nissan_crawler
Well-known member
No offense, but with a box that size, and the age of your tools, I can see why you say Snap-On no matter what.
Starting out tech...what brands do you guys recommend?
- Thread starter OpOrange
- Start date
olds88
Well-known member
The reason I use the trays for the extensions is that I know that they are put away and not driving away under the hood of a customer's car.
That's worth a few square inches.
That's worth a few square inches.
billymade
Well-known member
Did you dad give you your 1/2" drive ratchets? They look to be 40s-50s vintage! Still going strong!
olds88
Well-known member
Hey! Some of them are brand new... roughly half of my sockets are new, easy to see the shiniest ones.... I have SAE and Metric sets of brand new 1/4 inch drive deep sockets, but I'm still waiting for my SO dealer to show up with steel rails for them because no room for those plastic trays.
They're 3/8. They actually came from eBay. The 2 standard size 3/8 drive ratchets are from 1947 and 1959... the 1959 one has a new rebuild kit in it so it's good as new. The long 3/8 ratchet is only around 10 years old, the 1/4 ratchet is probably 15 years old, and the speeder, a Par-X, is from the early 80s. The screwdrivers are old, but I prefer the old style handles...
My 1/2 inch tools are in a different drawer. My 1/2 inch ratchet isn't that old, probably early 90s. The 1/2 inch stuff shares a drawer with my air tools and impact sockets.
And the box was free... so no complaints! Like I said i got a bigger one in Brooklyn, which was also free..... next June when I go back home I'll dig it out of storage.
Biggest problem w/ that box is that my 1/2 inch torque wrench won't fit lengthwise in a drawer, only diagonally, even without the case!
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paramudduck
Well-known member
The 40's 50's vintage were my favorite Snap on ratchets. I love my F70's.
But the question that was asked. Is what would be good tools for a starting tech to have. I take this as first day on the job. Starting in any new endeavor over your head in debt is a short road to bankruptcy.
Better to start modestly and paid for. Then get more as you can "afford" them. Other wise you don't own Snap on. Snap on owns you.
Dad used to call a box like that a fluff box. Everything positioned to make it look like more then it was. A nice start there but a way to go yet. Just take it slow and buy cheap.
But the question that was asked. Is what would be good tools for a starting tech to have. I take this as first day on the job. Starting in any new endeavor over your head in debt is a short road to bankruptcy.
Better to start modestly and paid for. Then get more as you can "afford" them. Other wise you don't own Snap on. Snap on owns you.
Dad used to call a box like that a fluff box. Everything positioned to make it look like more then it was. A nice start there but a way to go yet. Just take it slow and buy cheap.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I'm not putting your collection down at all, they'll work great. My point is, you have two free boxes, 1/3 of your tools free, and some of them are fairly vintage.
Then we have a guy that's starting out, no tools, buying everything new. There's a big difference between the two situations. For very basic tools, mostly all craftsman, and a 26" top and bottom box starting out, I had over $2500 invested.
For him to buy new just the box and the tools you showed, would probably be $4000 alone for the box, sockets, and the plier drawer.
Then we have a guy that's starting out, no tools, buying everything new. There's a big difference between the two situations. For very basic tools, mostly all craftsman, and a 26" top and bottom box starting out, I had over $2500 invested.
For him to buy new just the box and the tools you showed, would probably be $4000 alone for the box, sockets, and the plier drawer.
olds88
Well-known member
Everything's positioned so that I don't have to look for anything, I know exactly where everything is.
Probably the oldest tool in there is the 1/4 drive 9/32 socket, it's the one that looks different from any of the other sockets. I don't know where I got it from, but it still does it's job. Another brand would likely be a blob of rust by now.
Point taken.
Probably the oldest tool in there is the 1/4 drive 9/32 socket, it's the one that looks different from any of the other sockets. I don't know where I got it from, but it still does it's job. Another brand would likely be a blob of rust by now.
