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Snap-on stays winning
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Snap-on is one of the worst value buys out there. Even for professional mechanics.

The only Snap-on tools I have, I picked up off the side of the road, except for a ratchet which my father somehow brought home from Vietnam --- his comment on the brand?

>It's pretty easy to get the about the same quality, but it's hard to pay more.

Just figure out their OEM and buy a Williams brand screwdriver for example.

That said, for a professional mechanic, there's a lot of value in buying a tool which one can get warrantied the next time the tool truck makes its rounds.


With how well Chinese manufacturing has improved in the last 10-20 years the snap-on edge is largely eroded. You can buy a similar quality tool at Harbor Freight for a quarter of the price that will most likely last just as long. For most of the tools in a mechanics box there is rarely a specific tool that will put you out of work for the day.

There is some value having a truck that delivers the items to do and does infield warranty but I don’t think it warrants a 4x cost.

I would imagine most mechanics would do well these days buying the premium cheap option, like Icon, and buy better when they know what they need and identify longevity issues. I could absolutely see certain air tools or power tools where you may buy brand but even then the Harbor Freights of the world have come a long way.


I've never had problems, my father has never had problems, and neither of us have found the price unreasonable for the quality. He does mechanic and electronics work (He works at a motorcycle shop, helps out in the back frequently despite being a glorified secretary) and used to install remote starts. I just think the screwdrivers are nice, use them for electronics repair



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