German made is only Hans screwing the last bolt for legal reasons, 99% of fabrication and assembly is made in Europe peripheral countrys, Nort África and China. Only Fein and Knipex is 100% German made.
asasial1977 I'm sitting in front of a Silicon Graphics computer (Octane 2) that was made in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and designed in Mountain View California. Some of the chips are made in Japan though. It takes a bit of work but it is possible to use a made in the USA computer to do modern stuff.
Let me clarify the story - it used to say "USA" on the ratchet head, next to the Snap On logo. Then they removed the USA letters. The reason it was removed was to either: a) plan to use off-shore internal parts, or b) make the entire ratchet overseas and not list the country of origin on it. It was a way to gradually get people used to buying Snap On ratchets without the USA logo on it. But then there was consumer backlash, so then Snap on decided to put the USA letters on the handle portion. But for many years there were ratchets made that did not say USA on the handle at all. So the future plan was to switch to off-shore manufacturing without anyone noticing because they took the USA off prior to the change.
People ask me why I started buying Harbor Freight tools. The answer is that if I have to buy Chinese tools I'm going to pay what they are worth and not all out doors for a name. I'd gladly pay more for USA made tools, but not for a name.
Red Wing boots are still USA made if you pay attention. I have worn them for 20 years and will only buy the ones with the "Made in the USA" logo. You are correct some, if not most, are made somewhere else, but there are still many made in the USA. As for Snap On, this video was helpful. I have "invested" over $30,000 in Snap On cabinets and tools and will NEVER buy another tool that doesn't have USA written on it. I also own no "blue point" tools for the same reason. If they are good tools, that's great, just don't BS me into thinking I am buying an American made product and stamp "China" on them like you used to stamp USA.
You really reckon that ? I always used to buy them because they were the most comfortable to use. I was a bike mechanic and then an engine builder. But I'm not exactly a Snap On fanboy, I have Britool and Facom stuff too. In fact when it comes to things like pliers, screwdrivers or hammers I'll buy anything that seems well enough made.
Heartily disagree. I've got a mix in my personal tool boxes, but if it's something I use a lot or have to get in tight confines, it's snap on. If it's something large and out in the open I prefer SK tools, they are thicker and heavier. I first learned the difference between snap on and other tools working on Harrier jets, a lot of other tools simply would not get into some areas. If there making them part or in full oversea, then I guess it's a good thing I don't need any new tools, or can get by with harbor freight for light jobs, because I will not pay high dollar for crap.
Rob E...... nope sorry bud. Harbor Freight ratchets and wrenchs (and most of their tools) are dirt cheap and also have a lifetime warranty. Also don’t have to wait on a truck to come by and HOPE the honor your warranty
Keep in mind that once-pathetic tiny South Korea now makes the highest rated cars for intial defects according to JD Powers, and US brands score much worse. That only took one generation. Which country's tools and tool parts will you accept?
it's a fair call, i like snap on ratchets but i dont want to pay 100us bucks if its made in china/india/thailand etc, plenty of other brand tool for cheaper same quality... we have similar problems with food labels in Au last 12Years+ "made in Australia from local and imported ingredients" WTF 99% imported and 1% local or what!! the law on labels have changed recently and we will see what mumbo jumbo food businesses have been allowed come up with and has goverment thumbs up. SNAP-ON CORPORATION WAKE UP good will is dropping FAST..
all depends on quality control and the brand, as we all know there is a lot of china junk out there also. the comment was about Snap On ratchet, so i dont know why you would bring other products into this, of course there is high quality china made products made but i would like to see snap on remain USA made "no im not from USA" or sell it for $50, it's just greed from snap on corporation in my opinion..
correct me if im wrong but i think its just on the flex head ratchets. at least thats what i noticed last time i was on the truck. does it say usa down at the bottom of the handle?
SalmonBelly you right, they are made by the same company in Taiwan, which is Chinese. By Craftsman for one tenth the price and the same warranty. Craftsman less than a 1% replacement on their hand tools, Snap-on is in the same area, but you gotta wait for the truck. For those who want Snap-on, go for it, tour waste of money. Mac & Proto are the same quality.
