CAT tools

[rust in the eye]

I've noticed discussion, favorable reviews and claims that they are SnapOn made.
Looking at Cat's website, selecting tools I see a bunch of special service tools only. Where are you fellow getting wrenches, sockets, etc?

 

[dclark2171]

Download their pdf catalog. Most made by Snap on do not show up in searches unless you have a part number from the catalog. If you type in "combination wrenches", you'll get the Williams (or other made). Only a few tools are Snap on; Many of their sockets and more expensice angled combination wrenches. Plus a few others here and there. Many are also made by Williams as well. Do a search here and also the facebook group "Tool truck Pirates" to see which ones are snap ons

 

[RedneckWelder]

You need to search for and download a copy of the “Hand Tools and Shop Supplies” catalog. The CAT online parts catalog is atrocious for finding stuff like the tools

Almost all the hand tools are made by Snap On. Often Snap On’s William’s industrial line.

Sockets are identical to Snap On. Typical combo Wrenches are Williams Super Combos. Specialty wrenches tend to be Snap On. Screwdrivers are the old style square handles.

Nothing too wild in it but for the basic tools it’s a lot cheaper than buying off the truck for the most part.

 

[AJHD]

You can also look for the "Dealer Service Tools" catalog. Just find what you're looking for, take note of the part number and call your local CAT dealer.

Finding CAT tools on their website doesn't really exist these days.

And yes, most of the CAT tools will be made by Snap On or Williams. Sometimes they will even be branded as such just like on the truck or online.

 

[65k10]

As others have said, finding a copy of the tools catalog is important to figuring out what is available. It's not a big selection of tools, but the more affordable Snap-On sockets, angle wrenches, and pliers are likely the gems in the tool line. The 3/4 drive ratchet head is another since it will accept the 15/16" diameter Snap-On ratchet handles. Here are two sold listings from Ebay for two Cat tool sets that shows some of what is offered.
tool set 1
tool set 2

 

[mooman]

Try this.....
My son just ordered the 5 piece screwdriver set, line wrenches and Deep Metric 3/8" drive sockets from our local CAT dealer. They had the tools in within 3 days. Sadly, the screwdriver set does not include a #3 Phillips.

 

[KnurledNut]

My local dealer requires opening an account and personal info including drivers license, before they will sell you anything, even will call orders, regardless of payment method.
They keep a tight reign on where their products are going, I’m sure for multiple reasons.

The tools I have seen are very nice, but some have less finishing than their big brother.
The pliers are a standout for me because as far as I know its the only way to get CAT yellow Snap-on tools.

Here’s a pic I took of my slip joints back when I bought them new from my dealer years ago. I dont know what the prices are now, but they were considerably cheaper than Snap-on at the time:

View attachment 2109214
View attachment 2109215

 

[oldschoolcraft]

My local dealer requires opening an account and personal info including drivers license, before they will sell you anything, even will call orders, regardless of payment method.
They keep a tight reign on where their products are going, I’m sure for multiple reasons.

What do you speculate some of the reasons are? The only thing I can think of, is that they are selling the tools at cost, as a service to the CAT technician community and dont want to waste their staff's resources giving discounted tools to people who dont work on CAT machines.

But in that case, it wouldn't just be a drivers license, they'd demand to know where you work with some kind of proof of employment, so I'm stumped.

 

[KnurledNut]

What do you speculate some of the reasons are? The only thing I can think of, is that they are selling the tools at cost, as a service to the CAT technician community and dont want to waste their staff's resources giving discounted tools to people who dont work on CAT machines.

But in that case, it wouldn't just be a drivers license, they'd demand to know where you work with some kind of proof of employment, so I'm stumped.

Acquiring parts for stolen equipment.

 

[Firebrick43]

What do you speculate some of the reasons are? The only thing I can think of, is that they are selling the tools at cost, as a service to the CAT technician community and dont want to waste their staff's resources giving discounted tools to people who dont work on CAT machines.

But in that case, it wouldn't just be a drivers license, they'd demand to know where you work with some kind of proof of employment, so I'm stumped.

The biggest reason has nothing to do with the tools but with getting the customer the right parts.

