Is $165 a good price for a 22 piece set of snap-on 3/8 drive sockets, sizes 1/4 through 7/8 standard and 1/4 through 7/8 deep, never used, with plastic tray and still in wrapper?

$183.45 list price in my 3 year-old catalog

Ok, I know Snap-On has a great name, but really, there are so many tool manufacturers that make great tools with life-time warranties at a fraction of the cost of snap-on, and I know, some tools with lifetime warranty still suck but a lot of them are good, like westward (spelling?) So why not save some cash and get some cheaper ones?


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Chris Dagenais
CST Kelsey
'71 Malibu soon to be 454!
http://member.xoom.com/Gandalf80/Chris'sPage

You can't find a Snap On dealer when you need some one to replace a broken tool. GO to Craftsman instead, it is not quite the same quality, but you can take it back to the local Sears store and they will replace a tool on the spot.. been there , done that

If you have the money and want to drive a Rolls Royce, then I say do it. Me, I can only afford Chevys and an occasional Olds (and I have to work on them myself).

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DZAUTO, I can't believe you said that! You work with tools all day, you know the difference. There is no comparison between Snap-On and Craftsman.

If you own a shop, the tools come to you, ask Sears to stop by once a week and check in.

The one thing I did while I had my shop was buy all the Snap-On tools I could. Sure they are expensive but they are better.

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Wally
Gold #67
67 malibu

I've been using Snap-On and Mac tools for 30+ years and have rarely had to use the warranty. Everybody offers a lifetime warranty just to sell their products, doesn't mean there good, just means you spend a lot of time running to get replacements. One other brand I like is S K Wayne.I have a set of their sockets in my box that I've used for 34 years and they are in great shape. My Dad taught me 2 things about tools, if you have to borrow a tool more than once you need to buy it and when you buy it get the best. He has a set of Snap-On tools he purchased in the 1950's. As far as finding a Snap-On or Mac dealer, just ask the sevice department at your local dealer what day and time the truck comes. Meet them there and they will be happy to replace any tool that is broken or worn out.

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Philip Valentine
Team Chevelle Member #42 GOLD
philip@chevelles.com

Sorry, 64 I beg to differ. Here in La. if you run to the dealer,shop,etc. and expect the Snap-On man to honor your warranty you are sadly mistaken. Unless you are very lucky or know him personally he usually will not touch your tools unless you are a regular coustomer. I and most of the mechs.I know have had to go as far as calling regional managers to get tools warrantied. So don't believe the hype. I'm 34 now and have been using Craftsman,Snap-On,Mac,SK & Proto,etc. since I was a teen and dollar for dollar I think that you can't beat Craftsman!! BTW I'm ASE cert. and hold an A&P cert.

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Jungle Jim #105 Gold
70SS396 & 70 Malibu
"Fight the good Fight every moment, every minute,every day. Make it worth the price you pay!"

I have had nohing but good luck with Craftsman tools.Rarely do I break one and if I do there is absolutely NO hassle at all to replace them.Unlike the snap on guy who wants to put me through the 3rd degree. I have a Craftsman tool kit that I only use to travel to the junk yard. Well, I got these tools all wet and didn't look at them in two months. When I opened the case they had all gotten rusty . I went to sears and replaced every ratchet and socket without a single question being asked.Thats why I like Craftsman. Basically, I never had a problem with the performance of any of the above mentioned tools.Just the ease of replacement that sold me on craftsman.

I have been a hobby mechanic (mostly) for almost 40 years. There is no question of the quality of Snap-On tools, however, dealing with them is another matter. Just getting them to stop by your company to sell to your techs is another matter. I will try to find a snap on dealer only if they have a special tool not readily available elswhere.

I have been a shadetree for about 15 years now, ever since my dad bought my first car. He said that if I expected to drive it, he expected me to keep it running. All my dad and I have ever used, well mainly anyway, is Craftsman. To this day I have only returned 2 tools. The one tool was one I found in the trunk of a car I bought, they took it back and I walked out with a brand new one. The other was one I had, wet noodle me for this one, left out in the rain and in the dirt. Ruined the ratchet and it was obvious what I did. Took it back, walked out with a new one. Never any problems. I have a socket set from my 17th birthday that I still have. The only time I replace one of the sockets, is when the garage gremlins HIDE it on me. I'm not bangin on MAC or Snap-on, it's your money do what you believe, but $ for $ I get more with Craftsman.

