Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 12:35:13 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: broken sockets
My tools are a lot like my cameras. If I'm only going to be using a tool
lightly, or infrequently, I don't mind using something made in China. If
it's going to get heavier use, I'll shell out the bucks and buy real tools
(in my case, usually Craftsman, though I'd prefer Snap-On).
There are folks who have the financial wherewithal to purchase the very
best, and who prefer to use the very best. It may or may not be an ego
thing. I simply would prefer to use a Snap-On tool. It feels better in the
hand, and I'm more likely to be smiling when I'm working on my van. One of
the advantages to a good quality socket set, or for that matter any wrench,
is that, being made of a higher quality metal, they can be made thinner and
lighter without compromising strength, and can thus be used in tighter
quarters.
My biggest complaint about my Craftsman ratchet is the shape of the handle.
The guy who designed it should be shot. It has a relatively sharp edge
right where you put your hand, and hurts like Hell.
Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mladen, Zoran" <zmladen@SOLANT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: broken sockets
> I'll add my thoughts on Snap-on. I've worked on VWs for over 20 years
since
> my father had a VW shop. We used primarily Snap-on, with a little Mac and
> Craftsman thrown in. The craftsman wrenches were great, but the sockets
> were weak. The Snap-on tools rarely failed. And when they did, our
Snap-on
> guy replaced everything without question. The Snap-on guy out here in
> Boulder is the same way. I bring him a broken or worn out tool, he
replaces
> them without question. Sears is the same way with Craftsman. So warranty
> is not an issue to me. But the Snap-on tools are made to higher specs and
> are more durable. It doesn't do me much good knowing that Sears will
gladly
> replace a socket tomorrow that I need tonight.
>
> I agree with Ed and Marc. Craftsman tools are very good and for most
folks
> they are all they will need. But if you will use them a lot, you are
> probably better spending the extra and getting Snap-on.
>
> Z
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: radish150 [mailto:radish150@EARTHLINK.NET]
> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 2:31 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: broken sockets
>
>
> > Hey Mark -
> > I have six broken Craftsman sockets and 3 broken Craftsman Torx bits
on
> the
> > top of my toolbox right now. The last time i broke a Snap-On socket was
3
> > years ago. There is a marked difference in quality here, especially in
> > screwdriver tip strength, open-end wrench fit, and bit/socket strength.
If
> > you depend on your tools to make a living, Craftsman won't cut it a lot
of
> > the time.
> > Return policy is up to your local dealer - mine has taken back
> > *everything* i ever broke, even if it was abused or misused.
> > For the average homeowner who uses tools on the weekend, Craftsman
is
> > just fine. Good bang for the buck. Just don't believe that they're the
> same
> > quality, fit, finish or strength. You get what you pay for. - Ed
> >
> How are you breaking all those sockets? Well, I guess I should not talk
too
> much about sockets, most of mine are either Snap, Mac, or Proto. But
> my Craftsman wrenches are holding up well!
>
> Your right about getting what we pay for though, it's just that I know a
> couple guy's who have many thousands of dollars in snap on tools and they
> hardly ever touch them, and when they do they don't know what to do with
> them. For what they do it's just a big status symbol. Reminds me of the
> Saturday night live episode where Belushi sticks about 12 rolls of toilet
> paper down his pants to make this towering buldge in his pants and then
> struts out into the bar.
>
> and they cost too much,
> mark...
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