Snap-on tools v. Craftsman?

[Nietzsche]

Not sure where to post this so general seems to fit. Are snap on tools really worth the added price over craftsman for professional use. I've used craftsman sockets for years without problems but I realize it's not everyday. So should I pop for the snap on or just go craftsman. I'll also mention I get the snap on for about 45 percent off but even at that price it's still more than craftsman.

Thanks.

[Child_uv_KoRn]

snap on =

[ThurzNite]

Originally Posted by Child_uv_KoRn

snap on =

Why?...
Jae

[bwinter7]

I just think you are paying for the name and convenience of the snap-on attachments. I'd go with the craftsmen, they've never steered me wrong yet, plus, they have a lifetime warrantee (sp?) so I dont really know what the advantage would be. That is, unless, you buy 100k worth of tools and want to show them off to everyone you meet, then, buy the snap-on

[Child_uv_KoRn]

Originally Posted by ThurzNite

Why?...
Jae

Overpriced and they don't do the job any better. I haven't noticed a quality difference either.

[Kountz430]

you might laugh but i use Napa handtools thats what the school gave us.I've only broken my half inch ratchet trying to get that pesky axle nut off and the breaker bar doin the same job.Unlike Snap-on and Craftsman You'd have to wait on the Snap-on truck to come to replace the tool depending on how often the guy comes around.With Craftsman you'd either have to wait to go on break ,or wait till you got off to go replace a broken tool and HOPE that they have it in stock.With Napa all you do is call'em up with part # wich is on the tool within ten to fifteen minutes a fresh new tool is DELIVERED to you no questions asked.Im not takin anything away from Snap-on or Craftsman,but for conveinence Napa's gottem beat and their tools are just as good.thats just my two cents

[Nietzsche]

Interesting, as for snap-ons quality it's supposed to be that they won't break. I have on rare occasion run down to replace a craftsman socket or screwdriver. Never had a snap-on fail, but it's not like I use them regularly. I have busted my fair share of cheapo sockets however.

Are there any tools that it's worth paying the difference for? I know you don't cheap out on spray guns. What else is worth the extra dough?

[bwinter7]

Air compressors, get a good powerfull one. Air tools, NOT the $35 advanced auto parts ones. torque wrenches, you can tell the difference. I'd also get a $50 Oxy-Acetylene torch set, it's nice to have, you can use one or the other, it has two bottles and you can adjust the mixture/temp. Great for body-work and getting rusty bolts out, before you strip them or shear the heads off. I am sure there is more, I just cant think of any at the moment

[ThurzNite]

Oh, a good low profile lightweight jack and solid stands plus creeper. Like basic hand tools, you'll be using these regularly, so get a good versatile set. There's also another thread about multi-meters.

I use my air compressor mostly for blowing things to clean and air up the tires. Pay more for a powerful, quiet one. Noise can get really annoying.

Jae

[Maxim(a)SerjVQ]

seriously, I wouldn't bother paying more than I felt was really necessary for any regular-use hand tool(wrenches, sockets, Hammers, etc.,) My dad has a set of GEORGE wrenches he's had for something like 30 years and I think he bent one once when linking it with his 1" for a makeshift breaker-bar. Now, I emphasize this practice ESPECIALLY if you're using them for employed work purposes. Reason being, someone can come along and take your sheit. I would only compell myself to carry more expensive tools if i was running my own shop or just working with a buddy at home. A good set of SK or Craftsman, maybe a few Mac tools will be more than adequate 90% of the time. Best part is if they get lost you're only out $4.99 as opposed to $24.99(and losing tools is the vast majority of the reason to replace them. I'd venture to say you're more likely to lose an expensive tool than break a cheap one.)

[ewuzh]

I've never had any problems with craftsman. My wrench set, ratchet set, allen keys, all good. Nothing's ever broken on me before and if it ever does, all I need to do is drive to Sears to get a free new one.

[Nietzsche]

All very good points. So my tools set will be used for body work/welding/fabrication and eventually I will be getting into engine/suspension and the likes. They will be used for work on a day to day basis and I'd like to open my own shop once schools out(Good reason to buy a nice car for business purposes and a tax write off). So as the "required" tool list is way to big to post, is there anything outside of the standard sockest/wrenches that I might use regularly. I won't be buying certain things till after school, compressors, plasma cutter, welder. Other than that what should I be on the look out for. Loans are coming up quick.

On a side note, is it worth the extra couple grand to get a TIG welder over a MIG welder?

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Recently my father and I have had more luck with tools made in china, well at least when it comes to taking a beating. Nothing but good things to say about companion tools so far(cheaper and pretty darn good quality). Our craftsman tools have been breaking too often with the same amount of a beating. BUT, since we already have bought many in the past, we just keep replacing the ones that break, since it is free to do so. When he does certain jobs, like replacing axles and jobs that have consistently broken craftsman tools, he switches to his companion tools

[ThurzNite]

Oh good, I was afraid of mentioning Champion... yeah, haven't had a champion hand tool fail on me yet... can't say the same for craftsman. But like Blue said, it's free to replace, that's why I have them.
Jae

[mtrai760]

What it all comes down to is ergonomics. The tools snap-on makes can be more comfortable in the hands during all day use than craftsman. Of course, craftsman makes ergonomic tools as well, but you have to pay a premium for them, they are not the same price as there regular line, though they are the same quality. For anyone not sure what I mean by ergonomics its how the tools feel in your hand, how comfortable they are to use. I used a lot of Snap-On tools in the Marine Corps working on helicopters, and I broke a lot of Snap-on tools as well. We always had a couple of spares on hand, so it was not a big deal to wait for the next time the truck came around. However, for the home mechanic, you really can't beat Craftsman for the quality and availability. It would suck to have to wait a week or go buy some other brand just because you broke a tool.