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Fred
Madness takes it's toll, please have exact change.
'70 Chevelle
www.geocities.com/motorcity/shop/9385/1970Chevelle.html (http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/shop/9385/1970Chevelle.html)

You know those very snobby magazines you find in the seat pockets on commercial airlines? Well I was thumbing through one a couple of months ago, and it had an article on Snop-On tools... Need I say more. --- Carl

I use both Snap-on and Craftsman. My first tool kit, which I still have, was a Craftsman. I also have Snap-on tools from '82 which have never let me down. Nowadays I tend to buy Craftsman only because of the reasons mentioned in other posts: 1-Quality, 2-Warranty (never had a hassle whereas Snap-On you have to be the Pope to exchange a defective/broken tool) 3-Price, 4-Convenience (why wait once a week for tools when if you need something you can go to sears anytime.

I used to be a Craftsman fan but lately I've got to say their ratchets are absolute junk - even their "professional" line. The last three ratchets I've bought/exchanged have needed to be replaced before I even wore the sticker off. One even broke while installing a carburetor (read: not much torque). I have some older ones that are still working great but the new ones aren't.

I started buying Snap-on tools when I was 18 working in a bodyshop/garage(30yrs ago)on the weekly payment plan. Only worked there a year or so but have continued to buy Snap-on when I needed something and I could afford it. I can only say that I have never been sorry I invested the money in good tools. Yes I am just a hobbiest neither rich nor a snob. I have a weakness for Muscle cars and tools. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

I like the styling and feel of Snap On. They are made with closer tolerances. Check the slop on a rachet. Put a socket on and feel the movement sideways. Quality and materials are sacrifaced because , the company that makes the tools under the licensed agreement from Sears using the brand name "Craftsman" change from time to time because they can't make a profit at the cost Sears negotiates with them or the warrienty they are forced to backup causes them not to make a decent profit, so they quit or go out of business. I have more Craftsman tools in my box and the convience of the warrenty is nice, but I'm slowly replacing them with Snap On.

With regards to my previous post, I'm not trying to say that snap-on tools are necessarily snobby. I did think the article was quite funny. I don't think there is any question about their quality, and also they make certain special tools nobody else does. ---Carl

I have Snap-on, S-K, and Craftsman in my tool boxes. Like all of them for different reasons. Open end wrenches, only Snap-On. Sockets (normal stuff), doesn't matter. It just depends on what it is.

You guys must have some real crappy Snap-on dealers. How do they keep their dealership if they treat customers that way. I must be lucky, but my next door neighbor is a Snap-on dealer. As it turns out, he was also my first dealer too. He set me up with a truck account when I was only 13 years old and worked for $3.35/hour. I appreciated him taking a risk on me, and I never forgot that. He also never gave me a hard time about rplacing a broken tool. If he didn't have a replacement in his spares, he opened a new pack of whatever and gave me what I needed. Now that's service!

Since I don't do auto work as a trade anymore, I don't buy as much as I used to. There is a difference in tolerances and feel on certain tools though. Comination wrenches and ratchets are much better than Crafsman. Sockets, extensions, etc. aren't as big a deal.

One thing my dad told me when I was a kid...You never lose your investment in tools. I follow that premise when looking for new tools. Also, how often will I use ths tool? Might make that decision easier.

Sorry for being long winded...I feel much better now.

Todd G
Malibu Muscle
http://www.qis.net/~tgeisler

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I've been using a combination of Snap-On and Craftsman for years. I like the Snap-On better, but getting replacements from Sears is much easier. If I had a good buddy who was in good with the Snap-On rep and wasn't planning on moving, I would go with them. However, if you ever move, you can always find a Sears. I have always had excellent results with Craftsman and I think they are a much better value for the money.

