Snap-on or Craftsman tools
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Just North of Buffalo NY
I have found the Snap On tools are a better quality product. I have had some of mine for 40+ years with no problems. Some of my Crapsman tools have been replaced under warranty a few times in those years. Yes they are both warranted for life but who needs the aggravation of failure in the middle of a project and trips to Sears. Your choice of course. My .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
I have all Craftsman tools. Although, if I could afford them, I would have bought Snap-On. Snap-On tools that I have used are more comfortable in your hands than the Craftsman tools. But, for the money, I will stick with Craftsman.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
If I was a professional mechanic then I would probably invest in Snap-on tools. I have a few that I've had for 20+ years and they still work great. That being said since I only work on my car as a hobby the vast majority of my tools are Craftsman. I try to pick up stuff on sale to save even more. This way I have more money left over for mods 
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Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: North Reading MA
I use Craftsman but I'm a little biased because there is a Sears Hardware store that's less then a mile from my house so if I'm working on a project and I need a tool, I can just run down there and get it.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach NY
I have mostly Craftsman. The Snapons are left from my Auto Repair Shop days.
The problem I have found with the Snapon is replacement. When I was doing it professionally the Dealer would be in every week, now if I need a replacement I have to search for one and then I get a Song and a Dance.
Craftsman can be exchanged at any Sears.
That being said I don't know how long that will continue since KMart bought Sears. Even now I find the Quality is not as great and sometimes to get 1 tool replaced you have to bring in the rest of the set (T handle Allen wrenches for example).
Barrier
The problem I have found with the Snapon is replacement. When I was doing it professionally the Dealer would be in every week, now if I need a replacement I have to search for one and then I get a Song and a Dance.
Craftsman can be exchanged at any Sears.
That being said I don't know how long that will continue since KMart bought Sears. Even now I find the Quality is not as great and sometimes to get 1 tool replaced you have to bring in the rest of the set (T handle Allen wrenches for example).
Barrier
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Craftsman here... that's because Sears is close and I'm not a pro by any means. Like others have said... if it was my profession I'd invest in the best tools. However, since it's a hobby I'll settle for great tools.
Odly I cracked 2 10mm sockets last night trying to get a tight header bolt off.
Odly I cracked 2 10mm sockets last night trying to get a tight header bolt off.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have mostly Craftsman -simply because they're easy to get and easy to replace (when you don't run into a "Hardware Troll" that acts like you are trying to take food out of his mouth).
If I had better access - I would buy only Snap-On. I think Craftsman's quality has slipped quite a bit and I don't even consider them as good as Husky that I can buy at Home Depot. The Husky stuff is also warrantied and Home Depot is a lot easier to deal with.
If I had better access - I would buy only Snap-On. I think Craftsman's quality has slipped quite a bit and I don't even consider them as good as Husky that I can buy at Home Depot. The Husky stuff is also warrantied and Home Depot is a lot easier to deal with.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,792
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
I have a few Snap On tools, but most are Craftsman. It's far easier to take a broken tool to Sears, than to try tracking down the Snap on man. Far less problems also, when replacing a broken tool.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,287
Likes: 0
From: york pa
Originally Posted by corvette-pilot
I have 80% Craftsman and a few Snap-On. Wouldn't go out of my way to get Snap-On when there is a Sears around every corner. Plus they are cheaper and work just as good 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by QuikZilver
I have all Craftsman tools. Although, if I could afford them, I would have bought Snap-On. Snap-On tools that I have used are more comfortable in your hands than the Craftsman tools. But, for the money, I will stick with Craftsman.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
During the late 60s and early 70s, I worked summers at my dad's body shops. They featured Snap-On tools, and I cannot remember a single time when one of them failed, and all of them took beatings on a daily basis. That being said, as a rapidly-aging hobbyist and do-it-yourself type, I have been completely happy with my personal Craftsman tools -- they will surely out-live me!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Il
I'm a snap-on guy I understand where craftsman is easer to get and replace, but I will assure you that you will not break snap-on's tools nearly as much, most of the time they will just wear out over years of use.. and ebay is a great place to pick up snap-on tools for a reasonable price! I have even bought broken ones and had them replaced! If your having a hard time finding a dealer let me know and I will get them replaced for ya..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I have only CRAFTSMAN tools...I like the seven day availability convenience.
In all the years of owning them (since '66), I've only had to replace two rachets (3/8" & 1/2"), both times the gear drives finally gave up. They wanted to give me a new rachet each time, but I'd grown so fond of the old style, I decided to change the guts out instead.
In all the years of owning them (since '66), I've only had to replace two rachets (3/8" & 1/2"), both times the gear drives finally gave up. They wanted to give me a new rachet each time, but I'd grown so fond of the old style, I decided to change the guts out instead.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 0
From: Worden Illinois
Originally Posted by OUR97
I have found the Snap On tools are a better quality product. I have had some of mine for 40+ years with no problems. Some of my Crapsman tools have been replaced under warranty a few times in those years. Yes they are both warranted for life but who needs the aggravation of failure in the middle of a project and trips to Sears. Your choice of course. My .02