Snap On vs Mac vs Husky vs all other tool manufacturers

  For everyone who works on cars, or anything else for that matter, there is the tool debate. Are all wrenches created equal. They come in different finishes, different styles, and from all corners of the earth. They all serve the same purpose and sometimes a purpose they were never intended to have. So here it is, from a mechanics point of view.


  The Snap On name is basically known as the "Cadillac" or "Rolls Royce" of tool manufacturers. The leader in tool technology as well as sponsorship to many racing teams and their shops. They already own many of the tool brands out there already... OTC, Bluepoint, etc. And of course they come at a Cadillac price. For many of the experienced mechanics in the field, a lot have the attitude of Snap On or nothing. Many know the salesman very well, sometimes for decades. Snap On does do a very good job of maintaining their customers. Mac does too for that matter. But does that $40 wrench look, feel and perform better than all other $5, $10, or $20 wrenches. In a word "Yes".  It may be partly physiological but the confidence and assurance you get from high end tools is special.


   The first reason that Snap On tools are so expensive is because Snap On puts their name behind every hand tool they sell. This means lifetime warranty on that specific tool purchased. It does not matter where you bought it or when or even who bought it, it has warranty. I have seen 30 year old cracked sockets, almost rounded to the point of useless but because it is damaged from normal use there are no questions asked. For any mechanic this very important because Snap On says you will never buy the same tool twice. Unless you abuse it or loose it. But that is a warranty you simply can not beat. If you work at a shop the salesman even comes to your shop on a regular basis and will do the exchange on the spot. That means no lost wages because you need to go out and get another tool. No free time lost because you must run to the parts store after work so you have tools in the morning. Just work tools staying at work and working for you.


   Another reason Snap On tools are worth their dollars is the finish. Snap On assures you the chrome or powder coat will not chip, flake or crack or it is warranty. This promises the tool will always have a smooth finish that is gentle to touch and easy to work with. You literally can't remove the finish unless you put a torch on it and abuse it anyways. The finish also applies to the tool boxes and air tools as well. They also clean very easily.  The finishes are beautiful.


    With that finish also comes the tool's performance. Wrenches that do not slip or bend under extreme force, even when using the open end. Hammers that hit hard yet do not punish your hand. Pliers that can pick up the a penny by its face (its how the salesman demo when he sells you pliers). Its just that much better. 


6 Snap On tools you need to have:
Flank drive wrenches-  Metric or imperial it doesn't matter. The 12 point boxed ends grip better than most 6 points and the open ends have the special teeth that grip rounded bolts or nuts. You use wrenches on pretty much every job. Flank drive wrenches assure you that you won't need to buy another set for as long as you live and will get the job done right.


Needle nose pliers- buy them separately or in a plier kit. These are the pliers you will use the most. They grip everything and are a lot stronger than other pliers. Most pliers rust with age and become compromised. These don't rust, don't wear out and will even take a fair bit of abuse.


Pry bar set- Compare them against many other cheaper brand and the Snap On units don't bent. They transfer a lot more torque and will get you out of a jam when other pry bars don't cut it. Buy the ones with a stainless shot on the end, great for removing core plugs and other small items. And of course they don't break. Compare these when removing large CV shafts from some 4 wheel drive trucks. You'll see what I mean


Impact wrench- They are light, quiet and have a lot more power than other brands. They have adjustable tightening as well. Again will get you out of a jam when other impacts can't get the job done. Get a downward exhaust so it doesn't blow dust in your face. Your Welcome.


Air Hammer- The amount of hammering and vibration it creates is amazing. Adjustable power and looks great. Probably my favorite tool. I had to buy it because my old one let me down.


Bolt extractor kit- If you break a bolt it usually requires a lot of time and effort to remove and then repair the old threads. If you can get an extractor socket on the old bolt stud you will remove it cleanly. I have removed bolts and nuts on literally a 60 degree angle and the teeth are still sharp. Buy the impact kit. If you don't have this kit you could be drilling and taping for hours.


   While Snap On makes great tools, Mac also makes quality tools. Some of their tools are very comparable in quality and sometimes a lot more cost friendly. Both companies have monthly specials but I actually find the Mac specials are usually better and give a bigger discount. Mac edge, which are comparable to Flank drive for Snap On, is a very high quality brand. There are a few other high quality brands but none as prominent as Snap On and Mac. In Europe I know Wurth is very big but just does not have such a market in North America. 


   I may prefer Snap On and Mac to large degree but for most people who only casually work on their cars it is not vital. Having basic tools that are not used very often is fine. Its more important to clean and oil tools that are not used often.The real question you will need to ask yourself is when you are going to do serious work as opposed to just casual work. This means are you going to do your own brakes, suspension, exhaust. This is the point where you really will need to invest in quality tools. Plus the money you save by doing your own labour will pay for the tools. Breaking a screwdriver three or fours times over a lifetime means you could have had a Snap On or Mac. And it would not have broken leaving you stranded and needed a new tool. Just because a tool is expensive should not be the determining factor. What the tool is worth to you and how it will help you get the proper job done should

The Ultimate Automotive Blog: Product review: DEI Silicone ceramic coating

http://www.designengineering.com/category/catalog/design-engineering-inc/exhaust-wraps-accessories/ht-silicone-coating
Link to the official website

Product review: DEI Silicone ceramic coating

Doing all of my own tuning I have come across a lot of different products. Ones I like to use and some that were not so good. 1 product I have used on more than one occasion is the ceramic silicone coating from DEI. This is a product I really like for many reasons and we will get to that.

