Opinion on Professional tool sets.

[nicksnothereman]

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.

Some of the incidentals might be sae (I mean hex plugs, some cover bolts, parts or bolts that were sourced externally to manufacture) but mainly...it's metric that you'll use for modern cars. Could probably get away with sae craftsman (even the china stuff) professionally (one deep (or impact)one shallow) because you probably won't use it a whole lot unless you work on a lot of older vehicles. 6 point of course.

I almost always use standard bolts for exhaust flanges because I can find them cheaper. And, I...probably shouldn't have said that I use sae but hate sae. It's just harder for me to eyeball sizes with sae.

 

[Ruger_556]

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 !!!

You can actually buy tools outright... Some people don't seem to realize this If your tools put food on the table then the cost is insignificant and any good shop will pay you enough that they aren't that far out

 

[CWP1616L]

If your tools put food on the table then the cost is insignificant and any good shop will pay you enough that they aren't that far out

And you actually get to keep the tools after you buy them. The same can't be said about other everyday living expenses like food and gasoline; your food gets digested and your gasoline gets burned up along with the money you spent to buy it.

 

[AV tinker er]

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

Sorry but a quick eBay search shows SO isn't worth what you pay for them down the road. I think the wrenches hold the best value over sockets, ratchets, and screwdrivers and the wrenches sell used consistently for about 1/2. Unless you were suggesting the OP buy SO only with the student discount.

 

[jimindm]

Sorry but a quick eBay search shows SO isn't worth what you pay for them down the road. I think the wrenches hold the best value over sockets, ratchets, and screwdrivers and the wrenches sell used consistently for about 1/2. Unless you were suggesting the OP buy SO only with the student discount.

That is very close to what a student would be paying.

There are not many tool brands that you can sell your used tools at 50% of new. Snap On is one. If you will be in the business long, selling them at 50% is not bad, and not much less than you paid.

 

[sberry]

If I was starting today as a student it would be the Sears 309 on sale right now and buy trinkets as the need arose. everytime I needed a new set of bits it would be Walmart or hf and if it didn't work, wore it out or broke it would look elsewhere.

 

[toolman1967]

WOW Guys!!! Thanks for the great feedback! We have SIX FULL tool Chests at this point between us but I thought this was a great opportunity to get him Professional tools to get him started.

The Tool List is the Schools Kit and is Mandatory, We have almost everything already but its all Craftsman and I do NOT mind getting him a Better set for his future.

I do worry about his tools walking away in a school setting......Not much that can be done about that, he will just have to be careful.

Lots of votes for the Snap On brand, I have several of their tools and always liked the feel and finish of their tools. Their ratchet is my favorite and is the smoothest I have ever used as is their ratcheting screwdriver. I never knew how much better the BIG name tools were until trying them for myself, I really thought it was just hype.

Their is a local Snap On dealer that makes the rounds and does stop at his university shop. I think that will be the decision.

Thanks so much for all your input, I knew you guys would give some good advise.

Tim the Toolman

 

[wittycow]

All the "truck brands" will give a student discount. You can make your $$ go farther by picking and choosing between the brands. Good tools are good tools and will last. But, if you have lots of tools between the two of you, don't waste your money yet. Use the discount to fill holes and make some smart upgrades. I would not overlook MAC or Matco, I have been very happy with both.

As for SAE, cover the basics, but you wouldn't be on here if you didn't love tools, so the more the better....lol

 

[brit road garage]

http://www1.snapon.com/industrial/Products/Tool_Sets/SetBuildingProgram/9600series.nws no idea how much it is im sure its expensive but will set him up for life

 

[dellwas]

So what does 'merican made have to do with it? There are lots of POS brands that are built there. As a matter of fact I go out of my way to avoid anything built there, with a few exceptions. Tools and vehicles don't belong in the exceptions...

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

 

[toolman1967]

We just itemized out the schools recommended kit and Snap On sells them and the 7 drawer roll away chest for over 3200 dollars. They will sell him the kit for 1500 and change. I think its a pretty good deal, We are ordering the kit on Monday. He is pretty excited about his Christmas Present, he is a total tool geek like me so this is going to be an AWESOME Christmas for us both.

