Advice for student in diesel tech

[jason1]

My brother started diesel technician school, and he's required to buy a bunch of tools. When I saw the cost of the tools sold by some tool companies that gave out some brochures, I thought it would make more sense to just buy craftsman tools at 1/10th of the price.

However, after doing some research, I now understand the value of these tools and the fact that he'll also be getting a discount (even then the tools are really expensive).

So my plan was to get his tools in two phases. Phase one is craftsman tools to get him started, otherwise he has to get all his pro tools within the first quarter. The 521 pc set was really great for this.

Phase two is upgrading those to tools from the the tool trucks. The craftsman tools then go to the garage at home so he has a duplicate set to work on stuff there. Some tools, like a micrometer, don't make sense to get a cheap version, so he skipped directly to phase two tools for that kind of stuff.

At this point, the main question to ask is, when he does get his phase two tools, which company has the best of which tool? I understand no one makes the best of everything, and the other factor here is he only has a limit on his student discount, so it's best to get the highlights from each tool truck rather than simply getting everything.

I know that's a broad question which there have been threads on before, so I'll ask a specific question. Please look at my latest comments below before responding because I'll have other specific questions in the future.

Here's my question: He has to get 1/2" impact sockets. Whose impact sockets should he get, or does it matter? Snap-on, Matco, or Mac? We were thinking Matco because it seems they have more comprehensive sets available to students. Also, what's the difference between the silver eagle and the regular sets?

Thanks

 

[jhurless]

For a student, Matco is a really good way to go. They give you student pricing on the whole catalog right online. The discount ends up right around 50% with air tools and hand tools combined and they have a LOT of stuff.

I would definitely recommend putting together a custom set as opposed to selecting one of their pre built sets. None of the companies offer the same value in a pre-built set that you can get if you take the time to construct your own set based on what you need.

As far as impact sockets are concerned, they are all going to be pretty good. You buy a tool truck brand, you get tool truck service and lifetime warranty. They will replace anything that breaks regardless if its Silver Eagle/Matco or Bluepoint/Snapon. Impacts don't break that much, so I'd probably save some money and get the best value.

Hope that helps.

 

[navyeoseabee]

I have one more class left of my tech school... (p.s i am 31yo that was a heavy equipment operator for the navy...now that i am out & equipment operators are hurting industry, and i went into diesel tech)

i got a job as a diesel tech this semister while pushing 9 units of diesel classes. i like the idea of the first step into craftsman then into the tool truck grade tools as that is what i did.

WHAT i would suggest.... have him use the MATCO tool student discount and jump straight to the truck tools. the discount is great for us, although i didn't have the extra funds to buy matco tools and my deadline for the discount is close. but with the discount they offer the tools at the same or near the price of craftsman store price.

It seems to me that everyone has to have snapon or matco wrenches, and sockets so that makes it easy for me to buy wrench sets and socket sets used, below student prices. this site and ebay are #1 to find deals. I also don't buy used stuff with intials, altought they go for alot cheaper than ones with no intials.


As far as to answer to which is best... it depends which of the trucks would be the one to pull up infront of his shop to service his replacement needs. the worst is chasing down the truck and only using the one time repair or exchange....they don't like that!


-snapon has a student discount but is only certin items. and it is a much harder site to search for items on.... (anyone that has not used the student SNAPON site PLEASE!!-don't beat me up on that! as sudent tech site is different than the normal every other "JOE" snapon site. )

 

[jason1]

As far as impact sockets are concerned, they are all going to be pretty good. You buy a tool truck brand, you get tool truck service and lifetime warranty. They will replace anything that breaks regardless if its Silver Eagle/Matco or Bluepoint/Snapon. Impacts don't break that much, so I'd probably save some money and get the best value.

Are you saying it might be a good idea to go with something like craftsman for impact sockets instead of a tool truck brand? How about the swivels? The main question comes down to what is the cost vs quality difference vs relative tool importance.

WHAT i would suggest.... have him use the MATCO tool student discount and jump straight to the truck tools. the discount is great for us, although i didn't have the extra funds to buy matco tools and my deadline for the discount is close. but with the discount they offer the tools at the same or near the price of craftsman store price.

I was able to snag him a 521 pc craftsman set at sears outlet for a good price, but I expect him to work on replacing all that before he's out of the program.

As far as to answer to which is best... it depends which of the trucks would be the one to pull up infront of his shop to service his replacement needs. the worst is chasing down the truck and only using the one time repair or exchange....they don't like that!

Hm, it's hard to predict something like that.

-snapon has a student discount but is only certin items. and it is a much harder site to search for items on.... (anyone that has not used the student SNAPON site PLEASE!!-don't beat me up on that! as sudent tech site is different than the normal every other "JOE" snapon site. )

I know what you mean...it's pretty bad.

