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Tips to save money on tools

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mechanicalchild

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Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Messages
22
I have been a small engines mechanic (unofficially) for as long as I can remember. I work from home, but I do have a pretty nice shop set up. I only work with quality tools like Gray Canada, belzer, gedore, craftsman, and westward, etc. I have found that if you look at flea markets, garage sales, and on kijiji (in Canada) you can find some good stuff. I have never paid more than $25 for a hand tool in my life that I can remember. The key to saving money is, don't feel pressured by other mechanics to buy what you don't really need. Buy what will work. And remember, if a tool is a little rusty or beat up, you can still usually bring it back to life with a little work. Snap on, or Mac tools may be what you want, but USUALLY, aren't what you need. People say snap on tools make you a pro. I say your skills make you a pro.
 
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Snap_cap

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The city of the broken bell.
mechanicalchild said:
I have been a small engines mechanic (unofficially) for as long as I can remember. I work from home, but I do have a pretty nice shop set up. I only work with quality tools like Gray Canada, belzer, gedore, craftsman, and westward, etc. I have found that if you look at flea markets, garage sales, and on kijiji (in Canada) you can find some good stuff. I have never paid more than $25 for a hand tool in my life that I can remember. The key to saving money is, don't feel pressured by other mechanics to buy what you don't really need. Buy what will work. And remember, if a tool is a little rusty or beat up, you can still usually bring it back to life with a little work. Snap on, or Mac tools may be what you want, but USUALLY, aren't what you need. People say snap on tools make you a pro. I say your skills make you a pro.
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Sure.


Guess you forgot posting this gem in your other Snap-On bashing thread.

mechanicalchild said:
As I am 16 years old, maybe I'll buy them a pop.
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johndeereman

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Mar 28, 2014
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441
Location
WILL COUNTY IL
SO TRUE GENERAL GEOFF I have probably bought or acquired 2,000.00 dollar's in tool's since joining the GJ not all necessary by any means but when you have the right tool for the job it is so much easier. It was crazy talking to some guy's at work that if i had more than one ratchet in each size i was nut's, not to mention more than one set of wrench's or any specialty tool's but you know i get the job done. It is often easier and more enjoyable with the right tool's for the job plus i am doing more work that i never would of done before i have learned a lot from so many here. THANK'S GUY'S & GAL'S
 
A

Art From De Leon

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Feb 28, 2009
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De Leon, Texas
Ebay and pawn shops. You just have to know the price going into the deal.

When I lived in San Antonio (a GREAT city), I used to make the rounds of about a dozen pawn shops, and a lot of them had their USED Snap-on tools priced higher than truck price.

If you can get it for a quarter to a third of new, I would consider it a good deal.
 
S

Super Sport

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Jun 30, 2011
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4,081
Location
West Michigan
General Geoff said:
Re: Tips to save money on tools

Don't visit this forum! :lol_hitti
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Isn't that the truth!

I own very little Snap On (or other "truck brands" for that matter), but I do believe they are often of the best quality and better designed than cheaper tools. They also often offer a better variety of tools, stuff that no one else makes. And if you hunt down deals, you can usually get that stuff for pretty reasonable prices on the used market.

It's a shame the OP lives in Canada. Sears in the U.S. has given me so many free tools through coupons and rewards!

My other tip for saving money, is going to estate sales or buying a collection of quality tools for a reasonable price, and reselling what you don't want out of it. Both require time, but that's how you'll save money!
 
OP
M

mechanicalchild

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Messages
22
Snap_cap said:
Sure.


Guess you forgot posting this gem in your other Snap-On bashing thread.
Click to expand...
Not sure what you mean. If you are referring to my age, yes I am 16. That doesn't mean I can't do a little small engines work. I have been working from probably around the age of 5 with my dad.
 
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Leaflessshadetree

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Aug 1, 2013
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7,144
Location
Don't ask.
Tools as save me money. The more I use them, the more I save.

I have many professional quality tools that I paid less than $25 for.
I also have Craftsman, HF and some "unknown" brands. In most cases the HF will get the job done (sometimes only once). Craftsman quality isn't much to brag about. Old Craftsman was good (not great) quality but not worth the prices being asked for as used tools.
 
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Toyota mechanic

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Sep 18, 2014
Messages
219
I have only been on this forum a few weeks. Wasn't the why buy Snap-on thread enough??????????????? I'm not even one of the Snap-on super fan club, and this is getting annoying.
 
