18 replies to this topic

[tractor]

Hey

When I did my apprentiship about 10 years ago I built up quite a nice collection of snap tools, spanners, air guns, ratchets ect, the one thing I never got was a socket set

I left the trade after three years and never justified the price of a full set for just tinkering on the mini but looking for a torque wrench on ebay I stumbled on the mountain of snap on sockets for sale on there for a good price.

I've got my reservations though, having just come back from a trip to china I can see just how easy it is to copy just about any product very convincingly

So what's your thoughts guys, are the majority of tools on ebay fake and will brake like chocolate?
And if they did brake could I claim on the lifetime warenty without the receipt?


Trac

[Guess-Works.com]

If you want snap-off, buy them from the USA, however, if they are genuine items I believe that if broken they will be exchanged. but don't forget, worn out is not broken, the tool may have already had it's lifetime.

 

For the cost, however, I'd just go down to your local halfords, their professional tools carry the same warranty as any other trade tool..

 

Also they are good for torque wrenches

[adam davies]

Sometimes if you buy your snap on tools off ebay, your dealer may not like this. I know my dealer wouldn't appreciate so he may be a bit iffy if you do manage to break them

[tractor]

Cheers john, I have replaced a few things it he past during my apprenticeship but that was the guy in the van who who used to visit the garage weekly he didn't bat an eyelid but recon it might be a bit more hassle now I'm not in that circle

Your not the first person to suggest halfords pro to me, just out of interest tho is that what you use?


P.s this guy I worked with once had a worn out snap on socket that he know wouldn't get replaced because it was just worn out and not broke so he put it in a vice, mouth down and tightened it with a scaffold pole until the socket shattered - pretty desperate I guess

Edited by tractor, 06 May 2013 - 06:29 PM.

[tractor]

Sometimes if you buy your snap on tools off ebay, your dealer may not like this. I know my dealer wouldn't appreciate so he may be a bit iffy if you do manage to break them

Yeah I know I wouldn't like it too much if I was him

[sonikk4]

At the end of the day the local Snap On van is not to know where you got them from. I have bought all of my imperial and metric spanners off ebay. If i broke one then i would find my local van to get them replaced. Also i have bought a lot of Snap On tools from all over the country from different vans and i do not have the receipts anymore, again no issue.

 

Halfords Pro stuff is good. I use these at home and some of their Imperial sockets at work where i do rag them and they are fine. Their spanners are good as well.

 

Craftsman are ok as well as Blue Point (Snap On)

[mad mk1]

Where can I find out My local van mans number?

[tractor]

Cheers sonikk, I guess your right how would they know where I got them from, it's just the receipt thing that concerns me but doesn't sound like it'll be too much of a problem

[tractor]

Where can I find out My local van mans number?

Stop in the nearest garage and ask one of the guys, it'll be on their receipts, they'll also be able to tell you when he/she visits

Trac

[sonikk4]

Cheers sonikk, I guess your right how would they know where I got them from, it's just the receipt thing that concerns me but doesn't sound like it'll be too much of a problem

 

i have taken my tools to several vans and have never had to show a receipt. They are guaranteed for life so would you keep all receipts for life?? I certainly don't unless there is a limited warranty.

[tractor]

Ah good stuff sonnikk maybe I'm being paranoid

Obviously the fake market hasn't taken over the tool industry like it has the clothing industry.

Do you see where I'm coming from, imagine trying to take a fake pair of Levi's back to the shop when they start to fall apart, but you didn't know they were fake, without the receipt authenticating them your stuck, don't want that to happen with my tools.

That's not to say I'd never buy fake merchandise, got the misses a lovely mulberry handbag for 10% of the price of a real one in china

Buying something knowing its fake is one thing but buying something thinking its real then it turning out to be fake is quite another

But if they still don't ask for receipts these days I should be ok

Trac

Edited by tractor, 06 May 2013 - 07:25 PM.

[sonikk4]

The one thing to be careful of is if they have been etched as some vans can be critical if this has been done.

 

I have had tools replaced with etching on (my last company insisted on all our tools being etched) but then again Neil the Snap On van man in Cambridge understood that we had to have them done. He always changed them and i did ask if he had issues with them and he said no.

[cradley-heathen]

i too agree that halfords gear is very good, i have been using them for over 10 years now and never broke one, and i have given them some abuse at times.

[iwatkins]

Another option is the Gearwrench stuff that I really rate for the hobbyist.

Bought this set a couple of months ago and they've been used everyday since. Good clean and they still look like new. Ratchet action is lovely and as good and smooth as the Halfords Pro stuff which I also rate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...em=151021179393

Cheers

Ian

[tractor]

Taking halfords a bit more serious now then after your recommendations

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255215

And look at the price, that is pretty good value

Trac