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Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t (Post 9680145)

Snap On....
Is that product made in a different country now?
I hope there is still something of genuine quality made here.

.

Yes, Snap-on is still made in the USA. And they are genuine quality tools.

That said, Craftsman, back when they bore "USA" or "Forged in the USA" were also good quality. No, not snap-on or Proto quality, but a hell of a bang for the buck and perfectly okay for most home wrenching.

Alas, Craftsman has become "crapman"...cheap chinese product made to look like the tools of old, but really about the same as harbor freight junk.

Glad I bought my tools when I did. Not sure which way I'll go if I need more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder (Post 9680742)

Some of Snap-on prices are outrageous but the quality of the tools is undeniable. Once you've gotten used to using them, (or other high quality tools), it's nearly impossible to work w cheap crap. I have several snap-on tools that I use almost everyday and they seem like they will never wear out or break. There is also the precision factor; sometimes you only have one shot at a fastener that is slightly worn or rounded and the SO tool can make the difference between getting it off or getting out the drill or chisel. :)

My buddy owns a shop and has been working w snap-on and Hazet level tools for over 40 years. A couple of times I've been fixing something in his shop w my own tools, (a mixture of brands), and he'll come over to help me and pick up a Craftsman tool without looking. He always stops right away and says, "WTF is this crap?" :D

He can feel the difference in his hand before even looking at it.

My main hand tools are almost all brand name like Hazet, Proto, Williams, Snap On, Wera, Gedore and Stahlwille and they're all made in fancy countries such as USA, Germany and Switzerland.

If I was buying any more tools the very first place I'd look would be Harbor Freight and Tekton. Taiwan has become very good at producing quality hand tools and honestly there's a point fairly early in the price curve where a tool is good enough to get the job done.

Our host also sells tools. Many of the are SK brand, which is also one I consider high quality. Definitely USA made, and quite comparable to Snap-on.

https://www.sktools.com/

"Snap On" tools are the best IMO. For me Snap On represents the best of American manufacturing.

If I need a new tool I always look at Snap On first. (but that doesn't mean I always buy Snap On)

I was sold long ago... I bought some cheap tools and soon regretted it. I asked a mechanic friend what I should buy and he said "if you can afford it buy Snap On". So I bit the bullet and spent about $500 on a few spanners, sockets & a ratchet handle. I only bought the sizes that I'd actually use instead of a whole set. At the time I was restoring a Fiat 500. That car is mostly held together with 10, 13 & 17 mm fasteners so that' what I bought!

Since then I have never regretted the extra money I have spent on tools.
My ex wife didn't understand but it's been more than 30 years and I still have and use the original Snap On tools I bought for that Fiat.

Not all (or even most?) snap on tools are made in the US... That said, most of our techs and our own shop tools are almost exclusively Snap-On. For us, the tool quaility is one thing, but the service is also amazing. Our dealer is by every week, his warehouse is 200 yards from our shop. We need something, we call, he swings by within 30 mins if he has it. Anything we have had to warranty is promptly turned around. He will also lend us his own demo tools until our order comes in. I realize not all dealers are like this and there is a reason ours is a top performer....

We have some expensive tools from a couple of European tool brands and they really are not impressive, especially when considering the cost...

Cheers

Certainly not all but I've always thought that most of the Snap On branded tools are made in the US.

Their other brand "Blue Point" tools however are mostly made in Mexico. (Or they were, not sure about right now)