ok guys whats the difference between crasftman and snap on? there noth made in the usa and have life time warrenty.
so what pros and cons do both have and whats the difference between them.

I think the Snap-on is a lot more refined...they feel better in your hand. If I were turning wrenchs every day for a living I would have nothing but Snap-on. The problem is, I don't and so the Snap-on guy doesn't stop at my little garage. I have some Snap-ons that I inherited from my dad and I have had to run down the truck to get parts and replacements. With the Craftman, I just ask my wife to take care of it when she goes to Sears.

I use them all. SnapOn sockets and wrenches are thinner and fit tighter spaces for us pros, but not always. If the socket or wrench fits the bolt properly and is not too thick, there is no difference.

Snap On tools are pretty,work well,and expensive.If you break a tool,you gotta find the snap on guy.Retail stores are few and far between.Craftsman tools are cheaper,work well,and durable.Sears stores are just about everywhere.

cant say I have any complaints about my Craftsman hand tools. Very good quality in general, and they are nicely priced too. The lifetime warentee is nice too...

If I had a surplus of money, Snap On tools would be nice.......but still, whenever im using my Craftsman tools, I never find myself saying "wow I really wish I had Snap On tools..."

JMO.

Ben

Snap-on all the way I would never use Craftman.

Couldn't agree more with the running down the snap on truck, what a PITA....

I would rather have Craftsman...

Plus, the do have "pretty" wrenches too, smooth and shiney, but a waste of money IMHO......

I have always been able to do what I need to do with my Craftsman tools. I can't imagine, nor do I understand the logic behind it, why a tool company wouldn't sell through retailers.

Snap on makes some very nice specialty wrenches that I haven't seen from craftsman. Back in the 80s I bought a distributor wrench that I absolutely loved. I could have used a ratchet, but after buying that wrench ($52 at the time) the difference in time savings and ease of use justifies the cost.

I inherited a bunch of craftsman, snap-on and proto tools from my grandfather. Some of em go back to the 20s. Still work great.

Snap On tools are pretty,work well,and expensive.If you break a tool,you gotta find the snap on guy.Retail stores are few and far between.Craftsman tools are cheaper,work well,and durable.Sears stores are just about everywhere.
If I had a surplus of money, Snap On tools would be nice.......but still, whenever im using my Craftsman tools, I never find myself saying "wow I really wish I had Snap On tools..."
Couldn't agree more with the running down the snap on truck, what a PITA....
I would rather have Craftsman...
Plus, the do have "pretty" wrenches too, smooth and shiney, but a waste of money IMHO......

:iamwithst Have a few Snap-On's but I always seem to grab the Craftsman stuff out of the tool box.

Craftsman :thumb:

i put my tools through hell. like said before, there isn't a large difference, and sears are everywhere so returning isn't a big deal.

wow you guys have bad luck with the snap on guy all we have to do i call him up and hes at the shop in an hour

I use them all. SnapOn sockets and wrenches are thinner and fit tighter spaces for us pros, but not always. If the socket or wrench fits the bolt properly and is not too thick, there is no difference.I have heard that before. I guess if you have a shop (professional, as in for a living) and you break tools it is nice to have a snap on guy that comes to you to get your tool replaced rather than making a special trip to get it replaced.

Personally, I have a few snap on screwdrivers, but most all of my tools are craftsman. I have never had any trouble with any of them.

Craftsman in my tool box...Snap On calendars on my garage wall.):h

Craftsman tools here. Never had a problem with them replacing them no matter what.

Off topic, but JoshH is that a 6420?

Craftsman tools have really cheapen up their tools in the last 20 year. Put a older tool next to a new one. I have Craftsman, Snap On, Mac, and Matco tools in my tool boxes. The main advantage to the Craftsman is when some one barrows it you dont have to spend a lot to replace it.

Most of my tools are Craftsman because they are less expensive and the Sears is on my way to work. I have a few specialty tools from Snap-On and others that are just fine. I like my craftsman for all my tools but they don't make some stuff. I also really like all my Harbor Fraight tools, just becuase they are really really cheep but no warentee.

