This CHEAP Tool Cart Will Put Snap On OUT OF BUSINESS!
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Buy the same tool cart in the video here amzn.to/35bsr5P
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I started as a mechanic over 15 years ago with a 250$ craftsman tool set from Sears. I think a lot of young mechanics needed to hear this.
15 years on the same set of metric and standard craftsman wrenches here!….have not broke a single one!…
I bought a big set of Stanley tools, still have all of them.
Stanley is/was owned by Danaher. They are harder to find nowadays but used to be at Walmart. Same tools as Mac
I went to school for heavy operation. One of the requierments was to have a tool box. We could either buy a Snap On set from the school or put together our own. I chose to buy the Snap On set which as a student i was able to get 50% off the kit and any tool i bought while i was in school. Since i graduated i have not bought a single Snap On tool. I have continued to buy harbor frieght tools and have had no issues with them at all. Have also bought a husky bottom chest that i am very satisfied with. Big name tools are over rated in my opinion.
Me Too~!!! I call it more money than brains~!!
I agree 1,000%! I'm an independent mechanic with 27 years of a very wide range of mixed experience too, and I also fell into the tool truck trap as well. In a pinch, I bought a set of Icon sockets (mainly because I can't get a Snap-On truck to stop at my home garage and warranty my worn out and broken tools) and I am extremely impressed with them, and I will continue to replace my worn out and broken tool truck tools with Icon. I also have the same tool cart in black, and for the $200 (with coupon) I spent on it, it is AWESOME (I got used to the weird drawer latches). It just barely fits all of the tools that I use every day and I can easily roll it around everywhere. I have an older 2 bay Snap-On box ($4K) that holds my bigger and specialty tools, but mostly is a dust collecting catch-all. I wish Harbor Freight had this level of quality and availability 25 years ago. I could have probably saved $50K
Keep up the great work on the channel!
A harbor freight around me pretty much shares a parking lot with a Ford dealership, the techs live in there :lol:. I was talking to one of them and he said the tools are pretty much as good as a tool truck And they are next door if there are any issues! He said some earthquake impacts aren't even competition for even the best brands. They are much better.
Man those general tool carts are tanks. They prob don't have all the bells an whistles of a snap on cart maybe lower quality tracts and drawer mechanisms but to me they are mighty good for the money. Can't be beat.
The snap on tool cart I bought in 1996 cab fit pry bars ,screw drivers breaker bars and two drawers . But i still have today in use every day I call it my battle cart it been thru hell and back . That why I bought snap on everything the quality especially tool boxes and carts . Snap on is the best hands down sockets , wrenches ,rachets , pliers even their extensions are better . Invest in quality it your livelihood by once and forget about .
All the snap -on van man had to say is "Limited Edition" & my mate would buy it I added up all the tools & tool boxe's that my mate got fooled into over the years it was an unbelievable £400,000 - not joking - I still have the SECOND HAND spanners & "Britool" socket set I bought over 30 years ago - he used to call my tools crap - but would still ask to borrow spanners I had cut & welded to get to a tricky bolt - because he could'nt cut a snap-on spanner !! - dont make the snap-on man rich !!
Great advice mate.
Congratulations on joining the fire department
Needs to shave for scba
Interesting video
Better watch out man the snap-on Fanboys don't like this much truth-telling.
I do like my Snap On ratchets!
Snap-on rachets are my favorite. Icon and gears wrench 120xp are tied for 2nd.
@@indianaoutdoors4379 Have you tried Tekton ratchets? I like those for budget options and SK if you want to spend the extra money.
The Harbor Freight Rep.has a something say? Always trying to put someone down just because they disagree with him. Den of tools, when was the last time you actually used a tool? Hey enjoy your monthly coupons that you can't use on anything you actually want.
@@wolfhound1a all very good questions! But he wont answer you, because he doesnt use tools. Look at his videos. He just reviews what they look like and reads the flyers to his followers....seeing as they cant read them for themselves.
In the last
10
Years harbor freight has stepped up their game for sure
Yes they have.
Harbor Freight is really doing a great job of adapting to what people want in terms of quality, for the most part.
I have many great tools I use regularly purchased from Harbor Freight.
That's just china as a whole. The chineese made Knives are much better these days too. There is still a lot of trash coming out of china, of coarse. But they seem to be advancing their philosophy about only creating junk at the cheapest prices. There seems to be a new wave of Chinese people wanting to produce quality stuff, like Japan's culture--- although, China has a long way to go before they get to that level.
I have a mix of hand tools I have gathered over the past 40 years. Some Snap-on, Mac, SK, old Craftsman, Kobolt, and some cheap stuff. Sometimes you need a quality tool, but the middle grade tools work 95% of the time.
