OP
RAT_ADDICT
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It's great, the only gripe I have is that the wide drawer only has 1 slider
there's cutouts to install a second slider so that will be my project over the slow season lol
Tool Truck Customer Service is doodoo
- Thread starter RAT_ADDICT
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there's cutouts to install a second slider so that will be my project over the slow season lol
OP
RAT_ADDICT
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I decided to put an order in for 3/8 flex head and shallow metric socket set. These are my most used tools right now. Prices for Gray were close to Gearwrench prices on Amazon... PLUS I get 30% off for the next 2 years as an apprentice!
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
You may have to consider Snap-on, MAC, and MATCO as "tool-truck-less" tools in Your neighborhood.
I don't picture any voids that can't be filled by using Your local auto supply stores and internet sources. Also Good to hear about that 30% discount. Enjoy the tools and the task of selecting them.
I don't picture any voids that can't be filled by using Your local auto supply stores and internet sources. Also Good to hear about that 30% discount. Enjoy the tools and the task of selecting them.
richfinn
Well-known member
Look on the bright side, you came here looking for a way to pay over the odds for Tool Truck products and have discovered a whole bunch of better value (sometimes better) equivalents 
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Tool trucks are only as good as the franchisee/driver. If you don't have a reliable one might not make sense to buy their tools.
So negative. Answers are so negative.
I called the 1 800 number and said I wanted a rep. They asked if I was a pro and why 1 800 customer service wasn’t good enough. If I said I wanted to warranty or buy tools, they said they could do both right now over the phone. I wanted deals, flyers, access to second hand scanners, and a proper rep. They said ok, and gave me the name of the person who serves my region.
That guy was always happy to see me even tho I warrantied more than I bought. I’d meet up with him at the local ford dealer. He also did inventory Saturday mornings at the yard where he kept his trucks (he had 2).
Just like any of us would for any business we deal with, I was respectful of the rep’s time. The truck is not a shopping mall to browse in for 3/4 of an hour.
Here’s the point. Snap, and Mac at least make tools and they want to sell them to you. Weird that it takes some effort to do that. Their distribution model works for 90+% of their customers and they aren’t going to change it for the likes of me. Here’s what I would do: Call the 1 800 numbers again, tell them what’s going on, be polite & ask what they recommend. I’m sure they will work something out with you.
If I was CS for any of these companies and someone called from a remote-ish area, I’d tell them to order whatever they were interested in and return what they didn’t want. I’d cover return postage if it were my company. I think that’s a real possibility for you. If you are interested in truck tools, stick with it.
Last, for anyone else interested in truck tools, I advise thinking long and hard about the value of buying new vs ebaying second hand tools. Ratchets or any tools with serviceable parts, rebuild kits etc, are particularly good deals second hand in my opinion. Another option is buying a set second hand that’s missing members (for cheap), or replacing the most used members with brand new. Several members are reporting no problems with their tools, nothing is breaking, which begs the question, what’s the value of a warranty you don’t use or need?
I called the 1 800 number and said I wanted a rep. They asked if I was a pro and why 1 800 customer service wasn’t good enough. If I said I wanted to warranty or buy tools, they said they could do both right now over the phone. I wanted deals, flyers, access to second hand scanners, and a proper rep. They said ok, and gave me the name of the person who serves my region.
That guy was always happy to see me even tho I warrantied more than I bought. I’d meet up with him at the local ford dealer. He also did inventory Saturday mornings at the yard where he kept his trucks (he had 2).
Just like any of us would for any business we deal with, I was respectful of the rep’s time. The truck is not a shopping mall to browse in for 3/4 of an hour.
Here’s the point. Snap, and Mac at least make tools and they want to sell them to you. Weird that it takes some effort to do that. Their distribution model works for 90+% of their customers and they aren’t going to change it for the likes of me. Here’s what I would do: Call the 1 800 numbers again, tell them what’s going on, be polite & ask what they recommend. I’m sure they will work something out with you.