Bentley

I have mostly craftsman, but snapon definitely makes a better tool. Spending the extra money is worth it on some tools. Line wrenches by craftsman as an example have enough flex that you are likely to round off the head on a tough flare nut. Snap ons are very rigid and I've never had a problem with flare nuts using one of my snapon line wrenches, even on my old 69 camaros. If you are using open end wrenches on tough bolts, same applies. Even the box end wrenches and sockets from snap on have more precision and won't round bolds as easily when using a 12 point, 6 points I don't think it will make that much difference. I make a point to always buy 6 point sockets so I don't need the precision from snap on with them though. Specialty tools, snap on has a great selection, much better than craftsman.

Also, not sure all craftsman tools are made in the US, they were importing tools from Asia for quite a while, and you can see the difference in quality easily. Not sure if they still are, been a while since I bought any.

They are both excellent. Snap on also has tools that Sears either doesn't carry, or it comes in a set or so it seems. For instance, went down to buy a socket for my 2 & 5/16 trailer ball, and Sears did not have it. On way home, saw the Snap-on truck and followed him to his next stop, walked in with my trailer ball nut and asked if he had one to fit, he asked 1/2" or 3/4" drive?? Yes I paid dearly, but he had it.

I put my snap on reps kid through college with all the money I spent over the last 8 years.

My only complaint about Craftsman tools is that Sears either changes manufactures or the manufacture changes patterns. Loose or break a wrench and likely the replacement won't match your original set. This is true with their polished "Professional" line. If I was making a living with my tools so I could depreciate them they would be all Snap On or Mac.

I started buying SnapOn tools in 1966. The last time I did a complete inventory, I had over $30,000.00 (1989 prices) worth of hand tools plus a "taco wagon" tool box. A smaller roll cab & a KRA59 top box. Then I have a war surplus (WWII) set of Black Hawk 3/4 drive sockets that I inherited from my dad.
I do own some Craftsman, Mac, Matco and other miscellaneous brands.
What some have said about SnapOn sockets and box end wrenches fitting where others don't is especially true. Take a Craftsman and a SnapOn combination wrench of equal size and compare the wall thickness of the box end. The SnapOn is quite a bit thinner and will fit places that the Craftsman would not. Ditto for their sockets. The 1/4" drive flex sockets will go where no others will. (That I have found.)

That being said, if I had to replace my tools, there is NO WAY that I could justify going all SnapOn again.
:rant:
SnapOn is pricing themselves out of the market. One of the things that pi$$ed me off was when they purchashed Kershaw Knives and started selling them on the truck. Instead of using the excess profits to purchase and market Kershaw Knives, they could have reduced the price of their tools to where the average Joe wouldn't have to get a second mortgage to buy a decent set!
(I know that in a free capitalist economy, they can do what they want. But if the competition keeps improving the quality of their tools, then SnapOn will start losing market share, if they haven't already!)

Knives are great. But if I want a knife, I certainly don't think of a tool truck first when I want to buy one.
:rant:

SnapOn had better check the hand writing on the wall. Their pricing is WAY out of line. Their spiel is "that set is only $XXX.00 per week!" People who have some sense will multiply that weekly figure by 4.3 to see what a monthly cost is. Then they need to realize that cost is before you buy food, pay your rent, buy gas, etcetera.

I have seen combination wrenches in Wally World that a person could buy a whole set for less than the cost of one SnapOn 3/4" combination wrench.

While I realize that the Wally World wrenches aren't up to SnapOn's quality, a young wrench turner who has to buget his tool purchashes will have a hard time justifying buying the SnapOn tools.
I'm not advocating WallY World (Wal-Mart for those of you in Rio Linda :D) wrenches, just using them as an example.

BTW, some of those Wally World combonation wrenches have better fit and finish than the equivilant Craftsman tools do! The fit and finish of the Craftsman combonation wrenches have really gone in the tank compared to what they used to be! If you have an old set of Craftsman wrenches and replace one with a new one, you will see what I mean!

I really prefer SnapOn, especially when working on aircraft turbine engines. But it has gotten well past the point where I can justify the expense for most of their tools.

