Future of Snap On Tools

Off-topic Chatter
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Snap On Tools used to be the gold standard in tools. In many ways they still are however, the competition has really caught up, I mean to the point where they are indistinguishable from each other in feel and strength.

There are countless you tube videos where ratchets, wrenches, hammers, etc are compared from various manufacturers to Snap on. In every case I have seen the Snap On never wins. They are always second or third if not further down the chart.

The difference in price is extreme, for example, Project Farm found a $300 floor jack from Harbor Freight to be made identical in looks and strength to a $1000 Snap On. Same goes for ratchets and other tools.

Many years ago (70s and 80s) , the only real competition was Craftsman and they were considered garbage.

So the question is, Can Snap On survive another 25 years with this pressure form competition.

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Thatā€™s a fair perspective, but coming from that of a DIYer.

But thatā€™s not Snap-onā€™s target market, which is professionals who make money with their tools, not DIYers hoping to save money with their tools.

For the former, quality, function, and durability outweigh the cost factor. Their value goes beyond the face value, to the convenience of the trucks stopping by the shop, to the support of a century-old company that will stand by their tools.

There are one or two Snap-on tools in my tool box, one of which is a ratchet that is probably 40-45 years old. I contacted them and they sent me a rebuilt kit, gratis, without requesting any proof, or other verification aside from the promise of my word that itā€™s something my dad originally bought, and has been passed down in the immediate family.

The numerous Craftsman tools I have also carry lifetime warranties, but with the demise of Sears, how would they be warrantied? Lowes? Ace? Someone else? And if support could be arranged, Iā€™m not sure Iā€™d necessarily welcome the foreign-made replacement, which is the only thing they could probably offer now.

Conversely, while HF is increasing the breadth of their lineup, increasing the number of options for better quality tools, at higher prices, and to some extent filling in the void left by the fall of Craftsman, it would leave out of lot of perspective to see things only from their standpoint. Which is still a very good one, if youā€™ve seen their CEOā€™s yacht, owned by the son of the founder, who now heads the company.

No shop Iā€™ve ever come across, or gotten friendly with, has a single-brand exclusively filling their boxes. They buy the tools they need for the jobs they do, and sometimes it one brand, and sometimes its another.

The breath, and quality of tools available now to pros, and DIYers is good, but doesnā€™t necessarily condemn one, or the other. The competition is stronger, but has always been there.

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I watch Project Farms videos and he does a great job, but you miss the point that SnapOn, Mac, Matco usually do very well and sometimes finishes on top, only ā€˜let downā€™ by the high price compared to similarly performing tools at 1/4 the price. For some tools, I agree, yes, you can cheap out and get a nice reliable tool like floor jacks, screwdrivers, power or air tools, ratchets, sockets, etc. Hiwever, itā€™s not always benficial. my Dad was a mechanic for 30 years and invested in SnapOn, BluePoint, Mac, Cornwall, Matco, Craftsman, hand and air tools and other brands. so far theyā€™ve pretty much lasted for 40+ years. Thereā€™s been some achy-breaky stuff but SnapOn and Mac and Matco, Cornwall will replace it freeā€¦no questions asked (for a pro buying off a tool truck thatā€™s easy, for a DIY, itā€™s a little more cumbersome and time consuming). I think it depends on your use case. For a pro, time really is money and it can get mighty expensive to have a job grind to a halt due to a broken or malfunctioning tool, e.g. a flat-rate job that flags for 4 hours time that you can finish in 2, but your special low profile wobble head ratchet snaps at the joint or your special puller breaks and you can get that hub, bearing, or ball joint off and you dont have a spare. Youā€™ll pay $175 or $400 for another one if it helps you make money. Thatā€™s why you donā€™t see pros toting around these one-hung-lo brands. A cheaper tool might be fine for a couple jobs or maybe a year, but on the job you need it most, it fails and youā€™re stuck. Mechanics toolsets all have tools for specific jobs (all you GM, Chrysler, and Ford techs know what Iā€™m talking about), and only get used a handful of times per year, but they have to work every time or youā€™re stuck. I really like that thereā€™s a lot more prosumer brands out now that get mighty close to pro-grade tools quality wise. However, as a peofessional, would you bet a high value job on a Chinese made $20 ratchet or a $60 air impact? Probably not

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I love a good quality tool and I am willing to pay more for one.

The interesting thing is that years ago, you either paid up for Snap On or you settled for junk.

Not the case today.

Husky tools for example, very good quality, fraction of the cost of A Snap On, lifetime guarantee.

Yes if all the Home Depos go out of business, the warranty is gone but isnt it the same case for Snap On.

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Sadly, Snap On will likley end up with SK Tools going bankrupt and being bought out by a Chinese tool giant.

I love Snap On Tools and have a decent amount but I dont see them being around long term.

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Within 5 years half the world will be in a shooting war with China (after the invasion of Taiwan). Probably best to stock up on those cheap Chinese tools while you have the chance.

1 Thank
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Unfortunately you may be right.

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I still see the Snap On truck making the rounds between repair shops.

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I donā€™t believe Snap On is particularly common in the UK, I doubt its part of many enthusiast level DIY toolbox. Iā€™ve also never understood the level of brand loyalty some countries (USA) seem to show.

