Opinion on Professional tool sets.

[toolman1967]

My son is starting a Technical Auto course at the University. We have a LOT of the tools he needs to start the coursework. Most of our tool sets are Craftsman and we have a lot invested but I want to get him the suggested tool starter kit. The big name Tool companies are offering HALF OFF if we buy from them. Snap on, Mac, Fastenall, Napa and a few others are all offering this deal to the students. My first reaction is to buy the Snap On kit but I wanted the advise from the Professional Techs. If you had this kind of deal, what would you buy? I want to get him started off on the right foot with the right set of tools.

Tim the Toolman

 

[Lexus]

Out of the "big" name tool companies you wont go wrong with Snap on, and some Mac too.. But there are other tool companies where you get the same, if not better quality for about 1/2 the normal price anyway.

Just recently purchased Ko-ken tools which are excellent and cost less than the big namers out there. There is also Nepros and Vessel from the Japanese line of tools. Also look at Wera, Stahlwille from Germany.

It all depends how much do you want to spend.

 

[Lexus]

If you are looking at Snap on the must have from them is the Flank Drive Plus wrenches! Those I use everyday and are well worth taking advantage of the discount.

With Mac the must have from them is the 1/4 flat head air ratchet.

 

[Harrison2]

if buy individual items rather than the kit that way you don't get a bunch of random pieces

 

[Flivver250]

Snap On or Wright tools would be my choice. Flank Drive or WrightGrip are must haves. SO is most convenient for professionals.

 

[CWP1616L]

if you had this kind of deal, what would you buy?

Snap-on

 

[KamiCrit]

I've herd that Proto tools will give the snap on tools a run for their money at half the cost. Proto is trying to play up their name as an industrial brand but the tools work just as well for automotive.

 

[Adam.C]

I think snap on is a must have for pro auto techs. I would take advantage of the student discount to buy hard line tools: sockets, wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers. I would be careful of the kits of tools which contain expensive and less used items. I would skip ratchet wrenches tho I love mine, but I would recommend swivel sockets and hi performance wrenches. Jury is out on impact sockets.

 

[CWP1616L]

I recommend this set here: LINK

 

[BDT/NWMN]

43 years ago, I was offered those same student discounts.. I went with ProTo that was offered through a local automotive parts distributer... Less money than the Snap-On discounts that were offered... A few years later, I was working 100 miles from that automotive parts distributer who sold the ProTo tools.. The Snap-On truck, however, stopped by on a regular basis, and the local hardware store carried SK. My old USA Craftsman set from the sixties, plus tools ordered through a mail order tool company resulted in a mix of quality tools. With today's internet sales, I find myself doing allot of purchases online.. It may be worth your time to check out protoindustrial.com and the SK website and look over their selections and inquire about student discounts, and, mail in warranty claims if needed. Your have choices and are definitely not stuck with one or two brands of tools..

 

[Aquaticbob]

Whatever you do, get a high tooth count ratchet, I know snap-on has some of the better stuff such as 100 tooth count. I personally think high tooth count ratchets are worth their weight in gold.

 

[bobcatdan]

I had the deal and didn't take it. I already had a good assortment of tools that the kit was all repeats of what I had. Also the kits are set up stupid, a lot of stuff you don't need and missing everything you do need. My two cents, take advantage of the discount on individual tools and build his tool set up cost efficiencly.

 

[daddy2coull]

i'd use the snap on discount and build a custom tool kit, that way you get what you need, rather than what they want to sell you. there may well be other brands that offer similar quality for less money, but if you're investing heavily in tools you need the support from the supplier, if you have to hunt around for bargain items from other suppliers, the chances are getting things changed under warranty is going to be ten times harder.

 

[MattPersman]

I bet if you get a list we can tell you what is a waste of time on it, may save you a little money

But snap on yes!

 

[creativecars]

What is the budget???
I ask that question because he will need enough tools to get some work done. It does not matter how much of a % off it is. Can the out of pocket money purchase the quantity of tools to be productive? If you have 500 cash, stay away from SO as that amount of money will not get enough tools to fix much.
With other tool mfg. or more funds the options open up.

 

[bahcoswed]

What is the budget???
I ask that question because he will need enough tools to get some work done. It does not matter how much of a % off it is. Can the out of pocket money purchase the quantity of tools to be productive? If you have 500 cash, stay away from SO as that amount of money will not get enough tools to fix much.
With other tool mfg. or more funds the options open up.