I have noticed a big difference in many items from Taiwan vs. PRC. The former being higher quality. This may change over time but as of right now I think it's the case.
+Geoff Dearth .Taiwan has thousands of small family industries that do work for the larger companies.They more often than not take pride in the quality of their products.China of course doesn't allow individual effort.It all belongs to the state so you deal with the state owned company. Having sought bids in both places Taiwan's finished products were better but China has learned a lot & they will soon out pace the Taiwanese.
Is it a good ratchet? Does it meet your expectations for quality and usability? If so, why does it matter? I've bought both good and bad "made in USA " products. Same goes for stuff made elsewhere. Quality buys my loyalty, not blind patriotism.
I live in England and the biggest selling point of Snap-on products is that they're made in the USA. Their catalogues always have photos of American workshops in the 1950's and they really like to show their heritage when it comes to their products being made with pride in the US, so the argument of Snap-on being a global company doesn't hold true. It's like the name Empi used to be known for selling quality aftermarket accessories for Volkswagens made in the USA, now they're known for being cheap Chinese tat that rusts and rarely fits properly.
Snap-on Ratchets are the most expensive brand and for the money they charge we should NOT have to question where they are made. If they want to play games with their Blue Point line I wouldn't care - being that everyone knows what to expect from Bluepoint. The Snap-on brand ought too me made 100% in the USA for the price we pay!!!
Lol! Good video! My father in law is a huge snap on fan, used to drive a truck part time for his friend that owned and normally drove the truck. Good stuff.
Just like Craftsman used to be made in USA, now its in Fongdong. Talked to a Sears guy last year and he said there are different rebuild kits for Craftsman sockets, old ones made in USA and new ones that are "cheaper" that are NOT made in USA. Craftsman used to be kick ass for home/farm use, now I don't know. Damnit cant we make ANYTHING in the USA anymore!? Even 20 years ago we used to say; trucks, tractors and tools. Now I dont know what to say.
Ill have to look at my D80's later today and see what mine say. Mine were purchased when the D80's 1st came out... when was that.. maybe 2008 or 9? Been a while..
Snap On guy warrantied the guts of a ratchet for me like 5 times in a row, and it still slipped, I kept telling him something was wrong with it. The 5th time he actually told me all the replacement guts were from china, but told me that new original ratchets had USA guts in them, but all replacements were from china. I told him I wanted a new complete ratchet under warranty. He got it for me, works perfect, it still says USA on it, maybe it was new old stock or something. But it is crappy that all the tool manufacturers are going to china. Taiwan stuff isn't the best but its actually better than it was 15+ years ago.
+kenman1717 From what I have been understanding about the Leatherman Lawsuit, the companies used to get the cheaper and inferior parts from China and assemble them here in USA. Prior to the lawsuit, they were basically playing on semantics.
I encountered this issue back in 2007 and did not buy any more snap on, I did purchase matco and Mac tools as well as craftsman however craftsman is now outsourcing production to China.
Okay! Got my brand new F80 3/8 drive standard handle ratchet two days ago. It does have USA stamped on the head and on the handle. No complaints from me. It's a great tool.
Most tools are made in China now. A few of the better tools are made in Taiwan. I have noticed that the tools that are made in Taiwan last much longer. Craftsman is another one that has all the new tools made in China and Taiwan. For me..... If all the tools are now being outsourced...... Might as well just get the cheaper lifetime warranty and go with tools from Harbor Freight.
long time sk user here... & i was actually considering buyin a snap on ratchet after using a friends at his garage... but i decided to order the "dt" conversions for my existing sk round head traditional ratchets ...& just fyi for about 15 bucks each from harry j epstines, u can order an dual pawl upgrade for ur sk's (around 50 bucks for the new round head ratchet with the new internals) which gives u the strength of the 3/8 drive 40 tooth ratchet (60 for the 1/4 drive) but the minimal swing of a 80 tooth ratchet (120 for the 1/4 drive) ...& sk is definitely still made in the usa!
