Help needed.. Apprentice choosing a tool kit! Please help!

[Corky]

Hi guys,

im a first year apprentice and about to get my tool kit. I have looked at snap-on, kinchrome, sidchrome and sp. Snap-On is to expensive given my tool allowance (2800 AU) and i really dont like kinchrome, sidchrome i like buit have been told they are not as good as they used to be and can be difficult to claim on warranty. is this right? i recently looked at some SP toolkits and i must say have been more than impressed especially with the boxes. Has anyone used or know much about SP tools. all i really know is they make excellent air tools but i am unsure about their hand tools. some help would be greatly appreciated. I am also open to suggestions.. THANKS

[autoace]

Except for Snap-on, I didn't recognize the other companies you named. My advice is not to over spend on "glamour tools". Buy good tools, with a good warranty, that you can afford. Don't over extend yourself, keep your pay check, don't give 1/3 of it to a Snap-on guy every week. You didn't say where you were from? I could make some suggestions, but don't know the availability in you area.

What type of mechanic/tech. are you, it will make a difference when you select your tools, even the type of machinery you work on.:)

[Thedroid]

What field are you apprenticing in?

[Corky]

hey sorry im in diesel mechanics (heavy equipment) such as tractors, im from Brisbane Qld... also incase u guys didnt know SP does have a lifetime warranty so does that count for something?

[Thedroid]

I would try to build a basic collection of 3/4 drive impact sockets in addition to all of your basic hand tools. One thing that is nice about Snap-On is being able to pay a small amount each week or two for tools as you need them. I still wouldn't own any SO tools if it wasn't for this convenience. Tools you need are always fresh in your mind at work, not alway so on the weekend.

Ask whoever you are apprenticing with what you need to get started, then build you tool collection from there.

[voidifused]

I wish when i started gathering tools i just went on the crack truck "snap on" and got some of the nice tools to start with. I learned that cheaper is not always better, in some cases.
Plus the payment plan with snap on is a very good thing, as people have mentioned previous posts. I would get my 3/4' drive stuff and get a nice box the first time so you don't end up with something small that wont work for you i out grew mine really fast once you start putting sockets over 1 1/2' in it and the 1 1/4 plus wrenches.

I would start with the basics and get more as you do your apprenticeship so you are sure of what it is you exactly want.

Screwdrivers
Allen keys
1/2 socket set
3/8-1-1/4 wrench
3/4' impact
3/4' drive sockets 7/8'-2"
Set of adjustable wrenches
A nice sized Pipe wrench
Ball peen hammers 8oz-32oz
Dead blow 18oz
Punch and chisel set
Pry bar's
Vice grips
Flash light

[Snappy]

The only company that I recognize is Snap-on too. There are alot of used quality tools on the web and elsewhere,that won't drain your bank account. I don't buy much off the truck because it is so expensive. Beware of anything that's not marked with a country of origin. You found a good site here for info & opinions.

Best of luck with your apprenticeship :thumbup:

[Vulturej]

Try here.

http://www.toptul.com.au/

[Plombob]

I was in your situation when I was an apprentice mechanic. I found a lot of good used tools at yard sales, swap meets (boot sales in Qld?) and pawn shops. Educate yourself on the brands available in Brisbane. If you chose a quality brand, you can't go wrong with used tools. Good luck in your career!

[CAT_serviceman927]

Hi Corky, I am just about to finish up my apprenticeship/training in heavy equipment repair this May. I don't have much to add that the others haven't already covered, but I will say that if you are going through a vocational school, you may be able to even get a discount from Snap-On Industrial. I am not sure how things would work in Australia or if they even do the student discount there at all, but I would highly recommend looking into it. Good luck with you apprenticeship.

[lbgradwell]

Hi Corky,

Unfortunately, I think you will have to rely on fellow Aussies or Kiwis for meaningful opinions on the relative merits of Kinchrome & Sidchrome as those 2 brands are virtually unknown outside of Australia and NZ...

Luckily, there are a few Aussie members here who might be able to help you!

[holden26]

^^^^ What he said. Sidchrome is great u wont have a problem with it and doesn't cost anywhere near as much as snap on, Kinchrome is good but not as good as sidchrome.

I haven't used any SP tools but they look good and from what i have heard there are good.

you could also try Stanley (same company as sidchrome) or supatool (same company as kinchrome)

Bodhi

[holden26]

oh i forgot, Yea sidchrome did drop in quality a while ago but its all good now, as for warranty if you have some really old sidchrome stuff (30+ years) you will have a VERY hard time trying to claim warranty on it but for the new stuff they just ask for the receipt and they swap it over.