Snap On for tech student or Craftsman, HF or?

[ScottsGT]

So Monday morning my son starts an automotive program at a tech school. We decided to let him attend Tech in Charleston since they have a much better program that here at home in Columbia.

Of course the school has a Snap On guy that comes around and the students get anything they want 50% off list price. And as I told my son, 50% off of a set of Snap On wrenches still puts them at $150-$175 vs. $75 to $100 is a big difference.

We're already trying to cover all his expenses, just don't want things to get crazy if he unloads a Snap On bottom chest and starts filling it up.

I really want him to have the quality tools and my fear is that when he does graduate, will he get run off a job site before starting when he shows up with Harbor Freight/Craftsman/Kobalt tools??

 

[fordkid88]

44 hf bottom tool box will be a great first box. I'm looking at a second. I've had 2 of black tool carts, fantastic as well. Big fan of GearWrench brand tools. Craftsman doesn't hold up well anymore. The harbor freight pro line is pretty fantastic. Just avoid most electric tools from if. You could also do blu point or bahco tools, Swedish snap on and cheaper.

 

[Finky198]

This thread might help you a bit
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336840

MY most basic advice....

I think most will agree spend what you can afford, and don't go into debt...
He can build credit if he's responsible as he needs more tools. I think building a good set of quality hand tools is important, but it does not have to be just one brand. Being a savy shopper can save you tons of money in your career...

I would try to get him to sign-up here and just have look around. This place is a huge wealth of information that could easily give you a head start in the automotive/mechanic world...


PS I use and own a large mix of
Snap on, Craftsman, HF, Gearwrench, Knipex, Rigid and the list goes on and on and on...

No one company makes every Tool, but if its exist then it's been discussed on this forum...
Most likely ad nauseam.

 

[MattPersman]

Wait till he is far along on before buying nice stuff. What if he doesn't like it what if all he can do is oil changes somewhere. No need to invest snap on $ if it may not even stick as a career. Lots of people try this pay all that tech school money and never go anywhere with it. Not saying your kid is gonna do that but it's always an option. Just get what he needs for school required wise and help him out later if he sticks with it. No starting job is gonna require a pro tool set.


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[1950mercury]

If he decides to sell his tools the snapon will resell for what he bought them for. Where almost Every other brand will be about 1/2 or less of what he paid for them

 

[Super Sport]

This is one of those times where I would read up on threads about what is worth buying from SO. At 1/2 off, he's likely getting a great deal that would be hard to beat elsewhere, at least with similar-quality tools. I'd recommend he stock up on the SO "must-haves" but save money on the tools that don't make a big difference. For a tool box, I think he'd be better off with a HF or similar brand for now. Once he outgrows that he can move up to a larger SO or similar.

 

[willjogervais]

No need to buy all the best right away. Snap on makes a great box, but there are many others out there that will work just fine at a fraction of the cost. I own a fair amount of Snap On tools but my advice would be to spend money where you see the most return- snap on ratchets being the main one. (not to say there aren't many other fine ratchets, just my preference) Basically any quality brand of sockets will work fine, both impact and chrome. I have multiple brands of wrenches and would have to recommend Wright combination wrenches over all others, and there is nothing wrong with gearwrench ratcheting wrenches, not to mention they are often on sale throughout the year. He can get buy with "generic" hammers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools for the time being. Just my .02 Hope i helped

 

[KM223]

Let him like what he's doing first. Showing up at his first job with non truck brands is no big deal and not a deal breaker. In fact most of the "old timer" techs will not even give two shits to be honest. Snap On at 50% is a great deal though! All I can say is ratchets, ratchets, ratchets!!

 

[pi_guy]

If you do not take advantage of the discount program you will kick your self later.
One rational is buy it now it will cost more later, or in some cases be extinct.
After having some of my tools for 40 years it can be a giggle to see the price difference.
There are several tools that are not matched by any other manufacturer, so why handicap your self with something that is inferior.

 

[james92se]

I'm not a professional mechanic but I've been working on/building cars since I was a teenager (15 years now) and have a ton of tools of varying brands, including quite a bit I inherited from my father who ran his own shop as an ASE Master Tech for 30+ years with mostly Snap On and Matco stuff.