Yep, flankdrive plus wrench set costs over 500 usd

 

[crewchief888]

a few things i would buy from SO starting out

torx and allen bits
ratcheting screwdriver
dual 80 ratchets
select screwdrivers, (i prefer hard handles)

use the rest of the "budget" on good quality, less expensive sockets

personally, i'd go with IR for air tools, milwaukee fuel for cordless, channelllock or knipex for pliers

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

Personally I would not buy mac. I have a few of their tools, and I find them to be good quality... However, I don't remember ever seeing a mac dealer in my area. Keep that in consideration. Most areas have a snap on dealer, And I've always had a matco dealer close by. A dealership I worked at had a independant tool dealer who had sk, knipex and other brands... all good quality with good warranty's.

there's been alot of threads about the starter sets and the concensus seems to be not to bother with them. Buy what you think you need, and if money allows, definately take advantage of the student discount from whichever vendor you chose. The half off is the best deal you'll ever find on these tools... it's a price that franchise owners don't get. Take full advantage of it and you'll have good tools/tool box for life.

Crewcheif summed up the needs... You can't beat snap on torx and allen bits, their screwdrivers are the best i've ever used and their ratchets take quite a beating. Same with air tools... I like Ingersol Rands line... light weight, smaller in some cases than tool truck air tools and they will break 98 percent of every bolt you'll come across. Not to mention alot cheaper.... For the most part.

However depending on what he'll be working on... I'd stick with a tool truck brand sockets... I have plenty of craftsman, but the looks and feel of a good socket that you can warranty without a drive somewhere is worth it. Especially at half off....

don't forget about impact universals... well worth the investment

 

[creativecars]

It also depends on what "active" tool trucks you have in your area. The best warranty in the world is not worth a **** if you can't get a hold of someone to warrant it. The name on the broken tool does not matter, it is still useless and you still have to figure out a way to fix the vehicle. If you have to track down the _______ truck to get service, find another mfg.

 

[bcradio]

I recommend this set here: LINK

Snap-On doesn't make a long version of FD+?

 

[nuklbstr83]

snap-on.

 

[jmm]

If you've already got the tools, DON'T go buying an entire tool set.

Let him use the tools and replace as he deems necessary. Where the discount will work in your favor is filling in all the holes.

 

[Gmonkee]

He has a list to fill, various brands have offered a kit that fills that list including the NAPA store.

That leaves the option of cherry picking the home tool stocks and only buying a few select items not present or that he would want a better choice the already exists.

Budget plays a part, also the fact that new tech trainees in a school tend to lose a few key tools to friends and classmates along the way.
I would get a lesser priced school set and give the SO gems as a graduation gift. If Jr. washes out early or changes direction there is less investment to store in the garage a decade or so.

When he goes the course and is lined up for a career he'd get the Wurth and the SO from me. He can upgrade the tool storage from his own wages when he is ready.

 

[CWP1616L]

Snap-On doesn't make a long version of FD+?

They're used to; not anymore.

 

[Ruger_556]

My son is starting a Technical Auto course at the University. We have a LOT of the tools he needs to start the coursework. Most of our tool sets are Craftsman and we have a lot invested but I want to get him the suggested tool starter kit. The big name Tool companies are offering HALF OFF if we buy from them. Snap on, Mac, Fastenall, Napa and a few others are all offering this deal to the students. My first reaction is to buy the Snap On kit but I wanted the advise from the Professional Techs. If you had this kind of deal, what would you buy? I want to get him started off on the right foot with the right set of tools.

Tim the Toolman

Don't buy the "school kit"... Decide what you want/need and buy those tools. A lot get's left off those tool lists

 

[MattPersman]

Get the list and buy cheap tools like HF, gearwrench, etc. if he HAS to bring them to school they have a high chance of getting stolen if they are nice snap on ones. I do recommend snap on but only to use after school. Considering he will not use them much in school and not trying to make a living with them anything will work just fine.

 

[Farmall450]

Whatever you do, get a high tooth count ratchet, I know snap-on has some of the better stuff such as 100 tooth count. I personally think high tooth count ratchets are worth their weight in gold.

The dual 80?

Gearwrench is the 100+er, with the 120 xps.

 

[sgtgrizzo]

Snap-On or Matco. Matco is a little cheaper but quality wise just as good or better than Snap-On, with certain tools of course. No one manufacturer has all the best tools. Me personally I like to pick and choose from different manufacturers on who I think has the best tool in that I'm looking for.

