Never sell your tools

[RedneckWelder]

I'm all for supporting local businesses and blue collar workers, it is 100% the correct thing to do. I don't even mind paying a little extra for all the hoops they have to jump through to manufacturer good stuff in the first world.

But when they artificially jack up the prices to exploit me and pay wealthy shareholders a larger cut, I'm pretty much done.

If Stahlwille can make high quality spanners in Germany for 40% the cost of Snap-On, or Ko-ken can do the same with Sockets in Japan, that's where my money is going.

What really set me off a few months ago was Snap On came around passing out fliers and the “featured item” was two sets of hand impact drivers…yes the kind you hit with a hammer. $380 and…$890. Yes that’s right, $900 for a ******* $30 tool and some bit sockets.


I don’t give a damn if I’m getting paid $20, $50, or $100 an hour I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay my hard earned money towards that kind of company when there are other options.

And the damndest thing is they want to sell that **** to an auto mechanic but when it comes to their industrial and government customers or relabels for certain brands suddenly their prices get a LOT more reasonable. Like I can get their 14 pc angle wrench set for $990 off the truck or $330 from Caterpillar. I’d be a damned fool to buy it off the truck even if I was made of hundred dollar bills. Falling for that **** is how you stay poor even making good money.

 

[richfinn]

To be fair, that would imply Mac, Cornwell, and Matco actually had trucks that swung by. That’s probably another reason our Snap-On dude gets away with it…zero competition from the other big names.

Exactly. MiUSA and wrapping one’s self with the flag should not lead to unquestionable loyalty to these companies. How is it that US companies have to constantly raise their prices while their overseas competitors have been able to maintain their pricing? It’s not making sense. Europe has terrible supply chain and inflation issues too. As does Japan and Taiwan. So what gives? Us blue collar guys have to be smarter with our finances. It’s the only way to bring about change.

I would love to support regular workers in all the Allied nations (and I do try).

But I refuse to pay more than double the price for bragging rights.

 

[richfinn]

What really set me off a few months ago was Snap On came around passing out fliers and the “featured item” was two sets of hand impact drivers…yes the kind you hit with a hammer. $380 and…$890. Yes that’s right, $900 for a ******* $30 tool and some bit sockets.


I don’t give a damn if I’m getting paid $20, $50, or $100 an hour I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay my hard earned money towards that kind of company when there are other options.

And the damndest thing is they want to sell that **** to an auto mechanic but when it comes to their industrial and government customers or relabels for certain brands suddenly their prices get a LOT more reasonable. Like I can get their 14 pc angle wrench set for $990 off the truck or $330 from Caterpillar. I’d be a damned fool to buy it off the truck even if I was made of hundred dollar bills. Falling for that **** is how you stay poor even making good money.

Exactly, they are preying on peoples patriotism and good nature.

It's not right!!

 

[1foxracing]

I'm contemplating selling off my tool collection currently. Back in January of this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer (I'm a life long Non-Smoker) and I no longer have the strength to use hand tools or even stand on my feet for longer then 10 minutes. I'm 6'2" and currently weigh 132lbs, my normal weight was 175lbs.
So what in the Hell should I do with all these damn hand tools that I can no longer use and my daughter has zero interest in? My wife to this day can't use a screwdriver properly so she has no use for them either. All of my "friends" with the exception of 2 of them no longer come around or take my calls because I can no longer fix their motorcycles for free.
The only thing stopping me from selling it now is because it seems like it will be a huge pain in the *** process. Ebay is out of question it's hard enough just to leave my house let alone list all this stuff, find boxes to pack it in, try and carry said boxes to the post office, deal with **** bags that claim they never got it, was damaged and such, and paying Ebay fees.
I'm lucky enough to not need the cash but I hate seeing all these tools in my garage that I know I'll never be able to put to use again.

 

[m6z]

I'm all for supporting local businesses and blue collar workers, it is 100% the correct thing to do. I don't even mind paying a little extra for all the hoops they have to jump through to manufacturer good stuff in the first world.

But when they artificially jack up the prices to exploit me and pay wealthy shareholders a larger cut, I'm pretty much done.

If Stahlwille can make high quality spanners in Germany for 40% the cost of Snap-On, or Ko-ken can do the same with Sockets in Japan, that's where my money is going.

That's where I'm at as well. I'll pay a bit more for nicer stuff, but I'll never pay $464 for ten wrenches.

