Snap-on Incorporated
10801 Corporate Drive
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 53158

RE: Form 10-K Report for the Year Ended December 30, 2000

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter is written to meet the requirements of Regulation S-K calling for a
letter from a registrant's independent accountants whenever there has been a
change in accounting principle or practice.

Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Snap-on
Incorporated ("Snap-on") included in its Annual Report to Shareholders,
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, describes Snap-on's change in
accounting method for determining the market-related value of plan assets for
purposes of Accounting for Pensions. The new accounting method changes the
smoothing period for investment gains and losses from five years to three years.
According to Snap-on's management, this change was made to accelerate
recognition in the financial statements of changes in the fair value of the plan
assets, and as such, record the effects of real economic events more timely.

A complete coordinated set of financial reporting standards for determining the
preferability of accounting principles among acceptable alternative principles
has not been established by the accounting profession. Thus, we cannot make an
objective determination of whether the change in accounting described in the
preceding paragraph is to a preferable method. However, we have reviewed the
pertinent factors, including those related to financial reporting, in this
particular case on a subjective basis, and our opinion stated below is based on
our determination made in this manner.

We are of the opinion that Snap-on's change in method of accounting is to an
acceptable alternative method of accounting, which, based upon the reasons
stated for the change and our discussions with management, is also preferable
under the circumstances in this particular case. In arriving at this opinion, we
have relied on the business judgment and business planning of Snap-on's
management.

Very truly yours,


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP