Many, MANY years ago, I happened to be driving through Albuquerque just as a new Snap-On store was having its grand opening. I, of course, stopped in and bought my first and, until now, my only Snap-On tool: the pistol-grip ratcheting screwdriver shown on the right above (I was young then, and probably attracted by the bright color). I don’t remember how much I paid for it; I was just happy to have a real Snap-On tool, and a neat ratcheting screwdriver to boot.
Recently I found that its ratcheting mechanism would not stay in one position no matter how much I fiddled with it, so I emailed Snap-On support to see if there was something (adjustment, lube…) I could do to fix it. Snap-On quickly replied that there was nothing to do once it doesn’t stay in gear, but, if I would give them my address, they would send me a replacement.
A week or so later, the “replacement,” shown on the left above, arrived. It’s a ratcheting screwdriver with a 5-position handle (0°, 30° left and right, and 60° left and right). It came with two bits, and can store up to seven bits in its handle. The removable hex shank is a standard 1/4″ square drive.
So now I have two Snap-On tools — one of which doesn’t always ratchet so well — and I’m quite impressed with their service. I probably won’t be rushing out to buy any more Snap-On goodies soon, but it’s nice to know that if I do and it breaks, they seem willing to make it right.
What experiences with Snap-On tools have other Toolmongers had? Is my case typical?
Snap-On SGDMRCE44O Screwdriver [Manufacturer's Site]