A generic tool thread, advice needed.

[waterinthefuel]

I'm attending aviation mechanics school and next week we will need tools to begin actually touching planes and get out of the textbook for a while. Matco, Snap-on and Chan-nel-Lock offer deep discounts to students of schools and it's common for students to go that route at my school. Common if they have money.

Here is my question. What would you do in my instance? Get a nice set of snap-on's, matcos, or channel locks for 1599, a 50 percent discount from their regular price of over 3000 for that same set, or save tons and just go Craftsman and just buy a really nice set later on in life once you're employed for a while? They all have lifetime warranties so should any break, it's automatically replaced.

I don't have much money and I can't see spending that much on tools. Planes don't require anything special to work on them and if they do the company you work for purchases those kinds of special-use tools. In fact since much of it is inspecting you are pulling off inspection plates with a Phillips screwdriver. As you can see, nothing special. I already have some of the stuff, but I'm not sure whether I should take advantage of the deep discount offered while I'm a student and poor as a day is long, or buy cheap tools now and pay full price later when I actually have income.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Go with the Craftsman tools.
I have some from when my dad worked for FOMOCO years ago.

 

[Bamby]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

If you know what your high use tools are I'd purchase those in high quality. Screwdrivers for instance even craftsman do not hold up well for me. Nothing more fustrating than a bad phillips screwdriver. Execpt maybe the person who was before you who stripped screwhead with bad phillips screwdriver!! But in reality only you can decide what will work for you. But I would buy the best I could afford for the high use pocket tools myself. There is a reason all the mechanics I know owe the tool man. And it ain't cause they want to spend the money eather.
Gregg

 

[aspeck]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

You definitely want to go Snap-on or other high quality tools for your screw drivers and other tools you will be using alot. Gregg gave you some good advice. For your other essential tools, Craftsman should be okay, if that is what you can afford - a deep discount is no good if you have to go in dept for it. Get what you can afford now, and pay special attention to high use tools.

Good luck and happy tool shopping. Hmmm, maybe I will go tool shopping today ... you can never have enough tools!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

I have destroyed many of Craftsman tools. While they will replace them, so will the others but not near as often as you would with Craftsman. I agree on the screwdrivers. Cheapies will not last at all....period! I still haven''t found a decent long lasting phillips. Klien is the only one that has held up for me. BTW, I do a lot of use with the phillips.

Keep in mind that while your working on a plane and your tool breaks, or comes apart, you better find those missing pieces. Otherwise the plane will be in down status until everything is accounted for.

I would be asking the experienced mechs what they use and suggest.

Craftsman is a good tool for light duty DIYers, but for full time use and abuse the other name brands will hold up better IMO..........SS

 

[JB]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

I never wrenched for an employer that didn't supply company owned tools of high quality.

My own tool box is heavily populated with Craftsman tools that I have had and used for over 50 years. The best of the rest are Cornwell and a few Snap-On.

I consider screw drivers disposable, as I have never had one that lasted more than a few years. The cheap ones maybe a few uses. The best are still worth the added cost.

 

[i386]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Just about all my mechanics tools are Craftsman. My favorite screwdrivers are Klein. At home, I would consider Snap-On tools to be a luxury item because they wouldn't be any more functional than my Craftsman tools, just a lot prettier. At work though, that might be different. I know around here the Snap-On truck visits customers weekly. If you need something, you don't have to go driving off to Sears.

Best of both worlds...

Buy a good set of Craftsman tools (even a used set that's been taken care of). If any of them break, you can buy a replacement off the Snap-On truck when it comes, or choose to go to Sears.

Those Shiny Snap-On tools are really cool. What's cooler? Study hard and be a better mechanic than any one else in your class no matter how pretty and shiny your tools are.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

the tools don't make the mech.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

I have twisted wrenches for a living since I was 15, ill soon be 47.
worked for all kinds of places doing all sorts of things from cars,industrial equipt,boats and programming and setting up and repairing CNC lathes and Mills. couple that with 6 years in the USN as an FC and I have been around the block once and stayed at a holiday inn.
my craftsman tools hold up as well as any I have from Matco,Mac or snap on.
my craftsman box has been around a long time.
screwdivers need inspection at the end of the dy, if they are wearing return them.
I cant tell you how many techs I have worked with in the past with 10K worth of snap-on or Matco boxes and tools that cannot trouble shoot anything.
some of my craftsman stuff I have had all my life as my grandfther or my dad had them before I was born.
name brnds dont make a tech, only reason I use snap-on or Matco is because the closest sears is a 2 hour drive from me and the others stop by once a week.
however I see just as many snap-on and matco screwdrivers and such fail as I do my craftsman.
I do buy the industrial series of screwdrivers now as the tips are better hardened and the handles more comfortable for my artheritic hands now.
I have a 15pc 1/4 drive metric swivel socket set from snap-on, set me back 226 dollars some years back, the same set in SAE from sears was like 45 dollars and I havent broken either set.
my 6 pc sae 6point flare wrench set was over 200 from snap on, the same metric set from sears was like 40, and I have had both sets since the early 80's.
I am not knocking Snap-on nor matco, both make good stuff, the matco flywheel holder is bogus and I dont like the wire crimpers I got from Matco, the snap-on ones are much better.
it takes a year or two, maybe longer, to figgure out what tool maker makes the better tool for your application but craftsman tools are generally of good quality however you have to go to sears they dont come to you.

I usually look less at the fancy tool box and the shiney tools and more can the tech use them and what certifications are on his wall.
I try to go to school at least twice a year, sometimes more, to stay current.

thats what seperates techs from parts changers.
this gig is an ever changing ever evoling one. just cause it was that way last week doesnt mean either a better way was found or an engineering technical specification did not change requireing a different method,
its why I make all techs read and initial all tech bullitens, that wy no one can say they did not read it when they screw something up.

