I'm at a point in my life where I can buy tool truck and not worry too much about it but I have a system that I came up with that I think is pretty solid and works great for new techs. I use Gearwrench ratchets and ratchet wrenches, Vessel Screwdrivers, Astro Pneumatic Impact sockets, Knipex pliers, Icon chrome sockets, non-ratchet wrenches, and most everything else. If I break something (which is rare) I'll consider going with a tool truck replacement but usually I just warranty it out and move on. The prices are such that I can almost keep two of everything important for less than one on the tool truck. I'll also buy specialty tools off the truck if they are the only one that makes it. No customer has ever asked me what kind of tools I use.
This guy is living proof that all the fancy tools in the world won’t make you a successful auto tech. It’s not the tools . It’s the hunger and desire to excel. Not making excuses
Justin Dow.. I've had truck brand tools break after just a little bit of use and I've had "cheap" tools last and never break. Of course I've had the cheap tools break too but some just last.. I have a black dead blow hammer that seems to be rubber instead of plastic that I've had for 30+ years and I use it for all kind of things. Even beating pole holders in the ground when I go fishing. Guess the name on it? Yep Pittsburgh from Harbor Freight. Not sure where I got it because I had it way before I knew about Harbor Freight. Where I live in Florida with the humidity and the salt air it doesn't take tools long to rust, especially impact tools. Heck just laying in the drawer of the toolbox they rust on the side facing down on the drawer liner. I don't know if the drawer liner holds moisture or what but it sucks to pick up a pair of pliers and find out one side is covered in rust.
South Louisiana humidity = snap on impact sockets rust more and faster than any other brands I have which include tekton, Mac, matco, Cornwell,craftsman,SK, GP, Astro, and others
My first big purchase was a $350 drum micrometer (matco because nobody else sold them at the time). God only knows the last time I used it. Some things like wrenches and ratchets are worth investing in, but techs starting out these days are lucky, especially if they need to buy stuff like timing kits
With tool truck prices having sky-rocketed I'm loyal to my wallet in this economy. Sold the Strap-On ratchets & wrenches and replaced them with Icon, Tekton, Gearwrench years ago. Haven't had an issue. Brick & mortar stores need to come back.
It's all about how you treat your tools and take care of them. Know their limitations and rarely exceed them. This affects durability of any tool that is worth its salt. Clearances and fittment can be a factor. I love my high dollar stuff and my cheap stuff as well.
I have a set of 1/2 drive impact swivel sockets that I've had over 25 years now. Cheap sockets, paid $20 for them. They are my go to swivels, beat the crap out of them over the years and have never had one break. And trust me I have a set of Snap-on too. Those $20 swivels will out work the Snap-ons any day of the week. Ohhhhh btw, those swivels were made in Japan too. I'd say they are "Pro" grade
I've been really impressed with the Grey pneumatic flip socket I have, kinda like to get they're 1/2" sockets or swivel sockets, I like the fluted swivel design I have old craftman one never broke it still have it, every single swivel pin design ive broke and the fluted design it doesn't have a collar over where the pin would be which is great for taking down transmissions
I had a Gearwrench socket I’d never used, sitting in the factory chest, in my perfectly dry shop rust in the case. Just one. None of the others. Just the 3/8” dr 22mm lol Professional tool is whatever gets the job done satisfactorily. The caveat there is some tools may accomplish 90% of what needs doing but then just won’t work for 5% of the jobs. And the other 5%, gets the job done but takes 4 times longer than it would have with the ideal tool. Nothing wrong with collecting as long as it’s done responsibly. And let’s face it, sometimes we may not get to use them as often as we’d like.
MMMM. I've splayed the ends of every brand wrenches under significant enough torque. I just got written up for work, and a day off without pay, for always giving the Snap-On scumbag the finger every time I saw him. I've got more Chinesium than anything else, and more Snap-On than any other tool truck brand. Out of everything I've got Mac(CL seried wrenches) And Matco(ratchets) are the only tool truck brand that have made my favorites selection. With my vast selection of tools,(I'm sure Snap-On's biggest toolbox set couldn't contain them all), I've yet to meet any job I can't due, other than needing some oddball sized consumables, such as a 47mm hole saw, and an 18.5,,drill bit(tap drill size for a M20x1.5 thread).
My snap on guy comes every 2-3 weeks, talks to one guy and leaves. Besides the fact he never has what you need I'm not going to chase you down to support your unnecessary business. Never given him the bird, but fuck that guy
@@gregblau8082 The local truck is at the company shop 2-3x per day. The day the Snap-On franchise threw a fit to my management, theyt were at the shop beter than an hour in the morning, and another hour or 2 in the afternoon, dealing with the company mechanics that I'd be hard pressed to even call parts changers.
