Diesel Tech tool set-Which brand to go with?

[Davediesel]

Good morning all,
I'm enrolled in a Diesel Technology Program and I'm in the market for a tool set. As a student I get 50% off most of the major tool truck brands, but I have also been looking at sets from Wright Tool and Williams. I'm kind of leaning toward Wright. I like the fact that all their tools are American made, get great quality reviews, and seem reasonably priced. I would use Wright for basic 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 ratchets, sockets, wrenches, etc, then use the 50% off to round out the set with Air tools, impacts, ultra power probe, and torque wrenches from Snap-on, MAC. Any comments/suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I would unenroll in the diesel program and enroll in HVAC, plumbing, or electrical, and purchase the tools those courses require. If you are intent on staying with diesel, At 50% off I would go Snap-on, that's what I did over twenty years ago and never regretted it. Although they are getting stingy, they used to be 60% off.

 

[gdocktor3]

Wright is an awesome company and make great tools. Williams is also a great company and is sold/repaired on the Snap On trucks. A diesel tech's tools live a tough life. I would buy into whichever brand is easiest for you to warranty if/when something breaks.

 

[geartow]

if you can live with mix sets of tools ,look at sunex and tekton. there are a lot of people making a living with tools from these brands , mayhew for prybars, Milwaukee locking pliers are good, gearwrench . and pick n choose what you need to fill in and don't over look harbor freight there pro line is decent stuff. .

 

[stercorarius]

It depends on what you plan on doing when you get out of the program. I haven't done a program yet, but I'm a farm mechanic/tradesman out in the fields all day and night. I only stop at the shop to stock up and help out on the occasional job. Because of this, I've only been able to have the snap on dealer meet me twice in over a year. So I have two snap on tools. Most of my tools are proto because it's easy to make a quick stop at a proto distributor. When I did the shop thing there was no way the boss would let me leave to go buy a proto tool during the hours they are open so a tool truck would be the best way to get a tool repaired or purchased. I'm not a big tool truck fan in terms of "buy everything snap-on," but in terms of ratchets and sockets you really can't argue that they aren't a time tested and proven design. So to get to the point, don't buy something that you won't be able to have repaired under warranty. I run a mix of all brands, but I'm young and inexperienced. I'm more or less in the same boat as you only without 50% off. I have Proto, Gearwrench, Snap-on, Pittsburgh, Sunex, Irwin, Wera, Klein, Estwing, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Bosch, Metabo, Lincoln, all that and they all fill their niche very well. All I can say for sure is, don't buy Armstrong as a long term investment.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[kd3pc]

Any of the top tier tools you mentioned will serve you well. Time is money, and they all have decent warranty/replacement programs.

I went used for a lot of my tools, even though the discount is good, used was an even better deal. YOu might start with the basic needs tools for your program and then as you get close to finishing - get a required tool list from your most hopeful employers and see where you need to put some money.

Stay away from the loan programs, they will follow you.

Best of luck.

 

[tr0n]

i'm assuming by diesel tech you mean full on heavy duty, not just engines?

i can tell you that i regularly have to double wrench/use snipes on...most things. can't tell you how many big **** guns fail to get easy things like trailer shock bolts off. out comes the 1-1/8 combo wrench and the cheater bar.

you'll find a mixed bag in every HD mechanic's box. at least every one that actually turns the wrenches.

snap on and knipex (or other high end brand) pliers, high end screwdrivers, cheap drivers for beating on, a set of nice ratchets, a cheap set of ratchets for beating on, a big air gun, a little air gun, a little cordless, drills of choice, selection of pipe wrenches 24-36", deadblows (i live by my 5lb one. makes easy work of sticky drums)...

as far as torque wrenches, i'd pass on the snarpon and go right to CDI or Precision Instruments. same wrenches, but they're half price.

basically it's nice to have nice tools but you have to be prepared to **** on them. don't be afraid of the cheap stuff for many applications, especially oversized. once you get up above 1-1/8" wrenches there's enough steel there for even the chinesiest of steels to hold up. 3/4 drive stuff is pretty much the same way, but a nice ratchet that won't give up on you when you're loading it up with 3-400lbs is a bonus.

make sure to get some coolguy shades for when you have to bust out the fire axe.

edit: i realize that wasn't exactly helpful with brands, but i'm honestly still trying to find out what i like for my nice shiny tools as it is. snap-off isn't always the way to go, but it sure is the easiest. it'd be a lot easier to pick up some gray, SK, proto etc if some of the ****** suppliers were open for a couple hours on saturday.

