Whats worth it on the tool trucks?

[charlie.schroeder]

Hey everyone,

New here to the forum, not so much wrenching. I want opinions on what you guys think is worth it on the tool trucks, specifically cornwell, snap on, and matco. (The trucks i get at work). Im slowly building up a bigger tool collection for working on vehicles at home, and at work. Any input is appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[T45]

search string for google:

site:www.garagejournal.com best of snap-on

You need a budget to make any sense of this question.

If you have $30K...all of it

If you have $3K...plenty

If you have $300...choose wisely, but there is still some value

etc.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The only thing worth it in my opinion are items that see a lot of wear and tear or are most susceptible to breaking. Most everything else can be found at a fraction of the price from other sources. Truck tools are all high quality for the most part, but you pay a premium for the service and ease of warranty. If you aren't using the warranty, you are probably better off looking elsewhere.

 

[Ricky112]

Air tools

 

[wild cowboy]

You asked about Cornwell, one of my favorite Cornwell tools that is a good value is their very beefy test lamp, number TE27

www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=TE27-%252d-Heavy-Duty-6-%26-12V-Circuit-Tester

 

[wild cowboy]

from Matco, one of my favorites are their locking extensions (also sold under the Armstrong label)

I like the feel of the Snap-On 12" breaker bar for 3/8" drive

also from Snap-On, their Torx and Hex bits hold up better than others, as do their version of Easy-Outs

 

[nieuport17]

The question is : do u think its worth it.
For home use, other non-truck brands are perfectly fine.

 

[charlie.schroeder]

I use my tools every day at work and pretty much every weekend at home, so i have no problem justifying the cost

 

[d.mcfarland]

Then buy it all ... not sure why you are asking if you think its already the best.

 

[kiatech]

You asked about Cornwell, one of my favorite Cornwell tools that is a good value is their very beefy test lamp, number TE27

www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=TE27-%252d-Heavy-Duty-6-%26-12V-Circuit-Tester

It's 2014 and your not using a logic probe?

 

[toufue_yang17]

Snap on ratchets, flank drive wrenches, and screwdrivers. Sockets doesn't matter. Extensions doesn't matter.

 

[wild cowboy]

It's 2014 and your not using a logic probe?

I use a logic probe when called for, but a crack auto electrician can find 80% of issues with a test lamp, and adding a Harbor Freight *free with coupon* multimeter to that would bring the percentage up to above 90%

 

[bobcatdan]

The way I made most of my purchases when I had multiple trucks to choose from was to figure out what I needed. Then I looked at all my options to see who featured the best for that tool. Let's take socket sets. Who had the best size ranges. COO is important to me, I don't like paying truck prices for China. Is the set on sale this month. Finally do I know for a fact one brand is that much better then the other. Also do I faint this dealer is going to be around that if warranty is needed, he will be there.

 

[whitedogone]

badges, logo stickers

 

[rednotch]

badges, logo stickers

your not the guy selling the HF box with snap on stickers for double the cost on caigslist are you?

For truck tools, only if you have a truck coming to you, then I would say mostly Battery powered tools, air tools and specialty tools that they will warranty at the next visit when they break because they will if you use them daily.


Too much of matco and cornwell is rebadged stuff that can be bought much cheaper and carry the same warranty under there main names.

 

[whitedogone]

Here's a snapon warranty job for ya. Took 2 months to get this:

Now, it's been a few years since I bought on a truck. But, I did spend a few thousand on one (Snapon) when I did. Never warrantied a whole lot when I was turning them for a living. I had this driver that the handle turned to mush and snapped off. Old? yes, abused? No. So, I took it to one of the guys in the fleet garage at work to see if he could have the snapon guy get the handle replaced at least. I wasn't expecting a new driver (but for the kind of money that **** costs ,that's what should have happened). This is what I got back after a couple months.

 

[bsaint]

Lol I wouldn't wait two months to warranty a screwdriver.

 

[Steevo]

The calendars they give away this time of year are a pretty good deal.

 

[Ruger_556]

You asked about Cornwell, one of my favorite Cornwell tools that is a good value is their very beefy test lamp, number TE27

www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=TE27-%252d-Heavy-Duty-6-%26-12V-Circuit-Tester

That same test light is sold by NAPA.

crack auto electrician can find 80% of issues with a test lamp

About that last part though, umm... I think I'm on your block list so you won't see this but to anyone else be very careful what you use a test light on.