Point taken.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
I have tools from my grandfathers from his garage in the 20's that are not blobs of rust. There is more to the tool then makeup, there is also how it was cared for.
paramudduck
Well-known member
My old plombs actually are in better condition then the Snap on.
I really don't know why. Grand pa used them on every thing from wwII planes. To bull dozers in 2 foot of mud.
I just reread what I wrote. I think the last line could be misinterpeted. A fluff box is a box of starter to mid level tools to get you going in a field. Then once you had experiance to decide what was best in your situation. Then you started to add items to it.
He called it a fluff box because you kept fluffing it up adding things to it.
I really don't know why. Grand pa used them on every thing from wwII planes. To bull dozers in 2 foot of mud.
I just reread what I wrote. I think the last line could be misinterpeted. A fluff box is a box of starter to mid level tools to get you going in a field. Then once you had experiance to decide what was best in your situation. Then you started to add items to it.
He called it a fluff box because you kept fluffing it up adding things to it.
olds88
Well-known member
Yeh, I'd call it a general set, however, not cheap ****.
I've done plenty of work with MATCO and Craftsman... MATCO just feels like everything is just a cheap version of the Snap-on equivelant, and Craftsman (except for S-K made C-Pro wrenches), just FEELS like weekend "mechanic" tools.
I've done plenty of work with MATCO and Craftsman... MATCO just feels like everything is just a cheap version of the Snap-on equivelant, and Craftsman (except for S-K made C-Pro wrenches), just FEELS like weekend "mechanic" tools.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
That's funny, considering I can lay my co-workers snap-ons against my c-pros, and they're about 100% identical, except for 1/4" shorter. I guess Snap-Ons must be weekend mechanic tools.
Well I work on aircraft, so when I use Snap-On tools at work, then come home to work on my truck with Craftsman, it feels almost like the tools are broke or bound up or something.. They just feel wrong. Not near as smooth or anything as the good quality tools. What you can do is go talk to the guy on the truck if you want good quality tools and tell him what you are doing and start looking for repo boxes and tool sets. If I'd have waited 2 weeks, I could have saved 1500 bucks on my snap on box and starter set I got off of him... It also pays to use ebay and figure out exactly what you are going to need... Ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers are your basics, then you'll need things like specialty pliers, snap ring pliers, prybars, etc... Just use caution, dont get in over your head and try to find deals on quality tools, if you can find Snap on stuff for a little over Craftsman, why not... Good luck
Brandon
Brandon
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Odd, I work on aircraft, and my craftsman's are just as good as my snap-ons.
olds88
Well-known member
Crank1 is a clear thinking individual. 
On the other hand... some people will only drink expensive imported beer (Snap-on), and others think theres no beer finer than Budweiser (Craftsman)... and I'm in the Budweiser camp!
You know the old saying, though... you only rent beer....... tools, if you don't leave them in every car you work on, will last you a lifetime.
On the other hand... some people will only drink expensive imported beer (Snap-on), and others think theres no beer finer than Budweiser (Craftsman)... and I'm in the Budweiser camp!
You know the old saying, though... you only rent beer....... tools, if you don't leave them in every car you work on, will last you a lifetime.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
paramudduck
Well-known member
Actually when the main argument is a percieved "feel" of an item. The level of clear thinking is debateable. It would be more of an buying into the developed percieved mystique of the brand.
I really can't tell much if any difference in between the brands. Other then the fact that in my experiance. I have had around six times as many catastrophic fails of Snap on tools then any other brand. Yes Craftsman is included in this.
This is over a forty year time frame.
As they say your milage may vary but don't let a brand mystique cost you a fortune.
Oh by the way I have probably spent 40 thousand plus on Snap on tools over the years. So yes I have used them.
I really can't tell much if any difference in between the brands. Other then the fact that in my experiance. I have had around six times as many catastrophic fails of Snap on tools then any other brand. Yes Craftsman is included in this.