If I was CS for any of these companies and someone called from a remote-ish area, I’d tell them to order whatever they were interested in and return what they didn’t want. I’d cover return postage if it were my company. I think that’s a real possibility for you. If you are interested in truck tools, stick with it.
Last, for anyone else interested in truck tools, I advise thinking long and hard about the value of buying new vs ebaying second hand tools. Ratchets or any tools with serviceable parts, rebuild kits etc, are particularly good deals second hand in my opinion. Another option is buying a set second hand that’s missing members (for cheap), or replacing the most used members with brand new. Several members are reporting no problems with their tools, nothing is breaking, which begs the question, what’s the value of a warranty you don’t use or need?
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
OP is an apprentice tech so the main benefit would be the truck stops at his shop weekly (and interest free weekly payments).
Dealing with a 1800 # as a pro is not ideal. If he's paying the premium price he should expect the premium service. I get it if a tool truck used to service your shop and they shut down, now you must deal with the 1800 # or wait for a new driver to take the route.
Dealing with a 1800 # as a pro is not ideal. If he's paying the premium price he should expect the premium service. I get it if a tool truck used to service your shop and they shut down, now you must deal with the 1800 # or wait for a new driver to take the route.
Seems like he’s pretty remote. I’m sure there are portions of the USA that are similar. Again, I’d talk to CS at each company. Surely this is something they’ve dealt with before.
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nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Yup, and again, since he can't get weekly service or interest free financing and hasn't purchased truck tools yet, it would be advisable to not start and to instead purchase from companies that have easy email or other web based warranties for ***far*** cheaper.
Unless Snap On or Mac or whoever is willing to sell him the tools over the phone for half the price (sarcasm and no offense to those who purchase thru the corporate phone number or website).
I understand everyone's version of "worth it" is different and I'm not here to talk about Snap On vs Mac vs HF vs Tekton etc, but sounds like OP already almost talked himself out of truck tools.
1Bad55Chevy
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Incorrect..
SO, Mac, and Matco are in the business to sell tools to their franchises who sell them to you. Can you buy the tools directly from the website? Yes you can but a quick look at their websites you will notice that all of their products lack photos and quality descriptions.
Prime example...
Snap-on Store
If they were in the market to sell DTC they would have more then one photo on a $37k tool box..
Now compare that to HF website who sells DTC....
If these tool trucks truly wanted to sell DTC they could easily launch their own fleet of trucks with their own employees but they dont want to deal with it.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
The OP's experience is what is negative. He's made some effort to give his business and been ignored. Quite short sighted on the part of the dealer or C.S. as you never know who this guy is or may turn out to be. Perhaps a big,big customer.
Anyone here know why Jay Leno doesn't buy Ferraris?
When a great portion of the value attached to these brands is service and warranty and a buyer can't even get someone to sell to him what do you figure their response is going to be when the request is for a warranty replacement?
You've made an effort to accomodate the seller, that's your choice.
We are very much in agreement on second hand "truck brands" as they are usually great value even absent any warranty or "service".
1Bad55Chevy
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I am in the DFW and tool trucks wont call on my shop because I dont have 3 techs. I sell cars for a living and its typically me and one other mechanic full time in the shop and they wont come here. I watch them drive by my shop daily and never bother to come in. Sad part is they all know me because I see them regularly at my friends mechanic shops. Last time I asked the SO rep about it he laughed and said it wasn't worth his time stopping because I dont buy anything. I told him I don't buy from him because he dosen't stop... absolutely worthless guys are literally allergic to work and money.I live in the canadian maritimes, I'm an apprentice AST. I'm trying to start filling my box with quality tools that will last. I've noticed the tool truck customer service *****!
