Needs opinions on Quality tools.

[Jeff H]

Going to school this fall. The program is Medium and Heavey truck.

Right now majority of my tools are from sears. So far they have been holding up. Reason for sears is most of the tools are gaurenteed for life. Also availibilty of tools.

I'm also interested in the Matco line. They seam to be very popular around here. I love there big roller chest. Anybody have Matco tools here. Would like to here some opinions.

Don't bother bringing up Snap On. Not interested.

If you have Mac tools I would like to here opinions allso.

I hope they give us a good discount.

 

[MKoth]

I have a Matco box. 9535 is the number I believe. Great big tripple bay box. Got a great deal on it. They have 50% anything while you are in school.



Also have a set of Matco wrenches and screwdrivers. All top quality.



Another brand to consider is SK/Facom very good tools for the money.

 

[SRadke]

SK makes good tools but all my money is in Craftsman. Availability says it all. Mac makes great stuff if you're willing to pay and their warrantee is second to none. Personally I don't like the square corners on their wrenches. call me picky but pull hard on those things for a few hours and you start feeling it.



-Scott

 

[Andy Perreault]

Words from Snap-On fan here, sorry

Excellent post, Dl5treez. When I was going to aircraft mechanic school, the Snap-On rep came around and offered 50% discount on anything in the catalog, including Sioux air tools. The Mac rep came around and dropped off some catalogs and was never seen again. Of course, it didn't hurt that the Snap-On rep was an extremely attractive blonde gal. When she would come around, everyone would go She was from "Snap-On Corporate", not a driver with a truck. She would take our student order forms and we'd pay by check or credit card and the tools would be shipped to us.

I bought as much from her as I could afford, but unfortunately I had just bought a house, and I didn't have much disposable income. I bought a top and bottom rollaway from her too, but she was only allowed to sell certain models of rollaways, so I wasn't able to get one as big as I wanted. But I bought as much as I could, figuring these tools will last me the rest of my life and I would never be able to buy at those prices again. My only regret is that I wish I would have bought more!

Anyway, to add what Dl5treez said in the last paragraph of his posting, think about getting 2 sets of combination wrenches and sockets. I'm sure at your school there will be tool company representatives offering discounts. Take advantage of them.

One of the guys in my class was an E-Bay fanatic, and he bought a lot of tools on E-Bay. He bought an air drill, used it during the quarter we did sheet metal work, and then sold it on E-Bay for more than he paid for it! He also bought some tools at a pawn shop at very low prices.

The vehicle mechanics at work (they work on semi trucks and aircraft loaders, forklifts, etc. ) each have their favorite brands. One guy swears by his S-K tools. Another really likes his Matco ratcheting combination wrenches and he uses them all the time.

Also, get a ratcheting screwdriver, they're really cool! I'm sure all the brands make them, but I have the Snap-On. It's a set in a plastic box with different length extensions and tips. I bought a second one to keep in my truck. Love those soft-grip handles!

In the past, I've always had Craftsman tools, but I much prefer my Snap-On tools now. One thing that really stands out as a difference between the two is the wall thickness on the sockets and especially on the box end of the combination wrenches. Many times at school my fellow students would ask to borrow a Snap-On wrench or socket from me because their Craftsman wouldn't fit into a tight space to get on a bolt or nut. This happened ALL the time!! They were cool and we all worked together, so I didn't mind. But that there was proof that the instructors were right, Craftsman tools can't get into tight spaces like Snap-On and Mac can.

Sorry if I'm waving the Snap-On flag too much, but I'm a happy customer.

Andy

 

[RT66DOC]

Anybody ever hear of Lista cabinets? This guy at "Ultimate Garage" seems to like them. BTW, never heard of the guy or the cabinets before.



http://www.ultimategarage.com/



http://www.listaintl.com/index.htm

 

[MFalkinham]

Great advice from everyone so far. When I was in the auto mechanic program at a local tech college 12 years ago, I had the chance to buy Matco stuff at 50% off, but I passed because I didn't have enough money. Now I'm really kicking myself for missing that opportunity. I should have borrowed some money and took advantage of that great deal while I could.