They have, but then people cry that their prices and deals aren't as good as they used to be. I'd rather pay a little more on budget minded products for a better product.
This is why I love your channel and content, No BS honest real-world experience talkin. There are lots of young guys out there that NEED to hear this.
Cheers from Tokyo
Stu
being new to the game, this def helps
The u.s. general tool boxes/carts have a very good bang for the buck.
carts are pretty simple to whip up with a little scrap metal-- basically for free, if you have a welder.
They went up in price a few weeks back. Started taking the bang out of the buck.
Slap on a home printed Snap0n sticker that will really make u feel good.
@@conmanumber1 just go to the snap on tool truck and buy the emblem.
@@calholli not that easy to make drawers...and buying the slides will cost as much as that whole tool cart will probably.
Steven is 100% correct. I am 41yr old and have 0 payments. House and all cars are payed for. Just payed $9000 cash for camper. I've work 20+ yr to get here and it's so much better.
AMEN... well done...!
Good job
@John smith beauty of it in my area.... They family will enjoy it 12-24 months and resale for close to the same $9000.
This Is how WE DO IT
Those used snappy boxes on the internet for 75% off are owed money on to snappy. For the most part. Snappy can repossess them
Amen, some serious advice here people listen! I went through this myself and actually made me give up auto mechanics industry. Back in 1990 I went to trade school for auto, class would say I would make $25 an hour after 3 years in the field etc. I started doing oil changes working my way up to full service all the while feeding the tool trucks kids. At most I was making $12 an hour (back then similar to $17 now) and after taxes my take home about 30% went to tool truck. Never got anywhere for 4 years in the industry. And I was good... Great attitude fast worker etc.. I did make some good pay check working flat rate for a while but the shop couldn't sustain steady work. I quit no notice (which isn't like me) because if I gave notice I knew I would change mind or be talked back into staying. I remember the day like it was yesterday. Prob about 1996.. I was doing an inspection sticker on a saab convertible with a car full of 4 girls going to the beach. Here I was in my dark dungeon and blue jump suit feeling like egor. I said F this I want to be in outside work. Picked up classified paper and grabbed a job landscaping for a small local guy. Worked with him for 2 1/2 years and never looked back... Now I have been self employed landscaping since 1999. I still get to wrench all the time on my own equipment and trucks and save myself the money. Best of both worlds. Again, great advice here guys. I would say a little help and building credit is good but don't ever let a payment get missed. it falls apart quick, been there done that and back on top now.
Well done Sir. I was a mechanic for over 30 years. Retired, sold all my tools, bought a decent US General box and filling it up with Harbor Freight tools. They have done every thing I have asked them for. Next I am going for the Vulcan welder.
I think the same. The old saying back then “Just because you own a Craftsman it doesnt make you one”. Lol. I bought a good size Husky tool box for 800 on facebook marketplace. Ive been buying some icon stuff. Its been good to me so far. I work independent in Texas near Austin. Cheers man, love you channel and how honest you are, you just tell it how it is. 👍🏽
I haven't seen the chinese flag in your shop, yet. Put it up, or be a hypocrite.
This is some solid advice. I already knew it but it’s good that you are using your platform to open some eyes and ears. I like seeing garages that are humble because it means a better chance they are not gonna charge as much because they don’t have huge tool bills to compensate for.
I’ve bought all my snap on tools from CL or a pawnshop for pennies on the dollar.
Me too! Bought really nice set of Matco wrenches... 125.00 pawn shop. On tool truck they were 500.00
midwest workshop I got a lot of tool truck tool from pawn shops as well
@@midwestworkshop2863 you can get a good buy on standard line wrenches and combo wrenches on ebay.
Stephen nailed it. I've collected a lot of tools over the years, and my philosphy is that I don't need the stress of having to track expensive wrenches. Tools walk away and get broken. If the tools are good enough to get the job done, you just replace broken or lost tools; they become consumable. You just have to avoid the opposite end, which is cheap tools that break all the time or kill bolts - that costs time and more money. Icon seems to be in the sweet spot of "good enough" right now, Craftsman had this market years ago. Since HF is around the corner for most folks, you can get swing by and get a replacement. I've had mixed experience with the Pittsburgh brand, which is the HF low end stuff. I would just buy the Icon.
I'd say that the Icon series tools are more than "good enough". I've watched lots of videos the past few months of comparisons, and the Icon tools always do just as good as the snap-on. And for 1/5 or 1/5 the cost as well as having a lifetime warranty, I say you can't go wrong.
And when it comes to cordless power tools, Milwaukee is far far superior to Snap-On in all aspects. Again, I've watched dozens of videos of torture test comparisons.
What I've come to conclude is this. Snap-On isn't the best hand tool brand in the USA anymore and their price points are no longer reasonable.