Britt

Snap-On makes the specialty tools that are basically impossible to find other than on tool-trucks. Also, flankdrive wrenches are amazing....
I've got quite an assortment of tools, some that was made long before I was even a thought. Most of my wrenches are Gearwrenches and they have been great.
Of course, I have quite a collection of Napa tools too ;)

Sears down the corner has the tools I need in an emergency - usually. The biggest complaint I have is Craftsman seems to group their tools in sets that never helps me out. I'm always needing that oddbal wrench or socket that isn't part of a kit. I paid $6.50 for a single socket I needed the other day...

I do have a bunch of snap-on tools, like sockets, screwdrivers and ratchets, etc... And, I notice I always grab my snap-on socket set first. It seems to grab the bolt better.

Maybe if snap-on adopted the Amsoil distribution model...:p:

have you tried the Husky line sold in Home Depo? They feel more like the snap on tools and have a lifetime warr. also

Snap on Sockets and breaker bar and the rest is Craftsman,

I agree with "Snap on makes great specialty tools" I have 2 sets of the door trim poppers from them and they are the best I have ever come across.

That being said my 2 drawers on snap on = my 35 Drawers on craftsman in price

The most useful tools I have in my toolbox I made myself. Everybody's got 'em. Either they just don't make it, or you don't have time to go find it. Granted, they rarely get used, but when you need them...

I make my living turning wrenches, Snap-On all the way, no other tool compares. You get what you pay for. When you have to really lean on a wrench or socket no other could ever compare-ever. More expensive-no doubt, but again, I make my living with them

Off topic, but JoshH is that a 6420?Yep, and that's another behind it to the left. Good eye.
16931

The last time I took an auto repair class at a local junior college, snap on had a deal that you could buy tools at 1/2 price. That was in the late 80s - should tell you what kind of mark-up they have.

Still for younger guys here, it might be worth finding out if that program is still around and see if you can make use of it.

I have mostly snap-on and mac but i do have a few craftsman. the few craftsman tools i have i dont use much and that is why they are craftsman.

I Have Craftsman At Home But At Work Were There Used All The Time Snap On Is The Way To Go

Have a full set of craftsman and also have a full set of Husky from home depot as well, the husky open end wrenched dont flex like the craftsman. As for snap on, never did like the tool guy that came to my shop so never bought from him, bought all maco for specialty items and tool box.

Well i once had a snap on dealer tell me i could not bend there breaker bar..He hand to replace it..
if you like high prices by snap on.. But i like sk wayne or husky tools my self..
sear is nice, because there is a store all most every where..
the big thing is the life time garentee to deal with the insurance company when they are stolen..

arm

I go to AutoZone and buy all mine..Great Neck's!

Jim goes to Sears and buys the Companion line cause they are cheaper.. We just use a hammer and a prybar for the rest. If that wont loosen it, I have a Victor flame wrench

wow thanks for all the replys. I reason why I asked is that my dada and I have been arguing about this for some time now. he tells me that with snap on all you pay is name. But i'm not going to lisen to him. whne I go to buy my frist set of tools im going with snap on:ro) :ro)

Bowtie Boy your truck is very fast and looks alsome. But look out for the white powerstroke headed your way.


Why, will I have to get and help push??
VBG

We all have our good and bads. Just keep them running is all that i can ask for.

Phillip 03 DA
I LUV my truck

I turn wrenches for a living and I use Craftsman..I like the fast I can replace a broken tool the same day and they have never asked any questions, (dropped a wratchet off a 80 foot silo once, it looked like it too, but they traded it no questions asked)..If you want a little better looking tool without the Snap on price Craftsman aslo makes a "Professional" grade a little more expensive but a lot closer to Snap On looks.

I go to AutoZone and buy all mine..Great Neck's!

Jim goes to Sears and buys the Companion line cause they are cheaper.. We just use a hammer and a prybar for the rest. If that wont loosen it, I have a Victor flame wrench

I don't care who you are, that there is funny!:ro)

That blue wrench will take anything off. Now getting it back on is a different story all together.