[elusivemax93]

it all depends on what you do as a living. snap on cornwell matco mac are all high quality tools that craftsman can not live up to in name. now if you work for a shop or dealership and walk back into a sears to replace a broken socket or breaker bar or anything life time warrantied. they will turn you down and say that it was used for professional use. because they even say that there tools are for the hobbiest and not to be used professionally. so if you do use them in a shop or in a dealership and break them good luck be smart and do not walk in to the sears wearing your uniform because they will turn you down. Now for as to the difference in the tools. i own alot of cornwell tools and craftsman and for the tools i own that are cornwell i can say they quality compaired to craftsman is by far better. i only have the craftsman because its what i could afford going into my automotive technology course in college. but once i get out im taking those tools that are craftsman and taking them home and investing into snap on tools and matco mac or cornwell which ever one i see fit more for the job at hand.

[ColombianMax]

Hmm, I've got Craftman tools and the only socket I've broken was a spark plug 13/16 which I used on my impact gun to remove lugnuts cuz I didnt have an impact socket on hand. Yes and it took a damn good beating for a long time. I've never had a problem with em and I do abuse em.

Elusive, that is Sears policy but NO ONE enforces that rule. BELIEVE ME I worked at Sears and my g/fs dad just retired after 30 years of working on cars, he'd go in to warranty tools with his uniform on and never got any problems. They understand tools are tools and they're meant to be used. Corporate doesnt think so but hey...thats why there is a special unlimited warranty program for these situations. Yes I looked it up on Wikipedia lol

[Ceasars Chariot]

im just now getting some tools, never been much of a mechanic, and im certainly not now. but for someone like me there is no way i would buy snap on even if i had the money. craftsman is good enough for people like me who dont use a wrench for a living.

if i won 5000 dollars worth of free tools, then i pick the snap on brand lol !

[KRRZ350]

I've given up on craftsmen. I'm stuck in the same rut as someone else, they keep breaking, and they keep giving me another cheap refurb and it breaks again.

I've never liked the snap-on ratchets for the fact that they are a tight slip fit, I've definitly had situations where being able to push the button on the back of the ratchet to easily release the socket was required.

Now I buy Kobalt from lowes, same deal as craftsmen. My duralast gear wrenches have seen way to much tourqe with cheater bars and have never given a problem, but if they did it's the same no-hassle return as kobalt & craftsmen........ And apparantly Napa That's where I'm going from now on, delivery FTW.

[paralyse]

The main reason I buy snap-on (or Mac, or Cornwell, or Matco) is that they come to the shop where I work -- I don't have to drive to a Sears. They also tend to offer a MUCH wider range of tools, especially for special applications like timing belts and transmission rebuilding. If I bust a 1/2" drive impact socket, I get a new one either way -- the only difference is whether I get one Monday off the tool truck or have to drive 20 miles to the nearest Sears store. Also, I can finance the purchases off the Snap-on truck, whereas with Sears I would probably have to get a Sears credit card, which doesn't allow weekly payments and charges outrageous interest.

For general purpose tools (impact sockets, wobblies, extensions, hand wrenches) Craftsman is more than sufficient. Especially if you're not hard on your tools. For anything that gets abused on a regular basis (3/8" and 1/2" drive impact guns) Snap-on and the like seem to have a better quality product that is completely rebuildable if parts wear out, not a use-and-toss like most of the Craftsman/IR stuff. In particular, Snap-on's 380 cordless impact is an absolute beast, and it beats the heck out of having to hook up to shop air every time you want to take a wheel off, dragging the hose around the car, etc.

[spdfreak]

I use Craftsman, but have a big mix.

I used Snap-on when I worked for a shop because they had those tools, and it was theirs, but I wouldn't spend $50 on a little wrench. If I open a shop I would go for Snap-on. Till then Craftsman will do.

Hows Husky (Home Depot brand)?

Also, do you guys mix and match brands (like a Craftsman wrench with a Snap-on socket)?

[ColombianMax]

Originally Posted by spdfreak

I use Craftsman.

I used Snap-on when I worked for a shop because they had those tools, and it was theirs, but I wouldn't spend $50 on a little wrench. If I open a shop I would go for Snap-on. Till then Craftsman will do.

Hows Husky (Home Depot brand)?

Also, do you guys mix and match brands (like a Craftsman wrench with a Snap-on socket)?

I've heard lots of good things about Husky, the source= gfs father, mechanic for 30 years. I'd take his word

[!PrjctMax!]

I have a set of ratcheting wrenches from Husky, and they are still holding strong! Had them for well over a year and have busted many knuckles and bolts, but the wrenches are still good! (knock on wood cause' my buddy is using them for his RSX build)

I don't see a problem with mixing and matching. I'm sure there's people that have a Cattman header, Greddy exhaust, paired with Magnaflow mufflers (you get the point) and it still works.

[MorpheusZero]

No mention of Matco?