Snapon is going to put Snapon out of business. I was a diehard Snapon fan for years. The quality of a lot of their tools has gone way down hill. So many other companies putting out either as good or better tools for way cheaper prices.
The cart is one of the best items in the HF store. I have the US General 44" top and bottom cabinet as well as the Icon ratcheting wrenches and love them so far.
I am SO proud of all the S&K tools I rounded up about 50 years ago. All were well polished and none have needed to be replaced. It might be amazing to see what those quality tools would sell for today!
I had my own shop for 39 years and 80% of my tools were SK.. I`d put them up against the tool trucks tools any day.
I'm not even a mechanic, but I want tool truck tools! Somebody give me a credit app
Don't need a credit app just have to make money lol
They take your debit card info
yeah send me your jnfo
please dont send me your info
The Pittsburg ratchets and icon wrenches are great for any tech. I use them everyday with no issues so far. And if I do have a issue who cares they will swap them out. Can have two of everything so no time with out a tool and still be saving a bunch of cash over snap off.
Changing the subject, I think you should were high quality eye protection all the time in your shop. Your eyes are your most precious tools, and take it from someone who's had 6 eye surgeries, it's EXPENSIVE, and it ain't fun.
I bought the same Cart a year ago. it's still holding up. tools don't make the mechanic wisdom and knowledge does. this was a wise investment for me. I have tools from every industry tool truck and even some 20yr old Chinese tools. they all still work. just like me. still working...
Been there had $78,000 in tools when I retired as a mechanic. Now I buy things from harbor freight and had very few have problems with. Painted a semi with a Black widow the guy thought I used my Santa he was amazed what I used. Sad a was $ 560 Black widow was $ 190
When it comes right down to it, it's personal preference that will be the deciding factor. I am all about saving a buck but on the other hand I prefer to use Snap On tools. Nobody is twisting my arm making me by them and I have used many brands, including harbor freight, but Snap On is what I like. I have mechanics in my shop that have no Snap On tools and they do a good job with what they have.
I've never owned any tool truck tools, but I have worked with some tool truck tools, thos guys that have a year's salary invested in a box, but no real idea how to use the tools....
Never say never. The tool trucks carry alot of speacilaty tools that you won't find at harbor freight. Plus the quality just isn't the same. Yes the tools are more expensive but their just better. Oh and the only tool company that will run snap on out of buseness is snap on.
I honestly really needed to know how good the icon tools can perform and anyone who is just starting out with working on cars or anything that requires tools needed this video to know that you can get some good working tools that aren't snap on tools I personally don't believe in buying such high priced tools because of the price and what you can get for that price considering the fact that you can buy all that with such a lower amount and it actually not be the cheapest tools yet not cost you an arm or many years of debt
My toolboxes come in two varieties: US General and Sunex
Or I have to change the oil in them 🤣
A little spray paint would fix the issue with your glove holder. ☺
I've found harbor freight tools to be for the most part very capable. However, I have also found sometimes snap on or matco have a certain tool specifically designed for the odd task you are working on. Ive also found that sometimes the HF ratchets aren't as strong, It seems the teeth and parts used inside the ratchets itself are often smaller. I use and have overloaded both HF and snap on ratchets and have only bent 1 icon ratchet. Harbor freight tools are very capable but for daily use they sometimes seem to wear quicker, I have several Pittsburg sockets that round off everything because they are too worn after 2-3 years of daily use. Although, that seems to be the case with any tool after enough time.
funny some mechanics think the snap on tool makes them a better one when in actual fact the best mechanics i know have ALOT of no name brand tools in their carts
I have that exact cart for 2 years now and I LOVE it!
Do you run out of room? I am worried about buying it and not being able to fit all the tools and wood working tools such as a the sawzaw and the circular saw.
@@Donfixit4 They're not really set up for woodworking tools. Set out everything you want to put in the cart and measure how much room you need. Then go to Harbor Freight and measure. Always remember to leave room to grow.
I have had the US general roll cart with the US general side draw box hanging on it for the past 4 years it is great. I bought a full of icon 3/8 sockets flex head ratchet and icon combination wrench. I have been using them for about 3 months and so far they are great. I think Harbour Freight is on the way to being a serious professional tool supplier. It is an exciting time to shop Harbour Freight there is new premium tools every time I go in.
Love the icon impact sockets. They look pretty close to snap on and matco and are under half the price with a lifetime warranty. Also if it does break, drive down to your local HF to get it replaced. You don’t have to wait a whole week or months for a tool truck to come by
YOUR REAL, I hope others will listen to your words Stephen Cox, I assure you what you said in this video is REAL..! if anyone wants to chat with me after 30+ years Aviation Aerospace technician background, it works the exact same way, some of the SNAP On items and even Mac and Matco are certainly are superior in some areas, but your absolutely RIGHT ON...
