Aaron Kaufman's tools

[gdocktor3]

Watched the "mega race" last night on discovery and noticed something AK was using to work on his car. It's well known that AK is a hell of a mechanic and the mastermind behind a lot of GMG's builds. Last night while he was working in his garage, I noticed he had a complete set of Blue Point sockets he was using. I've never had a problem with BP, but it is sometimes thought of as a subpar professional brand of tools because of the coo. Myself and probably everyone else out there assumed he/they used nothing but Snap On or another top tier brand, but this shows that it's not the tools used by the mechanic, it's the mechanic behind the tools. He was using what looked like a dual 80 ratchet though. Not looking for an argument. Just thought I'd share.

 

[Empty Pockets]

A good mechanic can do amazing things with any available tools. I have some BP wrenches that I picked up at a yard sale, no complaints.

A poor mechanic will still be a poor mechanic, regardless of where he bought his tools.

 

[67King]

If it is on TV, there's a 99% chance it is product placement. Most of my fellow car enthusiasts groan at every one of those shows. I'd say that the typical viewer demographic is a whole lot more likely to buy inexpensive tools than good ones.

When I learned about BP a few years ago, I was under the impression that it was like Williams. That completely changed when I got my hands on some of their pliers. I'm sure some of their stuff is good, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with them. So that's where at least MY impression of them being subpar comes from.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm not surprised that he's using blue point sockets. I mean he worked out of that red Husky 40 some inch top & Bottom tool box for several years
If it works, it works. Sockets are one area though where the quality gap between brands is pretty close.

 

[gdocktor3]

If it is on TV, there's a 99% chance it is product placement. Most of my fellow car enthusiasts groan at every one of those shows. I'd say that the typical viewer demographic is a whole lot more likely to buy inexpensive tools than good ones.

When I learned about BP a few years ago, I was under the impression that it was like Williams. That completely changed when I got my hands on some of their pliers. I'm sure some of their stuff is good, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with them. So that's where at least MY impression of them being subpar comes from.

No it wasn't an endorsement. He was talking about something while putting his tools away and I just happened to read them.

 

[Infinia]

If it is on TV, there's a 99% chance it is product placement... snip.

If you can see any brand marks or logo's and its not blurred out, then this^

 

[onemore]

Good observation skills. If you watch most shows carefully enough you can see the evolution from "their tools" generally first season to the "placed" tools or endorsements that they got if the show is successful. I take great pride in noticing these things as well.

 

[kythri]

Why would Snap-on pay to endorse Blue Point over Snap-on?

 

[Infinia]

Why would Snap-on pay to endorse Blue Point over Snap-on?

The Joe Sixpack (TV) demographic wouldn't balk as much at BP prices, either way SO makes the sale. Plus theyd probably make more money relabeling high volume imports than manufacturing in USA as the other 90% brands have already done. Snap On would cont. to advertise in the trade magazines and other professional venues.

 

[Layvon]

Maybe there is more of a demographic of buyers to gain buy advertising the medium grade brands that sell volumes vs the top dollar stuff.

Arguably people that buy the top dollar stuff are more set in their brand of choice already than someone who just picked up a new hobby

 

[6PTsocket]

I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but not everybody obcesses about tools. AK is probably more interested in the build than what brand of tools he is using or may just be thrifty and would not spend the money on labels where the brand is not going to affect the results. Your tools will not rot if you put them in a cheap box and an HF ratchet will turn any socket. I have a neighbor from Ukraine, where they have to make do with what they have. I saw him do an engine swap with a rope stretched between two trees. He built a storage building using a ladder of nailed together boards. I have seen Edd China of Wheeler Dealers, use stuff that definitely did not look top end, like those cheap offser ratchetting box wrenches with the plastic filler that goes all the way around. Your heroes may just not care as much about tools as you do or evaluate their needs differently.

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[toolenthusiast]

The Joe Sixpack (TV) demographic wouldn't balk as much at BP prices, either way SO makes the sale. Plus theyd probably make more money relabeling high volume imports than manufacturing in USA as the other 90% brands have already done. Snap On would cont. to advertise in the trade magazines and other professional venues.

"Joe Sixpack" doesn't have a clue what Blue Point or Snap-On even are. "Joe Sixpack" knows Craftsman and maybe Harbor Freight. I mean, your average person doesn't even know that tool trucks are a thing...

 

[tvtaurus]

Interesting to know. You are correct with your point about the mechanic and his tools.

 

[rhandwor]

Depending on when he purchased then I have a few Blue point made in the USA.

