Quote:
Originally Posted by speeder
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?" 
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.