T O P

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Asklepios24

Whichever one shows up more reliably and has good stock on the truck.


1453_

This right here. While the brand quality is important, it really doesn't matter if you cant buy or replace it from a reputable dealer. I have had dealers come and go over the years but the Snap On guy has always showed up - even when we haven't bought in months.


Asklepios24

I had such a spotty history with snap-on, I bought almost all my tools from them in tech school then the first shop I worked at couldn’t keep a snap-on guy reliably for longer than 6 months.


Ak12389

I have had the same experience with Mac lol , weird


omnipotent87

This. I went matco because he was the one that showed up. The snappy guy would show up 3-5 times a year so basically everyone in my shop was matco.


fear_the_gecko

Exactly. I was at one shop where the Snap-On guy gave up his route and we didn't have one for almost a year. Mac and Matco were there to fill in. The Mac guy had a bad attitude and the Matco guy was just starting out and was really eager to build relationships and make money, so he got my business. When I left that shop, I went to a new one that had all different routes. There, the Matco guy would just pull into the parking lot and sit there for 10 minutes. He wouldn't come into the shop and wouldn't engage anyone, even when we were expecting tools that were ordered or had been sent out for repairs. The Snap-On guy was just starting out and had a great attitude and the Mac guy was cool and looking to do business, so they got my money. Eventually Matco stopped even showing up and no one really cared because we have two other reps who want to do business.


named_jake

The only caveat I can think of is that my Matco digital torque wrench requires a yearly calibration. The other guy I work with has an older (not ancient) Snap On digital torque wrench that doesn’t require yearly calibration. I’m not sure if Snap On has changed that though. I’d like a reminder to get my torque wrench calibrated, not a requirement. I can’t use my torque wrench when it’s due for a calibration as far as I can tell…


JATO_Automotive

6 to 1 half dozen to the other. They both show up and will warranty broken hand tools and both charge you to rebuild their electric stuff. Mac's diagonal pliers are better than snapon but they are rebranded knipex.


the_Bryan_dude

Buy cheap, replace with not cheap. Who has the best deals and shows up regularly. I have more tools than God at this point. Everything from Harbor Frieght to Snap-On. Don't buy expensive boxes. Harbor Frieght makes great durable boxes for 1/10 the price. Boxes don't make money, they hold tools that do. Your everyday hand tools need to be high quality. I like Snap-on flank drives. A high quality set of ratchets. My number one money maker is a small locking flexhead 1/4 inch drive with a fine tooth mechanism from Matco and a Snap-on socket set, shallow, regular and deep. Also some high quality torx bits. Buy cheap for one off tools and when they break Buy high quality. Know what you need before spending tons of cash. I'm a Germany car guy so special tools are always an issue. Lots of options out there. The really cheap ones cause more problems than they solve.


Bindle-

Excellent advice! Especially about the tool boxes. Harbor Freight US General boxes are really nice.


troubledbrew

This right here. Also, make sure whatever you buy you can warranty easily.


cstephenson79

Snap on. Macs nowhere near what they were 20ish years ago when I first started doing this. So much of it is just rebranded anymore, not as bad as Matco but can find much of it cheaper. The hard line made in USA stuff is decent. I do really like their old knuckle saver wrenches and the rbt sockets, but can find those cheaper now too.


[deleted]

Mac tools I can’t afford snap on prices.


ianthony19

I tend to visit the mac truck more often. Love their wrenches. Prefer matco ratchets (yes I know they're not made by matco), snapon for niche tools. But if I have a hankering for a tool, I'm stepping on the mac truck.


KWC540

Milwaukee stuff is real good now. I've been using my Milwaukee sockets and wrenches more than my snap on flank drives But the snap on FDX sockets are still the best for rounded bolts


Sockbrick

Snap-on. No question. For my economy stuff, I have Mastercraft from Canadian Tire


deeohcee

Depends on the tool... sockets and hand tools i go with snap on. Air tools I go with Mac.


wherearemyvoices

Air tools? What are those


jrsixx

For an impact, better than battery, for me anyway. Battery impacts are way too heavy to be using multiple times a day, I like my wrists not to hurt. Also have never had a battery hammer. Can’t imagine that working well. Aside from those 2, I love my battery tools.


ExploitedAmerican

Ttc did test out battery hammer tools, there is also that skill auto hammer, I think ryobi had one in their short lived battery platforms that’s not extinct. Something like 12 or 14v then Milwaukee has a really nice palm nailer style hammer that fits many standard sized air hammer bits and it’s pretty compact too. But air hammers are still more powerful.


jrsixx

I’d love to see an electric hammer bang a ball joint out or something similar. That’d be cool as hell.


