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Finally Drank Some Kool Aid. :)

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shoggoth80

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
858
Location
Seattle
Ok, having dodged tool trucks for a while, and having avoided buying truck brands from their respective websites, I bit the bullet. I didn't buy much. but I bought a set of Matco's ratcheting stubby wrenches. 12pc, 8-19mm. I have borrowed various size ratcheting stubbies from the older mechanic at work (there's just two of us, and he's a mentor of sorts, as well as just a cool guy), and decided I needed my own set. I also still have a tech ed discount for about a year until I graduate, so I figured I ought to take advantage of it. Also, having a bunch of OT helped. Lol.
 
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jd_1138

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Joined
May 8, 2013
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17,073
Location
NE Ohio
It feels good to work hard and thus be able to afford quality tools that will make your job easier.
 
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Fedwrench

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Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,961
Location
Valley of the sun
Just always remember that the student discount offered by the trucks is a giant hook they're trying to snagg you for life with.:beer:

Congrats on your sip of kool aid.:beer:
 
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shoggoth80

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Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
858
Location
Seattle
"ust always remember that the student discount offered by the trucks is a giant hook they're trying to snag you for life with."
-I know this full well. I am hoping to get a good solid set of basics, and maybe a handful of specialized stuff before I graduate, so I can use that tech ed discount to the fullest my financial means will allow. Mostly, I want to get upgrades to some of what I am running now (or the special stuff if I find that I really do need it). Easier at full time hours than the part time I was getting at my last employer. I am leery of financing, simply because I have enough debt. But I figure a hundred bucks here, fifty bucks there each payday as a budget (relative to hours) isn't unreasonable.
 
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rusty65

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Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
2,279
Location
Pekin,IL
I think the kool aid has some crack added to it because it sure becomes addictive. I started with a snap on deep SAE socket set and now have a snap on 17 piece 3/8 metric shallow socket set, snap on screwdriver set, 7 dual 80s, 1/4 drive SAE deep and shallow plus extensions ratchet adapter speeder and t-handle, and a 36pc impact driver set Plus other snap on pieces here and there.


Sent From Snap On Head Quarters deep in China.
 
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Carsandtools

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Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
101
Location
Michigan
Welcome to the truck! Sounds like you have a rational approach to tool buying and that's good. The truck tools are good but be careful anytime tool prices are quoted in $/wk instead of standard prices. If you're planning to make a living as a mechanic, it pays to have a full set of Snap-on Flank Drive Plus wrenches in inch and metric as well as an assortment of fine toothed ratchets. Sockets can come from Craftsman since it is a whole lot easier to exchange a socket at Sears seven days per week rather than waiting for the truck guy. Better pliers can come from Channellock at half the truck price.

Last Friday I was in the Snap-on truck, drooling at its wares. My dealer handed me a promotional catalog for this month and some of the prices were quoted in $/wk.

I always pay in cash or credit card an amount that I can pay off immediately. That provides the sanity check that is necessary when shopping for high priced goods. Since the truck price is the same as the online price, I buy online most of the time. If you're going to run credit, it is better to use a low interest Visa card online than to pay the high interest at the truck.

I know guys that have bought new cars and paid them off in 4 years but it takes them 15 years to pay off a new toolbox combo.:yikes:
 
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shoggoth80

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
858
Location
Seattle
Pliers I plan to get Channel Lock, or Knipex as long as I can find what I need. I have found uses for long needle noses already, and I don't actually own any. There are also more specialized ones that I have used to remove spring clamps from hoses that were positioned odd. Made life soooo much easier. I'm gonna outgrow my cart real quick... or I need to add upgrades, like wrench racks, and shelves etc. Lol. I don't even view myself as having a lot of tools...

Looking at some of the Matco ratchets, with student discount, they aren't much more expensive than some of the Kobalts and Gearwrenches. I ordered a roto from Gearwrench, because all of the other rotos I could find were like 100 tooth... so while they sound super smooth, I have also head they strip gears easily.
 
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firebox40dash5

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2012
Messages
4,185
Carsandtools said:
Welcome to the truck! Sounds like you have a rational approach to tool buying and that's good. The truck tools are good but be careful anytime tool prices are quoted in $/wk instead of standard prices. If you're planning to make a living as a mechanic, it pays to have a full set of Snap-on Flank Drive Plus wrenches in inch and metric as well as an assortment of fine toothed ratchets. Sockets can come from Craftsman since it is a whole lot easier to exchange a socket at Sears seven days per week rather than waiting for the truck guy. Better pliers can come from Channellock at half the truck price.

Last Friday I was in the Snap-on truck, drooling at its wares. My dealer handed me a promotional catalog for this month and some of the prices were quoted in $/wk.

I always pay in cash or credit card an amount that I can pay off immediately. That provides the sanity check that is necessary when shopping for high priced goods. Since the truck price is the same as the online price, I buy online most of the time. If you're going to run credit, it is better to use a low interest Visa card online than to pay the high interest at the truck.

I know guys that have bought new cars and paid them off in 4 years but it takes them 15 years to pay off a new toolbox combo.:yikes:
Click to expand...

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're paying retail online or on the truck, you're paying tool truck interest... even on your cash purchases.
 
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foreverfalcon40

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
856
Having your student discount helps a lot greatly and you will miss it when it is long gone. Once it is gone I highly recommend looking on Ebay, This site as well as CL for some truck brand tools at reasonable prices.

Agree with getting sockets other then the truck, Craftsman still has a decent amount of USA stock. If you can find some Craftsman Industrial or Craftsman Professional Series wrenches they are identical to the truck brand, but the problem will a rise when it will be time to warranty them out. Just an FYI, I picked up a set of SO Metric wrench set from 8mm up to 22mm for $150.

GL in your career and I wish you well.
 
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murphaayyy

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Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Messages
61
Location
Towson, MD
someone wanna explain this 'kool aid' to me? i know the drink but i dont get the joke..

congrats on the new tools!
 
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Zeroek

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Joined
Jan 19, 2008
Messages
1,091
Location
Indiana
I've been fighting myself from buying too much stuff off the tool truck this time around. I used to be a Technition a year or so ago. Sold all my tools and now I'm starting again. This time I've been hitting sears, lowes, HF, and places like that for tools that I can buy so I don't have a large tool bill. I did buy a snap on ratchet though so i've already been bit. The disease only gets worse as the years go by.
 
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Carsandtools

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Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
101
Location
Michigan
firebox40dash5 said:
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're paying retail online or on the truck, you're paying tool truck interest... even on your cash purchases.
Click to expand...

X1 Mike said:
Funny he don't get that.......

Why not buy off the truck cash and ask for a 10% discount?
Click to expand...

I don't always pay retail and I do get discounts from my dealer. Even online there are discount prices from time to time from the Snapon web site and eBay has a lot of good deals. Believe me, I do get it.

My point is that I never run a tab and I never pay by the week. Whatever I buy is paid for when I receive it. I think most people know what I mean.
 
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shoggoth80

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
858
Location
Seattle
Getting good stuff and better stuff is what matters. My co-worker/boss/mentor person is also giving me deals on some of his used stuff. So, I'll make periodic payments to him. Beats tool truck prices, and student discount to boot. Today got a Streamlight with spare battery and charging station, and a Matco 3/8" wobble air ratchet. And here we go....
 
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murphaayyy

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Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Messages
61
Location
Towson, MD
stream light :thumbup:

almost every day i would need to find which coworker had my flashlight during different parts of the day lol
 
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