Tool Chest

[V8Druid]

if you think Snap on are heavy - try one of these - can't move mine - empty !! .... but it is 6ft tall

bit of a bargain this one ... was gonna put the link up - but tempted myself

 

[CPS]

Interesting...my snapon are at least 30 plus years old and they are built twice as solid than anything else I've ever come across echoing cps comments . Got mildly excited with the Milwaukee till I actually played with it

But...and big but I'm talking about workshop based. A rory trucks probably a different story.

Tis a topic I like though

Snap on? You'd have to be on drugs these days for the tools let alone the boxes..... They have shot there last shot with me not repairing under warranty a torque multiplier..... Apparently it's a torque wrench. Spastics.

Theres a real market for someone to make a high quality aluminum box with draws that suit tools that'll fit in a van/pickup...... and that person will smash snap on to bits long term.

I do have a few snap-on tools, not many though, but there is definitely quality there.
I have Snap-on Allen key sockets and things like that which are 10 times better than some makes.
The stainless box i posted is actually decent quality compared to some boxes I've seen.

 

[V8Druid]

I do have a few snap-on tools, not many though, but there is definitely quality there.
I have Snap-on Allen key sockets and things like that which are 10 times better than some makes.
The stainless box i posted is actually decent quality compared to some boxes I've seen.

ditto, but do not consider them to be any better than Britool, Gedore, Elora, King Dick, etc., of which I have hundreds -
one of me spanner drawers

50 yr old CK Allen keys are my favoured hexes --- still have a complete set from 1/32" to 1/2" and 1mm to 13mm from 1976, used regularly

 

[jd6820]

I find it hilarious that people call them investments, they don't half depreciate badly from what I've seen.

Depends on what your job is I suppose… Mine is spannering so I can’t agree with your comment I’m afraid. I’d say putting money into something is investment, maybe not one that makes a profit as such but if I have to buy 5 SGS boxes to last the same time as the used Snap-On what would be the better purchase? Yes I have tried Clarke and other budget brands and gone back to the Snap-On. I own very little Snap-On just the odd item that is better than other options on the market.

 

[jd6820]

ditto, but do not consider them to be any better than Britool, Gedore, Elora, King Dick, etc., of which I have hundreds - 50 yr old CK Allen keys are my favoured hexes --- still have a complete set from 1/32" to 1/2" and 1mm to 13mm from 1976, used regularly

I think when purchasing tools you often find one brand has the edge on others for certain items. That doesn’t mean every or even most of the tools they make are any better. Also to bear in mind. If I shear an Allen socket and I can get a new insert FOC and easily replaced. What I have found is the fit is better so less likely to round out. If one bolt rounds with a less superior tool the extra time spent extracting it pays for a more expensive tool many times over.

 

[jd6820]

Snap on? You'd have to be on drugs these days for the tools let alone the boxes..... They have shot there last shot with me not repairing under warranty a torque multiplier..... Apparently it's a torque wrench. Spastics.

Theres a real market for someone to make a high quality aluminum box with draws that suit tools that'll fit in a van/pickup...... and that person will smash snap on to bits long term.

Think the argument is like arguing Sunward/Sany vs Takeuchi, you pay more and you get a better product. I’ve a customer with both and the lads see using the Sany as punishment and try to get the Takeuchi on site if possible. But I do see everyone’s point in that Snap-On is mostly overpriced. But items bought secondhand/on offer are not bad purchases if they are genuinely better than the offering. I mostly run draper expert and Halfords Advanced but there are some items Snap-On wins hands down. Torque wrenches is one I feel.

 

[V8Druid]

I think when purchasing tools you often find one brand has the edge on others for certain items. That doesn’t mean every or even most of the tools they make are any better. Also to bear in mind. If I shear an Allen socket and I can get a new insert FOC and easily replaced. What I have found is the fit is better so less likely to round out. If one bolt rounds with a less superior tool the extra time spent extracting it pays for a more expensive tool many times over.

totally agree, CK Allens being a case in point - sharp, tight fit and strong as ...
but not all 'good tools' are equal ....
got a Snapon 17mm combi that's 'opened up' ...
ring end is still prefect and use it frequently, but me Britools have never done it

 

[Lancs Lad]

Think the argument is like arguing Sunward/Sany vs Takeuchi, you pay more and you get a better product. I’ve a customer with both and the lads see using the Sany as punishment and try to get the Takeuchi on site if possible. But I do see everyone’s point in that Snap-On is mostly overpriced. But items bought secondhand/on offer are not bad purchases if they are genuinely better than the offering. I mostly run draper expert and Halfords Advanced but there are some items Snap-On wins hands down. Torque wrenches is one I feel.

