Automotive Student Needs Tool Advice

[simpleman]

Hello everyone. I am just starting training in a local automotive training school called ATI. I would like to get a toolset for a beginner/student. I was wondering what brands you might recommend I look in to and which ones to avoid. My cousin uses only Snap-on but they are very expensive and he is always paying the tool man. What about Cornwell, SK, Craftsman Professional line? I am looking for a good all around value, bang for the buck, best value for the money. I am not concerned with impressing someone with my "name brand" toolbox. I understand Snap-on may be the best but what other brands can you suggest and also any advice for a new automotive student? Thank you for the help.

 

[Sunrise]

Doesnt your school offers discount on tools?

whatever tool you get now, you will end up getting Snap-On later

well, tech i know use Craftsman tool, mostly. also few mix of snap-on sockets. i dont think he has problem with his tools.

so each their own i guess.

 

[DarrenF]

I like SK stuff for good quality Vs. price. Craftsman has lost its edge, in my opinion. I have been buying mainly Snap on stuff lately from ebay.

 

[Mike83]

Welcome to the board!

Many here, including myself, find Craftsman Professional to be a very good choice in terms of value, quality and of course relatively convenient warranty service. I have a few often used Snap-On tools that I got cheap on Ebay and the classifieds on this board.

Edit: by "often used" I meant by me...pliers, ratchets, breaker bars...things I reach for on a regular basis

 

[krusty the clown]

Doesnt your school offers discount on tools?

whatever tool you get now, you will end up getting Snap-On later

if you can get snap on at a school discount why buy another brand only to replace them with snap on later?

 

[jay50]

Start out with Cman sets; professionals is you have the $'s. You will soon learn very quickly that it is the person holding the tool that matters; not the name on the tool.

Also, stay away from those damn tool truck thieves; debt has runined many a young tech. If SO has a good discount for tech school, might be worthwhile.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I usually tout Craftsman tools, but I must agree, if you can get Snap-on tools discounted through your program I think you would be foolish not to take advantage of that. Usually programs like yours have a list of tool basics. If not I would say get sets of screwdrivers, full sets of combo wrenches, the basics in 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" and a few pair of pliers for starters. First and foremost buy the best ratchet you can afford since you are planning on making a living with these tools I do suggest get Snap-On if possible. Use your discount now, cause you will never get discounted that heavily again!

 

[eschoendorff]

I usually tout Craftsman tools, but I must agree, if you can get Snap-on tools discounted through your program I think you would be foolish not to take advantage of that. Usually programs like yours have a list of tool basics. If not I would say get sets of screwdrivers, full sets of combo wrenches, the basics in 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" and a few pair of pliers for starters. First and foremost buy the best ratchet you can afford since you are planning on making a living with these tools I do suggest get Snap-On if possible. Use your discount now, cause you will never get discounted that heavily again!

What he said... with special emphasis on the bold...

I will add my appreciation for craftsman Pro wrenches. I'm no pro, but they seem to work as well as my Snap Ons....

 

[Stuey]

Agreed. You use a ratchet with every socket, but might not use all the sockets in a set at first or even for a while. As things break, replace them with better supplies. Starting off with great tools but in debt is a lousy start. Deep discounts might make it worth it though. Then again, you could always buy them at that discount a bit later on, right?

 

[bchee]

I usually tout Craftsman tools, but I must agree, if you can get Snap-on tools discounted through your program I think you would be foolish not to take advantage of that. Usually programs like yours have a list of tool basics. If not I would say get sets of screwdrivers, full sets of combo wrenches, the basics in 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" and a few pair of pliers for starters. First and foremost buy the best ratchet you can afford since you are planning on making a living with these tools I do suggest get Snap-On if possible. Use your discount now, cause you will never get discounted that heavily again!

I was going to suggest the same.

 

[kwhitelaw]

Before you buy anything, check to see if you qualify for the snap on student excellence program. Trust me when I say the discounts are well worth the "hoops" you have to jump through to get on the program. I just wish they offered a better selection of tool boxes...

 

[kartracer55]

Doesnt your school offers discount on tools?

whatever tool you get now, you will end up getting Snap-On later
.

Basically. This question pops up all the time. Buy it used, and kno what you can save money on and what you need to buy off the truck. Metric combo wrenches should be snap on. 1/4 drive sockets can be a big SK set, a great value.

