SNAP-ON RATCHETS NO LONGER MARKED "MADE IN USA".

[chief38]

I just upgraded my 3/8" Ratchet collection by adding two new models of 3/8" Snap-on Ratchets. They are (2 different models of) Snap-on's Duel 80 tooth technology and just noticed that they are missing the "Made in USA" markings. Their website claims they are still made here and the consensus on some of the tool websites is that they are getting ready to move more of their tool production over-seas and have started desensitizing the customers by removing those words. This way, even though they claim the Ratchets are STILL made in the USA but don't say it, people will learn not to miss it on future production and we will not notice that more and more of their tools are NOT USA Made.

I can understand that Company's that have very competitive pricing and low profit margins are forced to move their production over-seas just to stay in business, but with Snap-on's pricing being so outrageous to begin with I see little reason to do this other than pure greed. Who knows - maybe the they see the high priced tool truck business as a rapidly declining one, but think its a BAD move on their part.

I am NOT a professional mechanic and use these tools for personal use only and could certainly get away with another brand if push came to shove. I do own plenty of Craftsman (USA made) tools that are of excellent quality but they are not made here anymore either. Seems like the King of the Hill tool giant is now starting down the same road as most others have already done.

Maybe some of the Pro's here on the Forum know more about this than I do, so please feel free to chime in. For the most part I am done buying any major tools anymore (got pretty much all I will ever need) and the two Snap-on's I've just purchased might be the last two snap-on tools I purchase. Unless something breaks, I think I am now set.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I used to buy Snap-On Tools the old fashioned way with the Snap-On man stopping by once a week to show off his new wares and collect his payments. I now shop for my Snap-On tools on eBay, and the price and selection is often better than it was by walking on the truck. Granted, I already have most of the tools I will ever need, but it is nice to know there is an option.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Wish I could help. Sign of the times I guess.

Never saw the need for Snap On tools because of the price. I understand having good tools but Craftsman has served me well for many years.

 

[chief38]

Yes I see that ebay is a great place to buy tools now - including Snap-on. You won't get the Snap-on Lifetime warranty because you won't be the original owner but unless abused they rarely fail. Even on the rare occasion that a tool does break, you could easily afford to just buy another one and pay for it with the tons of money you've saved on ebay purchases over what the truck guy would charge.

The truck guys are not really in the tool business anymore - seems they are now in the financing business! It's quite ironic that the fellas who swing a wrench for a very modest living are charged the outrageous prices they are for the tools they need to make their living. I would not be surprised if some of them start bailing out on the truck tool guys since they are gonna be peddling foreign goods soon too. We'll see........

 

[chief38]

Wish I could help. Sign of the times I guess.

Never saw the need for Snap On tools because of the price. I understand having good tools but Craftsman has served me well for many years.

Nothing at all wrong with the older "Made in USA" Craftsman tools and I do have plenty of them. USA Craftsman is now a thing of the past!

I do use the 3/8" Ratchets more than any others and so I do enjoy the Snap-on's, (outrageously priced but they are the best IMHO) - thankfully these two should be the last two I need for a long time.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Nothing at all wrong with the older "Made in USA" Craftsman tools and I do have plenty of them. USA Craftsman is now a thing of the past!

I do use the 3/8" Ratchets more than any others and so I do enjoy the Snap-on's, (outrageously priced but they are the best IMHO) - thankfully these two should be the last two I need for a long time.

Pawn shops can be a great place for tools. At least it is for me.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Not being a professional mechanic, I do not use tools enough to justify the price of Snap-on's. I have always bought Craftsman and in 70 years have only broken one and that was because I used a pipe to get some extra torque(oops, that did not work!). I took it to Sears and they replaced it.

 

[Tom S.]

but with Snap-on's pricing being so outrageous to begin with I see little reason to do this other than pure greed.

Where were you when Nike started making their $200 shoes in overseas factories that paid workers $.50 an hour? Talk about greed!

Heck, I was po'd when Craftsman started buying their stuff from China.

 

[turbo38gn]

I'm an ex Snap-on Dealer\tech rep... been about 23 yrs since I left. But I'm still a hard core Snap$on fanboy. Snap-on has been selling made overseas tools for years, just not their guaranteed for life tools. I'm on the truck still every week, you couldn't give me a crapsman tool today... well maybe you could.. But the bottom line is using these tools everyday... no way I would buy anything else. We'll have to see where this "made in Chine" stuff goes, but for now, Snap$on has no match.

As for the old days.... when I was a young buck, getting in the repair business, my 1st tool set was the big ole Craftsman set.... everyone around here had one... heck, Moore \Drop Forge in Springfield, Ma., where I am from produced the Craftsmen tools!!! Big difference in the quality of Crapsman now compared to what my fathers era produced..

 

[DWalt]

I have a complete set of Craftsman 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" sockets and ratchets which I bought many years ago, never had any failures. But what I use the most is a cheapie set of 3/8" sockets and ratchet made in Taiwan, I paid maybe less than $10 for the whole set, as something to keep in the car. Never a problem with those either. But I am not a professional mechanic.

