ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (2021)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Where to Buy Tools
    • Best Tool Kit Upgrades
    • Best Extension Cord Size
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Safety Gear
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Tool Brands in Every Category
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
    • More Buying Guides
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Editorial > Does Harbor Freight Own Snap-on Tools?

Does Harbor Freight Own Snap-on Tools?

Aug 29, 2020 Stuart 158 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Harbor Freight Store Logo

I received a curious email today, asking about any connections between Snap-on and Harbor Freight Tools.

They wrote:

Advertisement

Hello, I am an assistant to a Snap-on mobile dealer. I’ve had a few guys get on the truck in recent weeks and say “Snap-on is owned by harbor freight,” but I can’t seem to find anything about ties connecting these two companies. Can you confirm or deny this for me?

To my knowledge, NO, Snap-on is NOT in any way, shape, or form owned by Harbor Freight Tools.

Snap-on is a part of Snap-on Incorporated, which is a publicly-traded company with symbol SNA. In other words, individuals and institutions hold shares of the company in the same way as with other publicly-traded brands such as Coca Cola, Apple, Home Depot, and Stanley Black & Decker.

Harbor Freight is a privately-owned company.

I could not find any known, acknowledged, or suspected connections between the two companies.

While in theory Harbor Freight Tools could own shares in Snap-on Incorporated, that’s not what would be implied by “Snap-on is owned by Harbor Freight.”

Advertisement

This is an unsubstantiated falsity, one that’s no more true than the idea of Home Depot owning Lowe’s.

There are April Fools Day jokes on public forums every few years, about Snap-on buying parts of Harbor Freight, or Harbor Freight owning Snap-on, but none of that is true, at least not to my knowledge.

There have been lawsuits between the two companies, and Harbor Freight often “compares” their tools to Snap-on’s higher-priced offerings in marketing language.

Unless anyone can come form with concrete information, it’s safe to say that NO, Harbor Freight does NOT own Snap-on Tools.

Related posts:

COVID-19 CDC IllustrationCOVID-19 News: Relaxed Retail Policies, USA Factory Closures (5/13/20) Home Depot Lowes and EGO LogosUnderstanding the Home Depot vs. Lowe’s EGO Cordless Power Tools Partnership Swap

Sections: Editorial, News

« New Harbor Freight Hercules and Bauer Cordless Heat Guns
New Milwaukee Red Lithium USB Rechargeable Flashlights (2020) »

158 Comments

  1. Jim Felt

    Aug 29, 2020

    To badly paraphrase a rather famous cinema line “The absurdity is strong with this one”…

    Reply
    • Angelika Little

      Aug 31, 2020

      The new icon hand tools and tool boxes are Only compared to snap-on Throughout the store. With lifetime warranties on the icon name, and the quality of the tool- no absurdity found here!

      Reply
      • Timothy W Howard

        Jan 8, 2022

        Their jacks are interchangeable part for part

        Reply
      • Jesse

        Mar 5, 2022

        I’ll buy tools that help my fellow Americans feed their kids and put a roof over there heads because that’s worth paying a few extra bucks for me not to mention the better quality anyone who doesn’t understand that is a POS

        Reply
        • Shakey

          Jul 12, 2022

          Everyone has an opinion, but to phrase it the way you did is uncalled for.

          Reply
        • Ace

          Aug 2, 2022

          Lol do you own any snap-on tools?
          Doesn’t sound like they are a lot more than “a few extra bucks”

          Reply
          • Jesse B

            Sep 4, 2022

            Sure do but there not the only tools I buy I buy anything American when I can and I’ll bet you don’t own any tools that didn’t come from Walmart or harbor freight

  2. Bob Barley

    Aug 29, 2020

    There is probably some garbage meme going around on Facebook….where the guys get their ‘news’

    Reply
    • Roy

      Aug 29, 2020

      Someone told me that some tool boxes are the same as snap-on and made by the same Chinese company. Look into this for yourself

      Reply
      • Randy Loyd

        Aug 30, 2020

        Very comparable but not the same. My buddy has all snap on tools tucked away in a I believe 72″ u.s. general box. I ask him why and he says “I bought it if the snap on truck” I then asked, no it’s harbor freight brand. He chuckled and says it was traded in to snap on truck. The guy told him it that’s it’s equally as good as a snap on box

        Reply
      • Plain grainy

        Aug 30, 2020

        I posted down below about this. There’s a YouTube video comparing HF to Snap on’s Blue Point tool carts. Both were quite similar., but not exactly the same. Both were made in China. The SO Blue Point Cart was $6-700 higher.

        Reply
      • Mike Green

        Aug 30, 2020

        All Snap-on tool boxes are made in Algona Iowa in a Snap-on facility

        Reply
        • Monty

          Aug 30, 2020

          Not true. I’ve seen several of their boxes made in Canada.

          Reply
          • Peter

            Feb 2, 2022

            In the past you are correct, all current Snap On boxes are made in Iowa

        • Plain grainy

          Aug 31, 2020

          This tool cart was from Snap on’s lower tier tool line(Blue Point). Their regular main tool line boxes are probably not in China.

          Reply
      • Scott

        Aug 30, 2020

        Snap-on Roll Cabs are made in Algona Iowa. USA!

        Reply
      • NEH

        Jan 30, 2021

        Snap-on boxes are made in Algona, Iowa. Look it up

        Reply
      • Dean

        Jan 21, 2022

        “Someone told me”, wow, what a reliable source. Snap on Boxes are made in Iowa.

        Reply
      • ross

        Mar 5, 2022

        SNAPON tool boxes are not made in China. They are made in a little town called Algona, Iowa with American steel.

        Reply
        • Mr.D

          Oct 20, 2022

          I doubt them tool boxes from strap-on are made with American steel, I bet if we dug hard enough we’ll find that we get the steel from China.. it’s cheaper steel but it’s still steel.. I hope I’m wrong. I wonder how many things American made are sold in China?

          Reply
      • Mark Seamans

        Mar 8, 2022

        Tool Storage in Manufactured in Algona, IA. Look it up internet wizzards.

