The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Pic for Jerry ... :)

Sorry, If we could attach images to PM's, you wouldn't all have to be a party to this.

This is to illustrate a private joke/sad commentary between HRL and myself ...


Jerry ... to my point..... hehehehehehe (evil, maniacal laughter)

Ok you got me, from saving the world in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" to this photo of a Snap On Truck ..whatever's going on between you and Jerry, you caught my interest. Now, back to the refinish, restore, refurbish or whatever you call this insanity.

We used to threaten to list the the Snap-On guy as a a "dependent" at income tax time- - - - -some of us spent almost as much with him every week as we did to feed out kids! There's nothing like rolling up to the shop once a week with a truckload of goodies that make it easier to beat the flat rate time on a particular job to put the old vacuum cleaner to a billfold!!
Jerry

Only bought one 3\4 ring open ended spanner from snap on about 25 years ago and it cost 45 Australian dollars had to cut my own proto one to do a job so that’s was the replacement

Ah, Snap on. The tools of the gods. I remember a lesson in finance given to me by the owner of a company I worked for back in 1976 , when he found out that I'd signed an "agreement" with Snap On for a payroll deduction for tools and a tool box to use . This was back in the days when "if" you got called into the company presidents office it was only because you'd done something really good or really bad. Anyway, he lectured me on the interest cost and explained how much money I was really paying for those tools. When he completed the lecture he told me he was paying off the tools and would take his money back, via weekly payroll deduction, over some period of months, interest free. I walked out of there relieved and also learned that "the old man" actually did care about his employees. I stayed with that company until it sold in 1990 and with the company that purchased it until 2019. I still have most of those tools.

One of the perks students at the state trade school where I taught got from Snap-On was the opportunity to purchase a "starter" set of tools at a 50% discount. That fishing expedition set the hook for a career-long financial commitment to the friendly guy in the tool truck, just like the drug pusher on the street corner giving a potential new customer a "free" sample! No question they're good tools, but like Ronnie says, the real profit for the company is the interest rate on that line of credit!
Jerry

Had an uncle that used to drive a Snap-On truck. He said it felt like driving an armored car. Worst part was collecting from the mechanics that made "regular" payments. He told the story of telling a mechanic it was time he addressed his account that it had been awhile since he had made a payment. The mechanic walked over to his toolbox and pulled out a hunting knife and started "wiping it down" saying he was a little short this month. Doug was a gun guy and pulled pistol from his truck and started "wiping it down" and said he really needed a payment. Doug got his money.

My pal runs a Snap On truck and I always bug him about selling Canadian Tire tools. He gets so bloody mad. I kind of like my old Sears Craftsman set and the other CDN Tire Mastercraft tools I buy. I can still get free replacements in a lot of them. Not Snap On, but I’ve only replaced 1 ratchet in 20 years on that Craftsman. Plus, it doesn’t help the ratchet when you’ve occasionally used it as a hammer.

I am going to try to replace my 5year old MasterCard die grinder. Wish me luck!

The old saying used to be "Snap-On tools break- - - - -Craftsman tools wear out!" I've got a permanent reminder of a Craftsman 9/16" socket I borrowed from a guy late one night- - - - -when I pulled hard on a bolt, the bell-mouthed socket slipped off and I smacked myself in the mouth with the ratchet- - - -Hello, tooth crown! That was in the late 1970's- - - -the crown has been there ever since!
Jerry

Snap-on tools are tops in the industry. Are they worth the price? If you’re in the business, I think they are well worth the price. Snap on sockets and box/combo wrenches get into places that a Craftsman or other similar company's tools will not due, to their thinness. The smooth feel of a snap-on wrench when pulling hard just feels better then pulling on a Craftsman. They are made of better quality steel so they can be made thinner.

Now don’t get me wrong, I still love my Craftsman tools. My first tool box was a Sears Craftsman mechanics tool kit and I still have most of those tools today. I have a few Snap-on tools in my box and worked with them all of my career so I have first hand experience. Snap-on tools are in a class of their own.

I never got involved in the credit portion of the company, so I have no opinion to share.

That being said, as a retired tinker’r, I can’t afford the cream of the crop so I buy Craftsman, Husky, Rigid, or whatever seems like a decent tool for a decent price.

Ditto on all aspects of Phil's (Phak1) post.

Snap-On Tools look better, feel better, and probably last longer.

Nonetheless, they are probably practical for a professional mechanic; or, they are real nice for a name-dropper, or a rich amateur (or as a gift).

My friends that own a high-volume three-generation dismantling yard, all have Snap On Tools.

The Craftsman tool set that I bought in 1969 has not had a single break or failure. I have added many more Craftsman tools over the years (none in the last 10 years).

I have only completely restored 4 Stovebolts trucks, and a Z-series 2-ton GMC COE 18' flatbed, and a Corvair Van (including 4 engines and 3 rear ends).

No broken Craftsman tools, yet.

Oh yeah, no lifetime warranty now (and, no Sears to go to for the old warranty).