IIf that wont loosen it, I have a Victor flame wrenchI used a Hypertherm electric/air wrench to pull a 401/th400 out of a Wagoneer today. :weld::grd:

90% craftsman 10% mac , proto (from long ago at college 1977) always snag old wrenches and keep in a box to weld on bend or whatever to get at that one bolt. . all tools break when i first started wrenching the mech. that had snap on allways dared me to try to break half in breaker bars. put on good tight nut give heave ho bang sent them to snap on truck for replacement. snap on man got pissed told them to quit doing what ever they were doing. snap on man said must be using cheater. He brought in new one left with several pieces. course my craftsman just bends. that was long ,long ago in a place far away.

I have several sets from my truck and tractor mechanic days (needed tools at work and home!). I grab the Snap-on sockets/ratchets/wrenches when working in my shop. When I need a screw driver, I grab the Craftsman (never did like the square handle of snap-on's screw drivers). When I'm on a trip, my Craftsman complete set (screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches, ratchets) are with me... Much cheaper to replace should I lose one. Now that I'm not at a place of employment that the Snap-on man visits, I have a hand full of tools that need replacing. :cussing: I guess it's time to load all the broken tools in a bag and chase him down! :snipersmi

craftsman has come a long way with the professional line of tools I actually prefer them to snap on. I really like the craftsman red and black rubber handled screwdrivers. they have all the features of snap on like coated tips and area on the shaft for a wrench for extra torque.

Yep, and that's another behind it to the left. Good eye.
16931


They are nice tractors. We have one also.

I have both Snap ON and Craftsmen. The nice thing about Snap On is that they are stronger. The design of the wrenches and sockets are also better. You can take a bolt that a craftsmen wrench slips on and put a Snop On wrench on it and it wont slip. That is the main reason I have Snap On. Got sick of not being able to remove fasteners and busting my nuckles. Craftsmen are good but Snap On are better.

I haven't had any luck with Craftsman screwdrivers, I have 2 sets of Klein screwdrivers, one for truck, one for the shop. I have never had a problem with them.

Have a full set of craftsman and also have a full set of Husky from home depot as well, the husky open end wrenched dont flex like the craftsman. As for snap on, never did like the tool guy that came to my shop so never bought from him, bought all maco for specialty items and tool box.
A bad dealer can really screw things up. I have had some Snap-On Dealers who would bend over backward for you. They would deal on price, and replace anything that you were not happy with. Then I have had dealers that were always accusing people of abusing thier tools and wouldn't replace squat. Those guys got reported to the district manager pronto! Usually they didn't last too long after that.
We had one guy take over the territory that I worked in. He was such a prick that I refused to deal with him. If I needed something, I would go to the guy that I liked. He worked in the same town, just a different area. The guy that had my territory found out about it and pitched a royal fit in my shop in front of employees and customers! He tried to tell me that I couldn't buy from that other dealer! As Bugs Bunny would say: "What a maroon!" :D
I banned him from the shop & even had to threaten calling the sheriff on him!
He was out of business in less than 6 months.:exactly:

The new guy was a lot better. ;)

Britt

I hear that Billy Jean King and Martina Navritalova both endorse Snap On Tools. ):h

For loaning to your neighbor, banging with, can't afford any better, or just can't justify it - stick with Craftsman. They are not as strong as Snap-On or Mac and they really don't get into specialty items. When you have to wrench for a living (even if it's for a few years), you really appreciate the quality, specialty and variety of Snap-On or Mac. I tell my friends that they don't really need to buy high-end tools but a few of the constantly used items (ratchets, some sockets and and their digital test equipt) are easy to justify. My .02.

