New Student/Technician

[floppyflankdrive]

Hey guys! I have learned so much from this forum about the different manufacturers, and now when it's time to finally pull the trigger, I am stuck! I am a student in a Heavy Duty Diesel program, and currently get 50% off on all MAC tools, around 50% off of snap-on, and 50% off on Matco as well. I already have a snap-on box, set of metric/sae wrenches, 3/8 and 1/2" snap on sockets, and then the rest of my tools consist of Craftsman. I would like to build my set based upon this and would just go with all snap-on, but with the limited selection of the catalog at discount, I feel as though I need to try the other brands as well at a discount this much. I can complete my socket/wrench selection in Snap On, but what wondering what you all would suggest for the following OTHER than snap-on, as the selection available to me is not that great.
This is what I will probably be buying while in school:
Screwdrivers
Punches/Chisels
Air Tools
Pliers
Wrenches/Sockets
Tap and Die set
TORQUE WRENCHES????

Alright, thanks for helping me take advantage of my time in school with these discounts, I am just wanting your opinion of what you would buy from the manufacturers other than snap on in those categories?

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

torque wrenches, I would go Matco or Snap ON
Pliers, snap on
IR for airtools
matco/napa for screwdriver

 

[daveblank]

Do this. Make a list of what you have & what you're getting. Show the list to one of your instructors & see if he recommends anything else. If he's good, he'll have an idea of what you'll need to hit the ground running.

 

[floppyflankdrive]

Do this. Make a list of what you have & what you're getting. Show the list to one of your instructors & see if he recommends anything else. If he's good, he'll have an idea of what you'll need to hit the ground running.

This is a good idea. My plan was to just get sockets/ratchets/wrenches and things like tap/die sets, screwdrivers, etc etc....you know, just basic hand tools until I actually get a job and then I can get what other small tools I will need for it.

 

[cwstevens92]

asking your instructor is a great idea, you might wanna hold off on big purchases until you get hired on an actual see what you will be doing when you start, then go from there.

 

[stroked93]

take advantage of student discount and buy snap-on. even if you don't use what you buy you will be able to trade in for something else you need for more than you paid while in school.

 

[mrshaun]

I have students trade tools to me all the time. I give them just a tad more than what they bought it at and let them get what they really need once they get rolling. Some just trade it in and leave it as a credit on the truck. Win Win situation. he gets a deal and i cam pass along a deal to another customer.