DEI is a company that makes basically specialty products for racing and tuning. From what I remember previously they had specialized in American cars but now they are becoming more universal. Companies like this are excellent because often times they carry a product that no one else does. Trying to make your tuning setup perfect is always a challenge and companies like this can make your setup very unique even if you only purchase 1 product.

I have used many other products for exhaust and heat control. This is very important when running a high performance setup and extremely important when dealing with turbo charged engines. The heat generated by turbocharging is immense and must be controlled. No exhaust treatment/paint/coating has worked as well as the DEI Hi-Temp silicone coating.

The first reason I like this product is that it is cost friendly. You can coat an entire exhaust system and can easily get 2 or 3 durable layers if not more in just 1 can. I think the last can I bought cost $14cdn at Lordco. The second reason I like this product is no primer. You prep the material you want to coat and you apply as needed. The coating will bond effectively to iron, steel or mild stainless steel and cure extremely well after being heated by the exhaust. It seems the hotter the exhaust setup you have the better it cures. Once it has cured you can literally hit the piece with a hammer and you will not chip it. It is very durable and hard yet not brittle and flexible enough to not chip from impact. You can also apply a high temperature clear coat over top to give the coating a semi gloss look as well but it must be high temperature or it will darken from excess heat. I have only ever used the aluminium colour and it gives a nice "soft touch" look.
Another reason I like this product is it will provide excellent rust proofing to your exhaust or bare metal parts. A 14 dollar can of coating can extend the life of your exhaust thus paying for itself. Plus the look of a soft touch aluminium exhaust looks a lot better than a rusted, corroded exhaust or metal part.

I applied this coating an A4 with an OEM exhaust manifold and an aftermarket stainless steel exhaust. After coating the manifold and down pipe from the turbo there was a huge difference in the volume of heat under the hood. I have seen the car many times and the coating still looks brand new. Because the coating silicone ceramic it is resistent to fluids like oil and coolant that would otherwise damage a bare ceramic coating. The product claims to keep heat in the exhaust and transfer it out the system. By coating the inside of the manifold it protects the entire unit from heat damage. As cast iron gets older it becomes hard and brittle and can then crack. By coating this manifold I do not see there being a problem from excess heat and moisture exposure that could cause rusting. Also the more layers of product you apply the more protection and heat control you have. This is sometimes not true with spray can paint as the more layers you apply the more prone to chipping they are.

Even though I have only used this product for higher performance vehicles it can be used on daily drivers. Coating exhausts and heat shields beside coolant tanks and A/C lines that can be damaged by heat exposure and time can increase the life of these parts. The less parts and labours you have to pay for over the life of the car makes your car more profitable. Plus it leaves a much nicer appearance appearance that increases value as well profitable.

 The next time you need a paint but with some function and heat protection I highly recommend this product. It is so easy to use and saves time and money. Plus with excellent durability and good looks this product is a winner

THE NEW MINI COUNTRYMAN !

I have been waiting for this car/truck/ something in between for quite a while now. By the way I know its officially an SAV. Let me say I am very excited to finally see some official photos. It is long over due that Mini has finally expanded their line up with something "different". Yes different. Not a stretched out Cooper but a raised up 4 wheel drive Mini Ute. A model that finally appeal to someone other than the current Mini owner.

All wheel drive will be the biggest selling point. Not being able to own a All drive Mini I believe really hurt the market for Mini. Canadians have made it their point to own at least All wheel drive whenever possible. There is a reason you can now buy a BMW 7 series in X drive as well as Mercedes S Class. You can even buy Jaguar and Bentley 4 wheel and all wheel drive models.

It simply does not matter if you like it for performance, safety or just piece of mind... All wheel drive SELLS. I would encourage anyone buying a new vehicle if there is a choice, get it. Its usually not an expensive upgrade an once you have it its there. Even if you live in Vancouver or Seattle and all you get is rain. Its just that much better.

Another big plus is the utility of this new model. A lot of people are quickly turned off by the fact that current Minis have a little rear seat and very little trunk space. The Clubman was really just a band-aid on a bigger issue. This model now adds needed space and utility that will bring back customers originally interested in Mini but needed something more. Honestly, everyone would like a little bit more room in their Mini. As for the third row, I do not think it will that many. More interior space is what people are really looking for in a Mini, not just more seats.

I see this Mini SAV being the perfect road trip vehicle. More utility but still the DNA of a Mini which means sporting performance and handling with good comfort and economy. Where current Mini Cooper and Cooper S appeal really to younger buyers, this appeals more to smaller urban families. Perfect for families with younger children that still want to be fashionable and not carry the image of a Mini Van or gas guzzling Sport Utility. The 2+2 layout will also be nice for small families. Like all Minis I am sure this one will have a very good crash test rating as well.

With new models also comes new colours, interiors and options. Mini has become famous for its unique colours and even the current interior is very nice and upscale. I expect the Countryman to be as good if not significantly better. Another plus is the carry over of the large panoramic sunroof from the R56 and R55 models (Coopers and Clubmans). Not only do you get a large opening but a large glass that vents as well for the rear seat occupants. Something unique to Mini.

What makes a Mini so special is of course the driving. Nothing provides more bang for the buck in performance that Minis do. Many magazines have quoted the JCW models as being hands down the best sports car at $35000cdn and I personally have not driven anything else better for that money. Special Civics and hot rodded Acuras, Toyotas and the like have all tried but if its made by BMW you know its hard to beat. I am very excited for this model. I wish the Countryman lots of luck and hope it will sell at a rapid pace. For any doubters all I can say is drive one yourself. Go to the dealer and drive it. Drive it hard. You will be impressed!

http://www.worldcarfans.com/110012024111/2011-mini-countryman-official-details-and-photos-released/lowphotos#5