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I hope this is the rite section to put this in because i did not see a tool
specific forum section. This is my first post other then my introducing
post but lets get down to business.
I am starting classes next semester and i just went through the tool
sellers at registration and it was awsome so many beautiful tools just
waiting to be ripped off the wall and used but unfortunatly everything
costs money and i can only choose one dealer.... I have narrowed the
dealers down to 2 but im very iffy about what to choose cause i want to
make sure that the tools im buying is worth the loan im taking out :/. The
choices ive narrowed it down to are the well known snap-on and the not so
well known (atleast around here) matco tools. Im leaning more towards the
matco tools, the problem im having(which is why i come to all of you) is
everyone i ask around here is 50/50 some say snap on some say matco(of
those who know it around here).
If you dont like either of those the other dealers there were arnold motor
supply, and craftsman(craftsman is a def no).
I should also tell you the main reason though i have others why i strayed
from snap-on(but im not sure if this is true). What i was told from the
other dealers were snap-on doesnt fix ur tools when they brake what they do
is rip out the shaft part and shove another one in. Is this true because it
makes me very nervous about going with this tool.
Sorry for the long explanation but i just want to make sure that the loan
is worth it. thank you again and please shine some light on this subject.
wnabauto
.
.
I've never had any experience with Matco.
My cousin used to work as a diesel mechanic back in the late 80's and into
the early 90's and swore by Snap-On tools. He said anytime he had a
problem with a tool no matter what, the tool guy would simply replace the
tool with no questions asked.
That's the extent of my tool knowledge.
.
.
BavarianWheels
Matco, Snap On, Mac, all of the tools that for the most part you have to
get from toolguys on trucks are decent tools. However, unlike Bav's post,
these days there is A LOT of questions asked if you break something.
Atleast in WI and CO there is. Everytime I break something it's "What were
you doing?" "Where you using it improperly?" "When did it break?" "How many
times have you used it before it broke?"
The only tools that I will buy anymore is Craftsman. Cheaper, just as good,
and a life-time warrenty just as good as the rest.
But since you don't want to go craftsman (Can I ask why please?) I would
PERSONALLY go Matco over Snap-on.
Satty101
the reason i dont wanna go through craftsman is becuase there nice tools
for the everyday garage repair but for my career choice they arent made of
the best quality will break easier and there life time waranty has the most
limitations then the other matco said that they will replace tools no
questions asked and craftsman makes u fill out forms and if they think u
werent using it rite they wont replace it.
wnabauto
"I should also tell you the main reason though i have others why i strayed
from snap-on(but im not sure if this is true). What i was told from the
other dealers were snap-on doesnt fix ur tools when they brake what they do
is rip out the shaft part and shove another one in. Is this true because it
makes me very nervous about going with this tool."
I'm pretty sure all tool companies do that. Re-manufactured is the word.
"the reason i dont wanna go through craftsman is becuase there nice tools
for the everyday garage repair but for my career choice they arent made of
the best quality will break easier and there life time waranty has the most
limitations then the other matco said that they will replace tools no
questions asked and craftsman makes u fill out forms and if they think u
werent using it rite they wont replace it."
I've never had an issue with that. I bring my craftsman
ratchet/wrench/whatever it may be and they had me one either remanufactured
(ratchet w/ new guts) or a new one off the shelf, no questions asked.
Matter of fact I've gone to yard sales just to buy old craftsman tools for
$1 a peice knowing if they are faulty they'll be replaced free of charge.
Maybe things are different where you're from but around here whether it's
snap-on, matco, or craftsman(which are the three most popular professional
grade brands around here) you can get broken tools replaced free no q's
asked. Even more interesting is the cheap peice of crap hand tools you buy
at advanced auto parts come w/ a lifetime warranty. Yes they are crap, i've
broken a few, but they'll give you a new one off the shelf when you come in
w/ the old one and they run you like 50% the cost of craftsman.
DBain
Most of my tools are craftsman, I started out with one of the huge socket
kits when it was on for half price. I also have a fairly inexpensive
craftsman box which has been solid so far. Craftsman is great because they
are so much cheaper and they seem to rotate the sales, so something is
always half price. Also, if I break something they always replace it, no
questions asked, no paperwork or receipt needed. Even if I've used a
chrome socket for impact use.
Maybe 20% of my tools are Mac, which I get off the Mac truck. I usually
buy more "special" tools, or what they have on sale. They usually only
have one or two really smoking deals per month. I have a couple of
grinders, a 1/4 air ratchet, my main multimeter, etc from Mac. I won't buy
craftsman air tools because they are not as smooth and powerful as Mac and
others. Also I bought one Mac 7mm hex socket which I broke like 6 times
with Craftsman.
Other companies are good also, there is a very good tool store in my area
which sells lots of no-name brands for reasonable prices, like hammers,
wire brushes, that sort of thing. I also have Chicago Pneumatic 1/2 and
3/8 impact wrenches, which are nice and bulletproof, yet cheaper than
Mac.
The point is, don't buy everything from one company, in this day and age
you do not have to get Snap-on or Mac for quality, and you don't have to
take out a huge loan. I bought all my tools progressively, from paycheck
to paycheck.
Mathew