        Reply
      • Richard Hall

        Aug 9, 2022

        Snap on boxes made in Algona Iowa by American workers with American steel I’ve been in the diesel and gasoline mechanic world since 1971 shade tree I was lol fir a bit buffalo wrenches made my bread and butter fir starters couldn’t break one not even with a long cheater pipe lol but over the years I found out what you pay is what you get. But hey everyone to it’s own my happiest day was my dad bought me a creeper and a sheet of plywood to roll around on under my shade tree I was in seventh heaven thanks dad he was my hero and mentor why all the wrenches we only have 2 hands maybe less sum fingers lol wtf happy wrenching folks.

        Reply
      • Keith

        Mar 2, 2023

        You are correct. Our Snap On Branded roll cabs and any of their add on boxes (ie tops, lockers and side cabs) are also made in Algona. The blue point roll carts are made in China but I can tell you that ours are made of thicker gauge Steel and are welded together versus “US General” carts from Chinese Freight (oops!) I mean Harbor Freight. Ive taken several of them in on trade and they are made of of soda cans. I like to point out that we should buy American and support not only our way of life but our fellow mans’s. I love people who talk big about America but then will but the cheapest poor quality chinese stuf they can get their hands on

        Reply
        • Erica

          1 day ago

          This whole conversation is a l9ad of bullocks. I’ll lay a pound to a pinch of pigskin that the steel used in Iowa is from India, China, or somewhere else in Asia. I used to work for a steel distributor and pretty much the only American made steel is used in Federal Military Contracts that must come with The Made In America Act. Let’s take the most famous brand of American Motorcycle…American Made right? Wrong . Harley Davidson sources its exhaust systems from China, the Electrics are from Japan, The suspension is from JPan, Not sure where the tins are from but probably made abroad. The motor and Transmission are cast in the US but the complete American Made Bike is about 40% foreign made. The small Harleys, 500 and 750 are both made in India. Highly unlikely that any part of those machines are made in the US ,and shipped to India for final assembly. Get over your rah rah rah made in America self, the global economy is just that.

          Reply
    • LC

      Aug 29, 2020

      There was a survey of sorts, conducted; in Nov 2016 I understand, that showed, that there are a lot of people ready to believe almost anything. The more outrageous and unlikely the better. We’re doomed.

      Reply
      • Wayne R.

        Aug 30, 2020

        Well said.

        Reply
        • Roger Peard

          Dec 20, 2021

          Snao on produces tools and equipment at plants all over the world.

          Reply
      • Matt J.

        Aug 31, 2020

        I can believe that. Waiiiiiittttt a minute……

        Reply
        • Andy Hong

          Aug 31, 2020

          ?

          Reply
  3. Frank D

    Aug 29, 2020

    Shocking that people actually believe urban myth like stuff.

    Reply
    • Dom

      Aug 29, 2020

      I believe the questions arise from the new icon line looking almost identical to snap on sockets. Compare the deep sockets next to each other and everything from the plastic molded case is almost identical, however the snap on sockets are marked with a USA stamp next to the item number and the icon are not as they are made over seas.

      Reply
  4. Plain grainy

    Aug 29, 2020

    Could be HF is a major stockholder.

    Reply
    • fred

      Aug 30, 2020

      SnapOn is a publicly traded corporation. They regularly publish who their major stockholders are. Eric Smidt ( the owner of Harbor Freight) is not among them (mostly institutional investors – with Vanguard leading the group)

      Reply
  5. Robert

    Aug 29, 2020

    Duh. The illuminati own everything so…

    Reply
    • Mr. Illuminati

      Aug 30, 2020

      No I don’t ?

      Reply
  6. Plain grainy

    Aug 29, 2020

    As far as HF targeting Snap On in ads. I think HF is focused on DIY customers. HF knows their attack ads won’t affect Snap Ons business oriented customers at all.

    Reply
    • So Cal Man

      Aug 30, 2020

      Interesting! I have been a Snap-On customer since 95′. Needed some stubby’s an sockets in SAE and went with ICON. Is it affecting Snap-On? I believe so, at least to the to the tune of about $700 on this transaction. These other companies are chipping away at the market S-O once dominated. The issue for S-O is that foreign companies now have equivalent manufacturing capacities and hand tool technology is not some big secret. Snappy better come up with a good a good strategy because us older tech’s are being replaced by a generation with more options.

      Reply
    • Astrobuf

      Aug 30, 2020

      HF’s low end lines are poor quality,but their newer high end products are quite good. My favorite pro mechanic Eric O at South Main Auto uses some of the better HF tools: Earthquake impacts and a few others.

      Personally, I am a semi pro. I can and do pretty much anything from oil changes to engine and tranny rebuilds. I recently replaced a dead torque wrench with an Icon clicker. Very happy.

      Reply
  7. Toolfreak

    Aug 29, 2020

    The justification I’ve heard is mainly from those who think HF’s ratchets, particularly the soft handles, and some other tools have the same appearance as SO, therefore they are actually the same ratchets, from the same company, and so HF is just selling the same tools at a higher price to those other people with the SO branding. I’ve also heard the same about HF tools really being Matco/Gearwrench/Danaher/APEX/etc. and the power tools really being made by Dewalt/Milwaukee/etc.

    Thing is, these people have never held both tools in their hands side-by-side, or maybe never even held another ratchet at all, and seen for themselves that the SO/GW ratchets are much more compact. They only look similar in images where the size difference isn’t apparent, not to mention the difference in metallurgy and internal mechanisms.

    I’d guess this is just some kind of reverse tool snobbery of certain people who shop at HF who do mental gymnastics to make themselves feel superior to buyers of more expensive tools , i.e. ‘I’m smarter because I’m getting the same tools at a lower price.’, rather than a more reasonable ‘I’m getting tools that do the job and have a lower price because that works for me.’

    Reply
    • Charlie D

      Aug 29, 2020

      Just like dog/cat food brands, you’d be surprised what is made where with just different branding.

      Reply
    • CJ

      Aug 29, 2020

      I think you hit it right on the head if you heald the 2 brands in your hand and used them you would immediately throw one away! I think it’s just ignorant.

      Reply
      • Peter S.

        Aug 30, 2020

        Hey CJ, I’ve owned snap on all my life , have a very successful Bus & Truck facility with three locations in N.Y. with over 80 employees, and I my self still turn wrenches, I can tell you for sure that harbor freight tools of today are just as good as Snap-on, wrenches, sockets, ratchets, pliers, toolboxes, service equipment, welders, ECT, I have all different tools in my three shops and I can tell you that the harbor freight does just as well, that a fact. Also if you knew anything about the tools , Snap – On for years just put there name on everyone’s tools except for ratchets, sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers. So don’t be so proud to think your snap on is so great, there not, today there are many good tool manufacturers, wake up smell the coffee save your money

        Reply
  8. Mike (the other one)

    Aug 29, 2020

    LOL. HF and Snap-On are in two different universes.

    I could see how a ‘Snap-on is owned by Williams’ rumor could go around, but come on.

    Reply
    • Mark Georgeff

      Aug 29, 2020

      Williams and blue point are divisions of snap on..

      Reply
      • Freddy

        Aug 30, 2020

        I was wondering how long it would take someone to put Snap On and Williams in the same sentence. It’s like saying Hank 3 sounds like his grandpa — Bullshit.

        Reply
      • fred

        Aug 30, 2020

        J H Williams was acquired by SnapOn in 1993

        Reply
        • Mike Green

          Aug 30, 2020

          incorrect. SNAP-ON Owns Blue Point/Williams.

          Reply
      • Mike (the other one)

        Aug 30, 2020

        I know, that’s why I said it would be believable that Williams would own Snap-on.

        Reply
    • B Paul

      Aug 30, 2020

      You have that backwards, Williams is a Snap On industrial brand

      Reply
      • Mike (the other one)

        Aug 30, 2020

        Yes, that’s common knowledge. I’m saying the rumor that circulates is backwards.

        Reply
    • Joel Quinn

      Aug 31, 2020

      So anyone wanna talk about Par X? Ever hear of them? I was a mechanic from 88 to 98. Started with Craftsman then bought my first set of screwdrivers f Snap-on. I still droll over my tools especially the 749 fine tooth ratchet. Anyway ya cant beat Snap-on for quality and i believe that till this day…… So, Par X was around many moons ago and was Snap-on. Snap-on….mmm i love saying it, Snap-on, thinking it, Snap-on, typing it, Snap-on….snaponsnapon….oh sorry. Glock….i better go. Later

      Reply
      • Billy Teague

        Sep 1, 2020

        I’ve been a super heavy mechanic for 30 years and snap off is without doubt the easiest to break piece of crap. But that’s how bad their quality is now, but if you go back to anything pre 75 it’s the highest quality but we’re not in 75 little buddy so you go play with your shiny turds and I will keep using anything but snap off, oh yeah I like the sound of that snap off, snap off, snapthatshitoff.
        Good day

        Reply
  9. Pete

    Aug 29, 2020

    Their icon line is lifetime but no way compared to snap on or matco tools. Hf is good to start off with and work your way to real Tools that don’t break.

    Reply
    • James

      Aug 30, 2020

      Doesn’t matter what tools you have, use them and they will eventually break. Just have to make more return trips to exchange the tools at HF as they aren’t delivered from a truck.

      Reply
      • fred

        Aug 30, 2020

        Therein lies some of the appeal of the SnapOn sales strategy:
        Sell tools that have a reputation and history for being premium products.
        Bring the tools (and the sales pitch) right to the workplace – mostly via small business franchisee tool truck operators.
        Provide a lifetime warranty and then bring replacements for any tools having issues to the workplace.
        Provide revolving credit plans – that help promote sales.

        Reply
        • JEROME E. McHugh

          Jan 16, 2022

          I believe that the “Credit plan” is the key to the success of all “tool truck” sales.
          Think of all the fresh from trade school guys that on their first job have a 6-foot box and $4-6 thousand in tools. The trade schools should build that into the cost of tuition. Then you leave the school with the proper tools between your ears and the proper tools in your hands.

          Reply
    • chad w

      Aug 30, 2020

      Snap on tools just as often as any other tools. Dont be a fool.

      Reply
      • chad w

        Aug 30, 2020

        Oops- *snap on tools break just as often

        Reply
    • Ola Crawford

      Aug 30, 2020

      I’ve got a drawer full of snap-on broken stuff . Everything fails ..
      Depends on how you use it .
      Have good ones and bad ones . Have made in Taiwan 1/2″ drive rachet I’ve put 5′ pipe on for leverage and 100’s of times and still works fine . 15 years later .
      The only thing I go to snap-on for anymore is specialized equipment.
      Scanners and the odd specialty tool .
      It’s all In How you use them .

      Reply
  10. Gordon

    Aug 29, 2020

    About 10 years ago I had an argument with a bartender about whether or not the local craft breweries were owned by Labatt. He was adamant that they used small corporations to hide the transfer of money so no one would get upset about them not being craft. Problem is, I knew many of the owners that supposedly took these payouts and pretended to run the brewery. Not a single one of them, let alone the half dozen or so, would have been able to keep their mouth shut about it.

    Big news like this doesn’t get hushed up.

    Eric Schmidt (Owner of HF) is worth between $3-5 billion. Snap-on’s market cap is around $8 billion. That’s too big of a difference to hide.

    Reply
    • Patrick

      Aug 29, 2020

      Eric Smidt owns Harbor Freight. Eric Schmidt is the former CEO of Google.

      Reply
      • Bob Barley

        Aug 29, 2020

        That is a different Eric Schmidt…The ceo and son of the guy who started Harbor Freight – Eric Schmidt has nothing to do with Google…This is precisely how information like the topic gets spread around people posting garbage without doing 5 minutes of fact checking.