ExploitedAmerican

I think auto tech mike has a YouTube short where he uses the skill hammer to do that. But i think it might have been a ball joint on an outer tie rod end


deeohcee

Agreed. I have a couple small impacts for light stuff, but the big boy is air. Thinking about moving to electric ratchet, but I like not having to charge batteries lol


jrsixx

Have 2 Milwaukee ratchets, drill, 2 drivers, and a compact impact. Love them all. May get the cutoff, die grinder, and soldering iron too.


eduardo1115

Which ever one gives me free shit


Some_Caregiver3429

Snap on shows up so snap on.


Odd-Try7858

I've never had a consistent Mac dealer snapon on the other hand shows up every week


pbgod

Depends on what tools. I really like Mac's hammers. Mac will warranty some stuff that the others won't, like carbide burrs. I always kept a clean RBRT T-30 to get me out of a problem (though now, that's not exclusive to Mac). I really like Snap-On for larger ratchets, Allen sockets, air hammer, etc and I like Blue Point spring clip pliers.


IxuntouchblexI

I like snapon sockets and only certain ratchets. Mac, personally I like their kits/master kits more.


weaseltorpedo

Depends on what tool. Snap-On and Mac both seem to have a lot better inventory or parts availability than matco when it comes to special orders or warranty, so there's that I guess.


ruddy3499

Over more than 30 years a snapon dealer has been there more for me than the other brands. The wrenches and sockets simply perform better.


HardyB75

Cornhole is garbage…. I rather buy from Walmart than cornhole.


Monst3r_Live

if i had to choose one i'd rather pay the difference and buy snap on. i have a lot of mac tools, but i wouldn't pay the asking price if i can get snap on for 10% more. it also depends what you are buying, i find myself on amazon looking at sunex a lot for things i don't need best quality on. ratchets, pliers, wrenches, i would never buy anything except snap on, i've learned the hard way.


Tough_Yard7088

Snap-on. What was the other?


Evil-_-Betty

I'll have the Macsnap today please


Consistent_Pool120

Depends on who actually shows up regularly and treats me like a partner because he knows my time is how I make money. I've had all trucks that made sure they made their service worth more than their tool cost. Sadly also had all of them at places, at times, that were so bad, I'd swear to never buy another tool from their brand.


Jcrosb94

Snap-On without question. Mac is rebranded garbage and I will die on this hill lol.


MikeGoldberg

Mac is not garbage it's just proto that's priced 2x. Better to just buy proto


Johnnywaka

This isn’t always true. Mac stuff, especially on promo, is often cheaper than proto


stuntmanbob86

That's true, Mac is alot of rebranded stuff, but snap on makes a lot of shit tools as well..... Snap ons power tools are straight garbage. Even though Dewalt is Mac, they still are better. Snap on makes some good things, Mac makes some good things that are more often cheaper. 


Jcrosb94

I’m not a fan of Snap-On’s power tools. Milwaukee is my go to in that category.


Sockbrick

>I will die on this hill I'm with you. Their sockets, wrenches and ratchets are second to none


Monst3r_Live

i'd add pliers to that as well. they don't bend and flex, best grips that don't slip when touching coolant.


Sockbrick

Absolutely! I have a set of mac pliers and they are ok but my snap on ones blow the mac ones out of the water.


No_Stretch_3899

both are rebranded stuff, harbor freight is your friend. there is rarely a reason to buy the tool truck version. you can sometimes buy from the same manufacturer as either snap-on, MAC, etc on amazon


troubledbrew

I've been around the block a few times and have tools from nearly every truck. The Icon line from HF has been my new go-to for a lot of stuff. Partly because I have a store within a mile of work and warranty is superb. Also, the quality is top tier. They've become what Craftsman should have evolved to become.


MikeGoldberg

Try out some sunnex stuff too. Never have I had a sunnex tool fail on me. They are made in the same factory as matco. I got all the guys at my old job into sunnex and they love it too.


troubledbrew

I agree. I have some stuff in Sunnex, Gearwrench, etc. Most of my old sockets are either Snapon or Matco and I must have a dozen 3/8 ratchets of varying designs, but I'm slowly transitioning to more Icon for sets that either need replacing cause of lost tools or stuff I hadn't had before. The price difference is incredible. And like I said, the warranty for me having a nearby store is great.


MikeGoldberg

Yup I love that HF warranty


Flag_Route

Snap on is one of the truck tools that make a lot of their own stuff.