 

[SantaAna12]

You cant go wrong with Wright.

Hers a thought: stick to the core tools. Many shops will have Proto sets for the larger stuff,. and specialty tools and gauges for all at the shop.

Good luck in your career.

 

[tr0n]

SantaAna, that's right as well. every shop i've been in has supplied most of the big stuff (3/4 gun, 1" gun, 3/4 and 1" drive sockets, axle nut sockets, mag bases, 3/4 and 1" torque wrenches and torque multipliers). as you get on it will be nice to get your own though.

wrestling the wheel gun or the torque wrench away from the 200lb gorilla in the next bay EVERY TIME you need it gets old pretty fast.

oh, pick up a 1/2" 12pt impact swivel socket or a 1/2" driveline standoff for them u-joints.

factor in a good striking prybar set. i have the mac set personally, it's just fine even if it's a rebrand. they go on sale cheap. you're going to want a beefy 3/4 or 1" shank bar over 40". the snappers have nicer handles but i like the fact that my macs will be replaced no matter what i manage to do.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Welcome to the GJ. Any of the brands you've mentioned will do you great. Don't go too far into having every socket in every drive starting out. As has been stated, most shops will provide the larger sockets and 3/4" torque wrench (even if you have to search for them at times).

I'd also recommend sticking with primarily impact sockets for 3/8" and 1/2" drive. Usually in school they'll shy away from anyone using impacts on their equipment since it's all been torn down, beat up, cross threaded, and put back together hundreds of times by kids that shouldn't ever be allowed near a wrench. In the field it's a different story, and chrome only comes out for something that's a really tight fit.

Have a look through here when you have some time:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186713

Also put this together to help folks starting out and not getting hit too hard in the wallet by the trucks:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851

And a thread of diesel toolbox **** to do just the opposite and make your wallet hurt:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182652

oh, pick up a 1/2" 12pt impact swivel socket or a 1/2" driveline standoff for them u-joints.

Funny that you mention this, I just replaced my 13mm Craftsman deep in my home/portable set last week that I split years ago starting out at KW when I didn't have a driveline socket. I forgot all about it until recently.

 

[WittHay]

There are lots of tool box tour videos on YouTube. A lot of them are quite informative and a majority in the HD field have a variety of brands in their box.

If you are going into truck repair you can get away with less tools than Ag equipment.

 

[Davediesel]

All,
Thanks for all the great feedback! Lots to think about. I'm trying hard to balance quality, cost, and versatility. I'll keep everyone posted......

 

[Davediesel]

i'm assuming by diesel tech you mean full on heavy duty, not just engines?

Yep, full on heavy duty.

My moto will be - "I work in the diesel field, sh****t is BIG"

 

[Davediesel]

I also just picked up a Craftsman Pro series 41' Top/bottom combo for 50% off using the student discount.

 

[LXCam]

I also just picked up a Craftsman Pro series 41' Top/bottom combo for 50% off using the student discount.

Ya well it's ok to make mistakes when you're young.

But getting back to quality tools there isn't a damn thing wrong with Wright tools. I own a few and none of them have ever failed. So if you can get good pricing on their stuff then you should take advantage of it.

 

[BK13]

I'm not a pro, but I think if I were in your shoes, warranty would be my first concern (though I imagine you don't know where you will end up working). Then, I would pick up all the Snappy ratchets you can/think you might want, the stuff Wright just doesn't make (specifically, semi-deep sockets in whatever drive you think you'll use), then compare what the other stuff will cost from SO versus Wright. If they're close, I would just go with SO for ease of warranty.

(I really like Wright, so that kinda pains me to say...)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ecotec]

I would buy a mix of brands...
I would buy Wright combo wrenches
Snap-on double box ends and flare nut wrenches
Snap-on ratchets
Wright sockets and extensions
Snap-on, Knipex, Grip-on (just buy the Snap-on version), and Klein pliers
any industrial brand 3/4" set (Wright, SK, Proto...)
Williams 19pc screwdriver set (if you break any buy Snap-on to replace those)
Milwaukee cordless tools
Snap-on hex and torx sockets
Trusty-Cook and Vaughan hammers
Wright impact sockets

Anything you break... replace with Snap-on.