Mac Tools:
The website tells you to use their service to find a local distributor. It doesn't load anything for Canada even though it's the Canadian website. So I email them. A week has gone by and no response. I scoured the internet looking for the nearest distributor. It returns only 1 result that is 3 hours away. This is inconvenient but I contact them and they tell me they have gone out of business years ago and have no idea who took their route. I think oh well I will just order what I need off of the website and have it delivered to me... well they don't update anything on the website...everything is out of stock so I guess Mac tools is out of the question.
Matco:
This is the same story as with Mac tools there's no contact information for anybody in Canada or at least in my area. So again I email and receive no response from the company So again I resort to Google to find somebody that sells Matco. To my surprise I did find somebody's contact information and they did respond however they refused to give me any information on the phone text or email and told me I have to go to their truck on their route if I want any information on tools. Wtf!
Snap-On:
Again it has the option to find a distributor but doesn't load any results on the website. I know for a fact that there is a snap on guy who stops by the garage I work at but he only goes once a month. And I can't get any of his contact information and I don't know which day of the month he's going to show up. I actually can make purchases on their website but I don't wanna make a purchase for a $300 ratchet without touching first.
I thought the premium paid on these tools was to cover excellent customer service and warranty how is it justifiable when I have to chase these people down and don't get a response 2/3 of the time I'm starting to think I should just go with Tekton or maybe even Carlyle from Napa (since they are our part supplier anyway).
Anyway I'm starting to believe that I'm never gonna have a tool off of a tool truck and this is a bit of a rant so I'm sorry.
rancherbill
Well-known member
I do not understand all the Tekton fanboys on GJ. It is a pain in the *** and expensive to get **** shipped from the States. PA ProPoint and CT Mastercraft came out of the "same" factories in Taiwan. We need to support Canadian Retailer !!! When NAFTA was signed, 1994, all the branch plants of American tool conpanies closed and went back to the US - Snapon, SK Fuller and several others that elude me right now.
Has the OP actually called the 800 numbers or just tried the corporate websites? Also have you asked your coworkers how and where they are getting their tools?
I found my rep my googling snapon and my town. I found his face book page. sent him a face book message and have spent plenty with him since. My rep's territory is about 500 miles north to south without roads connecting any of the towns. Luckily I live in the town he runs his route in. If guys don't live in town he'll ship them tools, I'm guessing warranty stuff as well, and they'll swing by the truck when they are in the big city. I'm not sure how truck credit accounts work with guys that don't live/ work in town. My work isn't accessible by roads, he keeps my card on file and bills me weekly even though I might go a month or 2 without stepping on the truck.
Sounds like your rep may have a huge area hence the only stopping by monthly. Once you get to know him it might be possible to get more frequent service if you are willing to meet up with him somewhere besides your shop.
If I didn't have a rep for warranty of my tool truck tools I'd have a hard time buying them. A lot of my stuff isn't truck stuff, some with 0 warranty. The stuff I abuse regularly is from the truck, I'd imagine I probably warranty $500+ of tools a year on the truck. My non truck no warranty I might spend $50 a year replacing broken things though saved way more than $50 buying non truck stuff. After you get some experiance you'll have a better idea what these commonly destroyed tools are and what makes sense to buy off the truck.
I found my rep my googling snapon and my town. I found his face book page. sent him a face book message and have spent plenty with him since. My rep's territory is about 500 miles north to south without roads connecting any of the towns. Luckily I live in the town he runs his route in. If guys don't live in town he'll ship them tools, I'm guessing warranty stuff as well, and they'll swing by the truck when they are in the big city. I'm not sure how truck credit accounts work with guys that don't live/ work in town. My work isn't accessible by roads, he keeps my card on file and bills me weekly even though I might go a month or 2 without stepping on the truck.
Sounds like your rep may have a huge area hence the only stopping by monthly. Once you get to know him it might be possible to get more frequent service if you are willing to meet up with him somewhere besides your shop.