Sorry old video but just saw this. This is just not true. That ratchet part number is FHX80. The repair kit is RKR80 and it is made in Elizabethton Tn. How long you been working for Matco?
I hope you read this and can answer my question... If now their buy parts from other countries because it's cheaper to send our steel over there and they make the parts just to send them back over here... THEN WHY don't they pass the savings on to us???
So the CEO can make a lot of money, there will only be office workers whilst technical jobs in manufacturing will go to China who pay stuff all in wages as they don't care about safety or training, people there are a dime a dozen, the worker there don't get rich, the business people do !
TheRiceowlex YEPPER but they won't admit that... thank you for being honest... that's why I won't buy snap on tools or any of the other over priced tools out there...
You had me nervous, I bought a 1/4 extra long ratchet and a 3/8 extra long ratchet around last Christmas and the exact same 3/8 ratchet you used in this video and a 3/8 standard length offset flex head three weeks ago and they ALL say USA on them. I just checked.
But really, if you break ANY tool that's not 20+ years old with lots of use on it, then you're clearly using the wrong tool for the job. Got a super stuck fastener? Don't use a ratchet with a huge cheater pipe on the handle. Get a 3 ft long breaker bar and preferably an impact socket and use that instead.
If you spent more time turning wrenches to make money then you wouldn't have more time to make yourself look ignorant to the whole world. I have been turning wrenches since I was 16 I'll be 54 next month I have always felt I was taking it in the shorts on the Snap-On truck, Matco Truck, Cornwell Truck and Mac Truck. However these trucks come by every week and Craftsman and Harbor Freight do not I have broken ratchets, wrenches, sockets from every tool truck and craftsman and HF. Right now I kinda like ratchets from Titan I bought a 1/4,3/8 & 1/2 ratchet package a few years back and have not broken one yet, and it's not from lack of trying. Anyway buy what you want, push what you want, but most of buy what is ever handy for the most part. I have never been happy with Snap-On air ratchets or air impacts, they have always lost power a few months after purchase and never perform the same after warranty repairs. However I do tell the younger mechanics that no matter where you go in America there will be a Snap-On when there is no one else. Us old timers just want our shit to work when we need it, it doesn't matter who made it, it just better work. Anyway keep expressing your opinion even though I'm kinda rough on this comment you could be helping some one decide on what tool truck to go with after all we need different view points out here. Keep posting though and don't let us so called haters keep you down, we are just old and set in our ways.
I don't live in a tract home and I don't drink, I live in real house that me and my wife worked our butts off to pay for and I don't see how us old timers are mortgaging the next 5 generations. When the last 2 generations of techs can't even solve oddball problems most of the time or diagnose a problem just by sound, most can't weld or us a torch, no ability to think out of the box as use old timers had to do most of our time in the trade. So please explain this mortgaging of the next 5 generations
I used to work for a company that stamped the wrenches and the body of the ratchet. The wrenches would be packaged there and the ratchets were shipped off for final assembly. Mind you this was ten years ago, the facility I worked at has shut down.
Terence Kreft Yeah same question I had. Snap On will have tight quality control to protect their brand. They're not stupid enough to let an outsource decision devalue their most important asset - the brand.....the competition would destroy them. I guess if they kept it all in the US they'd risk costs being too high and who knows what that would do to the company. I sense a lot of comments on here are more about patiotism & race than engineering quality, else where's the scientific evidence they're using inferior steel or lower tolerances?
Because we want to support US based workforce and get premium quality tool. That is the only reason we are willing to spend extra money. If snap on will start producing made is China stuff we are no longer willing to pay premium prices for lower quality tool and we don't want to support Chinese Sweat Shops.
USA built dose not mean that it is the best quality. The best Honda are not made in the USA, The best FCA are not made in the USA. Many top products are English, German or Canadian.
I had two Thorsen pull handles: one USA and the other Taiwan. I no longer have the Asian one because it broke. I have put the same amount of torque on the USA made and it is still with me.
