Starting out tech...what brands do you guys recommend?

[OpOrange]

Hello All,
I am going to tech school right now and am in the process of buying tools. Ive got mostly cman sockets and i have some snap on ratchets.

but my question is what other brands would you recommmend? what brands would you stay away from? and why?

thanks!

 

[kartracer55]

Ok well this is a topic that is going to get tons of conflicting replies so be warned...

Snap On Wrenches are tops and you will definitely notice a difference. Id say a Set of Snap On metric wrenches. They have way less spread on the open end then Matco.

As far as ratchets, whatever floats your boat. Just keep different kinds around. In 1/4 id say a flex head and a regular one. In 3/8 you should have a long handled, short handle, flex head and my personal favorite, the 3/8 in a 1/4 drive body. I like SK ratchets but the new snap on 80tooth available is an awesome ratchet and they can take a beating.

For sockets, SK makes this 60 piece master set in 1/4 inch drive that is excellent and will cover all your needs. Even comes with a ratchet. I have the smaller 44 piece set and it is a hell of a deal. Shop around. Youll never really break a 1/4 drive socket so it isnt important to buy snap ons. Craftsmans are fine as well but the SK kit comes with an awesome case to keep it organized.

Your going to use 3/8 sockets more then anything else, so buy good ones. Craftsmans are fine for a backup but my gripe with them is that they dont make a large enough selection in 3/8 drive. Id say snap on or Matco for metric deep and shallows. Easy to find a dealer and durable. Youll probably end up using them on a gun so you want good ones.

Every brand has its ups and downs really. Craftsman is a great tool for the money but with a lot of items, the quality just doesnt stack up to the truck brands, but neither does the price. Snap On wrenches are the best, the open ends on them spread the least of any brand I have found so these are a must. I use regular cheap craftsman screwdrivers at home for the most part and have not had a problem. For your work, buy either the pro's or a truck brand.

I really have mixed feelings on MAC. When I was working, we had the worst MAC dealer ever. Rarely showed up (in fact ive only met him twice in about 2 years at one shop). Snap On delivers a great product, most of it is second to none, howevr you pay a TON of money for it and sometimes it just isnt worth it. For extensions, I use mostly craftsmans because you can buy them so cheap! Matco has a mixed bag of products. Most of it is rebranded and their ratchets are pretty spendy for being fancy craftsman ratchets.

There are plenty of other good brands out their, like SK, Proto, Armstrong etc etc, its just a question of warranty when your working professionally. We didnt have an SK dealer who came around so any warranty I had to make had to get mailed out.

Jim

 

[goodfellow]

Hello All,
I am going to tech school right now and am in the process of buying tools. Ive got mostly cman sockets and i have some snap on ratchets.

but my question is what other brands would you recommmend? what brands would you stay away from? and why?

thanks!

Most Tech Schools have "discount programs" with tool manufacturers. I'd set a budget and then shop for the best deal(s) that fit within that budget.

I wouldn't worry too much about the "SNAP-ON vs. everyone else" debate.

 

[jesselyons2002]

Most Tech Schools have "discount programs" with tool manufacturers. I'd set a budget and then shop for the best deal(s) that fit within that budget.

I wouldn't worry too much about the "SNAP-ON vs. everyone else" debate.

I hated are discount we got from snap on for when I was going to school. The guy only wanted to give us 10% discount. Everyone in the class didn't care because sears was right near it the school. And they could get Cman stuff there.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have mostly Craftsman sockets (not counting old stuff, or gramps/inherited) and a mix of ratchets from the FTRH and thin pro, to a few Snap~on.

IMHO, you need to go with who you feel comfortable with, and who services you. I have tools I like from all the different vendors, and tools I wouldn't buy from the different vendors, but that is personal preference/feel and experience. I will provide a couple of different examples, I prefer Mac's extended length 5/8" spark plug socket, over Snap~on's, due to Mac having the hex end (Snap~on's is round the whole way). Yet I much prefer Snap~on's ratchets (and use the FC936 with this).
Yet, when I NEEDED hose clamp pliers, nobody had them on their trucks. They all looked like the same thing and were all over $75. I ended up doing without, and getting two pairs of them from thetoolwarehouse for $25 a pair.

