Mechanics Startup tools

[ray66v]

Snap-on has a very good marketing program intended to get young people "hooked" on the brand early. They then hope to, and often achieve total brand loyalty. Most of their tools are very good. But, most of the time, you can get a tool just as good, for less money. Sometimes you can get the exact same tool for less money.

It is very scary to see a young person spend $10k -15k, and more, ON A TOOLBOX!!! But, the system is set up to suck them in to a lifetime of debt. I worked with one guy who had a standing order with the Snap-on man, when a new tool came out, "Drop it off and put it on my bill" And it is very hard to convince some of them that they need to live within their means.

All the "Premium" brands are comparable in quality, i.e. Snap-on, Mac, Matco. and the rest Craftsman, S-K, NAPA, etc. are comparable. The latter being "good" quality start up tools. If your on a tight budget, start with those. If not, The big 3 are the way to go.

I started out 30 years ago with a lot of the cheap stuff, (I still have some of them, and they still work fine), and found after a while, certain size sockets, (the most commonly used), broke a lot. So rather than going broke replacing all my sockets with "premium," (they last much longer), I bought those particular ones in the "premium" brands and that kept me from owing the tool man more than the mortgage co.

I have to give Snap-on the edge for having the best selection. Sometimes, they had things like sockets, that were longer than shallow length, and shorter than the deep length. When I need such a socket, It was worth it. (Doesn't mean you have to pay $250 for the whole set of 9).

Its tough, when you heavily invested in one particular brand and the jobber quits, or retires, and no one replaces him. Or, you change jobs and find out there is no one servicing your brand there. Sometimes it is a crap shoot.

Eventually, I had my preference for brands based on my experience, and my co-workers experiences, the service and personality of the salesman, and the service of the company. And, as I made more money, I invested in "better" tools. Then, I often moved my old tools home, for weekend projects. Now, I own more tools than anyone, (yes, even Norm Abrams), and by being frugal, they are all paid for.

Bottom line, invest in tools wisely.

 

[billbill1]

If he isn't good at taking care of his things, top of the line stuff is very expensive to replace-misplaced tools. If thieves are present, Snap-on, Mac, and Matco will be the first tool missing, they are the easiest to -unload. Plus if he doesn't think being a mechanic suits him for the rest of his life, he has some very expensive tools to pay for. I suggest starting with cheaper tools to start out and upgrade later after he gets settled. A good toolbox ranges far and wide in price too, make sure he gets ball bearing drawers with liners and good locks but again, the top of the line boxes are spendy. They do need quality casters for ease of rolling around. One of my co-workers Snap-on box was $12,500 without any tools. It's a very high quality box but unnecessary as far as I'm concerned.

 

[john_bud]

Around here, there is a similar program at the tech school. There is also a lot of kids that drop the program and have 12k of tools sitting in a fancy box. You see them for sale in the weekly shopper for 1/2 of what the kids pay. If I didn't have a shop full of "ok" tools, I'd get some.

jb

 

[Bird]

John, my grandson, who will be 19 in June, is now accumulating some expensive tools for himself, and yep, it's possible that he'll change his mind and eventually sell those tools, but at least he pretty well knows what they're worth and what they'll sell for. For about 5 years, he's been visiting garage sales on weekends and buys brand name tools (usually Snap-On) cheap. Tthen he and his dad go to flea markets and "swap meets" and he sells those tools at a pretty nice profit. But I'm sure a number of kids lose money on their tools, but then I guess some older guys do, too.

 

[Coolnslo]

Another thing to consider is that all the tools being mentioned are available directly from the manufacturer over the internet. This may not always be the most convenient way to shop, but it's always available and you don't have to deal with a rep if you don't want to or don't have access to one.

 

[Coolnslo]

Correction to my previous post. You can't order Cornwell on the internet. You can only look at a catalog of their stuff. Should have said most tools. You can also only look at a catalog of Armstrong.

 

[Superduper]

When I attended the automotive mechanic program, I got the exact same deal. The discount that you are getting from snap on is a once in a lifetime chance for them to stock up on tools that will last forever. I still have mine and that was from 30 years ago. All I've done is expand on them. Today, I wish I could find a source for almost any kind of discount on Snap-on tools. I've used almost every kind. As far as quality goes, I would rank them in this order: Snapon, Matco, Mac, Craftsman. I have no experience with Cornwell as they aren't common around here. I am referring to hand tools. As for electronic diagnostic equipment, Mac stuff are rebadged from other manufacturers. Snap ons are of their own design and never heard anything bad about them except they are darn expensive. Mac stuff, I got a bunch of, but their quality is clearly a step below. The plating peels and their sizing is a little off (at least on the wrenches that I have). This means that while snapon wrenches are right on, the mac might be a little tight or a little loose. Their tolerances in manufacturing is defnitely looser. In the snapon catalog, almost every tools is advertised to confirm to "xyz" specs. Mac tools do not.

Combining the sentiment from several members, air tools, I buy IR. Never had a problem with those. I never felt the need to pay the premium for the higher priced snap on power tools but if you can get them at 40% off, then I would.

Craftsman tools are good for homeowner and hobby use. For every day professional use, I do not recommend them. They DO break and while their warranty is first rate, what will you do when your customer's car is on the rack and the only 1/2" socket just broke in half!? Go to sears for a replacement? All I can say is that especially with their sockets, they DO BREAK!

A final comment: If your son is the type that has a hard time committing to something, then perhaps you should start him with cheaper tools. That way if he gives up, at least you won't have wasted a ton of money.

 

[laurencen]

here in Canada Snap on has a industrial rep, he will allways sell tools at a discount, it has to be industrial not automotive else the truck guy gets upset, as for quality I got a set 25 years ago thro the local apprentice school, a student wanted a few bucks and purchased them, in all some 20K worth with a toolbox that has pnumatic tires and disc brakes, today the set is likely worth over 80K, could count the tools that broke on one hand and repalced no questions, I do not have the same brand air tools. In my shop we use Craftsman, a full set it 2K on sale every year and if you are worried about breakage get 2 sets, Armstrong also have a industrial line and prety good tools, however with the discount pricing its hard to pass up Snap on, just buy as much as you can afford because its a one time deal.