Beginners Toolbox

[Hinson]

Next month I will be starting my first job as a mechanic. I've gotten the tools I need to start and know it'll require a lot more over the years. The only thing I haven't gotten yet is a tool box. I check this site and craigslist daily looking for a deal on a box but haven't been able to pull the trigger on anything. I currently can purchase Snap-On products at 50% discount so it is very tempting to go with them, I just really don't have the cash for it at the moment. I could probably find a way to do it, I just don't like going into debt. Just looking for any advice on a decent box for a beginning mechanic that won't necessarily break the bank. Thanks in advance.

 

[Polski-Chevy]

Get the cheapest box that will hold what you currently own.

Worry less about the box and more about the tools you need.

 

[matt1977]

Get the cheapest box that will hold what you currently own.

Worry less about the box and more about the tools you need.

^^^This

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

Yeah definitely not worth going into debt over. Nothing is

 

[JoeyMitch]

It's not the box that will get the job done, but the tools that are in the box will.

 

[neonnblack]

http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html

Badda bing badda bang.

 

[volvo92906]

Everybody else said it well.... Worry more about the tools than the box. A good mechanic can work out of a cardboard box.

Harbor freight makes some good boxes and 4 and 5 drawer carts.
Home Depot carries Husky boxes... they are pretty dang nice. Less than 200.
Then there is always Crapsman. Cheap. Maybe you can find scratch and dent discounted.

 

[ABRM]

There is always the roll cab from Harbor Freight as well. More expensive than the cart but a small fraction of the cost of a Snap On box. The HF box gets good reviews as well.

 

[peterbilt89]

Everybody else said it well.... Worry more about the tools than the box. A good mechanic can work out of a cardboard box.

Harbor freight makes some good boxes and 4 and 5 drawer carts.
Home Depot carries Husky boxes... they are pretty dang nice. Less than 200.
Then there is always Crapsman. Cheap. Maybe you can find scratch and dent discounted.[/QUOTE

 

[Hinson]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. I guess my biggest concern is that first impression when I go to work. Having never work in this industry I just want to make sure I at least look like I know what I'm doing.

 

[1941Willyscoupe]

Next month I will be starting my first job as a mechanic. I've gotten the tools I need to start and know it'll require a lot more over the years. The only thing I haven't gotten yet is a tool box. I check this site and craigslist daily looking for a deal on a box but haven't been able to pull the trigger on anything. I currently can purchase Snap-On products at 50% discount so it is very tempting to go with them, I just really don't have the cash for it at the moment. I could probably find a way to do it, I just don't like going into debt. Just looking for any advice on a decent box for a beginning mechanic that won't necessarily break the bank. Thanks in advance.

One of those "Craftsman Evolv" ones should do for now as long as the amount of tools you have don't require a bigger box

 

[Polski-Chevy]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. I guess my biggest concern is that first impression when I go to work. Having never work in this industry I just want to make sure I at least look like I know what I'm doing.

I seen guys fall into the trap of putting the cart before the horse, meaning spending $10k on a new box instead of the tools to fill the box.

Everyone understands the cheap beginner box. Be yourself, show up on time, listen, and don't be an ******, that will be the good impression your looking for.

BTW Good luck

 

[volvo92906]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. I guess my biggest concern is that first impression when I go to work. Having never work in this industry I just want to make sure I at least look like I know what I'm doing.[/QUOTE

Not going in and talking a big game without being able to perform will benefit you the most. Most guys dont care what kind of box you work out of.

I only worked at one place where I only took a small 18" single bank toolbox (similar to the traditional Craftsman home box). A lot of the guys there laughed and said "Thats it?", because they all had huge hutch boxes and side cabs and all that. Most of them had tools like pliers and screwdrivers laid out side by side neatly in a drawer, waste of space in my opinion. I had more in my little box than they did in their $10,000.00 boxes and I got a lot more done since I had specialty tolls for truck brake systems and whatnot....

Dont let anything intimidate you. If you dont go in cocky, you will be just fine. Listen to the old guys. They most likely have a lot of good information for you. Im only 24, but I have learned a lot in the last 6 years. Made good connections, and still willing to learn.

 

[volvo92906]

I seen guys fall into the trap of putting the cart before the horse, meaning spending $10k on a new box instead of the tools to fill the box.

