Racer's Lounge - Snap-On VS Craftsman VS MAC

I am just curious what tool everyone on here prefers???I have been a tech for about 8 years and most of my tools are Craftsman.I am not a big fan of thier ratchets,so I use Snap-On ratchets but you still cant beat the lifetime warranty and no hassle tool return from Craftsman.

craftsman

snap on has the best screwdrivers. i have a full set of snapon screwdrivers and allens/hexes, and a full set of metric/standard craftsman sockets.

the snapon stuff is nice, the warranty is good, but if it breaks its not as easy to get to a place to replace it as craftsman.

so, craftsman overall for me.

do air tools count? i dont own any but i heard that one of those 3 line of air tools SUCKS.

MATCO no other compares
i break alot of tools

Craftsman seems to be the best give/take on quality/price for me.

Craftsman works good for me.

Nothing compares to Snap On. The quality is the best bar-none.

Matco/Mac rebadge a lot of generic tools, and the two of them share many of the same tools. Most of the stuff is still quality however.

If you can afford Snap On, there should be no other choice. I personally hate Craftsman. It's much more of a pain in the ass for me to get Craftsman stuff replaced than anything else. Where as the others are here at the shop every week.

The tools are only as good as the representative in the area though. My Snap On guy is the man. I'd much rather support him than anybody else.

matco and snap-on is what i use. our area tool guys are really good about replacing and repairing broke tools. where as there is nowhere to get my my busted craftsman tools replaced without driving an hour away.

and mac is a more expensive stanley tool company

Depends on what you are getting. For sockets, screw drivers, hex heads, and stuff Craftsman makes good stuff for a great price. Although their torque wrenches and ratches suck compared to snap on.

Snap-on. Maybe i'm baised though, grew up with my pops using only those. He has seriously spent over 100K in tools/airguns/etc. over the last 25 years.
From all that i remember he has never once had a problem getting anything replaced when broken.
I find that when i use tools from other companies they just don't have that robust feel of quality.
Matco does have a VERY nice set of Air tools and ratcheting boxed/open ended wrenches though.

I use craftsman only because its what I've always used and its what was alwaying in my dad's garage. I've never had a problem getting a craftsman tool replaced, I actually just had a craftsman shovel that was probably older than me break took it to sears in two peices and got a brand new one no problem.

I love Snap-on tools, all of their products are awesome. I don't like Craftsman very much and I don't have much experience with Mac, but if I can afford the tool I need in a Snap-on, that's what I'll get.

i prefer craftsman, ive broken several tools and never had a problem getting them replaced.

I said Craftsman but keep in mind some of Harbor Freights stuff is good stuff and their pitsburgh steel stuff has a lifetime warrenty and I work on airplanes with them. Their wratchets are just as nice as the Snap ons if you ask me, not sure on the degrees per click or whatever.

Snap on is WAY expensive but I hear at my school they give us a 60% discount, if the price is close to the craftsman then I will get them.

Snap on boxes are WAY over priced, at work their are guys with old cheap craftsman boxer or harbor freight type boxes and still work great for a fraction of the cost.

Snap on is WAY expensive but I hear at my school they give us a 60% discount, if the price is close to the craftsman then I will get them.

Snap on boxes are WAY over priced, at work their are guys with old cheap craftsman boxer or harbor freight type boxes and still work great for a fraction of the cost.

It will probably be around 50%, and they may or may not limit what you can buy.

Most the snap on guys are willing to work on their price. He can usually meet or beat Matcos/Macs prices which is awesome.

There is absoloutly no comparison between Snap On boxes and the tinfoil boxes you listed, sorry. Double rollers are key once you've got a ton of tools/weight in the box. The feel and structure of the boxes are not even close.

Get the best you can afford IMO. That may not be Snap On, but IMO, do things right the first time.

i wish i still had my lime green snap on box :cry:

I have the Craftsman(black) quiet glide top,intermediate,and bottom roll away tool chest.I have had it for 5 years and no complaints.

i always used craftsman, i bought a nice snap-on set. I have both sets in my garage... I ALWAYS use the snap-on over the craftsman now. Everything just has a better feel IMO.

(lol)The poll fooled me.I expected Snap-On to have the most votes.

Snap On only.

Although at the shop, we have a ton of Matco stuff.

It will probably be around 50%, and they may or may not limit what you can buy.

Most the snap on guys are willing to work on their price. He can usually meet or beat Matcos/Macs prices which is awesome.

There is absoloutly no comparison between Snap On boxes and the tinfoil boxes you listed, sorry. Double rollers are key once you've got a ton of tools/weight in the box. The feel and structure of the boxes are not even close.