Despite that, I almost exclusively just use my $200 301 piece HF "mechanics tool set" day in and day out and one of their $20 14 piece metric wrench sets. The combination of those plus a random pipe as a breaker bar and a few other random HF tools (long handle pliers, etc) covers most of the basic routine automotive needs. They don't get used daily but they do get used heavily every single weekend, and I've never broken one of the ratchets even with some serious abuse - and it's been going on 3 or 4 years now using that 301 piece set fairly exclusively. I particularly like that it's all together and the case is sturdy to get moved around. As far as big rolling toolboxes, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the HF ones.

My mom has told me stories about how they had to take out a very sizable loan back in the early 70's when my dad was starting out for him to buy a bunch of Snap On stuff and tool boxes. I just couldn't imagine doing that these days - if a tool works it works. Who cares what label is on it. We have some real tool snobs here on GJ, but by and large in the real world I can't imagine anybody genuinely running somebody off a job site because he doesn't have $20k invested in Snap On stuff. That's definitely not the type of place I would want to work in that case.

I don't know the username but there's a guy here who is a professional mechanic and is totally outfitted with almost entirely HF tools. He's got a thread with his toolboxes and parts and whatnot that you could find with some searching.

 

[Tenex]

Spend good money on tools that cause extreme headaches if they fail, like line wrenches.

The Harbor Freight 44" box is of decent quality, but the drawers are only 16" deep and it drives me crazy.

 

[Jo Diesel]

There are certain Snap-on tools that are a must. Mine are long double box end wrench Deep well 6pt sockets [3/8 & 1/2 chrome and impact] shallow 12 PT. Line wrenches. Dead blow hammer.
That is a screaming deal that will never be offered again.
Watch Craigs List, Auctions, Estate Sales for tool boxes full of tools. I bought a Snap-on box full of tools for $1000 off one of my wife's coworkers when her father passed away and none of the family wanted them. The first drawer I opened had $2000 worth of Snap-on sockets in it

 

[fordkid88]

I'm a hobbyist when it comes to automotive work, i work on my vehicle which is falls under the "total overhaul and bound for the track" one of these years and my tools have been put to the test. I've never broken any Hf, Kobalt, or Husky, but I've broken several craftsman wrenches,sockets, and a harmonic balancer puller. If not for the warranty I would not have bought them in the first place, but it is getting harder to get replacements of exactly what you bought with craftsman.

My wife bought me a blu point 3/8 torque wrench several years ago, about the most expensive tool I own at $230, but absolutely worth it.

As far as boxes go, I've seen the snap ons traded in left and right so it seems like a pretty big loss to me. If you were to get him the 72 hf box for about 1100, that won't be a huge loss when he does decide he needs something bigger, plus there fantastic as a buddy of my has one and I'm incredibly jealous, but the wife ok'ed another 44in down the road so I'm good there.

 

[SD_40]

I hate buying stuff twice. If it was me I'd buy the things he would use the most from snap on now, rather than buy so-so item once and then buy it again later. If he decides he hates it you can unload the snap on and still likely be ahead of the game $ wise.

I'm not a mechanic, but when I started buying my own tools my dad would say " at your age you might as well get the good stuff now, because you'll probably have it for the rest of your life"

 

[Greg85mcss]

There's been some good advice already. I would invest in a decent set of combination wrenches & screwdrivers. That doesn't mean expensive but just not the cheapest ones at hf. I started with a craftsman set similar to the hf one james92se mentioned & I don't really like them but they do the job. I supplemented with some hf & honestly like them better plus that set is all 6 point. My personal favorite are gearwrench & they're not that much considering he'll probably enjoy using them more on a daily basis. For impacts there's nothing wrong with the hf set that doesn't skip sizes & I really like my sunex. Napa has a sale right now on the carlyle torque dominator 1/2 impact & it's the same one sold by cornwell for at least twice as much. A nice cart like the krsc46 would be a good thing to get with that student discount. It will hold everything he needs for a while & then if he's still into it & wants to upgrade he can keep it, get a good trade or sell it for what you paid on craigslist.


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[Richard Cranium]

Plus the H.F. 72 inch does still go on sale for 999.99 about twice a year. Watch for it, wait it out. then if he need extra room you can still put the 18 inch side boxes on either side and then top a top box on it also. They don't make a 72 inch top box at this time. But I hope the do again. Rich

 

[bcradio]

There's only two types of tools I would say is worth buying from Snap-On

1) High use and/or high likelihood of needing warranty items (i.e. dead blow hammers, bits/bit sockets, ratchets, etc.)