 

[Skin]

Only issue with a brand like Wright is, in 2 years you decide being a mechanic isn't for you, your Wright tools are worth pennies on the dollar if you want to recoup some money. If you stick with it then its a non-issue but a lot of guys quickly drop out of the field so it may be worth consideration. Some of the big Snap-On stuff has excellent resale value if purchased with the student discount.

 

[fasteddie313]

If I were buying new I'd prolly go with these ...

 

[tr0n]

skin, that's a pretty valid point.

we seem to loose a lot of guys in the HD trade after 2-3 years. lots of guys with brand stinkin new 56" KRA boxes go back to back to driving truck or swinging hammer. depending on where you end up working, it really can be heavy. something something 100lb hydraulic fan drive motors where no crane fits .

if you DO get frustrated with the industry, just look for something else. thousands upon thousands of jobs in the HD field and they all encompass an entirely different day to day grind.

 

[stercorarius]

skin, that's a pretty valid point.

we seem to loose a lot of guys in the HD trade after 2-3 years. lots of guys with brand stinkin new 56" KRA boxes go back to back to driving truck or swinging hammer. depending on where you end up working, it really can be heavy. something something 100lb hydraulic fan drive motors where no crane fits .

if you DO get frustrated with the industry, just look for something else. thousands upon thousands of jobs in the HD field and they all encompass an entirely different day to day grind.

What he said. I can and have driven truck and the guys who are out there breaking down and calling me make more hourly than I do. Working on heavy equipment takes a toll. Only reason I'm not in a truck is because I hate being in a truck for more than a week at a time. I love occasionally lowboying something, but man it gets boring. I probably won't stay in the field indefinitely and that factors in to a lot of my tool buying decisions. I'm 19 with the blood pressure of a forty year old taxi driver, it's not an easy job. At the end of the day though, watching those tail lights disappear down the road while I pack up my tools is the only reason I get out of bed in the morning. Wish you the best of luck man.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[Davediesel]

Good morning all,
Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. Just a few quick questions:
1) Ratcheting screwdriver - I can get the snap-on soft grip standard for $34.00....should I go with that or another brand?
2) Punch and Chisel set - I'm thinking the MayhewPro 14 pc set.....any thoughts on the selection?
3) Impact sockets - Wright

Regarding impact sockets, what's a good mix to start out with? Should I get shallow and deep (SAE & Metric) for 3/8" and 1/2" drives? I'm thinking about getting shallow and deep universal sets? Thanks for the help!

 

[Davediesel]

ecotec,
Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I'm just curious about your Hex and torx sockets pick....why Snap-on instead of Wright?
2) Screwdriver set - The snap-on combination, Instinct hard handle set is $55.00 for students....Should I just go with the snap-on set or still consider the Williams 19 pc set? Thanks for the help.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Good morning all,
Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. Just a few quick questions:
1) Ratcheting screwdriver - I can get the snap-on soft grip standard for $34.00....should I go with that or another brand?
2) Punch and Chisel set - I'm thinking the MayhewPro 14 pc set.....any thoughts on the selection?
3) Impact sockets - Wright

Regarding impact sockets, what's a good mix to start out with? Should I get shallow and deep (SAE & Metric) for 3/8" and 1/2" drives? I'm thinking about getting shallow and deep universal sets? Thanks for the help!

These are all just based off of what I've worked with, not the end all answers.

1. Can't go wrong with the Snap-on ratcheting driver. I bought my hard handle with the SEP discount, and used it all the time with shop work (not so much now in a service truck, way easier to lose a bit than an entire driver). Even if you were to hate it, you can flip it used for more than you pay with the discount. IIRC I helped pay my way through school reselling some of them since SEP let me order all the different colors.

2. Be very picky which Mayhew set you order. Pro should be good, but I made the mistake of ordering one of the cheaper sets, and while the punches are good, the chisels are soft garbage. I have Proto Los Angeles chisels that are well over twice my age that I use and have never had to sharpen. The difference in good and garbage chisels is insane when you actually can feel the difference side by side.

3. Shallow and deep in SAE and Metric in 1/2" and 3/8" and U-joints will do you great (I've been hammering on the Sunex 3305 adapter/joint set professionally for years with zero failures).

Universals are great in 3/8" for tight spots and to keep a socket from flying across the room if it slips off the fastener a bit. Personally, I'd skip Wright for universal impacts since they use that odd ***-backwards design that puts all the bulk at the fastener end.