        Reply
        • Patrick

          Aug 29, 2020

          Fact checking you say?

          https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Smidt

          “Eric L. Smidt is an American businessman. He is Chairman and CEO of Harbor Freight Tools”

          And from the Harbor Freight about us page, https://www.harborfreight.com/about-us

          “Eric Smidt,
          Owner and Founder
          Harbor Freight Tools”

          Smidt != Schmidt.

          Reply
      • Gordon

        Aug 30, 2020

        You’re right, That was an auto-correct mistake.

        Reply
  11. Tracy

    Aug 29, 2020

    As someone who use to build the tools for Snap-On, the union destroyed the company. Where I made the tools, nothing is left except the parking lot. The Union ran the company and no one would get fired. I use to watch employees in the polish department throw tools out the door because they didn’t want to work them.
    As I use to run tools for them, the that steel was from China and pitted so bad that I had to grind the stamping off and get them re-stamped. Harbor Freight in most of thier tools are as good as Snap-on and the steel comes from the same place. China. Why do you pay so much for Snap-on tools? Because they are totally mismanaged. You are paying for a Union not a tool.

    Reply
    • Shane

      Aug 30, 2020

      Which manufacturing plant did you work at for Snap on?

      Reply
    • craigl

      Aug 30, 2020

      Unions are the worst! Corporate executives are the real heroes.

      Reply
    • Plain grainy

      Aug 31, 2020

      Well I worked my entire career in a unionized company. My company flourished and made great lives for their working family’s. I think there was more at play at your factory’s troubles. My guess would be astronomical business & property tax rates. And environmental laws that your company couldn’t afford to comply with. Most of the bad mouthing about the union at my plant, usually came from workers the union bailed out. They were forced by management & union officials to enter drug programs, or other rehab. Then spent the rest of their working life berating the union for not getting them off completely free.

      Reply
  12. Plain grainy

    Aug 29, 2020

    As of 2016 snap on had total assets of $4.7 billion. Total assets of 2.6 billion.

    Reply
    • Brando

      May 18, 2022

      Lol money can’t buy the kind of entertainment with these comments. When I was young, dumb and broke, the Snap-on, Mac etc guys got my business because I could make payments. 30 years later I now know I’ll lose or have stolen any tools so I buy HF. Sure there are always going to be specialty tools you want to use from a certain company. Brand names don’t mean what they used to to now. Look at the Craftsman name. Buy what works for you but don’t kid yourself that paying more equals a better product. If it’s American made of course it’s going to be more expensive. That may mean it’s better or maybe not. Doh! If China disappeared tomorrow Americans would be shocked at all the “American” brands that suddenly disappeared. Lol.

      Reply
  13. Plain grainy

    Aug 29, 2020

    Total assets $4.7 billion. Total equity of 2.6 billion for snap on as of 2016.

    Reply
  14. Plain grainy

    Aug 29, 2020

    Snap on also distributes lower quality tools. Called Blue point brand. Perhaps this line is intermingled with some of HF tools.

    Reply
  15. Steve

    Aug 29, 2020

    This started on that one garage forum I’m sure many of you are familiar with, it was an April Fool’s thread, “Harbor Freight buys Snap-on” a few years back. Since then it keeps coming up again and again. I saw it mentioned last week on a Dewalt owners FB group I’m in, complete with link. Whoever started it got more mileage from his April Fool’s joke than he could have ever imagined.

    Reply
  16. Kevin

    Aug 29, 2020

    Well HF would be wise to own some stock in their portfolio. After all, SO tools have a 600% mark up by the time it reaches their consumers hands!! Think about that the next time you browse their trucks!!

    Reply
    • Jim Felt

      Aug 30, 2020

      Really? Any actual documentation? Or just your opinion?

      After all everything single resale object has a “markup”.

      Unless, of course, it’s stolen.

      Reply
  17. Plain grainy

    Aug 29, 2020

    There’s a YouTube video comparing tool carts from HF & Snap on’s Blue point. Both were similar except in price. HF cart was$200+, Blue point around $900.00. Both were made in China.

    Reply
  18. fred

    Aug 29, 2020

    Some real info instead of fake news:

    https://money.cnn.com/quote/shareholders/shareholders.html?symb=SNA&subView=institutional

    Reply
    • Plain grainy

      Aug 30, 2020

      A lot of institutional buying. Perhaps a buyout or merger is in the works.

      Reply
  19. CJ

    Aug 29, 2020

    I own alot of snap on, blue point and some crude harbor freight tools. That’s the nicest thing I can say about them. No Comparison.

    Reply
  20. Clayton Bower

    Aug 29, 2020

    Snap on makes bluepoint and kobalt and nothing else

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Aug 29, 2020

      They don’t make Kobalt tools.

      Reply
    • B Paul

      Aug 30, 2020

      Kobalt at one time when they first started the brand were made by Williams, a Snap On industrial brand. I have a bunch! (Need ratchet repair kits I can’t find) Soon after that, the contract expired and most tool manufacturing went to China with a couple of exceptions there were some USA made wrenches sold until 5-6? years ago not sure what else.

      Reply
      • OhioHead

        Aug 30, 2020

        I own a big set of Williams made Kobalt ratchets & sockets (circa 2004-2005) from clearance, I dread the day anything breaks.

        Reply
      • Matt J.

        Aug 31, 2020

        Danaher also made sockets and wrenches for them at me point (between the Williams and Chinese phases).

        Reply
  21. Tim Johnson

    Aug 29, 2020

    Yes HF owns Snap-On especially once SO went all China. Their tools are Garbage now and they have a bunch of fanboys who likely have cataracts and can’t tell the difference between USA and May tools and China made tools. The thing that’s funny to me is how all of these commoners above me are talking about how great snap-on is when they just screw the USA just like all the rest of these so-called patriotic businesses. snap-ons been stealing people’s money for years and giving it right to the communist party isn’t that great? So harbor freight does own them they own them in that they don’t stick [beep] as far in the customers [beep] as snap-on does.

    Reply
    • Anthony

      Aug 30, 2020

      Exactly. I shop at Harbor Freight because they sell chinese stuff and at
      least pass some of the cost savings to the customer vs these “American” tool companies that have all their stuff also made in china and just keep the profits for their executive tools.

