d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I said heavily used items. Would maybe be a 1,000 max dollar wise and credit would make it affordable on top of the 50% off. Don't put words in my mouth.
Mid grade and snap on at half off are the same price.
Snap On for tech student or Craftsman, HF or?
- Thread starter ScottsGT
- Start date
I said heavily used items. Would maybe be a 1,000 max dollar wise and credit would make it affordable on top of the 50% off. Don't put words in my mouth.
Mid grade and snap on at half off are the same price.
Husky tools, HD has a bunch of sales right now, walked out with a nice 26pc long handle hex set 10 bucks. Lifetime warranty. The tools he has now will be back ups down the road. We all buy tools regardless if we already have them or not. He will buy what he wants down the road, for now he needs the basics and to be as debt free as possible.
In fairness you weren't that specific, thanks for clarifying...
On what planet are **** tools and financing from SO at loan shark rates you're only two options?
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
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??
Two previous threads that may prove informative -
9-09-2013
8/21/16
Snap On Student Discount!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3355881#post3355881
9-06-2015
What tools do you buy snap-on?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302724
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Also, there's this...
http://www.mactools.com/en-us/buy-now/student-tech-programs
MAC offers a 50% student discount too. Mac makes some great stuff, I prefer their chrome extensions over Snap-On. They have some nice new prybar sets as well...
Luckily you have many great choices beyond just Snap-On or Harbor Freight
http://www.mactools.com/en-us/buy-now/student-tech-programs
MAC offers a 50% student discount too. Mac makes some great stuff, I prefer their chrome extensions over Snap-On. They have some nice new prybar sets as well...
Luckily you have many great choices beyond just Snap-On or Harbor Freight
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Sell the tools on fleabay. Tho I found that my tool collection still comes in handy, even tho my main revenue generating fun has little to do with turning a wrench.
Tools are a lifetime investment...
Tools are a lifetime investment...
Holzarbeiter
Well-known member
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- Jun 22, 2014
- Messages
- 212
Before buying anything, look at what the school wants him to have.
The school normally has a max box size and a minimum of hand tools required.
This is how I would start.
Tool Storage
Snap-on KRSC46, it is a great starter box/cart and a great deal at 50% off and will work well even after school, if he decides not to go into the field it will be an easy sell.
Ratchets
Snap-on TF-72
Snap-on FLL-80
Gearwrench 3 piece set 81206F
Sockets
Craftsman 299 Piece socket set (can be found for around 300$)
Wrenches
Gearwrench
Screw drivers
Snap-on or Matco (Witte) (both a good deal at 50% off)
Pliers
Cornwell has a basic 5 Piece set on sale this month CPL309 (made in China with Lifetime warranty) on sale for under 60$ and if they give 50% student discount a steal
I would shop at HF for
Extensions, socket storage trays, etc
It would be best to post a list of what's required, people on the board could give more detailed suggestions.
Charleston area has snap-on, matco, mac and cornwell dealers, bargains can be had from all and it is possible that all will have a student discount
The school normally has a max box size and a minimum of hand tools required.
This is how I would start.
Tool Storage
Snap-on KRSC46, it is a great starter box/cart and a great deal at 50% off and will work well even after school, if he decides not to go into the field it will be an easy sell.
Ratchets
Snap-on TF-72
Snap-on FLL-80
Gearwrench 3 piece set 81206F
Sockets
Craftsman 299 Piece socket set (can be found for around 300$)
Wrenches
Gearwrench
Screw drivers
Snap-on or Matco (Witte) (both a good deal at 50% off)
Pliers
Cornwell has a basic 5 Piece set on sale this month CPL309 (made in China with Lifetime warranty) on sale for under 60$ and if they give 50% student discount a steal
I would shop at HF for
Extensions, socket storage trays, etc
It would be best to post a list of what's required, people on the board could give more detailed suggestions.
Charleston area has snap-on, matco, mac and cornwell dealers, bargains can be had from all and it is possible that all will have a student discount
This carousel goes the same circle every time it is asked. Not your fault dad, you want the kid to start off right.