 

[Brians VWss]

Looks like someone used your new/ rebuilt driver for 2 months outside

 

[toufue_yang17]

I broke the same screwdriver twice and got it fixed right on the spot.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Here's a snapon warranty job for ya. Took 2 months to get this:

Now, it's been a few years since I bought on a truck. But, I did spend a few thousand on one (Snapon) when I did. Never warrantied a whole lot when I was turning them for a living. I had this driver that the handle turned to mush and snapped off. Old? yes, abused? No. So, I took it to one of the guys in the fleet garage at work to see if he could have the snapon guy get the handle replaced at least. I wasn't expecting a new driver (but for the kind of money that **** costs ,that's what should have happened). This is what I got back after a couple months.

What are we looking at here? Is this the same driver you gave them to warranty? If not, I don't believe they gave it back to you in this shape. There is more to the story.

This thread was bound to go to **** from the get go.........

 

[whitedogone]

Ya, Gave it to them with 2" of handle left on it. Got it back with too small of a handle crammed on as far as they could get it on....GTG....GFY

 

[logikal]

I think someone swapped your new handle for there crummy one....

 

[John in OH]

This topic comes up all the time ... the eternal struggle between truck and non-truck tools.

I'm not a professional mechanic so I'm expressing a non-pro's opinion only. And I'll limit my response to basic, hard-line tools only and use SO as an example ...

1 -- There are numerous non-truck brands that are essentially equal to SO and are significantly less expensive. Wright, Proto, Williams, Armstrong, SK, come to mind; however, ....

2 -- These other brands may not necessarily make all of the specialty automotive-specific tools that SO sells; and .....

3 -- These other brands do not provide door-to-door truck delivery, face-to-face warranty coverage, or financing.

If these last two items are truly important to you, then buy from the truck. BUT (and there's nearly always a "but"), viewing life with the eyes of a old geezer, it is extremely foolish for a young guy to start out by selling his soul to the Truck Man. Don't drink the SO Kool-aid!! Start out buying good quality, non-truck, hard-line tools and limit your truck buys to only those tools not available in non-truck brands. (I mean, really, is a 120 tooth ratchet truly FUNCTIONALLY better than an 80 tooth ratchet???)

Use the money saved for the other important things in life like food, rent/house payment, car payment, retirement IRA savings (yes ... start saving on day One of your work career for retirement 'cause SS isn't gonna be there for the young folks), health insurance, education, kids shoes, etc., etc.

Once you get established, then start replacing the non-truck tools with truck tools, if you think it's necessary (you may find the original non-truck tools are perfectly fine for your work).

 

[justme-]

For me I think at this point Torx and impact bits are about the only thing I'm buying from the truck for the warranty and life. I have some Snap On tools, and we'll see how my truck does for warranty when I need help - according to the other mechanics with me our guy is good to deal with when he shows up as long as you don't mind the prices. "He's not shy about prices" as one put it to me. Well, he's at 2 weeks now waiting for the socket he "ordered" for me to cover a warranty, and he didn't show up today.
I know alot of guys love the Instinct drivers - at the moment I'm happy enough with my Channel Lock Code Blues, then I'll bring in my Proto Professionals from home or Craftsman Professional before I spend the dough for instincts, but that may change by the time I need them. We don't have any other trucks around here.

don't forget just about every tool you can buy and could want off that truck is out there used for a heck of a lot less tool. Lots of box thinning, especially when the bills are due.

 

[Jason280]

Absolutely. Doesn't have to be off the truck, but any kind of Torx bit needs to be purchased from a place with a solid warranty (Gearwrench, NAPA, Snap On, etc). Working with Jeeps, I see a lot of broken teeth on 45-50-55 bits.

I also recommend not skimping on flare nut/line wrenches...

 

[steed andersen]

I get my cordless tools off the truck because they are expensive and I can make payments and also the warranty. Some high quality pliers that I can't find elsewhere, power bits -because they only break when they aren't under a warranty, specialty sockets,etc.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey everyone,

New here to the forum, not so much wrenching. I want opinions on what you guys think is worth it on the tool trucks, specifically cornwell, snap on, and matco. (The trucks i get at work). Im slowly building up a bigger tool collection for working on vehicles at home, and at work. Any input is appreciated!

Thanks!

