Bit by the SO bug

[Dallus]

Well I just got a job a few months ago at an oil change place that does some mechanical work also. I didn't have very many "good" tools. Only a 99pc black chrome Husky set from Home Depot. I was content with that and really had no need for higher priced stuff when the Husky set seemed to be doing the job at the house.

I picked up a 204pc Craftsman set on sale for like 99 bucks a few weeks ago and it's stood up to the use the shop puts it through on a daily basis. I had a BIG gripe about the ratchets, but I knew that was one thing I wanted to upgrade going into it. Well I get a little bit of a promotion and raise and now have some income to spend on better tools for myself. First thing I bought was an R12/R134a A/C manifold set. Then I got an itch to get a long handled 3/8" ratchet to replace the tiny one in the Craftsman kit. I picked it up today and all I can say is WOW! It's a FHL80 and it's like buttah compared to the Craftsman! I think I'm addicted to Snap On ratchets right now. The other guy at work is all Cornwell and he must have gotten all his stuff in the 50s, but his ratchets didn't feel anything like this Snap on one!

I also picked up an adjustable crowsfoot wrench he ordered but didn't want to pay for. I figure I'm gonna keep it in the box and charge him $7.25 whenever he wants to use it.

I feel like I'm going down a slippery slope here. LOL I just wanna know, are all Snap On dealers the same price, or do they vary?

I snapped a pic too. Now all I need is something to use the crowsfoot on. LOL

 

[Hiball]

Congrats on your Purchase.. And Welcome to Gj. As far as Pricing goes, It varies but most Dealers normally sell right around Retail for Tools. You might be able to sqeeze by without Tax if you are a regular and you can definitely score discounts on Toolbox purchases. Remember Cash is King and it doesnt hurt to ask, but be Polite about it.

 

[Dallus]

Yeah I figured that much. I bought all three over a month or so. Paying like 70 a week or so. I told him if he wanted it all up front, tell me and it's not a problem. He seems really cool about payment and stuff.

As for toolboxes, I have a Kobalt 6 drawer bottom and 5 drawer top I scored for cheap before they jacked the prices up. As it sits right now, there are 4 totally empty and 3 are about halfway and the other 4 are full. I was looking at the blacked out Montezuma on strictly toolboxes and definitely want that. I'll have to wait until I get a "real" (civil engineering) job. Graduated in Dec 09 and have yet to find anything in the field.

But I have been lurking for a while now, just reading and getting input and info from everyone on here. I really enjoy reading everything,, especially what Elroy has to say.

 

[Hiball]

Yeah I figured that much. I bought all three over a month or so. Paying like 70 a week or so. I told him if he wanted it all up front, tell me and it's not a problem. He seems really cool about payment and stuff.

As for toolboxes, I have a Kobalt 6 drawer bottom and 5 drawer top I scored for cheap before they jacked the prices up. As it sits right now, there are 4 totally empty and 3 are about halfway and the other 4 are full. I was looking at the blacked out Montezuma on strictly toolboxes and definitely want that. I'll have to wait until I get a "real" (civil engineering) job. Graduated in Dec 09 and have yet to find anything in the field.

But I have been lurking for a while now, just reading and getting input and info from everyone on here. I really enjoy reading everything,, especially what Elroy has to say.

Sounds Like you have a Plan... I did about the same thing, started out with a Craftsman set, Used the Ratchets for quite awhile then upgraded the Ratchet portion to some Higher End stuff, Then I went Crazy... Good Luck... LOL

 

[woody 73]

Welcome to the GJ:
Grasshopper you have been smitten by the snap-on bug, Now you will lie awake at nights dreaming about tool trucks, as you eat your corn flakes you will drool over snap-on jewelry and soon you will wear snap-on shirts...Welcome to the world of tools!

 

[crewchief888]

I feel like I'm going down a slippery slope here.

yep it's all downhill from here.

seriously, upgrade your husky and CM stuff as the need arises.
when i started working on const eq i was using 25 year old SK's that had belonged to my dad, i very slowly upgraded the tools i used all the time to truck brands, as my skill, variety of work, and pay got better, so did my tools.

dont get sucked into more tools than you can afford, nothing worse than having a big tool box, big tool payment, and no job to pay for it.

welcome to the dark side of the force

 

[mrshaun]

you will love it though. ask whats on sale and see what the repo / used bin has to offer. you never know what we will have in the truck.
do not over burden yourself with tool payments. Stick with one guy/truck and keep it simple. If you hit every truck it will really cost yousome money.
welcome to the club.

on the snap on shirt comment. I wear one everyday and I do not see a problem..... lol

 

[bindernut]

on the snap on shirt comment. I wear one everyday and I do not see a problem..... lol

I would hope not Mr. Snap On Salesman!

 

[woody 73]

Boy I am glad that I did not mention snap-on hats...

 

[Danglerb]

Stay out of debt.
Set a budget for tools.
Keep your eyes open for good deals on used tools, 25% of new isn't rare.
Find a shop where you can improve your skills.