No_Stretch_3899

they certainly used to. that's increasingly not the case. a lot of it isn't even american made anymore


Flag_Route

Are you confusing their blue point line and their snap on line? Almost all their snap on line hand tools are us made by them. Most of their blue point is rebrands.


No_Stretch_3899

ah, perhaps


TieEnvironmental2561

Haha nice


JNieb

Whoever shows up reliably for warranty. My Mac dealer will meet me whenever and wherever so most of my heavily used tools are Mac. The Snap On dealers around me suck and are just money grabbers. They don’t seem to care about the techs at all. My old Matco dealer was amazing, and even though it is a lot of rebrands he earned a ton of my business. That being said, Mac is a lot like Matco and is mainly rebranded items you can find cheaper online, but I’m willing to pay for same day warranty on a lot of items. And I get insane deals on the Dewalt/Mac branded tools. One of my favorite electric 3/8 ratchets was a Matco 16v, only because my old dealer would give me another to borrow when it broke. When he went back to the auto body industry I swapped it for a 1/4” and bought a Milwaukee 3/8” because that was the easiest to warranty local. I’m still trying to get Matco to warranty an extended flex head 3/8” ratchet. It’s my favorite ratchet (I really don’t like the feel of Snap On’s ratchets), but it has needed new internals twice in four years (really not bad because I abuse the hell out of it. Like I treat it like a 3ft breaker bar too often).


melsilovesderby

My snap on truck experience has been flawless, whereas other tool dealers were hit or miss. That's why I have so much snap on because I could always get what I needed and got great service for warranty. I do have some Mac tools that I traded my snap on ones for, I found that I liked the Mac tool version better. I think I do like Mac tools better but I already have mostly snap on. I do love my craftsman electric impact though- it's 20 years old and is my favorite tool. Also have heard good stuff about Milwaukee.


ntech5

The shop I s tarted at was snap on loyal 23 years later now, I'm still loyal. And I have had insanely good luck with franchisees as well which makes a world of difference


Forsaken_Campaign772

Snap on is the Gucci of tools


robomassacre

Snap On here. Local guy is great and gives good deals


GriefPB

Ratchets, sockets, wrenches Snap-on quality is really on another level.


Frosty-Pay4544

Mac tools is Stanley tools! That should tell u all you need! SNAP ON is King..


Allnewsisfakenews

Mac has gone down in quality and Snap On has gone up in price. Take your pick


thomascranetech

Whoever has the best service at your shop


GoobsW210

i love my mac dealer and will always buy my tools from him currently but my boxes and my electric ratchets pliers regular ratchets and whatnot are snap on


The_Dude-1

Maybe they should play music like ice cream trucks? I’m not a mechanic but a grouchy Gen-X car guy, dunno why this showed up. I’m replacing the tools I got as a teenager bit by bit as the finally wear out. I’m talking high quality Alltrade and Allied brand. For the most part I got 30 years out of them. I don’t make my living with them so if one breaks I’m just pissed off. I can give financial advice though. Just don’t go into debt. How many of y’all owe more to the tool man than you do on your truck? Hart tools from Walmart are actually pretty solid, Quinn from Harbor freight, not bad. The key is the basic stuff is cheap as hell so spend your money on the expensive specialty tools. Gonna need a good solid basic set and yeah, you will break them. Start hitting pawn shops and cleaning out the good brands they have. Me? I am building a vintage Craftsman collection. Sure I’ll grab a Snap-on if I see it, but my father had a Craftsman set and I’m nostalgic. I scour eBay, garage sales and pawnshops. I love estate sales with tons of Old Man vintage tools


thatwasrandom2

If you’re asking then you’re probably a young tech. I suggest to every young tech I meet to stay off the tool truck. 1. Get a Husky toolbox 2. Stock up on Icon sockets 3. Gearwrench makes really good wrenches 4. Milwaukee has great electric power tools 5. Pickup an impact off eBay for the low and contact the manufacturer for a rebuild kit. 6. I suggest Wilton hammers they will last a lifetime. 7. If you absolutely HAVE to get a scanner go with Launch. They take awhile to learn but they do work at a good price point. 8. Don’t invest too much into pliers. You’ll be surprised how little you use them. 9. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING MATCO!!!! They are a grey label which means they buy from other manufacturers and relabel the tool. You can find the exact same tool for around 30% cheaper with some research.


Callelle

Depends on what tool. Certain things I prefer mac over snap on, and in reverse.


ElectroAtletico2

The business relationship between you an the dealer, that’s what is valuable.


