Snap-on tools that are the worst! Pure garbage! Say goodbye to your wallet.

[@stonedmega1]

That torque adapter is solid steel. Take a grinder to it and see. That's just how metal looks when it breaks like that.

[@eurbanautotech]

@stonedmega1 HMM... That would make sense. Sure looks powered but I can't really see them doing that..?? I do still have the broken adapter but I do need to give it back to my rep for the warranty. I'll ask him permission to grind it a bit! Thanks for the tip!

[@eurbanautotech]

@stonedmega1 You were most correct! I took it to the bench grinder and it came out smooth and shiny as ever. Thanks again! kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYfFc6aCiqiVf5Y

[@stonedmega1]

@@eurbanautotech no problem, have a great day!

[@jamesjl334]

it's great to find a mechanics channel that isn't super cringe. There's no Cringe music, stupid click bait thumb nails or other stuff that that is the downfall of man.

[@eurbanautotech]

@jamesjl334 Haha I can be cringy enough by myself even without dorky KZbin effects! I totally know what you mean though. There are certain types of videos where that sorta thing doesn't bother me much but anything technical/educational I find it quite unnecessary.

[@saintsarecoming13]

The problem with the torx bits is that you have the grey finished ones, the ones with the gold finish are fantastic. I've used them on impacts and never had a problem, they're stellar but ridiculously expensive.

[@eurbanautotech]

@saintsarecoming13 Hmm... I'm thinking of a time a few months back that boss-man snapped his torx socket then snapped mine without removing the fastener. I'm PRETTY sure both were the brass bits... This was on a transmission oil pump with some really stubborn small fasteners. I don't remember the outcome. Might have even removed them with a small air hammer..? At this point I super biased against them. My rep goes off about the new ones. Maybe I'll give them more of a try one day! haha

[@russellpottenger8584]

It’s perfectly acceptable to use a ratchet wrench rather than an impact on small Torx Fasteners. 😉

[@sasquatchrosefarts]

​@@russellpottenger8584I duno why anyone would use an impact on a fastener that can be tightened with a screwdriver.

[@motorbreath7174]

Absolutely . Gold bit torx sockets are one of the snap on tools that have been worth their weight in gold over the years as a 30 year mechanic. And yes I did pay their weight in gold. I've warrantied maybe 3 or 4 in all these years of beating on them. But look out , Harbor Freight IS going to take all the tool trucks out ! I have tons on Snap On tools. Just bought a shweet 1/2 " flex head shi..Pittsburgh ratchet for like $45 in a size that I don't have Snap On and I am most pleased with the quality. And yes LIFETIME warranty. No BS didn't buy it from me NEW Snap ON policy. My dealer would never pull that on me, but still....Golden age of tools where were all these quality brands years ago ?Astro, Tekton, etc..

[@methylbenzodiazepine]

Snap on tools corp had a contract with my tech school (UTI in exton, Pennsylvania). Snap on tools were half priced. So i bought all i could while i was still enrolled. That was 2006 and i still use those same snap on tools to this day working in a European car dealership. Snap on makes very good tools. They last decades.

[@eurbanautotech]

@methylbenzodiazepine That's pretty awesome! Definitely want to take full advantage of any opportunities like that. When I was an apprentice (here in Canada), Snap-on had a promo where you could get a 30% off discount but only on two separate invoices. Once in your first two years and once in your last two years. I love Snap-on tools. They are definitely expensive. Some I find are too expensive to justify and I pass on. Some specific tools I prefer other brands too. But in general I prefer Snap-on the most.

[@stefanczechorskidds8435]

NIce job! Thanks for telling all of us Why the tool is not designed properly. You made some excellent points.

[@eurbanautotech]

@stefanczechorskidds8435 Thanks!

[@gtcam723]

Snap On has more competition now than ever before. As sockets go, some mids or semi deep or wtf ever they call them are a good all around. But man, so many other way more refined options where ratchets are concerned. You’d think they could figure out to at least chamfer the edge of the ratchet head to reduce the ease of damaging the chrome there. I don’t mean scratch, I mean flat dinging the crap out of that edge and causing flaking and sharp edges. I made a 14mm torque adapter as it was the cheapest and quickest solution at the time I needed on. Still took a 24” ratchet (needed to be able to adjust the position) and still took 2 more feet of breaker. As far as that adapter, it wasn’t powdered metal (someone else already pointed that out). Looks to me like there was a stress riser in that corner of the drive hole. Happens. It’s why so often you see radiused inside corners instead of sharp.

