If you could only choose 1, which would it be?

[NinnyCTSV]

Probably a pointless post but I was curious on who you would choose. Recently I switched jobs to a secured facility where the job requirements and responsibilities are high. All of which requires me to invest a lot more in tools, however the lure of the tool truck brands has been long lost after finding this forum and having the sheet pulled from my eyes in regards to rebrands. Call me naive, but prior to this forum I thought even craftsman made their own tools haha.

Anyhow I digress, being that investing out of pocket for tools can add up quick and while I make a decent wage, I also can’t realistically just dump a couple grand every so often all at once to buy tools. Or even the fact that I am in the market for a much larger box. It’s hard to justify to the wife that yes, I need to spend 8k for my job haha.

That being said I had to fight for it but I managed to pull some serious strings to allow 1 and only 1 tool truck show up at my job. For me it was a no brainer to get cornwell to start showing up. They are by far, in my experience, the cheapest of the 4. Offer a ton of brands rather than slap a lower end “budget” name of their stuff to sell at a premium price, much like silver eagle/expert/bluepoint. This allows me to finance bigger spends and since a large chunk of my tools are things cornwell carries, while not being cornwell branded, allows me a more convenient way to warranty things should they break.

So it begs the question. If you could only have 1, who would you choose?

 

[ca90ss]

I don't have access to a Cornwell truck so I don't know what else they carry but Snap On does have a supplemental catalog with products from over 150 different brands.

 

[Parrothead]

Honestly, not trying to give you a hard time.

AMAZON

If you don't have prime, get it. Free two day shipping. Your "truck" isn't showing up every two days, that's for sure.

 

[Lassen Forge]

What Ducksface said. I may like some of the truck brands, I don't like some of each brands in their respective line-ups, so I compare and buy for quality, not for a brand name.

There is one thing I do keep in mind, and that's people who went into the tool truck business sold on a promise that was almost impossible for them to keep - and how that tool truck company led them along until they threw them under the bus. I'm thinking of one company in particular who have former drivers who post on this board... something like their horror story sticks in ones mind.

 

[larry_g]

Since you don't say where you are working, I'll ask. If your are in an industrial setting does your place of employment qualify to purchase Snap-on industrial? Same tools but at a greatly reduced price.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[NinnyCTSV]

Oh trust me, I’m a huge advocate for bargain hunting. As stated in my original post. A good majority of my stuff is Sunex, Mayhew, lisle. And aside from a handful of tool brands, all my truck brand stuff is second hand. Why I chose to have cornwell come to my work is for the bigger spends that allow me in a jam to buy and make payments as I’m not a rich guy

 

[NinnyCTSV]

Since you don't say where you are working, I'll ask. If your are in an industrial setting does your place of employment qualify to purchase Snap-on industrial? Same tools but at a greatly reduced price.

lg
no neat sig line

To put it simply, I am a heavy duty fleet mechanic for Bridgestone and the company I work for is contracted by Bridgestone much like Ryder and Penske. A hands off approach to maintaining their vehicles and just receiving an invoice. So it’s no different to a auto repair shop where all technicians are expected to supply their own tools with the exception of some shop equipment. Ie. jacks, lifts, a/c machines, etc.
. ..

 

[pi_guy]

I think everyone's mileage is different.
When you get past the basic tool set is when the truck guys shine.
I got a dealer that has been doing this for 35+ years and he has steered me work, found unobtainable tools and provided suggestions and solutions to issues. Loaned tools for test purposes.
Many of my tools come from a broad spectrum of manufacturers. If you choke on SO prices go buy tools and stuff from Pi Cosworth or Hewland.
One of the issues you get with Amazon on buying advanced stuff like a pair of crimping pliers you do not know where they came from and the guy selling them is often clueless.
Or used electronics being sold as new with out the packaging.

Horror stories are the basis of the internet, having a good dealer that has serviced you well over the years holds no interest on the internet.

 

[Wamsutta]

That's a real tough choice. For me it would come down to Snap-on and Cornwell because they're my two favorites as far as truck brands go.

 

[mmason7764]

This one:

 

[MikeF2316]

I would talk to the locals who already have truck service. It comes down the the guy behind the wheel of the truck. Generally, the guys that think Snap-on is the best have a great franchisee. The guys who will never spend another dime on Snap-on have a poor one. Etc, etc.

 

[NinnyCTSV]

I’ve personally never had a good snap on dealer, but that’s never kept me away from the brand. It’s always been the price and it’s really hard to justify their pricing when “b” company makes a tool just as good. Oddly enough though (and I did order it off their site) I needed a brake spring tool and snap on was like 12 dollars cheaper than everyone else.

