Should You Stay Off The Tool Truck?
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- Опубліковано 13 лип 2017
- Buying automotive tools from a tool truck brand is a common way mechanics buy tools. But you can be a mechanic and get good quality tools without spending tool truck prices. There are many ways to buy good tools cheaper than the truck.
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I'm so thankful I was around the tool trucks as a part time worker for several years before I got into the mechanic field full time because it taught me a valuable lesson about tools. I've seen so many guys rack up a ton of debt because they think nothing else will hold up to being used in a shop but that's just not the case. I've only purchased a very select few tools from the truck and those were paid for with cash up front. The rest of the guys in my shop buy everything from the truck. I did a lot of research into comparable brands and which companies make certain tools before I got started and I have a fraction of the money invested that the other mechanics do and my whole box is paid for. If you open my box you'll see a mix of brands like Tekton, SK, Williams, Gear Wrench, Channel Lock, and so many others and I don't break tools anymore than the guys using tool truck brands. I also usually have the most hours logged and highest efficiency bonuses each month and I take it all home because I don't owe anybody. Be smart, use the right tools, and use them properly and you can absolutely avoid paying tool truck prices and save yourself a ton of money
STAY THE FUCK OFF THE TOOL TRUCK. Buy everything from ebay craigslist used. STAY OUT OF DEBT BOYS!
The Mechanic OC Nestor I like what you said ! Credit card cheaper interest and buy used off Ebay !!! Very Smart !!!
The Mechanic OC... Unless it's a engine stand on eBay, lol just do your research and you will be fine, I didn't do enough when I got my motor stand and that my friend is my fault, love your channel and good luck to you
The Mechanic OC eBay is a rip off most of the time too. I bought a decent snap on ratchet from them but. Garage sales and pawn shops are the best way to go
By far the most well spoken thoughts on tools. Keep em coming buddy.
No tool truck driver should get mad at you. It's an outdated business model. You have to be able to adapt. And driving around with a truck full of overpriced tools wondering my business is down isn't going to cut it.
Jeffrey B you hit the nail on the head. They're plain outdated. They need to do something that makes them worth it as an option. A lot of the import options are no longer the cheese grade Chinese garbage they used to be. Some are quite good, so the "tool truck brands are the only ones that will last a lifetime" argument isn't nearly as true as it was 30 years ago.
They are pretty proud of their tools though, so I think a price reduction from snap on will happen when pigs fly, but they could absolutely up their warranty and shipping speed.
Damn right!
Snap on needs an app and have drones in major cities to drop things off. I can place a order for tools and it appears at the bay doors within hours then it would be worth the higher charge!
As a tool truck owner I'm not mad at your video. It hits some valid points and missed some. In the last ten years I've done well and will continue to do well. The advantage we offer isn't in wrenches and sockets, it is specially tools, knowledge, and truck financing. That is where we can save you money. There are a lot of crap tool dealers out there, but the good ones provide a great value to their customers.
A good tool dealer will have a strong knowledge of available tools, know the true usefulness of said tools, and go to tool shows often enough, and read trade publications daily to know the newest available products to solve specific use case problems. They can save you money by directing you to the proper product to fit your need. They know and will advise you on what to not waste money on. Some technicians keep up with new product knowledge and don't need this service, but that is less than 5% of the customer base. Unfortunately it is also only true with about half the tool reps out there.
If it wasn't for Mac, SO, Matco.... many of these time saving, use case specialty tools would not exist or be available in the market whatsoever. Most of these tools are developed in collaboration with one of these companies with a pre funded purchase order before tooling R&D and production ever begin. Yes eventually these tools then are often available online, but only after one of these companies created the original. This applies to tools manufactured by other brand names such as AST Assenmacher, KD, Lisle, Lang etc. It is a stated goal of auto manufacturers to drive independent shops out of business by making cars harder to repair outside the dealership.
They will have a good inventory level, not leave you waiting, and if it's not in stock they will have it overnighted or ground shipped directly to your shop. I do this at no charge for good customers. Good customer is anyone who pays reliably as agreed upon.
Tool trucks provide free financing allowing customers to get what they need right away. Often someone doesn't have the extra money in their budget to pay in full on a website. We loan money out of our own business, it is often a misconception that corporate is lending the money. We lend money to customers that don't have the credit score to finance otherwise. Credit offered to customers is not based on credit score it's based on payment history and employment history. I have customers that don't even have a SS#, yet they are able to finance up to $2-3k. The highest account I carried was $18k no interest, and it was paid off in less than a year, this was to a customer that had just been through a bankruptcy.
Pricing.... Yes there are items you can "save" money purchasing online but that should never be more than about 30-40%. Often items will be comparibly, or lower priced on the tool truck. Some tool dealers do run a truck markup which can compound the price difference, I don't advise that, but in some markets with higher risk it is necessary. Yes there are hardline chrome tools that are double or triple the price on a tool truck, wether or not you find that value in having a USA wrenches is up to you. Yes there is a difference, is it a necessity, no it's not. A good tool dealer will also have a lower priced line of chrome tools available, at a competitive price. You did mention warranty can be better online, more often than not that's not the case. Yes if you buy a tool from Amazon and it if breaks within 30 days no problem, if it breaks 3 years later good luck. More often than not online tool sellers are not going to cover shipping either, on many items this outways any savings.
Don't get the misconception that tool dealers are making millions, good ones make a fair retail magin that covers the huge cost of providing what their customers should be able to regard as a boutique service. I make a good living, before I left turning wrenches I was making great money. Most tool dealers do this because they enjoy the industry, the relationships with their customers, providing a needed service, flexibility in their schedule for family time, and because they want to be their own boss.
So it's your choice on wether you want to support a local business. Just imagine if all the parts houses, especially the good ones like World Pac were no longer in your market due to the internet. Imagine if all your customers started price shopping your parts prices online and just wanted the cheapest available. It would be terrible for the industry. Remember there is always someone offering something cheaper, the question is does that make it a better value.
