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Do you need a real man's toolbox?

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here's the one....linky. and quite a ffordable.

Edited by Ron Dudelston
tags added

Wow, I would have to have a separate insurance policy on that!  It needs a motor and drivers seat...

Cal

MERCY! That's a big'un.

1 hour ago, clhyer said:

  It needs a motor.

Cal

My thoughts exactly, for $11,000 it should come with a motor.

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I don't need something else to get a flat tire on.:P

1 hour ago, clhyer said:

Wow, I would have to have a separate insurance policy on that!  It needs a motor and drivers seat...

Cal

 

that'd make it easier to steal...

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Suppose it would be OK for a few things...a little small though:rolleyes:

 

image.png.d02dd44808c91410b97def2ba0710218.png

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I think that the difference between the one I linked and the one Dave showed is that his is "pro" level....mine is merely for hobbyists.

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I think that the difference between the one I linked and the one Dave showed is that his is "pro" level....mine is merely for hobbyists.

 

so does that mean mine are for the wanna be novice hobbyist???

4 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I think that the difference between the one I linked and the one Dave showed is that his is "pro" level....mine is merely for hobbyists.

image.png.9d75da3d2b2120296e05a4e04740bd34.png   and probably about another $20-25k...:P

 

it's all above my pay grade.  :(

Now I'm feeling inadequate...would that be "tool" envy...?

 

Does it make a difference in the tools if they're kept a $10k+ toolbox or in a bunch of reclaimed base/overhead cabinets,  pegboard, or boxes? I'd like to know because I'm gonna be miffed if I find out I could have been a better mechanic, carpenter, electrician, welder, woodworker, handyman...if I had just bought a proper tool chest.

So, is Snap-On the mechanic's equivalent of Festool?   Their stuff seems crazy expensive.

11 minutes ago, kmealy said:

So, is Snap-On the mechanic's equivalent of Festool?   Their stuff seems crazy expensive.

Sort of, ya, maybe!

 

I worked my way through college as an auto mechanic. If I were to do it for a living, then Snap-on or Mac Tools would have been my choice. They have better tolerances and are much more robust then your average Craftsman tool. I still have Snap-On tools (forty plus years later...exclusive of some specialty tools) that I use on a daily basis. Then, again, I have a 3/8 Husky socket set that I got with S&H Green Stamps. I've replaced the ratchet but no telling how many motors got rebuilt or worked on over the years.

 

If my lively hood depended on good tools, then, yes it may be worth it. The average handyman/hobbyist, probably not so much.

2 hours ago, kmealy said:

So, is Snap-On the mechanic's equivalent of Festool?   Their stuff seems crazy expensive.

Like Bill said, Keith..."sort of...maybe"...I invested in my first Snap-On wrench (7/16" x 1/2" open end combination) when I was about 12. I still have it...better yet, I have a few of my dad's Snap-on tools as well as my grandfathers...some of those are over 75 y/o now and still very good tools. I don't believe much Festool has to offer will be around in 75 years unless it's never used.

 

Yes, Snap-on tools are pricey with some way overpriced IMO, but rather they are 75 y/o or purchased last week, if they fail, Snap-on replaces them. In over 50 years of "pulling" wrenches, I've replaced my 3/8" drive, 9/16", 6 pt. deep-well socket maybe twice from actually being worn out. You don't work on anything w/o that socket. One of the advantages is their independent dealers come to your site on a regularly scheduled basis. That's a plus for them as well as the mechanic. Same holds true for MAC & MATCO in most locales.

 

My "first career" was a mechanic beginning with L&G equipment, through Automotive, and finally with Farm & Industrial Equipment. Having high quality hand tools was imperative not only for durability but also for quality of one's work and personal safety. As time went on in the field, I found I didn't need to have Snap-On for everything. In fact, I learned that MAC, MATCO, S-K (Wayne), Proto, OTC and yes, even Craftsman offered good solutions to my needs. In some cases they offered a product at the time anyway, Snap-on did not.  Other times, Snap-on only had the particular tool that would do the job. My mechanics tool "collection" is probably 50% Snap-on, 40% MAC with the remaining balance made up of other brands mentioned. 

 

I can count nearly on one hand the number of tools I lost over the years. I attribute that to having a good tool storage system. My first two tool boxes were Snap-On with my first roll cab a Craftsman that had belonged to my grandfather (boy I wish I had that back). Snap-On went through a period IMO, where their tool storage units were way over priced and the quality lacking so I ended up with a MAC tool chest & roll cab. At the time is was the largest MAC offered but it's dwarfed by those above and others today. It was (and still is) the best decision I made for housing my tools and if I was making my living in that fashion still, I would own MAC boxes...as it is now, Craftsman works just fine for my non-mechanical storage.

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Back in the day, the pro mechanics had an easier life with Snap on and Mac. the trucks would show up at work and often had the tools you needed to buy with them. They offered payment plans so the mechanics could work around paying the (in some cases exorbitant) prices. Mac always seemed a little cheaper than Snap On (the way I remember it) and their tools didn't have the "cachet" of Snap on. Snap on's name came (I think) from the fact they introduced the world to the removable sockets on a ratchet (snap on; snap off). My dad had a garage back in the early 60's with some Snap on tools, I still have the 1/2" drive socket set from his collection.

The problem I have with Snap-on, is, that, the dealers are independent franchise holders. Unless you are on their "route" they don't want to deal with you. That lifetime warranty means nothing if you can't use it.

 

I have several screw driver sets that I bought back in the 70's. There was a period when they used a bad batch of plastic for the handles. After several years most have been replaced, but a few of the others are bad and the local guys won't replace them. The warranty means nothing if they won't honor it when you need it. This is the reason I will never set foot in another Sears store.

 

If I were starting out I would look to the MAC and Matco tools before I would the Snap-on ones. They tend to be a little cheaper and the quality is just as good or better. They may not be as pretty as the Snap-on tools but they will work just as well.

 

As a hobbyist, you have a lot of good tools, that are reasonably priced, to chose from. Most come with a lifetime warranty, are well finished, and will do the same job as the more expensive tools. Warranties are not an issue and they will last a lifetime.

21 hours ago, schnewj said:

S&H Green Stamps

Wow, brings back memories of those the yellow Top Value stamps, too.   We always ended up with a toaster or something.  :(

 

My first ratchet and socket were Wright and i still have that wrench.   They replaced the socket (it split) at no cost to me.   Found them at the old Ontario store and needed them to change the plugs on my 64 Mustang.     I wouldn't mind having a big tool box, but SWMBO would not be amused.  ^_^

I have quite a few Wright sockets and wrenches too.  Very high quality tools.

 

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