Im a member on the forum The Garage Journal, I asked their opinion on some snap on and mac sets, but it seems like they think you have to be a pro to buy and use snap on, I figured I'd ask yall and maybe get a better response. Im not a pro mechanic, Id like to go into the high performance diesel industry soon, for the time being on my days off (7&7 schedule) im always modifying my truck and also my friends. I have very few snap on tools, I choose to buy snap on due to the quality, fit and finish, and I can afford a few nice items here and there. I just cant decide between Snap On and Mac, they both seem to be excellent quality. But heres where i ask your opinions, warranty reasons. The Snap on guy passes by every monday, pretty nice due to the fact if I need anything warrantied, I can contact him on my week off and get stuff(havent really broken anything, I dont abuse my tools and try to always use the right tool for the job) Mac, on the other hand, I would have to order online, or find the nearest dealer 100 miles away, to purchase anything or get anything warrantied. So while theyre both quality tool brands, should I just stick to Snap On due to easier availability? Please no snap on bashing, or saying that theyre overpriced, would just like your opinions on to which to go with.
Snap On or Mac
- Thread starter mobilaltima
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http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=630943&group_ID=674757
http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/320098/variantid/310857/Default.aspx
looking at these two sets. looks like all id ever need in 1/4 drive. I use 95% metric on the diesel trucks i work on (ford dodge chevy) but its always good to have SAE. Ill then build up or purchase a complete 3/8 dr set.
http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/320098/variantid/310857/Default.aspx
looking at these two sets. looks like all id ever need in 1/4 drive. I use 95% metric on the diesel trucks i work on (ford dodge chevy) but its always good to have SAE. Ill then build up or purchase a complete 3/8 dr set.
I like the sets that come in cases like those above, neat and organized, dont have to chase around loose sockets.
As a professional tech, I can tell you whoever shows up to the shop every week is the one who makes the best tools. You are paying a premium for these tools because the store is mobile. There are no more Mac dealers in my area and I've got several hundred dollars worth of broken Mac tools.it doesn't mean they are bad tools, tools break. However, I won't by anything from Mac anymore because their dealers have been so flaky (in my area).
The guys one GJ were right. Even for a serious DIY'er or beginning pro there are much better bangs for your buck. And, you can still be buying USA tools.
But if you are determined to get one of those two brands, then it's Snap-on. The Mac ratchet in that set is junk compared to the Snap-on ratchet.
But if you are determined to get one of those two brands, then it's Snap-on. The Mac ratchet in that set is junk compared to the Snap-on ratchet.
Considering your expectation of using these tools quite a bit I also think you should go with Snap-On. Tools do wear out eventually and being able to get that warranty replacement quickly and easily counts for a lot.
Consider also picking up at least one much longer extension and a long handled ratchet.
Consider also picking up at least one much longer extension and a long handled ratchet.
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My Father was in the Auto Body biz for many years. Though he trusted both brands in his trade he always told me it was much easier to exchange busted parts with MAC. My Father and I both have tools from both sides of this fence. Both are well worth the money. My Dad would call them both "career" tools haha.
Snap on has some of the most precise ratchets I have ever used. Cant go wrong with either.
Jeff
Snap on has some of the most precise ratchets I have ever used. Cant go wrong with either.
Jeff
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Yes, id like to go to school for diesel, only problem is, im into high performance diesels, seems like the best option would be to get hired on by a shop, which is hard to do. I have no interest in marine diesel, i did my fair share of it working on Detroits and Cummins, just not for me. Not being married and having no kids allows me to save up a good bit of my pay, which will go toward schooling.
Have verry little experience with snap on. 10 years ago we tryed some of it at work. It was nice tools. Not bad at all. But compared to the facom we already used. It was not nearly as good. Can you buy facom in the US?
How snap on is compared to MAC. I have no idea. But sounds to me the brand with the bwat dealer/service network will be the best choise.
How snap on is compared to MAC. I have no idea. But sounds to me the brand with the bwat dealer/service network will be the best choise.
SnapOn over MAC anyday only because there is no MAC truck near me. I have a MATCO double bay full of MATCO tools with some SnapOn. The MATCO guy was super cool and into road racing so we would talk cars on the truck, plus he would give me shirts, sweatshirts, shot glasses, all sorts of goofy stuff because I was his only account to pay when I bought anything. The SnapOn guy was really cool, but it was a revolving door. I do have to say a SnapOn box is really sexy and if I get to do a new garage I want SnapOn everything.
Quality is a flip of the coin. Both have pluses and minuses. Generally most techs go with a mix of all the brands. I like SnapOn sockets, but I prefer the MATCO ratchets. That being said I have both from each company.