Tim the Toolman

 

[BFHtime]

definitely get the dual 80 snap-on ratchets, snap-on sockets are great too as the budget allows.

do searches on this forum

 

[Farmall450]

Dual 80 FTW

 

[Shadowdog500]

We just itemized out the schools recommended kit and Snap On sells them and the 7 drawer roll away chest for over 3200 dollars. They will sell him the kit for 1500 and change. I think its a pretty good deal, We are ordering the kit on Monday. He is pretty excited about his Christmas Present, he is a total tool geek like me so this is going to be an AWESOME Christmas for us both.

Tim the Toolman

Let's see some photos when he gets it!!!

Heck, I'd ask if I could get the same deal for dad too.

Chris

 

[toolman1967]

Shadowdog, I was thinking the EXACT same thing....LOL!.....

Tim the Toolman

 

[Aquaticbob]

We just itemized out the schools recommended kit and Snap On sells them and the 7 drawer roll away chest for over 3200 dollars. They will sell him the kit for 1500 and change. I think its a pretty good deal

Looks like I'm going to go enroll in a mechanic program and drop out lol! That sounds like a pretty spectacular price for a chest and tools from snap on

 

[Shadowdog500]

Shadowdog, I was thinking the EXACT same thing....LOL!.....

Tim the Toolman

I just looked the student discount program, and the total retail value of tools per student can't exceed $7500. Plus more for one top and bottom box. http://www1.snapon.com/SEP/AbouttheProgram

May want to find out what tools the school expects him to buy in the future. I bet it may eat up the rest of that $7500 retail value. Make sure your "dad purchase" don't affect your sons account. I imagine later on he may need some specialty tools where a discount will come in handy.

Chris

 

[Ruger_556]

One thing to keep in mind is that tool list may not actually be mandatory... I'm taking Diesel right now and I'm getting close to the $7,500 limit but the list is usually just a recommendation. I'd pick and choose what tools you want to buy off the truck. Who actually needs a Snap-On tape measure and hack saw?

 

[Skin]

That is very close to what a student would be paying.

There are not many tool brands that you can sell your used tools at 50% of new. Snap On is one. If you will be in the business long, selling them at 50% is not bad, and not much less than you paid.

For new sets this is true most of the time. Go find some beat 30-40 year old wrenches and see how they fair. It wont do nearly as well. I've said it time and time again, do not "invest" in your tools because its always a big loss. If you want to make the most money on your tools you buy the cheapest stuff you can get by with and only buy off the trucks when its necessary. The shear amount of savings compared to the trucks is an enormous sum of money that you wont have wasted. Take that cash and put it into retirement. That's the only way to get the most return. Buying the most expensive brand around because you might get back 40% when the initial cost was TEN TIMES what, say, Gearwrench was is NOT an "investment". Its just a huge loss.

 

[nicksnothereman]

One thing to keep in mind is that tool list may not actually be mandatory... I'm taking Diesel right now and I'm getting close to the $7,500 limit but the list is usually just a recommendation. I'd pick and choose what tools you want to buy off the truck. Who actually needs a Snap-On tape measure and hack saw?

I didn't look at the list and I wouldn't say a SNAP ON tape measure and hack saw are a necessity but any tape measure (or measuring tools) and a hack saw are good to have around at least for minor fabrication or degraded bolt removal (when it's a through bolt with a nut); back up stuff. Wonder if they have a compass on the list. Didn't think I ever needed one then...I had to make a couple of gaskets off the cuff. I usually stock the incidental office type stuff (compass, protractor, markers, pens, pencils, sharpeners, tape, etc) anyway though because I get it dirt cheap every year.

 

[Deadhead]

With 6 full boxes of tools, I think I would put together a set with the nicest finish and use those. Nothing better than working with paid off tools, no matter what name is on them. $1500.00 dollars of debt is still $1500. Plus I would take better care of tools that belonged to my dad and use them as motivation. Once he gets a paying gig, he can buy the so called good stuff then.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Something tells me that dad is paying for the tools as part of his sons education, and there there will be no debt involved.

Kind of like buying needed supplies for your kid in college, except the kid will likely use the tools for the rest of his life. College books and supplies alone can cost this much a year.

Chris

 

[toolman1967]

YES, I am paying for the tool set for him. We did not look at the limit of 7500 dollars so will definitely keep that in mind when I start making the purchase. I thought about getting the Snap on tools and buying the bigger 44 inch HF rolling chest instead of the Snap On box. I am sure the chest will be filled at some point so a bigger chest would be worth the expense. With six rolling chests and the added intermediate chests and top boxes we still need more space as they are all full.

