4 ms·

Yeah, but sometimes I don't need Snap-On quality. For non-critical tools Harbor Freight may be just fine.

kurthr 6y ago
In home maintenance the best tool is the one you have that works... the crescent-hammer, leatherman, screw-pry, steel-toed aligner, 16-3 extension rope... in perpetually maintained software, less so.
- WalterBright 6y ago
  All I need is a screwdriver, a hammer, and an oxy-acetylene torch. Nothing I can't fix.
sokoloff 6y ago
I have some SnapOn and some Harbor Freight and agree both have their place. Used SnapOn tools can be a pretty decent deal (especially for a lifetime tool) and I honestly wish that I'd known the difference and started buying SnapOn rather than Craftsman for some of mechanics hand tools I bought when I was younger. They really are notably better, especially the 72-tooth 1/4" and Dual-80 3/8" ratchets. (I see they've got some newer 100-tooth 3/8" ratchets.) If you work on cars or machinery and haven't tried any SnapOn tools, I'd give one of their ratchets a try. There's a reason they're popular among working mechanics. It's not just status.
- fingerlocks 6y ago
  I would love some SnapOns, or something of equal quality, but it’s near impossible to find for regular people. Any tips on how to acquire them, or recommendations for equal alternatives?
  - sokoloff 6y ago
    If you want to buy them new (which I generally don't), you can ask your local mechanic what day/time the truck stops by and the truck guy will be happy to sell you the tools if you know what you need. He's on a schedule, so he's not going to want to dick around with you for 20 minutes though and it's not going to be any cheaper than buying them from their website. If you want to buy new easily or spend some time browsing around, use the web shop: https://shop.snapon.com/ https://shop.snapon.com/ When I need a specialty tool or service kit, I'll buy it from the webshop. I buy most of mine from Ebay, from classified ads on garagejournal.com, and from craigslist. There are people who want 75+% of new price, but if you look around and have patience, you can find some sales in the 35-50% of new pricing, which I find acceptable. In terms of alternatives, I would put Matco and Mac tools slightly below SnapOn. Note also that SnapOn has a Bluepoint brand as well that is not "real SnapOn quality" in my experience (but is also cheaper). Edit to add: They also have (or had) a program for trade school educational discounts, so if you have a trade school nearby, you might see if a student is running a side hustle there. That will get you the newest tools but the discount isn't as deep as buying third-hand from someone who scoured flea markets, estate sales, and bankruptcy sales and then repackaged/remarketed the tools to you in a more convenient way.
tonyedgecombe 6y ago
For most things I find avoiding the bottom 10% gets you most of the benefit without the high cost.

In home maintenance the best tool is the one you have that works... the crescent-hammer, leatherman, screw-pry, steel-toed aligner, 16-3 extension rope... in perpetually maintained software, less so.

WalterBright 6y ago
All I need is a screwdriver, a hammer, and an oxy-acetylene torch. Nothing I can't fix.

sokoloff 6y ago

I have some SnapOn and some Harbor Freight and agree both have their place. Used SnapOn tools can be a pretty decent deal (especially for a lifetime tool) and I honestly wish that I'd known the difference and started buying SnapOn rather than Craftsman for some of mechanics hand tools I bought when I was younger. They really are notably better, especially the 72-tooth 1/4" and Dual-80 3/8" ratchets. (I see they've got some newer 100-tooth 3/8" ratchets.) If you work on cars or machinery and haven't tried any SnapOn tools, I'd give one of their ratchets a try. There's a reason they're popular among working mechanics. It's not just status.

fingerlocks 6y ago
I would love some SnapOns, or something of equal quality, but it’s near impossible to find for regular people. Any tips on how to acquire them, or recommendations for equal alternatives?
- sokoloff 6y ago
  If you want to buy them new (which I generally don't), you can ask your local mechanic what day/time the truck stops by and the truck guy will be happy to sell you the tools if you know what you need. He's on a schedule, so he's not going to want to dick around with you for 20 minutes though and it's not going to be any cheaper than buying them from their website. If you want to buy new easily or spend some time browsing around, use the web shop: https://shop.snapon.com/ https://shop.snapon.com/ When I need a specialty tool or service kit, I'll buy it from the webshop. I buy most of mine from Ebay, from classified ads on garagejournal.com, and from craigslist. There are people who want 75+% of new price, but if you look around and have patience, you can find some sales in the 35-50% of new pricing, which I find acceptable. In terms of alternatives, I would put Matco and Mac tools slightly below SnapOn. Note also that SnapOn has a Bluepoint brand as well that is not "real SnapOn quality" in my experience (but is also cheaper). Edit to add: They also have (or had) a program for trade school educational discounts, so if you have a trade school nearby, you might see if a student is running a side hustle there. That will get you the newest tools but the discount isn't as deep as buying third-hand from someone who scoured flea markets, estate sales, and bankruptcy sales and then repackaged/remarketed the tools to you in a more convenient way.

tonyedgecombe 6y ago

For most things I find avoiding the bottom 10% gets you most of the benefit without the high cost.