And when was ten wrenches a set? The first wrench set I bought was a Craftsman 7-22mm set and it came with a big of midget wrenches too.

I agree with the sentiment of the thread though, It's one of the reasons I've been assembling a set of tools for my toddler. It's not going to get any cheaper than right now and I've got the time and money to buy things when they're deeply discounted.

 

[Madjik Man]

What really set me off a few months ago was Snap On came around passing out fliers and the “featured item” was two sets of hand impact drivers…yes the kind you hit with a hammer. $380 and…$890. Yes that’s right, $900 for a ******* $30 tool and some bit sockets.


I don’t give a damn if I’m getting paid $20, $50, or $100 an hour I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay my hard earned money towards that kind of company when there are other options.

And the damndest thing is they want to sell that **** to an auto mechanic but when it comes to their industrial and government customers or relabels for certain brands suddenly their prices get a LOT more reasonable. Like I can get their 14 pc angle wrench set for $990 off the truck or $330 from Caterpillar. I’d be a damned fool to buy it off the truck even if I was made of hundred dollar bills. Falling for that **** is how you stay poor even making good money.

Honestly before reading this forum regularly I always thought to myself, “boy a Snap On ———— would be nice to have.”

But after (trying to) taking in the wealth of knowledge here about manufacturing, brands, rebrands, metallurgy, mechanisms, etc…

…I’m almost anti Snap On for being so brazen.

Sure if someone gave me Snap On whatever I’d be thrilled. Or if I somehow found a smoking deal or a tool on the side of the road (still can’t get over that thread, lol) I’d take it.

 

[nbpt100]

To be fair, that would imply Mac, Cornwell, and Matco actually had trucks that swung by. That’s probably another reason our Snap-On dude gets away with it…zero competition from the other big names.

Exactly. MiUSA and wrapping one’s self with the flag should not lead to unquestionable loyalty to these companies. How is it that US companies have to constantly raise their prices while their overseas competitors have been able to maintain their pricing? It’s not making sense. Europe has terrible supply chain and inflation issues too. As does Japan and Taiwan. So what gives? Us blue collar guys have to be smarter with our finances. It’s the only way to bring about change.

In short you are right on. Most everyone wants to be patriotic and support USA made items. But what is being done with the profits and are they hiring and spending money here more than elsewhere. Sometimes made in USA can be just final Assembly in USA. It is like the Pink ribbon campaign to support cancer research. It pulls on your heart strings but when you find out what the top brass is pulling in for a not for profit and you see how much of your donation actually goes to meaningful research you get disappointing pretty quickly. We now have to start looking at corporate behavior and not blindly buy something that has a USA sticker on it. Some not for profits have better paying jobs than for profit companies.

I agree with the sentiment of the OP - I don't know how the beginner techs make it in todays world.

HVAC tool and testing equipment has gone ridiculous on their prices. Just a basic set of the specialty tools required would require a bank loan. Not to mention all the "usual" hand tools mechanics use. Plus all the new mandated electronic **** they're requiring mean lots more diagnostic equipment. I just don't see how they do it. Maybe that's one of the reasons why A/C companies are hurting for workers? Young people think they can make a lot of money doing it but then they see what the tooling will cost and they pass.
As for what I have, most of the tools and equipment I started with in 1987 I still have. Quality counts, and consistent maintenance pays. So when I pass the Mrs. could throw it all out - or donate all that stuff - and not miss a dime. I've gotten my money's worth out of all of it. The collectible stuff? I'll tell her to post it up here at the GJ - and you guys will hand her gobs of money!

More kids are going to trade school now. The reasons have been discussed here a lot. There must be a lot of demand from young apprentices starting out or even from students in school who are starting a collection.

I hate to say it, but anyone who’s been on the MAC truck lately can attest to the dive in quality. It’s like they’re purposely going out of their way to race to the bottom.

For the professional who buys from the tool truck… I bet SnapOn knows this and it’s a part of the reason why they price gouge. Their direct competition doesn’t give them much competition anymore.

There have also been many posts here on how the tool trucks will be going away or at least their presence greatly diminished. Mostly due to on line shoping(much better pricing on similar or same products)with next day delivery. Guys have said the tool truck shows up once a week and they can't wait 2 to 4 days to get a tool when they need it today. Tomorrow sometimes has to do. I am not a professional mechanic and do not talk to any of the tool truck drivers but I have to think they must be feeling pressure from on line sales with next day delivery. They need to show some value to their customers. Are they now showing up everyday or will all of them show up in a few hours after a call? If they have a densely populated territory they may be able to do that. But if their territory is spread out and city traffict etc. will they drive an hour to get there that day or disrupt their planned schedule?

