anyone used Snap-on tools? expensive they are

Post by **chickenjohn** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:18 pm

but supposed to be the best available.

COMMENTS FROM USERS WANTED_ before I part with my hard earned- THIS IS NOT AN AD MR ~MODERATORS!

I realise I need to add a set of flexible coupling socket adapters to me tool kit as I've had a few jobs lately that were difficult without these. Nuts and bolts inside the door in Dibble (2-door convertible project) and replacing the spark plugs on my girlfriends Fiat Punto- a few of them are hard to reach.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

My thinking is, this type of coupling is likely to be prone to failure, when for example, undoing tight/ rusty nuts/ bolts and to minimise this, buy then best available.

Plus I like the idea of owning a few quality Snap-On items. any comments?? If negative- please feel free to PM me.

lovely, but worth £102????

Post by **Packedup** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:42 pm

I'd go with Facom for a brand name, or Halfords Pro (good plus the numpties who work there won't spot when you've broken a screwdriver using it as a chisel), or Clarke Pro.

Or of course Britool (if they're still going?) orthe better Kamasa kit (has lifetime warranty IIRC).

The only good things I can think of about Snap On are being able to impress the rare breed of mechanically minded females with the name, and a (somewhat limited/ strict) lifetime warranty.

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:02 am

Snap On tools are garenteed for life. If you break one, then providedyou were doing what it was meant for(no chiseling with a screwdriver), they will replace it f o c.

Post by **paulk** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:34 am

But I could spend the same £102 on an awful lot of Britool/Halfords Pro and Draper Expert equipment and all those are guarenteed too.

I've gopt a few UJ's for sockets and never yet broken one and most are cheap Draper ones. To be honest have never really used them all that much either in 20 years of car maintenence or work (engineering/fabrication)

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:52 pm

Mmmmm, I've never found them useful either. £102 is way too much for something that MAY come in handy once. If you've got to have snap on, put it towards something more useful.
The usual 'all opinions' stuff applies, as does the shared tool fetishism

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:07 pm

Packedup wrote:being able to impress the rare breed of mechanically minded females with the name

*would probably be more impressed with £102 worth of Mackie's/mead/Dremel wire brush attachments*

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:33 pm

would probably be more impressed with £102 worth of Mackie's/mead/Dremel wire brush attachments

Would prefer £102 to spend on our traveller.(From the computer hijacker)

Post by **MarkyB** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:40 pm

I agree with the previous posts. If you want the guarantee go for Halfords Pro tools.
If you want to buy snap-on go for something like;
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

Or a screwdriver set like;
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/gift_ite ... DER+%24150

These are quality tools and a pleasure to use but they are priced for people who will be using them everyday as their job not for DIYers.

Post by **Packedup** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:51 pm

wibble_puppy wrote:
Packedup wrote:being able to impress the rare breed of mechanically minded females with the name
*would probably be more impressed with £102 worth of Mackie's/mead/Dremel wire brush attachments*

Well, yes. But the number of people (of any gender) who like to think they know their way round an engine, and drool over the merest hint of Snap-On is startling. I'd certainly take £102 to an autojumble, car boot etc and get a huge selection of quality s/h sockets, ratchets, extensions, splitters.. And still have change for a beer and deathburger or ten

And you've reminded me, I need to find something for the not-Dremel so I can clean the rust off where the grinder won't reach.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:52 pm

interesting stuff - i'm loving the snap-on website's photo captions:

"Image shown may not be actual product but represents product or set which includes product"

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:54 pm

Packedup wrote: you've reminded me, I need to find something for the not-Dremel so I can clean the rust off where the grinder won't reach.

*waves*

Axminster do non-branded multitool accessories for good prices

Post by **Packedup** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:11 pm

I've got three or four boxes (literally - rather nifty wooden ones with proper hinges and latches) of accessories, bought when Lidl had them a few months ago for around 3 quid each IIRC.

Trouble is I need something that'll sit flat against rusty panels hidden under the dash and suchlike, on the end of the flexi. Having just searched Feebay, the right term is flap wheels and they don't seem too pricey

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:20 am

Thanks for the comments everyone- yes the £102.99 is too much to pay for a few adapters, I'm now looking at cheaper brands:-
http://www.toolsnstuff.co.uk/advanced_s ... nt&x=0&y=0

Clark pro don't seem to do any universal joints, and I'm not that keen on the store otherwise known as hellfrauds.

Its hard to resist the tool fetish and what if I buy a Draper and it breaks the next time I'm trying to undo a difficult-to-reach wing bolt. Well, I guess at that price I could get two.

There must be a reason Snap-on is used by so many professional mechanics.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:09 pm

Axminster do non-branded multitool accessories for good prices

And pretty good carpets as well......................................he ducks

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:10 pm

chickenjohn wrote:There must be a reason Snap-on is used by so many professional mechanics.

And I'm sure it has nothing to do with good marketing, building up a recognised brand, and then pushing their wares through commission led "independent" sales vans that trawl round industrial estates ;)

I've also noticed when nosing through the toolboxes at various garages they might have Snap-On stickers or even boxes, but they're not entirely awash with Snap-On tools within.

I agree with H*llF*auds in general, but the very fact they're cheap wage till staff means when you do abuse a tool beyond the call of duty, they tend not to realise so replace it without quibble

I don't think I've ever successfully used a socket UJ, but I struggle to see how it would be easy to break one (if you can get that much torque through it it'll be at an angle you don't need it IMO). If you're simply looking for something to get at slightly tricky nuts and bolts, try a wobble bar extension instead - I swear by mine (IIRC it's an Elora).

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:17 pm

A neighbour of mine collected snap on tools (a bit sad) and even had a gold plated socket set made by them.
He eventually lost his garage business, and discovered tattoos and piercings, (among other things) then moved away - wonder if he is still a collector?
Another neighbour is a salesman for a fastener/tool company (used to be Holo Krome) and has given me a few sets of quality tools to try out (and keep) - certainly helped me to get the headers off my minor. He said they were similar quality to snap on (sets I got weren't branded though)

Pete

Post by **iddy** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:28 am

I was at my local garage last week for an mot, and the mobile tool van was there. Like you, I was surprised at the cost of the sockets and tools, but the mechanics swore by Snap-on. Wouldn't use anything else.
I make do with my car boot tools

Post by **chickenjohn** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:30 am

I've come to my senses and decided to buy Draper/Elora flexible couplings from this site I've found. However, I can't resist ordering the Snap-On tools catalogue- just for browsing, you know!

Funnily enough, I've done a number of jobs recently where I wish I had said couplings.