Snap On Sockets, Ratchets and Wrenches?

[Trav]

The made in USA Williams sockets do the trick for me. The Williams round head 72 tooth ratchets and long dual 80 Snap on are some of my favorites and relativity inexpensive in the case of the Williams for a USA made quality tool. Wrenches are Hazet, Stahlwille and old SK.
My tool box has many different brands but its all good stuff.

 

[Sam_Julier]

Williams, Tekton, Hazet and Stahlwille are getting the job done at my current skill level. No complaints.

However, Ko-ken is quickly becoming my favorite.

 

[Cherrybomb]

Lots of home gamers reward themselves with Snapon ratchets and Williams Hard Handle Screwdrivers.Then figure which wrenches and sockets you use or have broken or don't work well.Save some money by researching and replacing these.Upgrade as needed, For instance when I change cars I check my tools to see if I need to change or review.Kind of fun sometimes

 

[D60]

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that I like SnapOn's knurled extensions. It's a very fine knurl that won't hold (much) dirt or catch your fingers but adds sufficient texture to be truly functional

I never understood Dual 80 but once I got some they're some of my favorite ratchets. They don't make you a better mekanik or a better person but they're enjoyable to use.

 

[RooflessVW]

I never understood Dual 80 but once I got some they're some of my favorite ratchets. They don't make you a better mekanik or a better person but they're enjoyable to use.

I REALLY like my Husky ratchets. I usually grab them first.

 

[zrxkawboy]

As others have said, the biggest difference is the ratchets. SO Dual 80 is the best, IMO. However, I also have Matco 88 and Carlyle ratchets, and they are darn good, too.

 

[Lenny5160]

I REALLY like my Husky ratchets. I usually grab them first.

The Husky 144s are great, and an absolute steal if you catch them on sale. I don't wrench every day though.

 

[RooflessVW]

The Husky 144s are great, and an absolute steal if you catch them on sale. I don't wrench every day though.

I like them and the basic 72T

I want another set of the 144T but they're always out of stock.

 

[Soft Cars]

Snap-on tools are the second best thing to ever be put on this earth since the history of mankind. Why? Ergonomics and precision.

 

[StumblingElk]

SO is way over priced, in my opinion. Even most of the guys that say they love SO can't articulate a real tangible benefit. They all say "they're just better"

The very few people that do have some legitimate reasoning often reference some niche situation. Some situation most of us wouldn't even find ourselves in but maybe once or twice (if ever) and even then other less expensive tools would still work. But it is claimed they wouldn't work as well or last as long thus justifying the high cost of SO.

Don't get me wrong. You want good quality tools and SO certainly qualifies. But so do many other tools that cost way less.

 

[willbur]

You'll notice a difference if your craftsman sockets and wrenches are so old that they aren't flank drive.

But snap on isn't 'noticeably' better than other modern sockets and wrenches from Tekton, Sunex or Carlyle, etc with flank drive.

And I own like $6,000 of snap-on tools...

They work when nothing else can. IMO

 

[Cujet]

Snap On is absolutely required when one needs a 1/4 drive, 12 point, swivel socket in aviation use. They are just slightly thinner and swivel slightly more than other brands. This makes them fit and work.

 

[RooflessVW]

Snap On is absolutely required when one needs a 1/4 drive, 12 point, swivel socket in aviation use. They are just slightly thinner and swivel slightly more than other brands. This makes them fit and work.

Yep. Basically a requirement before touching any/every turbine engine.

 

[dlundblad]

I have USA craftsman, Williams, SK, Harbor Freight, Tekton, Carlyle, and Capri and have never really preferred one over the other minus a 12 point vs a 6 point.

 

[Timmastertech]

As a do it yourselfer it is unlikely you will notice a huge difference. As a pro, the vast majority of my hand tools are snapon because they take a beating and warranty replacements when they wear out are only a text message away.

 

[RooflessVW]

As a do it yourselfer it is unlikely you will notice a huge difference. As a pro, the vast majority of my hand tools are snapon because they take a beating and warranty replacements when they wear out are only a text message away.

My guy even warrantied all of my pliers for rust.

Engine chipped out on the hospital pad, then it rained.

 

[Timmastertech]

My guy even warrantied all of my pliers for rust.

Engine chipped out on the hospital pad, then it rained.

My dealer has already bitched at me for not turning tools in. Turned in a 14mm socket that was starting to slip and his reaction was "holy hell this should have been turned in months ago"

 

[JWC86]

Will I notice the performance difference over old US made, Craftsman tools? Now, the ratchets are an obvious huge upgrade, but what about the wrenches and sockets?

I'm not a professional wrench turner and money is not a factor in the decision.

Over old well used tools? Ya most likely.
Over modern budget tools? It depends.

Will I notice the performance difference over old US made, Craftsman tools? Now, the ratchets are an obvious huge upgrade, but what about the wrenches and sockets?

I'm not a professional wrench turner and money is not a factor in the decision.

There are a few things I find Snap-on does better than the rest.

Line wrenches
Pliers
Ratchets

I don’t think you will be sad you spent the money on any of those 3 things. There are probably more but that’s what I have experience with.

If you like flex head ratchets give Nepros a try. They have the nicest system for tensioning the flex head IMO. I find I still grab my SO ratchets more often thou. The SO ratchets are just kinda the “workhorse” of ratchets IMO.

SO pliers are pretty legit too. Start with a pair of the needle nose slip joints everyone loves. SO pliers have very hard teeth that bite good and last. The best handles I’ve seen. Only cons is the non slip joint versions are a bit stiff at first.

 

[Sam_Julier]

Over old well used tools? Ya most likely.
Over modern budget tools? It depends.

There are a few things I find Snap-on does better than the rest.

Line wrenches
Pliers
Ratchets

I don’t think you will be sad you spent the money on any of those 3 things. There are probably more but that’s what I have experience with.

If you like flex head ratchets give Nepros a try. They have the nicest system for tensioning the flex head IMO. I find I still grab my SO ratchets more often thou. The SO ratchets are just kinda the “workhorse” of ratchets IMO.

SO pliers are pretty legit too. Start with a pair of the needle nose slip joints everyone loves. SO pliers have very hard teeth that bite good and last. The best handles I’ve seen. Only cons is the non slip joint versions are a bit stiff at first.

Better pliers than Knipex?

 

[JWC86]

Better pliers than Knipex?

IMO yes by far and I own quite a few Knipex. Excluding the Cobra pliers of coarse. Knipex owns that style.

For fine, lighter duty work or tight access I might give the nod to Knipex but for general use SO are WAY more robust and hold better. I wish I were home to show a picture but when you see a set of needle nose from each side by side it’s apparent how different they are.