Your 3/8 stuff should be snap on or Matco, because they will get used the most and need warranty the most.

You really dont need Snap On hammers, pick up craftsmans, or rather Vaughns.

Mayhew/Craftsman punches and chisels are most than adequate, why spend money on snap on there?

Get what Im sayin?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Then again, you could always buy them at that discount a bit later on, right?

Actually he probably will never see SO tools discounted so steeply again as when he is in trade school. While he is in school he will be able to get as much as 50% discount on whatever he wants, but once he leaves school he will not get quite that amount of discount. I agree debt is bad, he really needs to weigh it all out.

 

[eschoendorff]

Basically. This question pops up all the time. Buy it used, and kno what you can save money on and what you need to buy off the truck. Metric combo wrenches should be snap on. 1/4 drive sockets can be a big SK set, a great value.

Your 3/8 stuff should be snap on or Matco, because they will get used the most and need warranty the most.

You really dont need Snap On hammers, pick up craftsmans, or rather Vaughns.

Mayhew/Craftsman punches and chisels are most than adequate, why spend money on snap on there?

Get what Im sayin?

maybe not, but their dead-blow ball peens (actaully Trusty-Cook) are among the nicest hammers that I have ever seen, used or read about.


As far as 1/4 sockets, I have rounded out more S*K than Craftsman. YMMV. Buy whatever brand is easiet to warranty in your area... all sockets will break!

 

[Deafautotech]

Start out with Cman sets; professionals is you have the $'s. You will soon learn very quickly that it is the person holding the tool that matters; not the name on the tool.

Also, stay away from those damn tool truck thieves; debt has runined many a young tech. If SO has a good discount for tech school, might be worthwhile.

AMEN!!! i was started out with craftsman tools but when i got more of tools problems like get cracked or broke tools which i had to upgrade to snap on or mac tool where i can find for cheap price... I am little kick myself to not buy snap on tools where i can get 50 percents off while i was in IVY tech for automotive programs... so well but i am happy what i did because i bought a lot of tools from pawn stores or flea market or even other techs who dont need it and sold me for much cheap...

 

[Merkava_4]

Don't you get a 50% discount for being a student?!!? I think they call it the VOTEC program? Hell, when I went to A&P school, I spent all my student loan money on Snap-on and MAC at half list!

 

[eschoendorff]

Don't you get a 50% discount for being a student?!!? I think they call it the VOTEC program? Hell, when I went to A&P school, I spent all my student loan money on Snap-on and MAC at half list!

... because 50% off a lot of money is still A LOT OF MONEY!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

snap on gives NO DISCOUNTS after school
I say , go into plumbing , welding or electrical , while you still have time
cars are a fun hobby , but because previous generations of mechanics give in to the boss man like cheap whores , janitors laugh at us ....
you won't make enough money working on cars

 

[Merkava_4]

you won't make enough money working on cars

That's the craziest thing I've ever heard! When I worked at a Toyota dealer, the top techs were making $65,000-$75,000 a year in 1999! This one dude Dave Smith, used to walk around with a huge wad of 100s in his pocket! Back then they were making 25/Hr flat rate; now its up more than that.

 

[krusty the clown]

That's the craziest thing I've ever heard! When I worked at a Toyota dealer, the top techs were making $65,000-$75,000 a year in 1999! This one dude Dave Smith, used to walk around with a huge wad of 100s in his pocket! Back then they were making 25/Hr flat rate; now its up more than that.

and it's gone downhill since.........the best year i had was 02, i made 64k. i've been struggling to break 50k since. the price of gas will most likely make this the worst year i have had since the early 90's. the respect thing is the worst..........tell my momma i'm a piano player in a cat house cuz i don't want her to know i'm a mechanic

 

[AutoTech]

... because 50% off a lot of money is still A LOT OF MONEY!

EXACTLEY!!!!

Buy Craftsman socket sets and Professional wrenches you can't go wrong! I've been a automotive tech for almost 21 years and have always used Craftsman and rarely have any problems and I don't have to run out to the tool trucks making $50 to $100 dollar a week payments like the other techs in the shop! I'm not saying I don't buy any Snap On tools because there are specialty tools you can't buy from Sears and I will only use Snappies cordless impacts but for the most part most of my hand tools are Craftsman!