Top grade tools are nice but as I understand the list of student discount stuff is limited. Getting the basics in better stuff is important. Socket set and basic wrenches and probably the hex/Torx stuff.
Storage just needs to keep him in and others out. I would look at the list the school gives and plan from there. Screwdrivers and pliers need not be costly to do the job. Mine certainly are not.
Theft and loans to buddies will result in costly replacements with costly tools and lower priced brands not so much. How protective will he be?
You know him better than us so you and him need to discuss that,
Top grade tools are nice but as I understand the list of student discount stuff is limited. Getting the basics in better stuff is important. Socket set and basic wrenches and probably the hex/Torx stuff.
Storage just needs to keep him in and others out. I would look at the list the school gives and plan from there. Screwdrivers and pliers need not be costly to do the job. Mine certainly are not.
Theft and loans to buddies will result in costly replacements with costly tools and lower priced brands not so much. How protective will he be?
You know him better than us so you and him need to discuss that,
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
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- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
So how many many that are screaming not to buy snap on actually turn wrenches everyday?
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
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- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
That goes both ways. I know "top level mechanics" who take too long trying to make something work with what they have or ask to borrow all the time. They have the right skills just not the right investment
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
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??
If that really was true, then he probably shouldn't work there anyway !
I am sure that I am in the minority in saying, "Buy what you can afford !" If that is HF, then that is the answer.
Don't waste your money on NEW Craftsman. They are no better than HF and HF has improved !
NEVER GO INTO TO DEBT TO BUY NAME BRAND TOOLS WHEN THERE ARE OTHERS AVAILABLE !
F150tech
Well-known member
For what it is worth when I started a new career as a tech I started with a hf 5 drawer cart, craftsman sockets and a bunch of other craftsman and hf tools. The only person who ever made a joke about my stuff was the matco guy, and guess what to this day I still don't own a single matco tool. Over the years I have upgraded, but very little from tool trucks, tons from sunex, gearwrench, armstrong, sk, etc. best of all if I ever leave or get fired, I own everything outright.
The student in question isn't turning wrenches everyday either, yet, that's the point...
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
SK also offers a student program, so call them and see what there deal is before taking the plunge.
HomeTheaterMan
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- Apr 3, 2016
- Messages
- 493
I agree with not going into debt to buy tools. However, as said, I'd buy any of the commonly used tools that I could afford. If it doesn't work out, he can probably get most of his money back on eBay. If it does work out, he's going to regret having to pay twice the price when he needs to upgrade.
Things like ratchets, screwdrivers, flare nut wrenches, torque wrenches, hex stuff, etc. are worth buying from Snap On, and now is the time to do it imo. The first time he has a cheap ratchet or breaker bar break on him and it causes him to get hurt, he's going to wish he'd spent the money on Snap On. Having had a Craftsman breaker bar snap causing me to get hurt pretty badly, I sure wish I'd bought a Snap On one instead.
Things like ratchets, screwdrivers, flare nut wrenches, torque wrenches, hex stuff, etc. are worth buying from Snap On, and now is the time to do it imo. The first time he has a cheap ratchet or breaker bar break on him and it causes him to get hurt, he's going to wish he'd spent the money on Snap On. Having had a Craftsman breaker bar snap causing me to get hurt pretty badly, I sure wish I'd bought a Snap On one instead.
geartow
Well-known member
Does the school even require him to have tools? And if so how large of a box is he permitted? And what type of securement is offered? Are what I would want to know before spending $$$$ to take to school and loose by them growing legs.
stevenhs
Well-known member
Before dropping boat load of money on tools. Get the job first then figure out what he will use everyday. When I started out at the dealership, ( helper) I didnt have any tools. So I borrowed the tech tools. I watched what he uses everyday. I then
bought quality tools like snap at student prices.
bought quality tools like snap at student prices.
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I promote GOOD tools for the basics he will use even if the career as a tech doesn't happen. Those will be useful anywhere he goes doing whatever. It is up to them to decide what is a brand in the price range they define as good.
If the purse is deep let it be Snappy or Koken. If a budget or theft is in play maybe Stanley or Husky just for the first part of the schooling. Later hit the student pricing when he can cover it in cash or it is a path he will take in life.