If I didn't have a rep for warranty of my tool truck tools I'd have a hard time buying them. A lot of my stuff isn't truck stuff, some with 0 warranty. The stuff I abuse regularly is from the truck, I'd imagine I probably warranty $500+ of tools a year on the truck. My non truck no warranty I might spend $50 a year replacing broken things though saved way more than $50 buying non truck stuff. After you get some experiance you'll have a better idea what these commonly destroyed tools are and what makes sense to buy off the truck.
You’re talking to the wrong guy. I’m not a pro and had truck support for the better part of 10 yrs. I had a great experience. Maybe the reason you couldn’t get support was your rep was an *** or you were. Did you call CS? If the area rep wouldn‘t make a special stop to your used car lot, did he stop nearby? Did you ask?Incorrect..
SO, Mac, and Matco are in the business to sell tools to their franchises who sell them to you. Can you buy the tools directly from the website? Yes you can but a quick look at their websites you will notice that all of their products lack photos and quality descriptions.
Prime example...
Snap-on Store
shop.snapon.com
If they were in the market to sell DTC they would have more then one photo on a $37k tool box..
Now compare that to HF website who sells DTC....
If these tool trucks truly wanted to sell DTC they could easily launch their own fleet of trucks with their own employees but they dont want to deal with it.
Bottomline: If I can get a rep, the OP can. I believe, not only can he find a rep who will help him, as an apprentice he may well qualify for the SEP discounts (including MAC’s version, etc).
BTW, having a rep doesn’t mean they stop at my home garage every week. It means I have an account with a rep with whom I transact tool business. It means I have access to deals, sales, used equipment, free give aways, etc.
These guys aren’t hard to find. Their names and phone numbers are usually emblazoned on the sides of their panel vans. I would call a local car dealer, ask to speak to service and ask them if they get support or how that works.
Is there something stopping you from ordering online? You don't need a tool truck to come to you to buy the tools. Snap on, MAC....you can buy online.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Sure seems that way sometimes. Have you tried genuflecting?
Let me guess, you would also be a cash on the barrelhead customer.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Since I'd assume most of us are in the USA, Tekton was just an example I used for a pretty decent option with easy email warranty. I'm sure there are similar Canadian companies.
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But then you’re left with Tekton. Other than that, great plan.
What’s your objection to the tools? Not the company, but the actual hunks of steel.
The comment was made mostly in jest…. With a hint of truth.
I find the hunks of steel to be completely unremarkable. Just another relabeler slapping their stamp on Taiwan sourced tools available a hundred other places. Nothing particularly bad…but nothing that sets them apart from anyone else.
The company is whole different matter…
51dueller
Well-known member
It pretty much comes down to:
Canadian made:
Gray Tools - Industrial tools - Hardline tools made in Canada and the rest are Taiwan. Available online and various dealers across Canada.
Canadian Owned:
Canadian Tire - Wide selection of tools, mostly Apex sourced and nearly all made in China. Goes on sale regularly. Available online and various stores across Canada.
Princess Auto - Wide selection of tools. Was more Taiwan sourced years ago but most is China made. Available online and various stores across Canada.
Jet Tools - Industrial tools - Made in Taiwan. Available online and various dealers across Canada.
Olsa Tools - Made in Taiwan. Available online at their website and Amazon.
Dynamic Tools - Sub brand of Gray tools. Made in Taiwan. Available online from various Canadian sites.
American Owned:
Snap On - Wide selection of tools and nearly all made in USA. High cost and high free shipping threshold. Available online and local tool trucks. No duty on orders.
Mac Tools - Wide selection of tools and mixed between USA and Taiwan. Available online and local tool trucks. No duty on orders.
Matco - Wide selection of tools and mostly Taiwan. Website doesn't ship to Canada and only available from local tool trucks.
Cornwell - Wide selection of tools and mixed between USA and Taiwan. No online ordering even in the USA. Not likely to find a tool truck.