The things I would recommend getting off the trucks are impact sockets. Hand tools you may find them that work wonders at garage sales/flea markets and such, impact sockets, I haven't been so lucky.

 

[garfunkle24]

For a young guy starting out, I think you need to get the most bang for the buck possible. I would start by a fairly complete set of tools of approximately Craftsman quality. Then, over time, as tools break and/or you see a need for a tool to do it's job better, upgrade them for something better. This way you have pretty much every tool you need to the job right away. Also, you might you might then realise that you need only Snap-On wrenches in certain (commonly used by you) sizes, rather than buying the whole set.

One thing to keep in mind is the student discounts offered by Snap-On and Mac. IMHO Knipex make by far the best pliers, so when I was a student I used a 50% discount from Mac to buy every pair or Knipex pliers in the catalog. This also influenced me to buy Mac KS2 wrenches instead of snappy flank drives.


The best tip for you is to keep doing what you're doing; asking questions! Talk to guys in the same equipment field, see what they use etc.

One last thing to note is that when I was buying them, Mac Tools were very equivalent to snap-on in both price and quality (as were Matco). Nowadays both Matco and Mac seem to be selling a lot more imported stuff yet still with truck prices. Just for that reason, if I was buying tools off of a truck, it would be Snap-On. I don't mind paying truck-brand prices if i'm getting truck-brand quality.

 

[nissan_crawler]

regular sockets/extensions - Craftsman
ratchets - Snappy
swivel sockets/crowfeet - Snappy
Wrenches - Craftsman Pro
Pliers - Knipex (see aktoolsonline.com)
Hammers - estwing
Breaker bars - MAC
screwdrivers - I prefer Snappy soft grip, but wera, wiha, witte, many good brands

 

[Moose-LandTran]

regular sockets/extensions - Craftsman
ratchets - Snappy
swivel sockets/crowfeet - Snappy
Wrenches - Craftsman Pro
Pliers - Knipex (see aktoolsonline.com)
Hammers - estwing
Breaker bars - MAC
screwdrivers - I prefer Snappy soft grip, but wera, wiha, witte, many good brands

I agree with the rest, but disagree with the breaker bar choice. I'd go Snap-on for that, they're just so damn strong. And i hate anything MAC. The ones i saw on the MAC van were cheap **** Chinese ones that wroke easily.

My chrome universal sockets are cheap ones and they're pretty tough. My friend and i have snapped M12 bolts with them and they keep on truckin'.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I broke 4 Craftsman and two Snap-On bars trying to get 4 bolts out, never did get one. I go the MAC 24" and got all 4 bolts out with it. That sold me on them.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Maybe you got a better one than those i've used. My friend had one and i broke it on my first pull trying to remove the hub nut on my friends van. (all 147lb of me..) I broke his replacement removing a PTO unit on a dump truck and another removing a spring buckle on a Scania hauler. Guys i've worked with have snapped a few. I've watched my 315lb friend use a 4' bar on a Snap-on 1/2" and it only flexed a little, mine is just as strong.

 

[a390st]

I have to say, I trust Snap On breaker bars the most. I own a Matco that has been perfect, but the Snap On I had where I used to work was really good. We tried to keep a bar off it, but it felt extremely stout.

I have some of everything when it comes to tools. I saw this when you first posted it and figured I'd give it a while. I grew up on Mac, and they're going down the toilet. My cousin sold Matco, and they were excellent. Now, they're headed downhill. Proto and Blackhawk are owned by Stanley just like Mac Tools, and while they are good, I wouldn't trust their future. Craftsman may not be great, but they are decent and are generally easy to warranty and are local. Snap On is the best, and they haven't fallen into the offshore thing very much. See, the problem with most brands outside of Snap On and probably Craftsman is that you may buy a great US made product now and a couple of years later end up warrantying them for a foreign made product.

