HELP!!! Marine Tech SNAPON DILEMMA....

[walter34payton2002]

Hey guys. I'm a marine tech and I just finished school. I currently get half off from snapon and I have a voucher that I have to use. The deal is this:

I can pick one of their premade sets- the best one is this-
Includes all of following:
211fsy
212fsmy
bp16b
csa8c
f80
fb325a
fxwp3
fxwp6
ya486
oex707b
oexm707b
pl300cf
pt5c
pwc6
sgd2br
sgd4br
sgd6br
sgdp31irbr
sgdp42irbr

If I get that set then I can't use the voucher toward a tool box. So I would have to get the 44' harbor freight box for 400 bucks.

OR.....I can apply my voucher plus 400 bucks toward the snapon box
KRA4107FPBO. If I do that though I get the box but no tools. I have tools mostly craftsman and some snapon.

The dilemma is I only have 400 bucks cause i'm broke after paying outta pocket for school. So....I can get the snapon tools with a $400 harbor freight box or I can get that snapon box. That's the choice. I can't seem to make a decision. I have been thinking on it for a week. Please help. What would you do ???

 

[Hpozzuoli]

100% put that money towards the tools. The HF boxes are very good and you won't be disappointed. If it makes you feel better put a snap on nameplate on the box. Quality tools are worth the investment.

 

[Hiball]

Snap on tools and harbor freight box.. Then when the need and money suits pickup a bigger/better box via CL.

 

[Skin]

Do you need the tools in the set? If yes then the dilemma is a no brainer.

From the start of the day to the end of the day a Snap-On box will do no more work than a HF one.

 

[Wamsutta]

Get the tools. That box is not a KRL anyway.

 

[crewchief888]

tools first,
shiny new, fancy toolbox later

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Something stinks.

 

[cotjocky]

Definitely tools. Tools make the money, box just keeps you organized to work faster. Can't work without good tools.

 

[Valsmere]

Definitely tools. Tools make the money, box just keeps you organized to work faster. Can't work without good tools.

Yep good advice right here

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Well done on paying for school out of pocket!

With regards to your question; tools for sure. The HF boxes are surprisingly decent (I have two). Keep doing what you are doing and pay cash for everything you can. When the funds allow it, step up to a nicer box and take the HF home.

 

[drivesitfar]

one option I haven't heard here yet. if Snap On is nice enough to give you $400 off of their new tools just for completing a school they don't own then why aren't you trying to buy one of their boxes?

I know they have had payment plans and maybe still do. i'm guessing you probably have the skills to now get a decent paying job if you don't already have one so check out their deals and get to know what the other guys that love their Snap On products enjoy.

if snap on doesn't have a payment plan or a box you like get their tools and find a good small roller with a top box on Craigslist to hold you over until you can afford the Snap On or HF box you want to own and use.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Buy the tools. Cruise CL for a deal on a box, and if that fails you, buy the HF box... worst case (like, you drop it off a truck and it's worthless worst case) you're out $400 if you want to upgrade later. I managed to snag an older but excellent condition Husky (Waterloo) 40" 2-bay top & bottom off CL for $400 when I started. Having a decent box with little monetary value is actually kinda nice... I wouldn't feel the least bit bad bringing it home, and I'm actually probably going to keep it at work and use it for all the cased specialty tools we currently have stacked on shelves.

Never had much for KRA boxes. They're a little nicer than others out there, but a lot more expensive and not available in much larger sizes. Save the big bucks for when you're looking for a 24" or 30" deep box that's hard to find elsewhere, and get more bang for your bucks.

 

[DieselSaves]

Get the tools. The KRA boxes are decent but a long shot from KRL territory. Wait till another graduate decides they don't want the box they bought or leaves the trade and buy their stuff for cash. Keep the cash mindset with tools and you'll always end up with more for less.

 

[bczygan]

Tools

Will they let you do both, if you had the cash?

Then go get a low interest credit card and pay it off quickly.

