Snap-on Promo Haul: What Was Worth It

Snap-on promos have a way of pulling you back on the truck. This haul started with a fillet knife giveaway and turned into a focused upgrade of sockets and pliers I’ll actually use.

What you’ll get:

• Why I chose a 1/2’ SAE shallow socket set
• Where each plier shines (and where it doesn’t)
• A threaded oil filler that solves a messy job

The socket decision that saved a second trip

I needed 15/16 for mower blades and 1-1/16 for a prop nut, but buying singles adds up. Grabbing the 13-piece 1/2’ shallow SAE set covers both jobs and future odd sizes without chasing individual sockets later. I skipped deeps and semi-deeps here—shallow gets the mower and prop work done, and it packs tighter in a tray.

Tip: If you routinely break loose mower blade bolts with an impact, match a 15/16 impact socket for removal and torque to spec with a hand socket on install.

Hose clamp pliers: right tool, less frustration

The HCP11 hose clamp pliers feel awkward until you preset the ratcheting positions. Set the width before diving into a tight bay; you’ll grab, compress, and extract without juggling slip-joints. If you’ve been using standard slip-joints, these reduce slippage and knuckle-busting.

Duck bill vs FlankJaw: choose by access and grip

The 8’ duck bill pliers (61CFG) give you reach and visibility for forming, bending, and outlet work where a wide, flat jaw is steadier than lineman-style. For general grab-and-turn, the 8’ Talon Grip FlankJaw slip-joints (HJ47ACFG) act like slip-joints but also bite hex heads across sizes. They’re not a socket replacement, but in a pinch they’ll move stubborn hardware where teeth matter more than finish.

Warning: Use proper six-point sockets on critical fasteners; reserve FlankJaw on hex for emergencies or access problems.

Precision pliers set: small cuts, cleaner results

The PLP300AG kit rounds out three precision tasks. The mini diagonal cutters make surprisingly smooth, near-flush cuts on zip ties—often cleaner and quieter than dedicated flush cutters I’ve used. The snipe/needle-nose pair gives tighter control on short grabs where longer noses flex.

Tip: For plastics and electronics, let the cutter do the work—light pressure delivers cleaner, safer cuts.

Threaded oil filler that actually seals

ASTOFGMRD08 threads into GM/Ford oil fill ports and also mates with my Mercury outboard cap. The O-ring seal means fewer spills, so topping up or refilling is calmer and cleaner. I’ll put it to work on truck oil changes next cycle.

Final take: Promos are fine if the buy-in fits real jobs. This haul checks boxes I already had on the list and adds a few smarter solves for clamps, precision cuts, and clean oil fills.