Tools Tools Tools

[Chadro]

Ok guys, first off it's great to be on the forum.Second, I'm a bit torn when it comes to my tool choices. I've been driving/working on trucks for an end dump company for about 4 years now. I've decided to go to school for diesel tech. to make it official and start doing it full time. Well as I'm sure most of you know that students get a pretty descent discount with the tool truck brands but I'm torn on who to go with.

I'm planning on using all of them but my 2 choices for my basic sets are Snapon or Matco (Cornwell discount *****, MAC offers no kit). The Matco kit is $1000 cheaper than the Snapon one and they both essentially have the same tools. I work with MAC at work and love them but I'm primarily just going to use them as fill in tools as I need them.

Having no real experience with Matco or Snapon, what do you guys think?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Wesley B]

Do you have any links to the set on their websites?

 

[arkangel06]

Thats a real good question I like Snap on for some things and matco for others

Id buy form each and not a whole kit form one.

 

[Fedwrench]

Before this thread degrades into my brand is better than your brand, it's really up to you as to how the different brands feel in your hands when you're using them. It trully is a matter of personal preference. What I like, you might not. Also think about service down the road. I've had good luck with both brands.

 

[mrshaun]

mainly read a lot of the threads here about the different tools. Also will you have a dealer where you will be going to work? that may help you with your decision. also I help the guys who come in to my shops by trading with them for the tools they need with the new tools they didnt want out of the kits. so find out who takes care of you shop if you know.

 

[Chadro]

Do you have any links to the set on their websites?

http://buy1.snapon.com/sep/catalog/item.aspx?group=3&sku=9200AGSO


Well there is the Snapon one at least. When working in Georgia, Snapon and MAC are the ones you see most. Now that I'm going to school and planning on working in Mo, MAC and Matco is what I see here.So who knows.

 

[Wesley B]

That set looks nice. I personally would go with snapon because I like their ratchets, sockets and wrenches the best. But matco seems pretty damn nice too. I wouldn 't buy anything mac, I don't know why but I don't really like there stuff that much. It just seems like cheaper quality than the others. But if that is what you like then go for it.

 

[crewchief888]

i think you'll find that snapon or matco will have the special tools that you'll be looking for working on heavy trucks.
Mac has never impressed me with the availability of special, "oddball" or even large wrenches and sockets.
i have a few mac tools, usually bought when they were on sale. in the past few years it seems the quality has dropped.

just my $0.02

 

[woody 73]

Hi Chadro,

Welcome to the GJ; I would say that Fedwrench put it best try out the tools in your hands and find the ones that you feel comfortable with. Also listen to Mrshaun about trading out the tools that you do not want.

Arkangel is also giving good advise (the majority of people have a good mixture of different tool brands)

I hope this helps you out all the best Woody.

 

[nonvisibleminotiry]

mac actually does carry tool kits. check out their catalogue on the website, the tool kits are listed in the front index and are located pretty much right at the back.

 

[daveblank]

I personally don't like the kits. I would prefer to piece together the tools that I need & not what someone else has pre-determined that I need.

Either way, the student discounts are a great way to save some $.

 

[Chadro]

I'm not planning on buying for at least another couple of weeks so I'll just put my hands on a little of everything and go from there.

We're supposed to have some reps. from some of the tool companies come in so I'll see what they have to say. They spend wayyy to much time at the Automotive side of the school so us diesel students seem to be the bastards of the bunch, lol. Automotive classes are full as soon as they open but they have problems getting enough students for the diesel program. I don't know what the deal is, maybe I should be worried. lol

 

[alamerang]

We're supposed to have some reps. from some of the tool companies come in so I'll see what they have to say. They spend wayyy to much time at the Automotive side of the school so us diesel students seem to be the bastards of the bunch, lol. Automotive classes are full as soon as they open but they have problems getting enough students for the diesel program. I don't know what the deal is, maybe I should be worried. lol

Naw its just that people think that the real money is in automotive repair since everyone has cars and not Mac Trucks or CAT bulldozers. A good friend of mine went to school for auto tech and now does heavy equipment. Makes way more money than he ever did as an auto tech. The Truck Brand tool reps of course are gonna cater to the auto tech kids cause of course there's more of them hence more money to be made.

 

[Joe69]

My opinion is Snap-on tools are the best, with Matco running a close second. I buy mostly Matco because our Matco dealer is top notch, and our Snap-on dealer *****. Every time I break a Snap-on tool, it takes a minimum of 4 weeks to get it replaced. Our Matco dealer usually has it in stock, worst case scenario is a week. Check out your local dealers.

Joe

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Avoid going into debt for anything if you can help it. Save a few bucks and buy a lot of Craftsman tools. If just have to have the truck brand, buy used. Do yourself a favor and dont go into debt, especially for tools.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

+1 on not going into debt for the tools but, if you are getting the discount as a student, (and you have the cash) I would be buying some tools.... Don't forget to contact Snap-on as the tools that are not in a "set" can still be purchased at a discounted price.

As above, try the wrenches, screwdrivers and ratchets out in your hands to see how they "feel". After all is said and done, they will be with you for a long time. Most on this site seem to prefer Snap-on for flare nut wrenches, screwdrivers and ratchets.A smaller percentage (but still a majority) like Snap-on for their wrenches and sockets.

Matco seems to have an edge with swivel impact sockets, long 0 degree boxed ends and ratchet wrenches. I don't have the Matco tools listed (no dealer) and like my Snap-on's but wish I had the chance to try the Matco's out.

No matter what you choose, make sure the shops in your area have a current dealer and have had dealers in the past. Truck tools are not worth the money if you have to fight or travel to get them made up. If there are no trucks in your area, consider other brands that will need to be sent back for service. They would include Wright, Proto and others.

Good luck....

 

[jethro29]

imo,now is the best time to buy while you can get you discount.just be careful and don't get in over your head like i did.as far as quality i would say so and matco are pretty close but if i had to choose it would be so every time.