Many machines had multiple option or even customized special order items installed. Engine can have different HP rating which requires different injectors, turbos, pistons, rods, and ECU programming.

Yes it also helps prevent and find stolen machines, as well as dealers selling out of territory and even grey market machines.

We wouldn’t do a thing unless we had a serial number first.

Some dealers don’t care if the customer is paying cash for consumables and tools, with others establishing who the customer is is just SOP no matter what for consistency

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I guess since most people dont care about their privacy and post everything to social media, there's no downside to the dealer to demand to scan their drivers license into their system.

 

[RedneckWelder]

What do you speculate some of the reasons are? The only thing I can think of, is that they are selling the tools at cost, as a service to the CAT technician community and dont want to waste their staff's resources giving discounted tools to people who dont work on CAT machines.

But in that case, it wouldn't just be a drivers license, they'd demand to know where you work with some kind of proof of employment, so I'm stumped.

As a walk in you aren’t getting a discounted price. You are getting a significant price difference from the truck but it’ll be full Cat price. They happily will sell you because in their system it’s a part number, not a tool. Just like buying an oil filter.

Requiring an account is all about dealer policy. Some will allow cash over the counter without an account, some require an account. Inventory, returns, warranty, etc is all tracked through customer accounts so some dealers prefer you to have an account even if it’s not a charge account. Remember they aren’t normally set up for you to buy stuff like a normal retail store it’s very much more like a parts supply house for a trade.

 

[KnurledNut]

One of the industrial sites I worked at had a whole warehouse of Caterpillar heavy equipment parts for the many machines they used on site, dozers up to D11s, triple sevens, etc. It looked similar to the warehouse in a CAT dealer but smaller scale. They could get most any part delivered in 24 hours from anywhere in the country. Downtime was big money. It cost them less to keep all that inventory on site. That being said, never saw any CAT tools there, other than specialty stuff. The majority of basic hand tools were Proto, with some Williams, and lots of Grey Pneumatic for impact use. Channellocks, adjustable wrenches and ViseGrips were everywhere and commonly used. Council Tool and Nupla (Flexco for belting) hammers. Every office had a McMaster Carr catalog.
I think I still have a couple pre-Snap-on CAT wrenches with the old C logo (Proto?)

 

[Firebrick43]

I think I still have a couple pre-Snap-on CAT wrenches with the old C logo (Proto?)

They were Williams, not proto. The current "supercombo" was preceded by the "superench" from 1960 to the 90's.





The angle/hydraulic wrenches have been always based on the snap on forgings but not polished

 

[KnurledNut]

They were Williams, not proto. The current "supercombo" was preceded by the "superench" from 1960 to the 90's.

Hmmm...not sure this is correct. I’m going off memory, but I’m fairly certain Proto was involved at some point. Its been a long time since I researched it. Mine may not be, but IIRC some were.

 

[65k10]

Hmmm...not sure this is correct. I’m going off memory, but I’m fairly certain Proto was involved at some point. Its been a long time since I researched it. Mine may not be, but IIRC some were.

I found a couple threads on here with Cat branded Proto pear head ratchets.
Cat 3/8 ratchet
Cat 3/4 ratchet
I have also noticed that when looking for Caterpillar socket sets on Ebay, occasionally I'll see sockets that look more like Proto sockets than Snap-On based on things like dual bands at the bottom and no undercut.

 

[Firebrick43]

I found a couple threads on here with Cat branded Proto pear head ratchets.
Cat 3/8 ratchet
Cat 3/4 ratchet
I have also noticed that when looking for Caterpillar socket sets on Ebay, occasionally I'll see sockets that look more like Proto sockets than Snap-On based on things like dual bands at the bottom and no undercut.

And the 3/8 one you linked also included a snapon made ratchet with a date stamp of 87, which is squarely in the C wrench logo era as is the angle wrench I posted a picture of in 14

 

[65k10]

And the 3/8 one you linked also included a snapon made ratchet with a date stamp of 87, which is squarely in the C wrench logo era as is the angle wrench I posted a picture of in 14

That makes sense regarding the wrenches. My post was meant to back up KnurledNut’s assertion that Proto had some involvement with Cat tools at some point. Just not for the wrench he is thinking about. I have only noticed the Proto connection regarding sockets and ratchets, never took the time to compare wrenches.