Proto - Industrial tools - Made in USA. Available online and in store at Grainger. Some stuff is available on Amazon.
Wright - Industrial tools - Mostly made in USA. If ordered through Summit Racing and choose standard shipping, you won't have any import charges.
Tekton - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Capri - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Astro Tools - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Grey Pneumatic - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Gearwrench - Mix between Taiwan and China. Available online and in store from many stores.
Other:
Koken - Made in Japan. Haven't ordered from Koken Canada website.
Stahlwille - Made in Germany. Most likely have to order through Mister Worker and will have import charges.
Hazet - Made in Germany and some Taiwan. Most likely have to order through Mister Worker and will have import charges.
Facom/Usag - Made in Italy and Taiwan. Most likely have to order through Mister Worker and will have import charges.
That mostly covers it, I know there is KTC, Wera, Knipex, Vessel and others but you can use google. I've ordered from the USA, Japan, Britain and Australia, currently waiting on my order of German tools from Mister Worker to ship.
Canadian made:
Gray Tools - Industrial tools - Hardline tools made in Canada and the rest are Taiwan. Available online and various dealers across Canada.
Canadian Owned:
Canadian Tire - Wide selection of tools, mostly Apex sourced and nearly all made in China. Goes on sale regularly. Available online and various stores across Canada.
Princess Auto - Wide selection of tools. Was more Taiwan sourced years ago but most is China made. Available online and various stores across Canada.
Jet Tools - Industrial tools - Made in Taiwan. Available online and various dealers across Canada.
Olsa Tools - Made in Taiwan. Available online at their website and Amazon.
Dynamic Tools - Sub brand of Gray tools. Made in Taiwan. Available online from various Canadian sites.
American Owned:
Snap On - Wide selection of tools and nearly all made in USA. High cost and high free shipping threshold. Available online and local tool trucks. No duty on orders.
Mac Tools - Wide selection of tools and mixed between USA and Taiwan. Available online and local tool trucks. No duty on orders.
Matco - Wide selection of tools and mostly Taiwan. Website doesn't ship to Canada and only available from local tool trucks.
Cornwell - Wide selection of tools and mixed between USA and Taiwan. No online ordering even in the USA. Not likely to find a tool truck.
Proto - Industrial tools - Made in USA. Available online and in store at Grainger. Some stuff is available on Amazon.
Wright - Industrial tools - Mostly made in USA. If ordered through Summit Racing and choose standard shipping, you won't have any import charges.
Tekton - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Capri - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Astro Tools - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Grey Pneumatic - Made in Taiwan. Order through Amazon and won't have shipping or duty costs.
Gearwrench - Mix between Taiwan and China. Available online and in store from many stores.
Other:
Koken - Made in Japan. Haven't ordered from Koken Canada website.
Stahlwille - Made in Germany. Most likely have to order through Mister Worker and will have import charges.
Hazet - Made in Germany and some Taiwan. Most likely have to order through Mister Worker and will have import charges.
Facom/Usag - Made in Italy and Taiwan. Most likely have to order through Mister Worker and will have import charges.
That mostly covers it, I know there is KTC, Wera, Knipex, Vessel and others but you can use google. I've ordered from the USA, Japan, Britain and Australia, currently waiting on my order of German tools from Mister Worker to ship.
It's one of those things I'll never understand, "the answer is always Tekton". Why? The only thing I see that they do good is have complete sets, and good warranty service. Like you said, their product is unremarkable, even their US stuff. Oh hey, we have US made wrenches...., out of plate steel. And the warranty stuff is no different than most other mid tier companies.
Just clarification: not asking for credentials, but are you a pro mechanic working on a flat rate?
I have advice like yours (like almost everyone does) and sometimes I fail to distinguish my reality from others’.
And to be fair, his FIRST post was a complaint about customer service which he didn’t call. The websites weren’t helpful, which is fair. But he probably put more effort into complaining on GJ, than calling truck tool companies and their reps.