 

[Richard Cranium]

tools, the box don't make you money...Tools

 

[Bigplum]

Tools and a cardboard box , you'll find a s/h box on your travels

 

[refried]

Snap-On Tools and a used Snap-On box when you find a good deal., Lots of guys buy boxes they can't afford and sell them for a good price.

 

[BajaBound]

Tools, Tools, Tools and then I would highly recommend the HF box that fits your needs then look at upgrading. The HF will hold those shiny new tools just fine.

 

[richfinn]

I would be careful about buying anything off Snap On even at 50% off, particularly if I just got out of college.

Spend a little time on GJ and you will find cheaper alternatives which are just as good.

I'm not knocking Snappy it's good stuff (mostly), It's your money at the end of the day.

If you do go for it forget tool boxes and all the other chintz, get the chrome handled ratchets/sockets/wrenches. Everything else you can do better value.

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

If I was you I'd go with the tools and the HF box. I'd have one at work ad it's great.



Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[ibedayank]

humm .. fancy new box filled with **** tools that break when looked at or.

cheap but workable box with some very nice tools that will make you money so in time you can pay CASH for a bigger better box when you fill it up

 

[refried]

I would be careful about buying anything off Snap On even at 50% off, particularly if I just got out of college.

Spend a little time on GJ and you will find cheaper alternatives which are just as good.

I'm not knocking Snappy it's good stuff (mostly), It's your money at the end of the day.

If your working on boats (especially salt water stuff) your going to want Snap-On tools, When I started I had a good selection of S&K, Craftsman, Mac, tools but Quickly realized they were not as good as the tools the other mechanics were using, Sockets were splitting regularly, Screwdrivers snapping, and other tools were breaking that had no problems when used in automotive applications. My boss suggested upgrading and showed me what he kept in his 20" box that he carried onto boats, Most jobs could be completed with what he had and it's pretty much what I still have in my carry box (I do have to carry metric tools now but keep them in a separate small box).

 

[genevabuck]

Tools

 

[richfinn]

If your working on boats (especially salt water stuff) your going to want Snap-On tools, When I started I had a good selection of S&K, Craftsman, Mac, tools but Quickly realized they were not as good as the tools the other mechanics were using, Sockets were splitting regularly, Screwdrivers snapping, and other tools were breaking that had no problems when used in automotive applications. My boss suggested upgrading and showed me what he kept in his 20" box that he carried onto boats, Most jobs could be completed with what he had and it's pretty much what I still have in my carry box (I do have to carry metric tools now but keep them in a separate small box).

Bahco Dual 80 ratchets for example.

Same as Snap On (more or less)

75% cheaper.

 

[Skin]

Same mechanism but Bahco offers only the most basic of ratchet styles. 3, infact, all fairly average length and with comfort grips. Snap-On by comparison has probably close to 50 different types.

 

[ptschram]

You will never again get a deal like you will as a student.

That said, the first time you get on a real Snap-On truck, don't brag about what you paid for tools as a student, trust me, the guy driving the truck doesn't appreciate it.

 

[refried]

Bahco Dual 80 ratchets for example.

Same as Snap On (more or less)

75% cheaper.

Except I've never had a Bahco truck stop by every Friday at 12:00 and fix everything I'd broken that week, share a few good stories/jokes, show me some tools that may make my life easier, or that he just repoed and would let me have for a killer deal. I received great service from my Snap-On dealer when I lived in NY, I had no problem paying a little extra for his service.

 

[BK13]

tools, the box don't make you money...Tools

I was gonna say the tools make you money, the box doesn't...

 

[BK13]

I do have a question... the idea of a marine tech I have in my head would mostly work out of a portable box or bag, is a box really necessary? Or is it more like people bring their towable boats into your shop?

 

[ptschram]

I do have a question... the idea of a marine tech I have in my head would mostly work out of a portable box or bag, is a box really necessary? Or is it more like people bring their towable boats into your shop?

I call on a LOT of marine shops.

In the bigger shops, every tech has a box, cart and tool bag.