 

[Pig_Pen]

Does a

My local dealer requires opening an account and personal info including drivers license, before they will sell you anything, even will call orders, regardless of payment method.
They keep a tight reign on where their products are going, I’m sure for multiple reasons.

The tools I have seen are very nice, but some have less finishing than their big brother.
The pliers are a standout for me because as far as I know its the only way to get CAT yellow Snap-on tools.

Here’s a pic I took of my slip joints back when I bought them new from my dealer years ago. I dont know what the prices are now, but they were considerably cheaper than Snap-on at the time:

View attachment 2109214
View attachment 2109215

Does anybody know if this yellow is the same as snap on hi-vis?

 

[four.cycle]

"... claims that they are SnapOn made...."

yes. for the most part.
I do not have a photo of the re-branded Snap-on ratchet I gave to a friend about a year ago, sorry.

 

[Steve_P]

As a walk in you aren’t getting a discounted price. You are getting a significant price difference from the truck but it’ll be full Cat price. They happily will sell you because in their system it’s a part number, not a tool. Just like buying an oil filter.

Requiring an account is all about dealer policy. Some will allow cash over the counter without an account, some require an account. Inventory, returns, warranty, etc is all tracked through customer accounts so some dealers prefer you to have an account even if it’s not a charge account. Remember they aren’t normally set up for you to buy stuff like a normal retail store it’s very much more like a parts supply house for a trade.

Right. This is common in industrial businesses where they almost never sell to the average Joe walking in off of the street; their business model revolves around industrial accounts since not too many consumers own that product or want that service. 20+ year ago I went to a local hydraulic hose store to have some hoses made, and I needed to have a business account there; and of course I didn't. The guy had mercy on me and did it for cash to buy the shop lunch. I don't think it still is, but 30 years ago my LWS was like this- because at that time not too many homeowners had OA torches and welders, and they were used to businesses and typically net 30 billing. Decades ago, before the internet, McMaster Carr used to be the same way and didn't want to deal with individuals; IIRC I'd order stuff for personal use, use my CC, and have it shipped to my work address who also dealt with McM.

 

[Firebrick43]

yes. for the most part.
I do not have a photo of the re-branded Snap-on ratchet I gave to a friend about a year ago, sorry.

Here is a 1986 8H8557. 1/2” ratchet. 32 tooth

It’s based off the SL715











My father is barrowing my 42” 3/4” ratchet to change tires on his 830 case or I would take pics of it.

 

[Zimbo]

Cat in the 80’s sold a premium line and a value line wrench ,Proto being the value line and Snap-on being the premium.
I have all these wrenches and believe the so called Snap-on wrenches were actually Blue point as they are all only stamped on one side of the wrench where a Snap-on is stamped both sides, the chrome is not as good either by comparing wrenches.
The early ones (8H wrenches) were a Par-x tool some with the Pac-Man symbol.

 

[Hannahranga]

Weird you had so much hassle with yours. My local one's been great and is conveniently open 24/7. Their batteries and oils are also fairly reasonably priced atleast locally.

You do get odd looks stopping in at 2am wearing a clubbing outfit but hey it was on the way back and I needed a new battery for my Landrover.

 

[KnurledNut]

Cat in the 80’s sold a premium line and a value line wrench ,Proto being the value line and Snap-on being the premium.
I have all these wrenches and believe the so called Snap-on wrenches were actually Blue point as they are all only stamped on one side of the wrench where a Snap-on is stamped both sides, the chrome is not as good either by comparing wrenches.
The early ones (8H wrenches) were a Par-x tool some with the Pac-Man symbol.

Good info.

 

[KnurledNut]

Does anybody know if this yellow is the same as snap on hi-vis?

No. Its more like a mustard color.
Snap-on's hi-viz is more like ANSI safety fluorescent yellow-lime green.
This color seems proprietary to CAT.