The lessor tools will find use as spares or passed back to dad for the garage. Nothing really goes to waste. Specialty tools or scan stuff obviously does not fit this category very well.
GW is really just Stanley with a warranty, both are good users even long term. New SK I have not used yet but it gets respect. There is a wide middle range to choose from without buying dollar store dreck.
scdealer
Well-known member
I'm a graduate from the aviation maintenance program at TTC...almost 25 years ago now. Good times. I think TTC is a good place to be right now for that type of education w/Volvo coming and Mercedes and Boeing already here. Of my degrees, that has probably been about as good value for money as my graduate one. Maybe better. 
(I am not and never have been employed as a mechanic.) I do still have all of the tools I bought at 50% off and they have paid for themselves over the years. Mac and Craftsmen.
I made some mistakes buying before I knew that much about tools. Bought some Mac sets that were just other brand tools in a mac case. Could have gotten them cheaper and used the money I had/mac discount better. Didn't buy any metric (airplanes were SAE and american cars still were too).
I wouldn't buy some giant box (but If I could get one of those Mac tool carts w/the sliding top at half off I'd be tempted.) I'd use the discount on stuff he'll use for a long time (multiple wrench sets, SAE and Metric) extensions, breaker bar, socket wrenches etc....
You only get the discount once.....but multiple brands offer discounts. Buy craftsmen now, snappy next semester, mac next year. HF for a decent school box and sockets, hammers, etc.... (double check this w/someone currently attending....my info is old)
Also, back in the day. If you wanted a few more items and you had already used your discount, you could just have another student in your class put it in with his order as long as he didn't want the same thing.
Thinking back puts a smile on my face, best of luck to your son!
(I am not and never have been employed as a mechanic.) I do still have all of the tools I bought at 50% off and they have paid for themselves over the years. Mac and Craftsmen. I made some mistakes buying before I knew that much about tools. Bought some Mac sets that were just other brand tools in a mac case. Could have gotten them cheaper and used the money I had/mac discount better. Didn't buy any metric (airplanes were SAE and american cars still were too).
I wouldn't buy some giant box (but If I could get one of those Mac tool carts w/the sliding top at half off I'd be tempted.) I'd use the discount on stuff he'll use for a long time (multiple wrench sets, SAE and Metric) extensions, breaker bar, socket wrenches etc....
You only get the discount once.....but multiple brands offer discounts. Buy craftsmen now, snappy next semester, mac next year. HF for a decent school box and sockets, hammers, etc.... (double check this w/someone currently attending....my info is old)
Also, back in the day. If you wanted a few more items and you had already used your discount, you could just have another student in your class put it in with his order as long as he didn't want the same thing.
Thinking back puts a smile on my face, best of luck to your son!
Banjorear
Well-known member
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
I just want to add my 2 cents as many have a opinion on here buy few seem to have a balanced approach. So first off 50% off Snap-on is a deal of a lifetime, it won't really ever come again, best bang for your buck so in that sense you should stock up on anything that is going to be high use and used for years and years. If you were going to spend $20 000 on tools and someone offered that just this once you could get it for $10 000 you would be foolish to not take the most advantage you possibly could. That being said, you have to be reasonable in your thought process of what you CAN afford. If you have to pay high interest rates then you will probably end up paying as much as regular price for those tools anyways. So here is my advice. Make a list of the tools you want and a budget. Now start working what you can get on that budget. Use a less quality tool like Gearwrench and price all those tools out, you will be well under budget, now start to substitute Snap-on tools for Gearwrench. Substitute things until you have meet your budget and have the mix of Snap-on and Gearwrench (or other brands) that you need within the budget you are willing to spend....
Let me begin by saying that I had this same program during college. So here is my input. First how much does the Snap-on guy come around to the college? Our Mac guy came the most so you know where most people bought, only down fall was I went for collision first and then my third year I went for mechanics and the Mac guy quit.
He has a minimum price to purchase every time he wants something and usually he can't buy it off the truck, it's out of the book thru the truck. (There are always some catch) truck will warranty it.
