Snap On or Mac

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
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.


This.

But don't forget to add Williams to the list.

Quite a few people on GJ say the Williams sockets are the same as Snap-on sockets but with a different stamp. They're both made in the same facility.

 

[mobilaltima]

Well it looks like I'll go with Snap On. But after Gabe mentioned it, it got me thinking, if I dont ever really use SAE, should i still the set with both metric and SAE, or just buy metric and SAe seperate?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=630943&group_ID=674757
the original set i planned on buying, which will cost me $590.

 

[mobilaltima]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...re&tool=all

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...re&tool=all

metric and SAE seperate sets, which would cost me a little over $1200, I would save $700 by going with the combined metric/SAE set. Only advantage to buying the metric set seperate, is it comes with a 15mm, while the other set goes up to 14mm.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: mobilaltima
Well it looks like I'll go with Snap On.


What made you decide that all of a sudden?

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I have a MATCO double bay full of MATCO tools with some SnapOn.


I like SnapOn sockets, but I prefer the MATCO ratchets. That being said I have both from each company.


This about describes my set.
In the end, buy from the company that gives you the most service IN YOUR AREA. A couple of years ago, the SnapOn truck just stopped coming around with no warning whatsover. Our Matco guy is great.

 

[artificialist]

Mac sockets are better for one major reason. They have a special shape that helps remove fasteners with rounded edges and rust damage. I use them and that special shape works.

I got a set of S&K sockets when I bought all my friends tools. They were the most crack prone sockets I ever used.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
But don't forget to add Williams to the list.

Quite a few people on GJ say the Williams sockets are the same as Snap-on sockets but with a different stamp. They're both made in the same facility.


Forgot about Williams. They are fantastic sockets. Made in the same factory as Snap On sockets and are identical for 1/3 the price. With Snap On, you are paying for the name (and service if the tool truck comes to you.

And you can still find new old stock of Kobalt sockets manufactured by Williams on eBay for $18-$40 which is an absolute steal for top quality US made sockets.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-11pc-3-8-...=item4d113f12a7
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Deep-SAE-Kob...=item4ac8f48464

 

[mobilaltima]

Merkava, decided on Snap On due to the service factor, having a truck stop by every week. Closest Mac dealer is in New Orleans,(about 100 miles) I may buy a few items from the truck if I can ever locate him.

 

[EricF]

A guy I worked with a long time ago had a very small handful of mac & snapon & matco, usually the specialty stuff.
The rest of Craftsman some SK, quite a bit of Proto.

He told me something that made a lot of sense..
unless you have double or even triple of stuff, which everybody should have extras of the common sizes..
Unless the tool truck guy is your neighbor or lives close by, you're better off finding a Sears opened on weekends and holidays vs. a tool truck coming to swap a tool, IF they have the tool and waiting 1 week for a socket doesn't pay the bills.

I have some snap on stuff, I'm afraid to use it cuz if I break it, I'd have to send it to snap on or worse, hunt a snap on truck down on the road.
I have a couple Mac ratchets with the spinner handle, I used to use them all the time, but now... they sit. Mac doesn't sell them anymore that I've seen. They'll probably end up on ebay eventually.

If wrenching were my livelihood, I'd definetely invest in snap-on. mac & matco dealers aren't as common.

 

[Gabe]

Originally Posted By: EricF
you're better off finding a Sears opened on weekends and holidays vs. a tool truck


This just isn't true anymore. A shade tree mechanic doesn't have any good tools options.

Flagging down a truck is a lot easier than having to mail the entire SK socket set back to Amazon or arguing with the counter guy at Fastenal over an Armstrong ratchet. My local MAC guy eats his lunch every Tuesday at a Shell station off the highway just to make it easier for us DIYers. If I am too lazy to drive all the way there, he will let me know when he is in my neck of the woods.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Gabe
Originally Posted By: EricF
you're better off finding a Sears opened on weekends and holidays vs. a tool truck


Flagging down a truck is a lot easier than having to mail the entire SK socket set back to Amazon or arguing with the counter guy at Fastenal over an Armstrong ratchet.


I 100% disagree.

First, you can warranty tools directly through SK by mail. A mail-in warranty is way easier to me.

Tracking down a tool truck would be difficult for me and there are a decent number of reports online that some tool truck drivers don't like to deal with people trying to flag them down who aren't pros on their route.