 

[Infinia]

"Joe Sixpack" doesn't have a clue what Blue Point or Snap-On even are. "Joe Sixpack" knows Craftsman and maybe Harbor Freight. I mean, your average person doesn't even know that tool trucks are a thing...

yeah the average Joe wouldn't even look at what kinds of tools are being used.
But a certain number of viewers def. will, esp. considering types of TV programs. The marketing experts place their products on all types of ways (even this website) , it's all a percentage game for sure. The TV producers as well the advertisers have the software tools and metrics they use to cost these things. There is this thing in Marketing 101 called 'brand building' you might want to research that further. https://www.universalclass.com/i/course/business-branding-101.htm

 

[kythri]

I seriously doubt Snap-on is using marketing dollars to push Blue Point in this manner.

 

[walrus]

Why would Snap-on pay to endorse Blue Point over Snap-on?

Better margin?

 

[DTuck]

Better margin?

I highly doubt it's a larger margin, even with Snap On being manufactured over here I'm sure they make more money off of the SO branded items than Blue point.

 

[donpauli2]

I have watched many of these reality shows and all of them that survive a few seasons greatly increase the " appearances" of every aspect. Even Ice Road Truckers and Alaska the Last Frontier


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[Robert Haas]

That was his "travels" set and it is pretty common to see pro's that have to go out and work at the track or remote away from their main box to build a set that is both affordable and not the end of the world if it does not make it back home.

 

[VoodooCLD]

I'm not even a pro, but i have snap on sockets for my garage, and a portable blue point set if i ever need tools outside of the house.

 

[WittHay]

As mentioned previously, its always been common to have Craftsman USA and now mid range Taiwan sockets like Blue-Point in road boxes.

There was a recently deleted thread, where I was mentioned as long as you have good ratchets. Its hard to tell the difference between the Snap-ons in the main box and the import sockets in the road box. Of course other people disagreed.

 

[gdocktor3]

These were in his main box in his garage.

 

[1950mercury]

"Joe Sixpack" doesn't have a clue what Blue Point or Snap-On even are. "Joe Sixpack" knows Craftsman and maybe Harbor Freight. I mean, your average person doesn't even know that tool trucks are a thing...

Everyone knows what snap on is

 

[CJM8515]

tools dont make the mechanic, the person does.

Ever look at your typical mom and pop shop? Most of them arent fancy, have old equipment, the workers arent generally clean cut and the place looks like hell. BUT they get the job done and done well in most cases and cheaper than the big buy. Gotta pay for that fancy tire machine or new 15k snap on chest somehow...

One of the best mechanics I know looks like he crawled out gutter, perpetual 3 day old beard, dirty clothes, messy hair and so forth. he works at his house working on the side these days, his tools are an eclectic bunch of cheaper end stuff, tool truck brands, craftsmen, husky and so forth. Somehow or another it doesnt affect him or his work at all lol. Another friend is a clean cut dealer mechanic with a 10k mac box for home use and tons of tool truck stuff. Doesnt make him anymore skilled than the other guy.

 

[Bob275]

I can't believe nobody has noticed all the HF tools in these shows. The first one where he quits, the work bench has the composite ratchet and free tape measure on the bench when they are all talking. And almost every show has a scene with the blue flame HF welding helmet.

 

[woody 73]

Not to railroad this thread but now that Aaron is gone from the gas monkey, how does Mr. Gas Monkey keep his business running since he is only the money man ???

 

[jakemac]

Not to railroad this thread but now that Aaron is gone from the gas monkey, how does Mr. Gas Monkey keep his business running since he is only the money man ???

Aaron was the Lead Mechanic, not the only mechanic in the shop. They have someone who can step up to keep the work moving. What they need to replace is the visionary. Someone with the imagination and crazy ideas who also has the knowledge to make it happen. That will be harder to find.

 

[woody 73]

Aaron was the Lead Mechanic, not the only mechanic in the shop. They have someone who can step up to keep the work moving. What they need to replace is the visionary. Someone with the imagination and crazy ideas who also has the knowledge to make it happen. That will be harder to find.

So I take it that Richard will replace him ASAP in order to keep the show going.

I never hear about his restaurant business is that making any money ?

 

[jakemac]

Richard is doing the same thing that Teutel Sr tried to do. Slapping his brand on anything he can find to "diversify" and expand the brand. Bar and Grill, Tequila, racing teams, etc. it's all smoke and mirrors. It's very rare for that business model to keep going in the long term. Eventually they all fold in on themselves.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Richard is doing the same thing that Teutel Sr tried to do. Slapping his brand on anything he can find to "diversify" and expand the brand. Bar and Grill, Tequila, racing teams, etc. it's all smoke and mirrors. It's very rare for that business model to keep going in the long term. Eventually they all fold in on themselves.