Everyone understands the cheap beginner box. Be yourself, show up on time, listen, and don't be an ******, that will be the good impression your looking for.

BTW Good luck

I wish this site had a feedback button. That response deserves it.

 

[alpinewhite]

I seen guys fall into the trap of putting the cart before the horse, meaning spending $10k on a new box instead of the tools to fill the box.

Everyone understands the cheap beginner box. Be yourself, show up on time, listen, and don't be an ******, that will be the good impression your looking for.

BTW Good luck

Like

 

[KPSquared]

You'll look like you'll know what you're doing when you can prove that you can pull a wrench. Your box means nothing and if you **** an expensive shiny box will just make you look worse.

Worry about tools. Worry about skills. Keep your mouth shut, learn from the old guys. Head down, *** up. It WILL pay off eventually.

Get something to hold your tools that you can afford. Worry about looking cool later.

 

[sberry]

Absolutely,,, real seasoned pros will notice that you found a HF box for a deal, I would jump right over the kid with the big box to get one that was practical.

 

[Thumper]

I agree with the replies........let your work quality and work ethics impress........not your toolbox.

 

[richfinn]

If you buy Snap-On now at 50% of retail, its going to pay off IMHO.

1. You can instantly sell on e-bay for more than you paid and make a profit. Then get more tools with the profit

2. If you keep it, its still going to be worth what you paid in 2 or 3 years when your ready to upgrade

Your in a good position, you cant lose whatever you do, We have a saying in England.

"Don,t look a gift horse in the mouth" which basically means jump on the discount whilst you can.

 

[Polski-Chevy]

I wish this site had a feedback button. That response deserves it.

Like

Thanks!

 

[Polski-Chevy]

If you buy Snap-On now at 50% of retail, its going to pay off IMHO.

1. You can instantly sell on e-bay for more than you paid and make a profit. Then get more tools with the profit

2. If you keep it, its still going to be worth what you paid in 2 or 3 years when your ready to upgrade

Your in a good position, you cant lose whatever you do, We have a saying in England.

"Don,t look a gift horse in the mouth" which basically means jump on the discount whilst you can.

Is this GJ sarcasm?

At 21% interest how do you come out ahead?

 

[KPSquared]

Is this GJ sarcasm?

At 21% interest how do you come out ahead?

Well. . .if you got a box for $5000 and sold it 5 years later (paid off over 5 years) for $8500, you'd make at least $300. . . That makes complete sense. . . :banghead:

 

[richfinn]

Is this GJ sarcasm?

At 21% interest how do you come out ahead?

I wouldn,t pay 21% interest, I would buy it outright or pay off the finance inside the first month using a better line of credit or my own cash.

Its a half price tool box deal and the same rules apply as to any other finance deal.

Its not exactly f*cking Rocket science is it? (maybe it is where you are )

 

[KPSquared]

Ok, so the OP said this:

I just really don't have the cash for it at the moment.

Then the smug Brit contributed this:

I wouldn,t pay 21% interest, I would buy it outright or pay off the finance inside the first month using a better line of credit or my own cash.

Its a half price tool box deal and the same rules apply as to any other finance deal.

Its not exactly f*cking Rocket science is it? (maybe it is where you are )

Is reading all the relevant information in a thread rocket science? Your advice doesn't help the OP at all. Thanks anyways. Damn the Queen and all that. . .

 

[volvo92906]

You guys have it wayyy wrong.

I bought a 5000.00 box for 2000.00. The interest rate is 19%. The interest is NOT like that of a credit card. Im not really sure how it works, but when I only get charged 20.00 as a 'monthly finance charge' on a 1300.00 bill, I know for a FACT that is not 19%... My credit card is a little worse than that...

I have 3 years to trade in my box for the full 5000.00 toward a larger box. I wont. Ill probably just buy a new one and use the current one for home, then get rid of the Husky box I currently use. But that is a pretty good deal.

For the OP.... The term I got was a 5 year. There were some that were longer, some shorter. My monthly payments were about 60.00. I bought more stuff and after 6 months they make you refinance or whatever... basically fill out the credit form again. The interest got bumped from 17% to 19% because of Snap-On raising the rate, but as said above, it isnt like credit card interest. My monthly payments went to 110.00 a month. I had the loan for 2 years, making payments once a month, more than minimum when I could. That put me ahead for when I couldnt and I didnt need to make ANY payment. It was painless after I see how much I have spent in tools... The box was pennies.

