Craftsman works for me...

 

I have worked for Sears in the past. This is how the Warrantee works. ANY NON power hand tool that has the craftsman emblem on it is guaranteed for life. Power tools are NOT included. The have professional grade tools as well with the same warrantee. Sears also produces Champion tools...these are not guaranteed for life. Spend the extra $ and buy Craftsman. In the past I have always exchanged tools no questions asked for a customer. If a sales person tells you otherwise they are wrong. Talk to a manager and they will exchange it for you. They are great tools and have never had any problems in the past exchanging them.

 

Thanks for all of the replies.

To clear something up I did mean 50% off of Snap-On. All three options end up being within about $100-200 of eachother.

From what is sounds like is most of the people saying craftsman are either using the older versions which are better Quality, and/or would go with Snap-On if the convienience was better and the cost was lower.

The Snap-On and MAC truck will be coming by the shop once a week, plus the class has loaners if needed.

I guess I am leaning toward Snap-on at the moment, since I know I prefer the feel to craftsman, and most peoples stated drawbacks of the Snap-on won't be a problem for me while I am in school for the next couple of years.

But don't let that stand in the way of continuing with the comments.

Thanks for the input! :seeya

 

I am an industrial mechanic and work on packaging equipment. It is quite a change from cars, but I think in some ways similar. My experience is that the Snap On and Mac have a thinner head and will fit into spaces that the Craftsman will not. There is not a lot of difference there, but sometimes a little is a lot. Also, how many times have you seen the Craftsman screwdrivers with the square shaft twisted. This does not happen on the other two. My vote is for Snap On, since you can buy them for the same money and you will enjoy those little extras - finish - thinness - and strength - for the rest of your career. With a deal like that I have no doubt what I would do. Best, Dave

 

Not as much as you'd think on hand tools. :( It even costs my dad a lot to get most of those in his inventory.

 

It sounds like you may become a mechanic for life in one form or another. And you need to make good sound investments. So Snap On is the logical choice. Snap On always gives 50% off to the tech schools that they know will produce future mechanics. They figure that once you try the quality of good professional grade tools, you will never look back. Take advantage of the special pricing. You will not be able to get that good of a deal later. And if you decide not to keep the set later, you could sell it for more than you paid for.

I have owned Snap On tools for decades. Since 1989, I have bought over $200,000 worth of tools for my small equipment shop. I have over $10,000 worth of tools alone in my race van. And my only problem with the tools is that I sometimes lose some. And if you get close to your dealer, he will be glad to service you day or night whatever your needs are. My dealer is available to me 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

My advice is that you should not skimp on tools. Professional mechanics know how much time and money good tools will save you. Many times, a tool will cause injury when it breaks. And we all know that an injured mechanic is not efficient when he injures his hand or arm. I have rarely broken a Snap On tool. And every time that it has occurred, it was because I was not using it properly. So it was I that was negligent and not any fault of the tool manufacturers.

If you look at a Snap On tool catalog, you will see that there are many tools that are designed for a specific job in order to make the repairs more efficient. Quality speaks for itself. Ask a professional mechanic what his choice of tool brands is. If he has really tried all of the brands, he will undoubtedly choose Snap On.

:cheers:

 

I have tools from all of them as well as a couple others. The best thing about the Snap-on is the variety of specialized tool you cannot live without. I dont use mine for work anymore but i still buy tools from snap-on if its for a certain task. I buy Craftsmen hand tools on occasion for price and ease of returning. Youll learn to see that you like one tool from one vendor and others from another. The name dont get the job done the trick is having the right tool for the right job.

 

Craftsman.......they are good tools, not the best, but I have never had a problem replacing them. Too easy.

 

I just buy the Cheap stuff. If it breaks, the store still replaces it and it don't cost near the price of Craftsmen, and others. I have 3 sets of "socket tool sets". None of them cost more than about $30. Heck, if one does ever break, I got 2 others in my 2 other cars.

 

:lol: Just thought that was a funny way to put it.

J :seeya

 

See Scorp,
A little bit O pressure, BAM, "$50 off" turns into "50% off" :)

To be fair, I do know Corporate SnapOn charges their dealers big bucks. I think this 50% discount is sponsored by Corp. rather than the dealer. At this rate, I'd highly recommend you get all you can before you leave school. At one point, I had considered signing up for class, just to get the tool dicount.

One thing to notice is the specific quality of the tool. When you hold it is it comfortable. When you ratchet it, how many clicks does it take to make a 1/4 turn? Do they clean up easy? Can you read the size easily?
These all help turn a job quicker,... More $ for you.


[Modified by ZylaRace, 11:45 AM 9/27/2002]

 

I talked to my dad about this last night. He had a kid who was just accepted into a tech school come up to him and inquire about the discount. He said that he felt bad he couldn't help the kid out because 50% off is less than what he pays for everything on the truck.

He told the kid that his guidance counselor should be able to set him up with the school's corporate account with Snap-On and get him what he needs and that if he had warranty issues to come to him for them and he would help him out.

 

Some of each. For tools that don't require the level of sophistication, get craftsman. For example, I'd get craftsman socket wrenches, hammers, wire cutters, etc. I'd use snap-on or MAC for other more precise tools like sockets, screw drivers, test lights, etc. From installing professionally, I rememeber that the snapon sockets, magentic ratching screwdrivers, panel pullers, and test lights were basically necessities and their quality really showed at the workplace making the job easier and faster than using the craftsman versions. But then, why spend double on a hammer when its just a bashing tool anyway. Choose wisely and also get when you can those tool specials. We always liked the plier set and screwdriver set from sears. Though our primary screwdriver was the snapon, the set gave you different shapes and sizes to suppliment the S-On driver and was a good buy.
Last tools I would recommend for any box:
A good cordless drill with drill and screwdriver bits
A maglite flashlight (6 Inch version)
A dentist pick
Cordless Dremel

Hope this gives you some useful ideas.

 

One nice thing about this subject, everyone is right.

With a 50% discount from Snap On, should you ever decide to leave the profession, resale will be very easy and your will depreciation will be minimal. At 50%, buy all you can afford. Can't loose.

For the rest of us, looking for Snap On tools at a more reasonable price, here are some things you can do. Find a good pawn shop and you may be able to negotiate down to about .65 cents on the dollar (list). Hit a few auctions although time consuming and less successful, people go nuts. Ebay is OK on some test equipment. I negotiate with my Snap On guy all the time. I wait for sales, or other times, I specify cash, no credit cards, no on account sales. And, put the word out at the local automotive trade school you will "buy out" or selectively buy from any student who may be quiting. Shock of shocks, sometimes these guys quit school, sell their tools, and start a new life.

Snap On, jewelry for guys. Hi, my name is Dave, and it's been 6 days since I bought a Snap On tool. Oooops, wrong support group.

Keep the greasy side down.

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Also, Snap-On dealers almost always have used tools/equipment for sale that somebody has turned in for credit towards something else.

 

Good point scorp 508,

Forgot to mention trade ins and repossesion tools and equipment. This is where you can score a Snap On scanner, hookups, and a descent cartridge for around $600 and fit a wide variety of makes and models. Often cheaper off the truck than ebay. We are shocked.

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