I work as a Technician at an RV dealership. our shop runs under the "3 Borrow Rule." Especially for specialty tools, if you borrow it three times, at that point, you clearly need it and sould go ahead and get one for yourself.
Same here. I do commutation radio installs and have the same rule. If you borrow a tool 3x in one day or one week, go buy your own. I hate not having my tools returned to me when I need to use it myself. 👍🏻
@@360plussynthetics Yes!! I’ve had this conversation with so many guys that borrow my stuff, -I find if they’re not bright enough to figure out the “borrow-3x-times-rule” own there own, -Then it’s going to take a lot of patience to explain to them why it is frustrating not being able to use your own tools that you paid for, because they’re using them 🤦♂️
I think this is great advice. My uncle was a motorcycle mechanic. He did that after getting out of the service after WW2. I am proud to have his primary socket set, which is a standard and deep 3/8" drive SK set. Back then, bikes were smaller and simpler. His most used tools were just the 3/8" set and a set of open end wrenches. There was no metric, and there were no imported tools. As a mechanic today, you just need way more specialized tools, and the cost difference between budget level and top shelf is amazing. So when you hear the old timers talking about "just buy snap-on", I think they're going back to an era where that wasn't as unreasonable as it is now. Wish you the best with your shop and channel!
Love your philosophy and your focus on doing the job not having a shiny toolbox brimming with brand name most of which are not needed or even used. Refreshing to see someone of RUclips with such a practical rather then glamour based approach.
Also remember in the UK Halfords Advanced range of tools have a lifetime warranty. I’ve used the Advanced range for many years and only had to replace a ratchet and a couple of sockets
Good video. I thought I'd add a philosophy I heard ChrisFix say regarding purchasing tools. It was along the lines of "Price what it would be for a professional to do the job, and then find out what you can do it for yourself. Half the savings and pocket one half and invest the other half in tools". I thought it was a good, sustainable view.
I went to harbor freight and got the General 5 drawer tool cart for $200 with coupon , Black Friday I got a Craftsman 344pc Black Chrome set included for $169 120 tooth ratchets were included in 1/4,3/8,1/2. I went to harbor freight purchased icon flex head ratchets & stubby flex head ratchet , impact sockets both shallow and deep in 3/8 & 1/2 for $300 most items on sale. Went to Home Depot and got a m12 stubby kit for $200 and included (2)6.0 batteries. I believe they called it the starter kit. If you bought the batteries for $199 you pick a free tool and I picked a m12 stubby 3/8. All around $800 and was setup nicely!! Like you said buy cheap replace with quality tools. However I’m in love with these tools and they work great with awesome warranty!
For rule two, I follow the "if you borrow it 3 times, I need to get it" and for the most part I have followed that. Especially 3 times in a short period of time. But 3 times over the course of a year, I've got a world certified GM tech for a shop lead, and a key to my buddy's box (almost to world certified) that if I ever need something I don't have, as long as it comes back to them when I'm done and the tools clean, they don't mind.
This is great advice on both sides of "the pond". I started out working as a plumber, then later learning HVAC and I work on my own vehicles. I purchased tools as I needed them, and the frequently used ones I have always ended up getting the higher quality.
I still have, and frequently use, the SK brand 3/8- and 1/2-inch socket/ratchet sets that I bought when I was 16. Sure, the boxes are a bit messy because of the gallon of contact cement that fell over on them in my truck about 30-years ago, but the tools have done me good service. I'm 74 by the way and still turn a wrench now and then.
I'm a carpenter and this is great advice that I follow. One of the first things that comes to mind are router bits. They eventually wear out and need to be replaced. A good high quality, long lasting bit is $30+ I purchased a set of 70 bits 4 years ago for $140 ($2/bit). As I wore bits out I've replaced them with premium ones. It's been a great practice for me because I have virtually everything for one-off profiles. Then there is my $4 hammer from harbor freight which I absolutely love and have had over 10years. No need to replace it with anything else.
I'm just a diy guy but I've got a pretty impressive tool selection. But when you really start looking all the sockets are a mix of all brands. There complete sets but different brand names. They do what their made to do and I put the collection to gether over time and on a budget.