 

[Laddies]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

I own or have owned all of the brands that have been mentioned, to put it a nut shell the only problem with Craftsmans tools is the fact that because of the thickness of the heads you can not get them on some fasteners in tight places. If everything you work on is in the open the Craftsmen will last as long as any, there are fasteners in the marine industry the won't fit onto.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

very true, have some that have been ground down to fit.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

I think the sockets you are referring to are known as slim line or something like that. They are quite nice.

I decided to go cheap-o. The amount of tool turning we'll need to do in class doesn't justify having to forego lunch for a year right now. I'll just wait until the very end when I'm still considered a student and then maybe.

I've never worn out a screwdriver. I've worn out the drill-driver bits for phillips screws, but never an actual screwdriver.

TD, you're right, the tools don't make the mechanic. I'm trying my very best and right now have low 90's or high 80's for the 2 subjects we've completed. People in the class come ask ME for help when they don't like the way the instructor explained something. I guess my pilot background really is coming in handy. I know ALOT of this stuff already.

 

[JustJason]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Go snap on if you can.... with the discount you can always buy and later resell on ebay for more than you paid.
Sears always has sales on tools
Snap on almost never does... so why not take advantage....

For me, snap on combination wrenches and screwdrivers are the only way to go. Ever have the jaw of a craftsman wrench open up on you???? i have many atime... leads to bruised knuckles. Snap ons wont do that......

For sockets, extensions blah blah crapsman are fine. I've broken them all and its ususally easier to get a crapsman replaced......

now for ratchets... i use SK. I like the knurned handle and they don't slip when my hands are dirty.

For air power tools, you can't beat ingersoll rand for the money.....
for cordless power tools... for mechanics you can't beat the snap ons cordless impact wrenches.....

 

[mscher]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

If you are talking Snap-on or Matco, my guess is that you are not getting a very large tool set for $1600.

Going into debt for tools at your stage is not a good idea, since you don't have income to pay for them. You don't know what is going to happen six months from now.

Buy a nice set of Craftsman on sale and you should get by just fine, even if the other students, look down their nose at you. You'll get the laugh though, as they are making payments and you ar not.

Besides, expensive hand tools have a way of "walking off" in these situations.

When you do get that high-paying job, if your employer requires you to supply tools, you can buy that $12,000 set of Snap-on's and the costs will be TAX DEDUCTABLE, from your income taxes.

Good luck and don't miss tightening any bolts

 

[Nandy]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Hmm, why wont your employer supply your tools? Every employer I worked for supplied my tools for exception of when I was a contractor...

 

[mscher]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Hmm, why wont your employer supply your tools? Every employer I worked for supplied my tools for exception of when I was a contractor...

I always thought auto and truck mechanics had to purchase their own tools. That is how it is at my Company's truck shop.

Maybe thing's have changed, or are different at other types of shops.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Buy a mix of what you are comfortable with.

I have found many great buys from craftsman but I hate their new ratchets..... my original one of 60's vintage finally broke and nothing that craftsman makes matches the original quality.

I have alo found when you buy a big set of tools you get many pieces you never need or use.

 

[JustJason]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Hmmm..... I've had dealers pony up for consumables... such as drill bits, sandpaper, etc... but no one has ever paid for or provided my tools.

you can buy that $12,000 set of Snap-on's and the costs will be TAX DEDUCTABLE, from your income taxes.

Hmmmm.... sure about that one??? As far as I understand it they USED to be... but not anymore. The only way they are a deduction for me is that i'm self employed. But when I worked for somebody my tools were not tax deductable. They used to be in like 02 or 03... but not anymore.

Here's a secret. Go to matco.com. Click on vocational program. Now sign up for it. They don't check. The prices get a whole lot better when you do it.
In fact I got my fluke 88V through them 2 years ago... it was the best price I found. Pretty much half off.... on fluke!!
tooldiscounter.com has some pretty good deals from time to time. I've used them and they are OK. No good for hand tools but if you need something specific usually ok.
Tylertool.com has the best prices i've found on woodworking/carpentry tools. I've used them as well with good luck. And before you say woodworking.... every mechanic needs a good cordless drill.

 

[Nandy]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

I always thought auto and truck mechanics had to purchase their own tools. That is how it is at my Company's truck shop.

Maybe thing's have changed, or are different at other types of shops.

Maybe things are still the same. I have never worked as such. I have always stayed in the computer/electronic field. Probably that is where the difference lay.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: A generic tool thread, advice needed.

Go to a large city nearby and cruise the pawn shops. You can find whatever brand of tool that you want for a deep, deep discount. Look them over carefully for wear, buy only what is fit and laugh all the way back to your school.

I had a rather large Craftsman rollaway full of relatively new tools roll away one night. My job needed me and my tools the following day. While I was out trying to trace down my tools, I discovered the legitimate pawn shop route.

As many boos as I will get here, I can also say some of the china cheapies are not so cheap. I have yet to wear to any appreciable degree the deep well impact sockets, extensions, U-joints or box end wrenches that I got from Harbor freight on a whim. Lord knows that I have abused them. I would not risk good tools on some of the things that I have done with them.

I routinely work on old Cats and other tractors that have not seen the light of day in over fifty years. Impact wrenches are my friends! Try the chiepies out only on things that you can afford to loose. Trying to get that rounded off prop bolt out of the plane in time without damaging the hub is not a finacial proposition a student should undertake.

You sound like you don't have your ego on the line. Go visit the hock shops and be amazed. Your teachers and fellow students don't need to know where your tools come from, just that they work well when called upon.

Ditto the screwdriver advice. They are a disposable item.