Well, I did it, I started a SNAP-ON account. Got tired of looking for a nice DA here in town and our guy ordered one in "that just happened to be on sale" Then he has the balls to show up this week with a good buy on die grinders. I passed on that one. I set a rule for myself. no balance of over $100. That way I can pay it off anyday. Anyway, the DA is the nicest one I have ever used. I really like it. Even if it was prob $50 over the same thing from another company! At least I have someone to throw it at when it breaks.
I know the feeling--some time ago, someone posted a link to a Snap-On obstruction wrench just like the old KRW design for flathead and Model B head nuts that you can't reach easily--I spent the rest of the day on the Snap-On site clicking away my life savings... I spend most of my tool money at Carlisle normally, because I like Plomb (forged from unobtanium) and Snap-On stuff from about WWII--1960's.
There's nothing sweeter than finding a Snap-on, MAC or Craftsman tool for a buck or two at a swap meet or garage sale, then turning around and replacing it for a brand new one the next day. Snap-on guys are a little harder about this, but I've never, ever been asked by Craftsman why a screwdriver shaft is snapped in half. -Brad
[ QUOTE ] then turning around and replacing it for a brand new one the next day... -Brad [/ QUOTE ] You're killing me. I started my Snap-On collection a long time ago with some that were liberated from the military by a retiring GI. That's where I got my love for old tools with character. There's nothing finer than an old, quality, tool that's been earning someone money since before I was born. I cringe at turning one of my classics in for a new replacement.
Yeah. My best SnapOn ratchet was made in 1947, seems likely to live forever, and ratchets slicker'n a teflon lawyer. The Plomb tools I prefer to Snap On went out of production in about 1950. Look at a thirty year old Snap On 3/8" extension next to a new one--the old one is half the diameter and weight, and seems completely unbreakable even in my garage full of salt-soaked 70 year old northeastern bolts.
Be gratefull you are working on old stuff. Just when you get your account down to where you like it, the car manufactuers make something that requires a special high dollar tool to fix it.
fuck Snap On & Mac, those bastards wont replace the few broken tools i have now. just because i dont work at a shop anymore & i didnt buy it from the guy who has the route now. i'll stick w/Craftsman, S&K, & Eastco. lifetime guarantee & i can replace a broken one in 20 minutes or less &&&&& i ain't got to fuck w/those other assholes anymore.......joe
Back about 25 years ago my brother and I had a shop . Bought quite a few Snap -on tools over a period of years. One day we were paid with some old Snap-on tools . The guy was traveling and needed some work done so we took the tools for payment. We asked the tool man to warranty a couple of them ( a screwdriver and a dead blow hammer ) and he refused . Said he didn't make any money on the sale he wasn't going to warranty. Next week was his last as we ask him not to come back. The warranty doesn't say "from selling dealer" it just says replacement. Snap-on stuff is like Paris Hilton, Good quality but very over-priced.
swap meets are killer places to find tools in general... it seems most of my money goes to tools... not car parts!!
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] then turning around and replacing it for a brand new one the next day... -Brad [/ QUOTE ] You're killing me. I started my Snap-On collection a long time ago with some that were liberated from the military by a retiring GI. That's where I got my love for old tools with character. There's nothing finer than an old, quality, tool that's been earning someone money since before I was born. I cringe at turning one of my classics in for a new replacement. [/ QUOTE ] Be careful when you have the Snap-on guy do anything with "liberated" military tools. They are coded, and Snap-on will confiscate them. I had a ratchet repaired by the tool guy, and he told me that it would be the last time he would do it, as they're required to turn them in. Mutt
I bought 300 bucks worth of snap on tools( my first purchase with this dealer) and got 3 tickets for a drawing for a 1800.00 tool box. I won the box, and started teaching a few weeks later. Never spent another dime with him. He's still pissed off at me
[ QUOTE ] I spend most of my tool money at Carlisle normally, because I like Plomb (forged from unobtanium) and Snap-On stuff from about WWII--1960's. [/ QUOTE ] Please educate me on Plomb tools and the unobtainium reference - I have a few in my collection I acquired at an estate sale and they are my favorites for the weight and action (ratchets) - but know nothing about their history or the company. The only thing I noticed (should look closer!) is that the heads were similar to the Protos sitting next to them. (As I was typing this, I grabbed the ratchets in question) Plomb and Proto are both No. 5449. So Plomb is the forerunner to Proto? Thanks, Paul/CA
i bought me a cool "bare" (DA'd with clear over it) box from Mac tools back in the winter...ONLY 25 bux a week sounded real good!,,but 25 bux a week for 3 years adds up quick! hahaha part of it though i guess...
which D/A did you buy the 8" or the 6"? did you buy the snap-on or the blue point brand? i have the 8" snap-on that works really great. i told myself the same thing about my account. until i realized it was at about $900. watch out before you know it you'll be buying snap-on all the time. thats all i own.
Here is a history of Plomb tools. Stanley Proto is a successor company. http://pweb.jps.net/~gemlake/plombtoo.htm
I bought the Blue Point DA/Orbital, 6". I will get the 8" someday but need to update my 20 year old $20 Straight line Air File first. I also plan on getting a tap and die set. Our SNAPON guy replaces at least $100 worth of taps yearly for us, gratis.
Thanks, 22 Track, for the link. I found the very same one after I got off the post and hit google. Interesting history, good website. Paul/CA
Hey T, speaking of tools.... Feel like an international account? I am sure you would like a thing or two from this neck of the woods... Spend wisely! Cheers, C
About 1979 I bought a Harley that had been wrecked and repoed by a bank. Had a leather bag about 8" round by about 12" wide strapped to rear bar, locked. After I got it home, cut lock it was full of Snap-On end wrenches, every one had initials engraved on them, all were different initials. I have a interchangeable screwdriver set in a pouch I bought in 1968 when I was a line mechanic @ a Chev dealership, still some of my favorite screwdrivers, still good shape.
The really old stuff I keep--I've got a full set of Craftsman 1/2-inch sockets, breaker bar, two extensions and the first year for their reversable ratchet (with the little thumb lever). Also have a Craftsman ratchet that's real thin--the square drive the socket attaches to just pushes through the head--put the socket on the other side, and that's how you change directions (on/off). I've also got a 1939 Snap-on tool chest and roll-away that's on the "restore" list. Beat up, chrome-flaking wrenches, gnarled screwdrivers, etc. get turned back in. Who needs stripped screw heads and chrome flaking into your engine while you're building it? The best buy was from a swap meet, on a 1/2-inch Craftsman ratchet. Seller: Twelve bucks. Me: But it's broke. I might be able to fix it, but I dunno. I'll give you Two bucks for it. Seller: It's broke? Lemme see it...Okay, two bucks. Me: Throw in that screwdriver for a quarter? -Brad
The Jalopy Journal