I ended up going mostly Craftsman for use in my home shop, and it holds up pretty well, except for their sockets. I only buy when Sears has their Craftsman Club days combined with sale prices, and can usually get tools at least 50% off.



My opinion is to go top notch (Snap-On, Matco, etc) for the tools you will use all day long, go Craftsman for the tools you'll use a few times a week, and go Harbor Freight for the hand tools you'll only use once a month or so (not their power tools though). When that Harbor stuff is on sale, you can almost afford to use it once and throw it away, although it tends to last longer than that.



- Mike

 

[rcaldwell]

tools

I would wait till you start school. When i was in school Mac, Matco, and Snap-on offered discounts. I think most of them where around 50%. You may be able to get the discounts now if you are already enrolled. hope this helps

 

[Paychk]

Originally posted by RT66DOC

Anybody ever hear of Lista cabinets? This guy at "Ultimate Garage" seems to like them. BTW, never heard of the guy or the cabinets before.



http://www.ultimategarage.com/



http://www.listaintl.com/index.htm

Lista is to tool storage that Snap-on is to tools. Flat out the ultimate in storage, the USAF went with Lista or Stanley/Vidmar about 15 years ago and I was really impressed with the durability. The only draw backs are the price and weight, we used to have to push our boxes out to the flight-line and if it was a long way it can tire you out. The weight is not really an issue as most mechanics don't move their tools around a lot.

 

[JoshPeters]

Jeff... I really like Matco and Snap-on. You'll have to let us know why you don't care for Snap-on. As they've said above... the dealers are EVERYWHERE! I have a Matco 8525 bottom box, 2 side cabnets and the top hutch. I've had MANY guys from our shop and the shop across the parking lot come look at it and buy Matco due to the construction. I like my Snap-on Ratchets. Matco Sockets. I break everything. If I don't have a tool by the end of the week that's broken, I don't feel like I worked hard enough! The dealers roll their eyes, but fix everything. Don't go cheep on your air tools. You'll use them more than you think. I have 1/4 air ratchet, and impact gun, 3/8 of both, and 1/2 gun. My 3/8 IR composit body gun is enough to do lug bolts. I didn't think I'd use the 1/4 gun much... now that I have it I use it all the time. Granted big trucks... . I don't know how much you may need it. I can remove(hand install) spark plugs with it... so it has plenty of power.



Since your in my neck of the woods, if you want to come out and check out what I have just let me know. I'll try to post some pics for ya.



Josh

 

[Eric_77]

I am also one of those that has a whole bunch of different brands of tools and as mentioned get all the ools while you can on discount. buy the big ticket long term tools while you can now. Buy the torque wrenchs, ratchets (not the sockets), hand wrenchs, combo open/socket wrench, air ratcet, air impact, meters, and roll away. Over time fill in with the other specail items and sockets The Craftsman sockets can fill in for many years if you go with their 6 sided sockets (their 12 sided suck). The most used tool in my box is the combo open/socket wrenches. Be sure to figure out what you are going to working on SAE/Metric and if you are mainly on one or other but 1st quality on it and go with the lesser on the other. In this day I would buy 1st quality metric as most engines have converted over to metric.



I purchased the pro line roll away from Sears and it has proven a very durable box. It was loaded and unloaded off truck every 2-3 weeks for 3 years and box is still in great shape. They come with lifetime warranty and now have a latching drawer system.

 

[Jeff H]

Wow I was not expecting so many replies. I agree snap on is good. But they seam so spendy and to shiny. I have experienced the wreches that are thin and feel like they are cutting into my paws. But alot of them seem to be that way.

I'm not loyal to one brand. I do want good quality and for the tool to fit my hand like a glove.

Right now I have sears wrenches and sockets. Sears roller chest mid and top tool box. IR impact sockets. IR air tools. GearWrenches. Other misc stuff too

Keeps the thought coming!

