I'm getting a job as a Pro Team mechanic and I need to fortify my tool box with new tools.

All bike specific tools will probably be Park, but I need Combination wrenches, new sockets, other tools.

Are Snap-on tools worth the premium price? I know they say buy the best tools you can afford (and the good thing is, I can afford them)

Nitro,

I use my tools for a living. I own probably $35,000 worth of tools. The tools that I use on a day in and day out basis, I own Snap-On. The stuff I use occasionaly I use, Craftsman, Etc. People will tell you there isn't a difference, but there is. Most of the people that will tell you that, have either never used them or are to cheap to buy them. Just look at your situation and ask yourself how much you'll be using them and go from there.

I hope this helps.

Ray

If you feel it's something you need,get um.....

Craftman Professional are just as good and have lifetime garantee, just like snap-on. However, for my dual bay tool box, I got a Snap-on

I have NEVER regretted buying "The Best",

eg. Snap-On, Ridgid, Milwawkee, etc.

Regards,
J T

Of incidental note:

Snap-On also sells a line of black 'industrial', tools; same tools, no chrome.

To my mind, the 'black industrial', don't 'grow legs', as do the chrome.

I also believe that another line of theirs is called 'Cobalt'.(?)

If you can afford them, go for it. You will never be sorry for buying quality tools.

I once knew a professional mechanic that bought and used Craftsman in his business even though he knew Snap-On was better. His reasoning was; "I never break these things, I lose them." He did excellent work and there was no sign his "inferior" tools reduced the quality of his results.

As noted above, really high class tools do tend to "grow legs" unless you are the sole worker. If money isn't an issue and you can be sure to hang onto them, go for Snap-On. Otherwise, Craftsman is the bargain in good quality.

I agree, if you wrench for money, get the best tools you can't afford yet.

I have snap-on, matco, some craftsman, and mac (which I think are JUST as good as snap-on, but about 1/3 less $$)

get a good tool box and LOCK IT when you go home, and get an engraver so you can mark EVERY TOOL YOU OWN, that way ID'ing your particular socket wrench is easy.

you will lose or have stolen more tools than you will ever wear out or break.

if you wrench for a living, tools are also tax deductable

I have been a professional mechanic for 40 years and have never regretted buying SnapOn tools. There most certainly is a difference in the feel and performance in their tools. I buy some lower tier tools if it is for something I don't do very often. By the way, I have resisted temptation and still have my original tool box. It really looks small in our shop! All the new"kids" buy mega boxes and have one tool per drawer!

Professionally I've used Snap-On and Mac all of my life. Most of my tools at home are Craftsman. As stated in some of the above replies, tools do grow legs and walk off. If Craftsman, Kobalt, or other "store" brand tools will work for you I'd buy them first. That, or at least see what the other wrenches are using.

I got such a kick out of that when I was wrenching. Some even had drawers for paper towels, hand rags and shop towels. All neatly folded.

Snap-On tools are definitely higher quality.

All my tools will be in a 17 3/4 x 12 1/2 x 8" box with two organizer pallets and the rest sitting in the bottom.

Seems like the consensus is get the best. I guess you have to make some sacrifices sometimes. Gonna give up the carbon wheels for tools, but it will pay off in the long run.

If they are to you, then yes.
If you mean are they 'X' number of dollars worth more than
Craftsman and brands like that, No.

My vote is to go with Craftsman - seems to be a more practical solution. First, I doubt you'd break a Craftsman wrenching on a bike (and if you do, it has a lifetime warranty). Second, there are not that many opportunities to use ratchet and wrenches on a bike (say compared to an automobile). Threaded fasteners are not that long on a bike.

Snap-On quality is outstanding, but probably overkill for bike wrenching. The incremental difference between Craftsman and Snap-On probably doesn't merit the cost differential and increased leg growth of Snap-Ons.

If I had the money, I'd give the Snap-on's a try just because I'm a tool geek.

As a pro wrench, presentation is a big part of the show you'll be putting on, and Snap-on is an "impressive" name to be brandishing.