[@Chad-em2fg]

How much you pay for the snap on car lift in the back ground? I bet someone sells a lift of better quality for a hell of a lot less money than what that lift cost!!!

[@eurbanautotech]

@Chad-em2fg I think these were around 8-10grand? (Canadian). Boss-man's had them for about 7 years. Both hoists in the shop say Snap-on but they are made by John Bean. Both are 12,000lb capacities. Both are ROCK SOLID. Which is very nice when you get the long box dually diesels that have tidy tanks in the back, etc. So, no, they're not overpriced and nor are they low quality. They are the best hoists I've ever used.

[@j_taylor]

John Bean is a division of Snap-on.

[@MarzNet256]

Excellent review. I'm a DIY mechanic, here are some quality brands that I use: Tekton, Sunex, Capri, Gearwrench, Koken, Dewalt and Milwaukee. Heck, even the HF impact sockets are pretty solid and practically free. I do have two vintage Snap-On 1/2in. ratchets that I restored: A 1946 71-N and a 1958 71-M (military issue).

[@eurbanautotech]

@MarzNet256 A lot of great brands! Sunex has a lot of great specialty sockets for solid prices. If I'm going to order stuff out of a catalogue then chances are it'll either be Sunex or Astro Tools! I used to really like Gearwrench but in the last 5 years or so they've tried going "full professional" with their line. Like another Mac, Snap-on, etc. The quality of their tools may have increased a bit but their price increased A LOT! I kinda think most of the difference is in their packaging and marketing... I liked them a lot more as decent quality tool, with decent support and an awesome price. Metallurgy has improved so much that even cheap, no-name, Chinese sockets and wrenches are still pretty solid. I had a set of no-name chrome sockets that I started out with. If I kept using them then I guarantee I would still have the majority of them by the time I retired (by "retire" I mean die). There are certain specialty tools that the "professional line" is a world above that of economy tools. I think pliers show a big difference. But for the most part, it's not very often a "professional line" "normal tool" (normal socket, wrench, extension, etc) will get you out a situation that a HF one wouldn't also get you out of.

[@MarzNet256]

​@@eurbanautotech They both make excellent impact sockets. I have the astro nano sockets (3/8in drive 6-24mm, no skips, and you can put a 17mm wrench on them) and the 3/8 drive universal sockets (10-19mm, no skips). Gearwrench stuff used to be better quality (the ratcheting wrenches in particular, they switched from Taiwan to China for those). I agree about HF and have a lot of their tools, but you have to cherry pick the best ones in store.

[@eurbanautotech]

@MarzNet256 What..??? The Astro nanos go up to 24mm in 3/8..??? Wow! Definitely have to get a set of them then! I have the 1/2" ones and love them! Use them way more with wrenches than I do on a ratchet or impact. I decided against the 3/8" drive set as they're really not much lower than a regular shallow socket. But I didn't realize they went all the way up to that size! Sometimes a 3/8" 21mm and 22mm socket can be a LIFESAVER! Thank you for making me aware of that!

[@MarzNet256]

@@eurbanautotech Yup. Nineteen pieces with no skips. It is awesome.

[@eurbanautotech]

@MarzNet256 I see what happened. They also have a 3/8 set that only goes up to 19mm. I must've only seen that set when I got my 1/2" set and not bothered as you really don't save much height over a regular shallow 3/8 socket. But having a shallow 21, 22 and 24 in 3/8 is worth the cost right there! Unfortunately everyone seems to be backordered on them but as soon as they're available I'm definitely grabbing a set. Thanks again!

[@_P0tat07_]

The grittiness of the broken torque adapter that you’re seeing isn’t sintered powder metal. That’s just the grains of the steel. If you snapped that cut off wrench like that you would see the same thing. This is when you start getting into metallurgy and heat treatment and such. Which was one of the really fun parts of my material science college course.

