tools....best bang for buck

[bgilbert]

You guys are making me want more S-o tools. I only work on my own trucks. I have the basic Craftsman tools, but I did buy a three piece S-o 3/8 ratchet set, which I use all the time, forget about the generic Sears ratchets. Also have two S-o ratcheting screwdrivers, plus master bit set. When I reach in for a screwdriver I always grab an old S-o flat tip I found years ago in a rail yard, this thing has to be 10+years old, beat up and all but it does the job. I wouldn't even think about using Sears tools for wrenching fulltime. Maybe I should look into going to school for diesel mechanics, wouldn't have to keep driving this big truck out on the road...

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I wouldn't even think about using Sears tools for wrenching fulltime. Maybe I should look into going to school for diesel mechanics, wouldn't have to keep driving this big truck out on the road...

Some of Sears stuff is okay, especially for a second set when You need 2 9/16" wrenches at the same time. I have modified countless Sears tools to make a one time tool that fits the task at hand. Hard to stomach sticking a chromie SnapOn socket in the lathe to fit some Urbanized POS with aftermarket rims. Harbor freight type sockets won't even turn a bolt by hand after this without cracking. At least the Sears will get the lug nuts off if you go easy after thinning out the sockets walls.

Ebay is a glorified pawn shop and Meth Addict payroll department. I only buy tools used from the tool guys or estate sales where I know I am not helping some parasite to benefit from stealing from my fellow tradesmen. Until we adopt the middle east method for dealing with thieves, the theft will always continue. I won't promote it or make it easy for them.

ENGRAVE, ENGRAVE, ENGRAVE!!! Don't take a job at a shop in the ghetto and demand, don't ask for company covered tool insurance. Otherwise bring them your premium for your own policy and tell them to cover it in additional wages. They profit from YOU AND YOUR TOOLS.

I'd rather see the open road sometimes than the inside of an engine compartment day after day. ( the grass is always greener where the horse can't get to).

 

[TWilkening]

I'm in tech school right now, but I'm graduating the 22nd of February. All of my hand tools are going to be Mac. We get a 50% discount on all tools and boxes. But as of Jan. 1, you will no longer be able to buy Macsimizer boxes with the discount. I'm going IR for air tools. The majority of Mac's air tools are actually IR, but I'm going to order mine through Northern Tool or one of the similar catalogs.



The discount Snap On gives is they give you 10 "points" They have a few master sets that will take the majority of your "points" You can also buy add on sets to finish them out. Even with this discount though, the Snap Ons were pretty expensive.



For ratchets, I'm going with Mac's new Zero degree ratchets. They are gearless and are supposed to be pretty strong.



As for Mac Dealers, I've only had excellent service from our dealer.

 

[JoshPeters]

I



For ratchets, I'm going with Mac's new Zero degree ratchets. They are gearless and are supposed to be pretty strong.



As for Mac Dealers, I've only had excellent service from our dealer.

I have one of those ratchets. Once it is broken in... You'll love it. The one downside I have found is you cant "cup" it with your hand and do the quick ratchet with it. The switching Mechanism is the opposite of most ratchets, and it will change direction on you.



Other than that... Very strong... I did have to glue the handle back on mine... . our Mac dealer is terrible.



Josh

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Other than that... Very strong... I did have to glue the handle back on mine... . our Mac dealer is terrible.



Josh

If a Snap On rep pulled that crap, he'd be looking for a new business. SnapOn does not tolerate complaints from customers whatsoever or permit "field repairs" by a customer, even if its a handle coming loose, that's what we pay the markup for onsite dealers for. This is one of the reasons I swayed away from the MAC trucks. The dealers weren't making good on things. The entire reason a mechanic buys tools off a truck is convenience and reliability. I would be in touch with the district manager for your Mac dealer or stop buying tools from him for a while, when he comes in your shop, hand him the ratchet and say let me know when you get a replacement in.