You are also allowed 1 box purchase per year I believe. My suggestion is buy a cheaper box from Craftsman or Lowes or whoever, then when he is ready to graduate buy the big box. At this point he would know what size of box would be good for his needs and gives him time to save up for thfor box.
He has a minimum price to purchase every time he wants something and usually he can't buy it off the truck, it's out of the book thru the truck. (There are always some catch) truck will warranty it.
You are also allowed 1 box purchase per year I believe. My suggestion is buy a cheaper box from Craftsman or Lowes or whoever, then when he is ready to graduate buy the big box. At this point he would know what size of box would be good for his needs and gives him time to save up for thfor box.
Jo Diesel
Well-known member
I like how people that have not ever turned a wrench professionally want to give advice on tools. I have been a Master for 35 years and have all kinds of tools. In the last 15 years I have not had a Mac or Matco dealer. Took them home so I don't break them. There are a lot of brands on hear I have never heard of so if you move good luck getting them warrantied.
NEVER BUY ON SNAPPY CREDIT ! You would be way ahead to get a low interest credit card
There is a definite difference in quality over the years and you always reach for the better tools. Buy your metrics in Snap-on. I beat the hell out of my deep impacts and after 20 years I just replaced my 15mm and 13 mm 1/2 drive because they are wore out, not broken. I have had to replace more because they come up missing than I break. Every time I go to Sears I have a handfull of broken sockets and wore out screwdrives. Thier new ratchets ****.
I have had good luck with Harbor Freight. I have never broke a shorty, half moon, high offset or "S" wrench. These are things people could get him for Christmas or his birthday. Love my 1/2" extendable 3/8 long flex head and 1/4" fine tooth ratchets.
NEVER BUY ON SNAPPY CREDIT ! You would be way ahead to get a low interest credit card
There is a definite difference in quality over the years and you always reach for the better tools. Buy your metrics in Snap-on. I beat the hell out of my deep impacts and after 20 years I just replaced my 15mm and 13 mm 1/2 drive because they are wore out, not broken. I have had to replace more because they come up missing than I break. Every time I go to Sears I have a handfull of broken sockets and wore out screwdrives. Thier new ratchets ****.
I have had good luck with Harbor Freight. I have never broke a shorty, half moon, high offset or "S" wrench. These are things people could get him for Christmas or his birthday. Love my 1/2" extendable 3/8 long flex head and 1/4" fine tooth ratchets.
I don't and nothing against them, it just seems ridiculous, for a family struggling to put their kid through trade school, to be obsessed with having "the best", when what the the student really needs, is a reasonably good set of tools.
He might be "turning wrenches every day", but will likely spend a lot of time sitting in a classroom.
If he graduates and wishes to become a slave to the toolman, that will be his choice. What's better starting out a new job, $40k in debt, for a $15/hr job.?
Who knows, maybe he will not like auto mechanics? Some mechanics themselves are getting sick of the business.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 655
I think Sears has a student program. It maybe worth checking into.
http://www.sears.com/en_us/dap/brand-showcase/tech-students-toolspartners.html
Jeremy
http://www.sears.com/en_us/dap/brand-showcase/tech-students-toolspartners.html
Jeremy
trackwelder
Well-known member
Maybe I missed something but I don't recall the OP saying anything about struggling financially. Where is the 40k in debt coming from? My question would be what kind of interest does the kid have with working with his hands? Another would be does the kid possess any mechanical aptitude?
40k is "the" number that makes there argument, obviously people who have any experience with buying tools know that number is more suited for a seasoned mechanic with years and years of buying tools versus a New Tech out of school. It would be ludacris to buy your son/daughter 40k worth of any tool out the door, even the goofy starter sets they pedal to the techs aren't anywhere near that, maybe 10%of that number, which by the way OP, I don't recommend.
I was in the same boat in 2008, I'd attended a tech school where snap on came in and had the 50% off deal. The fact is I didn't even look at the tool guy, and I've never regret that decision. I walked out of tech school 30k in debt and no job. Even the best tools won't get you your dream job. When I got a job, I asked the tool guy if he had used toolboxes, I started with a used box, but spent the money on Snapon cordless impacts and a good 1/2 pneumatic impact, but then some craftsmen wrenches to start. I found Sunex makes pretty good quality sockets, so I bought those. I've upgraded as I've needed or could afford. I've now worked for Cummins for over 5 years, my mix matched tools doesn't make me any less of a technician than a coworker with all SnapOn.
