Student Thread ... But for Mac Tools

[Dimitri]

So I'm hopefully completing level 3 of Apprenticeship training soon.

My Mac Guy (great guy) keeps reminding me of it so that I can save some money verses what the list price is.

I've mainly been doing electrical/fuel systems at a Chrysler-Fiat Dealer, although a lot of our line up still seems to be Mercedes based on the inside.

Any ideas?

Dimitri

 

[d.mcfarland]

Ideas on what? How is someone supposed to answer that question?

On what to buy? The obvious answer is what you need and don't have.

 

[Dimitri]

On what to buy? The obvious answer is what you need and don't have.

Well, if I knew what I need, I'd have already bought it.

Hence asking, as there is probably tools I have not gotten the chance to "need" that I should probably get.

Dimitri

 

[Buckgnarly]

Mac tools knurled extension, locking and regular. They knurl the female drive end, best knurled extensions out there!

 

[czgunner]

I like the Mac locking extensions (don't think they make them), their midget 6 point ratcheting wrenches are good (probably not made by them), and I think that's about all I own that says Mac.

 

[d.mcfarland]

From what I know Mac has been slowly outsourcing their stuff pretty heavily. If you care about COO, I think others have said to stay away from MAC stuff that isn't hardline.

Their chrome is just as good as anyones from what I've seen.

Mechanicnamedjohn went heavy into MAC, so maybe find his thread and look and see what he has!

 

[cotjocky]

It would probably be more helpful if you made a list of what you had. Then people could point out what you are missing.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I think the bigger question is how determined are you to stay in your field and how far in debt are you willing to go?

It would be nice to see your current set up.

 

[Dimitri]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3152714&postcount=9662

I have since starting added ...

Dewalt 12V MAX Screw Driver
Various additional test leads
A MAC Test Light (threw out the other one)
MAC Euro Terminal Tool Kit
MAC ratcheting Combination Wrenches
MAC Coolant Concentration Tester
MAC 1/4" Extension Set
Blue Point Screw Driver bit ratchets
Some various battery terminal tools
MAC 3/8" Impact Wrench
MAC 3/8" Short and Deep Impact Sockets
Plastic Trim tools (various types)
MAC Terminal Crimpers
MAC Long Plier Set
GearWrench Serpentine Belt Tool Kit
Fuel Line Disconnects
MAC Fuel Pressure Test Kit (plus some custom fittings I've made for it)

I have some 1/4" Drive Universal Sockets, Noid Lights and a FLF80 ratchet from Snap On, on order using the Scholarship money I got from my college.

I'm probably forgetting things that I've picked up.

Right now, I can see myself staying in this trade for a while. I'm rather enjoying it. Helps that I have some pretty good co-workers around and a good SM.

Dimitri

 

[BlksnshN]

Power tools, air and electric. My favorite tools are my Matco 3/8 infinium ratchet and my Snap On 8810 impact. Anything to save the wear and tear on your body.

When I first started I used hand tools for everything, I was scared that I would ruin stuff with the power tools. Now days I can get a power tool on almost anything and only turn the wrench when it is absolutely necessary.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

That's a pretty nice set up. You will be able to take plenty of tasks with what you have. Eventually you will start to buy things as you need them.

I would suggest getting some air tools and/or cordless tools. Maybe some gasket scrapers and wire wheels.

 

[Skin]

Chrome universal sockets and the impact swivels.

 

[MRunabout]

Ask the technicians what their most commonly used tools are and buy those first. Mine were a 1/2" and 3/8" impact, 1/2" and 3/8" torque wrenches, 3/8" impact swivel sockets, short/standard/deep thick and thin wall sockets in 6 and 12 point, a flashlight(s), screwdrivers, pry bars, breaker bars, long handle 3/8" ratchet, standard length and extra long ratcheting and box end wrenches, extensions, digital multimeter, circuit tester, automotive stethoscope, battery jumper, magnetic pickup, telescoping mirror, Makita drill/driver set, hex/torx/triple square standard and long sockets, brake disc caliper, runout gauge, grease gun and a fluid pump. That was pretty much my first set of tools starting out.

 

[Conductor562]

I just picked up the Mac TD117COMBOS. It's a 117 piece T&D set and comes with metric and standard T&D's, a 30 some piece set of drill bit which includes letter and # bits, and a 5 piece extractor set. Listed at $450 on the site. It is an awesome set. Not sure I'm $450 crazy about it, but I'm definitely $225 crazy about it.

Also picked up the 57 piece ratcheting screwdriver set. Just came yesterday actually. I loved it at $200. At $100 I don't know how you could pass it up. I love the interchangeable shaft setup as opposed to fixed sets.

http://http://www.mactools.com/SearchResults/tabid/79/Default.aspx?Search=Ratcheting+screwdriver+set

 

[MattPersman]

Wish student discount. The flat headed 1/4 and 3/8 air ratchets. The Mac cordless 1/2, 3/8 impacts. Compo cast hammer set is on sale in us right now anyways 3 piece for 99. Precision torque sockets are good they are the sockets formerly known as edge. All of the us hard line wrenches, sockets and new screw drivers are good. Ratchets are pretty lack luster for me. Much of the other stuff is all imported. Not bad stuff just beware on pricing of relabeled sunex, VIM, lisle, etc.