This is over a forty year time frame.
As they say your milage may vary but don't let a brand mystique cost you a fortune.
Oh by the way I have probably spent 40 thousand plus on Snap on tools over the years. So yes I have used them.
speed bump
Well-known member
Buy what you like and can afford and over time you will decide what you like best and what you don't like as much.
olds88
Well-known member
Since you've invested over $40,000 in Snap-on tools, I'd say it's pretty likely that you have 6 times more Snap-on tools than any other brand, or you use your Snap-on tools 6 times as much, because all your most commonly used tools are Snap-on.
Anyone can throw around statistics, they're meaningless because you can spin them in every direction.
paramudduck
Well-known member
Actually Snap on is the smallest segment of my collection. Figure over 40 years the tool loss. Loss of a box when a **** ex managed to steal a lot of them.
The fact that I have boxes in 4 locations. It is very easy to spend that much money very fast on truck brands.
I probably have more Armstrong and Williams tools then Snap on. My favorite go to ratchets are the old style Williams B52 S52 series. Even tho I have several Snap on ratchets.
Favorite wrenches are an old set of Easco. But I have a couple of sets of Snap on.
And like I mentioned I am chasing down old Bonney and Matco line wrenches for the comfort value.
I like Snap on but I don't buy into the they are the only tool mind set. I have 45 year old Craftsman ratchets. As well as 45 year old Snap on.
Any decent tool will do the job. Any thing else is personal preference and finances. At this point in time I would be very leery of advising any one to spend a lot of money or obtaining a lot of debt when just entering a field.
For the cost of a small starter set of Snap on. You can get a master set of other tools that can and do last just as long.
The fact that I have boxes in 4 locations. It is very easy to spend that much money very fast on truck brands.
I probably have more Armstrong and Williams tools then Snap on. My favorite go to ratchets are the old style Williams B52 S52 series. Even tho I have several Snap on ratchets.
Favorite wrenches are an old set of Easco. But I have a couple of sets of Snap on.
And like I mentioned I am chasing down old Bonney and Matco line wrenches for the comfort value.
I like Snap on but I don't buy into the they are the only tool mind set. I have 45 year old Craftsman ratchets. As well as 45 year old Snap on.
Any decent tool will do the job. Any thing else is personal preference and finances. At this point in time I would be very leery of advising any one to spend a lot of money or obtaining a lot of debt when just entering a field.
For the cost of a small starter set of Snap on. You can get a master set of other tools that can and do last just as long.
olds88
Well-known member
Another factor: if you compare prices, they're not all that different. Craftsman stuff is probably cheaper, but Snap-on vs. MATCO or Mac... theres almost no price difference. Even S-K (the prices listed on their own online store---not counting amazon/sears deals... which really are bargains) are no different than Snap-on.
And yes, I have a very strong personal preference to Snap-on, becuase I've been around Snap-on tools since I could walk. I recently came across a photo of myself as a toddler and next to me in the picture was the 1984 Snap-on catalog and 1977 Mercedes service manuals!
And yes, I have a very strong personal preference to Snap-on, becuase I've been around Snap-on tools since I could walk. I recently came across a photo of myself as a toddler and next to me in the picture was the 1984 Snap-on catalog and 1977 Mercedes service manuals!
MachineTech
Well-known member
I agree with speedbump. 20 yrs ago I started building my first tool set...mostly C-Man and the rest even cheaper. 20 years of learning what works best later (and always staying on top of my budget), I have never found a need to replace my C-man sockets with a truck brand. However I have scars on my hand from my C-man ratchets that will be there till I die. I have given them to my son so he can live and learn from experience too.
