About Snap-On Tools

Known for their quality, top-of-the-line tools and extensive warranties, Snap-on Tools are the preferred choice for many technicians in the automotive, airline, marine and agricultural professions. The standard tools found at a home improvement store may quickly wear down or snap after heavy-duty use by professional mechanics, but Snap-on tools are specially crafted to withstand the pressure. Founded nearly 90 years ago, the Snap-on company's trademark sockets, wrenches and other tools have long revolutionized the tool manufacturing industry.

History

The name Snap-on represents the first step in the company's ground-breaking history: creating interchangeable tools. In 1920, Joseph Johnson and William Seidermann manufactured and sold sets of 10 sockets that would "snap on" to five different wrench handles. This innovative design put Johnson and Seidermann's Snap-on Wrench Company at the forefront of the tool industry.

To capitalize on their success, the two designers enlisted the help of Stanton Palmer, who marketed these new tools by taking them directly to the customers at their workplace and demonstrating them on site. Palmer recruited Newton Tarble to help with the ever-increasing customer base, using a personal sales relationship technique that the company still employs today.

The four founders--Johnson, Seidermann, Palmer and Tarble--nurtured Snap-on to great success, going international in 1931. Continuing its innovative streak in the 1930s, Snap-on was the first tool company to offer credit lines to its customers.

In the 1950s, Snap-on perfected the idea of direct-to-workplace sales by outfitting franchise owners with walk-on vans filled top to bottom with Snap-on tools for customers to evaluate and purchase. Aspiring business owners today can still buy a Snap-on franchise and sell direct to technicians from their well-stocked tool van.

Over the years, Snap-on has branched into all aspects of mechanical repair and production. It has manufactured hand, power and diagnostic tools along with shop equipment, vehicle information, software and business management systems.

Hand Tools

Snap-on is the big name in tools for the auto industry, but it also offers hand tools for professional technicians in the heavy-duty truck, airline, marine and agricultural fields. Snap-on offers a wide range of wrenches, sockets, extensions, screwdrivers, scrapers, punches, chisels, files, hammers, pliers and pry-bars; it also offers specialty tools including bushing and seal removers, piston service tools, thread restorer files, exhaust cutters and brake lathes.

Starting with the first interchangeable sockets and wrenches, Snap-on continues to experiment with new improvements in hand tools--all the way from newly developed materials for stronger screwdrivers to ergonomic handles for hacksaws. The Snap-on website credits its invention of the uniquely designed Flank Drive(R) wrenches as being the first major change in the open-ended wrench in over a hundred years. (See Resources.)

Because of their durability and specialized engineering, Snap-on tools are in the higher price range. For the cost-conscious or more casual home user, Snap-on does offer the Blue Point line of hand tools at lower prices.

Hand Tool Warranty

Besides offering much stronger materials and specialty designs for use by technical professionals, the appeal of Snap-on hand tools lies in the lifetime manufacturer's warranty (some limitations apply; see Resources). If the handle cracks on a hammer or a screwdriver gets too blunt to use, technicians can return the tool to Snap-on for a repair or replacement. No matter the age of the hand tool, if it fails under normal use, Snap-on will warranty the item. For professionals who invest a lot of money into their specialized tools, this warranty is extremely important to maintaining a useful collection and maximizing career profits.

Power Tools

Along with hand tools, Snap-on also specializes in heavy-duty power tools--including air drills, air hammers and ratchets, impact wrenches, cordless screwdrivers and lights, and electric grinders and polishers. Although fast-wearing components like drill and screwdriver bits are not warrantied, Snap-on does offer repairs or replacements for some mechanical defects.

Tool Storage

Professional technicians typically have tool collections that could fill a home's walk-in closet. Snap-on carries a line of toolboxes in large-scale sizes with heavy-duty drawers that can withstand the weight of professional series tools. The tool boxes, lockers, cabinets and other accessories are available in the traditional red as well as other ranges of colors. Different size and style components are all made to fit together to create the unique setup for the technician's needs.

Tool storage can run into the thousands of dollars, so Snap-on franchise dealers work with technicians much as car salesmen do: with credit lines, regular payment plans and trade-in offers for their old toolboxes. Some components of Snap-on's toolbox lines can also be warrantied against manufacturer defects or product malfunctions.

Where to Buy

Snap-on offers two ways to obtain its tools: through its online catalog, and by dealing direct with a franchise owner. The Snap-on website provides a location tool to find your nearest franchise owner (see Resources). New businesses can request to be added to that dealer's route.

Non-professionals are encouraged to purchase tools through the Snap-on website but can also request information about their local franchise seller if they prefer.

Resources

• Snap-on franchise dealers and online catalog
• Snap-on product range and innovation information