Well I am graduating school next month and am tryin to decide on what tools to get. While I am in school I get 50% off most snap on tools. So what should I definately get snap on. I have heard they have some of the best sockets so i will probably get some of those but what else does snap on make thats really superior to any other brand that I should take advantage of with my discount. I am lookin to spend prolly around 2-3 grand, or 4-6 list price and plus I got a 1,200 dollar voucher to use so I have around 7k to spend right now.

 

that will get you a 6 piece mm wrench set.

 

And a shirt.

 

i wouldn't be as narrow minded mac offer 50% of their full line for students. Matco offers 52% of most tool 30% on others signing up for Matco is easy you can do it online and it will show you the student price on screen by far the easiest to use student program in the tool business.

 

So aside from the last post maybe we could actually try and be helpful. Yes their sockets are pretty amazing. If you really want, you can pick up one of their Tech-wrenches. It's their all digital compound angle doing crazy all in one torque wrench. Their box end wrenches are all balanced if that is something you care about. DOn't know anything about their screwdrivers really. If you do body work, I've been told that their body tools are top notch. If the voucher is strictly for them, then spend that there, but also do as Cody said and check other places too. I know a ton of people who have Mac stuff sitting right beside Snap-on stuff in their Craftsman tool-box. So also take into consideration what tools you think you'll be using the most and to buy higher end brands of those, but you can save some money by getting the less expensive brands of a tool you know you'll only use every so often, but know you'll still need.

 

Yeah thats what I plan on doing. I am just talking bout certain snap on tools that I should get that are better than the others. I plan on gettin some cornwell, I have used a quite a bit of their stuff and think the quality is top notch also. And I get 40% off. I dont plan on getting all snap on. Thats not my intent. Im thinkin bout getting a cornwell box I just kind of wanted to to know of the really good snap on things that the other tool companies dont make or compare to in quality. I guess the only reason I am talking bout snap on and not the other ones is because we have our own snap on represenative on the campus full-time that takes care of everything for us. Thanx for the help whitestripes.

 

Snapon makes great tools and should look at there starter sets as that will get you some basics. But I would look at a Matco Box they are by far the best built. Once you start working make yourself a list of tools you could use on a job if you need them twice or barrow them more than once buy them. Good luck you will spend a small fortune in no time.

Nate

 

Like Nate said go with a decent kit and get the sockets, wrenches, and ratchets covered. Then get whatever else you would be using alot. Don't worry, you will never have too many tools.One thing I wouldnt do without is an 18v 1/2" impact, or most of their cordless tools. My .02

 

i would get wrenches and screwdrivers from Mac. the Mac Edge product line is a bit pricey but well worth the extra cost and their extra long pattern wrenches are great when you need lots of leverage. ratchets and diagnostic equipment from snap-on. a set of pinless impact wobbles from either mac or matco. tool box choice will be dictated by price and the size you need craftsman, mac, matco, etc all top notch find one you'll take a couple years to fill that is in you budget.

 

What are some of the best cordless impacts? I have used makita before which seem to work fine. Are snap ons one of the best?

 

Makita are probably the best, if you need a HD one try the ingersoll rand cordless. ALso try and get the biggest tool box you can afford...

 

snap on cordless has the best torque of any 18v but costs a bunch the ingersoll is nice but pricey too i got my 18v dewalt for $200 and it has 300 ft.lbs of torque which is enough for most jobs. I went with Dewalt not only for price but it has a 3 year warranty versus a 1 year with snap on. plus I use mine all the time out in the middle of nowhere so I got a charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter which I don't know believe anyone else offers

 

Just throwing my .02 in def buy the flank drive wrenches. The flank drive just makes life so easy, especially with stuck fasteners.

 

I agree 100%. Make sure you dont skimp on the tool box or you will be buying a bigger one in a couple years. Matco has awesome student deals. I would try and save money and go craftsman with the stuff that you rarely use (example stubby combination wrenches). I would invest in some good air tools as well. You will be using them a lot. IR makes a good impact and air ratchet. Also a good set of wobbly sockets makes life a lot easier if you have to work in tight spaces.

 

What do you guys think about the craftsman tool kits. I could get like a 400pc kit for around 1k. that seems like a pretty good deal to me. But if their tools arent worth it I dont want to get that many of em. I just figured it would be a good start And I think I will go with the Dewalt or IR cordless impact. And as far as snap on goes i think I will get some of their semi-deep sockets and the techwrench and some other stuff. Do you think a 56" 10drawer Cornwell roll cab will be good enough to get started?

 

What are you in school for? Just curious...cause what time I worked with Midway Airlines then US Airways doing line maint. Snap On by far was the best and had the best selection for me. The industrial side for Snap On dealing w/ those tools are the best and have the best selection I think. I currently have all snap on tools still and continue to by them doing automotive work. There KRL series boxes are the stoutest...where most companies use 3 sets of caster to support there boxes...snap on only uses 2 sets for this size box. I will say this though...each company usually has tools in certain areas that are better than others.

 

I had the same discount when I was in my mechanic school, and bought around $7,500 worth at the student price. Snap-on are the only tools I buy. Definitely get all the sockets you can, the impact sockets are really nice with the size being laser marked on both sides of the socket. Their soft grip screwdrivers I think are the best. Just buy as much as you can as you'll only get that discount once, after that its full price (every now in then you can get the guy on the truck to take 10 - 20% off, but not 50%). Right now I'm getting another degree, so all my tools are still new and stay in my room. They look real nice that way , and will just be for my own use since my career doesn't require me to have my own tools.

Since you won't be able to afford it all, I would get the screwdrivers first, then sockets and ratchets, then prybars, wrenches, torque wrenches, hammers and so on. If you've worked on cars, you know what you use most. Can't ever have enough tools, the more you have the easier it will be sometimes to get in tight spots.

 

Just get as much as you can!

 

Well im in the automotive field but im goin into the racing side of it. Which is nice because i dont need all the specialty tools, like scanners and scopes and such so pretty much im looking at hand tools. I do all my own automotive work and always have and am just looking at what I should get for working on racecars and my own stuff on the weekends. Thanx for all the help guys.

 

Which racing field, NASCAR? That's were I'm headed in December, can't wait.