Boy tools are expensive

[john3976]

I just dropped another $2500. 00 on tools, mostly snap on and mac, some gear wrenches, two sets of S*K wrenches and some cornwell tools.



I forgot just how much quality tools cost after getting out of the mechanic business 21 years ago, I still have all of my tools from back then including my snap on boxes.



I am going to pass on some of my older tools to my son-in-law.



I wish they had gear wrenches when I was turning wrenches, they were just coming out with the flat plate style of ratchet wrenches, the nice gear wrench's were not around back then on the tool trucks. I have a set of mac ratchet wrenches that say patent pending on them, that is how new that design was.



Now every one has that type of ratchet wrench as well as regular style wrenches with the boxed end being ratchet.



At least I picked up a good number of the snap on tools on ebay that were brand new for between 45 cents on the dollar to 60 cents on the dollar.



Some of the cornwell tools I got were only about 35 cents on the dollar and all were new.



To bad I can't get the snap on and mac sites to give me that deal, both of them charged me full price on the items I got from them.



Oh well I guess I got right at $4000. 00 dollars worth of tools for $2500. 00, not a bad deal if you ask me.

 

[bmoeller]

Cost is the only thing keeping me from having mostly Snap-on. Don't like my Crapsmans.



The new wrenches are soft, the sockets like to slip, among other things. When you need a new replacement ratchet, they give you rebuilds, in place of new. Can tell when they used as a hammer.



Probably half of the scars on my hands are from those dang things slipping.

 

[john3976]

Go to ebay and you will find a lof of quality Snap On, MAC, Matco and some Cornwell tools at very good prices, a lot of them are even brand new and sell for a good bit less then retail.



Just type in Snap On Tools, Mac Tools, Matco Tools ect. to bring up each make of tool. If you break down the search farther like Snap On Socket sets it will bring up all of the Snap On socket sets.

 

[Grizzly]

Cost is the only thing keeping me from having mostly Snap-on. Don't like my Crapsmans.



The new wrenches are soft, the sockets like to slip, among other things. When you need a new replacement ratchet, they give you rebuilds, in place of new. Can tell when they used as a hammer.



Probably half of the scars on my hands are from those dang things slipping.

I like my Craftsman for my weekend mechanic work, and I like the lifetime warranty, If you are doing mechanic work for a living, then maybe you need better tools. On the other hand, I won't buy Craftsman power tools. That's my line of part time work. I buy the best.

 

[LesStallings]

Tool boxes have been my latest purchase. I saw just the base unit of a name brand list for well over $2k. Then I saw the stainless steel 42" boxes at Costco, $650 for both the top and bottom. They have the thicker stainless, ball bearing drawers, and seem to compare very favorably to all the big name tool boxes I was considering.



So... I bought two (2) of the Costco units and now that I've unpacked them, pulled off all the protective covering, bolted on the wheels and handles, I must say I'm impressed. Even the hardware is nice quality, extra bolts included. They also come with black rubber waffle mats for each drawer, pre-cut.



And did I mention they were $650 each??? Had to pay tax, but no shipping obviously. I'm always a name brand kind of person, but this time I'm glad I could save significant dollars without sacrificing quality.

 

[bmoeller]

If you are doing mechanic work for a living, then maybe you need better tools.

I would have to agree. But I rarely turn wrenches anymore. Most of the equipment on the farm where I work, is under warranty. Pretty much PM stuff now. Didn't used to be that way. When I was still wrenching alot, I wasn't geting well enough to be able to afford better ones. I do tear into an engine once in a while or the occasional transmission, but no very often. So I just make do.

 

[starkmr]

The thing I've found with Craftsman standard tools is quality control. I have wrenches that have the end of the end wrench burred over to where it doesn't fit. Easy to fix with a file, but what's the point? If you pay the money you should get the product. I don't care for Snap On as the wrenches are hard on my hands (a little too sharp in the shank).





My . 02



Mike

 

[mrsnow]

Gotta love those high-end tools though

I have bought a fair share of Snap-on tools off of eBay too.

Be careful though, I have seen people bid stuff up higher than retail

Always check the manufactures' website for prices before you bid.