If you disagree here, feel free to call me out in comments. But I’m always confused when I see something like this on the Snap-On site. They’re offering a 1/4″ compact cordless impact driver, complete with two batteries, a charger, and a soft-sided case for $203. But are people really willing to pay 75% more for a tool just to have it come in red and black and show up via the tool van? Seriously, we can buy the Bosch PS41 for $135 all day online. And unless I’m missing something, the Snap-On driver’s specs don’t match up well, either.
The Snap-On driver (model CT561QC) produces 300 in-lbs. of torque, maxing out at 2,500 RPM and 3,000 BPM. It’s 6.2″ long, 6.5″ high, and 2.0″ wide. The PS41, on the other hand, is shorter (5.39″) so it’ll fit in more places. And it delivers 930 in-lbs. of torque and spins up to 3,100 RPM and 2,600 BPM. Now I can’t tell for sure, but the trigger on the Snap-On looks like an on/off sort of deal as opposed to variable speed, which seems backed up by the specs showing “2,500 RPM” instead of “0-2,500 RPM.”
So what’s up with this? As far as I can tell, the Snap-On is just a bad deal. Do they actually sell many of these, and if so, what motivates people to buy them? Do they include them in large kits or something? Or am I just missing the boat here?
1/4″ Hex Drive Micro Cordless Impact Driver [Snap-On] (Warning, PDF)
PS41 Impact Driver [Bosch]
Street Pricing for PS41 [Google Products]