I like nice tools, but Iā€™m not flush with cashā€¦ Iā€™ll get the better versions of tools from various companies, based on what the company is good at.

Files, hacksaw blades, spanners from Bahco,
Hacksaw blades from Eclipse,
Hammers from estwing or one of the household names, not a lot to go wrong with a hammerā€¦
Screwdrivers from Wiha,
Ratchet driver from Wera,
Driver bits from makita or milwaukee,
Speed clamps from Irwin,
Most of my ratchet/socket gear is from Chinese manufacturers (purchased from Halfords etc) and seems pretty good.
Donā€™t yet own but Iā€™d like some pliers from knipexā€¦

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From what I hear, snap-on value is the fact that you can have a replacement for your super critical tool in a matter of hours, no questions asked. That alone can save you more money than the cost of the tools themselves if your business is demands it.

And I will point out, its very rare a snap-on tool is the worst or bottom of the barrel.

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I wouldnā€™t compare SnapOn floor jacks and power tools in the same category as their hand tools. Only the latter have the lifetime warranty.

I donā€™t see much point in getting the former from SnapOn as thatā€™s not their wheelhouse.

Rumor has it that Canadian Tire bought out older Snap On patents and use them for some of the house brand Mastercraft/Maximum hand tools. I have some Mastercraft wrenches that look and feel almost identical to Snap On. My dad who used to sell Snap On immediately said as much without seeing the brand.

Maximum also has (flex head) (ratcheting) (extra-long) wrenches that are either made by or rebranded from Gear Wrench. So yes, the competition is ā€œcatching upā€ in various ways.

The big brands still have consistency of quality on their side. I think it was the Torque Test Channel on youtube that tested competitors to Knipexā€™s famous cobra pliers. Amazon had a set of three copycat pliers for less than the price of one Knipex, and the performance was nearly identical with the metal hardness being only a bit worse. Even so, I would not switch from the Knipex, I love them way too much.

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Survive?

I certainly hope so. Theyā€™re a decent tool, and the market needs competition.

As they are now, way over priced and a bitch to get at the local level (roving tool trucks are an epic PITA)

I dearly hope not.

I AM a professional that makes money with my tools, not a diyer as it was compared.

But guess what?

I still have a life outside work, like a family to feed and bills to pay. If I get the same(or better) quality and warranty from a "non professional " tool brand, that cost 1/4 as much, Iā€™m doing it! That 3/4 cost saved is a crap load of direct profit, that stays food in the fridge or gas in the truck, instead of having to be earned back again.

And, if I can walk into a store and do it any time any day I need a tool, instead of chasing some exclusive stock in a panel van around, even better!

For that matter, ease of access will even trump quality at timesā€¦ ie, if I can get a replacement fast and easy any day, Iā€™m willing to risk a weaker tool, and/or have No warrenty; 100% no questions asked replacement is great, if its accessible. But if I have to wait 3 days to get a replacement because they dont stock stores, I lose time money and customers in that time frame.

I donā€™t think I own a single snap on product, that Iā€™ve bought. Inherited a few, got a few in tool sale mixed lots maybe. Think I have maybe 4 items from that brand. Always too expensive and too hard to get.

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Thats what I was saying as well. It seems pointless with other reliable brands out there. That was not the case in 90s.

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I think Gearwrench offer a lifetime warranty? I have a few tools from them, my best mate is a mechanic he buys a mix of tools some Snapon tool like the spanners and ratchets and breaker bars and some specialty tools that no one else makes. Other tools he goes for other brands as they are better quality like Knipex.
Even though you pay the price if something breaks the Snapon van owner will still whinge about replacing the tool and make it hard as they are franchises over here, maybe its a pain to get reimbursed from HQ?.
Snapon tools have an image in the industry kind of like you have to use Snapon to be good at your job so that should keep them going for a while lol.

I have a mix of tools some decent some mediocre depending on my use case per tool, i have a bunch of Wera screwdrivers and they are okay a bit overrated when compared to my Wiha set, Wera offer a lifetime warranty.
Snapon and or Blue point make tools in Taiwan that should lower the cost of them.

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SnapOn is a mostly US brand, but they ship worldwide.

Those are all very decent brands of tools. Wera and Whia are German/Swiss made and great quality. Irwin/Vice Grips are the same company and theyā€™re good tools. Lots and lots of pros use Estwing hammers and chippers. Theyā€™re some of the best.

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I bought a CDI torque wrench several years ago ā€“ Nice tool / Great price ā€“ Our local Snap On guy sits at our table in the Diner-- He denied CDI was a Snap On company ā€”Thereā€™s a good chance CDI makes their torque products-- He is to say the least a Butt Hole

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That and they offer shop credit which I wonā€™t go into but itā€™s predatory and part of why they charge what they do. The routes are also franchises and thereā€™s a pecking order that any new enterprising franchisee best not upset else they be forced out.

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The hand tools market is definitely creeping in on Snap-onā€™s share. Most of the competition are clones of Snap on stuff. I own many thousands of dollars of Snap on tools and equipment. The main reason is SERVICE. The service part of the business will probably never be taken away from Snap on.

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What kind of service are you referring to? If I bring a broken Husky ratchet to any Home Depot, they give me a new one, no questions asked, and no receipt needed. Lifetime.

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Snap on comes to me. The big plus is their equipment service