Get the best you can afford IMO. That may not be Snap On, but IMO, do things right the first time.


There are some sheet metal guys at work (aircraft) that have regular boxes, not double rollers, no ball bearings, loaded with a TON of weight, IE 100 pounds a slide (things like nothing but HEAVY bucking bars). Still working great, have an old craftsman box thats at least 20 years old and a double decker and its loaded down like crazy and still works great.

Snap on gives us the 60% as long as its aircraft maintenance related. We can't go get scan tools or anything. Once we graduate its gone.

To each his own :)

Do I like Snap on better? Yes, the sockets have been also known to get into tighter spots. Are their boxes CRAZY EXPENSIVE? YES! Worth it? Doubt it, to me no.

Is it easier to return a broken Craftsman that you need NOW? Yes! Don't have to wait for a rep :D.

Again to each his own :)

i prefer craftsman, ive broken several tools and never had a problem getting them replaced.

x2 :judge:

Oh this one is a no-brainer. Snap-on tool quality is far..far..far better quality than any tool out there. My dad used to sell Snap-on Tools and he used to show me what these tools can do and they are simply amazing.

BUT, for the average joe like myself and many others, craftsman fit the bill better because of the cost. And they are not bad tools, just not NEARLY as good as snap-on. Both Snap-on and Craftsman have lifetime warranties.

I voted snap-on. If this were a "what is the best bang for your buck tool" I would have voted craftsman.

I voted snap-on. If this were a "what is the best bang for your buck tool" I would have voted craftsman.

There you go...

If I were working out of my garage as a hobby, I'd roll Craftsman pro series or shittier.

The tools are only as good as the representative in the area though. My Snap On guy is the man. I'd much rather support him than anybody else.

I 100% agree. I am biased toward snap-on and matco due to their reps. I will never buy a MAC tool because the dick that sells them will not warranty them for me. Snap on ratchets are by far the best i have ever used btw...

MAC, but with a catch. The 22 year old stuff.

I 100% agree. I am biased toward snap-on and matco due to their reps. I will never buy a MAC tool because the dick that sells them will not warranty them for me. Snap on ratchets are by far the best i have ever used btw...


Word on the Snap-on wrachet, more teeth in them so you don't have to turn them as much to get a click.

Snap-On, if you can afford it. I've skinned a couple knuckles to the bone when the Craftsman crap's gear slipped.

I live 2 minutes from sears, so i can't go wrong with craftsman.

this is a great topic. I love Matco tools. yeah they rebadge alot....but for the most part my tool guy is just a bad ass. he hooks me up. for ratchets and sockets i prefer snapon. wrenches, specialty tools, scan tools, and etc are great from matco. i will go to sears and buy craftsman, i have no problem with it. i have alot of craftsman tools, but its just a comfort thing i guess. i guess after spending sooooo much money it really does matter what kind of warranty replacement you get. craftsman is the best for that hands down. i ahve taken things back to sears that you couldnt even read the craftsman name on it (but u can tell its a craftsman) and they ave replaced it with a new or updated version of the tool. they dont even ask questions. quality tools tho, snap on takes the cake.

At work we use Snap on exclusively. But at home in my own personal box I use Craftsman. I have no problem with the Craftsman stuff but the sockets I will replace with Snap ons. The chrome on some of my sockets has flaked off and I've yet to see a Snap on socket do that.

As far as tool boxes go Snap On is nice but overpriced. I like the rollaways and storage systems from Lista much better (again thats what we use at work).

snap on all the way :judge: i should know i have a 1500 r/a account balance as we speak

I've been a mechanic for 10 years now and I have used all three. I voted craftsman because of the price. I use MAC now because every week the MAC guy comes to the shop and replaces all the tools that broke during the week. I pay a little bit more but I don’t have to go downtown to Sears every time a tool gets broke. The tool quality is no different though.

Snap-on does the same thing but they cost more than MAC. I use all BOSCH power tools. They outlast DeWalt every time.

