Need to start building my collection

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jinx

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Jan 9, 2008
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Hey everyone ^_^

I just finished my automotive course and I start my practicum this week. By the end of this time I know I'm going to need to start building up my tool set which so far is ok, the set i got from my school (westward) has been pretty good, but I want better quality tools not something that will break in a few months and can take a beating.

currently I got a few mac/snap on's to replace tools I've already lost or broke. but I don't have the cash to spend.

what are you recommendations for brands or tools that would be useful to get along the way?

also is kobalt any good? cause I've got my eye on this tool box http://tinyurl.com/48juxk

tia
michael
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I would look into financing Snap-On tools. Don't they still give students 50% off?


Did they ever? Heck, if that were the case, I would imagine everyone buying the stuff would go back to school. It would pay for the education in avoided costs.
 
thanks for the replies

as of today I'm no longer a student and I don't qualify for the discount programs.

I was looking online and http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/ looks to have a good selection also the Mastercraft Maximum tools seem to be quite good while the craftsman tools in Canada are not as good as the ones in the states but I don't know if that's true or not.
 
Hey jinx,

In this economy go to a few auctions and you can probably get good sets for pennies on the dollar. I just bought a $7,000 analytical chemistry instrument for $260 off Craig's list! Company went belly up and was disposing of its assets.
 
Regarding the chest/cabinet, the U.S. General set at Harbor Freight is a heck of a deal. Don't be turned off by the source, this set is top notch, very heavy duty construction.

I was browsing a forum where people either had are were looking to buy stainless sets like you mentioned, particularly the ones at Sams and Costco. Everyone agreed that the Harbor Freight unit was in the same league. My personal opinion is that it is as good or better than Snap-On and Matco, which I have.
 
are there any automotive swap meets near you? at the Pomona Fairplex they have a huge swap meet where all the SnapOn, etc drivers sell their repo'd tools.
 
Many pawn shops have good deals on reputable tools. I have several tools from various pawns.

However, not all places will always have what you need. You have to keep hunting.
 
Unfortunately, most tool truck drivers pass pawn shops regularly on their routes. Common deal is, dealer buys ALL his brand tool that pawn shop gathers at approx 1/2 dealer new price, any that are faulty or show wear are turned in and replaced with brand new, rest are built into sets and sold as "trade ins" for premium used price.

None the less, I've bought a lot of good US made tool from pawn shops,,certainly would'nt ever pay new price for Craftsman. Recently in a Salvation Army store and found 5 combination wrenches (larger sizes,3/4, 11/16, etc.) all American made though I don't recall brands now, packaged together for $8.50!!!

Bob
 
Originally Posted By: jinx
Hey everyone ^_^

I just finished my automotive course and I start my practicum this week. By the end of this time I know I'm going to need to start building up my tool set which so far is ok, the set i got from my school (westward) has been pretty good, but I want better quality tools not something that will break in a few months and can take a beating.

currently I got a few mac/snap on's to replace tools I've already lost or broke. but I don't have the cash to spend.

what are you recommendations for brands or tools that would be useful to get along the way?

also is kobalt any good? cause I've got my eye on this tool box http://tinyurl.com/48juxk

tia
michael


I've been less than impressed with Kobalt hand tools. But their boxes might be ok... don't know.

Personally, I'm too cheap to buy tools off the tool-trucks most of the time. I bought a few back when I started turning wrenches, but figured out soon enough that I could buy any tool I want elsewhere for 1/4 the price.

Most of my basic hand tools are Craftsman... wrenches, sockets, and the like. They're NOT the best in most cases... but they're good enough. I like them because they're relatively cheap and very easy to exchange WHEN you break them.