The internals are also made in the US, I work at Snap-On, we only fulfill orders for franchisees, they buy a lot of repair kits, the kits come in a small white bag, and they say made in USA right on the bag. The made in USA roll mark is back on all the ratchets, on the handle now. Also the COO from the website has ALWAYS stated made in US
Yeh I get it, as an appreciate 16yo kid sitting with the guys at work, getting a hard on looking through the snap-on catalog, then spending 6 months savings $1,300 and buying a basic snap-on 3/8 socket set. I was like a new father, beaming from ear to ear, showing everyone at work, seeing them drooling filled me with joy, yes sir, they were good quality tools. But after a few years of working with other peoples tools and trying different brands, I said to myself (just before I took out a 3 year "mortgage" on very small $8,000 snap-on cabinet) I said..... "THESE ASSHOLES ARE ROBBING ME BLIND" The only brand loyalty I have now is to brands of good quality tools at a fair price, although I do try to support local manufacturers. snap-on are just to greedy.
Buy used snap on or broken.... Its all free replacement on hand tools... Ive saved well over 50k doing this and have a while box of Snap on Mac etc.. Mac even warranties drill bits for life.. Cannot beat that and they make great bits.. Or Irwin but with a warranty...
my son bought me a ratchet and it doesn't say USA on it and it sucks, bent the handle first time I used it and just the other day I was tightening a 5/8 in nut and the ratchet head internals exploded! WTH. really disappointed
The handle is USA made, the ratchet head is made in Taiwan using JH Williams components. Google JH Williams ratchet, and you will see that they are identical.
It does say USA on it though. You are just completely ignoring the part that says it. Why did you do this? Its real simple, it just doesn't make any common sense...
Timba Wulf Osu! i'm counting my snap on ratchets right now, i have 14 total all say USA. I have the same exact model in the video as well. and right above the soft grip handle it says USA
As a European, I must say that USA built stuff just isn't the best. Not even one of the better. Your design and engineering hasn't evolved much since the 50's. You are way too proud of it, and something Americans sure don't lack is confidence in your own capabilities. The Oriental market has delivered huge piles of rubbish before, but they are evolving, where we all stand still. And they ARE overtaking us in both price and quality ... On-topic : this ratchet is way easier to sell over here if it does NOT wear the three letters ... That's an answer they SURELY will not give you ...
The carbon steel used to forge most American made tools is either better or on par with any tool manufacturer in the world. Chinese made tools typically have weaker steel and poor tempering. Taiwanese and Japanese made tools are better. European made tools are generally good quality. However, the Europeans have become too complacent in their own abilities and quite frankly, make some of the ugliest tools known to man.
The reason European don't care for USA tools is that you don't like Americans. You need an American speaker at a conference? You find a fat, slovenly one so you can tell fellow Europeans that all Americans are fat slobs. We are not perfect by any means but look at all those crosses and stars of David in American cemeteries over there and remember who kept you from being part of the Third Reich.
The fat slovenly ones are the ones that don't talk in merely slogans, don't think of themselves as personal gifts from God and are not loud and abrasive. And they don't ask the price of a car or small house to show up. And they KNOW their stuff. Not all Americans are fat slobs. There are also very well built Trump fans. A pity they are retarded, and without a decent first world health care plan, you'll never be able to take good protective care about so many people. Although that's something the second amendment people might take care of, given a good leader with incentive. I personally hate Americans TODAY because they are not in the street on a daily bases to protest against the candidacy of this abomination ! That said, I LOVE your dad, he really saved our asses, and your granddad before him. Every day, still today, as the nation of Belgium, and as the Commonwealth we are bringing up the boys that were left behind, tracing them back to their families if possible, giving them proper burials en honoring them for what they did for us. They died a 100 years ago, but at least here, they ar NOT forgotten. A lesson learnt from history. Something the US doesn't have. And with this idiot on the nuclear button, most likely will never have.
internals were made by bahco (a snap on company) for a couple years in spain due to some supply issues. If any part is not made in usa they can not put usa on it.
I've seen a few of your videos but this is the one that made me sub. If you're gonna pay for US labor costs, you might as well get US products. 'Tis a sad time indeed for manufacturing here. If we, as the consumers, don't make a distinct effort to buy American made, it won't be long until that's no longer an option.