I Have both Craftsman and Snap On tools, there is not a lot of difference in the sockets and some of the other tools but the Snap On ratchets are soo much better than the Craftsman that I took the Craftsmans out of my tool box because everytime I try to use them they *****me off with their sloppyness. Most of my Snap On tools I bought in the early 80s and I have broken a couple of sockets, My local dealer gave me no trouble at all about replacing them.
Ron

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70 Chevelle SS396, 71 Z28-RS, 95 Z28 Convertible. Aces 3081, TC #54 Gold

Save your money, go to Sears and buy $165 worth of tools. I won't buy another Snap-On tool as long as I live. All the S-O dealers in my town are D*$&heads. I broke a T-30 Torx 3 weeks ago. Gave the dealer the bit 3 weeks ago. Finally got one yesterday. Ordered a Vacula blowgun from him last October, and I still haven't seen it. I buy whatever tool gives me the best value in my opinion. I go through a 1/4 inch air ratchet in about 14 months. They're name-brand, but the heads wear out. (I use it 5+ hours a day.) I rebuild 'em once, then take it home and buy a new one. I have a CP impact I bought in 1984, rebuilt it once, and still works like new.

My belief is that for the shadetree a Craftsman will do the job just fine(for reasons discussed earlier), but for one thing the Snap-on ratchets and screwdrivers for everyday use are much easier on the hands and don't bust the knuckles. But for everything else my money is on the craftsman, unless you got the hook-ups from the Snap-on guy(my friend is living with a Snap-on driver's daughter) can you say "discount"?

I just e-mailed this thread to a buddy of mine at Snap On.
He already told me, if you don't know the route drver- you ain't gonna get no replcement tools from him, he's gonna hold them for his regular customers.
Besides, everyone knows where there is a Sears. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

It's AHs like your buddy that give Snap-On a bad name. I don't remember reading in all of the stuff I got from Snap-On any thing about needing to know the route driver. He gets the tools replced from Snap-On, all he needs to do is the paper work.

I sugest it's lazy guys like your buddy and not Snap-On that is the problem!

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Wally
Gold #67
67 malibu

Well put Wally, I agree, it shouldn't matter if they know you or not, if you have broken Snap-on tools, they should replace them! I'm lucky to have a great Snap-on dealer. He even fixed one of my MAC ratchets for me because the Mac man won't come around anymore. I'm sorry to hear about you guys that are having all the problems, and agree that's total BS! I was the service manager for a Honda motorcycle dealer, and that's like me telling a customer " I don't know you, and you didn't buy your bike here, and even though it's still under warranty I,m not going to perform any warranty repairs for you." It's these a$$holes that give the entire company a bad name!

For everyone that likes craftsman you can go to Home Depot and buy huskey tools even cheaper and they are the same tools, made by the same company. I have some of them Ihave some craftsman and lots of Snap-On. NOBODY makes a timing light like Snap-On's it is well worth the money and makes the job of tuning your car much more easy. I really do feel sorry for the people that have had problems with Snap-on tools. Not to long ago I was working in LA and had got a tool replaced by a Snap-On dealer I saw while I was out taking lunch, it was the 3/8 drive air wratchet they sell. I told him I really could use one now but would not die with out it. He gave me a new one and took my old one from me had it repaired and sent it to me with an post paid envelope to send his loaner back to him. Now thats service, I had owned it for 3 years and it gets used every day. BTW Snap-On sent my rebuilt rachet back to me with a new protective boot for the head and also replaced the muffler. The muffler seemed fine to me just a little banged up,but it looks like new now. I took a 40 year old rachet back to sears that broke and they gave me a new one, that's what I call service too. They even let me keep the old one it's a classic that Grandpa gave me.

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Gold Member #164
sites.netscape.net/1969ss/homepage (http://sites.netscape.net/1969ss/homepage)

I'd like to throw in here. Thanks to my father-in-law my tool box knows a wide assortment of brand names. Snap-On, Proto, S & K, and a few others and then what I've bought is CRAFTSMAN. For a Hobby mech Craftsman is usually fine, but the ratchets have never been anygood.

The last time I had to trade one in at Sears, the tool guy mentioned they Refurb them at the store. That must be why they haven't been lasting. I think the next time I break one, and I know I will, I'll insist on one off the shelf, and not from some box under the counter.