 

[joedodge]

When I started 8 years ago matco had the best deals for students I dont like all there stuff but it was the best bang for the buck. But look out alot of tool teuck stuff is rebranded and marked up like crazy

 

[Az Scooter]

Got to Harbor Freight for Impact sockets to start. I have never broken one, and the value can't be beat. More money can be spent on other things that are not as high of quality at Harbor Freight.

 

[Scootertrash48]

Spend the money on tool truck tools. I have snapon stuff thats easily 2x my age. You cant beat quality


Sent from my super awesome apple product

 

[transittech]

Got to Harbor Freight for Impact sockets to start. I have never broken one, and the value can't be beat. More money can be spent on other things that are not as high of quality at Harbor Freight.

X2! HF makes fine SAE impact sockets. The metric sets skip sizes so be careful when buying. HF also makes ok air tools. Spend the money on things like BIG prybars, chrome sockets, ratchets, breaker bars, extensions, impact wobble sockets (can't have too many of these*), some good pliers (Knipex re-branded), air hammer, impact wrenches in 3 sizes (1/4, 3/8, 1/2), ratcheting combo wrenches (like Gearwrench), angle wrench set (up through 2 in. if you can afford it), etc. The big wrenches should be shop supplied in most shops, but good luck finding them when you really need them.

My rule of thumb - if you can get hurt when it breaks, buy the good stuff.

See which brands have the most reps in your area, and go with that brand to get the best warranty service. Tool reps are always retiring, moving on, etc., so don't put all your eggs in one basket.


*impact wobble sockets are used in limited access situations, so get the modern ones in all 3 sizes, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2. The older styles with the pin retaining ring are a pain. SO is now welding their pins, Mac, Cornwell and Matco all make good ones. Personally, I would recommend Cornwell for 1/4", Snap On for 3/8 (only the new welded pins for metric sizes though), and Cornwell for sizes 1" through 1 1/2".

 

[thightower]

My boy just graduated from tech school, he just had to have snapon, so he got the snapon set they offered. He's paying for them anyway. He got them at a 40 to 50 percent discount. What I didn't like is the second year his box and tools set in my shop, they spent more time on electronics than anything. When I went to school I got the craftsman set, alot cheaper. It depends on what you can afford. He can always buy the good stuff later after he starts working.

 

[joedodge]

Sunex makes excellent impact sockets with lifetime warranty and doesnt skip sizes spend the money where its needed don't buy just to buy

 

[jason1]

Sunex makes excellent impact sockets with lifetime warranty and doesnt skip sizes spend the money where its needed don't buy just to buy

I guess this is my question to everybody. Are impact sockets considered a critical item to invest in, or, if I'm hearing people right, is it an item to get cheap versions and invest elsewhere? I'm not in the trade so I don't know what the key investment points are. Remember, this is for a diesel tech.

 

[thightower]

Impact stuff isn't a place to go cheap on. You don't want a socket exploding in your hand.

 

[bcradio]

I guess this is my question to everybody. Are impact sockets considered a critical item to invest in, or, if I'm hearing people right, is it an item to get cheap versions and invest elsewhere? I'm not in the trade so I don't know what the key investment points are. Remember, this is for a diesel tech.

yes go cheaper on impact sockets. You are better off getting a large set of Craftsman or Sunex impacts. I would get a large set so you aren't piecing it together later for more $$.

Spend your cash on good ratchets, chrome swivels, impact swivels, flare wrenches, all wrenches.

Impact stuff isn't a place to go cheap on. You don't want a socket exploding in your hand.

They're designed not to

 

[macktech]

I bought a large craftsman set when I was in diesel tech school. The sockets and wrenches do as good as any but they do wear out after a while. I like on has snap on ratchets to better than any other brand. Snap on promos are unbeatable. As for wobble sockets. Buy a snap on or Mac wobble and use regulat dockets on it.they dont work w as good but as a truck tech ive never came across something thst a wobble couldn't have gotten to. On impact sockets matcos silver eagle are cheap and great.

 

[thightower]

They're designed not to

Cheap china and taiwans will

 

[ianguilly]

I took what ever I could when I started 2 years ago, and have slowly changed to snap on and moved all my starter tools home. My next phase is start collecting snap on for the house.

 

[crewchief888]

back when i got started, ('84) i had mostly SK, and some CM stuff mixed in.

as my needs changed, or i found the "limits" of the tools i already had, i started buying truck branded stuff.

you'll find everything from HF "quality", to truck brands in my toolboxes.


upgrading ratchets, is probably the 1st item on the list,
good air tools
better screwdrivers, long pattern combo wrenches, the list goes on and on.

in 25 years or so, he'll have (at least) 2 nearly "complete" sets of tools.