 

[JFinke]

When you break a Snap-On it's no questions asked with my dealer. I left a 24" beaker bar in the undercarrige of a Cat and ran it through the rear sprocket, it was bent into a horseshoe. Showed it to the dealer and after explaining how I did it he gave me a new one. The company won't cover the abuse, but at 5000. 00 a year (at 40% markup??) the dealer was more than happy to help. I did have a 18" or 24" mac breaker bar, but everytime I put a good pull on it the head 1/2" drive would twist off. Mac man got tired of fixing it and told me I was just abusing it. He would'nt warant it unless I would buy a 3/4" drive set fron him. My S/On sockets go to 1 1/2" in half drive and the S/On has never broken I no longer buy Mac. The local Mac dealer is pretty good, but the dealer at school turned me off and I still won't buy their stuff. Other have had the exact opposite luck with dealers i suspect. Jake

 

[NBowlin]

My friend's grandfather is an independant tool sales man and has been since before the beggining of time. He sells a little of everything and repairs pnuematic tools as well. He is retiring finally this year. Anyways he suggested that I sort of mix and match SK with Snap-on, and IR air tools.

Pretty much right along the lines of what you all are saying. He said besides IR and chicago pnuematic you cant hardly get internal parts to repair the other brands air tools.



Another question for you all... ...

Where can I get books on the electrical systems and things of that nature. I have a cake schedual over here and lots of spare time. I bought the bosch books from bentley publishings here a bit ago. The p7100 and the common rail book came. dunno where the vp book is at?



Any how thank you all again. You are making a difference with your little insights. I am sure you seen the other thread that started from the other service member who is escaping to save his sanity :-laf Thanks again.

 

[JoshPeters]

If a Snap On rep pulled that crap, he'd be looking for a new business. SnapOn does not tolerate complaints from customers whatsoever or permit "field repairs" by a customer, even if its a handle coming loose, that's what we pay the markup for onsite dealers for. This is one of the reasons I swayed away from the MAC trucks. The dealers weren't making good on things. The entire reason a mechanic buys tools off a truck is convenience and reliability. I would be in touch with the district manager for your Mac dealer or stop buying tools from him for a while, when he comes in your shop, hand him the ratchet and say let me know when you get a replacement in.

I won't argue that! Our Mac guy would show up... . about once a month... if we were lucky. He's no longer a tool guy. He had the personality of a 2x4. The repair I made... I made because he didn't show up 3 weeks in a row. I have a body shop onsite where I work... . so I just used some adheasive they have. It's now better than new. I know of a good Mac dealer now... . after the fact. If I have a problem again... . I'll go to him.



Josh

 

[DieselTweaker]

hey everybody talking about tools I just bought a new box WOOHOOOOOO.



Snap on KRL1001 Black and Crome,,,,gotta love it and the price



pic's soon to come LOL

 

[GBobbitt]

Most of my tools are Snap-On, I bought my starter set when I started college in 1986 and I am still using the same set of tools every day. Comparing Snap-On to Craftsman is like comparing a Cummins to a Powerpuke although I do have some Craftsman tools most of which I keep at home for tinkering around. Another fantastic investment would be the Gearwrench ratcheting combination wrenches. Once you start using them you will wonder how you ever survived without them.

 

[NBowlin]

my girl friend bought me a set of sae and metric ratcheting end wrenches for my birthday. they are great that is for sure. i remember when i was younger my dad had some that were ratcheting on both ends, but they were on the bulky side. these are hardly any bigger than a normal box end. i like em.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

my girl friend bought me a set of sae and metric ratcheting end wrenches for my birthday. they are great that is for sure. i remember when i was younger my dad had some that were ratcheting on both ends, but they were on the bulky side. these are hardly any bigger than a normal box end. i like em.

Ahhhh, women who buy tools for gifts, what a rare breed. My wife guaranteed her place at my side back when we were dating by giving me a SnapOn 3 ft pry bar for my Birthday. She bought me a portable SnapOn automotive lift last year, I started crying with joy. :-laf

KEEP THAT GIRL!!! You'll never go wrong with a love like that, even more so if she helps you wrench every now and then.

 

[Andy Perreault]

My wife guaranteed her place at my side back when we were dating by giving me a SnapOn 3 ft pry bar for my Birthday.

Yep, nothing says romance like a 3 ft pry bar! :-laf LOL

Andy

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Yep, nothing says romance like a 3 ft pry bar! :-laf LOL

Andy

She also has all her teeth, does NOT own bib overalls, has a college education, good family, and is a Captain in the USAF. I couldn't say no to that!!

 

[CatManTom]

When I got out of the service in 1984 . My first job was with a John Deere construction dealer and too this day I work on heavy equipment but for a Caterpiilar dealer in New York The pay is very good ,I work on the ACET twin turbo engines in trucks and repair the complete line of Caterpillar equipment is awsome