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DG
Springfield, Ohio
70 Chevelle Malibu

www.wright.edu/~adams.6/chevy.htm (http://www.wright.edu/~adams.6/chevy.htm)

TEAM Chevelle Member #0086

OK- let me try this again.
The reason I e-mailed this thread to a friend at Snap-on is so he could see what the public had to say about the service on Snap-on's warranty.(and if you read the 23 posts before mine you might begin to believe there have been problems with more than one driver)

First off, my bud is not a lazy AH like Wally said. My friend is NOT a route driver at all. He simply told me exactly what the other threads above said. If you have a shop and have a SO route driver coming by regularly, no prob. If you have lived next door to a SO man for half your life, no prob. If you married into a SO family, no prob.

BUT-If you flag down a driver that you have never seen before, most likely THE DRIVER is going to make sure THE DRIVER'S regular customers needs are taken care of before he gives tools away to a stranger.

I am not slamming anyone here, but I do strongly disagree with Wally and Rob F.- ANY dealer is a represenitive of his company. IF the dealer, driver, whatever gives bad service it is a direct reflection on the company.
30 years from now you won't remember the name of that driver, dealer, service man- but you will never forget why you stopped doing buisness with that company!

That's why I sent this thread to someone who can maybe do something about it. At least in his area.

Darn, that's the longest post I've ever written. Maybe I'll stick to just reading for awhile!

Pure BS. First the driver is the owner; it's like a franchise deal. He is his own little empire, or kingdom as some would have you believe. I own a large quantity of Snap-On tools, and never had problems getting anything replaced. To tell the truth, I never had a failure that was not self inflicted, you know using your screwdriver as a pry bar. I don't expect the dealer to replace tools I use incorrectly.

There are some things that are not covered, taps, dies and chisels.

I had a bad time with Sears, they were refusing to replace a 1/2 drive torque wrench, the ratchet head broke while I was pulling up some FE head bolts, damn near killed me! That little deal was the last time I set foot in the tool department.


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Wally
Gold #67
67 malibu

EX-SEARS STORE MGR. HERE GO CRAFTSMAN LIFETIME WARRANTY AND YOU CAN BUY EM AT FLEAMARKETS FOR 1/2 THE COST NEW WHICH IS 1/10 THE SNAP-ON PRICE i have a few snap-on's for the heavy stuff but otherwise go craftsman jk

I think it just go's to show that some people just don't care about customer service, whether it be snap-on or craftsman. The experiances shown here reflect the attitude of one or more repesentives of a very large companys, that are for the most part known for customer service. If you think you have gotten a raw deal call the main office and complain and follow it up with an e-mail or a letter. Just an example, I shop at a large supermarket all the time. I bought a turkey and put it in the freezer and about 3 mo. later took it out to smoke it. After letting it thaw in the frig for a few days I opened the bag and I about fell on the floor from the rotten smell. I went to the store to buy a fresh turkey and metioned what had happened to the checker, she called the manager, he came over and gave me the new turkey for free right on the spot no questions asked. I wrote a letter to the stores main office telling them what he had done and the excellent sevice he provided me. I recieved a responce back in about 3 weeks and a $20.00 off certificate for my next purchase. When I went to the store I saw the manager and told him what had happened, he told me he had a copy of the letter mailed to him and two movie passes were inclosed with it when he recieved it. I think if you complain or praise the managers of a store or a company rep they hear about it one way or another.

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Gold Member #164
sites.netscape.net/1969ss/homepage (http://sites.netscape.net/1969ss/homepage)