Only several things have rang true throughout this thread:
1) do not over extend your budget
2) use ebay, garage sales, flea markets, estate sales, and whatever other deals and discounts you can find to your advantage
When your starting out, Snap on and other expensive truck brands may out shine less expensive brands but, your job performance with lesser tools needs to out shine bigger brands. I feel, only then would someone be worthy of higher end tools. It's called "paying your dues"
Only several things have rang true throughout this thread:
1) do not over extend your budget
2) use ebay, garage sales, flea markets, estate sales, and whatever other deals and discounts you can find to your advantage
When your starting out, Snap on and other expensive truck brands may out shine less expensive brands but, your job performance with lesser tools needs to out shine bigger brands. I feel, only then would someone be worthy of higher end tools. It's called "paying your dues"
paramudduck
Well-known member
I've used Snap on for most of my life. But I've also used other brands with just as good or even better service.
I recently bought a six piece set of Matco metric line wrenches even got the wrench rack Not for the 215 dollars Matco lists in their catalog. But for 40 dollars including shipping.
All we are trying to say is that starting out in debt is a BAD thing. There are too many varibles to the future.
Instead get the best tools you can at a price that won't put you in the evil debt cycle. Then start checking evilbay, pawn shops and swap meets. Estate sales and yard sales can be very good places to look. You then benefit from the people who do put themselves in the debt cycle and either burn out of have to sell to try and pull above water.
The current wave seems to be to make prices on every thing balloon. Snap on tools on ebay are a good example of this. When they sell for more well used then the cost of new there is some thing wrong with peoples out look.
Unfortuately the trickle down effect of people using ebay as a price setter is raising the prices artificially. The same as the housing balloon that caused the current mess.
I recently bought a six piece set of Matco metric line wrenches even got the wrench rack Not for the 215 dollars Matco lists in their catalog. But for 40 dollars including shipping.
All we are trying to say is that starting out in debt is a BAD thing. There are too many varibles to the future.
Instead get the best tools you can at a price that won't put you in the evil debt cycle. Then start checking evilbay, pawn shops and swap meets. Estate sales and yard sales can be very good places to look. You then benefit from the people who do put themselves in the debt cycle and either burn out of have to sell to try and pull above water.
The current wave seems to be to make prices on every thing balloon. Snap on tools on ebay are a good example of this. When they sell for more well used then the cost of new there is some thing wrong with peoples out look.
Unfortuately the trickle down effect of people using ebay as a price setter is raising the prices artificially. The same as the housing balloon that caused the current mess.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I have a lot of sockets made by Danaher (i believe) and they do the job just fine, No plan to replace them with Snap-on anytime soon. They hold up fine, show now wear etc.
I'm sure most of you know how much i love Snap-on, but they aint the be-all end-all of tools. My box has a decent mix of tools. There are other brands out there that do the job just as well. To each their own, if you want solely Snap-on that fine, but you don't need to try force that on anyone else. This is a toold forum, not a Snap-on forum.
olds88, pull your head out your ***.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
What he said... except I would add Snappy for breaker bars. Also, I would ordinarily suggest Facom for pliers, but with the Stanley takeover, Knipex is a much safer bet.
My Craftsman sockets have outlasted my SK sockets... i wouldn't hesitate to use the Craftsman sockets. Craftsman impact sockets are also a great value when they are on sale. I have a hard time finding any significant difference between my Craftsman and Snap On impact sockets.
Jim was right about Craftsman extensions... but I will disagree with him on the SK sockets. I have more SK stuff than I would care to admit and wish that I would have done my homework a little better before i bought the SK stuff. I really haven't been impressed (except for the SK stuff that was actually made in France as SK-Facom. That stuff is top notch).
Don't be afraid to try some GearWrench stuff. Some of the best Taiwan/China tools out there and they have probably the finest customer service of any of the imposts.
My .02...
eschoendorff
Well-known member
This is turning into another Snap On vs. all debate. This debate has been covered in great detail on this board - do a search, read for a few days and THEN comment.
For those of you who insist that Snap On is the only tool that matters: juts because YOU drank the Koolaid doens't mean that this kid should too. THERE IS NO EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ANYWHERE THAT SNAP ON IS A SUPERIOR TOOL. All defense of Snap On includes words like "feels;" that is subjective.
