Hey, im a student in the ford asset program which means i have access to a ~50% discount from Snap-On, Mac and Matco. I have money to spend but would like input on what brands to buy which tools from to try and min/max my spending for quality. Currently i already have a snap on torque wrench, flex head ratchet, a plier set, a set of screw drivers and a ratcheting screw driver. I also have Mac breaker bars and gear wrench ratcheting wrenches. The rest of my stuff is a mix of kobalt, craftsman and pittsburgh. What Brands do which tools best? I know the biggest things i need are Wrenches and Sockets but what else do you recommend.
Tools to get going
- Thread starter TJCowher
- Start date
chevy.stroker
Well-known member
I will give you the advice I never had growing up, but have heard from many dealership technicians.
Once you acquire the basic tools and start as an apprentice if you borrow a tool more than 3 times then place it on your buy list.
Basic tools:
Ask the truck dealers if discounts apply to flyer prices. If so watch flyers and BOGO deals.
Buy American or German if possible on some things.
Stick with Metric for now.
3/8 and 1/2 sockets and extensions
start with impact. Decide if you need chrome later. Astro or Sunex Taiwanese are fine here.
Blow gun with 12 inch nozel for getting down in sparkplug holes and under manifolds.
If spending big on wrenches hold them in your hand. Maybe see if you can use one to really torque a fastener. Wrench feel is personal.
I'd recommend the VIM double jointed impact universal 3 set to start. You can branch into universal impact sockets later:
www.jbtools.com
A basic multimeter
A LoadPro - many will say a Power Probe, but all you need is a simple load on a circuit with a volt meter to find corroded wires.
A test light that uses a bulb.
A roll of Tesa tape. Way better than electrical tape.
Good USA made Hex Plus, and Torq Plus sockets. Jump straight to the plus, they work fine in regular hex and Torq.
A cheap HF 100 bit set. They will work in your ratcheting screwdrive and give you security bits for occasional use.
Long 1/2 breaker bar with a lifetime warranty.
Quality prybars. Mayhew or rebranded Mayhew are my goto.
Light hammer in 12 to 16 Oz.
Heavy hammer in 32 to 36 Oz.
Deadblow softface...start with HF orange to decide better later.
Brass hammer and brass punch for installing bearing races. I think my brass hammers are 16 Oz and 4 lb.
Purchase this prybar. It works great for lining up suspension holes, etc when you need that third hand. If you use it a lot upgrade:
www.harborfreight.com
I think that is a start. Lean on your instructors for advice.
Once you acquire the basic tools and start as an apprentice if you borrow a tool more than 3 times then place it on your buy list.
Basic tools:
Ask the truck dealers if discounts apply to flyer prices. If so watch flyers and BOGO deals.
Buy American or German if possible on some things.
Stick with Metric for now.
3/8 and 1/2 sockets and extensions
start with impact. Decide if you need chrome later. Astro or Sunex Taiwanese are fine here.
Blow gun with 12 inch nozel for getting down in sparkplug holes and under manifolds.
If spending big on wrenches hold them in your hand. Maybe see if you can use one to really torque a fastener. Wrench feel is personal.
I'd recommend the VIM double jointed impact universal 3 set to start. You can branch into universal impact sockets later:
VIM Tools 3 Pc. Impact Dual Swivel Pinless Adapter Set (DSPA200)
Shop VIM Tools 3 Pc. Impact Dual Swivel Pinless Adapter Set (DSPA200) at JB Tools. Durable, reliable, and designed for impact applications.
www.jbtools.com
A basic multimeter
A LoadPro - many will say a Power Probe, but all you need is a simple load on a circuit with a volt meter to find corroded wires.
A test light that uses a bulb.
A roll of Tesa tape. Way better than electrical tape.
Good USA made Hex Plus, and Torq Plus sockets. Jump straight to the plus, they work fine in regular hex and Torq.
A cheap HF 100 bit set. They will work in your ratcheting screwdrive and give you security bits for occasional use.
Long 1/2 breaker bar with a lifetime warranty.
Quality prybars. Mayhew or rebranded Mayhew are my goto.
Light hammer in 12 to 16 Oz.
Heavy hammer in 32 to 36 Oz.
Deadblow softface...start with HF orange to decide better later.
Brass hammer and brass punch for installing bearing races. I think my brass hammers are 16 Oz and 4 lb.
Purchase this prybar. It works great for lining up suspension holes, etc when you need that third hand. If you use it a lot upgrade:
16 in. Pry Bar
Amazing deals on this 16In Pry Bar at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
I think that is a start. Lean on your instructors for advice.
Lets see i dont think SEP deals stack with other discounts but i do get other random discounts for students i try and keep an eye on. I do have a nice fluke DMM i got for christmas and its the one we used in school so i wanted it as i had the experience with that specific one. I have a craftsman Test Light and a Home made one that works surprisingly well. I do need torqx sockets or screw drivers in general. I do have a breaker bar set that are gear wrench which i believe have a lifetime warranty just a pain as they have to be sent in since they dont have a store or truck but i do know some snap on trucks carry them but dislike to warranty them. I have pittsburgh hammers including a deadblow. Punches and things are definitely something i need to get but dont know wheres best for them. Just trying to abuse my discounts while i can since i only have them for another year and a half ish. Snap on has a Set that gives me most of anything i could need but its almost 4k even with my discount and i dont know if i really need all of it ill link a pic. Theirs the two i was looking at.
richfinn
Well-known member
Talk to the most experienced Technician who does all the toughest jobs at your workplace, give him a few days to think about it and make a list together 
chevy.stroker
Well-known member
Are you tied to the truck because of financing, or warranty, or you just need help with what is quality outside the truck world? No answer is wrong here.
Not tied or anything just have a discount on them would like to abuse while i can as it makes them way more affordable. Just wondering if any did something better than the other. Like does mac make this better than snap on/matco or matco make this tool better than them or is snap on just better all the way around. Or do i wanna spend $200 more on such snap on tool if mac matco is just as good
Dave455
Well-known member
So much to say, and so little space..!
First off, you’re going to get some very conflicting advice here - everything from “buy all Snap On” through to “buy all Harbor Freight”.
Secondly, appreciate that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of tool manufacturers apart from Snap On, Mac and Matco. Very few of them offer the range of tools that those three do, and in fact even they struggle to make more than a fraction of their tools in house.
So, that’s the first bit of advice - you always get the best value by buying a tool from the actual manufacturer. The worst value is buying a tool that’s been rebranded. Here’s an example. Prices are in £ due my location, but same applies anywhere.
A Snap On 10mm Flank Drive Plus is about £40. Although I have a good deal of Snap On (and love it) I didn’t pay these prices, and that’s too much. With your discount that’s about £20, and that’s better. It’s still “all the money”, but Snap On wrenches are about the best out there.
Mac offer their RBRT. I don’t know what these are priced at, but I’m thinking that 10mm has got to be say £30. With a discount, £15. Seems good value. Or is it…? You see, these wrenches are not really “Mac” wrenches, they were a Facom design originally, and are available with a lot of names on. They’re also made in Taiwan, so while the wrench might be “almost as good” as the Snap On, there’s no need to pay “almost as much”.
And you don’t have to - here’s the same wrench with the USAG name on for £6.
So, my advice is to shop around, mix and match, and don’t get everything from one source, which I think was your intention anyway.
As to specific names, assuming you are in the U.S.A, consider the following-
Sockets and Accessories
The best - Snap On or Nepros. You will use these a lot, so with a discount I’d get some Snap On. Certainly the smaller drive sizes.
Pretty decent - KoKen. Wright tool, Proto, Williams (if US made - some isn’t). I’d include the better German makers here too, such as Hazet. But beware, for some tools (e.g hex bit sockets) Hazet or KoKen are the best.
Perfectly acceptable - any of the better Taiwan tools - Tekton is probably a good default here.