 

[joedodge]

I'm not trying to be the negative voice here just voicing a opinion. Mac has always been hit or miss for years in my area. They last a lil while you end up with a lot of tools that you don't get service for. Has your area always had strong mac dealers? This was a mistake I made when I was young

 

[Dimitri]

Much of the other stuff is all imported. Not bad stuff just beware on pricing of relabeled sunex, VIM, lisle, etc.

At 50% off, the relabelled products from other companies is still cheaper then local stores, and ordering them online.

Has your area always had strong mac dealers? This was a mistake I made when I was young

Not sure about "dealers" but my dealer seems to be strong in both sales and in how long he has been driving around his truck.

Mind you he also has branched out and will order from other automotive supplier catalogs too, which helps as he seems to be fine with saving you some money by selling you the brands Matt mentioned if you are so inclined.

Dimitri

 

[BlksnshN]

I'm not trying to be the negative voice here just voicing a opinion. Mac has always been hit or miss for years in my area. They last a lil while you end up with a lot of tools that you don't get service for. Has your area always had strong mac dealers? This was a mistake I made when I was young

Same problem I ran into with MAC, luckily I didn't buy too much from him.

He started showing up to the shop less and less and finally disappeared all together. Now there are no MAC dealers in town.

 

[firebox40dash5]

At 50% off, the relabelled products from other companies is still cheaper then local stores, and ordering them online.



Not sure about "dealers" but my dealer seems to be strong in both sales and in how long he has been driving around his truck.

Mind you he also has branched out and will order from other automotive supplier catalogs too, which helps as he seems to be fine with saving you some money by selling you the brands Matt mentioned if you are so inclined.

Dimitri

I know I'm not the only one who has hardly ever seen a Mac truck, there's plenty of others oh here. There's one in my area I used to see driving around as a kid... now 15-20 years later I still see that truck driving around, except it's a work van for a painter. Haven't heard of anyone in a 20 mile radius with Mac service.

If your guy has been going strong for 20 years, what happens in 5-10 years when he retires and no one else takes it up? WE had that happen with Cornwell recently. Old guy up and quit about 2 years ago, we just got a new one in the last month. Who knows if he'll last?

 

[treblarefils]

I wish that when I was in school I would have bought a box but when youre 20 years old and poor college kid working at a gas station its tough lol...I pretty much should have used all my extra money on tools back then. 10 years later I now realize.

 

[Dimitri]

I have thought about a box, but I have a relatively new box, with a new side box I just picked up.

A Utility Cart however, depending on my tax return may be a option however.

Dimitri

 

[Dimitri]

So far, going through what I think I might need, and your suggestions, plus referencing other threads here to make choices I'm looking at ...

• SMARTACH+COP
• LAUNCH 129 SCAN TOOL
• RELAY TEST JUMPER
• RELAY TEST JUMPER 2
• RELAY TEST JUMPER LEADS
• 5-PC. BMW TERMINAL TOOL KIT
• 10-PC. VW TERMINAL KIT
• 6-PC. M-BENZ TERMINAL KIT
• CONNECTOR SEPERATOR
• TERMINAL TOOL KIT W/ 6 Dies (This is a ratcheting Crimper)
• POWER PROBE 3
• 7PC WOBBLE EXTENSION SET (debated locking, but a few threads seem to think wobble's are more useful, and I've seen more co-workers with wobbles over locking)
• 10-PC. Metric Flare Nut Crowfoot
• DRAIN PLUG SOCKET SET
• 9-PC. ½" Metric Universal Impact
• 1/2” IMPACT 26PC MM DEEP SET (Cheaped out this is "Expert")
• 8 PC METRIC HEX INSERT SET
• 13 PC LONG TORX DRIVER SET
• 9-PC. METRIC TRIPLE SQUARE
• 8 PC LONG TRIPLE SQUARE
• 24-PC. RIBE POWER BIT SET
• 1/2" DRIVE IMPACT WRENCH (AWP050)
• 1/4” MINI AGLE DIE GRINDER
• 1/4” MINI AIR RATCHET 20 FT-LB
• 12V INFRARED THERMOMETER
• SLIM-LINE PLASTIC RIVETER
• CLIP REMOVERS COMBO
• COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE
• 2-PC. HOSE CLAMP PLIERS (It has one cable and one normal type)
• CLIC-R HOSE CLAMP PLIERS
• INFLATOR GAUGE
• 5-PC. TORQUE EXTENSION

I'll only be ~$1,200 (including taxes) above my CRA refund (of apparently $1,800 this year ). Based on the price list for Mac I found that was dated November 11 2013 online.

Dimitri