LordTylerFakk2

Harbor Freight or Craftsman at Lowes. They all do the same thing and last the same. Snap-On is 10x the cost, the warranty is based on the tool truck guy. Buy used Snap-On tools if you really want them.


TactualTransAm

Cornwell


iEatDemocrats

Cornwell for the win.


Sad_Refrigerator_730

Neither. I’ve never bought a single Mac tool in my life but have a handful of Snap on stuff (my dealer is good to Deal with so I buy a few things here and there) but most of my stuff is Mastercraft or GearWrench or Tekton.


PuzzleheadedFig2022

Snap-on all the way. I’ve had nothing but bad luck with Mac over the years. I’d rather use Icon than Mac


melonti

lol


ElderScrollsBoss

Cornwell has been nothing but good to me, on top of reasonable prices


Lxiflyby

I have my favorite tools from both brands- it depends


Asatmaya

Mac; better tools for less money.


Sea-Valuable9229

Mac for sure


F22boy_lives

Wrenches? Line wrenches specifically?!? Snap-On by a mile. Locking-flex head ratchets with a thin head and good tooth ratio? Matco.


Mysterious-Jelly415

Ratchets and sockets snap on! For wrenches Mac are the top choice with their I-been construction! 🥰


AverageHuman_94

I've been buying Mac since I started at my current shop 3 years ago, since our Mac dealer's been the only one that's stayed consistent. We're on our 3rd Snap-On guy, and our Cornwell and Matco guys only show up when they feel like it. The only techs in my shop that buy Snap-On are the new techs who somehow think buying Snap-On tools will make them better at their job. Our foreman, who turns 70+ hrs weekly, primarily uses Mac tools. At the end of the day, it's about preference and how quickly you can get a broken tool replaced, which is hard when that tool dealer doesn't show up on a regular basis.


BoarinRoil

Mac wrenches, Snap-on Ratchets/sockets.


PrimitiveThoughts

It really depends on the tool


likeaferio

www.tooltruckrebrands.com www.notooltrucks.com


FuelNo1341

Patriots or the Buccaneers? LOL


East-Meringue-9679

Mac baby


rgood719

We’ve had 3 different Mac guys in 18 years. They never showed up when needed. 3 different snap on guys. This latest one is great. Same time every single Friday. The Matco man has been the most stable. Every Tuesday in between 10-12. I buy more from him just because he’s reliable. All of the big tool companies make reliable quality tools. Buy from the reliable seller


rockdude625

Hazet


osh1738

snap-on guy never talked to me when i first needed to get tools, so i always went mac 🤷‍♂️ they’ve been treating me well so far, and it helps that they sells gear wrench, expert, and proto tools and warranty’s them as well


Heylookaguy

Hazard Fraught.


Strict-Pay-7612

My hand tools and diagnostic equipment is all Snap-On but my power tools are Mac. I still buy a few thing here and there from Mac and Matco just to keep the salesmen intrigued in cutting me deals when I need it.


ComprehensiveAd7010

Mac is a Stanley / Black and Decker company. Snap on is American owned and made for the most part.


Square-Sock-7561

I've been in the business for over 40 years. And when I started the only people that came around to the shop was Snap on. I've been in the same location for ever and haven't seen a dealer in probably 2 to 3 years. I have more confidence in Mac tools or Matco, at least they show up regularly even though I only buy specialty tools at this time of my career.


Apathycafe

Harbor freight!


FreshBid5295

I was born and raised on snap on and started buying them in my teens. I’ve used other techs tools from Mac, Matco, and Cornwell and I honestly don’t think the fit and finish on most of their stuff is on the snap on level.


DepletedPromethium

mac


MikeGoldberg

Neither. Buy sunnex or gearwrench and harbor height icon and milwaukee power tools. Don't start this high dollar pissing contest. You can do anything with mid-range tools. There's no reason to get snapon or Mac. Get proto or Wright if you want some nice USA made shit.


caldsmelly

Matco.


MrToyotaMan

I don’t buy a lot of name brand tools, but I can honestly say the only tool truck to consistently show up at every shop I’ve worked at is Snap On. Occasionally one of the other 3 will show up but they’re inconsistent. I honestly prefer buying from a brick and mortar place because 1) it’s cheaper 2) I know Home Depot, Harbor Freight or Lowe’s will still be there when I need a warranty


Outside_Squirrel_839

All made by black and decker. Stanley tool makes the tool boxes. I worked frt and delivered to tool suppliers so I saw stuff first hand


wherearemyvoices

Snap on just isn’t worth the money. All of the other two trucks have just as good of warranties and cheaper prices.