So it’s fine for you to say not worth it to you. I’ve said something similar, I’d buy used.
In this case, it’s possible, by working a bit harder, he could end up in the SEP. I think few here would think that wasn’t worth the effort.
No. I turned wrenches for money in the past, but I work in an office now.
I didn't say "tool trucks aren't worth it to anyone". I wouldn't make the effort to seek one out if it was inconvenient. There's only a few products where Snap-on and the like have no equal. It would be easier, more cost effective and just as good, most of the time, to just buy off the internet.
Even when I worked in a shop, it was nice that the Mac truck would stop by once a week or so, and the Wurth fellow every two or three. If I needed a tool though, Amazon was faster.
I used to be, and there's no ******* way I'd have gone out of my way to give a tool truck company money, if they weren't in my parking lot. the only thing that made tool truck tools worth the substantial premium was convenience. take that away, and they weren't worth it. That was years ago, when there was a real difference in quality between them and other stuff. There's less of a difference these days, because everyone else has gotten better, and the truck stuff hasn't, and in a number of cases, has gotten cheaper.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
Deleted...wrong thread...
Looks like there is a Toptul dealer in Alberta https://mytoolshop.ca
I can't imagine how modern mechanics make it in today's work environment. The cost of tools, warranties, electronic test equiptment, dealership pay issues. I'm really thankful I've got a trio of shops to do my work.
richfinn
Well-known member
No negativity from me about the actual tools Snap-On makes/sells (although I think they now face some stiff completion from Europe and Japan).
It's the corporate price gouging/lack of consistency amongst dealers that are my main complaints (I've had awesome dealers and complete arseholes over the years)
I buy most of my Snap-On from eBay nowadays as I work mobile, I haven't broken/warrantied much in 40 years as a pro-technician and I wouldn't dream of trying to get worn out stuff replaced for free just on principle.
I think my advice to this young man would be to find out who the mechanics at the local airport source tools from, that will almost certainly be a decent way to get good stuff.
richfinn
Well-known member
Specialize in servicing a particular brand of vehicle or concentrate on a profitable area of automotive repair like electrical diagnostics/transmissions/upgrades.
rancherbill
Well-known member
There used to be a station on the highway by our house. The mechanics were Russian Refugees. I was talking to the station owner and he said there whole toolset and box was from Canadian Tire. Their diagnostics were second hand whatever and I forget what they were using for air tools.. Their customers had older cars, farm equip or construction equip.
They were super happy with Mastercraft and Mastercraft Pro. They were working building a life INSTEAD OF BUILDING A LIFE FOR THE TRUCKS.
They were super happy with Mastercraft and Mastercraft Pro. They were working building a life INSTEAD OF BUILDING A LIFE FOR THE TRUCKS.
That’s a nice story and everyone wants it to be true, especially those who can’t or won’t afford better tools. The moment a newer VW GTI shows up in that shop, we’re gonna hear cursing in Russian.
I have tools in my box I rely on working in pretty tough conditions. Some of those tools aren’t even available from China, let alone good enough to do what I need them to do.
The clutch on my Durango alternator went 2 days ago. I heard it happen. My wife came inside with a pulley she found in the driveway. It’s an easy job. Just 3 13mm bolts and an electrical connector. But they are all blind, under a wire harness, perpendicular to the engine, so between the frame and the block. The video I watched on youtube strongly recommended a short ratcheting wrench, which I had. I ended up doing the whole job with a 1/4” dr semi deep, which was perfect, and a THDLF72A ratchet. I pulled pretty hard on that ratchet. I think this would have been a MUCH tougher job with just basic tools. And that’s the point.
I could probably have done this job with an adjustable wrench (maybe). I guess for me, the time and FRUSTRATION of struggling with the wrong tool, simply isn’t worth it. It’s nice to say, “just buy cheap tools. *** has them, and they build race cars”. I feel like this is a sentiment more geared to old timers, no longer fixing vehicles, or folks who want justification for their tool decisions etc.