Specialty tools. I wouldn't buy any mainstream hand tool from matco to be honest. Cornwell makes good impact. Snap on makes good everything else. "Is it worth it at retail price?" Not really. If you have a "I use this everyday multiple times" kind of tool maybe go for it.

 

[skylinegtr20]

Here's a snapon warranty job for ya. Took 2 months to get this:

Snap On has a website, send them pictures and they will send you a new screw driver... Simple as that.

And besides checking fuses. There isnt much I would use a test light for on a modern vehicle...

 

[Charlief]

I use a logic probe when called for, but a crack auto electrician can find 80% of issues with a test lamp, and adding a Harbor Freight *free with coupon* multimeter to that would bring the percentage up to above 90%

Hmmmmm. I see this at a few shops. Eventually they end up frying modules or ECUs. Then blame "new car electronics" and not their own incompetence.


But to stay on topic. Truck items to buy would be wear items and stuff prone to breakage for warranty. Air tools for their quality over husky ****.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Trade-ins

 

[espyking83]

Snap on ratchets, flank drive wrenches, and screwdrivers. Sockets doesn't matter. Extensions doesn't matter.

I agree with the ratchets, but Snap On's wobble head extentions are some off the best I have seen and always seem to be on sale. On the other hand, I would be crazy to buy FD+ wrenches when you could buy Wrightgrips for 2/3 less money.

Screwdrivers are a toss up. I think Wiha's are better, but some people find ways to destroy screwdrivers, if the TS is one of these people I would say go for it.

 

[WhiffySpark]

No one on here will tell you to buy off a truck. Everything is over priced junk

I buy everything off the matco and snap on truck. My matco goes tends to sell
The oem of a tool. Snap on guy is the best I ever had, just brought a monster lithium the other day

The driver makes all the difference. If he's not a good guy i won't buy ****. Our drivers will warranty anything and that's worth it to me

 

[bsaint]

The calendars they give away this time of year are a pretty good deal.

haha

 

[JUNK-MAN]

For the tools you use every day screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc. I'd get the higher end truck brands but for specialty tools go with Craftsman, Kobalt, etc.. Snap-ons ratchets are the best and Matco makes the best air tools, Cornwell makes good tool carts too, choosing your tools can be confusing.

 

[97fordsuper]

Absolutely. Doesn't have to be off the truck, but any kind of Torx bit needs to be purchased from a place with a solid warranty (Gearwrench, NAPA, Snap On, etc). Working with Jeeps, I see a lot of broken teeth on 45-50-55 bits.

I also recommend not skimping on flare nut/line wrenches...

Off topic here, but I like when this guy^ posts. So here's a bump.

 

[Davefr]

This topic comes up all the time ... the eternal struggle between truck and non-truck tools.

I'm not a professional mechanic so I'm expressing a non-pro's opinion only. And I'll limit my response to basic, hard-line tools only and use SO as an example ...

1 -- There are numerous non-truck brands that are essentially equal to SO and are significantly less expensive. Wright, Proto, Williams, Armstrong, SK, come to mind; however, ....

2 -- These other brands may not necessarily make all of the specialty automotive-specific tools that SO sells; and .....

3 -- These other brands do not provide door-to-door truck delivery, face-to-face warranty coverage, or financing.

If these last two items are truly important to you, then buy from the truck. BUT (and there's nearly always a "but"), viewing life with the eyes of a old geezer, it is extremely foolish for a young guy to start out by selling his soul to the Truck Man. Don't drink the SO Kool-aid!! Start out buying good quality, non-truck, hard-line tools and limit your truck buys to only those tools not available in non-truck brands. (I mean, really, is a 120 tooth ratchet truly FUNCTIONALLY better than an 80 tooth ratchet???)

Use the money saved for the other important things in life like food, rent/house payment, car payment, retirement IRA savings (yes ... start saving on day One of your work career for retirement 'cause SS isn't gonna be there for the young folks), health insurance, education, kids shoes, etc., etc.

Once you get established, then start replacing the non-truck tools with truck tools, if you think it's necessary (you may find the original non-truck tools are perfectly fine for your work).

^^^Best response in this thread!

 

[dnschmidt]

I don't think any hand tools are worth the truck price but proprietary scan tools and lab scopes I think might be. For example Snap-On's Versus and Vantage Pro although extremely expensive have very good features that I would consider paying for, a 13mm wrench, not so much.

 

[WhiffySpark]

^^^Best response in this thread!

Not really

Why buy tools twice?