I bought craftsman tools way back when I started (1973) after getting out of the Air Force. I still use the same craftsman wrenches today.
I have one of those HF 5 drawer carts for home use. Outstanding cart IMHO. Great value. Heavy duty enough for a shop pro. Not a big fan of those drawer locks either. I saw another video where a guy suggested holding the latch open and inserting nut in there to hold it in the open position. I used a 7/16 nut and happy that I don't need to work that latch.
I agree 100%. I started out with a cheap Craftsman top box and added on as I needed more tools. Almost everything was used in my first set, some stuff I "borrowed" from my dad. First thing I bought off the tool truck was a USED Ingersoll impact, still have it today. I still work out of a 3 tier Craftsman 26", now filled with mostly Snap-on because I can afford to work with nice tools.
I have already priced out a Snap On 3/4 Ratchet cause I broke enough of the cheap ones lol
And you wouldnt believe the amount of high quality tools one can get through farm auctions and garage sales
Can we see a tool cart tour please 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
You know when your toolbox is to big when you have to call a flatbed tow truck to move it. I have moved toolboxes heavier than cars.Funny thing is it is always an emergency(I have to get out of the shop now!!! come save me!!!!)
Gotta use a step drill bit to bore the wholes for your more bigger pry bars to fit within the side compartments
I do a lot of wrenching either building classic muscle cars or building Harley’s; I was also a mechanic in the aerospace industry for 5 years. I can tell you that so far my experience with Icon tools had been great. For the money, you really can’t beat it. And don’t forget they have mostly the same warranty as snap-on except you don’t have to wait for the tow truck guy you can just take it right into the store.
I agree 99% with you. I have been a mechanic for several years now. I have several things from HF. Pawn shop Craftsman, etc. I have a US General toolbox that is still going. The only tools that I cannot get around buying better are locking pliers and similar. Knipex are the only ones that I have found to do what they should do.
I agree for the most part. The snap on techangle is well worth the money if you use its functions regularly. I work in an engine shop and torque turn bolts constantly so it was worth it to me. The snap on PWZ is worth the money because straight from bahco it's marginally cheaper. One or two good snap on ratchets make life easier and the FCF72 is worth its weight in gold and I have some specialty wrenches and stuff that was worth getting off the tool truck. My philosophy is to spend as little as possible on the truck and try to get the best deal you can, also definitely buy used truck brand hand tools if you have the coin to do so. I buy certain things off the tool truck because they either make me the best deal, they make the best version, or they're the only ones that make the tool.
Here's the story, my brother is the best mechanic I have ever known, he has never set foot on a tool truck. I went by a shop he had just started at in 2008 and he was working out of a couple of totes, the shop owner bought for him to use a tool cart. It was a Blue Point 5 drawer tool cart that cost $850 off of the Snap On truck. About a month later I saw a 5 drawer tool car at Harbor Freight and the only difference was it only came in a dull red and it didn't have the bumpers on the corners and it was $120 and it was made in China. I checked the Snap On website and the Blue Point 5 drawer cart was also made in China probably at the same plant. I bought a Harbor Freight cart in 2010 for my garage and never put the shocks on, I just hang the lid down the back and back then it came with all swivel casters. A few weeks ago I bought one of those big mamajama priy bars and I think I'm just going to enlarge one of the holes for it. I was also thinking about pulling the pin on the lid hinge and flipping it over and using the shock mounts to turn it into a shelf, we'll see. ;-)
On mine i used a high speed carbide to enlarge the holes for prybars. And then set the lid to 90° standing straight up, I also riveted a few wrench organizers to the lid to make more drawer space. They are so affordable you don't feel bad "customizing" them.
Thanks for some good advice. Never go into debt :-) I like the Gearwrench brand, and Sunex, Carlyle, Tekton...
Krille's Garage, Tekton is made in the US, up in Michigan. The prices are comparable to Harbor Freight too and feel like a good tool.
You find something good from each brand. I have many different brands in my tool chest. I also like Knipex and Wera.
@@Hoaxer51 Some Tekton tools are made in the US. Most are made in Taiwan.
Awesome words my friend. After being a mechanic all my life, I was put behind a desk, and lost sight of myself. As fate would have it, I wound up back in the shop. I bought a cart just like that one, best purchase I've ever made. Don't get me wrong, my 200 buck cart has about 4 grand worth of stuff in it. I love it. All the guys in the shop want one now....yeah!
A lot of barbers and hairstylists in the city are using these carts to store and organize their hair equipment and supplies!
Funny u say that. There are now folks buying from the big box stores the large long stainless roller tool chests with wide long draws which they use as kitchen draws then they make up a custom counter. Its better and cheaper than a custom made kitchen cabinet.