      Reply
    • Andy

      Aug 30, 2020

      I’m not sure how you say they steal people’s money and give it to the communist party. They’re a publicly traded company. Any American that wants to can invest in Snap On and take part in the profits. Business exist for the owners, not the manufacturing vendors.

      Reply
      • Jim Felt

        Aug 30, 2020

        I doubt he’s read any annual reports or corporate balance sheets lately. (Okay. If ever).

        Reply
    • Angelika Little

      Aug 31, 2020

      This is just ignorant. Harbor Freight manufactures their own tools, and treat their employees much better. It’s the new age of affordable tools. And it’s a trend

      Reply
  22. NoahG

    Aug 29, 2020

    This is the same nonsense as “Dewalt makes power tools to different standards depending on if they’re sold at a big box stores or a trades dealer, even if the part number is the same”

    Reply
    • Jim Felt

      Aug 30, 2020

      We live in “the age of opinions over facts”…

      And obviously it’s reinforced hourly from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Sad and tragic.

      Reply
    • Gordon

      Aug 30, 2020

      I think that comes from some companies that actually do make exclusive items. Kohler for instance has certain models that are only sold at HD or Lowe’s, and some you can only get through their showroom. People claim that they are made to a different standard, but I don’t see a lot of proof of that. The expensive, and noticeable part, like the ceramic valve in a faucet is a generic part used in many different faucets. It would probably cost Kohler more money to make different versions than they would save. Not to mention all the tracking that would have to happen to make sure that 2 parts with the same part number go to the correct location. Most likely someone heard that you can only by the cheap products at HD or Lowe’s and they twisted that.

      Reply
  23. Justice

    Aug 29, 2020

    I know that snap on and harbor frights beans Pittsburgh share the same warehouse as I worked at a Harbor Freight store and that’s what I was told by my store manager.

    Reply
  24. Anthony

    Aug 29, 2020

    I am a Snap On Employee and he’ll no that’s a big negative in no way shape or form are we affiliated with Harbor Freight!

    Reply
  25. skfarmer

    Aug 30, 2020

    wow…………..

    i am surprised toolguyd even touched this subject. you had to know this would bring out all the wackadoodles and………………..it did.

    Reply
  26. Mark

    Aug 30, 2020

    I was told by a HF employee that HF hired a Snap-On engineer and that’s the reason for the similarities in tools.

    Reply
  27. Santa Claus

    Aug 30, 2020

    Lately, I have bought some Harbor Freight hand tools. When I put them in my tool boxes next to the Snap-On, Craftsman, and Mac tools that I have, I don’t see much difference. Plus, they all come with a lifetime guarantee just like the majors. I haven’t broken any yet. They seem well made. They are certainly not like the Harbor Freight tools from years ago.

    Reply
  28. MichaelT

    Aug 30, 2020

    This is better than the Sunday paper comic strips

    Reply
    • Jim Felt

      Aug 30, 2020

      “Better” or just more absurd?

      Reply
    • Johnpaul

      Aug 30, 2020

      I earn money. I put money in the bank. I buy things. When I save money at Harbor Freight I keep more money in the bank to buy things. I am buying a Lamborghini soon. My Harbor Freight tools are guaranteed for life. Snapon tools are both tools and status items. Instead of paying three times the price for the status of Snapon I would rather have tools that function only as tools with absolutely zero status and put the money I save into the ultimate status of a Lamborghini. Everyone has their own values. One guy might have fortythousand dollars worth of Snapon tools and rent a trailer and drive a Pinto. I would rather gladly buy the low status tool and have enough money in the bank to buy a Cessna or a ChrisCraft. jus’ sayin’…

      Reply
    • Billy Teague

      Aug 31, 2020

      Sadly it’s not funny when the harbor freight tools are of much higher quality than snap-off but yet the price of snap-off is scandalous.

      Reply
  29. John

    Aug 30, 2020

    We Americans are just stupid.

    Reply
    • Rcward

      Aug 30, 2020

      That is for sure dude

      Reply
    • Plain grainy

      Aug 30, 2020

      Many great inventors have endured many verbal beatings over their work. Stupid, a kook, nuts, just a few of the adjectives used. These inventors have greatly benefited society. We are lucky that not everyone thinks the same way. It has lead to many breakthroughs in history. I think the man who developed the cat scan or MRI endured a lot of negativity on his idea.

      Reply
      • fred

        Aug 30, 2020

        Actually -you may only be partly correct. The fellow that I had for quantum mechanics – won the Nobel prize for measuring and describing nuclear magnetic resonance – the underlying basis for NMRI (aka MRI). That work in 1938 had to wait upon the development of practical superconducting magnets to allow the phenomenon to be used in a practical (medical imaging) way.

        Reply
        • Plain grainy

          Aug 30, 2020

          That’s contrary to my research info. I found that images were usable at the start, limiting factor was slow computers. Resulting in test results often taking over a day to process. The man was berated by the X-ray & imaging people at first. They continuously improved the machine as time went on. The magnets you mention are probably one of the major improvements in the machines ongoing development.

          Reply
          • Plain grainy

            Aug 30, 2020

            This guy shared the Nobel Prize in 1979.

        • fred

          Aug 30, 2020

          We are talking about 2 different people. Rabbi received his Nobel Prize in 1944 for his discoveries on NMR – the work having been reported on in 1938.

          Reply
          • Plain grainy

            Aug 31, 2020

            Yes i’m sorry, i misread your comment. The 1938 didn’t register with me at first.

          • Plain grainy

            Aug 31, 2020

            Rabi developed a method to measure (NM) for his Nobel Prize. Then two physicists named Purcell & Bloch improved on his method for the 1952 Nobel Prize. If not for these three men’s technology contribution, Mr Houndfield’s MRI wouldn’t have been possible. All the articles I have read on the MRI failed to mention Rabi, Purcell or Bloch. They certainly laid the foundation for Mr Hounsfield’s invention.

