Tools

[will]

So I'm back in school taking some AutoTech classes (since I've decided that as my career now)
Apparently students get a good discount on Matco tools and Snap On tools, like 53-55% off sooooo, what do you use?  I'm thinkin Snap On since I can get a deal now.
-will <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':sly:'>

[240sxspeedracer1]

wow u lucky. &nbsp;Spon on are really good. &nbsp;My mech uses that brand and my friend that goes to lincoln tech recommends that brand, so take advantage of that deal.

[thewholefnshow]

He is right, snap on rocks... get snap on.

[boosteds14]

snap on is the way to go. ask them to make u an account so u can just buy the tools and give the money later. i have every tool snap offers so be careful &nbsp;because it is very addicting to keep getting more and more tools

[240 2NR]

I dunno, everyone I know who has a shop says matco is the way to go. &nbsp;Without a discount, I get my tools at sears.

[Goodbar6]

Well, i used to work at Sears as a hardware Salesman. I will always own Craftsman because of the freaking awesome waranty! If you really wanted, you could buy a wrench, take it outside, beat the piss out of it and break it (even though they are extrememly strong) and bring it back in and wed give ya a new one!
Tyler

[Broadwayblues]

I have nothing but Craftsman.... It's always high quality stuff and you can always take it back, don't need the receipt or anything!

[DuffMan]

Craftsman generally considered the "bang for the buck" tool.

Snap on stuff is expensive, but at least it will always be worth a lot even when its old. You see old snap on tools go for $$$ on ebay.

[The Punk Genius]

I use only Snap-On Tools, please don't ask to borrow them.
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Sticker on the front of my toolbox-------^

[gh6o6]

yeah my dad broke like a 20 year old hacksaw from sears, bring it in the guy hads him a new, better model and says is this ok?

[s13cruzer]

SNAP-ON ROCKS!!! if you can afford it , if you're on a budget then go for craftsmen because they both have lifetime gaurantees , which is what counts for me , i can't keep a snap-on drill in working order for more than two months at a time when using it at work

and will , i just read your sig and that is, frankly, the best thing i've ever heard , lmao

[camppain]

snap on and matco are pretty much the same quality but for someone who doesnt do everyday mechanic work craftsman is just fine. and in some cases a craftsman tool is even better. for impact's ingersald rrand is one of the best.

i prefer matco cause i dont relaly like the snap on truck salesman that comes to work everytime i ask him about a tool he says "its on sale your lucky day!"
sureeeeeee

and for power tools i use matkita impact drills flashlight and 3/8th impact those are the best imho and a any discount even close to 50% is great! hook me up with some tools! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[Yosho]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (camppain @ June 11 2002,10:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">snap on and matco are pretty much the same quality but for someone who doesnt do everyday mechanic work craftsman is just fine. and in some cases a craftsman tool is even better. for impact's ingersald rrand is one of the best.

i prefer matco cause i dont relaly like the snap on truck salesman that comes to work everytime i ask him about a tool he says "its on sale your lucky day!"
sureeeeeee

and for power tools i use matkita impact drills flashlight and 3/8th impact those are the best imho and a any discount even close to 50% is great! hook me up with some tools! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I couldn't agree with this more. &nbsp;You'll find the more you get into your career that you'll wind up having tools from every company. &nbsp;I think every mechanic askes these same questions when they're starting off... what should I buy, what brand should I pick, is this really worth it. &nbsp;

All I can suggest is that you wait as long as possible and get as much real world experience as you can before you invest thousands of dollars into tools. &nbsp;You may find that this isn't what you want to do for the rest of your life. &nbsp;Talk with the other techs you work with (especially the Master Techs who've dedicated themselves to their careers). &nbsp;See what they suggest.

For myself, when I was a tech I had a Craftsman box, various Ingersoll Rand air tools, Makita cordless impact and flashlight, and Snap-On/Macto/Mac/Craftsman hand tools. &nbsp;



1) The box doesn't make you any money. &nbsp;All it does it hold your tools. &nbsp;A nice $500 box from Sears with roller ball bearings is perfect. &nbsp;You're spending more money than you need to if you buy a Snap-On/Macto/Mac box. &nbsp;Yes, they're nicer, but again... this doesn't make you any money. &nbsp;To my mind... it's like using a Rolls Royce to deliver the news paper. &nbsp;Wish I could, but it's overkill. &nbsp;I am EXTREEMLY happy with my Professional series Craftsman box.