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S

Snap_cap

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Joined
Jul 26, 2014
Messages
285
Location
The city of the broken bell.
mechanicalchild said:
I have been a small engines mechanic (unofficially) for as long as I can remember. I work from home, but I do have a pretty nice shop set up. I only work with quality tools like Gray Canada, belzer, gedore, craftsman, and westward, etc. I have found that if you look at flea markets, garage sales, and on kijiji (in Canada) you can find some good stuff. I have never paid more than $25 for a hand tool in my life that I can remember. The key to saving money is, don't feel pressured by other mechanics to buy what you don't really need. Buy what will work. And remember, if a tool is a little rusty or beat up, you can still usually bring it back to life with a little work. Snap on, or Mac tools may be what you want, but USUALLY, aren't what you need. People say snap on tools make you a pro. I say your skills make you a pro.
Click to expand...

Toyota mechanic said:
I have only been on this forum a few weeks. Wasn't the why but Snap-on thread enough??????????????? I'm not even one of the Snap-on super fan club, and this is getting annoying.
Click to expand...


That was my take on it as well.
 
G

greasemonkey44

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Mar 30, 2011
Messages
1,625
Location
memphis
I'm bored I'll bite; most things I work on are metric. Most of the offerings at estate sales and the like are sae.
I like to save my money in a more practical way. Looks for sales, check amazon, talk to other mechanics, and try it before I buy it.
 
O

owenst7

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Oct 19, 2011
Messages
632
Location
Anchorage/Reno
mechanicalchild said:
Not sure what you mean. If you are referring to my age, yes I am 16. That doesn't mean I can't do a little small engines work. I have been working from probably around the age of 5 with my dad.
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Thanks for the advice :rolleyes:. We should ask you now while you know everything.

Your $25 budget may need to go up a bit when you get older and realize you forgot everything.
 
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Tronyadorable

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I find I make much wiser purchases when I'm sober. That being said;I haven't been sober since 1974. :beer:
 
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honcho

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Feb 2, 2011
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Near Sodom & Gommorah (aka Wash. DC)
1. I agree with the "don't visit Garage Journal" recommendations

2. Don't be "set obsessed" Just because there's a gap between 19 and 21mm in your tool set means you have to have the 20mm socket / wrench. By all means, if your work requires a 20mm, buy it. If you have never encountered a 20mm nut or bolt in your work, save your money.

3. Brand obsession is expensive, avoid it if you can

4. Country of Origin obsession can be expensive, but I do believe in trying to buy items (not just tools) from countries that are at least semi-democratic and don't abuse their people.

5. Take care of what you have. Sometimes works demands you do things that aren't good for your tools and even if covered by warranty, it still takes time and effort to obtain replacements. Take a moment to wipe your tools down and inspect their condition. Worn tools can be dangerous and can damage your work or make the job more difficult than necessary.

6. Never lend anything (tools, money, etc...) that you aren't willing and able to lose. Your buddy may be a great guy, but they may not respect your things the way you do. Lend him your expensive (insert item here) at your own peril. Your friendship may be worth it but, then again, it might not be worth it. Your item, your call.

7. In conjunction with #6 above, if you borrow tools, treat them better than you treat your own things. If you break or damage something that's not yours, tell and apologise to the owner and fully and promptly repair or replace the item to their satisfaction. Otherwise, you may never get to borrow another item from them again in the future. It's how you would want to be treated, right?
 
2

22george

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Joined
Jan 26, 2011
Messages
1,634
Location
SW Ohio
honcho said:
1. I agree with the "don't visit Garage Journal" recommendations

2. Don't be "set obsessed" Just because there's a gap between 19 and 21mm in your tool set means you have to have the 20mm socket / wrench. By all means, if your work requires a 20mm, buy it. If you have never encountered a 20mm nut or bolt in your work, save your money.

3. Brand obsession is expensive, avoid it if you can

4. Country of Origin obsession can be expensive, but I do believe in trying to buy items (not just tools) from countries that are at least semi-democratic and don't abuse their people.

5. Take care of what you have. Sometimes works demands you do things that aren't good for your tools and even if covered by warranty, it still takes time and effort to obtain replacements. Take a moment to wipe your tools down and inspect their condition. Worn tools can be dangerous and can damage your work or make the job more difficult than necessary.

6. Never lend anything (tools, money, etc...) that you aren't willing and able to lose. Your buddy may be a great guy, but they may not respect your things the way you do. Lend him your expensive (insert item here) at your own peril. Your friendship may be worth it but, then again, it might not be worth it. Your item, your call.

7. In conjunction with #6 above, if you borrow tools, treat them better than you treat your own things. If you break or damage something that's not yours, tell and apologise to the owner and fully and promptly repair or replace the item to their satisfaction. Otherwise, you may never get to borrow another item from them again in the future. It's how you would want to be treated, right?
Click to expand...

What he said x 2:thumbup:
 
R

Ricky112

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Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
54
Im canadian too.. saved a lot of money buying from amazon.com instead of .ca :)
 
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