We recruit from a few..but ADI Michigan..Is where we always look first.. Like someone else said ..power generation is really hot right now.. But the trucking industry is far from dead...Dealerships are looking for Techs...but they need the right credentials/certifications... Investing in those at a good school will pay off big time... We require them to get their CDL, and Hydraulic Cert in the first year...and pay for it...but they must put forth the effort...
TEKTON in school
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We recruit from a few..but ADI Michigan..Is where we always look first.. Like someone else said ..power generation is really hot right now.. But the trucking industry is far from dead...Dealerships are looking for Techs...but they need the right credentials/certifications... Investing in those at a good school will pay off big time... We require them to get their CDL, and Hydraulic Cert in the first year...and pay for it...but they must put forth the effort...
geartow
Well-known member
Lakeside tool in rochester has a tech school set for a great price
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
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I second this. Look into Idaho State University as well for Diesel/Onsite Power Gen. Most of the guys from North Dakota to the coastal Northwest went through the class there. Excellent town, school and teachers. Great pay right out of school if you're open to moving, and not getting covered in road filth and grease is a major plus!
EDIT:
Also, have him look around on Mechanics Hub, you can get a pretty good feel of what different industries and regions have to offer. I wish it'd been around when I was in school!
https://www.mechanicshub.com/mechanic-jobs/
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Parrothead
Well-known member
You realize Tekton's ratchets are the same as Kobalt's? And Harbor Freight's 72T ratchets are also the same mechanism. This is why I laugh when people rag on how bad HF is, but then say Kobalt is much better. It's literally the same ratchet design and/or mechanism (depending on which one you buy). That 72T Taiwan mechanism is used by countless tool companies because it is simple, smooth, strong, and reliable. It's not the strongest ratchet out there (generally only 140% of ASME torque), but that's still good (500 ft-lbs of torque in 1/2 drive).
Sockets from Tekton are also probably either the same thing or made to a comparable standard to Gearwrench's and Kobalt's Taiwan sockets. Husky sockets are Apex China, which is below Kobalt or Gearwrench IMHO. Same as Craftsman China and just not that great. If Husky still has the double detents like Craftsman, those are the absolute worst.
Tekton wrenches are also suspiciously similar to Gearwrench's Taiwan made static wrenches (non ratcheting). Doubt they are too different, if at all (the newer combination sets from Tekton, as of two or three years ago, are Taiwan made, no longer China).
Same thing for the ratcheting wrenches. Tekton's are made in Taiwan and could be made by the same OEM that makes Taiwan Gearwrench, or a comparable Taiwan competitor. The 72T ratcheting wrenches certainly use the same mechanism.
As far as I'm aware, Apex owns no plants in Taiwan. They contract out for much of their Taiwan made stuff, which means it's also being made for other companies unless it is copy righted (120XP). Thus, I would bet good money a fair amount of Tekton and Geawrench is made in the same factory or by another comparable competitor to whatever Apex is using (depending on the item). Apex does own plants in China though (at least 2), but I've never been impressed by the products coming out of those.
Tekton also has their USA pliers and Punches/Chisels going for them. Their USA screwdrivers are long lasting, but I'm not the biggest fan of the non symmetrical grip (they're really comfortable if you can make the turns at only a third of a whole each time so that your hand lines up with the grip properly).
I'll agree with 99% of what you say here, but would like to point out that the Matco Silver Eagle sockets and the Husky sockets are the same. There's a picture on here somewhere showing the double stamp.
The Tekton combo wrenches are at least as good as the Kobalts and in my opinion better than the Huskys. I actually bought the Kobalt, Husky, and Crescent, plus others to do a head to head comparison. I should do a write up...
Parrothead
Well-known member
This is a comparison but it shows the Kobalt and HF ratchet comparison
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231567&highlight=Cburnscrx+titan
Basically the Kobalt and HF have the same mechanism.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231567&highlight=Cburnscrx+titan
Basically the Kobalt and HF have the same mechanism.
I wish
I've got three years experience in the field, have taken the waterous (Pump manufacturer) class and have my F1 EVT cert. I'm lucky to clear 38k a year after my bonus's. It's relatively easy work, I never have to touch an engine tho I've done a few rad replacements and light stuff like that, the pumps are pretty simple to work on but the money isn't as great as you'd think.
Maybe I should shop around a little more and be willing to move as you've mentioned, but at that point, what quality of life are you living being away from family and friends just to earn a little extra a year.
I wish
I've got three years experience in the field, have taken the waterous (Pump manufacturer) class and have my F1 EVT cert. I'm lucky to clear 38k a year after my bonus's. It's relatively easy work, I never have to touch an engine tho I've done a few rad replacements and light stuff like that, the pumps are pretty simple to work on but the money isn't as great as you'd think.