I want you to be my driver! Just kidding, I have a great relationship with my Snap On guy. When I started out, he helped me out and was honest when I picked up something stupid I didn't need. When new models came out, he'd bring in the tools for them and be sure to show the guys the tools for the specialty they were involved in. I left the auto shops for heavy process mechanics, and now work in a manufacturing/construction company. I brought my own tools as a condition of coming on, their shop tools are crap. Snap On guy still stops in every other week even though I am the only guy in the shop that buys. I have always paid cash up front, and unless I find it on eBay, I have never found the exact same tool for less. I used his credit when I needed it, and I am sure he included more markup back then as he was taking more risk, but paying upfront once you're established sure makes that guy your friend!
I agree. I work at a parts store. I work on all my cars. And I buy online or instore. I Make My decision based on warrenty, and when I need it. I would never consider buying a battery online, or brake pads or water pumps or alternators online. If one of those completely fails. I'm stuff without a car, unless I wait a week or if I pay for another at a parts store. What keeps these businesses alive is Convenience. That's it. And you pay for the convenience, and it will always be there.
m Shit man, where do you run your route? I'd buy tools off you. Repeatedly.
well said man
I use to buy tools off truck I agree with you far and between but just like mechanics there are very few of you around who think and run there business like that.wish there were more of you .
20 years in manufacturing maintenance have taught me that 95% of the job isn't the tool. It's the nut behind the wrench. Maybe that's why the trucks never come out to the factories. ..
Don’t factories have their own vendors for tools too?
Have you ever asked your local
Tool truck to come , get him permission to come on site and he will
I stopped allowing tool reps in the paint shop. My issue was money. Made no difference if the truck carried the loan at zero interest, or if a formal loan was created with sometimes stupid high interest. In every instance new guys bought considerably more product when they didn't pull cash out of their pocket. Frequently purchasing items that had little to no impact to their productivity. Rep usually made the rounds every week. When I say usually I mean pay days. Between paydays was a crapshoot. Really felt a lot more like a union or mafioso operation. Showing up in person to make sure they are first in line for their cut. Year, maybe a year and a half later we could see a measurable improvement in productivity, reduction in sick days (dodging the truck). Never said the tools were crap, or that some of the really specialized stuff was unnecessary, but getting everybody focused on what mattered put some young guys on a very good path.
Shain Andrews I can totally see that being beneficial. When I started I bought all kinds of shit I didn't need or could have done the same job in the same time for a much cheaper tool but it's easy to spend when you're not pulling cash out of your pocket right now, I will even fess up to dodging the guy a few times, I was young and dumb then.
🤗 *APPLAUSE*
Genius. Upped productivity and saved your employees a bunch of money and stress.
So, I guess the proper tools just magically appeared when needed? Or, did he pay his guys to shop and buy tools on their own time? "Guys, it's tool time! Stop working, get your phones out and start shopping!"
You do realize there are 24 hours in a day, and most techs are working 8-10 of those hours. You can shop for tools on your own time. I've worked at shops that would only allow the tool truck to be on property either before business hours or after the shop was closed. You are on the clock at the shop to work, not shop for tools.
This is one of those videos I am glad a big auto channel like yours made. I hate to see many of these new techs dump tons of money they don't need to. Especially when, let's be honest, most of these new guys won't stay in this field more than a few years. I also hope this can be a bit of a reality check for the tool truck brands that their pricing has gotten a bit out of control. It's crazy to think with only about 3 suppliers online I could order every tool I would ever need as a tech and have it all delivered to my front door......and save a ton of money by staying off the truck in the process.
I love the little bit of snapon tools I have but after spending over 1k on just a handful of tools I've learned my lesson. eBay is my best friend.
Yep. I have bought a bunch of tools from Ebay, and had great success with them.
The mech a nic I agree. Our worthless Matco guy said he would not Warenty it if I didn't buy it NEW !!! Easy I will just go to another Matco truck. I buy nearly everything from EBAY
Me too. I buy nearly all of my tools from eBay or Craigslist. The tool trucks are far too expensive for what the auto/fleet maintenance industry is pying in wages. Thank God for other guys who are willing to sell their old, used, made in America tools.
what is the best brand for aftermarket tools?
$500 for 10mm-19mm.....
Tbf my Snap-on truck he turns up every week and never misses a beat unless he lets us know the week before, plus now and again he doesn’t have a particular tool I’m after but the special offers get you and lure you in haha
Tool trucks are like drug's for Tech's though.
+Carl Kahler its true.
Carl Kahler yea that's for sure. When I was a tech I got hooked. I never had credit, just whatever the truck guy would let me get on his account so I couldn't get too deep.
The tool plug
As a retired mechanic AutoZone and Harbor Frieght tools work for me just fine. As I said in a previous post "After 40 years building and repairing vehicles I've found just because the tool is a Craftsman doesn't mean the guy using it is! "
Buy what you want as long as you can afford it in the long run. :)
Harbor Freight torque wrenches are fine for limited use. I'd say you'll get about 6 months use out of them before they go out of spec. Maybe a year if the tools aren't used on a daily basis. However that also applies to most torque wrenches. (except beam type). It costs more to have them calibrated then to buy a new one. If anyone looks at 'cheap' ratchets-even Harbor Freight? Look into ones with fine teeth if possible. I've broken Snap-On, Matco, Mac....Craftsman... Kobalt! Even Craftsman now swaps their ratchets out with 'reman' units. No longer walk to the shelf and grab a new one to exchange. They have a swap box behind the counter at our local sears.
For what it's worth? I've had a Stanley set for about 5 years now. Had to warranty 1 ratchet. Sockets are solid and work well.
i work at advance auto parts. i get a ton of tools for cheap. as a beginner, i couldn't ask for better. especially since my manager price matches super low.