I just graduated from a tech school for diesel mechanics last year and I used the snap on discount as much as I could, that being said there are some things I have that I now realize didn't need to be snap on.
I'd buy all the snap on ratchets you can buy, chrome sockets, pry bar set, hammers, punches and chisels (craftsman work good when you need a softer metal though), pry bat set, and torque wrenches
For impact sockets I wouldn't waste my time with snap on again, I have all gp impact sockets now, all my cordless tools are dewalt, my dewalt impact is the best investment I've made it out does my coworkers snap on and mac ones, for pliers I'd buy knipex I like them way better than the snap on that came in my school kit, for a multimeter I'd get a fluke they wouldn't even sell us a snap on one at school.
For the toolbox I'd look at the local classifieds I got my 72 inch matco 4s for 3 times less than new and it still had the plastic on the trim, I outgrew my 53 inch snap on box before school was done
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
I'd buy all the snap on ratchets you can buy, chrome sockets, pry bar set, hammers, punches and chisels (craftsman work good when you need a softer metal though), pry bat set, and torque wrenches
For impact sockets I wouldn't waste my time with snap on again, I have all gp impact sockets now, all my cordless tools are dewalt, my dewalt impact is the best investment I've made it out does my coworkers snap on and mac ones, for pliers I'd buy knipex I like them way better than the snap on that came in my school kit, for a multimeter I'd get a fluke they wouldn't even sell us a snap on one at school.
For the toolbox I'd look at the local classifieds I got my 72 inch matco 4s for 3 times less than new and it still had the plastic on the trim, I outgrew my 53 inch snap on box before school was done
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Here's my experiance as went through the same thing in the middle of a recession in 2008 of all times and did it on my own dime with no help from mom and pop.i had the same 50% snap on offer.i thought everyone else was stupid for dropping $4k on the snap on master set and then $3k for the 54" box,while I went and got the matco starter set for $1,300 and a $1,200 36" snap on box.well I was wrong.matco turned out to be the biggest **** brand I ever owned,every tool broke within weeks and I ended up trading it in for snap on or Mac because the matco dealer was worthless,later down the road I ended up pretty much replacing everything with snap on at full price,also had to buy a bigger box a few years in the field.only original matco tool I have from that purchase is a standard locking pliers.if I could go back and redo it the only thing I would change was do what other people did and get the box and master tool set at 1/2 price on credit.
And that snap on credit thing that people are saying not to get,I say if you can afford it do it!get it under your kids name if he's responsible and you trust him,it will help him in the long run.when I went to tech school I had to move over an hour away from home with a good friend in an apartment under his moms name.i had nothing in my name but my pos $900 beater camaro.i had no credit or anything,I applied for a student credit card and didn't get it,I applied for snap on credit and was approved for $7k at 19%.yes it was a lot but it was all I got.i only bought a 36" $1200 snap on classic box and payed triple the minimum a month,after a few months of tech school and working paying for it i reapplied for that student credit card and I got it,after a year or so I got a best buy credit card only buying things I could afford to pay for,a blender,then a microwave,a small TV,a DVD,a movie, and so on.it helped start my and build my credit,I have since bought two cars.both times not needing a co signer and the second car didn't have to put anything down,and just recently qualified for house and was told by the bank I have very good credit for my age.my brother who is four years older than me has only had a few low balance credit cards and a car with my dad is still trying to build his credit to get a house for his wife and son.
It worked for me but it may work different for your son,but I'll tell you every job I interviewed for and got I was never kicked or looked over because of my tools or size of my box.all they asked was I had tools in a lockable box and not in a 5 gallon bucket,I showed up to work everyday ready to learn and never called in sick.thats what they cared about.....
Best of luck!
