Capri and Icon beat Snap on

[Trav]

A smaller head and the lowest backdrag are hardly “nothing”. Readily available service parts and rock solid warranty are hardly “nothing”.

You might not get enough to justify that higher cost, but you can’t say you get *nothing*.

I’m not a snap-on fan boy. Like I’ve said before, my box contains a single solitary SO tool, with the rest being Tekton, Capri, Icon, Astro, etc. Generally all Taiwanese.

Saying the high price of snap on isn’t worth it is a fair criticism. Saying they are “no better” than most other tools is simply not the case. Snap On still has several tools that have no equal.

Snap on line wrenches, for example, are almost universally acknowledged the best the best you can get and head and shoulders above the #2 finisher. Now for you and me, the #2 might be sufficient. Or the #3. But that doesn’t mean that the Snap on isn’t the best.

The new Snap on 100 tooth ratchet is crap plain and simple, it has the back drag almost of a breaker bar. The rocker locking mechanism is equally junk so in this case they really are no better. Stahlwille line wrenches are at least equal Snap on, Hazet has probably the best line wrenches (especially their reinforced head style) I have ever used in this case Snap on is #2 or 3. None of them is absolutely universally acknowledged as being the best but the reinforced head Hazet is IMO definitely better than the others and I own all three, full sets of the SW and Hazet and a couple of the Snap on.

https://www.hazet.de/en/products/hand-tools/wrenches/flare-nut-wrench#

 

[Hohn]

You do you, booboo. I’m not here to sell anyone tools. Use what you love and love what you use.

 

[Arc]

A smaller head and the lowest backdrag are hardly “nothing”. Readily available service parts and rock solid warranty are hardly “nothing”.

You might not get enough to justify that higher cost, but you can’t say you get *nothing*.

I’m not a snap-on fan boy. Like I’ve said before, my box contains a single solitary SO tool, with the rest being Tekton, Capri, Icon, Astro, etc. Generally all Taiwanese.

Saying the high price of snap on isn’t worth it is a fair criticism. Saying they are “no better” than most other tools is simply not the case. Snap On still has several tools that have no equal.

Snap on line wrenches, for example, are almost universally acknowledged the best the best you can get and head and shoulders above the #2 finisher. Now for you and me, the #2 might be sufficient. Or the #3. But that doesn’t mean that the Snap on isn’t the best.

When it comes to brake lines you can't beat a good pair of vicegrips. Snap on can't even compare. Seriously though what makes snap on the best? It isn't design so is it the quality of the casting or just a better metal? What components are we paying the premium price for?

 

[Arc]

Taiwan makes 67% of the WORLD'S threaded fasteners, they know what they are doing and do it with high efficiency and low costs.

I'm going to have to look at the last box of deck screws and see who made them. I paid a premium price for a lifetime non rusting coated screws that rusted and broke almost as fast as a drywall screw would. With all this rain then the high 90's drying the deck real fast is busting a ton of screws. All these other countries make a majority of our products not because they are better but because their labor costs is low.

 

[D60]

When it comes to brake lines you can't beat a good pair of vicegrips. Snap on can't even compare. Seriously though what makes snap on the best? It isn't design so is it the quality of the casting or just a better metal? What components are we paying the premium price for?

Yes, allegedly the tolerances on SnapOn's line wrenches are some of the tightest. That said, you're then left hoping the manufacturer of the line fittings was also shooting for nominal size without going over much

If you go to 1:30 here he measures across the flats of some Milwaukees (the subject of the vid) but then shows a chart and discusses just how good the Snappys are -- and I don't think TTC is ever in a rush to praise SnapOn.


They also have a first video of course, which established the chart seen there.

All that said, I don't deal with enough rusty line fittings to speak to line wrenches with great authority.

 

[Trav]

The Snap on are very good line wrenches and always have been no doubt about it.

 

[TomYoung]

I am not a professional mechanic, but as an amateur would consider having Snap-On tools as the ultimate luxury. If I hit the lottery, it would be done. I have some Icon tools, but as nice as they are, it’s not the same.

 

[Auto tech]

I am not a professional mechanic, but as an amateur would consider having Snap-On tools as the ultimate luxury. If I hit the lottery, it would be done. I have some Icon tools, but as nice as they are, it’s not the same.

A guy I work with has the non slip icon wrenches. The teeth are flattened and jaws distorted from holding backup with an impact. The icon wrenches are on the soft side for professional use imho

 

[BrendanC]

A guy I work with has the non slip icon wrenches. The teeth are flattened and jaws distorted from holding backup with an impact. The icon wrenches are on the soft side for professional use imho

walk into HF and warranty them.

i have plenty of snap on tools but i also have plenty of Icon, williams, proto and USA craftsman. they all get the job done and are all warranted. i’ve only ever had to warranty one HF ratchet to the many snap on ratchets i’ve broke the anvils on.

 

[Trav]

A guy I work with has the non slip icon wrenches. The teeth are flattened and jaws distorted from holding backup with an impact. The icon wrenches are on the soft side for professional use imho

Given the way this type of wrench jaw profile works I suspect any brand would do exactly the same when used to back up an impact. They do not exert pressure on the fastener sides until turning force is applied, the fit is somewhat sloppy compared to a standard jaw profile allowing the impact to just beat the fastener against the jaw sides. The harder the bolt grade the more damage will occur.