 

[alinc100]

Here's a link to the CAT 1/4" SAE set might give you an idea how to search for part numbers/pricing etc: https://parts.cat.com/en/michigan/213-9965 It was brought up/posted in this thread : https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...6-point-sockets-snap-on.531675/#post-10648335

 

[Jwallace1]

i work for a Cat dealer and i cant say its all hand tools but the current hand tools i have seen are definitely snap-on and williams, the pliar set mentioned above i purchased and the regular pliers have the snap-on S stamped right in them. i have several sets of the impact sockets in different sizes and they are identical to snap on just have a cat part number but the font is the same. in the tool catalog on certain things like torque wrenches it references the snap-on email address in the description for warranty. As for selling to the public we have lots of tools on display for sale in our showroom and anyone can buy them, usually if its a simple transaction they don't need an account and if they do its just a name, number, and address, which is actually helpful to track a purchase if there is an issue. its a great deal for new techs they're getting great tools for a good price and you just walk up to the parts counter for warranty. if we don't have the replacement we can get it in a day or two.

 

[rust in the eye]

Thanks fellas!

 

[bobg03]

I asked my son who is employed by cat for 16 years now, currently as a Facility Manager, said he never heard of them. He's been promoted recently but I asked him when he worked at the facility in Texas where a lot of their engines were made, he said "Dad there are many layers between me and the actual workers, I am so high up that tools are the least of my concern"
That's my boy...

 

[cody1325]

Any idea who makes this 20" toolbox for CAT? I know Waterloo used to make them, but they are now out of business.

https://parts.cat.com/en/carter/9U-6219

 

[mjdarg]

Any idea who makes this 20" toolbox for CAT? I know Waterloo used to make them, but they are now out of business.

https://parts.cat.com/en/carter/9U-6219

They are supplied by Snap On Tools. I can't tell if they are a Snap-On, Williams, or other Snap-On brand toolbox though. I expect it to cost around $60-$80 from the dealer, but don't quote me on that.

 

[AJHD]

For those who don't know, it seems CAT did put some of their tools (by no means all of them) back online.
It will show local inventory and price, you just need to change the dealer (at the top).

https://parts.cat.com/en/empire/workshop-supplies-tools

 

[scooby074]

For those who don't know, it seems CAT did put some of their tools (by no means all of them) back online.
It will show local inventory and price, you just need to change the dealer (at the top).

https://parts.cat.com/en/empire/workshop-supplies-tools

I might be crazy, but it looks like prices are way up. The 233-1639 pliers set from cat is $182 and the same set from Snappy is $220. Cat is still considerably cheaper, but I would have sworn the difference was greater before Cat pulled the tools off the site.

 

[mooman]

That set shows $100.79 for me. BTW, their website suks. The pictures don't match the descriptions on alot of items.

 

[scooby074]

That set shows $100.79 for me. BTW, their website suks. The pictures don't match the descriptions on alot of items.

There is a CAD to USD difference here. $100 USD is about $136 CAD which is about what I remember them at. However Toromont is selling them at $182CAD. Probably more that Toromont are a bunch of greedy bastards than anything, but its interesting. I wonder what they would be under an account?

 

[AJHD]

Yeah, I hate their website. I have no idea why the prices vary either.
Showing $105 for me.

 

[MBfreak]

I worked in a large iron ore mine in West Africa for > 10 years.
Most of our machines were D9s and 966.
Caterpillar service was perfect and so were their tools.
However
Using D9s in iron ore stockpiles involved lots of reversing, which used almost as much power as pushing large piles of ore down in the hoppers.
But unfortunately the D9 final drive units had an internal lube pump which only worked when going forward. We had skilled machinists and made our own lube pumps that were bidirectional.
Problem solved.
CAT service wondered why we stopped buying final drives. We sent them our drawings.

Ola

 

[cody1325]

Carter CAT (who has a branch close by) is showing $124.20 for me on that pliers set, yet Boyd (another CAT dealer in the region) is showing $111.30. Quite a big difference. But is it worth the extra hour's drive?

 

[wafrederick]

Midwest Tool Review bought the 8mm to 19mm 3/8 drive shallow socket set for $52.00 in 12 point and 6 point and the Snap On set is $252.00. Some Cat Tools,a Snap On tool is in the box.The ratcheting wrenches are the same as the Blue Point and Williams.