Tools for a student

[mark4g63t]

For school I need to get some tools. I'm going for Automotive Technology. I was wondering if anyone has some words of advise or know of good deals/ discounts that manufactures give to students? I know Snap-On has a student discount and they finance but I believe they have a fairly high interest rate. I know Cornwell has student discounts but they don't finance.
Let me know what you guy's prefer and why. Don't want to regret my "first" big set of tools.
Thanks, Mark

[TkrPerformance]

First don't go into automotive I would go in to something elce. I don't like working on stuff all day Then just look at my cars and don't want to touch them. Do it as a hobby not a job.

Just go buy craftsman tools. They will get you by. It is all the hand tools I use at work since things tend to grow legs. That way it is cheaper to replace. I have all my good snap on,Mac, ect at home.

Don't be the dumb kid to finance 20k for tools and a box from snap on. When you are in school with student loans to pay off also.

[93gtpeater]

I agree with mark. I work on cars all day at work. When I get home the last thing I want to do is work on my own shit. That's why I got into motorcycles. Craftsman will give you a deal on tools if you talk to the right person. Good luck getting a decent job when you get out. My brother had a hard time. Its been 2 years and he's still changing oil at a dealership.

[dsmghost]

Yeah I owe snap-on about $20k, but I do what I love and I'm good at it. I'm 23 years old and make over $50k a year. I work for a company that has a great education program (paid as well) so it's easy to keep up with technology, and they pay my student loans for me every month. I get 3 weeks of paid vacation every year, soon I'll get 6 weeks of vacation each year. They also paid for all my ASE tests, I am the lead tech in my shop and also ASE master certified with L1.

[dsmghost]

If its what you want do it. While in school you will get 50% off everything from any tool guy Mac, Matco, Snap-on, Cornwell etc.

Oh and I quit high school in 10th grade so I could start automotive technology at Saint Paul community college. I went for 1 year of a 2 year program because I had to work full time (financially). So I don't even have a high school diploma, or a GED and I make over 50k a year, I'm 23 years old. I could quit my job today and get a job at any of the 20 shops I would pass on my way home in a heartbeat.

[4seasons69]

Originally Posted by dsmghost

Yeah I owe snap-on about $20k, but I do what I love and I'm good at it. I'm 23 years old and make over $50k a year. I work for a company that has a great education program (paid as well) so it's easy to keep up with technology, and they pay my student loans for me every month. I get 3 weeks of paid vacation every year, soon I'll get 6 weeks of vacation each year. They also paid for all my ASE tests, I am the lead tech in my shop and also ASE master certified with L1.

Fuck get me a job there! I make good money but for a horse shit company.

Back on topic. This is really a horse shit industry to get into right now. 95 percent of the shops out there just try and screw the techs over. If there is anything else you want to do for a living go into that and keep cars a hobby. I hate working on my own stuff now.

But if you're really serious about doing this for a career don't buy crapsman. It really doesn't hold up to the daily abuse you will put it through then when it does break you have to track down a seas to go get it warrantied. I look at it this way buy as much from snap on and matco as you can while you get your discount. It will save you lots on tools in the long run.

[mark4g63t]

Sounds good. I really don't want to "work" on all different types of cars or even at a dealership. I plan to own/ co-own a shop like MAP or DB or something similar. Not too crazy but something that I can go to work everyday and enjoy what i'm doing, not have to take it so seriously. But that's a long term goal and probably not going to happen right away.
Thanks for all the responses so far. I really appreciate it!

[93gtpeater]

Marco does have great tools. But that being said I will not pay 350 bucks for a metric set of wrenches. Some tools you can be cheap on. But any tool that is mechanical I would buy from Marco. Like a ratchet, ratchet wrenches, torque wrench. You have so many options.

[mark4g63t]

yea that's what my teacher has been saying. Tool day is today so i'm going to see what interest rates and stuff are.

[b00sted_spyder]

There's a huge difference in quality from craftsman to snap on. Snap on is a ton more money but they work better and has some features that craftsman dont. As for box, anything over 2k is rediculous in my book. That could be a tig welder!

[dsmghost]

Originally Posted by 4seasons69

Fuck get me a job there! I make good money but for a horse shit company.

We are looking for a qualified tech, my boss would probly love to steal you from youngstedts. Hit me up if your serious or just want to come check out the shop. AJ 503-504-2809

[blesi660r]

You want job security! Fudge automotive and go to school for machining swiss is where the moneys at. Im 26 with a high school diploma ONLY and this year alone with no OT im cresting 50k... now tack on 16+ hrs OT a week or more and yea you catch my drift.. I also wanted to become a mechanic and soooo freekin glad I didnt, and honestly the reality of you owning a shop like db or map is not a realistic goal when thinking about youre future.... sorry to be so blunt but you will hate yourself in 10 years.

[Chim55117]

I don't usually post a whole lot anymore, but this thread hit close to home.

If you want to own a shop one day, it's unlikely that you're going to get there and have the skills and know how to do so as someone coming from a mechanic background. Being a good mechanic does not guarantee that you will have the skills needed to take care of finances, billables, or handle accounts with vendors and suppliers - these are things that you go to business school for. At the end of the day, a great mechanic is a great mechanic - not necessarily a great shop owner or manager. Specialization is the name of the game. Chris Carey went to the U of M for business management if I recall correctly.

