Cheap tools
- Thread starter sberry
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pauls_workshop
Well-known member
You guys looking for good cheap tools need to hang out in the Hot Deals area more! There is a reason all the cool guys are over in Hot Deals! They are getting good stuff cheap! 
Snap on, well mostly not, but lots of other good brands come up. Knipex has some good deals at the moment there for instance. - Paul
Snap on, well mostly not, but lots of other good brands come up. Knipex has some good deals at the moment there for instance. - Paulibedayank
Well-known member
So far I own no snap-on and snap-on no longer makes the sockets and wrenches needed at work anyway. But yet I still get the job done and done right without Snap-on.
No snap-on toolbox here at home or snap-on tools but again the cars trucks even MACKS still get fixed and done right add tractors dozers and every kind of trailer into this.
Mostly 20 year old craftsman have been exspanding whats in my Horrible Fright 44 box with what used/cheap deals as I find them for SK. And I pay CASH I owe nothing on my tools. Yes I also have some HF tools if I find I use them enough I will replace with something better.
No snap-on toolbox here at home or snap-on tools but again the cars trucks even MACKS still get fixed and done right add tractors dozers and every kind of trailer into this.
Mostly 20 year old craftsman have been exspanding whats in my Horrible Fright 44 box with what used/cheap deals as I find them for SK. And I pay CASH I owe nothing on my tools. Yes I also have some HF tools if I find I use them enough I will replace with something better.
While I mostly have USA craftsman and some second hand snap-on purchased on Ebay in my home garage, I will admit the recent production Gearwrench, Lowes Kobalt, and HF Pittsburgh Pro tools that I use in my road and junkyard bags are very decent quality for the price. You can get by just fine with the current crop of Taiwan mid grade tools if you don't have or are not willing to pay the money for the high $$ stuff.
I don't really need Snap On tools as a DIY but its worth it to me to have my most used tools to be the best I can get. Which would be Snap-on FD+ 10-24mm wrench set, metric and sae Flare wrenches, metric 3/8 and 1/4 socket sets.
I recommend picking and choosing the quality of tools you need for the job. Would I take Snap On tools out to the Junkyard or throw in the trunk of my car? No. I use the cheap stuff for that.
I don't really need Snap On tools as a DIY but its worth it to me to have my most used tools to be the best I can get. Which would be Snap-on FD+ 10-24mm wrench set, metric and sae Flare wrenches, metric 3/8 and 1/4 socket sets.
I recommend picking and choosing the quality of tools you need for the job. Would I take Snap On tools out to the Junkyard or throw in the trunk of my car? No. I use the cheap stuff for that.
PBCampbell
Well-known member
I thought SBerrys point was you needn't buy a $100 tool when a $10 tool will do. I've always taken his posts as an investment versus return point of view. On the other hand for some pride of ownership is a big deal(I probably fall into this camp to a degree). I guess the gist is Sberry comes from the area of recommending tools to make money with the greatest amount of return versus having the penultimate tool set. Different people have different needs of course, so his recommendations aren't for everyone, but I do believe they have a great deal of merit and should be considered instead of discarded casually.
GortonsFisherman
Well-known member
You can spot the tool-polishers a mile away on here, and they can spend themselves into debt just to fit in for all they want. What's tiring though, are the constant threads seemingly looking for sound advice, but where the person obviously really only wants to hear justification for doing so.
That's a lot of really good info. At my last shop i was provided with roughly 8K in snap-on tool, when i heard this i was thrilled, when i saw how much was left for me to still buy for myself, well, i was less than thrilled.
The most important lesson i learned was from another mechanic there who was new (been there a couple years) and from the military, he watched me buy a few Matco tools and told me his thoughts. I had spend roughly $800 on tools, and still had little to show for it, snap on box (also provided for me) and all of that fun stuff. He told me he was roughly the same in tools, but got them all at harbor freight, and easily had over 2x as much as me in tools. The only Snap-On tools were his ratchets and a couple adjustable length pry bars as well as a socket or two. Over the previous couple years he said only one socket broke, he went to HF and got it replaced, left it in his home toolbox, and bought a new one from Snap-On. With all the money he hadn't (yet) invested in tools, he had the box he wanted, and no debt from everything.