My many Harbor Freight tools have also lasted quite well.
I do not know if they still honor their lifetime warranty?
You pros can smirkingly look down your noses at my HF tools.

I read somewhere that 1/2 through 3/4 in wrenches and a small hammer is all you need to repair a G.M. , all the other tools in the box are to fix the Fords .

Don't shoot the messenger .

John

I have a 1/2" drive Craftsman ratchet that was my Grandfathers, I guess from the 30's. It still works great, a lot smoother than any made today. I try not to use it much as I know it can't be replaced, it shares a drawer with some other old tools that I cherish.

So, because I'm still doing a day job, most of my stuff is Snap On, Mac, Matco, etc. Guess what my favorite combination wrench to grab at work, is? A set of Craftsman Professional, polished wrenches. I guess they made them only for a few years as I've never seen them since. That's them on the left lower of the drawer, in the blue rack.

I've never found a difference in the quality or longevity of Snap-On tools from a pawn shop, yard sale, estate sale, or a flea market than the ones "new off the truck"! It's not really necessary to pay the full price if you can do a little savvy shopping. Ditto for Ebay! When some "mechanics" get a case of Budweiser Fever and think they really need another case of beer, it's surprising how tools can become available at a discount price! I've worked with quite a few of those guys over the years!
Jerry

I've done well getting most of my tools dirt cheap from eBay, then having a whole set warrantied because of wear, chrome flicking off, etc.

I bought some snap-in body hammers off eBay without handles and went to local hardware and put handles on them. Then a co-worker who's dad owned a body shop told me I could flag down a tool truck and swap them. But I believe one which is my favorite is no longer made. I also have two Proto body hammers that I bought in the '60's that are like new.
But one of my favorites is a 3/8 drive Craftsman Flex handle and 1/2" deep socket that I probably stole from my dad that was made in the early 40's. It has the cool Craftsman underline logo with Circle-H. Even though it has lots of patina on it, it's still a dependable wrench. Looks very similar to The upper one in this pic.. For Craftsman fans, the Alloy-artifacts.org website is pretty fascinating.

Don’t forget the big straight bladed screwdriver for the stovebolts! LOL

I thought it was just a 9/16 inch wrench. And maybe a BFH.

I never had much luck with Snap On or their dealers. When Craftsman tools were all American made they were my first choice and for my tool boxes as well. The Snap On tools were always high priced and when the dealer would come in the shop and see my Craftsman Industrial tool box He would get funny about the whole thing and you always felt like you didn't come up to his standards. He made you feel like he didn't want to do business with you. I did have good luck with the Cornwall, Matco and Mac tool salesmen though. There were times when you just had to bite the bullet and go to Snap On since no one else had what you needed. It was always the last resort and I hated doing it.
I worked as a mechanic for 45 years and saw quite a few Snap On salesmen come and go.
I still have all of my old Craftsman tools and they work well for me.
Jim

When my father-in-law passed in 2000 my mother-in-law had me sort through his tools. He wanted them to go to family. I threw all the busted Craftsman tools in a box. Mother-in-law asked why I wanted just the broken tools. Told her they will be new tomorrow. I have broken a few breaker bars and ratchets over the years, due to using excess force with an extension pipe on the handles. Sears always replaced them. Worn out screwdrivers too!

Rick

Sears around here are no more. But fortunately a few others got their mitts in da Craftman industry. Lowes, and i think Ace Hardware will also warranty them. Just a heads up.

Thanks for that info, glenns towing

Have you been able to take a broken Craftsman part for a replacement?

All my Craftsmen tools were bought at a Sears and Roebuck store.

I have replaced Craftsman tools at Lowe's.

Yes. I have replaced broken Craftman at Lowes. Somewhat recently was a ½ inch ratchet and â…œ and ⁷/¹⁶ sockets. You have togo to da service desk tho, after finding what your after.

I've found that the local Ace and Lowe's carry lots of Craftsman tool sets, but very limited number of individual pieces making it hard to swap out a broken one. My local Ace had to order a small punch...that was two weeks ago and I still haven't heard anything.

I miss my well stocked Sears store...

Mike B

I was at Lowes the other day and happened to see their stock of Craftsman sockets. They had quite a few individual sockets but had them in drawers with no real organization. The old Sears Store had them hanging on pegboard and easy to find what you wanted. Lowes could take a page from Sear's book on displaying products.

I'm finding the same thing at my local Lowes lately - inventory a disorganized mess. Now going to Ace for most things.

I agree! Have you looked in their plumbing section lately to find a fitting? It’s fustrating!

I just recently tried to replace a broken 10MM socket at Lowe's the service desk asked for a receipt. I told the young girl that I had had the the socket longer than she had been on the earth, she saw no humor in that. In the end I bought a new socket and promptly returned the broken one, now I have 2 new 10MM sockets....

She may not have but I certainly did!

Did you know that Lowe’s has veteran military discounts (10%) and if you have and use your “My Lowes” card you don’t need any receipts for returns (I know, you didn’t buy it there).

Customer Service at it best. She probably didnt have any idea that they warranty Craftman tools. Lolol.