I like the fact that Craftsman tools are only like 1/4 the price of Snap-on, Mac, etc., and the fact that if you break 1 socket, you' re not waiting a whole week just to finish a job! :judge: With Craftsman, you can be back to work in like 30 minutes! :thumb:

I like Craftsman, I mean its not high quality, ive had to have a ratched swapped a few times, but I mean it was a really low initial investment, and I dont rely on my tools for a living so being ratchetless for a day wont hurt me too much

Craftsman new Pro line is the ticket in my book. Yea, Snap On is nice but gawd the price. Been using Craftsman for over 30 years and can't complain. However, it seems their standard Craftsman line has gone down hill in the last few years, and that's probably due to introducing the Pro line.
Robert

I like the fact that Craftsman tools are only like 1/4 the price of Snap-on, Mac, etc., and the fact that if you break 1 socket, you' re not waiting a whole week just to finish a job! :judge: With Craftsman, you can be back to work in like 30 minutes! :thumb:
Assuming you have another car you can take to Sears. I voted Craftsman, because I don't have money coming out the wazoo, and I can get any tool replaced in under an hour almost every time. I just recently took a 1/2" to 3/8" drive adapter that got broken in an impact driver. They didn't have any at the store, and it was a week before they restocked. It was the first time that's ever happened to me. The guy didn't ask any questions, he just put in an order and had it mailed to me. Didn't ask any questions, eventhough it says on the packaging not to use in impact drivers. He even gave me a free Craftsman catalog. For the price, Craftsman cannot be beat.

I use a mix of snap on and mac tools. More mac tools cause the snap on guy doesn't come to my shop as often as the mac guy does.

when i worked at sears auto, i used mostly craftsman. all my wrenches, ratchets, extensions, and sockets were craftsman, but i used other companies for the specialty tools. nothing beats a 30 second walk to get a tool replaced!

Craftsman...best bang for the buck. I can't tell you how many 3/8 ratchets I broke by putting a big cheater bar on them. They never even ask what's wrong when returning them.

Craftsman...best bang for the buck. I can't tell you how many 3/8 ratchets I broke by putting a big cheater bar on them. They never even ask what's wrong when returning them.

If you bought a better quality ratchet, it probably would not have broken :)

I have a bunch of Craftsman and Kobalt, for what I do they work fine.

Craftsman

+ 'hand tools' guarantee for life
+ convenience of exchanging broken tools in the store
+ durable (haven't had one break on me yet in the roughly 3 years of owning them)

- made in U.S.A. ?
- technicalities (such as non-beam style torque wrenches not being covered by the hand tool lifetime guarantee; as long as the packaging is read or the warranty specifics are clarified by associate before purchase then it isn't a problem)

If you bought a better quality ratchet, it probably would not have broken :)

Why spend more money when it is covered under warranty in the store? Most of the time tools break because of improper use (they were engineered for a certain purpose).

I have had craftsman tools around for a long time. I always said the same thing, oh well it's about the same blah blah snap on is over rated. Man I used some one time and I shut my mouth. I don't bust knuckles with their tools, nuff said. I like them, just not the price.

Craftsman

Ratchets, torque wrenches, screwdrivers, prybars, ratchet wrenches, and any oddball hand tool or thing that's going to take a serious beating I will buy from Snap-On. Air tools I usually buy from Ingersoll-Rand, I've yet to find an impact I like better then the Ti series. Sockets, extensions, and basic wrenches I usually buy from Craftsman...unless I know I'll be beating the hell out of it, then I upgrade.

Craftsman are O.K. for the occasional wrencher, but for pros that depend on their tools everyday its no contest.

Snap On!

craftsman love the lifetime warranty. on a side not e the guy ibought my car from drove a lifted van (he worked for matco) that said "snapthis" on his license plate

I'm gonna say Craftsman because of quality and price :thumb:

Craftsman is for fun

Snap on and mac is for work

I used Snap On till i realized how much of a rip off their junk was. Been Craftsman ever since.

Snap On tools break constantly, i've had no Craftsmans' break in 2 years, just my experience with the 2.

If it relates to your career (mechanic, construction, own your own business, etc.) then it may warrant investing in Snap On, Mac, etc., but for individual personal use I believe Craftsman to be the best choice.

tools are tools, i own all and they all work the same

i use craftsman and kobalt. good tools with a great price and warranty. now i have used some of my brothers mac tools and their really nice, but i cant see paying for them.

I used Snap On till i realized how much of a rip off their junk was. Been Craftsman ever since.

Snap On tools break constantly, i've had no Craftsmans' break in 2 years, just my experience with the 2.

I've got a good mix of Snap-On, Matco, Cornwell and Craftsman. Snap-Ons stuff generally is the best with the exception of their chrome sockets. I think they make them out of plastic or something. I split them open constantly. Never had a single Craftsman chrome socket fail.

Craftsman for all your hand tools. You can't beat the price or the life time warranty. Air tools I would choose Ingersoll-Rand hands down. I love there air tools. Snap-on and Matco is just too pricey for me. I'm sure there good tools, but I perfer Craftsman.