And that snap on credit thing that people are saying not to get,I say if you can afford it do it!get it under your kids name if he's responsible and you trust him,it will help him in the long run.when I went to tech school I had to move over an hour away from home with a good friend in an apartment under his moms name.i had nothing in my name but my pos $900 beater camaro.i had no credit or anything,I applied for a student credit card and didn't get it,I applied for snap on credit and was approved for $7k at 19%.yes it was a lot but it was all I got.i only bought a 36" $1200 snap on classic box and payed triple the minimum a month,after a few months of tech school and working paying for it i reapplied for that student credit card and I got it,after a year or so I got a best buy credit card only buying things I could afford to pay for,a blender,then a microwave,a small TV,a DVD,a movie, and so on.it helped start my and build my credit,I have since bought two cars.both times not needing a co signer and the second car didn't have to put anything down,and just recently qualified for house and was told by the bank I have very good credit for my age.my brother who is four years older than me has only had a few low balance credit cards and a car with my dad is still trying to build his credit to get a house for his wife and son.
It worked for me but it may work different for your son,but I'll tell you every job I interviewed for and got I was never kicked or looked over because of my tools or size of my box.all they asked was I had tools in a lockable box and not in a 5 gallon bucket,I showed up to work everyday ready to learn and never called in sick.thats what they cared about.....
Best of luck!
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Hey, thanks everyone. Lots of great advise here. I'm glad to see a consensus on the employers don't care what brand.
I will admit, the boy has gotten a late start in life due to struggles in high school and trying to make it on his own. He had a hard time taking advise from Mom and Dad when it came to life experiences and he's still paying to price to a degree.
He messed his credit up right out of the starting gate by signing a cell phone contract at 18 and then losing his job. We've been hounding him to make it good with AT&T and get that ding off his credit report. If he could get Snap On credit, it would probably be at 87%.
He grew up using Snap On's out of my tool box from when I was a bodyman years ago. Matter of fact, I went to the same school (Trident Technical College) when they offered the Autobody program. Snap On guy came by every Tuesday or Wednesday. 35-40 years ago N.Charleston and Summerville were so small, the same guy covered both territories. When I graduated, I had old Frank as my dealer at my first job too.
What I'll probably do is the HF 44" bottom (all that is required for the program is a bottom box) and get him the basics in Snap On like I did. Combo wrenches, screw drivers, 3/8 sockets in 6 point, brake line wrenches and a few hammers.
As far as impacts, I cannot break the new HF impacts I bought two+ years ago. Of course using them as little as I do.....
I've got a few air ratchets and impacts still like new in my box I never use. He'll inherent those for sure!
At this point, I'm tempted to buy all new Snap On's like I have and give him my old one's and keep the new for me. Hehehehehe...
I will admit, the boy has gotten a late start in life due to struggles in high school and trying to make it on his own. He had a hard time taking advise from Mom and Dad when it came to life experiences and he's still paying to price to a degree.
He messed his credit up right out of the starting gate by signing a cell phone contract at 18 and then losing his job. We've been hounding him to make it good with AT&T and get that ding off his credit report. If he could get Snap On credit, it would probably be at 87%.
He grew up using Snap On's out of my tool box from when I was a bodyman years ago. Matter of fact, I went to the same school (Trident Technical College) when they offered the Autobody program. Snap On guy came by every Tuesday or Wednesday. 35-40 years ago N.Charleston and Summerville were so small, the same guy covered both territories. When I graduated, I had old Frank as my dealer at my first job too.
What I'll probably do is the HF 44" bottom (all that is required for the program is a bottom box) and get him the basics in Snap On like I did. Combo wrenches, screw drivers, 3/8 sockets in 6 point, brake line wrenches and a few hammers.
As far as impacts, I cannot break the new HF impacts I bought two+ years ago. Of course using them as little as I do.....
I've got a few air ratchets and impacts still like new in my box I never use. He'll inherent those for sure!
At this point, I'm tempted to buy all new Snap On's like I have and give him my old one's and keep the new for me. Hehehehehe...
Kudos to you for supporting your kid, and trying to do so in an intelligent manner. If you go with some hand-me-downs, you can share the in the risk a bit more, and you both get something out of the deal.