See how big a discount you can get from your school, and don't get in over your head.

 

[plinker]

The one thing about buying inexpensive tools is you can always upgrade to better quality.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

A lot of guys starting out don't appreciate just how much you can do with only the basics. I can do most of my job with only the basic tools, but the extras make it quicker and easier.

 

[chammyman]

very true moose, a set of spanners alone can get a lot done, a ratchet and sockets etc will make the job easier and faster but you can get by with the basics.

Recomended brands have been covered many times before.

Snap On always comes back as number 1. Then us over here have different manufacturers that follow up to the american market.

 

[Delray]

If you need line wrenches the Snap On combo with the open end are far and above anything else. I bought old used ones and would not be without them. Craftsman next gen thin ratchets are pretty good for the money. My Gearwrench half moons are pretty handy when you need them. Watch for sales and good luck in the future!

 

[OpOrange]

I hated are discount we got from snap on for when I was going to school. The guy only wanted to give us 10% discount. Everyone in the class didn't care because sears was right near it the school. And they could get Cman stuff there.

well at my school every vendor there (snap on, cornwell, mac, matco, craftsman) give 50% off, so i feel like i can get whatever i want, i just want to know what everyone likes

 

[Delray]

Ace brand wrenches from the hardware store are not bad for the money. I put a pipe to an 18mm combo to break some front end studs loose with no harm to anything.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

well at my school every vendor there (snap on, cornwell, mac, matco, craftsman) give 50% off, so i feel like i can get whatever i want, i just want to know what everyone likes

Are you directed toward any specialty? That can help us direct you. General tools are one thing, but if your going into something special, like Transmissions, then something like 36" long locking impact extension, reducing adapters may be called for.

That said, things I would go for:
The 3/8" in a 1/4" body ratchet.
Snap~on open end/flare nut end wrenches
Get all my locking extensions (unless the button locking style Craftsman, which are fine for hand tool use) as impact grade.
Snap~on or SK crowsfoot wrenches. My boss has the older Mac ones, I like them, but saw the newer ones the other day. I think the old Husky ones that Home Depot sold would be better then the current Mac ones I saw.
Craftsman thin pro or round head fine tooth for standard ratchets. Snap~on for specialty (or SK for the swivel head) ratchets, and longer ratchets.
SK locking adapters for extensions.
Snap~on or Mac filler sockets/specialty sockets, as 5.5mm deep and flex sockets. 5/8" long spark plug socket (van's and trucks), and there is a longer one for imports.
I have a general set of Craftsman pliers, then have some Channellock pliers and some Knippex pliers. My preference for long nose is the Channellocks, as they are closest to my fathers Kraueters, that I have never been able to duplicate.
I have a couple of no name, I am sure imported, locking pliers that are in the grip on style. Much easier on the hands then the vise grips.
Magnetic socket inserts from Sears. You never know when you will need them.
Also Craftsman extending magnets. Great for retrieval, and easily replaced when some idiot comes up and shuts the hood on them.
Mac has a round mirror with a LED backer to it. I strongly recommend it.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

you have to deal with the industrial guy through the school
take a look at your local parts store they usually have a catalog with all the latest tools for good prices and some parts stores let you run accounts like the tool truck
especially if you don't want the noob craftsman flavor to your toolbox

 

[olds88]

SNAP-ON... you will not regret it.... cheap out and buy another brand, you'll end up buying your tools twice because eventually you'll want Snap-on.

 

[olds88]

The one thing about buying inexpensive tools is you can always upgrade to better quality.

So if your buying the same tool twice, where's the savings of an "inexpensive" tool.... now that tool costs more.

You buy off a Snap-on truck, the dealer will extend you credit, then you pay him off $60/week or whatever. I try to give my dealer $100/week,

 

[wilbilt]

Starting out, avoid the truck brands at all cost unless you can get them free or cheap (eBay).

After five years or so, you will know what works and what doesn't and will hopefully be in a position to upgrade that which needs it. Or, after five years, you will be in a different profession and will not have wasted a ton of money on unnecessary tools.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I'm in a school program right now as well. I'll be done in May '09 and it can't get here soon enough. Anyways, on to the tools.