In the smaller shops, every tech has a box, cart, and tool bag.

 

[richfinn]

Except I've never had a Bahco truck stop by every Friday at 12:00 and fix everything I'd broken that week, share a few good stories/jokes, show me some tools that may make my life easier, or that he just repoed and would let me have for a killer deal. I received great service from my Snap-On dealer when I lived in NY, I had no problem paying a little extra for his service.

I get it and why you think it's great service, but it's not for everyone me included
Personally I like to be my own tool dealer and pocket the savings. If I need something Snappy I just get it off eBay for 50%, or source it from the original manufacturer if it's a rebadge job.

You must dedicated Snap On reps over there, if they visit you on a ship every week

 

[richfinn]

Same mechanism but Bahco offers only the most basic of ratchet styles. 3, infact, all fairly average length and with comfort grips. Snap-On by comparison has probably close to 50 different types.

I get by with what I have, I don't need 50 types of ratchets. That's just a crazy thing to suggest to young techs coming out of college.

 

[Skin]

I get by with what I have, I don't need 50 types of ratchets. That's just a crazy thing to suggest to young techs coming out of college.

The point is your selection is greater so you can pick something that tailors to your use better, not that someone needs 50 ratchets.

 

[richfinn]

The point is your selection is greater so you can pick something that tailors to your use better, not that someone needs 50 ratchets.

How many ratchets in the kit the kid wants to buy though?, thats more to the point.

Dismissing the Bahco because they don't do 50 styles isn't a real reason not to buy it over a standard Snap On ratchet, it's basically the same thing but a lot cheaper.

The arguments about warranty/customer service are also nonsensical, I buy at trade prices, I expect neither (because I'm in the trade and because I trust me more than any dealer).

I have no problem with people going the retail Snap On route, I'm just suggesting that it's not the only viable route to good tooling.

 

[richfinn]

If your working on boats (especially salt water stuff) your going to want Snap-On tools, When I started I had a good selection of S&K, Craftsman, Mac, tools but Quickly realized they were not as good as the tools the other mechanics were using, Sockets were splitting regularly, Screwdrivers snapping, and other tools were breaking that had no problems when used in automotive applications. My boss suggested upgrading and showed me what he kept in his 20" box that he carried onto boats, Most jobs could be completed with what he had and it's pretty much what I still have in my carry box (I do have to carry metric tools now but keep them in a separate small box).

Ps. I live on a little island surrounded by salt water, we salt the roads, I work outside everyday in rain/wind/snow and everything is rusty. I've never broken one of the cheap sockets or wrenches we are supplied with. Even my multimeter works and I've lost count of the amount of times I've had to dry it out. I've broke a few cheap assed ratchets, so I buy my own now.

 

[amlv20]

Go for the tools and the hf box.a snappy box will do nothing for you......trust me.

I wish I would of done the same....

 

[walter34payton2002]

Thanks guys. The snapon tool voucher is for over 1300 bucks worth of tools 605 dollars to be exact student price (1/2 off). I get half off any of their boxes and can apply the 605 to a box but all I can spend is 400. I have been leaning toward the tools. I have most in the set but these are top quality and the 2 wrench sets beats the craftsman I have. I have read here that even the craftsman spread and the snapon can get in smaller areas and are stronger. I don't have much room to work as a marine tech. I'm gonna go with the tools. Thanks a ton guys!!!

 

[BK13]

I call on a LOT of marine shops.

In the bigger shops, every tech has a box, cart and tool bag.

In the smaller shops, every tech has a box, cart, and tool bag.

Cool. When I heard 'marine' I immediately thought of supertankers. Doh!

 

[barneyim26]

get the tools, box can be hf and do you just as good. no brainer.

 

[kblazer87]

I bought that exact box (KRA 4107) off craigslist for 400.00 in mint condition 2 years ago. My suggestion is get the tools with the voucher, get the cheap toolbox now then keep your eye out for a deal on a better box when the finances are in much better shape.