My son is my best friend and we are always working on projects together so the expense of some new tools for him is an honor for me. I became handicapped when he was 11 and he has stepped up to do the daily maintenance on our home as well as being the caretaker for his Autistic brother while they are in College. He is one of the best men I know and although I have always wanted a better set of tools for myself, getting them for him is the next best thing.

Getting a good set of Snap On tools for him is the best Christmas present I could ask for. Sometimes it really is better to GIVE than to Receive.

Tim the Toolman

 

[Ruger_556]

You might look at MAC boxes as you can buy their larger triple bays with student discount unlike Snap On or Matco

 

[toolman1967]

I may look into that Ruger, Nothing says we need to have the same brand box as the tools in them.

Tim the Toolman

 

[Ruger_556]

I may look into that Ruger, Nothing says we need to have the same brand box as the tools in them.

Tim the Toolman

Exactly! Most of my stuff is SO but I'm going to buy a MAC box here in the near future

 

[bahcoswed]

YES, I am paying for the tool set for him. We did not look at the limit of 7500 dollars so will definitely keep that in mind when I start making the purchase. I thought about getting the Snap on tools and buying the bigger 44 inch HF rolling chest instead of the Snap On box. I am sure the chest will be filled at some point so a bigger chest would be worth the expense. With six rolling chests and the added intermediate chests and top boxes we still need more space as they are all full.

My son is my best friend and we are always working on projects together so the expense of some new tools for him is an honor for me. I became handicapped when he was 11 and he has stepped up to do the daily maintenance on our home as well as being the caretaker for his Autistic brother while they are in College. He is one of the best men I know and although I have always wanted a better set of tools for myself, getting them for him is the next best thing.

Getting a good set of Snap On tools for him is the best Christmas present I could ask for. Sometimes it really is better to GIVE than to Receive.

Tim the Toolman

You sir are my hero! I wish more people was like you

 

[Spinaker01]

YES, I am paying for the tool set for him. We did not look at the limit of 7500 dollars so will definitely keep that in mind when I start making the purchase. I thought about getting the Snap on tools and buying the bigger 44 inch HF rolling chest instead of the Snap On box. I am sure the chest will be filled at some point so a bigger chest would be worth the expense. With six rolling chests and the added intermediate chests and top boxes we still need more space as they are all full.

My son is my best friend and we are always working on projects together so the expense of some new tools for him is an honor for me. I became handicapped when he was 11 and he has stepped up to do the daily maintenance on our home as well as being the caretaker for his Autistic brother while they are in College. He is one of the best men I know and although I have always wanted a better set of tools for myself, getting them for him is the next best thing.

Getting a good set of Snap On tools for him is the best Christmas present I could ask for. Sometimes it really is better to GIVE than to Receive.

Tim the Toolman

Well said sir!

 

[crewchief888]

something to think about,
no one tool company had the "best" of everything.

take a look in "old timers" boxes and you'll find a variety of tools from many companies, and many levels of "quality"

 

[toolman1967]

Crewchief, I agree that some may may better tools than others even when talking about High Quality tools. We are getting such a huge discount that its really not worth my time to pick and choose, besides its nice to have everything match. My OCD kicks in when things do NOT match...LOL


Tim the Toolman

 

[markdtn]

For new sets this is true most of the time. Go find some beat 30-40 year old wrenches and see how they fair. It wont do nearly as well. I've said it time and time again, do not "invest" in your tools because its always a big loss. If you want to make the most money on your tools you buy the cheapest stuff you can get by with and only buy off the trucks when its necessary. The shear amount of savings compared to the trucks is an enormous sum of money that you wont have wasted. Take that cash and put it into retirement. That's the only way to get the most return. Buying the most expensive brand around because you might get back 40% when the initial cost was TEN TIMES what, say, Gearwrench was is NOT an "investment". Its just a huge loss.