 

[Texchappy]

I have a few Snap-on ratcheting wrenches and they’re fine. Recently got a gear wrench one because I needed a size quick and it seems nice but maybe not quite up to the shininess. They best tools I have are my Nepros sockets made by KTC; they’re quite good, well engineered and the company is very responsive. My Hazets are nice too.

Noticed a lot of those Capri when I was locating the Gearwrench, they looked nice on the page. Might need to try one of all y’all are having good luck.

ETA: recently got a Wera joker adjustable wrench for my wood shop. I rarely use bolts out there so I haven’t used it yet. Looks and feels nice but I also have a little wera screwdriver set that is complete junk.

 

[D60]

Given the way this type of wrench jaw profile works I suspect any brand would do exactly the same when used to back up an impact. They do not exert pressure on the fastener sides until turning force is applied, the fit is somewhat sloppy compared to a standard jaw profile allowing the impact to just beat the fastener against the jaw sides. The harder the bolt grade the more damage will occur.

I tried backing up an impact with my SnapOn reversible ratcheting wrenches once and it just rattled away and did nothing. Didn't hurt the ratcheting mechanism but was completely ineffective.

I think it was a similar concept: it'd just "unwind" and then each impact just took up the slack in the gear teeth.

I learned you want a "dumb" wrench opposite an impact -- box end preferred of course, open end if you must.

 

[NYEngineer]

I recently helped my father replace the axles on his boat trailer. He handed me a new Snap On half inch drive ratchet to break all the nuts loose. The cover bolts were loose and it kept locking up, so I brought it inside, took it apart, cleaned it and reassembled it. It's probably that 100 tooth thing mentioned earlier. Since I'm a bicycle nut, I went into my bike took kit and got my DuMond ProX grease for the ratchet mechanism in bicycle hubs. Now that ratchet works as it should. I'm not sure what made him buy that ratchet. He and my brother run a diesel generator shop and that ratchet head definitely seems fragile.
That said, I like the new Icon stuff. I buy it for my son.

 

[D60]

I recently helped my father replace the axles on his boat trailer. He handed me a new Snap On half inch drive ratchet to break all the nuts loose. The cover bolts were loose and it kept locking up, so I brought it inside, took it apart, cleaned it and reassembled it. It's probably that 100 tooth thing mentioned earlier. Since I'm a bicycle nut, I went into my bike took kit and got my DuMond ProX grease for the ratchet mechanism in bicycle hubs. Now that ratchet works as it should. I'm not sure what made him buy that ratchet. He and my brother run a diesel generator shop and that ratchet head definitely seems fragile.
That said, I like the new Icon stuff. I buy it for my son.

I'm not sure 100T in 1/2" dr ever made it to market?

If it was a Dual 80, sorry to hear that. I've got at least three 80's in 1/2" and they've never given me any problems. The ~24" is typically my go-to for breaking and snugging caliper bracket bolts.

 

[walterjay]

If I were a pro mechanic I would not be buying Snap On a a default tool. I would see what else is out there first.

 

[Jetronic]

If I were a pro mechanic I would not be buying Snap On a a default tool. I would see what else is out there first.

Neither would I, I'd start with something from HF (and possibly double up if it's cheap enough, and upgrade those tools only that I feel I can't rely on.

 

[Auto tech]

walk into HF and warranty them.

i have plenty of snap on tools but i also have plenty of Icon, williams, proto and USA craftsman. they all get the job done and are all warranted. i’ve only ever had to warranty one HF ratchet to the many snap on ratchets i’ve broke the anvils on.

I think he is going to warranty them. I have no issues with icon. One of these days I want to try them. 30 years of tool trucks coming by weekly has filled my box but I also use a lot of gear wrench, Capri and tekton. No issues with any of those brands. I use them daily along with the tool truck brands.

 

[Auto tech]

Given the way this type of wrench jaw profile works I suspect any brand would do exactly the same when used to back up an impact. They do not exert pressure on the fastener sides until turning force is applied, the fit is somewhat sloppy compared to a standard jaw profile allowing the impact to just beat the fastener against the jaw sides. The harder the bolt grade the more damage will occur.

My snap on flank drive plus wrenches haven't deformed on the open end when holding backup for an impact. Now obviously it's best to use the box end for that kind of thing. Sometimes you can't do that.

 

[Auto tech]

If I were a pro mechanic I would not be buying Snap On a a default tool. I would see what else is out there first.

Smart man. I tell all the new techs to stay off the **** tool trucks. Go online or hf to get the things you need to start. I've seen many young guys working to pay the truck. Going in debt up to your eyes is not good for anyone let alone some 20 year old newbies who don't even know if this is what they want to do for a career

 

[Jetronic]

Smart man. I tell all the new techs to stay off the **** tool trucks. Go online or hf to get the things you need to start. I've seen many young guys working to pay the truck. Going in debt up to your eyes is not good for anyone let alone some 20 year old newbies who don't even know if this is what they want to do for a career

And let's be honest, you either retire early or switch careers. You can't do at 70 what you could at 20. Experience and smarts go up, but te back and joints go down.