That said, as a shop wrench I use Ace Professional wrenches. They have a nice feel, about like Craftsman. They're generally cheaper than Craftsman and also carry a lifetime replacement warranty. If something breaks I can go 1/4 mile away and get a free replacement (and the only time I've had to, when a construction helper trashed a ratchet, they did without question). The nearest Sears is 90 miles away and won't always honor their warranty.

Snap-On fit better in the hand and are higher quality, yet they are massive overkill for a bike mechanic. You might do what I did when I was doing the car wrench thing - buy Snap-On for the most commonly used tools like a 3/8" ratchet handle and the 3 or 4 most commonly used sockets. If you're buying a set and aren't rich, look elsewhere. (Not sure I'd do Craftsman; the quality isn't what it used to be.)

Growing up in the auto business and spending my younger days in a body shop before all the federal regulations, I can tell you the environment was just brutal on tools. (Lungs and general health too.) Most of the guys back then used Craftsman, S&K, Proto etc. The Snap on guy would come around with his fancy truck, but most of the guys couln't afford them even though you could buy used from him and set up an account. Yes, used. Also, If you needed something you had to wait on him.

Craftsman ratchets and sockets held up just fine and were affordable. Sears always had a big tool department and anything you needed was usually available and could be bought in sets if so desired.

I still have most of my Craftsman S&K stuff to this day and they are all very serviceable. I think that Snap on to some degree was overkill.

Interesting observation. Most of my Craftsman tools are 20+ years old and far predate the K-Mart take-over of Sears. I wonder if K-Mart has lowered the quality.

My bodyshop days go back to the late 60's thus the remarks.

I own a single piece of Snap On tool. It's a stubby 1/4 rachet I found on the road a few years back.

My regular tools consist of Craftsman and SK.

Oh, nearly forgot...

I do have a Snap-on toolbox given to me by my ex's uncle. It's a nice old box, vintage stickers, etc. I think there's a Snap-on scratch awl inside it too.

I doubt it'd impress anyone though...

Aside from functionality the little 6" adjustable Snap-on crescent wrench I managed to buy is one of the most beautiful tools I have ever owned. The hand feel and appearance make me want to frame it in a black velvet lined case and exhibit it at the Guggenheim.

While I agree that Snap-On tools are very good, I prefer Whia for high quality hand tools such as socket drivers, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. Felo is also excellent quality.
Both brands made in germany with top shelf steel and anodizing.

I just bought a Whia Vario X torque system for carbon fiber hardware settings on bikes. Better than snap on. Not cheap. More a fine insttrument than a tool.

I've used tools professionally my whole life. Most of my stuff is Craftsman, some Proto, and a few other assorted brands.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Snap-On tools are top-notch. Beautifully polished, look great all lined-up in the drawer. But I also don't believe they are any more durable than my Craftsman hand tools. In all the years of heavy use the only Craftsman tool I broke was a 3/8 drive 9/16 deep-socket. It was replaced, no questions asked.

Occasionally when I need to 'build' a certain multipurpose wrench by welding together parts of other wrenches . . . I've cut apart some I purchased at Harbor Freight, made in India, that were highly polished and looked 'almost' as nice as name-brand tools. I've tested them with a hardness tester and they compare with the quality stuff also. They cost a fraction of even Craftsman.

I also once bought a large set of no-name sockets, both metric and SAE, from some outfit [can't remember where] for $5. Would never use them on a day-to-day basis . . . but put them in my truck for emergency. What a joke. The first time I used them they proved to be dead soft, total crap.

Stanley now owns many brands . . . among which the most well known is Proto. Don't recall the other names at the moment.

Purchase the best you can afford. Take pride in their use. Don't loan them <g>.

DON

Though they specialize in mostly electrical tools, Klein hand tools are also of excellent quality. Snap On stuff is wonderful, but sort of like Chris King or Phil Wood stuff-even though you know it's better, is it that much better to justify the extra price? (All my tools are Craftsman and Klein, BTW.)