[@InevitableTruth247]

in diesel tech we spent a week on metallurgy, the stuff you learn on a surface level can tell you so much about failure analysis, i was able to tell the guys who've been through the same program at the same school 20+ years ago and fewer than 5 years ago and had no idea on how a part failed (broken bolts for a brand new hydraulic pump installed by one of our guys who doesnt work with us anymore had failed. Looking at the wear pattern, overstressed and fractured at install and eventually vibrated and broke loose with beach marks hundred hours later). glad my instructor decided to cover it

[@beaujacklewellen6524]

I have the speed wrench set also and I agree with you, you need so much swing room to get a full turn don’t ever use um anymore 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@eurbanautotech]

@beaujacklewellen6524 They're SO CLOSE to being truly awesome but fall just short. I don't find myself in many situations where those wrenches "save the day" because of their required swing arc... but I do still keep them in my service cart. That way I at least use them from time to time because they're right there.

[@coreyv3071]

Agree 100% on the 18 volt snap on tools suck! Love most of my 14.4 stuff

[@eurbanautotech]

@coreyv3071 Ya, the 14.4 stuff is pretty solid. I'm more of a Milwaukee guy though. Price is better plus warranty can't be beat. We have a local guy in town that repairs Milwaukee tools. No need to send it in. I definitely prefer Snap-on's 1/4" long neck electric ratchet over Milwaukee though. I prefer Milwaukee's 3/8's stubby impact over Snap-ons but Snappy's is pretty solid too. Plus that toggle switch is pretty awesome.

[@diemman70]

I think some of the Snapon tools are beautifully made but yes they charge too much especially if you’re just a DIYer. I love your rant on Snapon though.

[@eurbanautotech]

@diemman70 I like to give my rep a hard time (he's a buddy) and sometimes they totally miss the mark but they do put a smile on my face when I reach for them!

[@motorbreath7174]

Dead nuts on those snap ring pliers !!! I have XL hands and still have to use two hands. Why Snap on ?Actually the real question : Why did I buy them ???

[@eurbanautotech]

@motorbreath7174 Haha, I've yet to find anyone who uses them without cursing! I bought them specifically for press-in wheel bearings and man are they ever frustrating for that!

[@motorbreath7174]

Yes I use them for the dang wheel bearings too. @@eurbanautotech

[@DavidWeinberg-cm9xd]

Sorry to say how bad their hex sockets, hex keys, torx sockets, screwdrivers, and torx screwdrivers are? The hex keys were so bad, everyone in my set is stripped round? Got the silver hex key set in the metal drill bit style case, easily 25 plus years ago? Only lasted a few months, using them by hand, on the proper SAE and MM hardened fasteners, with no cheater bar or adjustable wrench for extra leverage? The newer folding style I acquired, not bought, since it's made by Eklind, for Snap On? Wonder why, and not a fan of the Eklind hex keys, either, too soft of material, just like the hex sockets? The 30 year old hard orange handle screwdrivers were made so much better, than the current one's? The tips were silver blasted, the shanks were stronger, had better chrome, and included knurling on the areas, you could actually use to hold the shaft, instead of only the handle to spin the fastener faster? I like the Whia 5 pc. screwdriver set I just got from Lowe's on sale for $20, regularly $30, much better, than the current Snap On set? The SoftFinish handles feel so much better in your hand, and in use, compared to the bulky and too long, current Snap On set? Just my opinion, been a mechanic for over 30 years? Oh, by the way, forgot to mention the torx screwdrivers tip material, is also too soft, and strips easily, compared to the 20 plus year old Matco (Whitte) Top Torque set I still use daily? Just my opinions, from being a 30 plus year mechanic?

[@d1986ben]

Press out the bits and press in new ones they are all made that way. Been doing it for years. Buy the ten packs of common sizes. Press out press in easy peasy!

[@dougpersell8776]

Is there some were i can send a broken snap on tool ?

[@eurbanautotech]

@dougpersell8776 I don't think you can contact Snap-on corporate for things like that. Pretty sure everything needs to go through a franchisee. Aka a truck. So probably your best bet is to go to a decent sized shop in your area and ask for their rep's name and phone number. Then call them to meet up with them one day.

[@tomhuish6370]

I've been trying to get my tools replaced for years now but if you're not in a garage and spending thousands they just ignore you ​@@eurbanautotech

[@ToolinAroundTools]

Look to Japan. KTC, Tone, Asahi, Anex, Vessel, etc

[@eurbanautotech]

@soopersooper3291 I'm actually not a huge fan of Japanese mechanics hand tools. They're phenomenal build quality of course. It's usually the design/feel of them that doesn't do it for me. Plus anything like that requires everything to be shipped in the mail. Whether it be orders or warranty stuff. Definitely not knocking the quality but, of the few pieces I tried, they weren't really my style.