So i've always assumed (after that happened) that would be the best way for a regular mechanic to get started as well, the guy from before was a heavy equipment tech / mechanic. Would you agree with this statement? i'm all for buying tools, and it seemed to be a good strategy to build up a good base of tools at home as well, i know i have two of a lot of stuff in my tool cart incase something breaks (classic fear of HF tools was instilled in me at the same shop, so i doubled up at my house).
I was also wondering, what's your opinion on gear wrench wrenches? i hear they have the same warranty as Matco and Snap-On and my Matco dealer sells them as well (the non-ratcheting ones at least). I use them mostly on motorcycles myself, and have yet to break the mechanism in one.
*edit*
I should specify, these tools will be used daily in a professional environment, i'm mostly looking for input on whether i'm wasting my time by going HF than upgrading here and there. Some tools (specialty tools) i would never buy from HF because First: i can't find them at my local HF so chances are that i need it that day, and Second: i have trust issues
The most important lesson i learned was from another mechanic there who was new (been there a couple years) and from the military, he watched me buy a few Matco tools and told me his thoughts. I had spend roughly $800 on tools, and still had little to show for it, snap on box (also provided for me) and all of that fun stuff. He told me he was roughly the same in tools, but got them all at harbor freight, and easily had over 2x as much as me in tools. The only Snap-On tools were his ratchets and a couple adjustable length pry bars as well as a socket or two. Over the previous couple years he said only one socket broke, he went to HF and got it replaced, left it in his home toolbox, and bought a new one from Snap-On. With all the money he hadn't (yet) invested in tools, he had the box he wanted, and no debt from everything.
So i've always assumed (after that happened) that would be the best way for a regular mechanic to get started as well, the guy from before was a heavy equipment tech / mechanic. Would you agree with this statement? i'm all for buying tools, and it seemed to be a good strategy to build up a good base of tools at home as well, i know i have two of a lot of stuff in my tool cart incase something breaks (classic fear of HF tools was instilled in me at the same shop, so i doubled up at my house).
I was also wondering, what's your opinion on gear wrench wrenches? i hear they have the same warranty as Matco and Snap-On and my Matco dealer sells them as well (the non-ratcheting ones at least). I use them mostly on motorcycles myself, and have yet to break the mechanism in one.
*edit*
I should specify, these tools will be used daily in a professional environment, i'm mostly looking for input on whether i'm wasting my time by going HF than upgrading here and there. Some tools (specialty tools) i would never buy from HF because First: i can't find them at my local HF so chances are that i need it that day, and Second: i have trust issues
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Definitely a lot of people looking for "Self Justification" for Purchasing Brand X or Y, But don't think for one minute it lies with only Expensive tools. Hell... There are Members Here who ask for Suggestions Day 1, Make a purchase on Day 2 and then on Day 3 respond to threads claiming they have used Brand X for Years and its just as good as Brand Y.
Ya you are exactly right. To much tool polishing and justification going on. I really truly don't understand buying pro grade tools to look at and admire. And then when they use them there gently cleaned and polished and tucked away..........
Givl Reggin
Banned
The difference is that you went to the Sears store and the Matco driver brought the store to you - that's a big difference.
That's funny, i've always noticed those are the two icons, it feels like matco is being left out a lot to, and "rebranding" as well. I thought the bluepoint wrenches had a nice feel, but preferred the feel of matco, and felt that the price for Snap-On and Matco was more for the fact that if it breaks you get a replacement for life than the quality of the tool, therefore their incentive would be to make or use a quality tool so they don't have to replace it regularly. Though i could be wrong, i'm young and stupid so what do i know?