Our shop will use anything but Snap-On. The guys claim they break too often. So much so, they are referred to as Snap-Off. Before someone calls us out on the cost, we don't pay for anything we purchase, as it is your tax dollars we are spending. I personally don't care what I use, just as long as it works.

Craftsman here, hell some of my dad's tools are older than I am and are still in great condition. Easy to exchange the tool around here if it fails which is hardly ever. I'll keep buying their tools.

Craftsman are most of my tools but I love what Snap-On I have.

Tools... what you pay for is what you get. Cheapo stuff will break and not last.

Craftsman are O.K. for the occasional wrencher, but for pros that depend on their tools everyday its no contest.

Snap On!

If it relates to your career (mechanic, construction, own your own business, etc.) then it may warrant investing in Snap On, Mac, etc., but for individual personal use I believe Craftsman to be the best choice.

I agree with Craftsman. I own only Craftsman tools, but I work at UPS, and in my hub we have the package car/ feeder (semi) truck repair shop. Nearly EVERY mechanic has a Snap On toolbox. At least 10 of them do, while another has a cover on his saying "Macsimizer". I'm assuming everyday mechanics use Snap On, but I'll stick with Craftsman till Sears closes.

craftsman

cheaper lifetime warrenty

I heard somewhere that K-mart has bought out sears, does anyone know about this?
For me craftsman is the way to go do to the overall cost. But the new pro series is the shit. I have a good mix of tools in my box, everything from SK to snap on and all do their job. I even have some Stanley gear wrenches from wal-mart that have had cheaters on them and no probs. And for a set from snap on your looking at way over two bills.

also the duralst from autozone is actually good and they have a lifetime...just thought i would throw that it

My older snap on chrome sockets are damn tough!, must be the new ones. My tool box is Matco, tools are mostly Snap on, some Mac and Matco.

craftsman for the average person
snap-on overall IF you can afford it

Some interesting reading material about Sears and its tools:

Craftsman hand tools have an unlimited lifetime warranty. The unlimited lifetime warranty is voided if the tool is used in an industrial or commercial environment. For these situations, there is a special unlimited warranty program. A common misconception among consumers still exists that the lifetime warranty includes Craftsman power tools and precision hand tools. Craftsman portable power tools, bench power tools, air compressors, lawn & garden products and other powered items carry various warranties. Sears offers Replacement Agreements and Master Protection Agreements on most of their tools.

In 2003 Sears removed the lifetime warranty from Craftsman flashlights. Another limitation to the warranty introduced in 2003 Craftsman tape measures carry a lifetime warranty on all parts except the blade itself. Almost any tool may be brought to a Sears store and exchanged for a replacement item. Some items are considered specialty tools, and thus not covered under the unlimited warranty.

After the merger, Kmart began selling Craftsman products; Kmart stores will also honor the lifetime warranties on any hand tools.

Craftsman tools came under fire in 2004 in a lawsuit accusing Sears, Roebuck and Company of false advertising and consumer fraud for questionable use of the "Made in USA" slogan.

In January 2008, it was revealed that the Sears "community" website surreptitiously installed spyware on user's computers, which collects information from bank account numbers to where and how customers visit sites. In addition, it was found that managemyhome.com provides information on any purchase from Sears, a move that can aid thieves in scoping out targets.

Snap-on Terms and Conditions of Sale: http://corporate.snapon.com/display/termsofsale.nws

I get alot of good deals from the local crack heads..

They bring by a bag full of tools and say

"ayy maine, I got dis bag o tools i found..gimme $20 and dey yours"


So low and behold..I've racked up a nice selection of mac,snap-on,cornwell,craftsman etc over the years. Probably spend a little over $300

I have a good basic set of Craftsman tools which I'm very happy with. I also won't hesitate to buy Duralast or AM Pro (Advance Auto brand) tools since both also carry lifetime warranties. I got an AM Pro ratchet that I like a lot more then my Craftsman one. Usually I'll cross shop all these brands if I need a new tool and pick either the least expensive of the three or the one that I like the most. Also don't overlook Harbor Freight for some amazing deals on tools, many of which also have lifetime warranties.

snap on = made in taiwan

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=77862&PartNo=rwa404&group_id=20240&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

I have all Mac. I had a choice between Mac or Snap-on, and chose Mac because I feel most of the products are superior to Snap-on. My Mac box is 5x the box compared to a Snap on in the shop. Mac wrenches are much bigger and easier to grip than the cheesy little Snap-on alternatives. And my Snap-on rep is a asshole and never comes by, Mac comes by weekly and always answers his phone if I need something right away.

Snap-On is by far the BEST in terms of quality, feel and looks.