2) Items SO significantly does the best or only makes (not a whole lot of these) (i.e. flare nut wrenches, gold bit sockets).

Everything else I would get elsewhere cheaper.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The nice thing is your son can use Snap On credit and get good tools and pay over time.

Buy the good stuff for the main tools and supplement with cheaper stuff for the less used items.

 

[geartow]

If the snap on 50% off is good for the blue point line also I would buy every thing I could . The blue point dstuff is holding up well.

 

[Moose97]

As many have said, the 50% off is a great deal you won't get later. I would think about basics from Snap-on (wrenches, screwdrivers, ratchets) and go cheaper (not cheap) on the other stuff. No way I'd spend the money on the snap-on box when he hasn't made a dime turning a wrench. Go get him the HF and at his 5 year work anniversary you can buy him a snap-on box. Anything above basics I would look at alternative brands.

 

[woody 73]

I will not lie to you I do not own many snap on tools what little I have come from garage type sales and CL. On the other hand if anyone can get their tools for 50% off then they should at least jump on that deal because the moment they leave school all bets are off and it will be full price.

I own a mixture of every name under the sun and from every Country A to Z, and they all get the job done. No one will laugh at your son for having HF tools.

Hope that helps you out.

 

[Tonellin]

The nice thing is your son can use Snap On credit and get good tools and pay over time.

Probably the worst advice yet. The kid most likely has very little credit history and no history with the SO dealer his interest rate is going to be brutal.

 

[yamaha0343]

I think the sweet spot would be in the range of SK, Wright, Williams, Cornwell, etc. Certain Craftsman items even, such as the pry bars made by Wilde and Mayhew, and some of the pliers that are rebranded Knipex. Deals on nice used truck brand boxes are all over Craigslist.

 

[fordkid88]

Probably the worst advice yet. The kid most likely has very little credit history and no history with the SO dealer his interest rate is going to be brutal.

Second this, and I know that if was in his shoes and his age, Id do serious damage and be in a ********* full of debt.

 

[Banjorear]

Regarding boxes, I would search for a Craftsman Professional line. If you look, use their coupons, and go to Sears Outlet Store these boxes are out there. I paid $750 out the door for this 40" top and bottom this past winter.

I have a Snap On box to compare it to. Is it Snap On? No. Is it very close? Yep. It would be a great first box for a fledgling mechanic. They also had a 52" that I passed on for $40 more.

I've attached a picture of my 40" drawer loaded with sockets and stuff. Zero sag and it open with the slightest pull with double roller bearing glides.

Something else to think about. Plus, both were made in Canada.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I think your best move is to have the kid get a job (if he doesn't have one already) to teach him what a dollar is worth. If he thinks spending mega bucks on tools while in school is a good move, I can introduce him to many people who make $30k a year with over $100k in student debt. Like any other facet of life, certain premium tools are worth the money, while others are just part of keeping up in the **** swinging contest with his classmates.

 

[zendriver]

Personally I think the harbor freight tools would be fine, but I realize this is the real world and keeping up with the Joneses has its importance.

That said and since you said that your money is tight, how about a $200 set of craftsman? Since he'll be in school worrying about whether a tool will "hold up" should not be that big of an issue. Everything there is probably been taken apart a million times.

Who knows he might not like auto mechanics and then you won't have to worry about taking a beating on disposing of expensive tools.

If he approaches graduation and likes what he's doing, then let him decide whatever he wants to go in debt for.

I wish him good luck.


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[djcslice]

I would say this:

Be wise, yet frugal. Invest in good tools but be reasonable about what it costs.

1. Take advantage of the discount on Snap-On now ***SEE #2***
2. Buy only what is vastly superior from Snap-On.
3. Spend time deal shopping (Hot-Deals Section, Slickdeals, etc)
4. Buy core tools now, start buying specialty tools onesie-twosie. ***SEE #3***
5. Buy a tool box that is likely going to last your son a long time and has a good layout. I have the HF 44/42 box top and bottom. The depth and drawer layout leave something to be desired. This means I will likely buy a different box down the road and be out a chunk of money on the 44/42. I would be inclined to look at Snap-On if you can get a good enough deal. Otherwise, the HF 56/72 box are potential winners, Snap On, And Masterforce (Menards).

Check out regular deals on Craftsman (Mostly their rebranded stuff) stuff (Prybars, rethread kit, hook/picks, etc), lisle makes good stuff, lang tools (rethread, specialty tools, etc). ATD, OTC and some other import companies has some decent specialty tool sets. If you do the research, you can find decent stuff for decent prices.