I'm a dyi'er and I have mostly mid level tools sprinkled with some pro level tools. I think it's not the tools but a person experience that can make a tool pro level. I myself never do a job if I don't feel comfortable doing it and when I do try a job I never did before I will research it and or ask one of my buddies for help
Dude, i dunno if im in the minority but the different voice inflections for long periods of time made it a hard listen... i assume its to make a point or make fun of what people say but eh just keep it shorter... Anyways, any updates on mobile mechanic life?
I mean I have sockets from the 1950's that aren't even as good of quality as Taiwan stuff today.. the hard fact is that a tool is only going to last if the person using it knows what they're doing. You know how many guys besides me in a shop I've seen use breaker-bars over the last decade? Zero. That's why they're breaking ratchets every 3 months and I'm not. Been using the same Icon ratchets daily for like 4 years with zero issues.
@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway My impact sockets are probably some of the cheapest available from Princess Auto (comparable to Harbour Freight but here in Canada). Had them for 20 years, used daily, never broke one, why would I want to spend 10 times the price? Conversly, I have some Mac Tools that I hate, a 14 ratchet wrench that fits too tight, a ratchet that accidently flips direction to easily, a long 1/2" ratchet that the flex head flops around. I bought quite a lot of Mac, the dealer was a nice guy, but honestly the quality is not on par with Snap On in my experience. They have some neat stuff though. I have a lot of Snap On, can't say much bad, but expensive. My air impacts are Craftsman (Ingersol), been trouble free for many years. Just be smart, you don't need everything to be high priced, nobody cares but you,
@@mikekotarba5828 some children would just sell them off because they don't give a rip about stupid tools... Also if you look at the highest grade tools that are not "vintage" with collectiblility factor, they don't sell for much... That includes most of the 20-year-old snap-on wrenches and sockets that have been beat to hell
Love the honesty, real world based opinions etc. Wishing you all the best, the effort and honesty shared experiences etc. make this channel worthy of a Silver Play Button.
I think "professional" is just marketing. Its the thought that " the tool trucks carry these brands and go to shops where the professionals are, lowes sells this brand since it for a diy like me" sometimes price does reflect quality sometimes its doesn't. Only newer stuff i have hand tool wise is gearwrench ratcheting wrenches and 2 Pittsburgh ratchets. Everything else is old i got from grandpa, other old timers, estate sales, flea market. Sk, Williams, proto, bonney, Wright, some snap on
In my opinion, professional tools are tools that can withstand the abuse that automotive technicians put on them and require out of their tools on a regular basis. This includes being over torqued, beaten like a hammer, smashed with a hammer, used on an impact, etc…If they withstand that, they are a professional tool. Doesn’t matter the price.
People are professionals, tools are not. Professional grade is just a marketing term; it's even used by truck manufactures to describe their product. 🤣 People need to be more concerned about their skills than if a socket is going to fail them.
@@minusthemachineagain9342 I'd say part of being a professional is knowing how to use your tools so you don't get hurt even if they fail... Yeah, maybe you want to get higher quality if you're getting bloody knuckles a lot but man up... I'm not going to hang over the Grand canyon with my torque wrench whatever the hell you are thinking
@@xephael3485 I’ve had a shitty no name 33mm socket explode while removing a semi truck wheel 22.5 The socket bits went into my face neck and arms. Never again. Let me ask you this, if you have to take a plane trip but the manufacturer of the airplanes are snap on, craftsman, icon and husky. What plane are you trusting your life with?
Justin I use all snap-on but broke down in 7/11 Kingman 130 an you hand me that old box style craftsman and it will get the job done true hand to hand either brand will get her done
I would consider professional grade something I would hold in my hand and put my personal safety at risk. I have had lots of experience with lower end tools. I tend to buy cheap break it spend $5 on the next tool replacement
Most professional mechanics go to stores and buy their own pro tools at much more affordable than a took truck. Hell, I can load my truck with hyper tough and go around town selling them as took truck tools. Tools DO NOT make the mechanic.
Usually the slowest and dumbest techs are the ones with the fancy tools and boxes. Observation over 25 years. Seen them all come and go. I worked with a guy that made his own toolbox out of wood and worked at the dealership. He forgot more than I will ever know. If you walk into an interview with a Snap-On jacket here, your resume goes in the trash.
Everything fails. I’ve had snap on pry bars fail. It’s just a preference for me. I like to enjoy the tools I work with and believe me, I don’t like everything snap on makes. Their pliers are built well but not practical.