My thinking is: Fixing cars is HARD with the best tools. Why make things harder on yourself? Where GJ should focus in these discussions is “what are those tools that are really discriminators”? When we talk automotive tools, we often simplify the discussion to 6pt sockets. Again, that’s not really that helpful to our OPs or readers.
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alinc100
Well-known member
But yet we have the CEO of the F%rd Company headquartered right here in Dearborn,MI where I sit right now saying that they are 5000 mechanics short at $120K a year. I'm a 40 year member (this week) of a Skilled Trade Union. I still buy tools ,gadgets, boxes etc that assist me in my daily work as a carpenter. It never ends, until I do.
Gosh I wish you lived near me, because I've got a wooden fence that's collapsing due to termite damage and I HATE carpentry! It's so bad I just walk by a piece of wood and splinters jump off at me!
rancherbill
Well-known member
It is nice, it's a true story of hard working guys. If you had read my comment I said 'there used to be" and there was but it was demolished for the new freeway.
You have the benefit of starting from scratch in the industry - these guys had to hit the road running. They did not have $4k boxes with up to $3k of tools per drawer.
My Son's brother-in-law got out of an Off road tech college 5 or 6 years ago. He gave his truck tour a couple of months ago. It's the same mish mash of hand tools that he had when he graduated, he's just picked up things on the way to increase. Milwaukee impacts all new. He started with an old one ton with a service body that he did some trading for when he was in high school. Since then he'b bought for 2 service trucks with cranes etc. He just bought an almost new 650 chassis to put under his current service body. He has the nicest trailer to live in for work. All this stuff is paid for with cash. He has a plan of where he wants to be and paying stupid prices for tools is not in it.
It’s that old yarn, that one cannot possibly be an effective, successful mechanic, without a boatload of expensive tools.
Their are probably plenty out there who just get what they need to get the job done
lotus_esprit
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2009
- Messages
- 112
I live offshore UK and have never had access to a Snap On dealer. Every single Snap On item I own has been bought second hand off eBay over the past 25 years - that’s thousands of tools as I have a 53” top and bottom box absolutely crammed full of 95% Snap On. I have never broken a single Snap On tool in 27 years as I do not abuse them and use the right tool for the job.
I bought Snap On partly as an investment - every single item I have I could sell now for the equivalent or more than I paid for it - I keep a close watch on what used Snap On sells for on eBay (second hand prices seem to have risen sharply in the past two years)
It's the opposite yarn I'm referencing. It's the predominant one where people say they can fix anything with $200 worth of HF tools. Let's be honest: - this is said so often here, it sounds like it's the truth and is just good practical advice. There are no asterisks after that. There's no caveat. I suspect it's more something people want to be true more than actually true. It's the MechanicNamedJohn story. Its the Wright brothers were bicycle mechanics story.
I'm a really senior engineer. And 62. What the hell am I doing? I'm the dumbest smart guy you will ever meet. Yesterday, in freezing weather, with the wind blowing the hood closed on my back (fun), I got the new alternator and belt tensioner in the Durango. The Durango alternator is a 100% blind operation, made significantly easier with a mid depth socket and a really strong, fine toothed 1/4" drive ratchet (and I did use my tiny 13mm ratchet wrench)
(I have the previous generation of this one- and only a couple, I think 10, 12, 13, 14?)
I talk about the stiffness of the "driveline", having the sockets fit the extensions and ratchets tightly. It's not the "feel of quality" I'm after. This was an example: I couldn't see jack. I was doing everything by feel and my fingers were numb. My tools made that job easier. Not sure this would have gone as easily with brand X tools. That's where our discussions need to be. Based on actual use, not politics, or nostalgia, or some quaint Victorian view of the "working class".
If anyone actually reads this, please PM me your advice regarding hood props or hood locks.