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Snap-On Tools: Value for Money?

JAG · 2025-04-10T12:31:27Z

I'm a professional Engineer in an automotive 'component design' role and I've worked on cars: maintenance, MOT repair and vehicle restorations, for most of my life. Most of my tools are unknown brands or old stuff given/inherited from friends and relatives. I inherited a Snap-On Ferret 1/4" drive Ratchet from my Dad and he inherited it from his Dad. Date code on it suggests it was made in 1939 which is about when my Grandfather worked for The Austin Motor Company at Longbridge, Birmingham. So when I recently mangled the ratchet mechanism in my 1/2" drive Ratchet (cheap ratchet and not worth fixing) I thought "Ooo I wonder how much a Snap-On version would be?" The answer is between £220 and £300 depending upon which version you want. That seems a bit too much for what is a relatively simple device. However I still want one (vanity?) and have bought a New-Old-Stock from eBay for 1/2 that price. Does the STW 'hive-mind' think that Snap-On tools are worth the extra cost? Or are they the 'Rapha' or 'Park Tools' version of automotive tool manufacturers?

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JAG

Posts: 2432

Full Member

Topic starter

@mert - I was working for TRW during 2005 :o)

Halfords Professional Tools - I’ve had very good experience with them. One socket, same socket, broke twice in use and was simply replaced. No questions at all!

Snap-On “Industrial Finish” - it seems to be available to anyone. It’s listed on the Snap-On website here: GS80A with Industrial Finish

Posted : 13/04/2025 5:32 pm

mert

Posts: 4049

Free Member

Posted by: Cougar

↑

Shared tools? shudder

The right tools for the right job on the right station. No pissing about.

Is the same in most industrial assembly areas.

Only people who have their own tools are the service/maintenance crew

Posted : 13/04/2025 7:00 pm

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