The difference is Rawlings knows what he's doing Teutel didn't. Rawlings is a businessman senior was a bike builder.

I think loosing junior was really the nail in the coffin for him.

 

[-Brent-]

I noticed the Blue-Points as well. I wondered right then and there if it was product placement but then figured it wasn't.

Re: blurred-out brands/logo reasoning:

-The blurred-out names is often for trademark reasons.
-As well, there's contractual obligations of sponsors and sometimes it's to prevent free advertising.
-For product placement advertisers a competitor would be blurred out.
-Another reason would be to avoid casting or relating the image in unsavory/damaging light and/or causing irreparable harm to a reputation of a company/product.
-Sometimes it's a simple time/money saver so that any inadvertently filmed brand/logo that hasn't been cleared to use... this again going back to the trademark issue first mentioned.



Side note, I doubt this was his travel set-up. Why would it be?

 

[Infinia]

haha you guys are talking about a 'Reality TV SHOW like it's real. Believe me what they choose to show isn't what it's cracked up to be*. Look at some of the past shows and read up on what the real facts are. It's the characters and personalities on display, it's not about the contents and props inside. Reality programs are cheap to produce, its entertainment nothing more. uhh much like The Kardashians. Product placement for these shows are just used as props that are given as donations or gifts, really nothing to get yer ******* in a knot. Part of top tier brands 'swag promos' which are also sprinkled among the media elites even the ne'er-do-wells featured here. *Ask any legit custom bike / car builders what they think of these shows.

 

[Al Borland]

If the camera paused on the sockets so you could read them, might be product placement.
If you had to freeze-frame and zoom, not so much.
Tools may be something he has had for 15 years, since getting out of school or whatever.
He may get sponsor tools at the shop and have what he likes (or what he simply has) at home.
I always watched to see if that damn beard got caught in a fan belt.

 

[jd_1138]

I highly doubt it's a larger margin, even with Snap On being manufactured over here I'm sure they make more money off of the SO branded items than Blue point.

Yep, they probably make way more money off their SO line. They only sell BP because not every mechanic/technician is going to pay SO prices, so at least they can make some money off of them. And once they experience the SO/BP quality/service, the customer may purchase SO in the future.

 

[Mhyde52]

Watched the "mega race" last night on discovery and noticed something AK was using to work on his car. It's well known that AK is a hell of a mechanic and the mastermind behind a lot of GMG's builds. Last night while he was working in his garage, I noticed he had a complete set of Blue Point sockets he was using. I've never had a problem with BP, but it is sometimes thought of as a subpar professional brand of tools because of the coo. Myself and probably everyone else out there assumed he/they used nothing but Snap On or another top tier brand, but this shows that it's not the tools used by the mechanic, it's the mechanic behind the tools. He was using what looked like a dual 80 ratchet though. Not looking for an argument. Just thought I'd share.

I kinda chuckled today when I realized I was turning a 99 cent HF socket with a $150 snap on ratchet. Everything has its place I guess.

 

[gdocktor3]

One of the best mechanics I know looks like he crawled out gutter, perpetual 3 day old beard, dirty clothes, messy hair and so forth. he works at his house working on the side these days, his tools are an eclectic bunch of cheaper end stuff, tool truck brands, craftsmen, husky and so forth. Somehow or another it doesnt affect him or his work at all lol. Another friend is a clean cut dealer mechanic with a 10k mac box for home use and tons of tool truck stuff. Doesnt make him anymore skilled than the other guy.

Me too! Hell of a mechanic and has done A LOT of excellent work for myself, my family and friends, but hes dirty, has no teeth, lives alone, has very little money, and all around not a real great life. He uses an old mish mosh of tools and the occasional newer HF item, but he gets every job done quicker and cheaper than any real garage... because he really, really needs the money....
Maybe its the same guy?!

 

[Gmonkee]

An oft repeated story because a lot of those guys are out there.
One day some of us may be him.

Some of us are halfway there now. lol

all I need is the mad skills in engine work and diagnosis to get me up to speed. Just never seem to get to wanting to spend time learning that stuff.
Too lazy after all these years.

 

[Bdgjr215]

The difference is Rawlings knows what he's doing Teutel didn't. Rawlings is a businessman senior was a bike builder.

I think loosing junior was really the nail in the coffin for him.

I was never a fan of occ and I've never watched one episode of gas monkey garage, but you should get your facts straight,Paul tuetel sr. sold a highly successful Iron business to his other son when the choppers caught on.

 

[walrus]

I was never a fan of occ and I've never watched one episode of gas monkey garage, but you should get your facts straight,Paul tuetel sr. sold a highly successful Iron business to his other son when the choppers caught on.

He had a pretty successful bike business also. Too big too fast