Wrenches
Pretty much the same. Snap On and Nepros at the top. Big wrenches cost big money new, but hardly wear, so if you can get used, consider it.
Next level - Wright, Hazet, Stahlwille. Wright probably offer the best value for you.
The better Taiwanese probably the minimum acceptable.
Screwdrivers - Vessel (Japan), Witte (Germany), Facom (France), Heyco (Germany) all offer top quality at a fraction of truck brand cost (in fact Matco rebrand Witte). U.S. made Williams, with the black hard handles, are very similar to Snap On but much cheaper.
Pliers - Channellock are good solid U.S made tools. Knipex are nice, but don’t over pay. Tsunoda from Japan are superb value at present.
Hammers - buy U.S. made - Estwing, Proto, or Vaughan. Trusty Cook for dead blows.
Punches - Mayhew Pro are excellent, and manufacture for Snap On anyway.
Pry Bars - Wilde
Hex Keys - Bondhus or Eklind
Finally, if in doubt, don’t buy from the truck because you know no different. Try looking at a good online retailer who stocks different makes. Harry J Epstein would be a good option - lots of choices, almost all “safe bets”, but very reasonable prices.
First off, you’re going to get some very conflicting advice here - everything from “buy all Snap On” through to “buy all Harbor Freight”.
Secondly, appreciate that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of tool manufacturers apart from Snap On, Mac and Matco. Very few of them offer the range of tools that those three do, and in fact even they struggle to make more than a fraction of their tools in house.
So, that’s the first bit of advice - you always get the best value by buying a tool from the actual manufacturer. The worst value is buying a tool that’s been rebranded. Here’s an example. Prices are in £ due my location, but same applies anywhere.
A Snap On 10mm Flank Drive Plus is about £40. Although I have a good deal of Snap On (and love it) I didn’t pay these prices, and that’s too much. With your discount that’s about £20, and that’s better. It’s still “all the money”, but Snap On wrenches are about the best out there.
Mac offer their RBRT. I don’t know what these are priced at, but I’m thinking that 10mm has got to be say £30. With a discount, £15. Seems good value. Or is it…? You see, these wrenches are not really “Mac” wrenches, they were a Facom design originally, and are available with a lot of names on. They’re also made in Taiwan, so while the wrench might be “almost as good” as the Snap On, there’s no need to pay “almost as much”.
And you don’t have to - here’s the same wrench with the USAG name on for £6.
So, my advice is to shop around, mix and match, and don’t get everything from one source, which I think was your intention anyway.
As to specific names, assuming you are in the U.S.A, consider the following-
Sockets and Accessories
The best - Snap On or Nepros. You will use these a lot, so with a discount I’d get some Snap On. Certainly the smaller drive sizes.
Pretty decent - KoKen. Wright tool, Proto, Williams (if US made - some isn’t). I’d include the better German makers here too, such as Hazet. But beware, for some tools (e.g hex bit sockets) Hazet or KoKen are the best.
Perfectly acceptable - any of the better Taiwan tools - Tekton is probably a good default here.
Wrenches
Pretty much the same. Snap On and Nepros at the top. Big wrenches cost big money new, but hardly wear, so if you can get used, consider it.
Next level - Wright, Hazet, Stahlwille. Wright probably offer the best value for you.
The better Taiwanese probably the minimum acceptable.
Screwdrivers - Vessel (Japan), Witte (Germany), Facom (France), Heyco (Germany) all offer top quality at a fraction of truck brand cost (in fact Matco rebrand Witte). U.S. made Williams, with the black hard handles, are very similar to Snap On but much cheaper.
Pliers - Channellock are good solid U.S made tools. Knipex are nice, but don’t over pay. Tsunoda from Japan are superb value at present.
Hammers - buy U.S. made - Estwing, Proto, or Vaughan. Trusty Cook for dead blows.
Punches - Mayhew Pro are excellent, and manufacture for Snap On anyway.
