is this smart or stupid

[JHZR2]

I use mostly craftsman. I like them and they work for me. But Im not using them day in and day out.

There are some things where there likely is justification to go snap-on, and that is what you have to find. For that stuff Id definitely want to go with the right stuff from the start, at least to the extent that you can afford it, in order to take advantage of the discount that you can get. Other brands may make truly equivalent or perhaps even better items for some things, and so for those, I wouldnt necessarily go snap-on, unless with discount, snap-on is still cheaper.

And Id just build up the tools slowly, as you need them, and by them cash, dont use a student loan to pay for anything besides as little an amount of tuition as you can.

 

[Dakota1820]

Pell grant covered my tuition. But i took the loan because i have to buy some stuff for school and i am going to need tools anyway. I plan on payin it back over two years with income tax money. And that way my credit gets built some and they are paid off early. I have 10 years to pay them off but the ten yrs does not start till 6 months after i graduate. So ill have them paid off before the time to start paying them is even started. Most auto tech students took out 5k loans for all 2 yrs. And took out additional loans. I am only taking one because 5k isnt to hard to pay off more than that is. With the half off discount i can get a starter set for a grand snap on stuff is insane.

 

[flstffxe]

When I was wrenching for a living my box was full of SnapOn and Mac. The warranty is basically only as good as the driver who owns the route you are on. Sadly it can be like buying into a fraternity, too often I or some one else would get a driver that wouldn't warranty some thing because we hadn't bought any thing in some time. Eventually it got old for me and I parted out much of my SnapOn and Mac stuff to others coworkers, sold some back...

Now my box is full of mainly Craftsman and I am a much happier man when it comes time to warranty some thing. Only ever had a couple issues warrantying some thing and that was due to inexperienced clerks, I keep a laminated copy of Craftsman's written warranty in my box and having that settled the matter in seconds. There is some thing to be said for having a few Sears stores around me and being able to get a hand tool replaced the same day VS waiting for a truck who only shows up once a week.

I am not anti SnapOn/Mac, I still have many of their specialty tools and by them as seen fit.

Though not spinning wrenches as a career any more, I still turn wrenches 5-7 days a week on stuff at home in the garage.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Pell grant covered my tuition. But i took the loan because i have to buy some stuff for school and i am going to need tools anyway. I plan on payin it back over two years with income tax money.


You're not seriously thinking about buying USED tools with loan money are you?

 

[Dakota1820]

its an idea if i could find what i need it good shape used then why not? i mean more bang for your buck if you can find something good. i am open to any good idea and will not make any sudden decisions. whatever i do has to be methodically thought out.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
its an idea if i could find what i need it good shape used then why not?


Because if you're gonna go in debt over something, make sure it's for something NEW. There's no sense
in making loan payments for some used [censored]. If you have a chance to buy some Snap-on tools
at a student discount, you should buy them. You'll be thanking yourself later.

 

[Dakota1820]

I would buy the snap on but even with my discount a box is 2099 and a starter kit is a grand the starter kit does not have half of what i need

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
its an idea if i could find what i need it good shape used then why not?


Because if you're gonna go in debt over something, make sure it's for something NEW. There's no sense
in making loan payments for some used [censored]. If you have a chance to buy some Snap-on tools
at a student discount, you should buy them. You'll be thanking yourself later.


If it stops him from going into debt, I see no problem buying used, or at least some of his tools used. Basically, a hand wrench doesn't wear out, or if it does, it takes many years. Of course, I've seen some break. To the OP, don't let a little needling from some of your rich classmates who bought brand new Snap-On tools bother you. I've been down that road.
He'll also be thanking himself later if he isn't paying for student loans for the rest of his life.

 

[2cool]

FWIW, Grainger has a "Professional" Craftsman line of tools which seem to be all USA made. I think Sears decided not to lose the entire store of goodwill that the brand has, but couldn't make the case for keeping USA made tools for the mass market.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Kruse

If it stops him from going into debt, I see no problem buying used, or at least some of his tools used.


I don't either, but why go in debt over something used? If you're gonna
lose your [censored], why not have it be over something shiny and new?