  30. Kevin

    Aug 30, 2020

    Harbor freight does not own snap-on but amazon did purchase harbor freight for a very high price. Hell of a profit from a business that started in a storage unit in Camarillo California

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Aug 30, 2020

      Amazon did NOT acquire Harbor Freight.

      Reply
    • fred

      Aug 30, 2020

      I see some third-party sellers on Amazon who try to resell HF items at a mark-up. That hardly qualifies as logic for saying that Amazon owns HF. When you search on Amazon for Harbor Freight (Home Depot or Lowes too) – you can get some od listings.

      BTW, the Amazon Prime vans that deliver packages in my neck of the woods are Mercedes-Benz sprinters. Applying some cuckoo logic – I might start a rumor that Amazon has bought out Mercedes – rather than saying that Amazon buys vans from Mercedes.

      Reply
      • Jim Felt

        Aug 30, 2020

        Bezos/Amazon has invested heavily in two full EV Sprinter size van companies.

        Reply
        • fred

          Aug 30, 2020

          Amazon is running TV Ads promoting their environmental policies. One talks about their plan for a zero carbon footprint – and features the EV van fleet that they have in the San Diego area. They don’t go beyond that layer of depth so you can’t tell if they charge the EV fleet batteries using renewable energy sources – or are just buying power off the SDGE grid. Anyway – tailpipe emissions should be zero.

          Reply
  31. ProAMT

    Aug 30, 2020

    “The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it is hard to verify their authenticity. For example saying, ‘Snap-On is owned by Harbor Freight’ – clearly fake news made up by some hipster Matco wanker.”

    ~ Abraham Lincoln (source: the Internet)

    Reply
  32. JR3 Home Performance

    Aug 30, 2020

    After reading some comments I have to wonder if this post just made the rumor that much more sticky. Subconscious is a powerful thing

    Reply
    • fred

      Aug 30, 2020

      Some people who half read what’s posted – may say “I read it on ToolGuyd – and I believe Stuart” – and “where there’s smoke there must be fire.” – then go on just spreading the falsehood. But others will just get a chuckle out of all of this and think about easily persuaded many of us have become.

      Reply
      • Stuart

        Aug 30, 2020

        How can one dispel a false rumor without discussion of it?

        Reply
        • fred

          Aug 30, 2020

          One can not.
          It used to be a widely held belief that if you shined a strong enough light on something that was profoundly stupid or just plain wrong that you could dispel that idea. In this era of the internet and conspiracy theories, I’m not so sure that it still works. But that does not say that we should not keep trying to quash rumors and falsehoods – and I applaud you for trying.

          Reply
  33. west_seattle_wrench

    Aug 30, 2020

    wow a lot of comments, some interesting misdirection i feel like. i think it’s pretty simple. you don’t have to be the same company to go to another and buy something from them. look at snapon stahlwille and bahco ratcheting screwdrivers. there are the same tool, just different paint, guess where it’s made? i snapon went to china and payed to have them make a million tool boxes to sell to the fanboys in the USA after they put on a snappy sticker and upcharge a few grand that kind of seems like business as normal nowadays.

    Reply
    • Gordon

      Aug 30, 2020

      Contract manufacturing is hardly the same as being owned by the same company. Snap-on has never hidden the fact that they contract out a lot of the ancillary products. The COO is disclosed for every product I’ve looked at.

      Reply
  34. Aaron

    Aug 30, 2020

    I doubt harbor freight owns SO,or vise versa,but…if you worship SO, you’re in for a rude awakening. All these “Made in USA” tools are manufactured in China,one way or another. China can make the parts and they can be assembled or polished in the USA and they can say “Made in USA” and fanboys go crazy for it. These Chinese companies get contracts on different levels that build and/or manufacture huge and I mean huge quantities of tools etc. Some companies even design them with little to no input from the contractor. They then just stamp the part with a logo of the primary contractor,owning the original piece/design they can then sell it without the logo (that they don’t own) to another company. Thus you have the “same” tool. You see this with all the major brands oftentimes even having the same color scheme. But inside they are the same. No matter what, everything you buy will have something from China…you just pay for a name.

    There’s a plethora of comparison videos testing these tools side by side and don’t act like HF is the only company to use different companies designs…they all do it. I own basically every brand of tool you can think of and use them daily,I know for a fact HF hand tools are tough..when I go to HF I get a Chinese made tool with whatever specs it claims. Because that’s what HF tells me,they have an honest business model. SO just blatantly lies and people love a sales pitch so much they eat it up and pay $600 for a $60 tool. To justify it,they have to say SO is the best,when in reality…it’s just another brand at this point.

    And for reference,don’t think because something is Chinese it’s trash, because the majority of things you own are Chinese and its about the quality of each independent manufacturer. Your phones are made in China,TV’s,a large portion of your cars electronic components,lights etc. You name it. So if you’re truely “made in the USA” you probably only own 10 tools from the 50’s in a shack on the outskirts of town.

    Reply
    • Gordon

      Aug 30, 2020

      https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-made-usa-standard

      With both US Customs and the FTC ready to jump on any misuse, I can assure you that “made in the USA” means exactly what it says.

      But if you have substantiated information to the contrary, there is an email and 1-800 number to notify the FTC.

      Reply
  35. George

    Aug 30, 2020

    I can’t believe somebody would even fix their mouths to compare Harbor Freight To Snap-On tools Snap On tools are waaaaaaaaaaaaay better and higher quality. Now HF’s Icon brand is a huge step up in quality and those are comparable but the Pittsburgh stuff is for the birds.

    Reply
    • James Fitzgerald

      Aug 22, 2021

      Myself I buy most of my tools from H F .I cant bring myself to spend that much money on tools . Im happy for you that you can. What does the car or nut or boldt know about your tools . If it gets the job done thats all that counts for me .Also when you dont need your tools anymore .There not worth shit when you try and sell them.I dont care how much you pay for them.As far as who makes them IDont care there all people .Doesnt matter the tool doesnt know. Have a nice day everyone and buy what you want!

