8 was cheap because it slipped. SnapOn sent me a free rebuild kit.
There is nothing that justifies the cost of SnapOn. My Craftsman tools that are an average of 50 years old have served me well. Ive recently added some Husky and even Harbor Freight and they work just fine.
There are too many good tools made today to pay the ridiculous price for SnapOn.

 

[John T]

Over many years Ive owned Craftsman, S&K, Proto, MAC, Husky, Snap On, Crescent, Allen, etc. etc.

HOWEVER my very all time favorite, I buy any I can find, but not made anymore

WILLIAMS yayyyyyyyyyyyyy I consider them as one of or the very best ever made. I love their old pre super wrench tools with the like gun blue satin finish

Of course TO EACH THEIR OWN its your needs your use your budget, I say buy whats best for YOUR NEEDS Well Duh

John T

 

[Loosehandle]

I've had it with crapsman, buying used S-K now.

 

[redtom]

The best 3/8 ratchet I have is a Wright. It has the exposed gear that you can thumb to spin loose nuts. I literally used it until it wore out the frame. I am looking to buy a new one.

 

[Goose]

How can anyone be certain that Snap-on tools are made in the U.S.?

If you go to Snap-on's website, they show manufacturing facilities in 29 foreign countries, including China.

 

[Leroy]

I had a Snap On found in Father-in-laws estate. Went to try it , no good. Found out not repairable as no parts made for it, think it went in junk pile. Would have exchanged it for a new one for more than I have in all my tools, said no. And design was poor even if it had worked.

 

[DaveBN]

Take you newer craftsman rachets apart and clean out the sticky goo that they use for lubricant. Put in some new wheel bearing and the will work great.
Dave

 

[gab]

I got a lot of Snap On tools but I've never broken an S-K ratchet. Broke a lot of Snap On and Craftsman's.

 

[Kansas4010]

I've got a broken Snap On ratchet somewhere in the garage right now. I bought it off the truck probably 20 years ago. The guy I bought it from has long since retired. I don't buy enough tools anymore to ever be on a route. I finally tracked down the closest dealer. I was told since I didn't buy it from him it's not his problem. Tried getting ahold of Snap On themselves and still waiting to hear back from them. Honestly I don't even remember if I threw it away by now. At least Harbor Freight has a no questions asked lifetime warranty. At least that's what I've heard because I haven't broken any of their ratchets yet.

 

[Bill Tattersall]

Hi John,
You inspired me to dig out a box of old tools one of which was a Williams SUPERRATCHET. It is definitely a smooth piece and may just inspire me to take that new Craftsman back to Lowes.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I'm yayyyying right with you John!
I may have posted about this last year when I found a guy who would sell me the little ones I needed to complete my Williams combinations.
These are the smaller ones 3/8 - 1 1/8''
Large ones to 1 7/6 are in another drawer.

 

[John T]

BEAUTIFUL set of wrenches !!!!!!! Actually while I pick up a lot of different individual Williams tools anytime I find them at flea markets etc I actually have ran across complete sets of Willimas wrenches (pricey) but resisted purchasing because I already have like at least 3 to 4 sets of other good brands AND BEING RETIRED AND NO LONGER FARMING I just dont need anymore .....That being said, the ones I see are the later chrome finish Superwrench series while I prefer the older pre superwrench series that have like a gun blue satin finish I LOVE THOSE and still consider Williams the best ever made including Snap On.. But that just me and my preference and opinion

John T

 

[John T]

Arent they great QUALITY tools yayyyyyyyyyyy BEST in my opinion and experience

John T

 

[jimg.allentown]

Once again, to each their own.
I never was a big fan of Craftsman tools. Sockets used to always be 12-point. Great for rounding off hex nuts and bolts. Wrenches were uncomfortable to the hand, but they did work OK. Ratchets were crappy and cheap. They failed often, but you could always go to the Sears store and get another or get the failed one fixed.
Snap-on is just plain overpriced. They also do not back up some of their stuff. I do have quite a bit of Snap-On stuff, but I tend not to use it since it is so expensive to replace lost tools.
I've done fairly well with S-K, but for the longest time they would not warranty their sockets. They always claimed that they were used on an impact wrench, and that voids the warranty.

Now, Harbor Freight is another story. I have yet to break a socket or wrench of theirs. Sockets, wrenches, ratchets, and the like have given me good service, and they are cheap to replace when they get lost. Their screwdrivers are junk. Overall, I think HF tools are every bit as good as Craftsman except for the screwdrivers.

 

[M-MAN]

Nice set! If you want to add some of odballs to your Williams collection they made set screw wrenches way back when. Open end and a black finish. They were a must have in the old textile industry. We used a lot of case hardened set screws and they would destroy a regular wrench. I still have some of those and some
Billings.