I have that same ratchet, very nice. I'd chain it to my belt in a shop.

 

[MattT]

LOL I just wanna know, are all Snap On dealers the same price, or do they vary?

Some will deal for ca$h. If yours won't try feebay.

 

[mrshaun]

most dealers use the same price as the website. We offer promotions that the website does not and we can play with pricing for you if necessary.

 

[mrholeshot]

Very nice ratchet. Ratchets are the perfect place to start when dealing with Snap-On.

 

[mikevango]

I am not a mechanic. I have many snap on hats.

 

[CamarosRus]

Dallus, I'll assume you are still a young man.

THINK about buying a house, not tools

If you must have a certain Snap On item, you'll find new or very good quality on EBAY or here for a large discount over your dealer pricing.

There are many brands of very good tools at prices way below Snap-On.

Buy a used Snap On box at a huge savings over new.

BUY your own house, dont pay for your dealers place............

 

[billymade]

You can find stuff used; check out your local pawn shop, flea market or ebay... you can own the best, for a fraction of retail! Enjoy your Snap-On ratchets; I'm sure they will start multiplying like rabbits in your toolbox!

 

[wafrederick]

Some dealers will not warranty anything worn out.One dealer in my area does this and his customers on his route have a one drawer full of worn out tools,not broken.Been told of another dealer that does this too,has the customer break the tool somehow and a with a press is one way.Sometimes dealers will talk you into trying something and my father's ex dealer did this.My father was talked into trying one of their 1/2 drive impact wrenches and nothing but bad luck with it.Went in for repairs most of the time,this was in the 1980s and went back to the IR231 he was using.

 

[Hiball]

Some dealers will not warranty anything worn out.One dealer in my area does this and his customers on his route have a one drawer full of worn out tools,not broken.Been told of another dealer that does this too,has the customer break the tool somehow and a with a press is one way.Sometimes dealers will talk you into trying something and my father's ex dealer did this.My father was talked into trying one of their 1/2 drive impact wrenches and nothing but bad luck with it.Went in for repairs most of the time,this was in the 1980s and went back to the IR231 he was using.

 

[wafrederick]

This dealer my father had would not warranty anything worn out and will not.This dealer's name is Mike Keilor and told my father anything worn out is not covered under warranty after handing him a worn out socket and was not broken

 

[DavidB]

Definitely keep an eye out on ebay and in the classifieds here. As a weekend warrior I can't justify the price of new Snap-On stuff, but you can find used stuff for only a little more than other new brands (Craftsman, Gearwrench, etc). I started out on ratchets too and the Snap-On was much nicer than my Cman raised panel ratchet. Now I have 4 SO ratchets!

 

[Skin]

Stay out of debt.
Set a budget for tools.
Keep your eyes open for good deals on used tools, 25% of new isn't rare.
Find a shop where you can improve your skills.

I have that same ratchet, very nice. I'd chain it to my belt in a shop.

Dallus, I'll assume you are still a young man.

THINK about buying a house, not tools

If you must have a certain Snap On item, you'll find new or very good quality on EBAY or here for a large discount over your dealer pricing.

There are many brands of very good tools at prices way below Snap-On.

Buy a used Snap On box at a huge savings over new.

BUY your own house, dont pay for your dealers place............

This is very good advise. If you really want SO budget for it. Once you let SO get you by the balls with finance payments on friggan tools you better re-evaluate your money management skills. If i were in your shoes where you have easy access to a dealer i'd start hunting for cheap used stuff on ebay then getting it replaced as it wears out on you. Personally i would never purchase anything on credit unless i could pay it off within a week or two. They will offer low payments intentionally to get you to run up your debt then you're f'd. Think about your retirement savings and your future first.

This dealer my father had would not warranty anything worn out and will not.This dealer's name is Mike Keilor and told my father anything worn out is not covered under warranty after handing him a worn out socket and was not broken

drugs are bad

 

[wafrederick]

The socket was not broken,worn out so bad that it would not grip a fastner anymore.This dealer,Mike Keilor still does not warranty anything worn out

 

[billymade]

If you have a problem warranting the Snap-On tools; call Snap-On customer service and they will send you new ones, free of charge.

http://buy1.snapon.com/snapon-store/customer.asp

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Dallus, I'll assume you are still a young man.

THINK about buying a house, not tools

If you must have a certain Snap On item, you'll find new or very good quality on EBAY or here for a large discount over your dealer pricing.

There are many brands of very good tools at prices way below Snap-On.

Buy a used Snap On box at a huge savings over new.

BUY your own house, dont pay for your dealers place............

at least the tools have value

 

[Dallus]

Anyone know of good flea markets in the DFW area?

I know of traders village in grand prairie but there's gotta be more out there.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm being pretty smart and allocating only a little a week for tools. The tool man will not win!

 

[simonb]

the adjustable crowfoot i use on o2 sensors-works pretty good