 

[theoldwizard1]

IMHO, "big name" tools are WAY over priced. You are paying for a guy to drive up to your work and then finance you with weekly payment ... FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE !!!

Most tools set include a lot of tools you don't need. If you are working on any car built in the past 10-15 years it is highly unlikely that it will have ANY SAE fasteners.

Nothing wrong with Craftsman, especially the older stuff. As others have said, I would be paranoid about new top-brand tools "growing legs" in a school environment.

Skip any 1/2" drive stuff until he gets into suspension work. The exception is a decent 1/2" impact gun, a set of double end, impact, lug nut sockets (Sunex), torque sticks and a 1/2" torque wrench. Fill in the rest later. (Probably more than 50% of my 1/2" sockets have never been used in over 40 years of shade tree work, but they sure look pretty !)

 

[Aquaticbob]

The dual 80?

Gearwrench is the 100+er, with the 120 xps.

Snap on still makes a 100 tooth count ratchet. They have the dual 80 but also the round head 100 tooth count

 

[Hangar Pilot]

Snap-on! Still made right here in the good old USA!

 

[1950mercury]

Buy from snap on. The tools will be worth what you paid for them or more if you ever go to sell them...

 

[CWP1616L]

A 50 percent discount is a good time to buy the 1/4 drive flex sockets; they cost a mint at regular price.

 

[Skin]

If you are working on any car built in the past 10-15 years it is highly unlikely that it will have ANY SAE fasteners.

Not entirely true. In an indi or dealer of a domestic brand you still need SAE believe it or not. Finding a mix on pickups is fairly common at least up to 2005ish. In areas of severe rust its also helpful to have more choices of sizes to hammer onto deteriorated fasteners. Not saying run out and buy as much standard as metric but you should still have the basics (sockets and a set of combos) if you want to cover everything, even today.

 

[Kracin]

I've herd that Proto tools will give the snap on tools a run for their money at half the cost. Proto is trying to play up their name as an industrial brand but the tools work just as well for automotive.

proto has always been more of an industrial staple. and i've never seen a proto tool break in my time in industrial maintenance. they are just as good for automotive work.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Is it the school suggested tool starter kit, or a snap on suggested starter kit. If it is a school suggested starter kit you probably should provide everything on the list.

If I could get Snap on tools half off I probably would. Even if he gets out of it you will still have a good resale value. Used Snap on usually goes for stupid high prices on e-bay.

He will eventually to be working in a pro shop and there will be a lot of peer pressure to get snap on.

The fact that the snap on truck comes by the shop every week will make it easy to exchange broken tools and get specialty tools.

Chris

 

[gagreen]

proto has always been more of an industrial staple. and i've never seen a proto tool break in my time in industrial maintenance. they are just as good for automotive work.

Problem with proto is warranty. I like proto and still believe the blackhawk sockets are the best deal in tools, but my hardline stuff needs to be able to be quickly warrantied if anything does go wrong. Snap on is a safe bet especially at half off.


The industrial tool vs. truck tool is merely a warranty thing. Truck tools are betting on you possibly needing to warranty your tools and are aimed toward the individual being the buyer. The industrial tool lines are betting on broke tools to go into a bucket and possibly not get warrantied, they give price breaks in bulk orders aimed at selling them to a corporate buyer rather than an individual and also provide substantially less customer support in the field if any. Truck tools you call your driver and if it is important and you have a good driver he will jump through hoops to help you get it fixed asap, industrial tool companies have you mail your tools in.

So proto/armstrong/blackhawk are great tools but the inconvenience of not having a dealer to work with when the inevitable happens *****. Snap on gives me no headaches about warrantying my tools.

If you are sure he is going to be an auto tech as a professional go ahead and use the student discount to it's fullest it is an investment in his future. At half off they will definitely pay themselves off.

 

[CWP1616L]

Most tools set include a lot of tools you don't need. If you are working on any car built in the past 10-15 years it is highly unlikely that it will have ANY SAE fasteners.

I was surprised to discover that my '00 GM car requires a 3/8'' socket for the valve cover bolts. Everything else on that car is mostly 10, 13, and 15mm.

 

[shockwave]

I would invest into snap on at the 50% off also look and see if u can get anything from there rwd catalog they have some nice tools from ast and sir in there

 

[monomach]

Don't buy any of the pre-made kits. Just get what you need.

First thing on the list:

Snap-On flare nut wrench sets, metric and SAE

DO NOT pass up the chance to get those at half off. Those are the one thing where the difference between Snap-On and everyone else is the biggest.