Question: Snap-On vs. Craftsman
Vince, I read your comments about Snap-On and Craftsman hand tools. Now I might agree on some but I don't agree on a lot of the stuff you said about Craftsman Hand Tools.
1. Snap-on is a good tool. They do not offer lifetime warranty. Maybe for YOU they do, because you're spending $50.00 to $75.00 bucks a week and have a $150,000.00 worth of tools.
2. Craftsman Hand tools are a GREAT deal when you're PRICE shopping AND their Quality is top notch. Unconditional Warranty!
Why do I say these things! For one I was a mechanic for 11 Years, and I saw the light! I crawl out from under a car and went directly to college at night. Got my Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering and went to work for Easco Hand Tools. NOW like you, I was sold on Snap-On, until I tested them along with Matco, Mac and SK and found they all meet the ANSI Standards for Hand Tool B107.xx
Are you aware of the Fastener Quality act? I didn't think so, anyway, back in the 70's and 80's offshore purchases of fasteners it was discovered that Graded Fasteners were being substituted, Grade 5 and Grade 8 fastener were really Grade 2, and these fasteners have torque requirements that are much higher, resulting in stripping of fasteners and rounding.
Now in 2007, it's very little of counterfeit fasteners is going on, but Craftsman, SK, Proto, Matco, and Mac all created a flank style drive like Snap-on to combat this issue.
Do you know that there are 100's even thousands of fastener manufacturers in the world and they are only 15 or 20 Hand Tool manufacturers?
So before you toot that 1970's Snap-on Horn It's 2007 and Craftsman Hand tools are the best ever. I know, I make them, and if you want to buy Snap-On, go ahead, buy them, but for every set you buy at Snap-On, you can buy 3 or 4 of the same set if you purchased Craftsman. It all comes down to cost and warranty and you cannot beat SEARS Warranty. Just return the tool and it will be replaced for FREE.
All the Hand Tool manufacturers all test their products to ANSI B107.xx standards... They all pretty much test the same, ok, some of Snap-On tests better, some of Craftsman test better but on average, they all test the same. Sure, we all run into problems, rusty fasteners, bent, damaged etc. But on average Craftsman will take the Snap-On challenge anytime!
Tony Williams
Answer:
I don't usually respond to letters like this since a persons preference in tools is just that; a preference. If everybody liked the same brand of tools there would only be one brand of tool made. In addition this sounds like an advertisement for Craftsman tools and you sort of confirmed that when you said "I know, I make them…".
There are some inaccuracies in your letter Tony, first and foremost is your statement that Snap-On Tools does not offer a lifetime warranty. The fact is they do have a lifetime warranty. And not just for guys who spend money with them every week. I have, on many occasions, went to a Snap-On Dealer who did not know me or with I have never spent any money with and gotten tools replaced under the warranty.
Speaking of warranties, your statement "you cannot beat SEARS Warranty" can be considered technically correct. They have a lifetime warranty, as does Snap-On, Mac, Matco and SK Tools. How do you beat a lifetime warranty? Offer a two-lifetime warranty?
However, I do agree that Craftsman tools are cheaper than Snap-On and I could buy two Craftsman sockets for the price I pay for one Snap-On socket. But I do get something with that Snap-On socket I don't get from Sears. I get a Snap-On dealer who visits me every week. I've been in the automotive repair business for forty years and I have never seen a Craftsman tools dealer come into the shop. Snap-On also has a revolving charge plan that allows me to buy more tools at one time, and without interest charges. Does Sears?
I'm still trying to figure out what the number of fastener manufacturers versus the number of tool makers has to do with anything.
I never said that Craftsman tools weren't good tools. They are good tools. But they do not stand up to day to day use. I have friends who work at Sears Automotive stores that have no Craftsman tools in their toolboxes at all, they all use Snap-On tools. And this despite an employee discount.
I could go on but no matter what I say will change your opinion. And I don't really want to. You like Craftsman tools. That's okay. I like Snap-On tools. In my opinion they are the best tool made and the quality and service I get is worth the extra money to me.
And by the way, not only HAVE I heard of the Fastener Quality Act (FQA) signed by President Bush on November 16, 1990, if you actually read it you will see that I contributed to it's writing. You shouldn't make such assumptions since they do little for your credibility.