Pry Bars - Wilde
Hex Keys - Bondhus or Eklind
Finally, if in doubt, don’t buy from the truck because you know no different. Try looking at a good online retailer who stocks different makes. Harry J Epstein would be a good option - lots of choices, almost all “safe bets”, but very reasonable prices.
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Yes You're correct im totally in for a mixture of tools and this advice has definitely helped. My mention on snap on, mac and matco is that i can grab them at a discount and if i can grab a higher quality tool at the price of other tools i feel like itd be crazy not to. Just wasnt sure what was worth it what wasnt. I just want to be able to have the best tool for the job in my hand. I have the money to buy them right now i dont have to finance anything just trying to take advantage of the situation i am in.So much to say, and so little space..!
First off, you’re going to get some very conflicting advice here - everything from “buy all Snap On” through to “buy all Harbor Freight”.
Secondly, appreciate that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of tool manufacturers apart from Snap On, Mac and Matco. Very few of them offer the range of tools that those three do, and in fact even they struggle to make more than a fraction of their tools in house.
So, that’s the first bit of advice - you always get the best value by buying a tool from the actual manufacturer. The worst value is buying a tool that’s been rebranded. Here’s an example. Prices are in £ due my location, but same applies anywhere.
A Snap On 10mm Flank Drive Plus is about £40. Although I have a good deal of Snap On (and love it) I didn’t pay these prices, and that’s too much. With your discount that’s about £20, and that’s better. It’s still “all the money”, but Snap On wrenches are about the best out there.
Mac offer their RBRT. I don’t know what these are priced at, but I’m thinking that 10mm has got to be say £30. With a discount, £15. Seems good value. Or is it…? You see, these wrenches are not really “Mac” wrenches, they were a Facom design originally, and are available with a lot of names on. They’re also made in Taiwan, so while the wrench might be “almost as good” as the Snap On, there’s no need to pay “almost as much”.
And you don’t have to - here’s the same wrench with the USAG name on for £6.
So, my advice is to shop around, mix and match, and don’t get everything from one source, which I think was your intention anyway.
As to specific names, assuming you are in the U.S.A, consider the following-
Sockets and Accessories
The best - Snap On or Nepros. You will use these a lot, so with a discount I’d get some Snap On. Certainly the smaller drive sizes.
Pretty decent - KoKen. Wright tool, Proto, Williams (if US made - some isn’t). I’d include the better German makers here too, such as Hazet. But beware, for some tools (e.g hex bit sockets) Hazet or KoKen are the best.
Perfectly acceptable - any of the better Taiwan tools - Tekton is probably a good default here.
Wrenches
Pretty much the same. Snap On and Nepros at the top. Big wrenches cost big money new, but hardly wear, so if you can get used, consider it.
Next level - Wright, Hazet, Stahlwille. Wright probably offer the best value for you.
The better Taiwanese probably the minimum acceptable.
Screwdrivers - Vessel (Japan), Witte (Germany), Facom (France), Heyco (Germany) all offer top quality at a fraction of truck brand cost (in fact Matco rebrand Witte). U.S. made Williams, with the black hard handles, are very similar to Snap On but much cheaper.
Pliers - Channellock are good solid U.S made tools. Knipex are nice, but don’t over pay. Tsunoda from Japan are superb value at present.
Hammers - buy U.S. made - Estwing, Proto, or Vaughan. Trusty Cook for dead blows.
Punches - Mayhew Pro are excellent, and manufacture for Snap On anyway.