It's almost like 90% of things you use throughout the day are made in different countries, yet you go on youtube and spout if it's not made in MURIKA then it's crap. Get over yourself, America makes good things and bad things just like every other country. There are crappy tools made in the US and there are crappy tools made in China, and there are also quality tools made in the US and also from China. Snap-On does not make crappy tools. They are a corporation like any other, looking out for their bottom line, and if that means moving some portion of production over seas to cut costs then that's what they will do. All the tool companies do the same thing.
This whole statement is an irrelevant red herring. The quality of the product doesn't matter and isn't the point. The real purpose of the "Made in the USA" label is to allow American consumers to CHOOSE to buy products made in their home country if they CHOOSE to to support American businesses by doing so. It's a good thing and it's completely reasonable! If were up to me, I'd require every product sold in the USA to disclose ALL origins of its manufacture so that when you buy it, you can really know what you are buying and who you are supporting.
Even if literally only one piece was made outside of the country your dumb ass probably wouldn't buy it cause it's not made in MURIKA! lol get over yourself.
+ImyurZero STFU you clueless dipshit. It's people like you who are the problem with the West. Narcissistic parasites that shit where you eat and live; boosting foreign economies and cheapening our way of life by supporting tyrannical business models all to save a few bucks.
You haven't worked with tools much have you? I don't expect much from a Chinese made wrench that is one-fourth the price of an American made one, but I also don't expect them to LITERALLY crumble in my hand like a 15mm one once did. When it comes to tools, the "USA" name on them matters. American made tools are coveted the world over, and the reason is simple: It's because they are simply better made.
It was broken on a Ford Thunderbird knucklehead. As I was attempting to position myself under the front end to remove the disc brake caliper, the NEW Pittsburg branded open wrench tapped -- TAPPED -- the knucklehead with its open end and one of the two tips fell off. As if it was only the plating holding it together. I still remember the sour face the young female clerk at Harbor Freight gave me when I asked her if she replaced these often.
It is an act of BAD FAITH and ILL WILL, for SNAP ON to charge such high prices for their tools made overseas, like in CHINA, were they pay peanuts on the DOLLAR, to manufacture a ratchet wrench and then charge well over $80,00 to a USA customer. SHAME ON YOU, SNAP ON. and it applies to parts made or outsourced overseas and assembled in good old USA. Lets boycott all SNAP ON tools made overseas. 11/26/16.
I don't care where tools are made. Just so long as the tools are good. I'm sure Snap-On can get their tools made to their specifications anywhere in the world now too. They'll still be Snap-On tools regardless of where they're manufactured.
I agree. But don't charge a premium for your overseas manufactured product. I don't care how stringent their quality standards are, the production costs overseas (especially China and Taiwan) are ridiculously low. Reflect it some on the price is all I'm saying.
Lynx Star Automotive production costs are not much lower if the quality control is that high. I used to make tools so I know how you make a perfect one. You make 11 and throw 10 of them into the scrap bin. Because those other 10 simply did not measure up. That is what you as a customer never see. But that's how it goes in the machine shop. Every operation is another chance to screw things up. OK maybe with simple hand tools it isn't quite as bad as the stuff I made. But there is still a lot of spoilage that goes on when standards are high.
Paul Frederick Explain this to me then. Why is it that the JH Williams ratchets (Snap On's sister company) cost so much less, and yet are the same exact ratchet heads Snap On uses on their branded ratchets? The only difference between the two being the handles used? A SO 3/8 ratchet 80 tooth will cost you over 130.00 a JHW 3/8 ratchet with the same 80 tooth head will cost you 80.00.
Lynx Star Automotive JH Williams does not have the life time warranty, you are paying more for that. Snap on needs to factor in the cost of having to replace broken stuff over the lifetime into the cost of the tools.