 

[finn]

I'm all for supporting local businesses and blue collar workers, it is 100% the correct thing to do. I don't even mind paying a little extra for all the hoops they have to jump through to manufacturer good stuff in the first world.

But when they artificially jack up the prices to exploit me and pay wealthy shareholders a larger cut, I'm pretty much done.

If Stahlwille can make high quality spanners in Germany for 40% the cost of Snap-On, or Ko-ken can do the same with Sockets in Japan, that's where my money is going.

The dollar is essentially on par with the Euro last I checked. This comes after decades of being at 8% or less.

That makes German imports cheaper when priced in dollars than they have been for years.

 

[dchawk81]

I only have two Snap On items. One is a long handle 3/8 ratchet I bought on a whim when getting my truck inspected and the other is a used MG725 I grabbed off eBay out of curiosity.

Neither one of those tools makes or breaks my life. I can't even find the ratchet and the impact wrench being air and one of many air in addition to a bunch of cordless ones laying around here almost never gets picked up.

I just spent half the day replacing the SCR catalyst on my semi truck. Most of the tools used were Harbor Freight, Tekton, Sunex, and an Amazon off brand cordless impact wrench called Avidpower.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Tool trucks are going the way of the milkman.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The problem is that US and Canadian made products tend to target the high end market because of competition from cheap imports unless capital intensive manufacturing can narrow the competitive gap. So you may have to pay a lot more. If the goods being produced aren't mass market and relatively affordable, you aren't really supporting that many jobs. In a lot of cases it makes absolutely no sense to buy made in Canada. For example, the bicycle tariffs resulted in lackluster bikes assembled in Canada with imported parts while Taiwanese bikes kept on improving and moved into the high end market. As a Canadian, I treat having the made in Canada label on the product as a bonus and nothing more than that if all else is equal.

What are you trying to suggest? Can you support any of that with facts?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Tool trucks are going the way of the milkman.

I doubt it, but they will need to change their business model at some point to accommodate more than just auto repair. That's how corporate growth occurs. They will either continue to acquire (buy) already established business or they will expand organically.

 

[Professional Tool User]

What are you trying to suggest? Can you support any of that with facts?

My thoughts on this topic are that I'm not going to go out of my way to source products because of COO. Nor am I willing to pay an unreasonable premium for something just because of the COO. The product has to be as good if not better to interest me.

Use your observation skills. All you need to do is check the COO and prices of items on the shelves when you go shopping. For each item the rationale for the COO is different. For example, toilet paper is a low value item and takes up a lot of space in a trailer/shipping container. The raw materials can be sourced nearby and it's not labour intensive to produce. There's no point in outsourcing. Another example of capital intensive manufacturing is plastic products. Occasionally you'll see some USA made plastic storage boxes at Costco at competitive prices.

 

[Allpurpose]

I wish I had a dime, heck, even a penny for every tool I lost or was swiped by some schmuck in a shop...THEN, back in my heavy drinking days (I quit entirely..little late, but oh well) I ended up being a regular at pawn shops. Eventually I lost everything I owned a few times, but in the past ten or so years I've built back up my stock of tools. (Invincibility of youth I guess)
Anyway, just sold off a few items I had replaced with better stuff and I'm getting rid of most everything made in China. I'm working in my wood shop these days instead of automotive work.
What was I gonna do with a 6" dado stack on a 10" saw?

 

[ZRX61]

Which is why I'm saying don't get rid of your tools if you don't think you'll need them again. Because you never know and the cost to reaquire is much more now relative to income of a tech.

I know someone who does this.. Not sure how much he has spent on tools & then lost selling them not long after he bought them, but it's not a small amount... & on top of that, 3-6 months after he sells something, he's asking online if anyone has the same damn tool that he sold.

 

[ZRX61]

What was I gonna do with a 6" dado stack on a 10" saw?

Put it on your RAS.

 

[PugetDude]

If nobody ever sold any of their tools we'd have no need for the "Classifieds" forum here on the GJ.
Just sayin'...

 

[silkman]

What really set me off a few months ago was Snap On came around passing out fliers and the “featured item” was two sets of hand impact drivers…yes the kind you hit with a hammer. $380 and…$890. Yes that’s right, $900 for a ******* $30 tool and some bit sockets.