But if you find some 30-40 year old beat Snap On wrenches you had 30-40 years use out of them and you had them to use instead of having to go replace them or have doubles when they break. Plus-what did that same tool cost 30-40 years ago? Probably less than twice what is is worth now so you did get a decent return. You aren't going to find any 30-40 year old beat Tiawan sockets (the cheapest) because there won't be anything left but scrap metal. If that 30-40 year old Snap On tool does break you can get a new one, some other cheap stuff-not so much. I say don't go crazy, but buy good tools a little at a time and pay cash. If you buy tools off the truck with cash, you can't buy at 50% but the savings can surprise you.

To the OP, I think you are on the right track.

 

[benz_dr]

Amen to Markdtn! I won a set of Snapon tools from Ford in 1969. I still have most of them and they are worth more today than then. Buying cheap tools is costly. When I hear someone recommend cheap tools, I know they are hobbyists, not pros. I have thousands of dollars of SO tools and love them, but when it comes to allen sockets, Hazit are the best. BTW, thousands in SO made me several hundred thousand. Not a bad investment.

 

[Aquaticbob]

Buying cheap tools is costly. When I hear someone recommend cheap tools, I know they are hobbyists, not pros. I have thousands of dollars of SO tools and love them. BTW, thousands in SO made me several hundred thousand. Not a bad investment.

In theory buying your most used tools off the truck, and everything else from other sources would be more cost effective and you would see a better ROI (return on investment) if you took the money saved for less used items and put it into longer term investments. Considering you can choose to buy a full professional set for more than 50K list price (it will get discounted, but follow along), or you can spend the maybe 10-15k list price on items used most frequently, and then spend another 5-8k on other tools that won't be used so often. That leaves you with a potential 28k long term principle investment. Over your 30-40 years you will see an ROI of between 1962%-5756% (approximately gaining 1.1 million dollars, hello retirement!)

As this is something I'm actually interested in for my business I've been compiling information to form a method on tool values to determine what's worth spending the big bucks on, and where you can save some money by going through another brand be it Cman, husky, HF, or what have you.

Edit: this doesn't include the money you gained from your tool set, so you would be sitting pretty. ROI calculated using a principle investment of 28k with gains of 11% annually for the average between 30-40 years. This is rough math and isn't exact, however a good approximation

 

[toolman1967]

Well, We did it! We ordered the Snap On tool kit yesterday. The Snap On Rep was great to talk to and he didnt try to sell us anything else than the schools recommended kit. He itemized everything out and we ended up getting almost 6 grand worth of tools and a box for 2200 dollars. My son is very excited as am I. We went through our boxes and pulled out everything that was Snap On and boxed them up to go add to his new box at school.

I will post a pic when he gets them all put together in January when he starts his new coursework.

Thanks for all the input and advise Guys!

Tim the Toolman

 

[malibulvr]

Nice job DAD, defiantly a step in the right direction. Good luck to your son!

 

[Shadowdog500]

That sounds like it was a great deal! Can't wait to see the photos!

Chris

 

[joel63]

Excellent choice.
Very fortunate young man.
Best of luck to your son.
The industry needs all the competent technicians it can get.

 

[Danglerb]

Nobody regrets buying good tools. That's the wife's job.

 

[Moose97]

YES, I am paying for the tool set for him. We did not look at the limit of 7500 dollars so will definitely keep that in mind when I start making the purchase. I thought about getting the Snap on tools and buying the bigger 44 inch HF rolling chest instead of the Snap On box. I am sure the chest will be filled at some point so a bigger chest would be worth the expense. With six rolling chests and the added intermediate chests and top boxes we still need more space as they are all full.

My son is my best friend and we are always working on projects together so the expense of some new tools for him is an honor for me. I became handicapped when he was 11 and he has stepped up to do the daily maintenance on our home as well as being the caretaker for his Autistic brother while they are in College. He is one of the best men I know and although I have always wanted a better set of tools for myself, getting them for him is the next best thing.

Getting a good set of Snap On tools for him is the best Christmas present I could ask for. Sometimes it really is better to GIVE than to Receive.

Tim the Toolman

I know exactly how you feel. Right on Toolman! I for one would not be inclined to go the truck tool route. Seems too expensive but that actually seems like a pretty good deal. Much better than I would have guessed. I guess the only suggestion I might make would be to take all the used tools from home to school and keep the new Snap-On's for when the job starts. I didn't realize theft was a problem at trade schools but I would at least keep that in mind. Sounds like you are a GREAT dad!

 

[Shadowdog500]

Did you son get his box of tools yet? I'd love to see the photos!!!

Chris