 

[Donn]

Not being a professional mechanic, I do not use tools enough to justify the price of Snap-on's. I have always bought Craftsman.

FWIW, MAC went to China with some of their products a few years back. When I called them, they justified it by saying their PRC facilities have twice the inspection stations as do the American plants. Not a pro either. I'd love to have a set of SnapOn, but I can't justify the cost. Built a healthy supply of Craftsman before they went off-shore. Now I'm afraid to break anything because it'll likely be replaced by something made in PRC. If I wanted Chinese tools, I'd shop at Harbor Freight.

 

[NYlakesider]

Back when I worked part time at my buddies speed shop/ garage and did a lot of work on my own cars (I was a serious street and strip racer) I bought just about everything SK Wayne made.I also had some tools from other companies. That was from the early 60s to mid 70s era. Used and abused those tools for years and yes I know that SK company had a succession of owners and the quality of the tools was interesting to say the least.

A year ago I either lost or my kids lost them for me some of my SK tools. I went to the store and bought some new ones. WOW what a difference in quality. You sure as poop did not have to be Stevie Wonder to see/feel the difference.

I also had from the 60s a old catalog with prices in it. Something I paid a $1.25 for is now selling for over $6 now and the quality is less than half of my older stuff.

I do have a couple older Snap Ons from that 60-70s era, but do to their ridiculous price I only bought "specialty'' items.

 

[Sayoc01]

Worked with guys that used Craftsman everyday "all day"! Nobody buys the Craftsman today...asked a Foreman he said Jim New Craftsman is ****! Glad I have the old stuff!
Jim

 

[Bkreutz]

I'd say that 90% of my tools are Snap On, since I retired a few years back (2010), I haven't been on a dealers truck. I don't have much interest in fixing cars anymore so most of my tools just sit in the box. I figure I used them enough when that was my job.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The truck guys are not really in the tool business anymore - seems they are now in the financing business! It's quite ironic that the fellas who swing a wrench for a very modest living are charged the outrageous prices they are for the tools they need to make their living. I would not be surprised if some of them start bailing out on the truck tool guys since they are gonna be peddling foreign goods soon too. We'll see........

Reckon the truck guys will be putting Harbor Freight decals on their trucks?

 

[30-30remchester]

While I am not a professional mechanic, I am a professional and use professional tools. I do not own, or will I ever own cheap anything. My tools are Snap-On, Cromwell, Mac, Crescent, Rigid, Victor, Lincoln welders, to name just a few. I do not do bad work and I do not use cheap tools. While Snap-On will put its name on anything, like Remington does, they do not make many of the things their name is on. Snap -On built quality tools but their are specialty tools built by companies that are the cream of the crop. Rigid pipe wrenches, Victor torches, Vise Grips of old, Reed vises to name a few. My power tools are Porter Cable of old when they were still made in the USA. Craftsman got in trouble a few years ago for claiming US manufacture when in fact they were foreign made. I may not own much, but what I do own is quality. I would rather own one fine firearm than 10 poor models. Like everyone, money came hard and the decisions on where to spend my hard earned money were constant. I chose for myself to by quality and take care of the item, and forgo eating out and fancy boats. I use tools daily and have many tools that I bought 45 years ago. To each his own.

 

[Jinglebob]

I don’t understand why we pay name brand prices for Chinese made stuff.

 

[chief38]

I'd say that 90% of my tools are Snap On, since I retired a few years back (2010), I haven't been on a dealers truck. I don't have much interest in fixing cars anymore so most of my tools just sit in the box. I figure I used them enough when that was my job.

Bkreutz..........

Just judging from your "NEATNIK" Garage photo, I would BET your old tools are still in great condition!

 

[mrchuck]

While I am not a professional mechanic, I am a professional and use professional tools. I do not own, or will I ever own cheap anything. My tools are Snap-On, Cromwell, Mac, Crescent, Rigid, Victor, Lincoln welders, to name just a few. I do not do bad work and I do not use cheap tools. While Snap-On will put its name on anything, like Remington does, they do not make many of the things their name is on. Snap -On built quality tools but their are specialty tools built by companies that are the cream of the crop. Rigid pipe wrenches, Victor torches, Vise Grips of old, Reed vises to name a few. My power tools are Porter Cable of old when they were still made in the USA. Craftsman got in trouble a few years ago for claiming US manufacture when in fact they were foreign made. I may not own much, but what I do own is quality. I would rather own one fine firearm than 10 poor models. Like everyone, money came hard and the decisions on where to spend my hard earned money were constant. I chose for myself to by quality and take care of the item, and forgo eating out and fancy boats. I use tools daily and have many tools that I bought 45 years ago. To each his own.

AHEM,,,, It is CORNWELL tools.

 

[vrichard]

To date your Snapon tools look for these marks.
Dick