Now, I do realize that there are always exceptions to the rule, but this is a pretty well established and accepted knowledge.

If you want to work at a dealership or a well-known shop, by all means, you're on the right path.

If you're serious about wanting to own or manage a shop one day, sink your interests into business school - learn finances, supply chain, marketing, and the like - these are what will help you succeed in the automotive business ownership.

I went through just about the same thing you're going through right now and went to school for business instead of actual mechanics - yes, it's not as fun, your friends might make more money than you initially, you get out 2 years later, but your earnings potential is greatly increased in the long run.

Best of the luck either way though!

[89_Colt_GT]

My .02, I went to Century for automotive, ended up changing oil and tires all day for 3 months. A job any monkey can do.

It definitely killed the hobby of cars for me.

I have a buddy who jumped through all the hoops and now works at a Porsche shop. He makes less than $20/hr, owes $50k in student loans and $20k to snap-on.

I went to St. Paul College for 'Sheet Metal Tech', I learned how to weld, do Autocad and design goofy HVAC fittings from scratch. Fresh out of school, I was on the 'out-of-work' list for less than 45 minutes because of my Autocad skills.

What should you take home from this?

If you don't mind dirty fingernails, scalding hot oil burns, freezing cold salty slush dripping down your back, Go for it.

Advantages to working at a shop. 9/10 chance you'll be able to work on your own pile (if you feel like it after a 9 hour shift)

[98gstaherns]

For hand tools i see nothing wrong with craftsmen. The machines I build are all built by hand and its all i ever use and they don't fail. Well besides the stupid 1/4 ratchets. I have had snap on and matco and really for the price of just hand tools i dont see it. Power and air tools i would spend the extra money on. Check craigslist also never know what you will find, like others have said dont waste money on a bling bling box just get what ya need and save where you can.

[M1L3S]

I didnt read all responses , but the best thing I would do in your situation is look into a school called newgate. Its in Minneapolis. They offer free automotive and autobody. This will give you a chance to see if you like the work. Because the reality is your not going to be working on nice awsome cars. You will be working on moms mini van etc in the real world. It's a great way to gain experience in the field and decide if you like it without paying a dime.

Now for the best part! They have contracts with both snap on, matco tools and all major tool companies. You can buy brand new tools from anywhere from 30-75% off.

This will allow you worst case scenario to get a decent starter box going and gain real world knowledge and decided if its something you want to continue to pursue. If not you can leave free and clear with tools and enough know how to at least fix freinds and families auto issues.

Sorry for the novel. Hope I helped out. Pm me if you want more info.

[89_Colt_GT]

^^ I once vomited after opening an elderly ladies door to be roundhouse kicked in the face by musty, military grade seat urine. That was the day I quit.

[1QUICK4]

Originally Posted by TkrPerformance

First don't go into automotive I would go in to something elce. I don't like working on stuff all day Then just look at my cars and don't want to touch them. Do it as a hobby not a job.

I agree with everything Mark said. There's a reason my Chevelle has been down for 11 years haha
You will end up hating something you used to love. Also it doesn't pay like it did 15+ years ago


I also agree on Craftsman tools. If you are starting out buy a >500$ roller box from Sears and a basic mechanics set. Lifetime warranty and you can upgrade later when you have the cash. That's what I did and now I have $50K worth of the big 3 at work and all my old Craftsman tools and box at home which comes in handy when I actually feel like working at home.


Go into Machining or Welding instead of wrenching if you want to be a laborer. If I could do it all again I'd never have started turning wrenches for a living

[CornFed2.4]

I'm not a mechanic so my day is little to none but I do wrench on my own shit so maybe I can get a little credit or be helpful.

I bought husky stuff from the depot and have returned at least one of everything minus sockets because they had broke. Yeah they have a warranty just like craftsmen but at the end of the day if I did this for a living I'd want something that I don't have to go get replaced because it broke.

time=money so less down time the more money you make.

Also I can chime in on the mechanic to owner thing a little.

It's not that hard. If you wanna be the one who wrenches and not so the bookeeping them hire an accountant/tax person.

I have my own carpet business now after watching our union crap on itself and to tell you the truth, I wouldn't be employed by anyone ever again. The key is to keep your clients happy and things go smooth. While union we worked 40 hrs a week and took home right around 65k a yr. I work about 30 hrs a week now on average and make more now.

Do what you want owning a business isn't hard and buy the right tools the first time don't waste money now on cheap stuff cause you'll end up buying again later.

[1QUICK4]

Originally Posted by CornFed2.4

I bought husky stuff from the depot and have returned at least one of everything minus sockets because they had broke. Yeah they have a warranty just like craftsmen but at the end of the day if I did this for a living I'd want something that I don't have to go get replaced because it broke.

time=money so less down time the more money you make.

True to a point but remember that you can buy 5 Craftsman or husky to one Snap on equivalent lol
And all tools break, the only difference is if you brake a Snap-On you need to wait a week to get it warrantied or longer if they have to order it. Craftsman you can go down on your lunch break.

Would I recommend craftsman for a guy wrenching 40 hours a week and using/abusing them all day every day? Nope. But they work great for the 2 years you're in school and while you're a semiskilled/lube tech haha