I agree! Snap-on and Mac and Matco tools are far superior to Craftsman. I did wrench every day for years and I can tell you Snap on "flank drive" wrenchs are the best I have ever used . I also like Mac air tools...
But if you aren't using them every day and haven't used hand tools every day....
Then its kinda like owning a Dodge pickup. It might get the job done, buts it is not that user friendly.....):h

I had a tool chest full of Matco tools, until someone decided they needed them more than I did ... thank God for Home Owners Insurance. I never had any problems with them in 8 years of wrenching, at least that the dealer wouldn't take care of (of course, as stated earlier, I also put his kids through college).
Now my combination wrenches are SK; pliers/side cutters, etc. are Channel lock and my impact sockets and hand ratchets are Matco. None have failed in 10 years of home abuse, I mean, use.

i have all of the popular brands of tool, mostly craftsmen. i got a clue to something much better when i saw a local mechanics tools they were a mix of tools he had been purchasing from k-mart , walmart ect.. he said the thing to look for was chrome vandium, there are indestuctable, he says he hasnt broke one yet and has been using for years. those snap off tools look good but dang they are high dollar and break on top of it.

i have all of the popular brands of tool, mostly craftsmen. i got a clue to something much better when i saw a local mechanics tools they were a mix of tools he had been purchasing from k-mart , walmart ect.. he said the thing to look for was chrome vandium, there are indestuctable, he says he hasnt broke one yet and has been using for years. those snap off tools look good but dang they are high dollar and break on top of it.
Camhead, you must be running with a flat lobe!

Your post suggests that Snap-On tools are more prone to breaking in normal use. Fella, that just isn't true!

If your buddy hasn't broken a K-Mart or Wal-Mart supplied tool yet, either he is fibbing or he hasn't eaten his Wheaties lately. ;)

By the way, just what do you think that Snap-On tools are made of? Pot metal?

I have been turning wrenches since the early sixties and I can tell you for a fact that Snap-On tools are among the strongest tools out there.

Some other tools may be equally strong, but most of them won't fit into tight places like Snap-On tools will.

I will agree however that Snap-On is WAY overpriced.

All tools will break if abused or if used long enough!

I do own some Wal-Mart supplied tools. Those are the tools that I loan out. That way I don't have to put a contract :eek: out when they are lost or not returned for whatever reason.
:lol:

Britt

try using a snap on wrench on a tight bolt and then use a craftsman. you see the differance. then proceed to throw thae craftrsman in the trash.. good for home use..... about it in my book..... i got about fifty fifty to sixty grand in snap on easy, could have more craftsman tools for the money, but would not trade.. no way.

Where Snap-on shines is when people abuse their tools. Case in point, using an open end wrench on a rusted or frozen nut. The Snap-on will flex less and bite better than the Craftsman.

In reality though, you shouldn't have been using an open end in the first place. If a nut is rusted/frozen, you should be using a six point box end (or socket).

Use them correctly and ANY name brand tool will provide you with long trouble free service. Use them incorrectly, and you can break any name brand tool.

My experience? I've been a Die Maker since 1970. I've used nearly every brand listed here and a lot that haven't been.

ALL of my tools are Snap-On, including the tank (box). I do have a Craftsman rivet gun, only because Blue Point is junk IMHO. I don't have time to go to Sears and exchange tools. When I did have to replace my rivet gun, twice, they had to order it both times...:mad: Up here in the north, Sears doesn't carry much of any tools at all. I like Snap-On because he comes to me. He warranties chrome sockets that I put on my impact, screwdrivers I use as prybars....only when I do break them.
When I went to school (2004) yeah, I'm only 21,:D I could buy any Snap-On tools I wanted at nearly half the price. So I bought everything I could think I would ever use in my career. Yeah, spent lots of money, but I also saved a lot. The school would not sell a big box. I wanted a KRL box, but the school would only sell me a KRA. So I had to buy my box from the dealer...
Here is a pic of my investment....and Yes it's nearly full of the worlds finest tools! Check out my licence plate on my LLY in my garage.

Had to resize pic, but then it wasn't clear...Will take another one soon.

I've had the occasional Craftsman ratchet fail on me.
I should not be able to get enough torque on a 14" 3/8 drive to cause it to pop without a cheater bar... but I have, several times.

Never had a problem with the old style round headed ratches with the screwdriver blade-like grip for changing direction, but the kind with the lever "changer" has been a problem.


My buddy in high school put it to me this way....

Craftsman (and now Husky, Kobalt, etc..) will replace for life if it breaks.
Snap-On is guaranteed NOT to break.