Stick with impact for 3/8" and 1/2", skip the chrome. Pick up a good 1/4" chrome set for smaller stuff, and 3/8" mid length/Semi-deeps for the occasional tight spot where the impacts are too fat to fit.

ecotec,
Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I'm just curious about your Hex and torx sockets pick....why Snap-on instead of Wright?
2) Screwdriver set - The snap-on combination, Instinct hard handle set is $55.00 for students....Should I just go with the snap-on set or still consider the Williams 19 pc set? Thanks for the help.

Screwdrivers are all going to be personal preference of how it fits in your hand. I got by just fine with clear Craftsmans and old yellow handle Protos and Williams for most of my adult life, moved up to Craftsman Pros, tried out Williams black hard handles, Wiha, and friends/coworkers SK hard handles, Snap-on Instincts, MAC comfort grips and Proto Durateks. Finally settled on the Durateks and moved the CM Pros home.

A good friend loves his comfort grip MACs and only likes his MAC branded Durateks, I'm the opposite and don't like the MAC comfort grips, but love the CM Pro/SK comfort grips. Granted, this damn website is the only reason I put so much thought into it. If not for here I'd probably still be hammering away at clear CM handles and have no complaints...

Damn, I get some coffee down and write a novel.

 

[budco]

In case you haven't made your decision yet let me tell you what I used as a diesel tech. I've worked at heavy truck shops and recently retired from FedEx after 25 years. I have a few different brands because I've tried to get the best price and have bought quite a few tools used from craigslist and ebay. If your getting 50% off I would buy new. There is no doubt that Snap On is my favorite. I have Mac, Matco and the old craftsman (before they were total junk) and Snap On is my favorite. The biggest thing you have to know beforehand is what you are going to be working on. Will the majority be metric or standard. Do you need up to 1" or 1 1/2 or more? If you don't know what your going to work on I would get the basic wrench, socket and screwdriver sets and go from there. I don't know how many tools the other guys have but I had enough for work, home and the race trailer. Now that I retired I kept the best of everything and gave my son the rest. He was very happy to say the least. Good luck as a tech and your future.

 

[BK13]

Damn, I get some coffee down and write a novel.

No sweat, man. I, for one, appreciate the insight of you guys who do it for a living. As a DIY hack I will never gain the experience with various tools that you all will.

 

[Davediesel]

Damn, I get some coffee down and write a novel.

Thanks. Your insight is much appreciated!!

 

[Davediesel]

In case you haven't made your decision yet let me tell you what I used as a diesel tech. I've worked at heavy truck shops and recently retired from FedEx after 25 years.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure yet what the bulk of my service will be on, metric or SAE, but I want to have the basic tools need to hit the ground running either way. That said, I know my tool investment is just starting and will ramp up once I get settled in my first shop

 

[Davediesel]

moved up to Craftsman Pros

I have a set of Craftsman Pros screwdrivers that I really like as well. I bought them back in 05'.....too bad Craftsman doesn't make them anymore. I also have a set of full polish USA made ratchets and SAE Combo wrenches....can't get them anymore either.

Recently, I took my 1/4" drive to Sears because the socket retention ball was broken. The salesman looked at the ratchet and said: Man, this is USA made, I can't replace this, so I asked him if they would do a rebuilt for me. 30 mins later I walked out with a "new", USA 1/4" drive.

 

[ecotec]

ecotec,
Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I'm just curious about your Hex and torx sockets pick....why Snap-on instead of Wright?
2) Screwdriver set - The snap-on combination, Instinct hard handle set is $55.00 for students....Should I just go with the snap-on set or still consider the Williams 19 pc set? Thanks for the help.

The Snap-on Torx and Hex are pretty universally loved. Plus... Torx and Hex sockets are something that will break. So buy once, cry once... and you will have the Snap-on man replacing them if and when you break them...I would consider them consumables

I would also consider the screwdrivers consumables, which brings me to your other question. At $55, I would buy the 8pc instinct set. If and when you break one, you can just hand it back to the Snap-on man.

Basically, I would put your student discount towards the tools most likely to break over time and tools most ergonomic for your job.

 

[Davediesel]

Torx and Hex sockets are something that will break. So buy once, cry once... and you will have the Snap-on man replacing them

Great point, makes sense.

At $55, I would buy the 8pc instinct set. If and when you break one, you can just hand it back to the Snap-on man.

Ok, done deal.

Basically, I would put your student discount towards the tools most likely to break over time and tools most ergonomic for your job.

Yep, sounds like a plan. Thanks for the help.