I went $22,000 on the snap on truck my second month of Ranken for diesel tech... My health went downhill and I let the box and tools go. Now I'm rebuilding with Harbor Freight
The greatest advice that you can give to a starting mechanic.
Great advice, here's a tip and inexpensive up-grade for your tool cart.. Take some 1/8 inch flat steel, pre-cut a pattern for all the coaster holes, now is a good time to up-grade coaster wheels if you wish at Harbor Freight and install onto the tool cart. The cart is stronger and goes better over bumps. Much smoother and firmer !
I bought the Quinn Ratchet/Wrenches mechanic set from Harbor Freight with the 25% discount coupon a few years ago and replaced only the 1/4 Ratchet with the warranty after 2 years of beating the hell out of it. Lifetime warranty, redeemed at ANY of their stores with absolutely no hassle. LOVE THEM. My box is an old Craftsman I bought at a yardsale.
I've been made fun of for them but in the end I KNOW it's because those dudes wish they weren't in debt too.
This guy is correct ,I have been a mechanic for over 34 years, save your money ,today these tools are pretty durable and will last as long you use it correctly, left the dealership 4 years ago, to work on big transit bus, got bunch of large tools from amazon and they held up good so far. Like he said, save your money and make money, be smart about it.
Wish there was a harbor freight when I was starting out. Cheapest way I found out how to do it we go to pawn shops by all the broken the name brand sockets and wrenches. Return them to the tool trucks and to Sears
@@benjaminburkhalter7342 yes sir that's the way I did too. I made friends with the pawn shop owner I got to where I was buying broken tools by the pound and he would save all the name brand for me so I could get them replaced
just used a set of Pittsburgh tools including breaker bar and a Menard's Tool Shop 18-Volt Cordless 1/2" Impact Wrench 69.95 kit BTW, to change both driver and passenger axles, ball joints, tie rods struts, control arms, everything on my 06 jeep is new up front now and those tools worked just as good as my tekton tools would have. i wouldnt be afraid to turn wrenches with them till i saved up for some icon or better such as my tekton
My favorites are SK, Proto, and Klein for my personal tools. For work tools, I usually have Harbor Freight, or tools I got at Walmart. With the environment I work in, they will either get lost, trashed, or stolen, so I don't buy expensive tools for that.
I'm glad at the time i was building my tools i was in my early 20s broke and so harbor freight , sears, walmart, lowes, etc were what was in my price range. They did the job and most of it is still kickin in the end it kept me out of debt because there was no way i could have afforded the tool truck stuff. Now if something gives out there's a lot of very serviceable higher quality options available at a really great price point that i can replace stuff with.
Snap On has the best quality. When you buy it you don't question the quality . Snap On flank drive wrenches are the best, Mac precision torque, Wright but you can buy near to that quality with a good warranty elsewhere .
Invest in the diagnostics . I saved money so now I take more vacations than i do paying for the tool dealers vacation lol
I sold all my tool truck tools years ago to fund a more important legal situation and had the money to buy tools in their place. Since then, I haven't slowed down working
Tool trucks are a want not a need to many
I own 2 semis and 3 7500 straight trucks, ND several forklift skidsteer, I LOVE ICON and their earthquake impacts
Thank you for being clear and honest. I have a lot of old Craftsman, and plenty of Harbor Freight sockets and ratchets. I did buy a lot of Milwaukee power tools but I went with a Harbor Freight Bauer big corded impact for the tough stuff. I have an old Craftsman torque wrench. I have a couple of Pittsburgh socket wrenches . I keep everything as neat and organized as I can in a Kobalt roll away tool box. That's the one tool I wish I had spent more on. I had to tweak it and repair it to get it to work right. My buddy worked on Rolls Royce with Thorsen wrenches and sockets - and basic air impact - no Snap On. Clearly you have the ability to analyze tools. Most of this is about skill - not the most expensive tools.
This man’s a true super hero. If your coming out of Trade school please listen to the senior men on these sites Tool truck trucks are like Spandex they are cool for a while until the bill comes every month and never ends, meanwhile you got gas rent clothes food baby formula. You can buy and break ICON tools all day long every corner has a HF store now. Think about what $500 in snap on tools vs ICON you will have two tools in one hand and 8 ICON tools in the other.
I don’t think HF or U.S. General is going to put Snap-on out of business. I like the ICON stuff I have so far, the ratchet’s and impact sockets I have will probably last forever with me just using them on the weekends. I recently ordered some JH Williams impact sockets, Snap-on’s industrial brand. They were about $20 more than the ICON equivalent and made in the USA.