I have used the Snap-On discount quite a bit. It is very nice. If you don't mind using a credit card, you can go right on their student website and get what you want. No shipping fees. Just tax and the price of the tool. Also, when I first used the discount in high school, it was very limited. Now it is still limited, but not near as bad. The discount lasts the entire time you are in school too which is nice. I have also used the MAC discount. The MAC is nice because you can get just about anything for 50% off in the catalog. The downfall is, once you make your first order, you have 4 months to place any more orders you want. After that, no more discount. In case you already knew all of that, I would just say, if you have the opportunity to put any of the tools in your hand, then do so and see how they feel and look to you. You don't have to buy from one company. Shop around, buy what you like, and buy what can be easily warrantied if need be. I have tools from Snap-On, MAC, Matco, Proto, SK, Williams, Ingersol-Rand, Klein, Knipex, Channellock, Vaughn, Mayhew,......probably more. They are all great tools and all get the job done. Just don't get in over your head with debt. Nothing worse than ruining your finances because you didn't just say NO when the tool man asked if you wanted anything.

 

[Crasen]

So if your buying the same tool twice, where's the savings of an "inexpensive" tool.... now that tool costs more.

You buy off a Snap-on truck, the dealer will extend you credit, then you pay him off $60/week or whatever. I try to give my dealer $100/week,

You can replace the inexpensive tool with a higher quality tool as time goes one and bring the inexpensive tool home to do work around the house. You do not have to worry about getting over your head in debt right off the bat. The way this economy is going do you really think it would be a good idea to start a new career in thousands of dollars in debt? If you can get a good discount then there are some things like screwdrivers and ratchets that you might as well pay more for. If you are going to buy sockets consider buying impact sockets first cause you will probably buy them eventually anyway and they will work just fine with a ratchet.

 

[wilbilt]

You can replace the inexpensive tool with a higher quality tool as time goes one and bring the inexpensive tool home to do work around the house. You do not have to worry about getting over your head in debt right off the bat. The way this economy is going do you really think it would be a good idea to start a new career in thousands of dollars in debt?

Ding Ding Ding!!! We have a winner!!! A lot of wisdom in that statement.

 

[nissan_crawler]

So if your buying the same tool twice, where's the savings of an "inexpensive" tool.... now that tool costs more.

You buy off a Snap-on truck, the dealer will extend you credit, then you pay him off $60/week or whatever. I try to give my dealer $100/week,

Arguable. I started out with all Craftsman, now I'm getting quite a bit of Snap-On. I still have less than 50% invested compared to what I would pay on the truck.

If I see a good deal on ebay, I but it. If not, I lose. Many times I can get money BACK buying Snap-On things and selling some of what I get.

Starting out with Snap-On would not allow you to do this.

 

[olds88]

Try this: before you buy anything, spend a week working with someone's Craftsman or MATCO tools... then spend a week working with someone's Snap-on tools.

 

[billymade]

Thats not a good idea; then all you'll want to buy is Snap-On!!!! LOL! Thats what happened to me when I started out at a body shop; all I had was Craftsman and then I was exposed to Snapon tools, by using the guys stuff at the shop; then, it was all over!!!! LOL! As they say; "ignorance is bliss", once you use the Snapon tools, your lower quality tools will never be the same and you won't be happy with them!

 

[nissan_crawler]

Meh, I would still start out with Craftsman, if I had it to do over again, with the exception of ratchets, probably.

A guy at work started with a small box (less than 20,000 c.i., I'm sure), and 1/4 the tools I do, but all Snap-On. He has 20k he's paying off. I have about that invested with a 40,000 c.i. box, and 4 times the tools he has, with no debt since I did it when I got deals.

Guess who can get the work done?

Edit:Basically...I slowly accumulated the Snap-On specialty stuff I wanted, then slowly started replacing the basics with Snap-On as I could, or the Craftsman Pro.