If you prefer Snap On tools (as I do) then go buy them. But DO NOT suggest that a young person just starting out NEEDS Snap On tools right away. There are many, many fine individuals on this board alone who started out with Craftsman or other branded tools and went on to make their career. They are the voice of experience. HEED THEM before you choose to go into debt!!!!!
For those of you who insist that Snap On is the only tool that matters: juts because YOU drank the Koolaid doens't mean that this kid should too. THERE IS NO EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ANYWHERE THAT SNAP ON IS A SUPERIOR TOOL. All defense of Snap On includes words like "feels;" that is subjective.
If you prefer Snap On tools (as I do) then go buy them. But DO NOT suggest that a young person just starting out NEEDS Snap On tools right away. There are many, many fine individuals on this board alone who started out with Craftsman or other branded tools and went on to make their career. They are the voice of experience. HEED THEM before you choose to go into debt!!!!!
olds88
Well-known member
Let me just put it this way: most techs I know, those who care about the quality of their work (tries to obtain quality US made parts, uses torque wrench on lugs nuts, etc. etc.), use mostly Snap-on.
"Techs" that just want to get the job done and out the door with no regard for the quality of their work, generally have a mix of whatever cheapest tools were on sale from sears or the no-name tool truck.
DON'T think I'm saying the the tools make the mechanic..... obviously not. All I'm saying is the mind set of those that buy Snap-on, more often than not, they take their job a little more seriously than the bargain hunters.
"Techs" that just want to get the job done and out the door with no regard for the quality of their work, generally have a mix of whatever cheapest tools were on sale from sears or the no-name tool truck.
DON'T think I'm saying the the tools make the mechanic..... obviously not. All I'm saying is the mind set of those that buy Snap-on, more often than not, they take their job a little more seriously than the bargain hunters.
tsumetai-kokoro
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 15, 2007
- Messages
- 48
personally, i don't care how the tool feels or how shiny or expensive it is. i just like that it works. to me, if i look in a drawer and see pristine never used shiny things, i see wasted $$. tools that never paid me back. i mean... they're tools, not jewelry. i only clean them if there's coolant. old grease and oil all over them mean rustproof to me lol.
get some ratchets and wrenches. whatever brand you want. use them until you feel it's time to upgrade.
buy the craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 impacts that strongly resemble the IR2135 and 2115 because they are identical with the exception of the nickel plated steel front hammer case which makes them slightly heavier.
buy any brand 6pt impact socket, a swivel, and some extensions. i regularly beat on 1/2in sunex impact sockets at work and have yet to need to upgrade them. i got 3/8 snapon impacts that were on sale- they're harder to read and the square ends are starting to round out. nevermind chrome sockets until you absolutely need the thin wall or the cman 265pc set goes on sale. impact sockets work with ratchets. who cares what it looks like, get the job done. when you move up from rookie you'll figure out what you need.
in other words you probably already have everything you need to start out. work hard, get real good, and figure out what you need to make more money
get some ratchets and wrenches. whatever brand you want. use them until you feel it's time to upgrade.
buy the craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 impacts that strongly resemble the IR2135 and 2115 because they are identical with the exception of the nickel plated steel front hammer case which makes them slightly heavier.
buy any brand 6pt impact socket, a swivel, and some extensions. i regularly beat on 1/2in sunex impact sockets at work and have yet to need to upgrade them. i got 3/8 snapon impacts that were on sale- they're harder to read and the square ends are starting to round out. nevermind chrome sockets until you absolutely need the thin wall or the cman 265pc set goes on sale. impact sockets work with ratchets. who cares what it looks like, get the job done. when you move up from rookie you'll figure out what you need.
in other words you probably already have everything you need to start out. work hard, get real good, and figure out what you need to make more money
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
all i can tell you is if i had it to do all over i would have bought all snap on to begin with.
