New here-Cuban ?'s

[ggiese]

I'm trying really hard to compare the Craftsman to the Snap On tools - but I can't get them to be apples to apples...

For starters - Craftsman sure is thin on details. Snap On sure does have quite a bit more information about their tools...

Craftsman 1/2 in. Socket Wrench

Product Overview:
Item Weight (lbs.): 1.4 lbs.
General Features:
Drive Size: 1/2 in.
Drive Tool Length: 10-3/8 in.
Drive Tool Type: Ratchet
Socket Type: Quick release
Others:
Drive Size: 1/2 in.
Ratchet Style: Polished

Snap On 1/2 in. Socket Wrench

Snap On Socket Wrench
Name Ratchet, Quick Release, 1/2" drive
Price** $149.95
Brand Snap-on
Country Of Origin USA
Dimension A, Head Depth, inches 3/4
Dimension B, Head Width, inches 1 5/8
ASME/ANSI B107.10
Dimension C, Length, inches 10 5/16
Finish Chrome
Gear Action 4.5°
Gear Teeth 80
Handle Standard
Head Type Quick Release
Ratchet Service Kit RKRSR80A
Square Drive, inches 1/2

Description:
•80 tooth gear for 4.5 degree of swing arc
•7 teeth in contact with the gear at all times to provide maximum strength and durability
•Quick release has a positive locking feature to hold socket securely in place when needed and push button for easy removal
•Sealed head keeps dirt and contamination out and lubricants in

I know that 80 gear teeth is better (makes is easier to take shorter strokes - "4.5 degree of swing arc") which costs more to manufacture (tighter tolerances). "7 teeth in contact with the gear at all times to provide maximum strength and durablility". I don't see what's in Craftsman, and not sure why they did not publish that information in their catalog...

But - your second Craftsman example is more telling...

10-3/8 in. long standard teardrop 1/2 in. drive ratchet. One-hand reversing lever. 36 gear teeth equates to 10 deg. ratcheting arc. Shape allows better access in tight spots. Weight 1.5 lbs.

Not apples to apples - definitely!

This does pair with my experience between Snap On and Craftsman. Craftsman is "ok" (definitely better than WalMart), but is definitely not the same quality as Snap On. If I were a professional mechanic, I would definitely use a Snap On over a Craftsman. I do like the way their tools "feel" and (more importantly) how they work compared to the Craftsman. To me - apples and oranges difference - and clearly not "pennies" (or even "quarters") difference to manufacture...

[badwhale]

I'm trying really hard to compare the Craftsman to the Snap On tools - but I can't get them to be apples to apples...

For starters - Craftsman sure is thin on details. Snap On sure does have quite a bit more information about their tools...

Craftsman 1/2 in. Socket Wrench



Snap On 1/2 in. Socket Wrench


I know that 80 gear teeth is better (makes is easier to take shorter strokes - "4.5 degree of swing arc") which costs more to manufacture (tighter tolerances). "7 teeth in contact with the gear at all times to provide maximum strength and durablility". I don't see what's in Craftsman, and not sure why they did not publish that information in their catalog...

Here we go...

[ggiese]

Here we go...

It's hard to argue when you don't understand the differences...

You're an engineer - you would know. If you took apart a Snap On tool and compared the "guts" to a Craftsman - do you really believe it to be apples to apples?

Before you answer that question - I'd highly recommend you do your "research"...


You're ignorance is truly shocking to me. The idea you'd argue that ignorance is even more shocking.

[badwhale]

..and Will - I would suggest it might be foolish to argue with Bill about mechanics tools. Far more than a "weekend mechanic", Bill does do quite a bit of work on cars - and intimately knows the differences between the quality of tool manufacturers. He's one of those individuals I have called on when I've had a question about what the best tool would be to do the job - knowing that he would be in a position to best know...

That's good to know. I'm sure he's the only one out there that works on cars, or anything...

The only thing "foolish" about arguing with Bill is that he loves to argue.

It's hard to argue when you don't understand the differences...

You're an engineer - you would know. If you took apart a Snap On tool and compared the "guts" to a Craftsman - do you really believe it to be apples to apples?

Before you answer that question - I'd highly recommend you do your "research"...


You're ignorance is truly shocking to me. The idea you'd argue that ignorance is even more shocking.

Never said they were "apples to apples" just that they weren't 5+ apples, or in the case of sockets 14+ apples.

Your ignorance is shocking to me, especially when you obviously don't know my background or experience on the subject.

[Devil Doc]

My youngest son is a professional "mechanic", although I wouldn't call him that if I were you. He uses both. Snap On for the tools he uses most; Craftsman for the jobs he does least. From what he tells me, there's no sense spending money on Snap On for jobs you might do once a year or less

Doc

[ggiese]

That's good to know. I'm sure he's the only one out there that works on cars, or anything...

The only thing "foolish" about arguing with Bill is that he loves to argue.



Never said they were "apples to apples" just that they weren't 5+ apples, or in the case of sockets 14+ apples.

Your ignorance is shocking to me, especially when you obviously don't know my background or experience on the subject.

Congratulations, Will - you've won the argument! Our community should know the truth! I concede to you and Craig's (and ultimately Lew Rothman's) incredibly insightful knowledge and understanding of the costs of cigar manufacturing.

I admit - I was very ignorant to think otherwise. In that - I believe it would be appropriate for me to take a vacation for a while to reflect on my incredibly foolish belief that it would be any other way.

[kevin7]

I maintain on a fleet of IH-Navistar trucks and the booms mounted on them on the weekend . I have quite a mix of tools I use ,S&K ,old Thorsen ,Napa professional ,Klein ,old Cornwell ,Cobalt . I have chineese wrenches after 1 1/2 size since they get beat on pretty hard and its no big loss if I break one. Craftsman are ok but they need to spend some research on how they fit in a mans hand .

[ggiese]

..and Will - I would suggest it might be foolish to argue with Bill about mechanics tools. Far more than a "weekend mechanic", Bill does do quite a bit of work on cars - and intimately knows the differences between the quality of tool manufacturers. He's one of those individuals I have called on when I've had a question about what the best tool would be to do the job - knowing that he would be in a position to best know...