One of first things my old boss insisted on being snapon when I started out was feeler guages.
"Don't trust owt else". They were treated with utmost reverence..carefully wiped down and put in the top drawer after use bet most young lads dont even know what they are these days

 

[6feetdown]

One of first things my old boss insisted on being snapon when I started out was feeler guages.
"Don't trust owt else". They were treated with utmost reverence..carefully wiped down and put in the top drawer after use bet most young lads dont even know what they are these days

They'd probably think it was a way of checking their hurty feelings

 

[Stroppymonkey]

One of first things my old boss insisted on being snapon when I started out was feeler guages.
"Don't trust owt else". They were treated with utmost reverence..carefully wiped down and put in the top drawer after use bet most young lads dont even know what they are these days

I’m Middle Aged and I can only just remember

 

[bobthebuilder]

Don't care what make of tool ,aslong as it does the job

 

[Lancs Lad]

Don't care what make of tool ,aslong as it does the job

Best tool is the one in your hand

 

[charlie2]

totally agree, CK Allens being a case in point - sharp, tight fit and strong as ...
but not all 'good tools' are equal ....
got a Snapon 17mm combi that's 'opened up' ...
ring end is still prefect and use it frequently, but me Britools have never done it
View attachment 78788

has that stretched just by hand use though i have a couple of snapon eurotools like those and have used tube over the end and have not achieved that but not had a long enough bit of tube i guess i only paid a couple of quid for four of them at a boot sale, i dont see anything that special about them at all really.

 

[V8Druid]

has that stretched just by hand use though i have a couple of snapon eurotools like those and have used tube over the end and have not achieved that but not had a long enough bit of tube i guess i only paid a couple of quid for four of them at a boot sale, i dont see anything that special about them at all really.

ditto - so who knows

 

[powercom]

Tool box wise Beta are well put together had a roll cab and chest for years and like it allot
I have some snap on sockets and other bits and pieces they are nice right enough but the sockets are I think badly marked for the sizes etc just difficult to see what size they are just the type face used on them I think plus the sockets and ratchet finish are nice smooth chrome but once you hand are oily they are difficult to pick up and change sockets on just to good a finish on them.

 

[6feetdown]

Tool box wise Beta are well put together had a roll cab and chest for years and like it allot
I have some snap on sockets and other bits and pieces they are nice right enough but the sockets are I think badly marked for the sizes etc just difficult to see what size they are just the type face used on them I think plus the sockets and ratchet finish are nice smooth chrome but once you hand are oily they are difficult to pick up and change sockets on just to good a finish on them.

I nearly bought a Beta 1 a few months ago.
Also there hand tools are supposed to be good with i think life time warranty

 

[Quattromike]

I bought a set of Gedore 1B combi spanners in the early 90s and still got em, my favoured choice of spanners. I bought some more Gedore 1B spanners last year for a different toolbox and the quality is not what it was. I was disappointed with what I got

 

[Smiffy]

I nearly bought a Beta 1 a few months ago.
Also there hand tools are supposed to be good with i think life time warranty

The traditional all metal beta ones are really heavy guage metal. The drawer slides aren't the nicest. Probably plenty strong enough but feel stiffer than they should be. Don't know what the modern style composite ones are like.

 

[Simon edwards]

Had this top box since I was 18, survived many years bolted into various pick ups and it still does its job! Been really tempted to buy a shiny new set up but I have become quite attached to this old thing so reckon it see me out now.

 

[V8Druid]

Had this top box since I was 18, survived many years bolted into various pick ups and it still does its job! Been really tempted to buy a shiny new set up but I have become quite attached to this old thing so reckon it see me out now.

" if it ain't broke ......... "