      Reply
  36. Tim Johnson

    Aug 30, 2020

    Snap-on used to be wayyyy better, now they are almost as great as the harbor freight stuff. You just wait till HF comes out with tool trucks and it will be curtains for SO and Matvo. You want great made in USA tools, then hit up garage/estate sales and buy snap-on and craftsman stuff from the pre-china great sellout expansion. The only thing I want from China is a hot oil massage with a happy ending, that is the only thing worth importing. And I want it cheap too. The majority of the clothes, gear and other stuff is now made in China. Support legitimate made in USA stuff only and send a message to the manufacturers that you want to buy it for life and from the USA. HF should open manufacturing facilities here in the US and put pressure on the other importers. China poisoned our babies with melamine baby formula, our pets and then unleashed a pandemic on the world. China is an evil empire and we should do everything in our power to not support their regime.

    Reply
  37. Jim Felt

    Aug 30, 2020

    The de-industrialization of the US started with Wall Street’s ever increasing search for deals and subsequent profits. Main Street and Workers per se played nearly* no part in this except to ignore Congressional tax code modifications that benefited offshoring and the initial influx of Hedge Fund creation.
    *Except if they were lucky maybe IRA mutual fund growth.
    Mostly but not exclusively at the hands of the GOP.
    But to this day it’s all the Chinese or whomever overseas fault.
    Oh and the return of a more level industrial playing field decades after the end of WWII.
    And need I mention the abject lack of universal health care that keeps American workers perpetually fiscally and health wise behind the balance of the First World?

    Reply
  38. Shawn

    Aug 30, 2020

    The truth is that Wright Tools are the best and made in the USA!

    Reply
    • OhioHead

      Aug 31, 2020

      :medal post!

      Reply
  39. Bob

    Aug 30, 2020

    HF makes *some* decent hand tools. They make all their tools to a price point. They are not to the same quality level of Snap On. Sorry they just are not. HF tools are predominately made in a country that has little respect for the environment, the worker, free enterprise, human rights and the list goes on.

    When you factor in paying a living wage to US based workers manufacturing an extremely high quality product in the USA is it any wonder Snap On tools cost so much?

    Its a free country and we are all free to purchase tools from wherever we like. I however will not be purchasing any tools from countries that blantantly don’t value human life or the environment or free trade. I encourage you all to do the same if at all possible.

    To be clear I am no snap on fan boy. I think *some* of therir tools are ridiculously overpriced. Luckily we have other options. I for one am really hoping SBD-Craftsman makes good on their promise to manufacture handtools in their big Texas ( I think it’s Texas) plant they are building.

    Also wasn’t one of the largest trade agreements to destroy the US industrial base, NAFTA , endorsed and eventualy signed into law by Bill Clinton. Just saying. We can blame D’s & R’s both pretty equaly for de-industrializing our country.

    I guess we also have to blame ourselves the consumer. Most of us are just concerned about saving an extra few pennies on a purchase. Perhaps if we took a look where products are made and actually thought about the consequences of rewarding companies that will have goods manufactured in certain parts of the world we might not be in the mess we are in right now.

    And obviously Snap On is owned by the iluminatti. How else but super secret alien technology could Snap On chrome stay to shiny for so long. Hahaha

    Reply
    • Mark

      Aug 30, 2020

      NAFTA actually was slight win for the US.

      You can trace the fall of US industrialization to a number of Post WW2 factors…then Nixon. Oh…and Reagen put the nail in the coffin

      Reply
    • Mark

      Aug 30, 2020

      Oh…and NAFTA was negotiated by George Bush Sr. Google is your friend….; )

      Reply
  40. Laurence

    Aug 30, 2020

    Not even close to the truth. Snap-on boxes are built in a Snap-on factory in Algona Iowa. People will believe anything these days.

    Reply
  41. MICAH TYLER

    Aug 30, 2020

    I guess snap in got a 18v chicago electric impact driver available too.

    Reply
  42. Jerry Barnes

    Aug 31, 2020

    Harbor Freight has some great tools as long as you don’t want to use them over twice in a heavy duty application!

    Reply
    • Cjq

      Aug 31, 2020

      They have numerous tools that fall under that category.
      And they have numerous tools that are actually pretty damn good.
      The Doyle and Icon lines are pretty damn good. (I’ve heard the Herc is good but never used).
      I’d buy them everyday over SnapOn and twice on Sunday. I think snap on is so ridiculous and their quality is SEVERELY overstated. My brother, s friend and I owned a racing auto shop for about 10yrs as a side business basically to pay for our own race cars. And we broke 5-10 snapon for every craftsman/husky/kobalt.

      As s matter of fact, I have one of those cheap $20 planers from Harbor Freight. I’ve had this thing for 20 years, and it still works as good as the first day I got it

      Reply
      • Unit562

        Feb 10, 2021

        I have a palm sander from HF, the cheap of the cheap $12 sander. It’s gotten more use out of every tool I own. Still runs like the day it came out of the box.

        Reply
  43. John M

    Aug 31, 2020

    A Corporation called Dannaher Owns Snap , craftsman, Matco and a few other well named tool brands .

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Aug 31, 2020

      No they don’t.

      https://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/

      Fortive owns Matco Tools, Stanley Black & Decker owns Craftsman, Snap-on is owned by Snap-on – did you not read the article?

      Reply
      • TonyT

        Aug 31, 2020

        BTW, Fortive is a Danaher spin-off

        Reply
        • Stuart

          Aug 31, 2020

          True, but the spin-off happened in 2016.

          Reply
  44. Bob

    Aug 31, 2020

    Dang it your right. Bush 41 WAS responsible for NAFTA.

    Clinton was responsible for getting China into the World Trade Organization. This was the sell out that really put the nail in USA manufacturing.

    Sorry the nineties were a blur.

    I still maintain the illuminati owns Snap On.

    On a serious note can we as consumers kick the habit of cheap disposable goods? I fear that ship has sailed. (Pun intended)

    Reply
    • Jim Felt

      Aug 31, 2020

      Yeah. Like those pesky cheapo annual iPhone upgrades.
      I wish.