Maybe I should shop around a little more and be willing to move as you've mentioned, but at that point, what quality of life are you living being away from family and friends just to earn a little extra a year.
I'm sure it depends on where your at...The shop we take ours to get the NFPA inspections done..just lost 2 people to a company in Minn, for substantially more than that. And i know the money is ALOT....better than that out West. But the cost of living is more..and like u said..for some..it's not worth what they would have to give up to move.
Idk about other tech schools, but only here in Iowa were I go to school and two of my friends go to another we were allowed to piece our sets out. At my school they offer a s/o, Mac, and Matco offering. They were only optional. I pieced my set together from my dad's and great uncles tools I inhareted from them. The rest I bought from S/O, Mac, or Carquest.
Were my two friends go to school the only tool they absolutely have to buy is a S/O multi meter from the book store. I would be pissed if I had to buy all one brand because no brand has the best of every tool brand. An it's so much cheaper to buy tools off Craigslist or at public auctions.
Were my two friends go to school the only tool they absolutely have to buy is a S/O multi meter from the book store. I would be pissed if I had to buy all one brand because no brand has the best of every tool brand. An it's so much cheaper to buy tools off Craigslist or at public auctions.
Those ratchets are excellent. Strong and very comfortable to use. Good to see the students getting their start with inexpensive tools, they can upgrade what calls for it later on instead of going into deep debt from day 1.
Haha, I'm in MN actually as well. Pretty easy for me to take a guess that they went to Rosenbauer in Wyoming MN or EAM (Emergency Apparatus Maintenance)
Small world
kythri
Well-known member
Nice that they're given the opportunity to be wise with their money.
Local community college's auto tech center requires a $990 payment per term for the first year (3 terms, $2970 total outlay). Once you pass the first year, you've then "earned" your choice of either a Snap-on 9200AGSO and BluePoint KRB2006FPQR (option 1), or a Snap-on SEPPRECOMB combo (option 2).
If you don't pass or you drop out, they jack you $200 per $990 payment, "awarding" you a tool voucher for $790 per payment made.
My understanding is that this is not an optional thing - you're required to buy Snap-on/BluePoint tools, and one of the two combos above, in order to continue in the second year of the program. Certainly, a significant savings over retail price, but requiring a particular brand of tool seems rather asinine.
Snap-on sponsored the build of the training center, apparently, and I wouldn't be surprised that there's some kick-backs being given to college staff.
ETA: Oh yeah - you're also required to buy Snap-on uniform shirts for class attire.
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That could be...Gramps always told us...if u want to know the truth about..ANYTHING.....Follow the money.... I will never condemn somebody for buying a good box...i have seen what the big box store ones look like after a couple yrs of every day use....but the good ones ARE.. overpriced...
ptgarcia
Well-known member
I view requiring a certain tool set from a particular manufacturer much like requiring a specific edition text book.
Paul
Paul
I suspect most tech schools are open to what tools the students buy. The minimum requirement list is to keep the students from not having the proper tools to learn the trade. It's like a list of school supplies that kids bring home on their first day of school.
The list of tools and having a set available for purchase is to just make it easier on these students who may be going into these programs with little knowledge about tools. If they make the students buy a certain set or add it to the tuition and force it onto them, that's kinda sucky.
what? I'D be pissed if they gave me Tekton instead of Blue Point and never adjusted the tuition to match, esp if the S-O tool truck guy visits my place of future employment.
Yep, that'd ****. But if they want to screw over the students, they will one way or the other. If they list out the components of the price of the tuition, they can just write down the cheaper amount of the Tekton tools, but then add the difference onto the tuition part of the bill to make up for it.
They should be offering a choice of SK, Snappy, Blue Point, Mac, Matco, Tekton. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors? They might get offered sweet deals to distribute a specific brand of tools to their students.
Bingo.............................. But it does insure them..The student is ready to start...being issued like that.... No....my cousin is gionna give me a set of SO...Allens next week stuff... tHEY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT....iTS THERE...THEY PAID FOR IT....MARCH ON....
oldldh
Well-known member
As I said in my earlier post...
I got a bunch of decent tools from Amazon during their $15.00 off $50.00 sale, just before Christmas in 2015...
30% off will jingle my bells...
The extra long 3/8" and 1/2" drive have served as fully functional "almost" breaker bars...Cost --- $37.35...
The 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive Swivel Head ratchets, have done everything, I've asked them to do...Cost --- $43.10
The five low profile ratchets are evolving into my "used most" ratchets, and are working as advertised...Cost --- $57.78
Grand Total --- $138.23 !!!!
A lot of ratchets, for not a lot of money...
Would they work in a "Professional Shop" environment??? Probably...
Will they put on a show??? Probably not...