This thread has gone off topic but here are the best options on the WORLD market today:

Ridiculously priced Stahlwille impact, less than half than SO - 394eur
(Probably TBS are being funny, I doubt its that much even at full retail)

Stahlwille 4060 KN Schlagschraubendreher-Satz

Stahlwille 4060 KN Schlagschraubendreher-SatzStahlwille 96323001 4060 KN Schlagschraubendreher-Satz Merkmale:f&uum...

www.tbs-aachen.de

One of the best impact driver kits, by Koken - $158

Koken AG112F - 1/2" Sq. Drive, Hand Impact Driver Set

Palmac Tool Company offers the Koken AG112F | 1/2" Sq. Drive Hand Impact Driver Set to order online with a best Price Guarantee. Fast Shipping Available.

palmac.net

Gedore impact set or single tool - 99 or 50eur

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000UZ2A5S/

GEDORE Schraubenlöser 1/2 Zoll, 1 Stück, K 1900 : Amazon.de: Baumarkt

Elektro- und Handwerkzeuge online - GEDORE Schraubenlöser 1/2 Zoll, 1 Stück, K 1900. GEDORE Schraubenlöser 1/2 Zoll, 1 Stück, K 1900.

www.amazon.de

While all you really need is this: - 10 to 20eur
(Same kit made for a number of companies, up to 5x price depending on box badge)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/force/15201720

 

[CS454]

I bought a bunch of stuff at student discount and flipped it, then bought cheap tools and pocketed the difference.

Back to basics feels good.

 

[PugetDude]

I bought a bunch of stuff at student discount and flipped it, then bought cheap tools and pocketed the difference.

Back to basics feels good.

"We screw the other guy and pass the savings on to you!"

 

[Ton ton]

If nobody ever sold any of their tools we'd have no need for the "Classifieds" forum here on the GJ.
Just sayin'...

I agree.

 

[tak1313]

I'm contemplating selling off my tool collection currently. Back in January of this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer (I'm a life long Non-Smoker) and I no longer have the strength to use hand tools or even stand on my feet for longer then 10 minutes. I'm 6'2" and currently weigh 132lbs, my normal weight was 175lbs.
So what in the Hell should I do with all these damn hand tools that I can no longer use and my daughter has zero interest in? My wife to this day can't use a screwdriver properly so she has no use for them either. All of my "friends" with the exception of 2 of them no longer come around or take my calls because I can no longer fix their motorcycles for free.
The only thing stopping me from selling it now is because it seems like it will be a huge pain in the *** process. Ebay is out of question it's hard enough just to leave my house let alone list all this stuff, find boxes to pack it in, try and carry said boxes to the post office, deal with **** bags that claim they never got it, was damaged and such, and paying Ebay fees.
I'm lucky enough to not need the cash but I hate seeing all these tools in my garage that I know I'll never be able to put to use again.

If you don't really need the money, and don't want the hassle of selling, have you considered donating them to a local community college or voctech school? Many of them teach on limited budgets so tools/supplies are almost always appreciated.

 

[tak1313]

Here's a good site to play with. You punch in the reference year, the final year, and the original value. It will tell you what the equivalent dollar value is based on inflation. Note - I cannot vouch for or verify the accuracy - it's just interesting to use sometimes.

Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value from 1913-2022

Easily calculate how the buying power of the US dollar has changed from 1913 to 2022. Get inflation rates and US inflation news.

www.usinflationcalculator.com

 

[Professional Tool User]

"We screw the other guy and pass the savings on to you!"

It's more to get you addicted to the brand early on so they can make back any lost profits easily.

 

[Ricky Joe]

If I were the Snap-On man, I’d offer free cold draft beer to anyone coming on the truck.

 

[Snaparxon]

I remember back in the good ole' days when you only had to give up your left nut to pay for Snap on tools. Now days it seems like you have to give up both.

 

[dchawk81]

If I were the Snap-On man, I’d offer free cold draft beer to anyone coming on the truck.

I'd never buy anything but I'd never leave the truck either.

Heck I'd ride along on his route.

 

[dchawk81]

I remember back in the good ole' days when you only had to give up your left nut to pay for Snap on tools. Now days it seems like you have to give up both.

And your grandnuts and great-grandnuts.

 

[Ton ton]

If I were the Snap-On man, I’d offer free cold draft beer to anyone coming on the truck.

Make sure your route goes through Page county,VA.