Quality is a flip of the coin. Both have pluses and minuses. Generally most techs go with a mix of all the brands. I like SnapOn sockets, but I prefer the MATCO ratchets. That being said I have both from each company.
The whole idea of buying a truck brand is for the service. In your situation that seems like snap on.
I'm more of a pro I guess. I started with craftsman but went with matco pretty quick after finding out that craftsman wrenches and such just don't hold up to everyday use.
Now matco has back peddled and is very simmilar to craftsman. So all those tools went home and are being repkaced with snap on. There is no comparing other brands to snap on.I have nothing nice to say about the 2 mac guys around town.I got burned by one mac guy so I'm done with mac.
Now matco has back peddled and is very simmilar to craftsman. So all those tools went home and are being repkaced with snap on. There is no comparing other brands to snap on.I have nothing nice to say about the 2 mac guys around town.I got burned by one mac guy so I'm done with mac.
I have that Snap On set - very nice. The hinges on the plastic case are pretty bad, but the tools are amazing. As for the MAC, I love their ratchets - course tooth - but the sockets have a tendency for the chrome to flake off. It wouldn't bother me except it creates a really sharp edge. Also, the MAC sockets have the part number following the size which make it tough to read.
It is rare for somebody to need both SAE and metric. You might be better served by buying just a metric or SAE set and filling in what you need.
I agree that you should buy a truck brand. Wrenching is a hobby, and you will enjoy it more with decent tools. For me, I took the money I saved on doing my own repairs and bought more tools - it worked out pretty well.
It is rare for somebody to need both SAE and metric. You might be better served by buying just a metric or SAE set and filling in what you need.
I agree that you should buy a truck brand. Wrenching is a hobby, and you will enjoy it more with decent tools. For me, I took the money I saved on doing my own repairs and bought more tools - it worked out pretty well.
I'd buy made in USA sockets (Wright, Proto, SK, USA made Craftsman) for a lot cheaper and then splurge on some nice ratchets, maybe a Dual 80 Snap On.
Almost every socket made in the past 10 years will have surface drive to prevent corner rounding.
I have some of these Wright sockets and they are some of the nicest sockets I've ever seen. And they are made in USA and much cheaper than Snap On.
http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-354-14...ight+socket+set
Almost every socket made in the past 10 years will have surface drive to prevent corner rounding.
I have some of these Wright sockets and they are some of the nicest sockets I've ever seen. And they are made in USA and much cheaper than Snap On.
http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-354-14...ight+socket+set
I was never a fan of those 1/4'' drive Snap-on ratchets with the skinny handle. The ratchet head is fantastic, but the skinny handle is hard to hold onto and doesn't give your hand much cushion if you to have pull on it real hard. Granted it's only a 1/4'' drive, but sometimes you have pull on them real hard to break something loose. I looked at the zoom window of that MAC set and they have the size markings right on the case next to each socket -- that looks like it would add a lot of convenience. The MAC ratchet has a bigger handle and the knurling is nice for grip.
The selector lever on the MAC ratchet is bigger and is easier to push with your thumb than the Snap-on ratchet. Your thumb will catch the little corner of the lever real easy. The MAC ratchet is a 30 tooth unit, but they are vastly improved by the use of Permatex 81950 assembly lube. The ratchet will be shipped from the factory dry, so having the lube on hand ahead of time would be smart.
I was always impressed by the way MAC reduces the diameter of the sockets next to the square drive end on the larger deep sockets. I just think that looks really cool.
The selector lever on the MAC ratchet is bigger and is easier to push with your thumb than the Snap-on ratchet. Your thumb will catch the little corner of the lever real easy. The MAC ratchet is a 30 tooth unit, but they are vastly improved by the use of Permatex 81950 assembly lube. The ratchet will be shipped from the factory dry, so having the lube on hand ahead of time would be smart.
I was always impressed by the way MAC reduces the diameter of the sockets next to the square drive end on the larger deep sockets. I just think that looks really cool.
S-K is always quite forgotten.
Relative quality at a good price, and they still keep the rebuild parts around for there ancient stuff.
Relative quality at a good price, and they still keep the rebuild parts around for there ancient stuff.
I'm a journeyman diesel semi mechanic for UPS.
Newbie mechanics aren't buying Mac tools. It seems to be a dieing brand.
I see Matco and Cornwell come around more often than the Mac truck.
I'd buy Snap On if I were you.
Newbie mechanics aren't buying Mac tools. It seems to be a dieing brand.
I see Matco and Cornwell come around more often than the Mac truck.
I'd buy Snap On if I were you.
Most of my tools are Mac as one of my neighbors was a Mac dealer for many years so my preference is Mac tools. They are top quality and on par with Snap On. The preference between Mac and Snap On is like the preference between Ford and Chevy in my opinion. Both companies make top quality tools for professional mechanics.
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