If you arent buying truck sockets/ratchets, I would invest in a set that is easy to get a warranty replacement (ie a b&m store nearby). Husky, Kobalt, Masterforce, Harbor Freight (ratchets) are all good enough these days to work for most people. You may want to double up on some common stuff like ratchets and certain sockets to have back ups in case they do break.

 

[Loscaldazar]

He should take advantage of that deal while he is in tech school. Not "buy everything from Snap On" but "buy some of the tools that they excel at."

What is he planning on working on first of all? Most people here are auto techs (mostly gas/passenger vehicle, with some heavy duty diesel techs too), so a lot of answers will be focused on someone who is going to work at a dealership for Ford, Honda, etc.

Flare/Line Wrenches (whatever you want to call them) are a definite from snap on. Metric 6 piece set is $140 after the 50% discount.

The Extra Long double box end wrenches are also a favorite of mine. Since I got these, I've used a regular wrench just a few times over the past few months (less than 5 times). Cornwell also makes a set, but similar pricing to snap on (and I doubt he has a 50% off offer from cornwell). $150-$200 for a metric set depending on what sizes he needs.

Those would be the two things I would buy from Snap On if I was starting out (maybe I'm forgetting a tool or two).

A lot of people will tell him to buy the Snap On dual 80 ratchets, but I say don't. Yes, they're arguably the best ratchets out there (and I love mine), but there are so many other fantastic ratchets out there too that are way cheaper for a starting auto tech. The Armstrong 88T ratchets, Gearwrench ratchets, the ubiquitous taiwan 72T ratchet (sold under Harbor Freight, Tekton, Kobalt, and almost every other tool brand with imported ratchets) are all fantastic choices. $100 there would get him an excellent set of professional ratchets from somewhere other than Snap On. The gearwrench or Armstrong ratchets he might even be able to warrant with a Matco driver if he has one (same parent company). Plus, if he wants to upgrade at a later time, it's helpful as a tech to have multiple ratchets of the same size/style, so it's not like he would be wasting money on buying a non Snap On ratchet right now.

For combination wrenches Wright, Proto, SK, and Armstrong are all great choices. Wright and Proto have a flank drive plus technology on the open end like Snap On, and SK will be adding that to their regular wrenches before the end of the year. Good quality tools for even less than half off of Snap On.

For chrome sockets, SK, Wright, and Proto again are good choices. Professional quality with out the tool truck markup. Way cheaper too. Pittsburgh Pro also would be a good choice if you really want to spend very little, and I wouldn't feel bad about upgrading them later when he's established himself as a tech. For the $50 you spend on them, the Pittsburgh Pro (not just the regular pittsburgh line) is made in Taiwan, and are probably identical to gearwrench and many other brands that charge way more than them.

Impact sockets again SK, Wright and Proto are good choices for not too much money. Even cheaper is Sunex, who make top class impact sockets that many pro techs love here.

Air tools- For impacts, I'd start off with Harbor Freight's earthquake line up, or I would go for a mini impact (M7 mini impacts, Astro Nano, etc). The earthquakes have been used by tons of professionals here and have held up to tough use. Again, it's not a bad $100 investment vs $250-$300 for an IR or even more for Snap On.

Outside of those tools, he needs to know what he is working on before he starts buying other stuff.

 

[firworks]

Tell him to get an account on here and start reading!

I think you can put together a top notch set by watching for deals and learning who makes what well.

That said, I feel like it's his life that he's starting out on here. If he wants to go into debt to the Snap-on man it's his right. He should be making decisions at this point and taking responsibility for them. I took on a **** ton of debt to get where I am today (student loans) and it's something I don't like but it's fine. I can comfortably live with the payments. I signed the papers and it's my responsibility and I'm doing it. At least he's not looking to buy a Snap-on box and Snap-on art supplies to become an artist or trying to fill a Snap-on box on credit with horn rim glasses and become a librarian. As long as he doesn't go totally bonkers he'll be able to pay it back if he works as a tech.

 

[rsanter]

I think the best is a combination
If it was me I would want one good snap on ratchet and socket set in 3/8 drive and the most used sizes OD wrenches to be snap on.
Then fill from there with some of the other quality brands.