The ubiquitous "72 tooth Taiwan" movement works fine...The Quick Release function, functions...The warranty, "Take a photo of the broken tool, email it to us, and we'll send you a new one..." should be an industry leader, for what is a virtual online merchandising operation...
Would Tekton tools suffice for a "Just Getting Started Technician", you bet your "Jingle Bells", they would...And, there shouldn't be any massive debt associated with them...Either...
Too many folks, just starting out, don't realize that they are a "Small Business", and the main killer of small businesses is excessive debt load...
These were the semi-intelligent ramblings of a fellow in his eighth decade above ground, who didn't realize what "Killer Debt" was...
Would they get the OP started --- Yep...
I got a bunch of decent tools from Amazon during their $15.00 off $50.00 sale, just before Christmas in 2015...
30% off will jingle my bells...
The extra long 3/8" and 1/2" drive have served as fully functional "almost" breaker bars...Cost --- $37.35...
The 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive Swivel Head ratchets, have done everything, I've asked them to do...Cost --- $43.10
The five low profile ratchets are evolving into my "used most" ratchets, and are working as advertised...Cost --- $57.78
Grand Total --- $138.23 !!!!
A lot of ratchets, for not a lot of money...
Would they work in a "Professional Shop" environment??? Probably...
Will they put on a show??? Probably not...
The ubiquitous "72 tooth Taiwan" movement works fine...The Quick Release function, functions...The warranty, "Take a photo of the broken tool, email it to us, and we'll send you a new one..." should be an industry leader, for what is a virtual online merchandising operation...
Would Tekton tools suffice for a "Just Getting Started Technician", you bet your "Jingle Bells", they would...And, there shouldn't be any massive debt associated with them...Either...
Too many folks, just starting out, don't realize that they are a "Small Business", and the main killer of small businesses is excessive debt load...
These were the semi-intelligent ramblings of a fellow in his eighth decade above ground, who didn't realize what "Killer Debt" was...
Would they get the OP started --- Yep...
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WittHay
Well-known member
Tekton might have submitted the lowest bid for that Tech School. cheaper than Napa Carlyle or Blue-Point.
The quality to me is very similar among the import tool brands. We have Jet, Westward, Napa UltraPro, Mastercraft, probably from the same factories that Tekton and Kobalt get there stuff from.
All these tools are good enough for a student to use and get a feel for the trade.
The quality to me is very similar among the import tool brands. We have Jet, Westward, Napa UltraPro, Mastercraft, probably from the same factories that Tekton and Kobalt get there stuff from.
All these tools are good enough for a student to use and get a feel for the trade.
That is so true... Our shop supplies air tools / power tools, and anything over 1in.. Some of the guys prefer to have their own..and buy that stuff.. But i tell the kids coming in to just use the shop tools.. And anything you need, and don't have, we don't mind loaning to them until they can save up.. We don't have tool trucks coming to the shop any more...The NAPA guy takes good care of us...and after the new Techs have been here 90 days.. Napa will extend them a line of credit(payroll deduct)..It's actually the shops credit... to buy Carlyle tools at the shops 20% discount... so i tell them just buy one thing at a time..and pay it off...
jerseykat1
Well-known member
This is how i roll. I buy tool truck only when the tool is by far the best in class and no other options out there come close to it. That's not to assume that tool truck brands are the gold standard. every brand tool breaks.
Locker537
Well-known member
I bought this set recently to bring to a night class with me so I didn't need to carry either a huge set with me or some of my more sentimental hand-me-down tools:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RCYX4WI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've been very impressed with it so far. It's affordable, well built, skips no sizes, and has a great warranty. I like it so much that I will likely buy the 1/4 set and the 1/4 torque wrench from them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RCYX4WI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've been very impressed with it so far. It's affordable, well built, skips no sizes, and has a great warranty. I like it so much that I will likely buy the 1/4 set and the 1/4 torque wrench from them.
Ign
Well-known member
This. Sadly kids **** at life. Almost all of us did at that age.
If (and it's a very big IF people) you choose to make this your career, this tool set is only step 1 of dozens of iterations to come. Once you're out of school make it the truck/roadside set and go into debt on a tool truck if that's your thing.
Now does it make for potential collusion or even corruption between a tool company and the school? Sure, but as already pointed out that already happens with text books, calculators (in college I HAD TO have the TI-82 and the book store had a whole pile for sale) etc.
Tekton is decent, they're not trying to shove Great Neck grocery store **** down your throat. Use it as intended for the purpose intended (ie get THROUGH school) and move on. Students should be focusing on their texts, studying and even watching non-stop YT videos about their subject matter rather than shopping for perceived "better" tools anyway. IOW enrich your brain not your tool cache.
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bubinga
Well-known member
l got a 3 piece extension set the seem quite nice.