Tool advice needed

[infieldfly32]

Hello,
My name is Scott and this is my first post. I recently started the collision repair program at my local college. We need to pick tools by next week and have a few choices.
Option 1: Snap On
50 to 60% off list price for everything direct from Snap On.
Example: Set, General Service, 6 point 17 pc. list 606.45 my pr. 291.10

Option 2: Gearwrench
Average savings 56% off list from a local distributor
Example: Half inch socket set with ratchet list $116.53 my pr. $51.27

Option 3: Get your own stuff

We need various tools ranging from hammers and pry bars to specialized body tools. The Snap On total is about $4000 which includes a kra2407 for storage.
The Gearwrench total is $2016.10 without storage. It looks like they have some type of box for about $500 but it's not clear what kind. That would bring the total to about $2600. I'm starting to lose sleep over this decision. Any input would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[zkling]

Hi Scott welcome to GJ.

You really should post down in the "General tool discussion" to get more response. But....

Sounds like you are on a budget, who isn't these days. Since you are affiliated with an educational institution I wonder if you can get a student discount. Most of the truck brands, Snap On being the primary offer a deeply discounted rate for students. Something you may want to look into, guessing from your discounted prices you have already done this?

Snap on stuff is obviously well respected, but so is majority of the gear wrench stuff.

I'd try to save money on the box and spend the most you can on the actual tools. At the extreme low end of the spectrum $ wise the 44" Harbor Freight bottom box is very well respected on here for what it is. ~$350 each of course it is no snap on, or other truck brand box, but it is very nice for the money. Allowing people to save quite a bit of $ and put it towards better tools.

I'd rather be the guy with a HF box full of SO tools than the guy with a SO box full of HF tools.

Also take a look at other brands. Alot of snap on stuff is just rebranded Williams tools. IIRC. SK, Wright, Proto, Armstrong all make good USA hand tools. Just maybe a few more to check out.

 

[Dennis93]

Be the one smart tech that doesn't spend his future life savings on a Snap On box and tools. Gearwrench is a very well respected brand here, especially their ratcheting wrenches. I would suggest the HF box also, it is an EXCELLENT box FOR THE MONEY. You don't need anything fancier than that for the first couple years, if ever. If you are smart enough to put your ego aside and actually make money instead of hope to break even like those guys with the Snap On you will get somewhere in life. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of Snap On, Matco, MAC tools. But they were all bought on sale at flea markets or Craigslist and never paid more than 25% of list. Don't be afraid to look there for mechanics getting out of the trade and selling their items in bulk.
Some good tool brands that are relatively inexpensive:
Klein
Knipex <high end but actually worth the money unlike the tool truck brands
Gearwrench
Channelocks
SK
Proto
Williams
Don't be afraid to mix and match, simply because your tools are different brands doesn't mean your body panels won't be a perfect seam.

Good luck in your endeavors!

 

[infieldfly32]

Thanks for the advice. I'm just wondering if the 50%-60% discount on Snap On makes it worth it to pull the trigger on them now. It appears to be the only time I will get that discount on new stuff. For example I would get the Classic 60 box that retails for $2600 for $1100. I also like the look of Gearwrench. Is the quality close to Snap On?
Scott

 

[Glenn M.]

Welcome to the GJ from VA!

 

[3baygarage]

That's the best way to save money on SnapOn, otherwise I'd try to put a set together off of Ebay.
Definitely would order a Craftsman master tool set if not Snap On. They're easy to warranty and much more inexpensive. You can always upgrade as you go.

 

[infieldfly32]

Thank You.

 

[ZRX61]

First thing ya need is the catalog from here:

www.autobodytoolmart.com.

and here:

www.tptools.com

Then just start spending money. I sure as hell wouldn't be spending money on Snap On body tools so long as Martin are still in business.