Hell, for 3 years I wrenched with Craftsman raised panel wrenches and ratchets, they still got the job done. It just makes sense to me for a beginner. Get something that will work and last (they will), then if you like something else later, fine. Me, I've found lots of things I like better than Snap-On, that were cheaper. This method gives you time to find that stuff.

 

[olds88]

1/3rd of my Snap-on tools was given to me by my dad, a third from the dealer and a third from eBay. I got a nice set, still growing though.

THAT's how your drawers should look, all Snap-on!

 

[paramudduck]

Try different brands. You have the Snap on nuts on here who think nothing can be done with out the Snap on name to scare the bolts into submission.
Look at the current pay scales. If you are going into the automotive market look at all of the dealers being closed.
Heavy equipment? How much construction work will be put up for bid with the current economic market?
Go with less expensive starting routes. Other wise you will be one of the guys going into the pawn shop or selling all of your tools on craigs list.

As for the once you use Snap on line I'm currently replacing my Snap line wrenches with Bonney Matco and Cornwells. Why? Because the Snap on hurt my hands but the others don't.

If you have to replace tools when they break. Well I've had to replace Snap on tools that broke with other tools. Where you end up working at may not have a Snap truck or the driver ay be a ***** who is going broke and refusing all warreanties. We do have a few people on this board who have offered to get their good drivers to do the things we payed for when we bought the tools.

Get a good affordable set. Then if you find a tool you like better upgrade. But a lot of the tools don't need to be expensive truck brands. You can do just as good if not better with more economical tools. And you won't stay awake at night worrying if your tools are going to be repo'd. Or hurt yourself after being so tired from no sleep where you are doing two jobs to eat and pay the bills.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

when did bonney go out of business ?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

there are far better jobs out there than working on cars and trucks

 

[wilbilt]

when did bonney go out of business ?

The Harry Epstein rep on here would know. The HE site says they bought out Bonney's remaining inventory.

 

[krusty the clown]

when did bonney go out of business ?

bonney ceased in 1995

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

1/3rd of my Snap-on tools was given to me by my dad, a third from the dealer and a third from eBay. I got a nice set, still growing though.

THAT's how your drawers should look, all Snap-on!

I hope that isn't it.

I have a lot of tools that were lifetime warranty, that the tools are good and outlasted the companies. Indestro, Durochrome, etc. There are other brands. To limit your idea, is like limiting what vehicle you would drive. What would you do in an emergency then if that vehicle wasn't around.
Original poster
As a mechanic you will tend to go for impact tools more. I agree spend your money there. You already have the chrome stuff, for hand use, and impact grade stuff can be used in MOST cases. You may not stay with it, or you may find deals from those who quit the business and have already incured the debt. Don't blow your money on a huge box, only to not be able to afford to fill it. You can't do the job then, and may not keep getting the jobs so you can pay it off.
The shop I work/worked in, has been broken in more then anyone EVER cares to think about. A lot of Craftsman tools get used for a multitude of reasons. Ease of replacement and lack of tool trucks, less apt to be stolen, cost verses functionality.
Keep your eyes open and always try to figure out who made the tool as there is a lot of rebranding going around.

 

[olds88]

I hope that isn't it.

Obviously that's just one drawer.... it's a small box anyway, I got a larger standard size single bank box in New York... but I'm not in NY right now.

There's drawer #2:

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I wouldn't recommend that anyone starting out (or established, for that matter) go into debt for anything. Become addicted to the crack-on man and he will own you forever...

 

[olds88]

crack-on.... my employer calls them Strap-on!!

It don't look like much but for the kind of work I'm doing right now, at a gas station, it's good enough. The only thing I really go looking in my employer's box for is metric flare wrenches.... maybe i'll pick up a set this week when the Strap-on guy comes around, maybe he'll give me half off because I'm buying the Black carts for my MT2500 from him, he's giving me a pretty good deal at $500 for both.. cheaper then ePay.

 

[wilbilt]

Your box is nowhere near full. Ditch the trays and stand the sockets up.