2) A LOT of the better air tools are really made by Ingersoll Rand. &nbsp;Snap-On, Mac, Macto all have rebadged IR's in their lineup. &nbsp;I remember another example of this cross over between brands. &nbsp;Last time I was looking for a 3/8th air ratchet I found that Snap-On's economy brand Blue Point (they sell these on the Snap-On trucks side by side their normal lineup) sold the exact same air ratchet that you could buy as a Husky Brand (Home Depot)... Except that the Blue Point had a very short warranty and the Husky had a much longer one (and was cheaper). &nbsp;My basic point here is don't think it's a superior product simply because it has XYZ brand name on it. &nbsp;One of my best friends hated his Snap-On impact gun (it wasn't a rebadged IR... it was created inhouse by Snap-On). &nbsp;On the other hand, one of the last tools I bought was a nice used Mac die grinder. &nbsp;It's really an Ingersoll Rand. &nbsp;Great tool at a great price... got it on ebay.

3) You'll wind up buying things from all the trucks. &nbsp;If you need a tool... and one of the trucks is there that day. &nbsp;You'll probably have to buy whatever brand is there. &nbsp;Snap-On wrenches tend to have a slightly better tolerance than say... a craftsman. &nbsp;In the real world though, this means very little. &nbsp;Really it's all about feel. &nbsp;Both have lifetime replacement. &nbsp;Snap-on's are more enjoyable to use... they feel nicer. &nbsp;Both will turn a bolt though. &nbsp;Don't think you need Snap-On/Matco/Mac wrenches/sockets to do your job. &nbsp;The only exception to this I see are the newer ratcheting wrenches. &nbsp;The Gear Wrenches (the original "Gear Wrench" brand are the ones I have experience with) are very nice to use and do hold up to professional use. &nbsp;They offer a the ratcheting ability over a standard wrench and can make short work of something that would take me much longer with a normal wrench (such as my Craftsman or Snap-On set).

4) Buying off the trucks is a lot like buying a new car. &nbsp;As soon as you take that tool off the truck it instantly looses value. &nbsp;If you want to know how much a tool is really worth... look on the open market (like ebay). &nbsp;I've gotten a LOT of good tools from there. &nbsp;Like anything though, just know what you're buying first.

5) Ok, I'm gonna make all of those "in the know" mad now. &nbsp;Tech's like camppain... I'm sorry. &nbsp;<eg> &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>
One of the best places to find tools is at....... PAWN SHOPS. &nbsp;It's like digging for gold. &nbsp;That's right.... "Hey look... it's a broken Snap-On socket!" &nbsp;Now, most of you will only see a useless broken tool at first... but.... if you take the time to track down a truck (just go to any shop and ask what day/time that truck comes by) you can get it replaced! &nbsp;That's right, that's now a "new" snap-on socket for $2. &nbsp;Remember... free lifetime replacement. &nbsp;Works on all popular brands.


If you have any other questions... just ask. &nbsp;Seems like there are a lot of experienced people here who can help.

[Yosho]

Hey camppain, what IS it with those Snap-on guys. &nbsp;damn they push too hard... great tools and all but the sales guys don't know when to stop.

[camppain]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Yosho @ June 12 2002,3:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hey camppain, what IS it with those Snap-on guys. damn they push too hard... great tools and all but the sales guys don't know when to stop.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
ohh and another good thing to invest in is gloves! gloves gloves! i like the diamond grip brand they last pretty long have grip on them and are durable but pricey. you ever used those yosho?

well dont worry i know there are cheaper places to buy tools esp with the net now and home depot always has better prices on matkitas and IR air tools. and like yosho said the snap on and matco tools are basically ir's rebadged.

buying from the truck is better esp when you can pay on credit since you dont have money or other funds for home depot or online places plus its convientent.

the matco gear wrenches are a lil better than the gearwrenchs i have (the originals) the matcos are adj for loosen or tighten by the flick of the switch like a ratchet. and their a little bit longer whihc gives a better feeling.

