That freekin sucks.
TUDrewser wrote:I'm working on a little project here that I'm not ready to reveal. However, curious what the general opinions are about Mac Tools vs. Snap-On Tools. We have several professionals on here, as well as even more semi-professionals, so curious about the general opinion. Do both trucks tend to visit repair shops? Do shops go with one or the other? Is it 50/50 split?
I've heard Mac tools mentioned more here on the forum, but don't know if there's a reason or if it's coincidence. Opening can of worms....now.
As a pro I have a lot of opinions, so I'll get this one out of the way first. I like SuperKrome (SK) best, and they are back in business. I like Stanley-Proto second best (trucks are white and red and just say "PROTO" on them). Cornwell is all Chinese. I have never seen a wrench or toolbox from Cornwell that wasn't made in China or Taiwan. Pay chinese prices for chinese products, if you're cool with child slave labor. Now the two you asked about specifically:
MAC: Like Jaber I had an awesome MAC guy. He operates north of Seattle, goes by the name "Troll" and was a hotrodder before it was cool. He was generous with the swag, knew his stuff and worked with you on money. That said, the tools are alright, but you have to look up each individual tool by part number to find the country of origin. Two seemingly identical tools with one number off could be made in Ohio and made in Ding Dong. My green handled screwdrivers from the US made tools thread are US made, I chipped the tip on one. The red handled replacement snapped the shaft. A US screwdriver would have bent, not snapped, even though I was using it as a guide pin.
Snap-On: When I posted my US made tools thread, I was bitching just as much in real life as I was here about Chinese tools and if you know any Snap-On guys, you know how much they love their tools. I ruffled some feathers and got my butt chewed from fifty different angles, even having the Snap-On truck that I didn't know comes by coming by to take a bite. I didn't post it because it's kind of embarrassing, but now it seems applicable so I'll share. I was told straight from the horses mouth that the ONLY Snap-On tools that MIGHT come from overseas are the ones with wires or hoses. Refrigerant recovery machines, welding machines, multimeters, etc. He even issued me this challenge; If I found a Snap-On tool box made ANYWHERE besides the US or Canada (they have a factory in each country specifically FOR each country, but it's possible a Canadian would bring one down to the US), he would give me a fully loaded 72" rollaway as a finders fee! They are that serious about counterfeits. Blue Point is there budget line and is globally sourced, but their name brand hand tools are still fiercely north american, and they do last forever. If you're not the type to misplace your sockets or use your screwdrivers as guide pins, Snap-On is worth the money. And they still have girly calenders, you just have to ask for them.