Not against HF, got several things from them, but I highly doubt SnapOn is worried. I do think the US General cart, and even boxes, are great value. A couple guys I worked with have them. Even some of their tools are are good, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say their quality is just as good as SO, Mac, Matco, or Cornwell. Again, that cart is a good buy (especially with coupons), but I wouldn’t compare them tool trucks.
Love harbor freight tools. Matco still stops at my shop .He's a good friend, loves to harass me about my Us General boxes I have 6 but mine are Payed for. and still try's to sell me a $10k or trade for my power stroke.
About your cart, I solved the "pry bar issue" with a side mounted, pry bar/LG screwdriver, lockable storage rack.
It did come from Snap On but it allows me to lock up and secure everything without having to pull/lay down tools or drill a hole in the cart to accommodate that large pry bar of yours. I did enlarge one hole in the rack but, that's no big deal.
That problem is pretty universal to most tool carts and, for the price, is acceptable for the H.F. carts.
It would make the top compartment almost too tall and cost a lot more for the cart to make it tall enough for the largest screwdrivers... It's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation... But solvable.
And the side rack has a drop-down, locking cover.
I like the glove/box holder a lot, seemingly more than you, though I admit not every box fits perfectly (Gloves you get from H.F. do fit well). At first, I was a bit "disjointed in the nose," myself.
If I Need to use a box that's a little loose, I either bend in the side slot/arm/finger (whatever you want to call them) to fit or, I just use a piece of foam where needed as a "shim." But you're pulling gloves out, not up so, as long as the box isn't so narrow as to actually turn sideways and come out, you're OK (try a foam shim, or two, it works great).
What I like most is knowing where my gloves are and always having them handy. I use the clear, vinyl gloves in the kitchen all the time, as well and even have one of these on the side of my fridge. lol.
They're fine for the price.
Some things in this world, especially the cheap, cool, handy things, just need to be given some leeway! 😀
I sold my big box and bought me two of those 5 drawer carts. It was a great deal! I only have a few snap on parts left. The rest are craftsman and icon.
first off, I confess I have a Snap-On problem, I have a 10' long master series box loaded with tools. for the first 12 year as a machinist, I worked up from a craftsman lunch box to a 44" us general(now my home box) over the last few years I got heavily into machine maintenance and repair, along with daily setups. I have just about every metric allen style tool snapon makes and a full set of metric sockets up to 24mm. I am buying the us general cart to hold my daily use stuff, because the big box has become pretty much stationary unless I have a really big repair job or setup (full turret strip). I miss my 44" box, and I'm back to walking 10 miles a day, and my boss is in my box almost as much as i am. and there was no happier day than the day my truck tab was paid off, now i just drop by my snapon guys house to do warranty stuff
“hey” come on Snap-on can not be that bad,, now but Sonic, wow and Milwaukee done lost their dam, mine, I’m 46 and I was born in the Industry, before HFT we got are tools from Bonanza, Army surplus and shops going out of business or the owners going to jail ( Yea owner and Mechanics are still knocking out customers) I keep my lawyer # and Bell money in my pocket. So he is so right, get what you can at a good Price ..Do not Go in to debt Your body can fail you at any time . My Mobile Auto & Computer repair Service Center/vehicles are full of Value not debt and Snap-on tool get stolen first so no snap-on on my truck.
I've bought a ton of stuff from HF, but I took a look at these US General tool carts partly bc of all the UA-cam hype... and sorry, they're garbage. I mean, they're adequate for home use, but absolutely nothing special. I ended up loving (for the price) and buying a Craftsman Made in USA rolling chest with solid wood top and outlets on the side. It wasn't much more than these US Generals, it's Made in USA and the quality (the ball bearing slides, the heavier weight of the metal, the solid wood top) was much nicer. Home Depot's Husky line had some nice carts as well, but I think I got my Craftsman for less than $300 after some Lowe's discounts.
My Snap-On cart won't close with the larger prybar or the largest two screwdrivers either.
When it comes to hand tools, its Snap-On wrenches only up to about 3/4", anything over that is usually fine.
When it comes to screwdrivers, I've owned Snap-On, Mac, and Matco, and Matco have been the strongest with only one phillips #2 breaking many years ago. Every one of my Snap-On and Mac screwdrivers have been replaced at one time or another.
With sockets, its pretty close across the board, Snap-On is likely a bit stronger but a good 6 point socket even in the lesser HF brands is usually just fine so long as its thin enough to fit where its needed.
Files, Punches, Chisels and drill bits from Matco have always been pretty good too and a lot cheaper, no one will warranty them here either way so buy those things to suit your needs.
I've rarely seen a tool that didn't work well.