 

[AutoTech]

and it's gone downhill since.........the best year i had was 02, i made 64k. i've been struggling to break 50k since. the price of gas will most likely make this the worst year i have had since the early 90's. the respect thing is the worst..........tell my momma i'm a piano player in a cat house cuz i don't want her to know i'm a mechanic

You aren't lying Krusty this economy just seems to get worse with no end in sight. This has definatley been the worst year that I can remember!

 

[Merkava_4]

... but for the most part most of my hand tools are Craftsman!

That's the most depressing thing I've heard in a long time.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

no work , in 99 at toyota in ct , we were getting 21 an hour
those are now the good old days
toyota , you might do ok , but they all run on the team system , which means one slacker , and there always is one
look at various tech web sites online , around here , most electricians make over 50 an hour , my brother in law is a union carpenter in NYC , making 59 an hour -40 hours plus overtime
in the ny area the really great , super certified techs can make 30-35 an hour , I know one guy who gets 41 if he breaks 45 , but most guys are in the 25-29 range for an A tech , trainees start at between 9-12 hour -40 hours no o/t , then you can go on flat rate = straight flat rate is a con game , as you can not control the work you get , if you are adept at fixing the cars perfect , you flooded with warranty work , if you are a brown nose , you get any service work that comes in . . it is very hard to break 40 with the low volume of work now , if you go for an import , they pay less due to the fact that is 'easy' to make hours .

dealers force you to pay into your benefits package , I pay 700 a month into a benefit that costs the boss 900 . unheard of in the legitimate business world - UNHEARD OF !
some places don't offer any paid sick or holiday time . independent shops can be fun places to work , but no work no pay - and sometimes , work , no pay , I know tons of guys having to keep meticulous records of jobs to be sure they are fairly paid
I havew seen dealers keep 2 sets of books , pay the tech one thing , charge GM another
poor work conditions , dirty , dimly lit shops
you must supply 99% of the tools , 100% of the labor , while support staff [writers , SM ] get paid more than you to watch you do all the work
my son will not be allowed to be a mechanic , no way jose

 

[AutoTech]

That's the most depressing thing I've heard in a long time.

Hey Merkava why is that depressing? I'm the lead technicain in the shop, turn out more work than anyone else there using Craftsman tools, really I've never had an issue with them, they hold up good for me and make me money, Like I said I use some Snap On tools, alot of my air tools like ratchets, impact hammer PH3050 is a brute, my impact swivel sockets and chrome universal sockets are Snappie but my basic 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sockets are Craftsman. If you only buy Snap On thats great man, but I use what holds up good for me and makes my family a living!

 

[Fedwrench]

I would recommend that you take advantage of the Votech discount with Snap on, Mac, Matco, and Cornwell. All of the tool trucks have a Votech program. Each is different and has its own rules regarding what you can buy and how many purchases you can make. Check to see which brands your school is affiliated with. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I pimped MAC and Snap on when I was in school.
Now for reality. Tool truck tools at 55% off are still more exoensive than Craftsman tools. Just starting out you need a basic assortment of tools plus a decent 1/2 impact, and a 3/8 air ratchet. Think tires, lube, basic maintenance, quick minor repairs. Craftsman will serve you well initially. You may not know if you trully want to be a wrench day in and day out yet so, you may want to keep the tool investment reasonable. If you're spending time in a service bay working part time, watch what the techs use and see what works for them. Everyone ends up with tool truck brand tools if for no other reason than they may be the only source for some items. Good luck.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the best tool is the pen

 

[Deafautotech]

snap on gives NO DISCOUNTS after school
I say , go into plumbing , welding or electrical , while you still have time
cars are a fun hobby , but because previous generations of mechanics give in to the boss man like cheap whores , janitors laugh at us ....
you won't make enough money working on cars

Yeah i am agree with you! that reason i am prefer to have be hourly employee because other techs in my work was little upset that they dont make enough hours to make living... sometime i am feel like i am highest paid employee in service dept which make me worry about my employee placement... but when my work had me to help other techs and caught the tech who i helped made like 20 hours a day that i did fix for tech... but i still got paid so i had to work right way while i am learning. i am starting to see downhill of car industry!! but Fleet business doing good too...

 

[Deafautotech]

the best tool is the pen

Correct! I always use my dad's office pen which it is very nicest pen i ever use in my work because i am use all time on paper and pen to communciation...