Another factor i think alot of people over-look is that college students can get 40-60% off of all matco and snapon tools, as well as most toolboxes (all except the highs quality) and sometimes bigger discounts when they are released.
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GTA Matt
Well-known member
'Cheap' tools or 'inexpensive' tools? To me there is a difference. A big difference. Cheap tools conjure up images of the $9.99 'tool set' some dimwit family member gives you at christmas time because they know you work on cars. You guys know what I'm talking about. Sizes don't match up, wrenches spread, straight into the trash they go. Plenty of quality inexpensive tools and deals out there however. Doing my taxes this year, I discovered I spent more money by visiting the 'hot deals' section then I did on the snap on truck 
GTA Matt
Well-known member
This place has actually been a great source for finding the original manufacturer of tools. I just wish I had known about some of this stuff 10 or 12 years ago
Yeah...no...i could understand say 90 bucks from him...but over twice the price...no way...and the ******* started to show up like once a month...in his personal truck...with no new tools or anything...
Same here if I would have known to look for original manufacturer and what tool topia was I'd be so much better off lol. I'm proud to say I have no tool debt or bills and usually have everything I need to do most any job
GortonsFisherman
Well-known member
Yeah, it's just as crazy trying to convince us all that a pro is going to be happy, and should be, with HF tools or similar. Nothing worse than a young guy coming up in a trade throwing away his money on tools that aren't going to get it done, day in and day out.
There's a lot of good advice on here, but all too much it's more of the "you should buy Brand X because I have Brand X".
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redwrench60
Well-known member
I once got sberry to admit that a pair of 9" Klein linsmans are essential to any toolbox and are worth every penny.
Since sberry is tight as a new girlfriend this is quite a testament.
Since sberry is tight as a new girlfriend this is quite a testament.
They are Chinese tools. You get what you pay for.i buy some of there stuff to make tools out of. That said I'm a pro diesel tech and use the jumbo combination wrenches, and several other things on a regular basis no problem. To me there good disposable tools. If they last awesome if not I got what I paid for
GortonsFisherman
Well-known member
This Harbor Freight pass/fail thread may be helpful:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Life's too short for expensive tool remorse.
Yes I believe a Klein number 9 is better than a knockoff and its a trade level tool that has a super high duty cycle and many guys buy one off and the price is great on it along with Channelock. I have mostly brand but we can see some side by side and the actual use difference in some of it isn't as big as spread as one might jump to right off the bat.
Look at the testimony from the HF breaker bar and impact sockets, its just one example.
I am not cheap but I don't think its accurate to leave the impression that a 15$ set of torx bit isn't a decent option if you cant afford 200$ ones, I think a lot of people in the world don't buy enough tools they need, its a good option and doesn't need to be gut wrenching at every turn anymore.
Look at the testimony from the HF breaker bar and impact sockets, its just one example.
I am not cheap but I don't think its accurate to leave the impression that a 15$ set of torx bit isn't a decent option if you cant afford 200$ ones, I think a lot of people in the world don't buy enough tools they need, its a good option and doesn't need to be gut wrenching at every turn anymore.
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Fretters
Well-known member
Personally, I can understand that completely. Now I'm not that type, but I do however look after my tools and clean them with a cloth after use to remove grease etc., and keep them well looked after in general.
The people who are a bit more zealous, still nowt wrong with that IMHO. End of the day, having pride in ones equipment is no bad thing. Plus, what's the difference between someone buying a supercar, having it as eye candy in a garage and only driving it once per year yet cleaning and waxing the hell out of it for the rest of the year, versus someone who buys nice tools to do their job and is proud of them and treats them well? In all honesty, nothing other than amounts, perspective and the fact that the tools likely get more use than the car. Each to their own.
redwrench60
Well-known member
This place loves to brow beat Mechanics about the tools they buy but it seems all the Electricians, Plumbers, Machinists Carpenters, ect get a pass over.
Why are they pickin' on us Mechanics Joe!!?