I bought both black deep socket sets, china made--- at walmart, for $10 each, and That was 16 years ago and I'm still using them today--- and I've busted nuts loose with huge impacts, 6ft cheater bars ect.. you name it... I've bought fully equipped tool boxes with full sets of metric and standard sockets and wrenches and piles of screwdrivers and pliers and many other random tools like snap-ring pliers and C- clamps ect. --- and even had a vehicle code reader and one of those lithum "jump batteries" that will jump start your car... all for $50 on Facebook...... Craigslist is good sometimes, but Facebook is where the real marketplace is, especailly if you are near a bigger city where there is a larger population.. I'll never buy tools new, I'll never buy cars new-- and I've gotten now to where I won't even buy my guns new either-- The used market is the only way to go in life.
Wise advice.
Plenty of options to buy top quality tools for much less than the tool truck.
Wiha screwdrivers are far superior to any tool truck equivalent.
Knipex cutters, pliers, Cobra's etc are second to none, you can buy them anywhere.
And the list goes on.
The argument is, yea but the tool truck guy warranties it if it breaks. So he bloody should. He ripped you off on the price.
Save your money, buy cheaper elsewhere, and if the odd item breaks and you can't get it warrantied you will have saved so much cash over the years you can afford to replace it.
Let's keep this simple. If the tool truck guy charges you 15% interest over 5 years, whatever you have bought will cost double if you don't clear it down. Think about that. (Chances are he is charging you 18% or higher.)
The SnapOn dealer hate it when you compare the Icon because they realize that it is a quality product. Granted the SnapOn is overall a better tool, but when you have a tool like Icon that is probably 90-95% the quality of SnapOn for 1/4 the price and you still have the same no hassle lifetime warranty if it does break, I begin to wonder why people waste the money, is it a status thing in the shop, maybe an ego thing, I don't know but you are seeing more of these tools showing up in professional mechanics tool boxes all the time, that is if they can get past the peer pressure! LOL
"THE BIGGER AND BETTER BRAND (SNAP ON) THE TOOL BOX IS, THE BETTER YOU ARE AS MECHANIC". I love this phrase and I see /hear it every day at work. LOL, HAHAHAHA. JAJAJAJAJA 😄😀😅😆😀😃😄😁
I e tried getting boxes on OfferUp and whatnot, but like you said, people don’t understand depreciation. I see so many that say something like, “Paid 8k. Only asking 5k.” If you want a name brand that bad, you’re better off getting it off the truck and making payments. Hell, you’re dealer might even give it to you for that if you’re paying cash.
As far as the shop culture goes, I’m seeing more people against it. Can’t tell you how many tell me not to get a truck box, it’s not worth it. I may get one someday, but it’ll be a lot getting a Corvette: it’ll be because I want it and can afford it, not because I need it.
Pittsburgh impact 3/4 and 1" are great I both all 4 sets of em now
Been using icon tools since the came out. I love them man they get the job done, my only issue is on alignments, they like to slip off tie rods but most of the time those are rusted to hell so i heat them up and im able to break them loose. I just ordered my icon 56 tool box :)
Going to school soon.i saw how much the snap on tool list was on tool day and it was like 10k for all the tools.8-9k for matco and there was another vendor but thier products were very unorganized so I passed on them .I ended up getting a majority of my tools from hf with the icon line .I still spent 700 on matco only for the meters and the specialty tools.overall I've only spent 3k. The interest rate is insane on those credit lines no thanks.
Never, ever, ever go into debt for a depreciating asset.
Start with the basics. Then set up a separate bank account and get your boss to transfer a portion of your pay into it every week (say $25 to $50) and then buy the stuff you need from this account. This can be used as a bargaining chip for pay rises.
Truth is that you will only use 10% of the tools in that $10,000 tool box regularly and 25% very rarely.
Old school mechanic here, I learn my ways of what or which tools are more bang for your buck through my grandfather, he started off as a aviator mechanic in the airforce, then later when he came back to the states he decided to go in the automotive mechanic. So I learned the tricks and the trade on automotive and tools. From him. And what works best. Then later I too went to school for automotive and took what I learned from my grandfather and aplied to my schooling. But overall a true mechanic can get the job done with any mechanic tools, its not just the name brand. Yes I do agree Snap-on is overrated, and very pricey. I owned a few just to test there quality, hate to say I broke a few sockets. So I stick with gearwrench and some koken tools, but my main carry around tools kinda like portable tools to lug around like a mobile mechanic is my Dewalt 204pc mechanic tool set. But yeah never wanna over pay in tools and be in debt. But overall cool review.
I realize you were just showing the wrenches but I was taught by an old mechanic that you never use an open end wrench first if possible. Always start with box end to loosen something really tight. I have a bunch of Harbor Freight stuff in my garage and can't ever remember having a problem especially for the price~! Good Video and I paid attention. 😁
I've had the same us general 42 inch box since 2009. Paid 400 and it still works. Is it wore out from being overloaded with big sockets/wrenches and ratchets? Yup but still works fine.