The basic stuff is always good to make a long term investment in. The way to go wrong with expensive tools right out of the gate is not being selective. Confusing want's and needs, and using the convenience of credt and truck delievery as a shortcut to making hard choices.
byoungblood
Well-known member
I'm not sure why that should really matter. Just because I don't use them EVERY day doesn't mean the rest of us don't use them regularly and use them hard from time to time.
Firstly, there are a number of high quality alternatives available that are still less expensive than Snap On even with the 50% discount for basic hand tools. Maybe 30 years ago they had some advantages with their sockets and wrenches, but now almost everyone offers off corner engagement sockets and box end wrenches, and several other brands mentioned have off corner or anti-slip open end wrench designs. As long as they aren't abused, such tools should last a lifetime.
Snap On rebrands a bunch of other stuff like dead blows, tap and die sets, etc.. Really no need in paying their crazy markup (even with the discount) to get the same tool.
On truck, same day warranty replacement is going to be limited to whatever the guy has on the truck. Otherwise you're still stuck waiting for a replacement.
As many have already stated, he should probably take advantage of buying things like their torx and hex sockets, and maybe a ratchet or two. Get the things that Snap On is superior to everyone else in or only they offer.
Carguy99
Well-known member
Most of the tool manufactures have a student program. Look into them. All of them are a good deal. I find Mateos the easiest to work with.
If this is something he's going to do full time. He should take advantage of the discount.
If this is something he's going to do full time. He should take advantage of the discount.
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
sberry
Banned
No one sorts thru to see what brands I have.
Back when we started there were not the options we have now and cheap tools were really cheap or poorly made. Now a guy can buy a full polish set of wrenches for 30$ would fool Stevie Wonder in a blind test where he couldn't read the brand stamp.
The logic of not wanting to buy twice here is totally faulty. It assumes you were paying the same or near the same for both items when the first may be less than the sales tax on the latter and that the need to replace is totally speculative. As one said, they become duplicates and extras, I own 2 or 3 dozen 9/16 in simple combination wrenches, another dozen in specialty and on the top of my list would be older Cman DBE if I could find them.
I never broke a Cman wrench, the sockets have been another matter but I think they finally fixed that. The standard ratchets are ****, list them for sale while new and replace HF, get the HF screwdrivers or the Sears to start with.
As for being laughed at as someone eluded to, not by anyone that matters. If I had 2 applicants and one had a big ole snappy with new stuff and payments and 1 had a HF44 with a fair collection of modest stuff that looks like it could be afforded the latter would be hired. It tells me he already has some reasoning power that could be used in trouble shooting.
I do. No one beats me at stuck busted and rusted fixes. I do have a few things, they are worth it on some level but for a kid starting out it would be the Sears 309 with some brand pliers tossed in. I would pinch some impact sockets from HF and start there. If you can sell them on ebay can buy lots there at 50% off 24/7, no hurry until a guy finds something that he needs or doesn't work.
Back when we started there were not the options we have now and cheap tools were really cheap or poorly made. Now a guy can buy a full polish set of wrenches for 30$ would fool Stevie Wonder in a blind test where he couldn't read the brand stamp.
The logic of not wanting to buy twice here is totally faulty. It assumes you were paying the same or near the same for both items when the first may be less than the sales tax on the latter and that the need to replace is totally speculative. As one said, they become duplicates and extras, I own 2 or 3 dozen 9/16 in simple combination wrenches, another dozen in specialty and on the top of my list would be older Cman DBE if I could find them.
I never broke a Cman wrench, the sockets have been another matter but I think they finally fixed that. The standard ratchets are ****, list them for sale while new and replace HF, get the HF screwdrivers or the Sears to start with.
As for being laughed at as someone eluded to, not by anyone that matters. If I had 2 applicants and one had a big ole snappy with new stuff and payments and 1 had a HF44 with a fair collection of modest stuff that looks like it could be afforded the latter would be hired. It tells me he already has some reasoning power that could be used in trouble shooting.
trackwelder
Well-known member
I'll take the guy that invested in his future with the best that money can buy!!!
Where are you guys finding the guy with the big snap on box full of tools all bought on credit with his balls hanging to the floor?