I agree with Moeman's approach. It's good he knows someone in the business. You know something else guys? We're starting to pack a little clout here. As for tools, don't even look in my box. I've got a Heinz 57 mix of just about everything made. I'm on board with a lot of the guys about the Snap-on dealers though. The one that comes to our hangar is one of the most arrogant, sawed off, little SOBs you would ever want to meet. Broken ratchet? Snap on doesn't warranty ratchets anymore according to him, but he will be glad to sell you a rebuild kit that you can install yourself. I quit trading with him a few years ago when he announced that the word "discount" wasn't in his vocabulary. One of my friends was on his truck about six months ago with about six or seven hundred dollars worth of tools in his hands. He casually asked about a Snap-on cap and before he could even tell the dealer he wasn't asking for a free-bee, the guy bit his head off and informed him that he wasn't in the business of giving away caps, and if he wanted one, it would be twenty dollars! The crashing sound that was heard next was my buddy dropping all the tools on the floor and walking off the truck. Its not the tools, its their dealers. Before settling in at my current job, I bounced around from dealerships to fleet shops like so many other mechanics. I'd have to say, from experience, for every seven or eight Snap-on guys, you run into one good one. However, to be fair, I dealt with a Snap-on guy back in the late eighties that would absolutely bend over backwards to deal with you. I bought a set of tool boxes from and he gave a ridiculously high trade-in amount for my old boxes. He allowed me almost four times what I paid for them when I bought them new. He even got called on the carpet by his district manager over it, but somehow he smoothed it over. The last I heard, he's a district rep himself now. When you find a good one, stick with him.

If your in the san Diego area and need snap-on tools lok up Bob Kilmar. He is a great guy, gave me $100.00 trade in for my old timing light to buy a snap-on digital one. I have never run into a bad dealer, but I can imagine when you do it must be hell!!

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Gold Member #164
sites.netscape.net/1969ss/homepage (http://sites.netscape.net/1969ss/homepage)

I am not a mechanic so I cannot comment about the heavy duty usage of Snap - On tools, but I have found Canadian Tire and Craftsman tools to be perfectly adequate for the purposes of a shadetree mechanic. I have tools more than 15 years old from CT which are still giving good use. It might be another thing if I was using them to earn a living - but I am not qualified to answer that one. I also suppose if you can really tell the difference, but I would rather have a broader range of less expensive tools tha a few very good ones.

My $0.02
Stephen Wild

I just remembered something else. The guy who had the SO route before our current dealer took over was also a bend over backwards, do anything for your business type person. (I said I would be fair, so I felt it neccessary to give him a mention also.) I traded with him a lot. He felt he had to earn your business. Coincidentally (or maybe not) he is also a district rep for Snap-on now. It's called salesmanship, some have it, some don't. Many salesmen, whether they are selling tools, cars, or whatever, feel that their products sell themselves and all they should have to do is stand back and rake in the money. Sorry folks, but it is MY money that I'm putting in their hands. Money I have worked and sweat for. When I buy something, whether it's Snap-on tools or a vacuum cleaner, I expect the person to whom I'm handing my money to at least ACT like they appreciate my business. Also, I suggest that a lot of the problems people are experiencing with their tool dealers are also being experienced by people everywhere in every sector of the economy. Our economy is in an unprecedented boom period right now. A lot of people in sales don't really have to work hard to make a sale right now because people are throwing money around like it's Monopoly play money. (With all due appologies to the hardworking sales people who DO bust their butts every day, I wasn't talking about you, but I think you do know the ones I'm talking about.) History tells us that this boom will eventually cool off and the economy will slip into recession. It goes in cycles. When it does, just remember who treated you well, and who didn't.

OK folks, now it's time to get back to the business of helping each other with car problems. No more bashing each other. Everyone is entitled to use the use the tool or rock of their choice.

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 08-17-99).]

I heard that Snap On Tools was going to sponsor the "Ellen" TV show but it was cancelled. von

Thanks Moeman for this thread sharing other people's opinions of the different tool companies.
I would like to clear up a few misinterpretations. First of all, I am completely the opposite of being an AH and lazy. I do, however, admire the fact that individuals would speak so highly for a company that I have been associated with in various ways for several years.
MM informed me of the topic of discussion and how the majority of concern was having to do with service and a large portion being negative. What I was trying to communicate to MM was, that unfortunately there are dealers who are hesitant about replacing a tool for a complete stranger. These are the type of dealers that are most likely calling on the guys that have had bad experiences with Snap-On. The successful Snap-On dealer treats a complete stranger with a broken tool, not as a nuisance but as an opportunity to make a new customer. These Snap-On dealers outnumber the others by a significant margin. I hope the people who have had bad experiences with a particular dealer would give another Snap-On dealer an opportunity. He may be the one that will give you the service you guys deserve and are looking for. Who knows you might even verbally trash a complete stranger in defense of your Snap-On dealer.