Most tool carts fit large pry bars on the side. I'm not a fan of snap on and the harbor freght box is just too small for me. I bought a sunex 8057bk 6 months ago and it is perfect. My coworker has a Matco JSC 483 and they are the same size and my sunex was 1/3 of the price.
I have a 44in us general box..... Pretty dope. I have two icon ratchets..... Total garbage. For the money gearwrench and tekton are much better ratchets. Haven't used any other icon tools, but pretty sure they are all rebrands. I know they have a rebranded version of the ez red/ mountain wrenches made by Cabo. Pretty sure the wrenches he's using are the same as my channel lock set, which is a carlyle rebrand.
I Wrenched on heavy trucks for thirty years and you use chrome on hand tools ratchets,breaker bars only and impacts you buy on impact guns!!!My tools i still have and i never ever broke anything unless i was beating the hell out of it on an impact wrench never had to many problems!!!
i have a bit of a different slant on this. spend the money on the tool that gets the job done. i'm brand agnostic. i love going to harbor freight. i've got a HF tool cart that's lasted me almost a decade. it's got every kind of tool in it from pittsburgh to snap-on, cornwell, mac, matco, gearwrench, dewalt, gardner bender, husky, channel lock, you name it. that being said, most if not all of my snap on stuff is either second hand, or something that snap-on exclusively offers, or i like their version of it better. all my impact sockets are HF or williams or sunex or something not tool truck. the mac stuff i have tend to be specialty tools, also second hand or gifted to me in a lot of cases. the one truck that i do not mind getting on is cornwell, simply because it's a lot less expensive than mac, matco, or snap-on, and often times better stuff IMO. there's nothing like using the right tool for the job, except for maybe using one that's paid for when the guy next to you is still paying for an empty tool box. i'll never forget the satisfaction of some wannabe that had a 10 or 12 thousand dollar matco box, asking me for a tool. then handing them the HF socket on the end of a swap meet extension that's all hooked up to a dewalt cordless 12v impact. or my gearwrench 120xp 3/8 being the only ratchet in the shop that could get in that tight little spot and have a few clicks to swing. it's not about having the most expensive tools, but rather the ones that get the job done, with the least amount of human effort.
I have over 20 years on the bench professionally and a lot of years before I went pro backyarding I have had my share of tools the one thing I decided to do was buy my combo wrenches from the snap on guy because of one job I did I broke every 19 mm wrench I had on it that’s when I decided I needed something better quality the a princess auto set (Canada’s equivalence of harbour freight) but my sockets were all from Canadian tire (they warranty them for life) after I was in the trade as an apprentice for a year i started buying from the snap on and Mac guys But I had a budget of 5k per year for tools that’s what I was comfortable with In the beginning I would only buy the things I was borrowing from the other guys but I would try find the best quality I could find off the truck before I hit the truck I did find there was stuff you had to buy off the truck cause it wasn’t available elsewhere and if it was I already had a broken one in the shop at home good example was anything to fix a saginaw steering column I have fixed a lot of theft damaged and you need good quality tools to do that job more then once the specialty tools I would hit eBay for OTC stuff and if it was cheaper on the truck it came from the truck you just need to educate yourself on prices and quality and choose wisely and a good working relationship with the tool guys helps too
Thank you for telling people the truth. Many a mechanics wives and children have gone without so their husbands could fill their 10,000 dollar tool boxes with new snap on tools of which half they don't even need or use.
My cornwell cart holds my 48" pry par and can close the lid. Also I can roll it across the shop full with out it buckling. I only know this because I replaced my harbor freight box same one your using color and all. Because I was moving to my new shop and first day rolling it in the bottom legs gave out. Less then a year old
That car t is crap compared to snap on however I do own the harbor freight cart....but my big boxes is used snap on I got a 68 by 30 epic and a 72 by 30 snap on set those beside the icon no one on planet earth with cash would buy the icon when you can get those boxes used for 3000-4000$ all day line
@ Stephen Cox, tool trucks sell good tools that will last years and if anyone want to invest in such tools let them do so. You had a bit of a haters rant on tool trucks. I rather spend more money on tool truck ratchets for example, over store bought. because when i brake them and they will brake i get the warranty very easy.
Overall as a mechanic its best to stay debt free as much as possible and i would say buying a mixture or tool truck tools and store bought tools is the best way to go.
Just imagine what those Snap-On salesmen will say to you if you work in the aerospace industry.
Buy the cheap set. As things break, replace them with something nicer one by one. After 10 years, you'll look over your set and the few tools you use most often will be the more expensive tools and the ones used less often will be the less expensive tools. This is a very organic method of saving thousands of dollars and also using more expensive tools (over time).