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the pen helps you make up fairy tales about the work you didn't do , but charge for

 

[krusty the clown]

the best tool is the pen

be carefull with that.......i have seen chargebacks during warranty audits.

 

[Sunrise]

i never used my new SO soft hanld screw driver with brake fluid, but when i used my friends craftsman lol, the blue color melt right off the handle.

 

[paramudduck]

Just remember with the tool trucks you have good drivers and you have pricks.
The latter will fight every warrenty return, usually because they are head over heels in debt.
Also a nice set of Snap On can be hard to warrenty if the Cornwell guy is the only one who stops by.

This also applies to Sears or SK depending on your local stores.
The most important thing is to not go head over heels in debt. Too many on this board have made great deals off of techs wh did.

Remember all tools will fail. Find the one that has the easiest return ability for your situation. Don't think Snap on will fail? Then explain all the warrenty threads. Or the ones that mention buying tool boxes with multiple broken Snap on tools in them.

 

[speed bump]

That's the most depressing thing I've heard in a long time.

Why is that depressing? At the mine I worked at last summer the best mechanic they had used an SK box that was mostly Craftsman tools. My grandpa as an aircraft mechanic has found his older Craftsman rachets to be just fine for almost everything he does. In refrigeration I haven't found a bolt that would turn better with a Snap on wrench than it would a Blackhawk, Craftsman, Klein Bahco or stanley wrench. Personally when i'm working its more about getting it done than the tools I am using so the tools that save me large amounts of time I have and the tools that cost me large amounts of money for small amounts of time saved aren't bought. However at home I like playing tool ***** becuase very few of the projects are critical and so I can worry about the difference between my 24 tooth Craftsman and my 72 tooth Challenger rachets.

 

[Merkava_4]

My grandpa as an aircraft mechanic has found his older Craftsman ratchets to be just fine for almost everything he does.

I'm not referring to the old Craftsman tools that your Grandpa used to use; I'm referring to the junk that's in the Sears store now.

 

[Lightning]

If a tool breaks, buy a new one. Simple as that. I do not even bother with warrentys. If I break a tool , it is my responsibility not the company that makes it. If you use tools they way they are designed to be used, you should not break too many tools. All tools wear out and when they do buy new tools.

 

[CatfishXpress]

I'm not a professional and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but my advice for anybody just starting out is to buy whatever you can afford without going into debt. This applies to all aspects of life, whether it be tools, cars or whatever.

Anytime you are in debt you are making money for somebody else, that interest is money right off the top of your paycheck that will not be available for something else.

If you can afford to pay cash, be all means take advantage of the student discounts on the tool trucks. But if you can't pay cash you are starting out in the hole, and you will forever be in debt to the tool man.

There is a reason the tool companies offer that big discount to students, they know that once a new tech starts in that cycle, he will forever be chasing his tail and they will have a customer for life.

 

[paramudduck]

Lightning in the 80's we had a run of bad luck with both Snap On and Craftsman products. By your logic we should have tossed out less then 4 week old ratchets and bought new ones from the companies.

Yes new ones do break for no reason at times. Snap On justifies their high prices by promoting their warrenty and the trucks stopping at your work.

Oh and before someone starts the not using right bit. These ratchets broke assymbling engines. Just running bolts down to be torqued. One did break taking out a spark plug. After being first loosened with a breaker bar. And the plug had not been in for more then a few weeks.

 

[eschoendorff]

That's the most depressing thing I've heard in a long time.

Merkava sometimes forgets that tools don't make the mechanic...

 

[goodfellow]

Hey Merkava why is that depressing? I'm the lead technicain in the shop, turn out more work than anyone else there using Craftsman tools, really I've never had an issue with them, they hold up good for me and make me money, Like I said I use some Snap On tools, alot of my air tools like ratchets, impact hammer PH3050 is a brute, my impact swivel sockets and chrome universal sockets are Snappie but my basic 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sockets are Craftsman. If you only buy Snap On thats great man, but I use what holds up good for me and makes my family a living!

Absolutely -- My father in-law worked for 45 years as a master line tech and Craftsman tools fed his family. Granted, SEARS was a different company then, but he never bought anything off the truck that couldn't be had at his local SEARS.

I bought my MAC tools and boxes in tech school at a 65% discount. At the time is was the best deal in town for truck brands, and I filled in with some SNAP-on specialty tools. However, if I hadn't received the discount, then Craftsman would have been my choice.