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02-08-2016, 06:45 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 671
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Snap-on
I was picking up a friend at my car mechanic's shop, and the Snap-on dealer was in the waiting room. We got into a conversation while I waited for my friend to finish up and ended up going out to the tool van where I got a demonstration of the differences between my Craftsman wrenches and Snap-on's.
Three things really impressed me: how much better the Snap-on's hold onto a bolt head, how little you need to turn one of their ratchets to get a "click" and how expensive they are. (Over $300 for a set a combo wrenches) The dealer also beat on a Craftsman wrench with one of his leaving dents all over the cheaper wrench to show how much better the Snap-on steel is. I'm thinking of buying a couple of ratchets and a set of SAE wrenches.
How about it A&Ps? Are they worth it?
John
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02-08-2016, 06:57 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
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They are worth it if . . .
. . you can't live with out them.
. . they fit where nothing else will fit.
. . they have a tool that no one else has.
. . you are making a collection to bequeath to your son upon death.
. . if you can afford them.
. . if you make your living with these tools or someone else buys them.
. . if you can not afford to have one break at 2AM before a holiday and you have to finish the job.
They definitely make good tools and will replace them for your life time. I had a few SO tools as a mechanic decades ago and wore some out. I stopped a truck and they guy looked at the ratchet (it would slip under high torque OUCH!) and said, that was a good one, let me give you a new one.
A number of the SO tools I have were pretty special, and they don't make them any more.
__________________
Bill
RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
Last edited by BillL : 02-08-2016 at 07:34 PM.
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02-08-2016, 07:17 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 5,687
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"Real" mechanics buy and use snap on because they understand the true value of good tools, are they worth it.. you bet
There are some other good quality tools out there, but they don't come from Sears.
__________________
Walt Aronow, DFW, TX (52F)
EXP Aircraft Services LLC
Specializing in RV Condition Inspections, Maintenance, Avionics Upgrades
Dynamic Prop Balancing, Pitot-Static Altmeter/Transponder Certification
FAA Certified Repair Station, AP/IA/FCC GROL, EAA Technical Counselor
Authorized Garmin G3X Dealer/Installer
RV7A built 2004, 1700+ hrs, New Titan IO-370, Bendix Mags
Website: ExpAircraft.com, Email: walt@expaircraft.com, Cell: 972-746-5154
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02-08-2016, 07:50 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sunset, LA.
Posts: 9
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Tools
I use Snap on tools at work and have craftsman tools at the house. I can work all day and every day at work and my hands don't hurt at the end of the day. Snap on tools fit better in your hands. I have wore out at least 4 1/4 in. Drive ratchets and have had them rebuilt with no questions asked. I have a snap on combination wrench set at the house to. I love Snap on I just don't like paying for them!
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A&P
Dues paid in 12-3-17
RV 8 few tools yet to buy
Tail kit soon
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02-08-2016, 07:53 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Brooksville, MS
Posts: 745
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I have a few but not many.
I have been working on hot rods and airplanes for more than 25 years and built several of vans planes. I doubt you could buy a full set of SO tools using only the money of the initial cost of my "lower cost" tools plus the replacement of the few I have broke.......I have gotten by this long so....but I do appreciate the grip, feel, and performance of SO. Just not worth it for me.
__________________
Weasel
RV-4 715hr Sold 
RV-10 "School Bus" -   +1600hr counting
Fisher Classic Cassler Power VW sold
RV-10 N7631T 820hr Sold
RV-8 700+hrs
Carbon Cub 200 hr Sold
One-Off Super Cub 100 hr
SERFI AWARDS
http://weaselrv10.blogspot.com/
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02-08-2016, 07:55 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,119
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45 years
I bought my first set of box wrenches when I was 18 working as a mechanic. Snap on replaced them after a year because I used them so much the plating wore off, but still working great. Still have them. As they say, gotta pry them from my cold dead hands.
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John S
WARNING! Information presented in this post is my opinion. All users of info have sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for their use.
Dues paid 2020, worth every penny
RV9A- Status:
Tail 98% done
Wings 98% done
Fuselage Kit 98% done
Finishing Kit 35% canopy done for now
Electrical 5% in work
Firewall Forward 5% in work
www.pilotjohnsrv9.blogspot.com
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02-08-2016, 08:02 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
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Take the $9 gamble an purchase a Harbor Freight ratchet.... This is a tool that stands up and beyond the typical made in CHINA tool.
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VAF #897 Warren Moretti
2019 =VAF= Dues PAID
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02-08-2016, 08:09 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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Proto is a very good brand, too. Grainger sells them.
I've got some HF combination wrenches. Junk, barely fits and thick enough to be minimally useful. Not recommended.
Dave
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02-08-2016, 08:18 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battleground
Posts: 4,348
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S-K is a reasonable compromise. They have the fit and finish of SO but not quite as costly. Blue Point, SO's "economy" line are decent too and about the same cost or a little less than S-K.
You can pick up SO tool boxes all day long for half retail, like new, and they make a great box. Snap-on plays on the ego of the new mechanic and puts them in the "easy payment plan" at the shop. Before you know it, they are in over their head. First to go seems to be the box.
Craftsman are torturous to use after using a pro tool. There are simply places they won't fit and there are lots of examples in our airframes and engines where a quality tool will save your day.
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Smart People do Stupid things all the time. I know, I've seen me do'em.
RV6 - Builder/Flying
Bucker Jungmann
Fiat G.46 -(restoration in progress, if I have enough life left in me)
RV1 - Proud Pilot.
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02-08-2016, 08:30 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sunset, LA.
Posts: 9
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Tools
I have bought Snap On tools off Craigslist. Check with the trucks and see if they have any repo tools.
__________________
A&P
Dues paid in 12-3-17
RV 8 few tools yet to buy
Tail kit soon
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