Thanks

Dl5treez

Andy

Josh

 

[RT66DOC]

RE: Air impacts - Is the general consensus that IR is the best? If so, which models 1/2 impact, 3/8 impact and air ratchet for home shop working on the truck and the old Jag (78 XJ6L - 41k since new). I've looked at the IRs but they have so many models it gets a little confusing. Other brands also offer lifetime guarantees - like Husky at Home Depot. Anybody know who makes those?



Also what's everybody's favorite screwdriver brand considering comfortable grip and warranty?



FWIW, I think the best feeling wrench I've ever fondled was a Snap-On 9/16 deep offset box end, 1955 vintage.

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by MFalkinham

Great advice from everyone so far. When I was in the auto mechanic program at a local tech college 12 years ago, I had the chance to buy Matco stuff at 50% off, but I passed because I didn't have enough money. Now I'm really kicking myself for missing that opportunity. I should have borrowed some money and took advantage of that great deal while I could.

Yup, I know there are a lot of guys I went to school with who are also regretting not taking advantage of the student discounts.

Andy

 

[JoshPeters]

3/8 air ratchet IR composet body knuckle breaker (plenty of power) 1107 Great feel, good power.

3/8 gun IR2112 this is my 2nd one. It has enough power that in time it will break the anvil (the square drive) When that happens it was $80 to repair. No biggie. I've had my first one for 2 years now. My second one was purchased when my first one broke the second time. I now have the "old" one at home.



I understand what you mean about the snap on wrenches. You get used to it. The one thing that other guys will agree, is the Flank Drive Plus End wrenches. SERIOUSLY work. I didn't belive it. I tightened a bolt an a vice till the matco wrench slipped off. Then I took the Flank Drive and tightened it another 3/4 turn till it broke! Never slipped. That is the ONE thing I will never go back on. Sockets... . I have mostly Matco... they work great. Pry bars... get a good set... Nothing like prying on something as hard as you can then having the handle come off in your hand as you hit yourself in the face. I like the new Snap-on screw drivers with the rubber handles, but if you get brake fluid on them (not a problem with big trucks) they get a bit slippery. I have a set of each. I don't know anyone that has anything but a Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver. A good Multi-meter will save you some headaches. I have both a corded and non corded test light. The non corded works great for under dash stuff. It's a Matco unit.







Umm. . I'm sure I'll think of more to add.....





Josh

 

[JoshPeters]

Originally posted by Dl5treez

Comfort--Snap On

Strength--Snap On and Cornwell

Warranty--Craftsman, but if you get in good with the tool truck they'll replace the ones used as prybars, too.

Done it MANY times... Got one waiting for next thursday right now... . Broke it today prying a brake caliper back... ...



Josh

 

[MKoth]

Snap-On screw drivers are hard to hold on to if your hands are greasy. Matco and Cornwell (same screwdriver) are much easier to hold.



All of my air tools are IR, except for 1 Blue Point cutoff tool. My 3/8 and 1/2 impacts are both the titanium models and have more than enough power.

 

[MKoth]

Re: My air tools and opinions on them....

Originally posted by Dl5treez

But the CP717 is the most powerful air hammer available in a workable size, and frozen kingpins call for drastic measures--besides, Meritor front axles are too heavy to take out & drag over to the press. :-laf

The kingpins are the easy part. What sucks is when the two cross bolts that hold the pin in place won't budge.

 

[SGibson]

atlas-copco drills,dotco diegrinders,souix duckdrills,IR airhammers, finding quality airtools w/power that don't feel like a ray-gun is important these brands are as good as any and better than most.

 

[A Johnson]

What Dl5treez and Andy P. said.



I hate Snap-On wrenches for the grip, love Snap-On screwdrivers.

I think Craftsman ratchets are tougher than Snap-On. (But this is a Ford chevy thing going on now. )



I like the Mac all brass 3 pound hammer, even has a brass handle, but never found a good Mac dealer.



Dl5treez, know why you don't use your Snap-On screwdriver for a pry bar? Cause when you need it for a chisel its bent.



A Johnson

 

[A Johnson]

Your killing me, but you summed up the conversation real well, and my Snap-On dealer always handed me a new one as well.



A Johnson