Which Brand Tool?

[mattprince]

Hi,

I'm going to be buying a full tool set up in the next few weeks to start my own business (just buying and selling/repairing cars at first) and was wondering what brand tools you rate?

I've heard a few saying "GET SNAP ON" but are they really so much better than other makes? I am a bit OCD with my stuff so am going to want all the same brand stuff lol

Any recommendations?

Matt

[bazking69]

So you are competent on the tools yet don't own any?

Edited by bazking69 on Saturday 21st August 10:16

[PeteG]

Halfords Professional.

[v8will]

Buy cheap buy twice is the mantra to go by. Halfords pro range is excellent quality for the money though.

Personally I'd be a bit embarassed to be asking about what brand of tools to buy just before embarking on a business venture, don't you already own any?

[mattprince]

Hi,

What is their to be embarrased about?? Of course i have tools , but they were just cheap stuff that have been hammered for the last 5yrs. I want to start a business the right way so by buying a full tool setup thats just 1 worry i dont have (oh crap i dont have this or i dont have that).

Matt

Edited by mattprince on Saturday 21st August 10:27

[yazza54]

Sealys alright. Snap on are good yeah but so expensive. Remember, you're nothing without the right tools.

[mattprince]

Yeah. Thats why i asked as the tools i have now are just cheap stuff and when i start my business im going to be doing stuff that i havent had to do before, hence needing more tools.

Matt

[mattprince]

bazking69 said:

So you are competent on the tools yet don't own any?

Edited by bazking69 on Saturday 21st August 10:16

Thanks for the helpful post

[acf8181]

Teng are also good, but as said halfords pro are best value for money

Edited by acf8181 on Saturday 21st August 10:45

[mattprince]

Cheers. Looks like Halfords Pro are the favoured stuff then. Will pop into my local Halfords this week. Thanks

[AndrewW-G]

Snap On, if your borrowing to start the business, may be cheaper to speak to your local Snap guy about opening an account (there can be a few interesting promotions, my box for example was offered with 0% over 3 years . . . . . . .)

[Engineer1]

I believe Snap on is popular because they allow credit meaning you get a full tool case and all the tools on an easy payment schedule rather than having to pay £xxxx to set up before you can make any money.

[L33]

Halfords professional range have a lifetime gaurantee. You break it, they replace it FOC.

[mattprince]

Hi,

I have saved for this for a while now and have put aside £4000 for tools (inc lift ramp) so will have approx £2500 for all the tools. I dont want to go o% this and that as its just a rope around my neck and dont want to have that worry.

Matt

[Galsia]

Here is the biggest Brand Tool I could find...





Seriously though, I've heard Halfords Professional stuff is pretty good.

[Daaave]

This topic has been discussed to death on here.

My advice doesn't strictly relate to your question, so please ignore at will.

If you're starting a business you need to think about the economics of when the tools will pay for themselves. I would avoid splashing out on anything you already have, just to make it look nicer. Your customers will be largely interested in the quality of your work, but more often than not; your price. If you can afford to be 5% cheaper than the other local garages because you have not spent lots on replacing tools to get the names to match I think you'll be in a stronger position for the first couple of years.

When was the last time your average punter inspected a mechanics full tool set before dropping their car off to have it repaired?

Once you've got steady, returning trade then you can think about aesthetics and allowing your OCD side to flourish...

[yazza54]

http://autorepair.about.com/od/toolsequipment/a/to...

Read that



Edit: might be a bit too american..

I'd just go with some middle of the road ones, sealy are usually good and not too expensive. Main thing is that they're made out of decent stuff. Nothing worse than going to remove an allen or torx and chewing the tool and the bolt up because the tool is made of cheese!!

Edited by yazza54 on Saturday 21st August 11:36

[mattprince]

Daaave said:

This topic has been discussed to death on here.

My advice doesn't strictly relate to your question, so please ignore at will.

If you're starting a business you need to think about the economics of when the tools will pay for themselves. I would avoid splashing out on anything you already have, just to make it look nicer. Your customers will be largely interested in the quality of your work, but more often than not; your price. If you can afford to be 5% cheaper than the other local garages because you have not spent lots on replacing tools to get the names to match I think you'll be in a stronger position for the first couple of years.

When was the last time your average punter inspected a mechanics full tool set before dropping their car off to have it repaired?

Once you've got steady, returning trade then you can think about aesthetics and allowing your OCD side to flourish...

Thanks for the post/advice. I do agree with you in a way. I may just replace the stuff i have thats had it and think about it.

Matt

[AndrewW-G]

mattprince said:

Daaave said:

This topic has been discussed to death on here.

My advice doesn't strictly relate to your question, so please ignore at will.

If you're starting a business you need to think about the economics of when the tools will pay for themselves. I would avoid splashing out on anything you already have, just to make it look nicer. Your customers will be largely interested in the quality of your work, but more often than not; your price. If you can afford to be 5% cheaper than the other local garages because you have not spent lots on replacing tools to get the names to match I think you'll be in a stronger position for the first couple of years.

When was the last time your average punter inspected a mechanics full tool set before dropping their car off to have it repaired?

Once you've got steady, returning trade then you can think about aesthetics and allowing your OCD side to flourish...

Thanks for the post/advice. I do agree with you in a way. I may just replace the stuff i have thats had it and think about it.

Matt

Given your budget, I'd save as much cash as possible and spend it on a decent set of ramps (your previous post would suggest a budget of approx £1500 for them), the cheaper storage ramps are great for stacking cars and doing the odd job, but not durable enough for everyday use

[bazking69]

mattprince said:

bazking69 said:

So you are competent on the tools yet don't own any?

Edited by bazking69 on Saturday 21st August 10:16

Thanks for the helpful post

The reference was to the fact that I find it a tad strange that a competent mechanic, trained or not, who is about to set up a business of his own in the motortrade, so presumably has experience on the tools, currently owns no decent tools and is on the brink of walking into Halfords with thousands in his pocket to kit himself out.

It wasn't meant as an insult at all. I just find it queer given that every mechanic I have worked with, mechanic covering anyone past an apprentice who has made it through their first week in the workshop and still wants to be there, owns a box fully equipped with half decent tools.

As has been mentioned, my advice would be to replace only what is necessary and keep your outlay on tools to the bare minimum. A nice shiny set of tools in a flashy red cab is all very nice but not where your money should be going when you are starting a business.