I heard somewhere that Kobalt tools (sold at Lowe's) are made by Snap-On. The handles on the ratchets sure look the same.

Next time I'm on the other side of town (where the Lowe's is) I'm stopping by to see if it's true and check prices. I'm pretty sure Lowe's will honor the warranties without any hassle, so maybe there's a way to get cake and eat it too.

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Jeff Schramm, Andover KS
'65 300 Deluxe 4-door L6
Member #283

I have Craftsman, Snap-On and S-K. When I go to replace an item, I buy Snap-On. You spend a little more, but like the "Fram" man use to say, "You can pay me now or you can pay me latter".

Oh well, here's the number for Snap-On - 1-800-866-5748.

Good luck and keep on wrenching.

TCG #267
ACES #2916

I am pushing 40, in a service industry (pressure washer/car wash sales/repairs). I have an SK 3/8" Ratchet that you'd have to kill me to get.
I've had it at least 20 years. I have a Snap On 1/4" x 8" Flatblade Screwdriver, that has pried more stuff than you'd believe, same goes.
The rest of my tools are smorgasborg...Husky, Craftsman, K-Mart stuff, OH and some Klein Tools. I HIGHLY recommend Klein Screwdrivers, and Linesmans pliers.
My uncle has a Snap On guy, that has NEVER done anything nice that I've seen..(doesn't mean he doesn't, just not where I can see), and there is a Sears Hardware just around the corner (Tim Taylor type grunts here!) I LOVE that place!

Damn that was long winded...what was the subject?

Dave H.
Houston (Still quite Hot) Texas

Just can't resist throwing my thought into this mix. Don't even know that much about tools at all. But from reading every one of the above posts, its obvious to me that there are just some people who are in a sales position that do not have a clue as to what they are doing. I've been in sales professionally for 15 years now and am continually amazed at the ineptitude of some many people in our service businesses today. They act like they are doing us a favor by selling us their stuff. I honestly do not know how they can remain in business. The fact is, not a lot of them will last for the long haul. Thanks for providing the forum to share that particular frustration of mine.

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Worked at Sears Automotive just after highschool, and the only reason the mechanics there used Craftsman was a 40% discount. I don't mind craftsman, but their tool chests do suck! Thin walled pieces of crap

Update: Was in Sears today for a needed 1 1/4" wrench. Tried Several ratchets while I was at it. All felt grungy, like at least greasing them would help. Some of the older ones in the home toolbox work great. Guess I'll buy all sorts of different things from different sources. I forgot a couple other FIRM beliefs. For a vise grip type plier, there is ONLY "Vise Grip" Brand. For adjustable wrenchs, only "Crescent". And of course my absolute LOVE of Klein Tools!

Now, gotta go cruise the Elky!!!

Dave H.
Houston, TX

You guys are lucky. I'm not only a Chevelle owner, but LOWE'S employee. We've got a new tools line called "KOBALT". They are made by SNAP-ON with excellent quality and same or better price than Craftsman.

Also, satisfaction guaranteed. If you shop LOWE'S, you know, we take back everything.
Give us a try...........

Dude, I've only been in Lowes once when I didn't have to be on bussiness (Installing Vending Machines). I didn't find prices to be all they could be...will go back sometime, just have to drive 30 odd miles to get to one.

On cruisin' the Elky, it got all wiggy coming back from cruise. Turned out many different things were all caused by the positive wire shorting on the exhaust manifold. ALWAYS SOMETHING, eh?

Dave H.
Houston, TX
'81 El Camino
'87 Yamaha FJ 1200 (Trade?)
'92 F-150 for money to spend on Elky and Bike

I was looking for an inch-pounds size torque wrench for working with the titanium and aluminum fasteners on my mountain bike. I went to a tool store, and looked at an SK for $135. Then I went to Sears, and saw what I believed to be the same wrench, labeled Craftsman, for $69. I bought it, and took it to the tool store to compare with the SK labeled on which cost twice as much. It was exactly the same (exactly exactly), even showing the same mold split lines on the adjuster ring. Hmmmmmm........