 

[richfinn]

If nobody ever sold any of their tools we'd have no need for the "Classifieds" forum here on the GJ.
Just sayin'...

This thread has gone off topic but here are the best options on the WORLD market today:

Ridiculously priced Stahlwille impact, less than half than SO - 394eur
(Probably TBS are being funny, I doubt its that much even at full retail)

Stahlwille 4060 KN Schlagschraubendreher-Satz

Stahlwille 4060 KN Schlagschraubendreher-SatzStahlwille 96323001 4060 KN Schlagschraubendreher-Satz Merkmale:f&uum...

www.tbs-aachen.de

One of the best impact driver kits, by Koken - $158

Koken AG112F - 1/2" Sq. Drive, Hand Impact Driver Set

Palmac Tool Company offers the Koken AG112F | 1/2" Sq. Drive Hand Impact Driver Set to order online with a best Price Guarantee. Fast Shipping Available.

palmac.net

Gedore impact set or single tool - 99 or 50eur

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000UZ2A5S/

GEDORE Schraubenlöser 1/2 Zoll, 1 Stück, K 1900 : Amazon.de: Baumarkt

Elektro- und Handwerkzeuge online - GEDORE Schraubenlöser 1/2 Zoll, 1 Stück, K 1900. GEDORE Schraubenlöser 1/2 Zoll, 1 Stück, K 1900.

www.amazon.de

While all you really need is this: - 10 to 20eur
(Same kit made for a number of companies, up to 5x price depending on box badge)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/force/15201720

That Snap-On price is nuts, It's a fancy screwdriver you beat with a hammer.

I would go Ko-ken Attack driver all day long, they are great for old motorcycle casing screws

The Stahwille looks to have a hex drive instead of square? Never seen that done before.

This is my Dynomec (supplied by the company), comes as a set for locking wheel bolt removal, but you can use it with other bits

 

[genog]

Well....
I am never selling any of my ole tools.

There's no reason to.
Since those tools have paid for themselves dozens of times over, my heirs can toss them in the recycle bin.
I won't give a Sheet!

 

[bonneyman]

Yeah, I thought about contacting the local JTEP tech training school near me and ask about donating some tools to the students. But figured someone would see my stuff and then flip it and make money while the students don't get a cent.
I'd give stuff to a willing young person if I knew them personally but don't know any in my circle. Shoot!

 

[Allpurpose]

Put it on your RAS.

I'm not sure that's a particularly great idea. But I do have an old HF sander.. I always get RAS confused with random orbit just because I owned several DA Sanders so my old brain wants to make it random action sander instead of radial arm saw.. See what age does to ya?
Anyway..I have no room for a RAS.. Think a dado would work on a ROS? Nice finger removal tool..

 

[Allpurpose]

Yeah, I thought about contacting the local JTEP tech training school near me and ask about donating some tools to the students. But figured someone would see my stuff and then flip it and make money while the students don't get a cent.
I'd give stuff to a willing young person if I knew them personally but don't know any in my circle. Shoot!

I have a fine young grandson I keep trying to push old tools on I no longer need.. I gave him my 5 pound slide hammer after I inadvertently reconfigured my hand with it. Don't try that at home kids. It's not nearly as much fun as seen on TV.. My days of pulling axles out of trucks are over.. The benefits of getting old..you can usually afford to pay someone else to do that nonsense..

 

[nbpt100]

I dont know what I will do with my tools when I am ready to kick the bucket. I would bequest them to some young person who would appreciate them and not just hawk them. It seems so few youngster want to wrench on anything. I dont have kids but I look at my friends kids and they are more intereseted in video games or sports. I am not knocking them but can't they have a bit more balance?

 

[ZRX61]

I'm not sure that's a particularly great idea. But I do have an old HF sander.. I always get RAS confused with random orbit just because I owned several DA Sanders so my old brain wants to make it random action sander instead of radial arm saw.. See what age does to ya?
Anyway..I have no room for a RAS.. Think a dado would work on a ROS? Nice finger removal tool..

I used a dado stack on my RAS without an issues. Perfect for shaping & making lap joints in 4x8's etc.

 

[Allpurpose]

I used a dado stack on my RAS without an issues. Perfect for shaping & making lap joints in 4x8's etc.

I use the table saw..52" sawstop usually with woodpeckers rip flip attachment for dado's.. I use dado stacks for large cuts, but smaller ones I use just a flat ground ripping blade and rip flip.. takes getting used to but once you do it's easy peasy..