Well i am going into the automotive field.
i work at a shop right now and the owner, who i have known for a long time, lets me use his tools for now. and EVERYTHING he owns is snap on. its all very nice stuff, but some of it, like plain old wrenches i just dont feel a difference between snap on and others like cman pro, i do not like the regular cman wrenches.
so as far as wrenches go i think i will be getting a nice big set of cman pro ones. And i like the gearwrench ratcheting wrenches...i think im going to pick a couple sets up while there on sale at sears.
as far as sockets, i'll stick with the cman sockets i have, until i decide otherwise. Unless i buy some swivels, i was looking at matco's swivels but people on here don't seem to like matco. but ratchets i will probably stick with snap on, i really like the dual 80, i own a couple of them.
i work at a shop right now and the owner, who i have known for a long time, lets me use his tools for now. and EVERYTHING he owns is snap on. its all very nice stuff, but some of it, like plain old wrenches i just dont feel a difference between snap on and others like cman pro, i do not like the regular cman wrenches.
so as far as wrenches go i think i will be getting a nice big set of cman pro ones. And i like the gearwrench ratcheting wrenches...i think im going to pick a couple sets up while there on sale at sears.
as far as sockets, i'll stick with the cman sockets i have, until i decide otherwise. Unless i buy some swivels, i was looking at matco's swivels but people on here don't seem to like matco. but ratchets i will probably stick with snap on, i really like the dual 80, i own a couple of them.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
First, take advantage of any school discount program available to you. Secondly, see what the other techs are using where you work and learn from their purchases. Buy the best IR 1/2 imapct you can afford. Look for the 2135 series or at least a 231. Get an IR 3/8 air ratchet.
Since you're just starting out, I would keep the investment small in case you decide that working on cars ***** and you want to change careers. Don't go into debt too much. It gets old forking out $25 to a $100 every week to a tool dealer, especially when things are sloow!
Watch for sales at sears, check out the local swap meets for good used tools but, you need to have a feel for what things cost new to keep from getting hosed. Try to balance your tool selection with the type of entry level work you're doing. There's no need right away for a compression tester set but, you're definitely going to take wheels off of cars so, a good impact is very important to have starting out along with some common 1/2 drive impact sockets. The best tool sets are created slowly thinking of what return can I get from my investment when buying a certain tool. Time=money. You can really do alot with only a basic selection of tools. Craftsman is your friend starting out. Your results may vary. Do not get sucked into that tool ego thing. A real tech can fix anything with any brand of tool.
Since you're just starting out, I would keep the investment small in case you decide that working on cars ***** and you want to change careers. Don't go into debt too much. It gets old forking out $25 to a $100 every week to a tool dealer, especially when things are sloow!
Watch for sales at sears, check out the local swap meets for good used tools but, you need to have a feel for what things cost new to keep from getting hosed. Try to balance your tool selection with the type of entry level work you're doing. There's no need right away for a compression tester set but, you're definitely going to take wheels off of cars so, a good impact is very important to have starting out along with some common 1/2 drive impact sockets. The best tool sets are created slowly thinking of what return can I get from my investment when buying a certain tool. Time=money. You can really do alot with only a basic selection of tools. Craftsman is your friend starting out. Your results may vary. Do not get sucked into that tool ego thing. A real tech can fix anything with any brand of tool.
chad s
Well-known member
Let me just put it this way: most techs I know, those who care about the quality of their work (tries to obtain quality US made parts, uses torque wrench on lugs nuts, etc. etc.), use mostly Snap-on.
"Techs" that just want to get the job done and out the door with no regard for the quality of their work, generally have a mix of whatever cheapest tools were on sale from sears or the no-name tool truck.