Bob

 

[lugnut71]

For one you can always get your money back if you sell them, being that your getting 50 percent off, second buy all that you can afford for that discount, third most kids go to harbor freight or sears and buy that stuff and as soon as they are making a career out of it, trade that stuff into snap on and start upgrading. So when that happens your lucky to get a 1/4 out of that stuff your trading in and your paying full price for the snap on stuff at that point. My advice is buy the snap on with the discount.

 

[Brownsfan]

Regarding boxes, I would search for a Craftsman Professional line. If you look, use their coupons, and go to Sears Outlet Store these boxes are out there. I paid $750 out the door for this 40" top and bottom this past winter.

I have a Snap On box to compare it to. Is it Snap On? No. Is it very close? Yep. It would be a great first box for a fledgling mechanic. They also had a 52" that I passed on for $40 more.

I've attached a picture of my 40" drawer loaded with sockets and stuff. Zero sag and it open with the slightest pull with double roller bearing glides.

Something else to think about. Plus, both were made in Canada.

Sorry for the thread high jack. How long ago did you get yours. I saw them in a sears outlet when I was traveling out of state but the outlet store near me didnt have any. Was wondering if they came in again recently and if it would be worth a trip to my local store. I was eyeing the 52"

 

[Lassen Forge]

My advice (for what it's worth) is to use that 50% incentive (which is a hell of a deal) to get the basic hard tools (yeah, still a freightload of change), either scout a secondhand box or get something like a Craftsman or, what the hell is it that Costco has... anyway, the biggie is that your son will not only develop an appreciation for GOOD tools, but develop a business relationship with (and knowledge of) the SO truck guy, so when he DOES want a cool new SO toolbox, he'll have made the inroads to ask for a "deal" on one...

My opinion (for what it's worth)? If he's developing a professional trade, then he needs professional tools. At one time C'man would have been fine, but quality wise, now days, are left lacking. It's as much of an investment as college tuition.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

My advice (for what it's worth) is to use that 50% incentive (which is a hell of a deal) to get the basic hard tools (yeah, still a freightload of change), either scout a secondhand box or get something like a Craftsman or, what the hell is it that Costco has... anyway, the biggie is that your son will not only develop an appreciation for GOOD tools, but develop a business relationship with (and knowledge of) the SO truck guy, so when he DOES want a cool new SO toolbox, he'll have made the inroads to ask for a "deal" on one...



My opinion (for what it's worth)? If he's developing a professional trade, then he needs professional tools. At one time C'man would have been fine, but quality wise, now days, are left lacking. It's as much of an investment as college tuition.

I wrote a response and pretty much came up with this, well said and ditto.


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[d.mcfarland]

Probably the worst advice yet. The kid most likely has very little credit history and no history with the SO dealer his interest rate is going to be brutal.

And so are **** tools. Take your pick.

 

[M6erfan]

Your son is "fresh meat" to the tool truck guys. Be wise, lots of good advice here. The 50% Snap-On discount is a great incentive, ratchets and line wrenches is what I'd recommend going for. If it doesn't work out you will get your money back easily on eBay...

Tekton makes good tools, great tools for the $. Excellent customer service and warranty too. Downside? No tool truck support and will have little resale value if he ever sells (compared to Snap-On).

I know top level mechanics that own very few "tool truck" tools, they can run circles around some guys with $20k set ups. Don't worry about him being snubbed when he first starts out, the colleagues that matter wont care...

GL and best wishes on his new career!

 

[themiller]

Buy all the tools you can at 50% off and a HF/Craftsman cart - allow him the "opportunity" to buy his own box down the line if he wants "more" than HF.

 

[drtyler]

Great advice here.

Definitely use the 50% discount for ratchets and line wrenches.

Your son is "fresh meat" to the tool truck guys. Be wise, lots of good advice here. The 50% Snap-On discount is a great incentive, ratchets and line wrenches is what I'd recommend going for. If it doesn't work out you will get your money back easily on eBay...

Tekton makes good tools, great tools for the $. Excellent customer service and warranty too. Downside? No tool truck support and will have little resale value if he ever sells (compared to Snap-On).

I know top level mechanics that own very few "tool truck" tools, they can run circles around some guys with $20k set ups. Don't worry about him being snubbed when he first starts out, the colleagues that matter wont care...

GL and best wishes on his new career!

 

[M6erfan]

And so are **** tools. Take your pick.

So thousands of $ in debt, in a career he's not established in yet, or mid grade tools to get him started? Hmmmm, no wonder most Americans are so financially well off...