Why are they pickin' on us Mechanics Joe!!?
not really sure if I want to get into this, but fuckit I've been drinking
I do believe things have changed a bit since I started wrenching.
"cheap" tools back than was worse than "cheap" tools now. maybe,maybe not
I bought garbage when I was young and quickly tossed it for name brand stuff. (craftsman, husky, SK, mac, snap-on) they were all quality years ago.
of course I don't mean this applies to "vintage" tools. if you have a set of wrenches that was your dads or grandpas that is 60 or 70 years old I bet they'll out perform most new wrenches. back than they made tools to last.
yeah, they had a warranty ,but didn't really need one 'cause they were built tough as nails.
anyhow, I guess my point is. ....
i'm gonna have to add a tagline .
i'm stealing this quote from something a guy told me about tattoos so many years ago.
i'm just replacing the word tattoo for tool.
good tools aint cheap and cheap tools aint good.
I do believe things have changed a bit since I started wrenching.
"cheap" tools back than was worse than "cheap" tools now. maybe,maybe not
I bought garbage when I was young and quickly tossed it for name brand stuff. (craftsman, husky, SK, mac, snap-on) they were all quality years ago.
of course I don't mean this applies to "vintage" tools. if you have a set of wrenches that was your dads or grandpas that is 60 or 70 years old I bet they'll out perform most new wrenches. back than they made tools to last.
yeah, they had a warranty ,but didn't really need one 'cause they were built tough as nails.
anyhow, I guess my point is. ....
i'm gonna have to add a tagline .
i'm stealing this quote from something a guy told me about tattoos so many years ago.
i'm just replacing the word tattoo for tool.
good tools aint cheap and cheap tools aint good.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I think it was Sir Henry Royce (Of Rolls Royce) who said "Buy the best you can afford, as the quality will remain long after the price is forgotten."
Fretters
Well-known member
Since sberry is tight as a new girlfriend this is quite a testament.
There's nowt wrong with being frugal and wanting to make sure that every penny is spent wisely. What I do find pointless though is starting a thread just to put across personal opinion like that. If this advice people want to impart, it should be given in a thread where someone is asking for that type of advice. The multiple X is better than Y threads, however, are simply pointless, and telling someone else what to do with their money when they never even asked is just plain rude.
techenthusiast
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
- Messages
- 486
If I buy all snap on brand new half off with student discount, 12 grand in retail price worth, then if I need to sell something down the road I can at least make my money back and come out even, no losses... And that's also incentive for me to hold onto it because I got such deals... And it's also incentive for me to appreciate snapon tools even that much more after graduation when they are sold for top dollar on a day to day basis.... Right???! Win win situation?
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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GTA Matt
Well-known member
This place loves to brow beat Mechanics about the tools they buy but it seems all the Electricians, Plumbers, Machinists Carpenters, ect get a pass over.
Why are they pickin' on us Mechanics Joe!!?
Because so many on this forum hate mechanics
Fretters
Well-known member
This place loves to brow beat Mechanics about the tools they buy but it seems all the Electricians, Plumbers, Machinists Carpenters, ect get a pass over.
Why are they pickin' on us Mechanics Joe!!?
'Cos you're daft enough to buy Snap-On.
Most other trades are populated by right tight arsed gits who won't buy a tool unless they absolutely must, (that's overlooking the occasional pointless but wanted new toy drooling session though), so it'd be hard to take the pee out of their tool accumulation habits.
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redwrench60
Well-known member
Because so many on this forum hate mechanics
Right. Maybe we should just play along for a while, tell them what they want to hear and someone else will end up in the headlock while we sneak away for beers! hahahahahah........
That's funny, i've always noticed those are the two icons, it feels like matco is being left out a lot to, and "rebranding" as well. I thought the bluepoint wrenches had a nice feel, but preferred the feel of matco, and felt that the price for Snap-On and Matco was more for the fact that if it breaks you get a replacement for life than the quality of the tool, therefore their incentive would be to make or use a quality tool so they don't have to replace it regularly. Though i could be wrong, i'm young and stupid so what do i know?