 

[JoeyMitch]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. I guess my biggest concern is that first impression when I go to work. Having never work in this industry I just want to make sure I at least look like I know what I'm doing.

Don't let your box leave an impression, let your work and skills do that.

 

[richfinn]

Ok, so the OP said this:




Then the smug Brit contributed this:





Is reading all the relevant information in a thread rocket science? Your advice doesn't help the OP at all. Thanks anyways. Damn the Queen and all that. . .

Great debate from a thug Canadian:

What he actually said after mentioning having no cash is "I could find a way to do it" assuming its the best deal financially (which it is).

Whats the Queen got to do with it anyway? you Moose F*cking French *** Kisser

 

[Thumper]

WTF...???? Moose ?.......

 

[richfinn]

WTF...???? Moose ?.......

I apologise (but not to that Canuck *******). It was his racism directed towards British people/Her Majesty that upset me, sorry Moose

God Save The Queen.

 

[joedodge]

Volvo said it right. I started out 6 years ago too and still use my matco 4 drawer cart I got used and the 2 bay 4s I got with my discount . And it's packed to many guys fall into the trap of I need a huge box because no tools can touch each other or they HAVE to use the plastic trays there stuff came in. That's a stupid reason to upgrade and go into debt. With good socket trays, wrench racks, and small bins and such you can use a modest size box for a long time. I just got a part time job at a local gmc dealer two days a week and hav a craftsman box there. I rolled it in there with pride didn't care if it is the smallest. Walked in like its prison show no fear and don't let and one give u any sh!t period. Be nice and professional let your work speak for you not your amount of debt. Never stop learning and doing your best and you'll get far. And don't let the old men discourage you it's a tough cut throat industry but if you enjoy who cares don't let them bug you.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. I guess my biggest concern is that first impression when I go to work. Having never work in this industry I just want to make sure I at least look like I know what I'm doing.

Ive worked with guys who have 10k boxes and get no work done and look like a monkey having *** with a football when there working. Its not the box its YOU that gets the job done!

 

[KPSquared]

Whats the Queen got to do with it anyway? you Moose F*cking French *** Kisser

Well played. . .

 

[Spam16v]

Maintain a relationship with your tool truck drivers. Buy a little here and there, watch promos, never buy what you don't need and tell him what you're looking for. Pay him EVERY WEEK, if that means going hungry, PAY EVERY WEEK.

 

[kythri]

You guys have it wayyy wrong.

I bought a 5000.00 box for 2000.00. The interest rate is 19%. The interest is NOT like that of a credit card. Im not really sure how it works, but when I only get charged 20.00 as a 'monthly finance charge' on a 1300.00 bill, I know for a FACT that is not 19%... My credit card is a little worse than that...

19% APR on $1300 is $247, which is about $20/month.

 

[richfinn]

Well played. . .

 

[volvo92906]

19% APR on $1300 is $247, which is about $20/month.

Gotcha..

Add to that payment every month, so in essence it actually goes down and you dont get buried. Either way, it worked for me.

 

[CWP1616L]

A Used KR1000

 

[Tech240]

I was in a similar situation not to long ago. I have been at a Toyota dealership for almost a year now. I am about a year and a half out of tech school. I didn't jump on the tool discount when I was there which I immediately regretted. Thankfully my friend started the program when I was graduating and I was able to buy tools through him. I basically bought 20k worth of the tools from snap on for 10k. I paid cash for them. I didn't buy a box though as my dealership supplies all the techs with boxes (company policy). But as far as the box goes, don't worry about the box being great until the tools in them are. People know your just starting out and won't judge or care if you have a crappy box. If your work is good people will respect that more then the box and the tools in them. I can tell you right now we have a few pre madonnas in our shop with 50k plus of snap on tools but don't have any diagnostic ability while the guy who has all craftsman but is exceptional at diag and people respect the guy with the cheaper tools because of his work.

 

[skulldrinker]

If you stand to save $2000 on a box at 50% off you can enroll in a $400 class at the college anytime to qualify. Kill two birds with a stone at your convenience.