 

[Dakota1820]

if i can find nice tools that are used and are whole sets and what not i do not see the issue. besides that the logic of well you might as well buy new and get less tools while spending more is kinda well foolish. if i can get good quality tools for a fraction of the cost because they have already turned a few bolts i see that as a win win . if i do end up buying new itll be the 413 piece set from craftsman. and as far as a box goes probably a kobalt box .....probably.

 

[JHZR2]

The whole aspect here that makes it interesting is that snap-on, which is known for high quality but $$$$ stuff is offering you a killer discount. A discunt so good that the tools, used, may be worth more than you pay.

Debt is stupid, and it is really bad to buy used stuff on debt, as the other people said above. But the snap on deal is really good, and may well be worth taking advantage of.

Why dont you put together a spreadsheet that lists your desired tools, what they cost from snap-on at discount, what they cost from craftsman, and what youve seen as a used tool price. Then make a determination.

Some stuff that is used very often and prone to wear and tear, you may be best off buying quality from snap on and just having it new. Other stuff it may not make sense.

So you can do it piece-wise as needed. That to me is the best approach. But figure what you will need from snap on quickly so you can be sure to buy that while you still have a discount.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
if i can find nice tools that are used and are whole sets and what not i do not see the issue. besides that the logic of well you might as well buy new and get less tools while spending more is kinda well foolish.


You see, that's exactly what happens in all your threads. You ask for help in making a decision, but when people
offer up some excellent advice, you either disagree with them or argue with them. If you have your mind made
up ahead of time and have all the answers, why bother starting a thread and asking for help?

 

[Dakota1820]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
if i can find nice tools that are used and are whole sets and what not i do not see the issue. besides that the logic of well you might as well buy new and get less tools while spending more is kinda well foolish.


You see, that's exactly what happens in all your threads. You ask for help in making a decision, but when people
offer up some excellent advice, you either disagree with them or argue with them. If you have your mind made
up ahead of time and have all the answers, why bother starting a thread and asking for help?


i am not arguing. i am having an honest civil discussion.

 

[Dakota1820]

my dad has a friend who was a master tech and has about 300,000 in tools. he passed away a year or so ago and his wife is starting to sell some. is it really a dumb idea to buy tools from her? i mean they are snap on mac matco and craftsman. if i bought some stuff from her at a good good price isnt that the better thing to do? if i buy snap on i will be forced to take out another loan. i do not want to do that. i would rather buy used from her or new craftsman only take out one loan and be set . i will end up buying more tools down the road when i am in the business. but right now i am not making money as a mechanic so going into more debt seems counter productive. and for anyone with emotional tendencies who seems to get their feeling hurt easily, i truly apologize

 

[JHZR2]

Buy from her cash. I find it hard to believe that anyone could actually use 300k in tools heavy enough to damage many of them, so it is definitely worth a look.

But since it is just a person, Id pick out what you want, buy slowly as you have the cash and the need.

 

[Dakota1820]

i cant buy to slowly she is loosing her house and has to have them gone. not to sound bad but it means ill get a better deal. i already have the loan approved so no turning back. i get it friday. so yes i hate having debt but half will be paid off in February and then half next February. I graduate in may so it'll be paid off before i graduate and i will have not incurred any interest.

 

[JHZR2]

Wait, so youre getting 300k in tools (you sure it was $300,000??) for a couple thousand?

 

[Dakota1820]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Wait, so youre getting 300k in tools (you sure it was $300,000??) for a couple thousand?


no i wasnt very clear. the guy has that many tools well she does now (widowed wife) but i am only going to buy a small portion but i will probably get them very cheap. if a new box is 3000 she would probably sell it for 400 or so. thats why i thought it was a good deal because she is being very reasonable and just needs the money since her house is being foreclosed on. i hate to prosper off of someone who is in hard times but i am hoping the money will help her and if i feel like she is under cutting herself i will give her more. he was a very good guy and his wife was very nice to so i will not try to screw her out of what is fair.

 

[johnachak]

The Snapon replacement parts should be free as they are guaranteed for life. Normally the guy in the truck just rebuilds em for you.