Another factor i think alot of people over-look is that college students can get 40-60% off of all matco and snapon tools, as well as most toolboxes (all except the highs quality) and sometimes bigger discounts when they are released.
when you say college students is that tech school only? or does any college student have access to these prices?
cburnscrx
Well-known member
Yea, this is what gets me too. I hear guys talking about having truck tools for home, but they buy el cheapo for the junkyard trips. Um, wouldn't make more sense to take the strongest most durable of your tools for removing stubborn nuts and bolts on some POS car that's been sitting there for 10 years? I just don't understand.
DieselSaves
Well-known member
This place loves to brow beat Mechanics about the tools they buy but it seems all the Electricians, Plumbers, Machinists Carpenters, ect get a pass over.
Why are they pickin' on us Mechanics Joe!!?
Not to mention all the hobbyists with expensive muscle cars, vintage motorcycles, watches that cost more than twenty dollars, new dirt bikes, or even barbecues.
Speaking of barbecues, I knew a guy who used an old Ford rim with a refrigerator shelf for a grill that could put fancy chrome Brinkman units to shame.
techenthusiast
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
- Messages
- 486
only tech school, full time, auto mech or auto body or diesel or marine or aviation, only can be bought online because it's a snapon industrial discount called SEP
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bodyguy16
Well-known member
to stay on topic I own some "cheap" or "inexpensive tools along with some truck brands. the majority of my 1/2 and 3/8 and 1/4 impact sockets are genius and couldn't be happier they don't spread like my soft truck branded ones (you guess the brand). I also own some sunex/gw and other import brands and they are all well worth the price IMHO.
now to swerve a little on the topic......
As mentioned before there is nothing wrong with having pride in your tools/equipement and taking care of them. what really gets me going is when people judge you for what tools you buy or taking care of your stuff.One of my co-workers/buddy bought a krl722 in extreme green two yrs ago because he wanted a big flashy box, i can understand him i too have a big flashy box (macsimizer 1860 that i bought used) but he visits me atleast once a day to borrow a tool! wtf. Whats the point of buying a toolbox for 5k if you don't have the necessary tools to complete a repair?. I remember a while back we had a jetta in the shop for repairs (we do collision repair) he did the repair and the mechanical but had to borrow a long 3/8 impact extension! really an extension...... to make things worse when i asked him for it back he tells me it's stuck in the intake manifold (plastic one) and he can't get it out! and to relax!. I blew it, "relax" how about buy some f***** tools! if not atleast take care of mine!. Don't get me wrong he's a great guy but he's the perfect example of needs vs wants.
with that said if you want to buy a "cheap" or inexpensive tool as long as it suits its purpose who care's.If you can afford to buy something better by all means do it but don't get all caught up in brands and what not, think about utility.
now to swerve a little on the topic......
As mentioned before there is nothing wrong with having pride in your tools/equipement and taking care of them. what really gets me going is when people judge you for what tools you buy or taking care of your stuff.One of my co-workers/buddy bought a krl722 in extreme green two yrs ago because he wanted a big flashy box, i can understand him i too have a big flashy box (macsimizer 1860 that i bought used) but he visits me atleast once a day to borrow a tool! wtf. Whats the point of buying a toolbox for 5k if you don't have the necessary tools to complete a repair?. I remember a while back we had a jetta in the shop for repairs (we do collision repair) he did the repair and the mechanical but had to borrow a long 3/8 impact extension! really an extension...... to make things worse when i asked him for it back he tells me it's stuck in the intake manifold (plastic one) and he can't get it out! and to relax!. I blew it, "relax" how about buy some f***** tools! if not atleast take care of mine!. Don't get me wrong he's a great guy but he's the perfect example of needs vs wants.
with that said if you want to buy a "cheap" or inexpensive tool as long as it suits its purpose who care's.If you can afford to buy something better by all means do it but don't get all caught up in brands and what not, think about utility.