yes the snap on guys always hound you esp when you have your lil start out craftsman 100 buck box. "hey you ready for a brand new 7 grand box?!" uhh no thanks sir

and i must say blue point is pretty shitty i have one of thier air chisels and the bits suck ass

[SR20Fastback]

Anyone got a good list of tools to start off with? Im also start autotech next fall. Ive got some really really basic shit like : Snap On 1/4 in socket set, Snap On screwdrivers, Snap On Compression Gauge Set (very badass), Snap On Test light, Snap On Pick set, and some craftsman wrenchs (fairly small set) and a few other things every here and there. Any suggestions are appreciated.Thanks

[Yosho]

Yeah... you'll probably go through gloves a lot. &nbsp;I know I do. &nbsp;Some people don't like them, but I prefer to keep my hands clean and chemical free whenever possible. &nbsp;Camppain's right, the Diamond Cut ones are great! &nbsp;I also liked the free ones my dealership provided from NAPA. &nbsp;They're cheap and don't last long... but hey, they were free. &nbsp;=)


You'll also want to get:

3/4 and 1/2 drive sockets (metric if you plan on working on imports). &nbsp;Ebay? &nbsp;Craftsman? &nbsp;

A 1/2in Impact Gun (I really like my light weight composit IR). &nbsp;I'd probably buy this new as I see a lot of Impact Guns that haven't been taken care of and really beaten on. &nbsp;19mm and 21mm impact sockets at the very least. &nbsp;Blue Point sells a very long 21mm that you have to special order... I'd recommend this if you'll be working with Pathfinders. &nbsp;I can get you the part number if your interested.

A set of Metric Wrenches... perhaps a gear style wrench? &nbsp;I'd pick these up used for a good price on ebay. &nbsp;

A nice box from Sears with roller bearings ($300-500)

A good oil filter wrench (the socket 3 prong style work best IMO but you'll want more than 1 style). &nbsp;You can get these at Discount Autoparts, ect.

A good adjustable wrench.... I really like my Popular Mechanics. &nbsp;

I have all sorts of plyers in my box. &nbsp;It's a good idea to start off with a few and then buy more based on what you need. &nbsp;I have a very small (and nice) set that I got at Walmarts for like $7. &nbsp;I used this a lot for small items. &nbsp;I have a nice Stanley plyer for general purpose ($10?). &nbsp; &nbsp;A nice Kinepex cutter. &nbsp;Some Snap-On hose clamps. &nbsp;A few more assorted adjustable wrenches and a few more plyers. &nbsp;5 or 6 vise-grips.
Like I said, start off with a basic plyer and buy more based on what you need.

You'll want a hood prop of some sort... gas struts suck when they get old. &nbsp;You can use a vise grip or special strut stops to lock the gas strut open... or you can get a long prop of some sort to prop the hood.

You'll want to get a $2 oil pan so you don't get your floor dirty when you change the oil filter on a car with it mounted high up on the block (where it's only accessable from the top like on old Maximas.)

You'll want something to take off underbody panels... I just used by Craftsman cordless screw driver with a 3/8th drive socket on the end of it. &nbsp;(They sell a $4 bit adapter for driver/drills at Sears) &nbsp;If you do a lot of this, you may want to step up to using a Cordless Impact gun or a Cordless Drill (I'd recommend the Makita system).

I could go on and on... but that list should give you plenty to start with. &nbsp;By the time you buy all that you'll know what else you need. &nbsp;Are you working at a shop/dealership yet?

[SR20Fastback]

Nah not workin at a dealer or shop yet, but plan on it as soon as I can. I'll start pricing some of that out. Gotta figure out what Im gonna be spending. That sounds like a lot, but hey at least life time guarentee, and if this isnt my way to go, ebay will be my new best friend. Thanks for the list again.



Allan

[Yosho]

Set yourself a budget and then work with that. &nbsp;If it's $200 or $2000 there's always going to be something more you can buy... =)

I think about $500 for tools is a good start... and then whatever box you want. &nbsp;You should be able to have a nice starter setup for under 1k. &nbsp;An Impact gun will probably be your most expensive hand tool. &nbsp;

Oh, I forgot, about electical. &nbsp;You'll also want to buy a test light... and eventually down the road a multi meter (Fluke are the best but any quality one will work).

[SR20Fastback]

alright sounds good. oh haha way ahead of ya already got the test light <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>