The only problem with Snap-On is that it REALLY hurts to loose one and feels really good to break one just so you can get a new one and rub it in the snap on guys face. Then of course you have one nice new whatever that sticks out in your set. (Real mechanics anyway)

Craftsman is the best in terms of price. The cost of Craftsman tools are reasonable and the quality is better than most of the other stuff in the same price range. Providing that Craftsman stays in the loop by being offered at places like Sears and K-Mart, the lifetime guarantee factor will reign on all. Not as many people will steal a craftsman either as the design is some what less than appealing. The stuff they sell does not feel as good in the hand as a Snap-On but they are pretty tuff.

MAC is one of them companies that you consider in the old timers club with things like Members Only jackets and Cornwell logos. Mac has always proved to be a good tool with a good feel but not better than snap-on. In my area there are not many MAC trucks.

MATCO is also a good tool, a lot like MAC but with a newer image.

Since I often hire people to work with me I preffer to keep Craftsman tools for their use. The only thing I did not like about Snap-On was the fact that if someone lost one, Id have to kill them. Then of course it becomes messy and counter-productive. For this reason I have saved many lives as well as fixed many vehicles with Craftsman tools. :devil:

Snap-on here. I recently started buying them, and I'm not even a mechanic.

Sears got bought out by Kmart. I will not buy "quality tools" from Kmart. In addition, I believe Sears posted a negative profit in 1 quarter last year. Not a good company IMO.

It's all personal preference. But when it comes down to it... the majority of the professionals out there use mostly Snap-on. They do have a quality tool and manufacturing process. If the professionals use them, and this trend continues - they will be around for a long long time.

Just my $0.02.

i use mostly snap on, i have had the best quality through them, for at home stuff i think craftsman would be fine, but i have broken more of their air tools than anything else. i do have some mac and matco as well. to me i buy more from the tool guys with the better attidue, not just walking in to self stuff, but more to help out than anything

I use snap on to maintain all my cars and trucks. Its more expensive for the tools and most persons are happy with craftsman. To each his own but I buy Snap On.

I used to be all about craftsman but now I am not. I am all for Harbor freight and some other brands.

I fix airplanes for a living and work with guys that use cheap tools and have had them for 20 plus years and use them 5 days out of the week with no problems.

Granted there are some specialty stuff that I have from Craftsman and MAC.


I even have a really nice socket set and wrench se that I got from Meijer!!!!!!! and the qiality is almost Snap-On!

I even had the sales guy at SEARS tell me that Harbor Freight tools will do me just fine and I will only need a few things from them that I can't get at Harbor Freight like ignition wrenches, a good speed handle, ect ect.

I met one guy at work that had Harbor Freight stuff in both his roll away tool boxes and they were all 20 plus years old!

They are also lifetime.

I do have Craftsman boxes.

Snap on, Matco, Craftsman most all the wrenches are made by Daniher out of Gastonia NC.

The only real issue I have with Harbor Freight is that it is all made in China. I'd much rather not help increase our trade deficit with China if I can help it. Granted that is pretty hard to do these days.

The only real issue I have with Harbor Freight is that it is all made in China. I'd much rather not help increase our trade deficit with China if I can help it. Granted that is pretty hard to do these days.

SCAT and Eagle and I think maybe Callies get their raw forgings from China.... :) :(

snap on is great but pricey, my dad's a mechanic and thats all he uses, if he breaks something the snap on truck is there monday with a replacement no questions asked

snap on tool boxes are worth the cost because they aren't junk like most crap, my dad has had his box over 25 years and every drawer on the thing is still flawless

snap on is great but pricey, my dad's a mechanic and thats all he uses, if he breaks something the snap on truck is there monday with a replacement no questions asked

snap on tool boxes are worth the cost because they aren't junk like most crap, my dad has had his box over 25 years and every drawer on the thing is still flawless

Agreed on the snap on boxes! Very strong. I have used my drawers as a step before to get something off of a shelf above my box. I wouldn't suggest doing it all the time, but it didnt seem to harm it at all.

My local snap on guy actually uses that as a seling point. When he has someone looking at the boxes on his truck he pulls out one of the drawers and sits on it to prove you wont have any problems with them.

Sears is literally one block away so I always use craftsman, cheap lifetime warranty works for me. Although I do have snap on torque wrenches. There are a few tools that you need definite quality with and torque wrench I think is one of them.

Snap on for me. My first tool set after school was crafstman, but now that I am a mechanic for a living I don't have time to take them back. The craftsman tools just seem to let me down more often. The newer Mac stuff that I have also seems to have gone downhill in quality, not to mention we cant seem to keep Mac dealers around. It helps my dealer is great to deal with.