Apprentice Tools
Discussion
Hi all, after some help......... my son started a truck and bus mechanic apprenticeship in July , he is now at the point where he wants to start buying his own tools . So so so many brands to choose from ......snap on and Mac are used widely but are also very expensive. He has set himself a budget of around 800 pounds for box and a starter set of tools , anyone got any recommendations from past experience , any help would be appreciated . Thanks.
Blue Point is what I first started buying, cheaper side of Snap On, with just as good quality, in fact some of my Blue Point have lasted longer. It's better to buy good than buy a cheap ratchet 50 times. I know Snap On used to give the tools on credit and there was no interest or any other fees once you paid for the tools. I mostly have Snap On and Blue Point ratchets, sockets, spanners and screwdrivers. They're the most commonly broken items so a lifetime warranty is worth spending a little extra on.
If he wants something else or cheaper, have a look around, but go with something that offers a lifetime warranty. Sealey Tools were cheap, not the best quality but again the warranty made up for it.
If he wants something else or cheaper, have a look around, but go with something that offers a lifetime warranty. Sealey Tools were cheap, not the best quality but again the warranty made up for it.
My best advise would be to get a semi decent box to start with, so at least it lasts.
https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/storage/to...
I used the same thing professionally almost everyday for 2 years now and can't fault it. I've had far more expensive Snap On boxes and yes they are better, slightly, but they are 95% there for willy waving IMHO. In my experience the best technicians always have the smallest, tattiest boxes
.
A 'Basic' 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and probably 3/4 socket sets are needed. Again personally, i tend to go for cheaper sockets with a decent selection ratchets.
neilsen, bergen and us-pro have some good stuff for no much money, if you can get past them not being name branded.
https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/storage/to...
I used the same thing professionally almost everyday for 2 years now and can't fault it. I've had far more expensive Snap On boxes and yes they are better, slightly, but they are 95% there for willy waving IMHO. In my experience the best technicians always have the smallest, tattiest boxes
.A 'Basic' 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and probably 3/4 socket sets are needed. Again personally, i tend to go for cheaper sockets with a decent selection ratchets.
neilsen, bergen and us-pro have some good stuff for no much money, if you can get past them not being name branded.
As your son is an apprentice, he should qualify for Snap-On's Educational Pricing scheme. You can see Snap-On's "Excellence in Education" scheme online, but that is directed at colleges, not students. https://www.snapon.com/25547.nws
My college had a presentation from Snap-On's Regional Account Manager, Howard Barlow last week. They offer a good set of tools, in a top box, with your son's name on it, for £300, plus 30% off anything else he wants The tools are BluePoint, not full Snap-On, but that's a good standard.
Howard made it clear that this offer is NOT available from Snap-On franchisees. Your son needs to contact Howard directly (07740-448420) or through his educational establishment.
I can't speak about the kit in use, I'm a mature student with my own tool set already, mainly from Halfords, or I'd be buying one. Having said that, Halfords are at least BluePoint quality, and they honour their lifetime warranty, no questions.
John
My college had a presentation from Snap-On's Regional Account Manager, Howard Barlow last week. They offer a good set of tools, in a top box, with your son's name on it, for £300, plus 30% off anything else he wants The tools are BluePoint, not full Snap-On, but that's a good standard.
Howard made it clear that this offer is NOT available from Snap-On franchisees. Your son needs to contact Howard directly (07740-448420) or through his educational establishment.
I can't speak about the kit in use, I'm a mature student with my own tool set already, mainly from Halfords, or I'd be buying one. Having said that, Halfords are at least BluePoint quality, and they honour their lifetime warranty, no questions.
John
Edited by tapkaJohnD on Saturday 1st December 10:48
For a tool box I would look at SGS’s range.
For a fraction of the cost they do the job very well and customer service etc is superb!
I’ve got the 42’’ roller for the garage and it’s ideal just as good as my previous snap on box tbh.
https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/t...
Tools wise as said if he can get a account with the MAC man or snap on it’s best to buy the best stuff with warranty especially if he’s working on LGV’s. A decent torque wrench suitable for his needs would take up a large chunk of his budget!
He can also claim back an amount via the taxman with a cheeky tool rebate.
Good luck to him.
For a fraction of the cost they do the job very well and customer service etc is superb!
I’ve got the 42’’ roller for the garage and it’s ideal just as good as my previous snap on box tbh.
https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/t...
