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Steve, I think you got it right with peer pressure but I would like to restate also that the guy in the truck has alot to do with it also. Sears don't have door to door salesmen pushing their products, you gotta go to the store to get them. Sears if you want credit you gotta fill out paperwork and have good credit to get it, Snap On gives ANYBODY credit, all you need to do is put a little money down (that is up to the guy in the truck) and give him your name. I buy some Snap On tools from a truck that delevers to a garage I don't work at. When I need something I just show up when he does and I leave $ with the shop manager to pay him when I cant be there to meet him. I honestly believe that the door to door and no credit checks has alot to do with Snap Ons success.
Yes Snap On makes some quality tools but you guys keep comparing Craftsman to cheap Chinese tools. When it comes to ratchets, sockets and wrenches I buy 99% craftsman. I will buy precision tools from Snappy and I will also buy air tools from them, power tools are Dewalt. Snap On has its place but you cannot dissagree that when it comes to hand tools, even mechanics in the auto industry will agree Craftsman does the job quite well
I have all makes of quality tools in my box. Now that i am retired from pullin the wrenches i get to polish all those tools i will never use again. You can't sell them as people will not even come close to paying a fair price for them.You will laugh like hell but now i do small engine lawnmower, tractor repair and the set i use most is----READY--- METWRENCH.I have used a set of them for four years now and i cannot destroy them and i even use the sockets on my 1/2 in impact with a 3/8 reducer. They are just as good of quality as snap off and the others and they show no wear yet and i have NEVER rounded off a bolt with them yet.!!!!!
Was just looking back at old posts and could not beleve how far this post went.
I take my tools very sereously. I am not brand loyel though. I research alot befor I buy tools then pick what will work best for me.
And I did learn by watching my Farthers tools walk out the garage door about lending tools. You can borrow any tool I have. But I come with it for $30 an hour.
TOOLS
I have a set of Sears Craftsman tools that are 30+ years old and would not purchase any other brand. Cracked a couple of sockets over the years and they were replaced no problem. I guess the quality of tools you buy depends on what your doing. Just to have around the house for minor repairs a cheap set of Made in China tools will last a long time. If your income depends on your tools buy the best.
I used to use snap-on because their world headquarters is located in my home town, but now I use craftsman because they are less expensive and because of the policy on broken tools.
Another story:
I called up to an auto zone one time and asked for a muffler bearing and a carb chain for a 77 chevy 4x4. The kid on the phone started to serch his puter for them and had trouble finding them so he put on hold. About 5 minuites passes and I'm still on hold. Finally he gets back on the phone and tells me that they are dealer items only. I thanked him for his help and hung up.
I am sure he knows now that there is no such thing, well I hope so anyway, but it sure was funny!
Since someone else already bumped this thread up. I will throw this in. I was talking today with an old partner, who lives in Alaska, and still turns wrenches for a living. I asked him what brand he uses. He said that his $160,000.00 that he has invested in his tool box, is almost all Snap-on, along with a set or two of Craftsman. His box is by Mac, the biggest one they make. He has tools now that I never even heard of, but then I don't wrench for a "living" anymore. I asked why Snap-on and he said "they come right to the shop." Which is what this post was originally about, availability. It was not started to bash brand names of tools. Some of these posts have some good points. Alot of tools work for the job they are used for. It is hard to get your money back out of something used, unless you find that one person that wants just what you have. But then isn't that what this auction site is all about??
Like I said before, if craftsman followed the "Vaccum Cleaner" sales bit like Snap On and Mac, they wouold be just as popular. If you take Snap On trucks and park them and make the customers go to the store for them, sales would go down.
I was a professional mechanic for many years, until I could afford to retire. I only had a few problems with snap on. The wrenches are a bit thin and on occasion could cause some discomfort when heavy force was required. The tools are beautiful because they are chromed but this presents a problem in extreme weather. Put one down in the snow and when you pick it up, it can be difficult to Let go of. Put one down in heavy sun light and you can burn your hand picking it up. The matte finish on most other tools is not as prone to this problem.
On the other hand, snap on truck has tools that are very difficult to locate any where else. I had a device for checking air flow through the throat of a carburetor. It is absolutely necessary when trying to synchronized six carburetors on a Ferrari. The snap on truck was the only place I was ever able to find that tool. If memory serves it was called a "Uni-sync"
I have never met a mechanic who really worried about the price of tools, we all spent too much and bought tools we did not need. We made our living using them so their effectiveness, comfort and reliability was most important.
You know, as I read down thru these posts, I don't recall any mention of Yard Sales, yeah, don't laugh, yard sales, garage sales & flea markets. Years ago when I was swinging wrenches, I used to buy Snap-On, Herbrand, Cornwall, and other quality tools from those trucks. Now I don't need many more, but when I do, or even don't do, I still find a lot of good tools at these sales and real cheap. And the beauty of it is, they still have the warranties that go with them.
Just this past Sunday, I stopped at a yard sale and bought over 50 Craftsman sockets and the small tool box for $10.00. You can't beat that. You'll be surprised what you can find.
Gino
Comments
Yes Snap On makes some quality tools but you guys keep comparing Craftsman to cheap Chinese tools. When it comes to ratchets, sockets and wrenches I buy 99% craftsman. I will buy precision tools from Snappy and I will also buy air tools from them, power tools are Dewalt. Snap On has its place but you cannot dissagree that when it comes to hand tools, even mechanics in the auto industry will agree Craftsman does the job quite well
Edited by - 7mm nut on 05/19/2002 20:25:38
I take my tools very sereously. I am not brand loyel though. I research alot befor I buy tools then pick what will work best for me.
And I did learn by watching my Farthers tools walk out the garage door about lending tools. You can borrow any tool I have. But I come with it for $30 an hour.
TOOLS
Another story:
I called up to an auto zone one time and asked for a muffler bearing and a carb chain for a 77 chevy 4x4. The kid on the phone started to serch his puter for them and had trouble finding them so he put on hold. About 5 minuites passes and I'm still on hold. Finally he gets back on the phone and tells me that they are dealer items only. I thanked him for his help and hung up.
I am sure he knows now that there is no such thing, well I hope so anyway, but it sure was funny!
"Respect my authority"
If I knew then, what I know now.
On the other hand, snap on truck has tools that are very difficult to locate any where else. I had a device for checking air flow through the throat of a carburetor. It is absolutely necessary when trying to synchronized six carburetors on a Ferrari. The snap on truck was the only place I was ever able to find that tool. If memory serves it was called a "Uni-sync"
I have never met a mechanic who really worried about the price of tools, we all spent too much and bought tools we did not need. We made our living using them so their effectiveness, comfort and reliability was most important.
TOOLS
Just this past Sunday, I stopped at a yard sale and bought over 50 Craftsman sockets and the small tool box for $10.00. You can't beat that. You'll be surprised what you can find.
Gino
"If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"