As far as snap on goes though, It would be hard for our tiny 2 man crew shop to keep a dealer around for nickel and dime items. As at the end of the day, it’s the source of their income. The cornwell dealer i have now has serviced 3 other jobs I worked and has been with cornwell for 30+ years. His truck is old, but has everything and he’s past the period of pushing sales. You want it, cool. You don’t, thanks for your time.. I’ve gone in trucks that spare no expense on their appearance. Brand new 20-24 foot freight liners with hardly any tools, having to order everything and then they’re out the business after a few years cause they aren’t making money as they’re spending their money on a truck payment rather than the tools

 

[PugetDude]

Only 1 truck choice?
That's easy...

 

[Lassen Forge]

Actually, if there was something we needed (or needed warrantied) we'd look on our tool truck provided location route sheet (they all gave us one), we'd know where to go to find, say, the Matco guy who would have one-off tools made for us, or the snappy guy to replace a broken whatnot, or the Mac guy for that oddball metric injector wrench...

You can also call the tool truck guy, tell him when he can come by, get his info for the security hut, and get them a conditional pass. They do this out at the army base all the time. Or they'll call you after checking his credentials and make sure he was expected and welcome.

That being said I had to fight for it but I managed to pull some serious strings to allow 1 and only 1 tool truck show up at my job. For me it was a no brainer to get cornwell to start showing up. They are by far, in my experience, the cheapest of the 4. Offer a ton of brands rather than slap a lower end “budget” name of their stuff to sell at a premium price, much like silver eagle/expert/bluepoint

You really work for Bridgestone, not Cornwall? Sorry... but yeah, with your CornWall ad, I was wondering...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

ProTo, delivered to the doorstep by the brown tool truck.

 

[WittHay]

The more people have tools delivered from the UPS trucks, the more Snap-on(tool truck) tools get sold to fix those trucks.

I find myself liking Mac more than Snap-on in the last few years. Mac keeps releasing new tools ratchets, screwdrivers, prybars, air tools. I can get oddball OTC from my Mac dealer. Mac cordless interchanges with DeWalt and the Expert brand interchanges with some Canadian industrial brands. Also Mac has tools Proto doesn't and vise versa but both look the same.

 

[dsimatt]

Snap On because there is always a truck around.

Matco and Mac you have for a few years and then they disappear for awhile.

Cornwell is a joke, I'll never buy another from them which is easy since they don't exist around here.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Snap On because there is always a truck around.

No

 

[Wrenchinfool]

Snap on my dealer is very organized and gotten me off brand stuff warrentied, plus he discounts stuff cause I try to pay cash

 

[dsimatt]

Snap On because there is always a truck around.

No

Yes, there are at least 4 trucks around here and when traveling I see Snap On trucks a lot more than the other brands.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Yes, there are at least 4 trucks around here and when traveling I see Snap On trucks a lot more than the other brands.

For a tidbit of information: If a Snap-on Dealer is not currently serving the franchised territory in which You live or work,,,,,,, Snap-on corporate will not refer you to a Dealer from another franchised territory.. When I called: They specifically stated that any purchase or warranty would have to be conducted online..... Being I seen a Snap-on truck in Grand Forks, ND, which is about 60 miles away, I requested the contact information for that dealer; as I frequent that town... Snap-on corporate REFUSED to give Me the contact information...
There are rural areas that have not been served by a Snap-on truck in years..

I spent $$ with Snap-on Dealers over the years. Some of the Dealers didn't stay in our territory for long.. Fortunately, some did.

 

[Wamsutta]

Cornwell is a joke, I'll never buy another from them which is easy since they don't exist around here.

There's a story there waiting to be told. Give it up, let's hear it.

 

[dsimatt]

For a tidbit of information: If a Snap-on Dealer is not currently serving the franchised territory in which You live or work,,,,,,, Snap-on corporate will not refer you to a Dealer from another franchised territory.. When I called: They specifically stated that any purchase or warranty would have to be conducted online..... Being I seen a Snap-on truck in Grand Forks, ND, which is about 60 miles away, I requested the contact information for that dealer; as I frequent that town... Snap-on corporate REFUSED to give Me the contact information...
There are rural areas that have not been served by a Snap-on truck in years..

I spent $$ with Snap-on Dealers over the years. Some of the Dealers didn't stay in our territory for long.. Fortunately, some did.

It's a stupid policy, but I guess it's to try and protect their dealers. I would stop in at a shop and get the guys info from them and go about it that way, ***** when you need something and they won't help.

Snap On has been the only constant dealer all my years of wrenching.

 

[dsimatt]

There's a story there waiting to be told. Give it up, let's hear it.