One of the guys in the shop put an 8ft cheater pipe over a 1" drive Snap-On when he was tearing a dump truck apart.

He put a 45 degree BEND in the thing just behind the head.
That was a ratchet head... I'm not sure I would have trusted a breaker bar to hold that much torque! (what's the torque from a 250 pound guy hanging from the end of an 8ft pipe?)

He kept forgetting to exchange it, and after a while it became his trademark.

what's the torque from a 250 pound guy hanging from the end of an 8ft pipe?

8 x 250 = 2000 ft/lbs assuming static. a lot more in impulses if he's bouncing on the end of it.

If you use the tools to make your living you bet your arse we have the best money can buy, and the snap on/matco guys stop every week and show you the latest and greatest, i can trade in my used tools and tool boxes if i want.. Probably spent more then i should have so far but once you have it, you have it, its an investment, the tools dont rot and fade to dust. :) Craftsmen is ok in some area, hate their stupid chrome sockets and the drive hole, it should be totally square not square with holes in the flats so you try to put your rachet on it and it only goes on half way, have to take it back out, look at the tool and figure out why the hell it doesnt go it..

Snap-on for work!
Craftsman/Kobalt for home.

I have all brands of tools. I would have all Snap-On if it were my choice. I have Mac, Matco, Cornwell, Craftsman and Snap-On. Snap-On is the best in my opinion. I do draw the line at walmart and kmart type tools. I know its abuse, but putting a chrome snap-on socket on an impact gun does not bother me at all. I would not dare use a walmart or kmart "chrome-vanadium" socket on an impact gun. It WILL break. Just as an example, try getting a pressure-relief valve out of an LLY fuel rail with anything except a snap on tool.

I would not dare use a walmart or kmart "chrome-vanadium" socket on an impact gun. It WILL break.
Absolutely.
Even if it doesn't break, it will flex enough to break the chrome.

Broken chrome on a socket is a razor blade spinning in your hand!

WTH is "Vanadium"? :)

Absolutely.
Even if it doesn't break, it will flex enough to break the chrome.

Broken chrome on a socket is a razor blade spinning in your hand!

WTH is "Vanadium"? :)

Isn't that what hurt Superman??? :)

There are some specific snap on tools that I have found worth their weight in gold and would never buy another brand. I have used the others for all these tools and was not impressed.

Ratchets
Hammers
screwdrivers
prybars
snap ring pliers
air ratchets

As above Crafstsman et Als are adequate for general use; but comparisons are always made to how close to Snap-On a tool is; not the other way round, something to consider.

Form fit & function nothing works better or lasts longer than the Snap-On IMO, (MATCO comes close), but they are an investment to be sure. I can't do my job with out them turbines use hi-tensile strength fasteners designed not to give in easily, tools have to be just as durable to be up to the task. Snap-on is specified as a tool of choice for GE turbines, because of the quality of chrome they use, the chome of others can actually become a contaminant if it comes off easily.

I have two boxes of tools one for jet work, and one for everyday work which is a mix of all others; in a perfect world all would be Snap-On but my pockets aren't that deep. Bottom line IMO is get the best tool you can afford regardless of mfg you won't go wrong, something that can be passed on to children & grandchildren

They have a great billboard around here - its a pic of a screwdriver with the caption "Screw Mediocrity"

Speaking of chrome.
On the very few Snap-On tools that I have had the chrome come off in the last 40 years, I have Never had a problem with the dealers replacing the item. Not so with other tool manufacturers. They say that the tool is still useable and that they don't "warranty cosmetics"!
As Turbine Doc says, lesser tools have chrome shedding problems. Nothing like screwing up a quarter of a million dollar engine just because your cheap a$$ tool shed a chrome flake into a gear case, fuel control or shaft seal area.

Britt

Snap-On ratchets are the only ones I will ever buy again!
Craftsman stuff works good for my home use but their ratchets stink.

It reminds me of my Dodge days, (45 days in the shop in my first year of ownership), a warrenty is great, but when your truck or tools let you down and a you need them, your hosed.

If you want the best buy Snap-On, no slop and they don't break easily.