I was thinking about getting a Mac tool franchise lol
Absolutely. Buying a $30 ratchet set from Harbor Freight will work the same as a $350 kit from Snap On. Quality is different but if you snap a part you can replace it for practically nothing. Not to mention as he said if you need a tool right then and there the store is open everyday, the Snap On truck might not come around for a week then have to send your tool off to be fixed. So now your without a tool for an extended time when you could have just gone to the store.
Got to love my local harbor fright rare I brake something but when I do. If It brakes in the morning have a new one by lunch
And it's paid for 😁
I have harbor freight stuff. I work 5 miles from harbor freight. I like them and they work fine but I like to keep a back up ratchet and common used sockets just in case it breaks.
@Todd m not exactly sure what this had to do with my reply. Awesome that you have old ratchets that still work. Congrats on owning "strap on" or "fap off" as AvE would call it. It is actually cool that old ass ratchets that look like hell still work. No doubt that the harbor freight stuff won't make it that long.
I still stand by if you use harbor freight or any brand even "strap on" to make sure you have a back up.
I have seen people snap tool truck ratchets in the shop and have to bum a ratchet from someone for a few days while he waited for the truck to come back around. I personally have 3 of each ratchet and 3 of my most commonly used sockets. Not one of them is the same brand. For the stubborn fasteners that I can't fit any of the impacts into I will usually use my cornwell ratchet. For the jobs that have low torque and aren't rusted I grab the harbor freight. I then have husky as a back up to the cornwell. I have abused the husky ratchets and they are a lot stronger then I thought.
Harbor freight doesn't have the best tools but if you are smart about what you buy they aren't the worst and are hard to find better value. Also avoid the Pittsburgh pro flex head ratchets,they will snap the head off soon as they see any decent torque. The fixed head are fine.
Not that this will ever be of any use to you since you buy quality tools that last 20 lifetimes.
@Dick Trickles Americans work at HarborFreight/Tool stores. Most tool truck sell over seas items anyways. And saves money to support my family don’t see anything wrong with that. USA made tools are great though no complaints with that.
I was helping my friend on his customers lift kit. He had a flashy big snap on tool box and everything very organized. We needed an impact u joint, half inch extension, and 1-1/8 in wrench; which he had neither.
I said we need to go back to my truck (truck driver) and grab my bag. "He yelled 100k in tools and we need your little bag full of harbor freight shit" I'm like yeah that's pretty sad.
I have been a professional technician for quite a while now. I have a ton of tools, but when I was first starting out, it was hard to part with so much money for something from the Snap On or Matco trucks. Now I have pretty much everything I need and backups for them too. Even though I am really a Snap On fanatic, my Matco guy has saved my but before and I will always be loyal to him for it. But it really depends what I am in the market for. My boxes are full of everything from Snap On and Matco, to tools from Craftsman and even Harbor Freight and even Home Depot. You just have to know what you are in the market for and how often you will be using it
tekton makes some good stuff and warranty is good to just send a picture and they send a new one. they have good sets and some special tools like 30 degree offset wrenches instead of 45
I've only had a few experiences on the tool truck.(I'm a tech just starting out) At the time I was looking for a stubby 1/2 impact. tool truck guy directed me to what I was looking for and even let me try it out on a job!
His price was $215.
Then, I go on Amazon to find out that it's listed for $115!
To me trying out a tool is'int worth the double the asking price for a tool.
When I got home I ordered the impact all of the fittings and oil I needed for less the the tool truck price.
Let's have a beef with people making business in your same country, and buy from people that live like eternal vacations enjoying the perks of an ecommerce while you have to wake up with the roosters and have a gritty boss, pricking your fingers, burning with exhaust pipe, and yet having to go to homedepot to buy a new one because there's no warranty guy coming to give a hand. What a genius.
I buy from my Matco guy due to the service. I know it's a little on the high side but it's the dudes job. I'm supporting his business. Also he hooks it up sometimes lol.
+RedLineBandits
When they bring it on the service side, I'm all for it!
If he weren't driving the tool truck he could've worked in online sales, training, or controlling. Jobs don't just go away, they are transformed. I did work as mechanic (and paramedic), stayed away from debt and alcohol, studied and am now an engineer.
We only have a Snap On truck around here...I love the truck for stuff that I need RIGHT NOW or I need it and can't afford to buy it straight out from an online vendor. Takes our dealer forever to get stuff though...ordered an oil pressure sensor socket and didn't get it for like a month or two. If he doesn't have what you need, it's going to be a while and that is hateful.
Yesterday I owed the Snap On man around $100, I needed a 36" pry bar since I've been borrowing one. I got one off of the truck and paid him $50. I do love that, but I'm not paying interest - I'd never sign up for actual Snap On credit though, that shit is scary.
Use cheap tools until you break them and then think about buying from the truck. Unless you've got several thousand bucks to lay out for a tool box, DO NOT BUY ONE FOR YOUR FIRST BOX.
Awesome video man, I hope the brand new guys that haven't dealt with Snap On yet heed your advice.
I bought a used Snap-on rolling toolbox at auction for $40. Now I'm da boss!
Great video. When I got started in 1978 there was no Internet I had to have tools so I bought a complete set of what I needed from Snap-on they came around the school. 40 something years later I have 5 Snap-on and Chraftsman pro tool boxes with every brand of tool even a couple of harbor fraight. One of those boxes is at my house and I still have almost all my original ones I keep them at home mostly. It's great having the tool you need when you need it.
I'm glad somebody else thinks like me, when it comes to tool trucks.Every shop I worked at, Snap-on would consistently skip out on us.Every Snap-on rep has had this "If you're not buying a $5000 box every week, I don't want to bother with you" shitty attitude towards me. Sorry, but I would rather buy $5000 in actual tools and buy a Craftsman box, than a $5000 empty box. I used to spend money every week and pay more than I actually owed, but most of the time, Mac got my business. Mac was low pressure and showed up every week.
D F I got into an argument with a Mac rep yesterday I needed a ratchet warranty and he told me to go fuck myself because I didn't buy it from him
7c performance don't believe you
Brad Kells happened with me from a snap on guy too, what's not to believe. He told me I'm not a regular customer of his cause I'm an over the road mechanic. He threw a fit about it cause he said next stop one of his customers is gonna need the rebuild kit and he won't have it
Had a matco guy at a shop I was new at tell me he didn't have my ratchet or rebuild kit in stock and sent me away. I told one of the guys in the shop and he said "let me try"... He went out there with my broken ratchet, came back with a new ratchet.
tehpwner32 typical politico type tool truck guy. sad deal. been there. so many of them are of the type that unless you're spending a hundred bucks or more a week they won't even give you the time of day
I'm on the logic truck these days!
I recommend checking reviews and buying from Harbor Freight, in some cases.
$15 for a 1/2" drive breaker bar with comfort grip that is on par with SnapOn. Or the mother of all pry bars for less than $20!
How many days a week are they open? Lifetime warranty, your receipt is in the system so you don't need to find it.
And don't forget to hit up your local pawn shops and haggle them on prices. They only paid some poor soul 10%-15% of the retail value of that name brand tool.
When I was at MMI, I decided to get Craftsman tools rather than Snap-On because I figured that maybe I would end up somewhere where the tool truck wasn’t Snap-On. But there was a Sears in every town, so I could probably get it replaced same-day anytime just by stopping at Sears in the way home.
Who would have thought?
you still can its lowes not sears now
I was a rep for the blue tool company for a year. Aside from lack of payments coming in, one big thing was the online sales and the fact that they could get it cheaper. I was locked into a specific price if I wanted to survive.
I have since gotten out obviously, went back to wrenching. I get it. I started wrenching in the ‘90’s had an awesome snap on rep then later in my career an awesome Cornwell rep. Now I do what I can with what I got.
Thanks for the vid.
Enjoy watching you. 👍
Times change, business needs to adapt. Tool truck brands don't like the fact I can get better service and or tools online ? CHANGE YOUR BUSINESS MODEL!!! The customer is always the customer.
nailed it!
Ya but when the brand new shiny snap on tool is right in front of you its hard to say no.
Great video. I just have one thing to add don't break your knuckles over cheap tools. Sometimes when the ratchet breaks it hurts.
That is exactly why some tools you can't buy cheap ones of. The other benefit is that the better ratchets have a smaller turning degree that is required to be used properly. When you get into some tight spots, this feature alone will save a lot of time.
You also don't want your long breaker bar snapping on you on a tough bolt. You have a lot of force going into that bar, and when it all suddenly releases, it can get violent.
You can buy really, really nice made in USA ratchets from both Allen & SK. I have a 90 tooth Allen ratchet that blows away any Snap On.
Really appreciate the financial knowledge you’re passing along to the new guys. Its invaluable. I’m not a technician nut babe got broke 3 times in my lifetime. But I haven’t gone broke since I quit using credit to fund my career.
All great points, thanks for posting!
18%? No way! If your phone actually makes those noises, I want one! ;)
I love it when you buy a brand because that is the only tool truck that comes to your shop. Then you change jobs or the tool guy retires and you no longer see a truck from that brand. Good luck getting warranty service.
YEP! Happened to me with Cornwell and Mac both.
Awesome video Charles! I learn quite a bit from your videos. Thanks
really like your vids man! I had seen you on other channels and was directed here to your channel by Eric the car guy vids. You guys and project farm all make good content. Keep it up!
Not being a mechanic I'm kind of surprised. I know snap on has sockets and wrenches but I thought their real business was specialized mechanics tools and diagnostic testing equipment. Specialized wrenches to reach spark plugs on the back bank of a fwd V6- tools to deal with access problems, strange connectors, removing bearings and seals, etc. also testing equipment for reading codes, testing sensors and electrical diagnostics. If I was running the company I wouldn't have anything on the truck you could buy at Sears. I'd have innovative tools that make an impossible job just difficult, and the difficult jobs easy.
The issue with that is, people by way more normal wrenches than specialty tools. You have to have both.
gary diane I bought almost all ordinary tools from snap on. Generally speaking they always proved to me why they were better. The snap on guy came once with a set of screwdrivers, 175 dollars which I thought was insane. He said Go in the shop and get any screwdriver you want, I grabbed a few and he had a bent tube that we could connect the two screw drivers together and no matter what the snap on could overpower the grip of the other one. He gave me 50 bucks credit for a trade in which wasn't even worth 20 and I bought the set for 125.00. That was 15 or so years ago and I still have the set. I also find I'm way more careful with expensive tools, I probably lost 20 cheap screwdrivers but always know where the snap on ones are. I even bought snap on hammers, deadblows ans ball peens, those I doubt I'd do again, there's cheaper ones that will do just as good.
SEARS professional line was great tools (some, not all, like always) that you could go get 7 days a week for very good prices compared to the trucks. Sadly that changed.
Great video Charles. I buy a lot of hand tools from Napa, their Carlyle brand. Good tools and great warranty.
I've been a DIYer for years, but I'm working through an automotive course to refresh and update my skills to start doing side work at the house. I have always liked cars and working on them and hope to help others keep their older cars on the road a little longer. I have You Tube subscriptions to a few real mechanics for tips like the Humble Mechanic, The Flat Rate Master, Eric the Car Guy, Tony the Technician, Justin Dow, and Scanner Danner. My tool collection is 90% older USA-made Craftsman(including an air compressor and air tools), Pittsburgh Pro, Tekton, Carlyle, Gearwrench, and other miscellaneous items. I have student discount programs through Snap-on and Matco, but I haven't used them yet. I was within a width of a gnat's eyelash of getting a Snap-on credit account started just to get the Ethos Plus scan tool. If I use a tool truck more than likely I'll chase down the Matco truck (I'm a State Trooper so I have lights and sirens...Ha!) My preference has been set to get my tools through the local store as much as possible. I've have two Tekton socket sets, but I really don't want to use mail order if I don't have to; if I need to warranty a tool I don't want to mail it off and wait for a return. A good example was having to warranty one of my Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches when the mechanism came apart while I was using it, I called my local Advance Auto and went there to replace it. NAPA is my preferred auto store though. I'd rather try to put funds back in my local economy first. Getting closer to being almost debt free (house payment) is all the more incentive to avoid accumulating more debt. Keep up the good work, HM!
The internet will kill the tool truck but the options are endless on the web. Thanks for some good points Charles.
wyattoneable I think you are right. Especially since the tool trucks don't visit residences. I think there are more than enough lawyer and accountant types with more money than they know what to do with in some residential areas that would gladly fork over their money just for the bragging rights of having all snap on stuff.
The internet kills nobody.
Red Phoenix brush up on figurative language.
wyattoneable i dont see that happening but i do see tool truck brands lowering their prices to compete and if they dont then i guess you're right and they'll go the way of the dinosaur
Wyattoneable just curious how do you warranty your broken internet tools. Is there an internet service that fixes your tools? What happens if you don't have all that money up front, does the internet take weekly payments? Don't say that tool trucks are too expensive, just say that you are too cheap or can't afford it, that is more like the truth.
I understand professional techs using Snap On, Mac etc.. The rest of us can get by with Husky, Kobalt or Harbor Freight. I'd mention Craftsman but I don't know who handles their warranty anymore.
Yep, Its crazy that a DIYer would by new tools from the Snappy truck... But hey too each their own.
I'm not a mechanic, but my dad once gave me an ancient SnapOn 1/2 inch ratchet. The direction switch was gone and the guts were jammed up. I carried it in my truck for a couple weeks until I saw a SnapOn truck in front of a garage. Brought it in and the guy took it over to his little bench and fixed it right up in like five minutes. On the way out I bought a big gumball he had in a machine by the door for a quarter. Felt like I should buy something, lol! Only time I've ever dealt with a tool truck dealer and it was good.
Bought an Ingersoll 3/4 impact on Amazon for these reasons. Matco and Snappy were very proud of their 3/4 guns
Good advice Charles. I tell this to my guys all the time.
No a pro tech but i do get paid to work on vehicles one a week or so. My go to is husky from home depot. Thats cool that snapon has a lifetime warranty but even a 'cheap' husky socket has never broke on me. Chances are that i loose a socket and for $1-2 at home depot get me another one that day. For the BIG stuff in 3/4 drive i like carlyle from NAPA.
You can often get very, very high quality German tools off ebay. The Wera socket sets in particular are amazing, there is a UK company Big Red Toolbox that sells them for a reasonable price and Cripe Distributing has US and German made tools for cheap.
Kayman Clark it's not about a tool breaking, really. Do they fit and work well? That's what tools are about. Not every Harbor Freight tool is a good purchase, for sure. But I seem to have survived 35 years of working on stuff without buying snapon :)
Truth is, tools that fit and work well don't usually break.
Other truth is, when we break a tool or socket, we know what we were doing and in my experience, most often, I shouldn't be surprised to have broken a tool. We break tools most often when we abuse them, not when we use them hard. Static Object Syndrome is a disease only we ourselves can cure LOL Oh, and fwiw, new craftsman sucks, and I treat my old craftsman tools more carefully and with much more respect these days. I've got plenty of HF stuff if I need a sledge hammer on a wrench...
A good tool truck rep can help you make quite a bit more money in many ways. First, he can hook you up with the latest tool to get the job done faster before HF comes out with cheap copies. Second, he can give you credit so you get the tool and start making money with it sooner. Third, you don't have to go to the post office to ship the broken one back (which usually takes me about 45 minutes). I could make around $20 if I was working rather than standing in line. So it costs me money every time I have to ship something.
The key there is GOOD!!!! I wish more were good.
I tried a KTC Nepros ratchet and I have to say, I like it better than Snap-On. The mirror finish is unlike anything I've seen, the mechanism is super precise and buttery smooth and it's put together tighter than a bank vault.
Excellent video Charles. I was always on the tool truck back in the day when I was a Tech...20 years ago, so no internet.
Thanks dude! Yea I wish internet was an option back when I started
Classic G-Body Garage the internet WAS an option 20 years ago...just most people didn't know how to use it
10 years ago guys start wrenching and you them the first year year and a half 30-40% of your income is "invested" in tools if your serious.. and the looks a fear sadness or inspiration would almost instantly tell you the commitment or drive of the new guy.
I am 55 and my dad was a master mechanic over 50 years. he had tools from craftsman as the store was 2 blocks away. It was back in the early 60 s . He did buy some special tools from snap on and Matco. He had over 10k worth of tools buy the time he retired.
Back then it was ok to take your kid to work so I could take a car apart and put it back together by the time I was 13 I even got paid from the age of 11 .But back then craftsman almost was made in American now most are made in China . Me I got 1/2 of his tools when he passed 6 months ago my brother got the other 1/2 So my tools sets are missing things but before I became a disabled vet I bought tools to replace them . Just last month I found a snap on 5 drawer tool box loaded with snap on and Matco and craftsman .
I tried every thing to find the owner even put ads in the newspaper. I have this bad feeling someone was stealing them and he of she dumped them off the side of the road. They went down an embankment where you could not really see it and it was beaten up so I guess no one wanted it . I looked all the tools up on line a its over 6k of tools .
So somebody is really screwed unless they had insurance I am a disabled vet in a wheelchair so I can not fix things like I used to . I am thinking about selling them.
I'm a toolaholic,I buy from the pawn shop/junk shop,yard sales,buying only good brand names at a fraction of retail,compiled a set of combination wrenches 3/8 to 1" for my grandson for less than $100,labels inc stahlwille snap on brittool etc.Friday I found an english 1-1/4 pound hammer,rusty/dried handle for $5,wire brushed it,refitted the handle and dressed it with linseed oil-- good as new-1hour of my Sunday afternoon,tool therapy.
Yes you should stay off the tool truck, you don't know who has been drooling over the tools before you.
Haha, you mean stay away from the roach coach. Now where I was THEY were at least reliable if nothing else.
Buy Toptul from schmidtdn on ebay. Frankly, there's nothing else that touches the quality/price ratio.
Garth Goldberg I've been using a lot of Toptul stuff professionally for 7+ years now. And I am really happy with it.
Off to see what this one is about. Thanks man!
Isn't that kobalt and the pro harbor freight tools? Pretty sure that they use that factory in taiwan.
HumbleMechanic video review?
Thanks for the input
This is a Great Video HumbleMechanic. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much
Like the time I broke the head off of my 3 foot 1/2 ratchet. And the part was backordered for 6 months.
YEP! F-that ...
HumbleMechanic It was a Matco. A couple other guys had the same problem and traded theirs on one of the other trucks. I ended up welding mine to keep going.
I knew it was a matco before I read the reply lol. But the locking flex head sure is nice. I have an older one and haven't broke it yet. The newer ones don't seem to hold up.
Johnny missfire no they do not. I've had the locking flex head rebuilt on my Matco 18" 1/2 drive twice since I bought it three months ago, but it started slipping the very next day again every time. I said fuck it at this point and now it's just a flex head without a lock.
Snap On guarantees tools if thry feel like it.
I have not had but one or 2 things denied for warranty. But I think they were either not covered or out of warranty.
I've had something denied warranty due to being discontinued or too old to fix, that's it.
No warranty on those $300 drill bits....
Awesome video charles!! Very well said and i couldnt agree more. Im bad on the truck so i do everything i can to not step foot on them. All around great info!
Thanks so much
very true, as a shop owner the tools and equipment I need aren't on the truck they have to be ordered. I have been buying them on line for usually half the cost. but sometimes I have to wait a little longer because I have to pay it in full, and not use a credit card, but it nice when work gets a little slow it is paid for.
Too many options available today. Buy as you go and don't go into debt over tools.
DaveSender66 agreed. In decades past options were pretty limited, but there are numerous brands that offer good quality, awesome warranties, and REASONABLE prices. It's time for them to get with the times. They had a good run but the internet is going to destroy tool trucks if they don't step it up.
Nope, times are irrelevant. They could only win in the service department, so it seems.
No need for a tool truck now that I've won your sonic giveaway !
+New Level Auto hahaha. I hope you're right
HumbleMechanic I'm not giving up Charles . She will be mine
Beat me to it! lol
Good deal Keith , As sonic toolbox sets are one of the highest priced sets I've seen !
I call shenanigans!
Good and unbiased advice there. Here in the uk we pay extra as we the buyer has to pay the extra premium for it to be shipped from the usa the shipped to the dealer from the head office in the uk.Then the dealer has to make his big wage each month.As you say go on line more choice.I am not anti snap on or any oather tool truck just had a bad experience with the local dealer because I was not spending a lot of money..
I agree with a lot of what you say in this and you make very very valid points. inly thing I disagree with is the quality of the hand tools (ratchets, sockets and wrenches) those items I don't think any off brand matches them for quality. I usually lean to snap-on as I have a great rep. the other stuff they all re label and put there name on it. If you look around there are great deals for the exact same item with one of the big three logos on it.
1 dislike is from a tool truck driver.
1 dislike from a fan wanting halflife 3 lol
+Josiah Vander Zon lol
One counter dislike from a shade tree mechanic who does not owe any money on credit to anyone. Overnight shipping will eventually change the way we purchase tools. A tool truck is quick easy but you pay for that service. Great video, its another option as opposed to a tool truck. If you watch the video he explains when a tool truck is for you. 18% interest??? Really....
Gordon Freeman ya. Me! He is taking food of my table. I have kids to feed.
Boo hoo.... Go open up a pay day lending service in the hood! Then cry about someone educating PPL about how foolish it is to use that service. If you provide great service and value to your customers this video will not take food off your table. But if you make your living praying on people who don't know enough to not pay 18% interest then you may want to consider an alternate method of making money for your family. I respect you for working hard, but not for crying about people getting educated about your service and the quality of tools you offer, esp. when they are available on the open market with overnight shipping offering a comparable return and warranty.
I bought a 3/8 socket set in 1978 when I first started as a professional mechanic it was a task master set made in Japan and it cost a weeks wages for a basic set Ratchet 2 extensions and 10 sockets. The ratchet broke in 1989 and I replaced it with a Britool the rest of the set I still have and still use every day. At the time a Snap on set would have cost 4 times as much the question is. Is the snap on set worth the extra cash?
Only 10? For one piece and the rest has lasted nearly 40... I think that's not too bad.
corey hayes, every Snap On ratchet I've ever owned has broken in some way. The heads have stripped out in almost all of them at one point or another. One of my 3/8" flex head ratchets had the actual drive shear right off the head. My snap on 1/2" long handle ratchet handle snapped completely off of the head. I could keep going, but aside from how they feel they really aren't any more durable than many of the less expensive offerings out there.
Bought a Britool ratchet still have it and it still works well.got other snap on and SK 1/2 drive as well but still have the original 3/8 set minus the original ratchet But I must say I was using it as a breaker bar at the time cos it was all i had to remove a digger wheel in the field with a 6 ft cheater bar. So not so bad
Back in the day, there were far more higher end, high quality tool options out there. If you can find a high quality alternative to snap on, then snap on isn't worth the extra cost.
so your saying in 78 you paid a weeks wages for a ratchet , 2 extensions and 10 sockets, and today its 4x as much? so the same set is 4 weeks pay now? cmon
Some good points def. i knew the snap on guy from my fathers shop and when I went off on my own he took care of me so as a thank you and appreciative thing I buy from him plus lets me just pay weekly and or skip a week if needed, but def some good valid points !!
I use an assortment of OEM, Power Torque, Crescent, Tekton, and Gearwrench tools mainly. Never had a problem with any of them.
Gearwrench!!!
Absolute incredible quality. The gearwrench 84 tooth design is almost identical to that of the MatCo 88 ratchets, in fact, you can put the Matco 88 guts into the gearwrench just fine.
Koshunae Armstrong makes Matco's hand tools. Armstrong and gearwrench are both under the apex tool company.
Meaning you get pretty compareable quality between gearwrench and matco, right? There just seems to be a bigger selection under the large box truck names, like the longer 1/4" drive ratchet, which could probably even be found in gearwrench if you looked hard enough.
Christopher Kilger Surprisingly I've never broken a gearwrench. I just lose them.
Sorry I meant Gearwrench in a good way....I have tons and love them
S&K Wrenches. Proto Sockets. Just sayin'
S&K crescent wrenches are nice.
A lot of good points, in my area we have a Snap On guy that will bring you any tool you need, even on weekends. I own quite a few harbor freight and craftsmen tools. But I would never trade my Snap On ratchet or sockets for anything else. Good video
My go to ratchets are also SO. That's awesome that you have a Snappy dude bring you tools on weekends. Buy that man a beer!
100% truth. I've been in it since 05 and this video is super accurate
there are many cheap brands that have a lifetime guarantee. why overspend
Connor Ortiz I see this alot, guys starting out will grab HF or cheaper socket sets, because the sockets are softer and built cheaper I see them round more fasteners than say like my snap on socket sets. I'll break just about every socket once every year/year and a half. but once I upgraded from craftsman to snap on the stuff I round off is fractions of the number it was prior.
with that being said I've been trying kobalt stuff and so far so good.
Buy nice or buy twice
Cowbell Customs, I've been using my craftsman sockets that I purchased when I was 16 years old every single day, and as a professional tech for almost a decade. I've never broken a craftsman socket, and I've never rounded a fastener using them. The few snap on sockets I paid way too much money for over the years have all broken at some point, including the impact sockets. I've been using Harbor Freight impact sockets for a few years now and they don't round any fasteners and I have yet to break one. Justifying the amount of money a snap on socket costs compared to a "cheaper" socket doesn't make sense. The only "technicians" that are brand loyal to the overpriced offerings from Snap On, and the others are the parts changers that don't have enough experience to know any better.
Connor Ortiz yeah the quality gap has closed in a big way too. There are so many options beyond the no name "chrome vanadium" wrenches and sockets of yesteryear. Also all these arguments about certain tools not rounding fasteners is largely useless IMO. Yes wrenches such as Wrights wrightgrip and snap on flankdrive plus do work better, so they do still have their place, albeit limited. Their wrenches seem to be their best example of clear superiority. As far as sockets and ratchets go, in my experience the HF and gearwrench stuff performs just as good for pennies on the dollar. Breaking sockets and ratchets happens rarely for me, mostly because anything that breaks most sockets or ratchets is me doing something I shouldn't have been doing anyways. I think skill plays a big factor in this as well.
Dude if you're breaking a every socket every year or two then I'd say there is a larger problem going on. I'm pretty sure I could hold every socket I've ever broken in one hand. And most of those were cases where I was abusing the hell out of them with a 4 foot galvanized pipe or something similar
It has been 40 years since I started buying tools on the trucks. When I started out your choices were the trucks, Sears, or the parts stores. I bought from all of these places and never had to wait for tools, other than high ticket items which
I was going to have to finance. In the 80s I switched from being a mechanic to an electronic tech. My employer supplied my tools there and if something broke I was given a new one out of the tool supply. Snap-On would come in once a month to deliver last month's order and take a new order. When I was working as a mechanic different trucks would come by on different days so it was easy to pick up another tool if one broke. I used Craftsman ratchets as my go-to tools because Sears would give me ratchet kits to keep in my toolbox. When I replaced one I just took the old one back to Sears and got a new one.Things have changed since then.
Love this video.. as a DIYer.. I simply go to sears and problem solved. But yes,, I hate chasing the tool truck because sears dont carrie such tools. Im the type that, "oh, nice tool, I may need it one day" so I stop at my local sears
Great video a lot of the points you said I agree on keep it up
U make great points I use my snap on truck a lot because if I pay cash the tools he sells me are under msrp I got a fdx socket set for 250$ and full retail was 340 plus tax.
Great Advice Charles..
You dont know how many times I see this new techs with some very expensive tools,tool boxes only to not know how to pop an axle out..
Guess Its a good thing that I had the Tools dont make a tech attitude ah..
Me and you both. We had a dude roll in with 10k of Snappy tools fresh out of school. I was too scared I wouldn't like the job to buy anything. That same dude was not a good tech.
Good videos man.. yeah I started a few years before you and your spot on we didn’t have as many options. I did buy some tools on eBay back then but nowadays the tool trucks prices are just crazy. For instance Matco has a compressed air powered vacuum brake bleeder in their flyer for 230, the same mighty vac is sold everywhere online for 99. I have a master coolant pressure tester ATD brand has pretty much any adapter you will ever need I paid 200 and tool truck wanted 400. Guy I work with bought a similar kit with less adaptors from Snapon for 650 but a few of the adapters leaked right out of the box. I have spent tons of money on the trucks but as of now I do most of my shopping online, yeah I have to pay for everything up front but save so much money.
My Snap-On guy is there every week even when I went almost a year not buying anything . I usually get $400 worth through the driver then pay it off then start up again .
Remember a friend tearing apart a 454 from an SS El Camino and one head bolt broke mac,snap on,matco,craftsman in both impact and non,standing next to a dollar bin at a ACE HARDWARE found a six point socket in 1/2 and behold that cheap one worked which was placed in a clear plastic box marked "in case of emergency,go cheap",whatever werks is my motto..
My impact sockets,I am buying Grey Pnuematic and Sunex for the price.Lifetime warranty as well and at least half the price of the tool truck brands.I deal with Matco and pretty good not running my tool bill up.Pay cash on the spot.Mac and Cornwell,I have sent in broken tools to them and they have sent me replacements with no problems at all.
Charles I think this is a wonderful topic and an even better video. I never worked as a mechanic but ever since I started watching youtube videos I can not get over how much money people are spending on these tool trucks! Your comments were spot on that in todays day with the internet there is no reason to over pay for tools. And these tool trucks are getting way too greedy. When they start marking up these tools at 100% markup and more, mechanics are only putting themselves in debt for no good reason. The added value of the tool truck has vanished and the greater quality has gone with it! $150.00 for 1 snap 1/4 inch rachet??? Thats insane.
The slim head Matco super 88 tooth 3/8" ratchet is the worst ratchet ever. I broke it every week to the point were I wasn't even grabbing the end of the handle and nor was I putting too much torque into it (every week he blamed me for misuse). Plus the Matco dude tried his best to get me to buy a Matco toolbox (Both top and bottom boxes) with the idea of making payments on it. What he didn't know was that I was on to his tactics. If he got me to get a $20,000 toolbox he had me for a long time paying him weekly, and he knew he would be able to sell me more tools at a premium to add to the total balance. I'm not doing that. My tools are just as there and secure in my Craftsman box that was literally a twentieth of the cost for both the top and bottom boxes combine. With the extra money I saved I bought a few extra slide assemblies to make the drawers stronger and still had enough to buy a new car with the price difference.
Thanks for the video and honest advice, they make my day.
That Chris Fix sticker is so hard to read being white and in that particular placement, do him a solid and get different color one too make it stick out tiny bit better lol.
Both of you are grade A+ car UA-camrs! 💪
I'm just getting started as of about 6 months ago and just starting to buy things here and there from my snap on dealer. Only reason being, I want the Snap On quality, the service from the guy is impeccable and the fact that he hooks me up with deals. Never charges me interest and always knocks the price down to get me to buy it. I always make sure to not carry too much of a balance though.
I hear you, very few of my hand tools are off a tool truck. Typically the tools I buy off the truck are hard to find specialty tools.
I'm glad this guy has the guts to tell the truth because so many don't. Not putting down Snap-on tools or any other major brands it's just that I know of successful mechanics that have a lot of Craftsman tools in their toolbox. And some very nice tools to go with that. But they've been in business a long time so that says something
really appreciate the data dump on tool trucks. great real world current take. thanks.
great info charles
can be for sure, sometimes its a 50/50, repair and warranty is a decent reason, sometimes eve your guy will show up off sched when you give him a call, but like place i work now matco and mac dont even want to stop by, while crescent, gear wrench,and channel lock make out standing products available everywhere at great price.
I'm a simple mechanic who's only three quarters through my first engine rebuild, and so far I've put my money into Harbor Freight stuff and I'm still impressed by the little things. A 72 tooth ratchet is a god send to me after using lesser teethed ratchets. Pittsburgh has served me well so far, just don't use the socket adapters for torque applications lol.
My go to has been harbor freight for tools. If I use a Harborfreight tool enough to break it/ wear it out, then that tool becomes something worth paying the extra money for and getting one off the tool truck (or online if the truck doesn't carry said tool).
The gig seems to be up for the tool trucks in my area we only get a Snap off guy and more often than not I don't buy anything. There's always that off hand chance I broke something not using it properly, but for the most part you can get just as good of quality of tools, if not better on the interwebs.
Now that I said that the Snap off guy will probably have some super cool that I don't need and will buy so it can sit in my over filled toolbox.
majority of everything you need can be found on Amazon. bore scope, ratchets, sockets, screw jacks, otc diag equipment...
I agree with you on what you said about tool trucks. I’ve been an auto tech and I’ve stayed with Craftsman tools. All of the other technicians would laugh at me but at least I could go to sears that night and replace a broken ratchet instead of waiting a week for the tool truck to repair or replace it. By the way , at a fraction of the cost I was still doing as much r and r work as them with my “ cheap” Craftsman tools.
I'm not a mechanic by trade but work on my own vehicles and like tools in general. I dont own anything snap on matco mac etc, but understand there place. Koon Trucking made an excellent video on why he chooses to shop on the tool truck. You're paying for convenience, service, and supporting a local business
Great advice!
I agree. That said, with certain tools (ratchets in particular) Snap On has no equal. I own quite a few and aside from Koken I haven’t found better.
Preach, brother!
I'm with you. when I started as a mechanic in 2001 had a vary good snap on dealer but got different job and with that came a sucky ass snap on dealer and I refuse to buy anything off him unless I have to like it's a special tool and can't get it anywhere else so I go online or to a store like harbor freight.
DUDE YOU ARE SO RIGHT ! AND I ALSO LOVE VWS. ROCK ON MAN.
To be serious though, up here in Canada, we pay more for everything, but when I started out for example I paid $500 for a snap on 1/2” drive impact wrench. I now work for an oil/gas company that supplies all my tools. They pay Snap On’s “industrial rate” for the same tools. So that same 1/2” impact my work pays only $250 for! And remember they are still making profit at that price. It was pretty upsetting to think of how much money I poured into that tool truck when I didn’t have much to spare as an apprentice. Anyways, great channel Charles, keep up the good work!✌🏻
I haven't been on a tool truck in almost 2 decades, and yes, I too spent a small fortune with Snap On, Mac, and Matco.