Tools wise as said if he can get a account with the MAC man or snap on it’s best to buy the best stuff with warranty especially if he’s working on LGV’s. A decent torque wrench suitable for his needs would take up a large chunk of his budget!
He can also claim back an amount via the taxman with a cheeky tool rebate.
Good luck to him.
Might be worth looking at Koken stuff which is what I`ve bought in recent years after having Britool for many years & not being so impressed with the recent offerings.
http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/en/product.html
https://www.consolidatedtools.com/epages/s3zpvuf58...
http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/en/product.html
https://www.consolidatedtools.com/epages/s3zpvuf58...
tapkaJohnD said:
dug,
did you see this above? SnapOn student discount scheme: https://www.snapon.com/25547.nws
I did but i still feel it is ridiculously expensive. where i live our snap-on dealer is based 70 miles away and doesnt come very often and i can get facom stuff delivered next day or day afterdid you see this above? SnapOn student discount scheme: https://www.snapon.com/25547.nws
IMO it's crazy to pick a brand. Just buy stuff as you need it based on budget and quality.
For example, Wera screwdrivers are hard to beat in term so of price/quality although I have big hands so I tend to buy Irimo or Gedore as the handles are fatter. You wouldn't buy Wera spanners though normally.
Teng spanners are excellent value/quality, but the screwdrivers aren't much cop IMO. I absolutely love the red 'plastic' Teng ratchet handles (3/8 and 1/2").
Kamasa spanners are great value/quality. Facom spanners are really nice, but I'm not sure there're much better than any other...
Halfords Advanced spanners and socketry is very good, but screwdrivers are dreadful.
For impact sockets, cheap Chinese ones are fine IMO; I use them all day every day.
The idea of buying a single brand, or a massive kit is bonkers IMO.
For example, Wera screwdrivers are hard to beat in term so of price/quality although I have big hands so I tend to buy Irimo or Gedore as the handles are fatter. You wouldn't buy Wera spanners though normally.
Teng spanners are excellent value/quality, but the screwdrivers aren't much cop IMO. I absolutely love the red 'plastic' Teng ratchet handles (3/8 and 1/2").
Kamasa spanners are great value/quality. Facom spanners are really nice, but I'm not sure there're much better than any other...
Halfords Advanced spanners and socketry is very good, but screwdrivers are dreadful.
For impact sockets, cheap Chinese ones are fine IMO; I use them all day every day.
The idea of buying a single brand, or a massive kit is bonkers IMO.
dug294 said:
Hi guys I'm currently at college doing motor vehicle and I want to build up my tools. Snap on too dear was thinking of facom, maybe sealey premier thoughts or recommendations please
Have you considered something like this?https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/1063931827243...
Absolutely no affiliation by the way.
It was simply the first link I could find.
There are lots of similar brands, they do the rounds on many Buy and Sell groups every so often.
Chinese of course, but with a decent set of drawers, and some tools, albeit of a lower quality - no harm if one breaks, and seems to have everything you'd need to start off with.
I'm going to buy one for my workshop (home) soon.
It should be noted that Halfords don't officially accept tool returns if used by the trade (Although, this is hard for them to prove).
I don't think you can get more tools for less money than a link like the above. Seems a great starting place for any home garage or apprentice?
Anything else you need I'd just buy used from online auction pages / Gumtree , or order it as and when you need it perhaps?
Edited by 320d is all you need on Tuesday 20th October 01:49
320d is all you need said:
dug294 said:
Hi guys I'm currently at college doing motor vehicle and I want to build up my tools. Snap on too dear was thinking of facom, maybe sealey premier thoughts or recommendations please
Have you considered something like this?https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/1063931827243...
Absolutely no affiliation by the way.
It was simply the first link I could find.
There are lots of similar brands, they do the rounds on many Buy and Sell groups every so often.
Chinese of course, but with a decent set of drawers, and some tools, albeit of a lower quality - no harm if one breaks, and seems to have everything you'd need to start off with.
I'm going to buy one for my workshop (home) soon.
It should be noted that Halfords don't officially accept tool returns if used by the trade (Although, this is hard for them to prove).
I don't think you can get more tools for less money than a link like the above. Seems a great starting place for any home garage or apprentice?
Anything else you need I'd just buy used from online auction pages / Gumtree , or order it as and when you need it perhaps?
Edited by 320d is all you need on Tuesday 20th October 01:49
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