I work for harleys powertrain plant and a buddy of mine is a machinist at the plant in browndeer Wisconsin, they make sockets wrenches etc its spread out over the US and Canada. Those ratchets are still american made
Yes, they are. The only reason is because of people like me. If nobody cared, they would have done like everyone else to make more profit. People don't understand, companies focus on numbers, I say these things in an attempt to keep them U.S. made.
that's great, a couple months ago my snap on guy was pushing ratchets and the deal was you would trade in any of your ratchets and he would give you like $50 off the new one. good thing I like my snap on ratchets I have. thanks for the heads up I would of never actually looked and compared the lettering
I have a lot of sympathy with your video. I generally use Britool (I'm English) and have done all my working life. I bought the RJM series and also the 2RBM and the early ones are stamped Made in England. Now they are just stamped England or nothing at all. It is my understanding many are now made in France since they were bought out by Facom and then latterly Stanley. The older tools just fit in your hand so nicely so now when I need a replacement which isn't often and only due to them being lost I go to sales and buy second hand.
Most of their tools, sockets, wrenches and teachers are fully made by snap on, they only make a percentage of their total numbers. Snap on has contracts with several smaller companies to make the given tools and under contractual rights they are allowed to then put their name on it.
I worked for a company here in the UK where i personally marked parts with 'MADE IN USA' , otherwise the parts would not be bought in USA. (It was not tools). The reason why our company made the parts was because our sister company in USA could not make them to the precision , quality and quantity that was needed.
just looked at my rachet and it says USA on it. bought like 20 years ago. I agree with you. if it's not all made here it's not USA made. Merry Christmas
Am I the only one who's wondering why he didn't mention that the USA stamp next to the part number right above the handle? I've been a tech since 2011 and that's where the stamps been since I started
I bought 3 ratchets from Williams, they are the old snap on 936 and are not much dough. no way way id buy an outsourced thing just for the name stamped on it.
Maybe they want to sell the same ratchet outside the US. The sign that it was USA made means over there it would snap in at least 3 places on you. The same as American Cars reputation sort of.
Look at the new snap on metal boxes. Five years ago you could by a particular Snap On metal box (UT99) for $100.00 made in USA. Now that box (UT22) is made in China, looks similar but is not the same quality is going for $140. Sickening!
I worked for a company that was bought buy Stra........Snap-on. Soon after, the new management altered the sales quotas and made the numbers retroactive, and I could never get my numbers up. The year prior to the purchase, I was the number 4 sales rep out of a team of 12. I hope Stra...........Snap-On goes belly up, fails, flops, drops off the face of the earth, dies. Hate them, their product and if I had a repair garage, the Stra.......Snap-On rep would be banned.
snap on was one of the first to move manufacturering to china decades ago. But i will say the quality is there because it's still all designed and developed in kenosha. It's probally something simple like cost cutting, one less process in making the tool.
+GalaxyStranger01 your right...it does not always mean a bad product...infact it might improve with the newer manufacturing machines .....but the local job market suffer as the local factory closes
Well, I wasn't really trying to make a point. We all know that out-sourcing in general - especially manufactured products - has a bad reputation, mostly because this has resulted in inferior products. But lately I've been seeing things here and there that suggest that out-sourced manufactured products have been getting better. For example, I know a couple low-end gun manufacturers who's reputations have improved recently because their finished product had improved in reliability. So it made me think - is there anybody out there that is out-sourcing their products and still maintaining quality? I know that there's no reason the quality should go down - it's all about keeping costs down, and that's where the sacrifice has been made much of the time. That's what out-sourcing has traditionally meant.
u used to work at snap-on in Elizabethton TN about half the wrench's are now made in China because it cost less then a dollar per wrench at least that's what the big boss's told us in our quarterly meeting , they shut down all the union plants in about 2004 o think it may have been 05 I'm not exactly sure it was along time ago and I've slept since then but anyway, some of the stuff that we made like wrench's , ratchet handles and heads , we didn't make the big 2" heads I think they were but some of the steel we stamped out was shipped in from another country even the biggest thing that snap-on is worried about and that they'll get on to workers about is not tool quality it's the finish on the tool, they want the slick mirror finish. I used to have alot of stuff just because I worked there but I would never ever pay truck prices for the same reason I used to work there and they are junk