      Reply
  45. Dennis Thurman

    Aug 31, 2020

    Thank GOD it’s not related to Harbor Freight, its still one
    Of the few still made in USA.

    Reply
  46. Kat

    Aug 31, 2020

    Harbor Freight tools sucks cause I know I use to work there

    Reply
  47. Dan Battaglia

    Aug 31, 2020

    Slang terminology: To “Own” someone or something is to make them your “bitch”.
    Used in a contextual sentence: “I owned that game!” Means that the player did so well there were no equal rivals playing at the time.

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Aug 31, 2020

      Okay, but in the context here, it’s being used in a literal sense with zero suggestion of slang usage.

      Reply
      • Dan Battaglia

        Aug 31, 2020

        Correct, however do we know that when it was originally said it was in the literal or slang? It sounds to me like it was said in slang and taken literally.

        Reply
        • Stuart

          Sep 1, 2020

          What are the chances that the dealer’s assistant misinterpreted what multiple customers were saying at different times, and that all of those customers were really saying they thought Harbor Freight tools were better than Snap-on, as they were on the truck to purchase new Snap-on tools?

          Reply
  48. Tim Johnson

    Sep 1, 2020

    Snap on and Matco are going to be really biting the pillow once harbor freight gets to them with their tool trucks. You don’t think it’s going to happen? Of course it will and there’ll be nothing they can do, as these companies
    built their business model around stealing US dollars and shipping it to oversee suppliers forever. At least harbor freight doesn’t pretend not to be a prostitute. Now it’s time for them to get what’s coming to them. The same fools that buy snap on and tell me how great the quality is are the same people that buy Levi’s made in China too. I would trust something made from Canada or Mexico over China any day. You know it’s bad when you when the only thing manufactured in America anymore are America haters and traitors. You know the same vermin who are out in the streets destroying everything that hard-working people built up.

    Reply
  49. Nathan

    Sep 1, 2020

    I think a harbor freight tool truck would actually do well. I mean OK once a week they show up – even if you break your prized Icon ratchet – you get a new one. . . . .

    and 1/3 the price of Snap on. And they come to your door weekly.

    I could see that doing well even if only for the odd ball tools a person might need.

    Meanwhile I bet I know where this comes from . Occasionally one of the tool trucks that comes to our hangar has HF stuff on it. I forget which one, we get a snap on, mac and cromwell. But I could see that creating this idea.

    Reply
  50. Javier A.

    Sep 1, 2020

    I have enjoyed the HELL out of reading this comment section. One of the best ever.

    Reply
  51. Jason

    Sep 11, 2020

    Just because the tools are made in the USA doesn’t mean they they are 100% US . In saying that what I’m talking about is when they make the ingots for the steel they are taking materials from everywhere and mixing the chemicals needed to bind them and bring it up to specs and that metal is from all around the world. In my opinion if the tools aren’t made from ore that is pulled out of the ground in the US and then smelted and forged in the US then it’s not made it the US. If that’s not the case then you have made in US out of foreign materials I went through this in the oilfield, companies were trying to sell high priced iron saying that it was domestic and made in the US but in actuality it was made overseas and left unfinished ie they would leave a bur or not put the threads on the iron and ship it to the states as scrap to avoid paying the import tax and the company would then take the material they received and finish it out and call it US made. So Snap On has a manufacturing plant in the US but where does the materials they use come from. Just my observation and input.

    Reply
  52. Joshua Foster

    Dec 30, 2020

    When I applied for the harbor freight credit card they called me to ask questions and the caller ID said snap on

    Reply
  53. Unit562

    Feb 10, 2021

    Harbor freight’s New tool lines are derived from purchasing expired patents under a fine print clause that means ideas are only protected for 7 years. Hercules tools are from Makita patents. Bauer, Milwaukee. Just about every single hand automotive hand tool = snap-on. This is why there is a perceived connection IMO.

    Reply
  54. Jerry Linscheid

    Apr 25, 2021

    In My Honest Humble Opinion HF tools work as well as Craftsman, As Far as that goes they have stolen a lot of my craftsman tools but leave the HF ones alone So it’s a Win-Win For Me, Save $ Buying HF. I Haven’t Broken Any Yet either!

    Reply
  55. Jeremy i Parsons

    Dec 11, 2021

    i know Mac tool trucks are putting Mac stickers on harbor freight tools, then selling them and much higher cost,

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Jayne Defranco on Huge Ridgid 18V Cordless Power Tools Expansion in 2023: “I’d love to see them expand their old twelve-volt line I have the drill and impact And they’re perfect for…”
  • Ball_bearing on Gerber Gear Prybrid Utility Knife – Instant Regret: “Just realized, that Perry, wrote a nice description of the process, a few posts above.”
  • Ball_bearing on Gerber Gear Prybrid Utility Knife – Instant Regret: “There is a notch on the top part of the blade holder. You extend the blade, then depress the small…”
  • Nate on Makita is Really Launching a Cordless Microwave: “I agree. But there are a few edge cases. The Asian market definitely supports this. I’ve lived in Korea several…”
  • TecBrat on Gerber Gear Prybrid Utility Knife – Instant Regret: “I found one of these and like using it, but the blade is ready to be replaced. I found my…”
  • Neighbor Joe on New Channellock Locking Pliers are a Blast from the Past: “I wonder if they get shelf space at Home Depot.”

Recent Posts

  • Here are the Latest Tools Deals (3/17/23)
  • New Channellock Locking Pliers are a Blast from the Past
  • New Stanley Control-Lock Tape Measures - Compact with a Finger Brake
  • Makita is Really Launching a Cordless Microwave
  • Huge Ridgid 18V Cordless Power Tools Expansion in 2023
  • Olight Javelot Pro 2 LED Flashlight is Brighter & Longer-Lasting
  • 8 New Milwaukee Packout Workshop Storage Accessories
  • Reader Question: Can I Use Modular Tool Storage in the Workshop?
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Euro Hand Tool Brands
  • Best Tool Brands
  • Best Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Tools for New Parents
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure