Since I'm in the first semester of AMT (Auto Tech) at HCC now, I have to buy a nicely sized tool set before the actual shop work begins (a couple weeks from now).

We have a lot of vendors coming by, but I'm stickin' with Craftsman. Reliable and affordable, plus I don't want to take a loan out or sell my car to buy "brand-name" tools.

If anyone is interested in a good starter Snap-On set, let me know because Snap-On Industrial (I guess a different "branch" from Snap-On Tools locally or something) is offering a one chance offer for a helluva deal. (That's relatively speaking, of course.) I can write up the list of what is included this week since I have to type it out for myself anyway to see what I already own.

The retail was well north of 3,000 but the dealer is selling the "sets" (can't add, drop or switch anything) for just over 2k after tax and freight. I doubt anyone is interested, but let me know anyway. I'm told for Snap-On that the set comes separately over the course of a couple months. If I pass on their offer, I can still buy Snap-On from the truck vendors at a decent discount, but nothing close to 40%+.

Proto-Stanley, MAC, and a couple more have come by or will come by to sell us crap. The non-sears Craftsman guy came by today and gave me a free ratcheting plier thing because I tied for highest on the 'safety test' today. The other guy got a craftsman knife... damnit!

So, if anyone is interested in quality starter tool sets (even the craftsman ones are a good discount for the Pro series) let me know. If you are serious about the Snap-On, let me know asap. For the others, you can change what you buy (the S/O deal has to match our student list) or buy them later on. I can get some detailed price lists up later for common tools.

Now... where the hell am I going to get 1k for tools....

Scott

 

Some of my Craftsman hand tools are more than 40 years old and are still tough as hell. If I decide to abuse and break one, I get a free replacement and nobody asks for the original receipt, heh.

High quality tools are always better than cheepos. Good brands are lighter, thinner and safer. For example, the sockets will have thin walls and closer tolerances [and large lettering showing the size -- that I need to add!].

If you run across a Snap-On salesperson named Duane, he's the president of the Hawaii Camaro Club. I bought a Camaro door spring compressor from him a while ago.

Is anyone offering good deals on air tools?

 

I agree with all of those. Before I bought my small Craftsman set, I <i>shredded</i> half of my cheapo tools (even the "Pro" cheapo ones snapped) and I've yet to break a Craftsman... well a few torque wrenches but I abuse those to hell. And I hate how small the regular Craftsman lettering is- even clean I have trouble reading them.

There are at least 4 or 5 Snap-On dealers, but I think we have 2 different guys coming to our school, maybe not. I'll definately ask though.

Grainger came by, but I forgot what the discounts are. I think today is the last day for the tool guys to show off their crap, and so far they've all offered some discount from their list price for auto tech students. If you have a specific brand in mind I can find out what the discounts are. I know Chicago Pneumatic left a small catalog. If there is a specific tool you're lookin' for, I can go get some prices.

I say, take advantage of discounts, since I can't! I think I'll look into a few select S/O or Mac tools, but mostly Craftsman. The guy is (only?) selling Craftsman Pros, but I don't think there is a difference from the "regulars." I want to compare S/O ratchets, but I bet the S/O 3/8's will cost more than my Craftsman trio....

Scott