Pry Bars - Wilde
Hex Keys - Bondhus or Eklind
Finally, if in doubt, don’t buy from the truck because you know no different. Try looking at a good online retailer who stocks different makes. Harry J Epstein would be a good option - lots of choices, almost all “safe bets”, but very reasonable prices.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
NOPE and NOPE!Lets see i dont think SEP deals stack with other discounts but i do get other random discounts for students i try and keep an eye on. I do have a nice fluke DMM i got for christmas and its the one we used in school so i wanted it as i had the experience with that specific one. I have a craftsman Test Light and a Home made one that works surprisingly well. I do need torqx sockets or screw drivers in general. I do have a breaker bar set that are gear wrench which i believe have a lifetime warranty just a pain as they have to be sent in since they dont have a store or truck but i do know some snap on trucks carry them but dislike to warranty them. I have pittsburgh hammers including a deadblow. Punches and things are definitely something i need to get but dont know wheres best for them. Just trying to abuse my discounts while i can since i only have them for another year and a half ish. Snap on has a Set that gives me most of anything i could need but its almost 4k even with my discount and i dont know if i really need all of it ill link a pic. Theirs the two i was looking at.
SAE stuff you are unlikely to be using comprises a significant amount of what's here. Do you really need to pay SO prices, even half, for a tape measure, blow gun, safety glasses, utility knife, inspection mirror, tread depth gauge, etc.?
Take advantage of the discount on stuff you need NOW and will always be useful then buy your miscellaneous bits elsewhere at reasonable prices.
Dave455
Well-known member
The things that are worth it from Snap On are basically their “hard line” tools. The things they make themselves, that are the best out there.
I’m thinking things like sockets, ratchets and accessories, wrenches too, especially things like flare nut wrenches. Even then, think carefully. A Snap On metric 1/4” drive set - sure. 3/8 drive - the same. SAE sizes - depends? Are you going to need them much? 3/4” drive set - in all honesty, the cheaper tools work fine in the larger sizes.
The things that are not worth it are the things rust in the eye correctly points out - tape measure, blow gun, safety glasses - there is nothing to be gained from buying Snap On branded here, and everything to be lost.
I’m afraid there is very little from Mac that I think is worth it at present. Sure, MAC sockets and accessories are nice, but I don’t think they are as good as Snap On. Ditto wrenches. Almost everything else on the Mac truck is a rebrand. Don’t know the Matco line well, but I think similar applies.
I would avoid like he plague these big sets. There will be things included you don’t need, and things excluded that you do, and there is very little saving by buying the set.
Another factor to consider, is how you are paying for it. It wouldn’t be appropriate for a gentleman to ask about another gents financial position, but if you are able to fund any Snap On purchases as you go, that’s great. If you have to get into debt to fund them, don’t do it!
I’ve always avoided debt, and lived within my means. Sure, in the early days I didn’t always have the tools I wanted, but I got most of what I needed, and got most of what I wanted over time.
I'd personally be all over that Snap-on discount if I had the opportunity and funds to pay for it. You'd probably be able to recover most if not all of your money back if situation changes and you need or want to sell them in the future. That said, you could probably walk out of local Harbor Freight store with a nearly identical set of ICONs or similar for half of the discounted price. You could buy a nice box and still be under the Snap-on discounted price. For me personally I'd still buy the Snap-on but you need to decide for yourself what's important to you and what will make you happy. Another avenue to explore is look for a used set from a retiring mechanic on local FB or similar. I picked up two nice Snap-on boxes LOADED with mostly truck tools (Snap-on, MAC and MATCO) for $1,000 cash. I kept the boxes and sold most of the tools and put a few dollars in my pocket when all was said and done. Good luck.
Talk to the guys you work with. They will know what works on the junk you work on every day. It sounds like you have the basics covered.
Those snapon sets throw in a lot of junk you'll never use or are paying a lot more for than you can buy something similar from harbor freight for 1/4 the price. The SEP sets that are just sockets/ wrenches ect. aren't bad deals.
If you have cash to play with E-bay has some great deals on used snapon stuff, compare prices to the website and your SEP discount.
Those snapon sets throw in a lot of junk you'll never use or are paying a lot more for than you can buy something similar from harbor freight for 1/4 the price. The SEP sets that are just sockets/ wrenches ect. aren't bad deals.
If you have cash to play with E-bay has some great deals on used snapon stuff, compare prices to the website and your SEP discount.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
1/4 drive flex/universal sockets. Snap-on does those the best.