For tools that go beyond a basic set- big wrenches & sockets, crowsfoots(feet?), pry-bars, C-clamps, impact sockets, etc., I'm partial to non-tool-truck American tools like Proto, S-K, Armstrong, Wright, IR, Gray Pneumatic, and the like. These aren't as easy to come buy as Craftsman or Snap-on, but you can get good quality, lifetime warranted tools in these brands from stores like Grainger, and from local suppliers. And they're MUCH cheaper than tool trucks.

But for tool-trucks, I prefer Cornwell and Matco. 'Cause they're the cheapest. I like Mac tools... but I wouldn't reccommend that you buy any. I've worked at four shops over the past 13 years, all in different parts of the country- and there has NEVER been a reliable Mac guy at any of them. I regret buying those few Mac tools that I have simply because it's a PITA to get them replaced when they break.

I've been buying quite a few tools on Ebay for a few years now. Don't know if you're in the market for impacts, but I recently replaced my dear old IR 1/2" and 3/8" impacts, and found great deals (1/2 price) on new IR impacts on ebay.

I used to get good deals on name-brand hand tools at pawn shops when I lived in Houston in the mid 90's... but haven't run across many good deals elsewhere. Best deal I ever got was a 3/8" snap-on flex-head long ratchet. It was stripped out, and I paid $1 for it (catalog price: $80). But most places know what a Snap-on or Craftsman is worth, and price accordingly.
 
Id likely buy quality in the most break-prone stuff - get the tool that has the most robust design and simplest replacement process. Remember, time is money.

For stuff that isnt as break-prone, well, just wait. minimize what you bu while you have a more limited income, and just save. As you need stuff, try to buy quality, but buy less.

If you are in dire need, then anything from harbor freight to crafstman might be the best at the time. I try to pick quality US brand names as listed on here, as they will last the longest.

Consider it a continuous process of upgrading. It gets you in with minimal cost, and only sinks big bucks into the most trouble-prone stuff...
 
Bang for buck you cannot go wrong with craftsman in most cases. I have socket sets in craftsman and snap on. I cannot see much difference between them. Craftsman pro series stuff is very nice too. Their combination wrenches are as comfortable as snap on or anything else I have had. One positive about snap on, and matco wrenches though is they are not as thick due to being made from better material for strength. They can get in tighter place sometimes. I would suggest buying craftsman and then upgrading certain things later. I bought crafstman and then upgraded things like ratchets, pliers, screwdrivers.
 
Bang for buck you cannot go wrong with craftsman in most cases. I have socket sets in craftsman and snap on. I cannot see much difference between them. Craftsman pro series stuff is very nice too. Their combination wrenches are as comfortable as snap on or anything else I have had. One positive about snap on, and matco wrenches though is they are not as thick due to being made from better material for strength. They can get in tighter place sometimes. I would suggest buying craftsman and then upgrading certain things later. I bought crafstman and then upgraded things like ratchets, pliers, screwdrivers.
 
I am a Snap on junkie, but I also realize not everyone wants to shell out those prices. I had a guy working for me for years that used Craftsman tools. It was a diesel generator shop, so you know that stuff got used. He had good luck with his stuff, I just liked mine better.
 
Things to buy Craftsman:
-Chrome sockets
-Wrenches
-Hammers
-Extensions

Things to buy IR, Snap-On, Mac, etc:
-Air Tools
-Impact Sockets
-Ratchets (Trust me, they last longer than Craftsman)

Don't get overwhelmed, just focus on the basics to start. Get as many sockets, extensions, universal joints, and swivels as you can. Those get used the most, and having a variety makes it a lot easier.

Invest in a good set of wrenches. I've had my Snap-On 10-19mm Flank Drive wrench set since tech school, and they get used everyday. None of them have ever broken, and with 10 years of daily use, they show no signs of wearing out. I imagine that I'll still have the original set as long as I live, or until I pass them on to one of my (future) children. I don't think I could break or wear them out, short of outright abuse.

Don't become a brand slut by using just one type of tool. Every tool maker has certain things they do better than others. Don't waste money on China Freight junk, support North American workers whenever possible!
 
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