[@knighthawk3559]

My dad always said, "I'll sit on a strap on before I buy snap on"

[@88hands91]

What a Loser your Dad is

[@baileyvolkert]

Mac torx rand allen bits are fantastic

[@eurbanautotech]

@baileyvolkert We haven't had a MAC dealer here in ages...

[@MaxNafeHorsemanship]

I used to think I needed Snap-on, but... Are they good? Yes, but horribly overpriced. I haven't bought any in years. They aren't worth what you pay for them and I have broken far more Snap-on than any other brand. If you need a tool for a tight spot, you need a Snap-on, but for the rest of your work, there are a lot of brands that will get the job done for a fraction of the cost.

[@eurbanautotech]

@Max Nafe Horsemanship I totally agree with pretty much everything you said. There are some Snap-on items I couldn't live without. For instance their balljoint press... But I could easily have non Snap-on tools and get by just fine. Plus would have an extra 10g in my pocket. I do find that I break Snap-on stuff less frequently than I break non Snap-on stuff. To me, their stuff is "worth it" for personal reasons. There are PLENTY of non personal reasons why I buy their tools but I also "like" them. Kinda like people going to Starbucks rather than cheaper alternatives. I like the feel of their tools over that of others. But that's a 100% personal preference. I do love how there are so many awesome brands of tools out there these days. Plenty of great options to choose from.

[@reddysteddy2030]

Your not supposed to use those torx sockets on an impact. You use and impact torx socket. Why are you using an impact with such a small torx?? Don’t blame the tool. Blame the user

[@eurbanautotech]

@reddysteddy2030 TL;DR Yes, I know they're not impact rated. No I don't use my 1/2" impact on T15s. My point is you can have a T25 or T30 fastener that's pretty tight. Try it with a Snap-on socket in an impact and it gets wrecked. Grab the boss's Snap-on socket and it'll also get wrecked. Grab the "cheap Harbor Freight backup" socket and it takes the fastener out no problem. This would be "fine" if they could handle huge torque in large hand tools on seized fasteners but this is also not the case. More Money + Less Performance = Me Complaining 😁 Long Winded Blabfest: I don't have a 1/4" impact. I try to limit the amount of tools I have in my tool cart. For small torx I mainly use my Milwaukee electric screwdriver with torx bits. Super handy for air cleaner boxes and splash shields. It'll have no problem doing up to T20 - T25. For most medium sized torx I'm usually using an electric ratchet as the fasteners tend to be in tighter spots. I really don't use torx sockets on impacts very often anymore. However! I DO use non impact rated sockets on impacts ALL THE TIME! 😁 I try not to but ultimately time is money. After all, let's not forget that wheel lock key packages say, "No impact wrenches!". My go-to sockets are the 3/8" semi-deep impact swivel sockets. They are my first grab for everything. However there are situations where they won't fit and you need a 3/8" chrome u-joint socket. Yes, you could crack the fastener loose by hand then switch to a power tool to remove it but that takes too long. Those fasteners get removed all in one step by an impact. I bought a cheap set of Gearwrench 3/8" chrome ujoint sockets. As they break I replace them with expensive Snap-on ones just so I can use them with an impact when the odd need arises. BTW... Me saying that "takes too long" to crack a fastener loose by hand then use a power tool... That's not just me being lazy. That extra 30-60 seconds adds up to hours on large jobs like V8 head gaskets... And that adds up to you being out of a job! Not even joking. My overall point is that I'm not complaining that these non impact rated torx sockets get damaged by being used with an impact... That would be unfair. My point is how EASILY they get damaged. It's frustrating that an expensive Snap-on torx socket gets wrecked right away then you have to reach for your cheap, Harbor Freight backup socket (also non impact rated) and it takes the fastener out with no problem... This would be "fine" if they held up better in large breaker bars on seized fasteners but they don't. If you made it this far then treat yourself to a coffee or beer. You deserve it! 😁

[@jamesridley1437]

I take truck beds off alot and he’s right with a 1/2 ratchet the torx twist

[@lancecooper4646]

16:30...slip some rubber hose over the handle ... or plasti-dip the handle ??