We had a really good guy but his wife cheated on him and then divorced him which cost his route. The next guy took a couple years to show up, I bought a couple things from him and sent a couple tools in for warranty and he folded the next week.

I haven't seen a truck of theirs in years and almost all my Cornwell tools are now gone.

 

[Bluedodge]

Harbor Freight

 

[Wamsutta]

We had a really good guy but his wife cheated on him and then divorced him which cost his route. The next guy took a couple years to show up, I bought a couple things from him and sent a couple tools in for warranty and he folded the next week.

I haven't seen a truck of theirs in years and almost all my Cornwell tools are now gone.

Ok that's good. I was suspecting something was wrong with the tools.

 

[545_days]

Harbor Freight doesn't extend credit.
The OP is interested in credit more than brands.

I'll take a guess that an hf truck might do well in some areas.

The truth is that tool truck drivers are in the money lending business. The tools are simply a means to an end.

 

[dsimatt]

Ok that's good. I was suspecting something was wrong with the tools.

Can't say they are good or bad as I just have a couple left, if the dealer support is good I wouldn't hesitate but they are non existent here.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

It's a stupid policy, but I guess it's to try and protect their dealers. I would stop in at a shop and get the guys info from them and go about it that way, ***** when you need something and they won't help.

Snap On has been the only constant dealer all my years of wrenching.

Well it gets even better... So I called Corporate to get the Grand Forks area Dealer's contact like I mentioned earlier.. But when in My home town of Erskine a few days later, I watched a Snap-on truck drive around the block..
That afternoon, I made a few area phone calls and got this Dealer's phone number. I called the Dealer and arranged to meet the following week at one of His regular stops just outside of town.

The day before the meet, I could not resist calling Corporate once more, and asking My same question.. I was told (again, by the very snobby woman) that there was no Dealer serving My territory... Then I told her: "I just talked to the Dealer, His name is Nick, and He will be in Erskine tomorrow,,,,would you like His phone number?"" She said very little,, except that "He shouldn't be there" ...no mention of thanks ....

Not only the policy, but the employee's attitude left Me with some negative impressions. Nick had only been the Dealer in our territory for a short time; but as far as Snap-on keeping Corporate records up to date;;;; I hoped for a higher level of professionalism and performance from Snap-on Corporate. This territory had been without a Dealer for some time; and Nick's presence has definitely been an asset for Snap-on and the customers.

 

[dsimatt]

Well it gets even better... So I called Corporate to get the Grand Forks area Dealer's contact like I mentioned earlier.. But when in My home town of Erskine a few days later, I watched a Snap-on truck drive around the block..
That afternoon, I made a few area phone calls and got this Dealer's phone number. I called the Dealer and arranged to meet the following week at one of His regular stops just outside of town.

The day before the meet, I could not resist calling Corporate once more, and asking My same question.. I was told (again, by the very snobby woman) that there was no Dealer serving My territory... Then I told her: "I just talked to the Dealer, His name is Nick, and He will be in Erskine tomorrow,,,,would you like His phone number?"" She said very little,, except that "He shouldn't be there" ...no mention of thanks ....

Not only the policy, but the employee's attitude left Me with some negative impressions. Nick had only been the Dealer in our territory for a short time; but as far as Snap-on keeping Corporate records up to date;;;; I hoped for a higher level of professionalism and performance from Snap-on Corporate. This territory had been without a Dealer for some time; and Nick's presence has definitely been an asset for Snap-on and the customers.

I've found with any company it's best to leave corporate to do what they do best....pretty much nothing usefully.

The nice thing is if you have a good tool guy he will do whatever he needs to do to get the job done. We get different dealers at work if their truck needs to be fixed and they will never sell a new tool but used they will sell if you want.

 

[bmwrd0]

Get a catalog, or go to the website, of McMaster Carr. They have diferent levels of tools, premium, economy and value, and they always carry the best at a good price point, delivered quickly.

 

[Zewnten]

I vote Proto or Williams with National Tool Warrhouse filling in the gaps, all delivered by UPS. But no matter what my last choice would be Cornwell, rather leave on my lunch to go buy what I needed.

 

[NinnyCTSV]

You really work for Bridgestone, not Cornwall? Sorry... but yeah, with your CornWall ad, I was wondering...

Caught me, I’m actually a cornwell franchisee.
In all seriousness though, I only own 3 Cornwell Tools. 2 die grinders and an extractor set. Again, this relates to big spends. People seem to be focusing on the $1-500 items that I will continue to buy online or in store. What about the bigger spends that are beneficial to pay in payments

 

[Fbmoose48]

Snap On and Amazon.