What a Load of
Craftsman is your friend starting out. Your results may vary. Do not get sucked into that tool ego thing. A real tech can fix anything with any brand of tool.WELL SAID FEDWRENCH
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
Right now Craftsman's largest, most complete mechanic tool set is on sale for $7879.90...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ols&cName=Tool+Sets&sName=Mechanics+Tool+Sets
paramudduck
Well-known member
OK chad. I'll stand in the corner for 20 minutes. I honestly ment to put the m after it but my fingers have minds of their own.
However if I had to name a favorite Snap on series it would be the F70 F71 types. I just love the handle designs.
oporange if you have the basic tools. The just look at the sales listed on here all the time. Pick up tools that work.
Look in the classifieds on here. There are some great deals to be found from people like Rickster or wrencher to just name a couple.
Remember the bosses don't care how fancy or shiney your tools are. They just want the job done.
However if I had to name a favorite Snap on series it would be the F70 F71 types. I just love the handle designs.
oporange if you have the basic tools. The just look at the sales listed on here all the time. Pick up tools that work.
Look in the classifieds on here. There are some great deals to be found from people like Rickster or wrencher to just name a couple.
Remember the bosses don't care how fancy or shiney your tools are. They just want the job done.
Well I'm gonna step in here and give my nickels worth. When I started out I had a damn old 2 drawer tote box, but it was loaded with tools...Craftsman, SK, Proto, Wizard etc. I twisted those old wrenches for years and bought more a little at a time off the trucks as I could afford it. I bought a bigger box and continued to fill it with tools on sale from Craftsman, yard sales and flea markets. Invest in a set of Snap-on line wrenches...they are very well worth it! Later on as you go you can always buy the tool truck brands as you can AFFORD it. That $60- $100 tool truck payment some guys make will buy you a decent amount of groceries (if you shop wisely). I have worked with many young guys at the dealerships over the years that had these huge *** toolboxes and nothing in them because all they could afford was the box payment. I would rather see a guy with a decent box full of tools he knew how to use (brand not important) than some guy trying to keep up with the "Jones's" with a big new EMPTY box trying to impress someone.
Bottom line....learn your craft...learn it well and don't let anybody put you down just because your working with a Craftsman wrench. Oh...by the way...I retired from twisting wrenches after 35 years as Mechanic, shop owner & bodyman/painter. I've been there.. Good luck.
One more thing........the brand of tools a man uses ain't got **** to do with his quality of work and professionalism.
Bottom line....learn your craft...learn it well and don't let anybody put you down just because your working with a Craftsman wrench. Oh...by the way...I retired from twisting wrenches after 35 years as Mechanic, shop owner & bodyman/painter. I've been there.. Good luck.
One more thing........the brand of tools a man uses ain't got **** to do with his quality of work and professionalism.
paramudduck
Well-known member
Very good post Thumper. And very true.
Wright has excellent tools. Mine are OLD and have been beat to death with no problems.
Ebay has them very reasonable at times. Some times you can get good deals on older Cornwell as well. A lot of the people on here love the Snap on line wrenches. Personally the set I have is just too thin and hurts my hands when I'm working on old farm equipment.
Any decent level wrench can last you for years so you can get started at the job and making money.
Despite the recent flurry of QC problems from Gearwrench. I find them to be quite strong and dependable. Plus they have a life time guarantee so get them. Mine have been very dependable and any one will tell you farm use is rough use. Watch Amazon they have been having some amazing deals on them.
Wright has excellent tools. Mine are OLD and have been beat to death with no problems.
Ebay has them very reasonable at times. Some times you can get good deals on older Cornwell as well. A lot of the people on here love the Snap on line wrenches. Personally the set I have is just too thin and hurts my hands when I'm working on old farm equipment.
Any decent level wrench can last you for years so you can get started at the job and making money.
Despite the recent flurry of QC problems from Gearwrench. I find them to be quite strong and dependable. Plus they have a life time guarantee so get them. Mine have been very dependable and any one will tell you farm use is rough use. Watch Amazon they have been having some amazing deals on them.