I work in field service and follow similar practices. Being field work it's easy to loose tools, so I keep a few snapon ratchets and pliers on the van, everything else is HF, napa, or hardware store tools. Most of them are years old and see regular use
going through that now, decided to go with harbor freight for a mechanics set, had a 25% off coupon, walked out $175 for a 301 piece set and half my tool list checked off
Though I already had a host of other tools, when I moved into my house and built my workshop I bought that set to start its collection then another same set to start a work van. Best range of sizes for the money, pair ir with the $40 wrench sets that go 10mm to 32mm and the sae set and you're covered!
Hey, as a tip for camera placement, try to keep it at your height. When showing a tool or something specific, you crouching isn't an issue. However, it feels a lot better when your just talking and you stand straight up
One more tip, which I learned from my Dad, who was a motorcycle mechanic and latter a car mechanic, is buy cheap wrenches when you need to modify or cut them to remove a fastener without having to buy the special tool from the dealer for a repair will do once in a lifetime
If I know I'm going to use it all the time or it needs needs needs to be precise I just get the nice one right away. Except for the big sockets over 1/2 in drive. Don't feel like spending 800 for one socket
I think you give some real good advice here. I am an amateur mechanic and photographer. So I think one thing to go with buying budget is to get tools with a good warranty if you can. Around me, the harbor freight tool sets are as cheap as they get but they’ve lasted me 5 years of intense use without much issue. And any time I’ve had an issue I bring the tool and they give me a new one no questions asked. I mentioned that I’m a photographer because I know my way around a shoot. I think it would probably be worth it for you to invest in a lav microphone. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use and will clear up the audio in your videos tremendously. You can pick one up for less than $30 USD.
I used to be a mechanic and i used to buy Snap-on as when i started there was not much choice like today,i did buy some Halfords stuff but in those days they were rubbish,but i sold my tool set as i'am now a bus driver.I did replace all that i had with that Halfords top professional that they do,i wish had had that choice when i was working on cars,your advice is really good and all young apprentices should take heed,i think there is a lot of pressure on them to buy Snap-on,Clarke do a great range in budget tool boxes and cabinets cheers
The advice is spot on, like other commenters I just want to point out Halfords Advanced has a lifetime warranty and is just rebadged Facom or Sykes Pickavant. This is very common across a wide range of industries. Snap On rebadge Bahco tools and charge higher prices too.
Valid information from someone that is a working professional. I am just a home mechanic and only work on my own items. I always go budget and I am in my 60's. I have a value priced handheld engine scanner that a friend of mine (who is a professional mechanic loves). My scanner cost me about $80 usd and my friends "Tool Truck" cost him about $2,000 usd and it needs to be updated regularly from the "Tool Truck"
I will agree with the borrow rule, if I need it more than once, I need to own it. As far as tool box and brand of tools I prefer, Snap-On Epiq and Snap-On tools, when I retire, they will go home with me, and, look awesome in my home garage.
Thanks for the informative video. I'm at a stage now where I keep my motorcycle tools in a tool bag on the bike and am always using it for my home servicing so really want to double up on everything now to keep me more organised. Liked and subscribed!
Totally agree, buy budget replace quality. Could not tell you how many time I've purchased a tool for a one off job, and never used it again. However this part of the world used tool chest just don't exist. Trying to find one has become the bane of my existence
Same. I buy branded budget and replace with premium. My first tools were also the halfords advanced set and i still have almost all of it. The bits which have broken they replaced with the lifetime warranty, other parts i've chosen to replace with snap-on when it's obvious that the halfords or other stuff isn't good enough. I've found US Pro to be fantastic. I use all my kit 5 days a week on motorbikes.
That was sound advice on starting off buying your set of tools. When I started I bought basic, when added to this as and when required. Everything in them days were 1/2" sockets in SAE and Whitworth. Most spanners were open ended or offset ring spanners. Mostly I replaced the odd socket when I lost it, then bought 3/8" sets, followed by 1/4" sets. I couldn't tell you how many different brands of sockets I have that make up set now, but it's a lot. I still have most of my original socket set and I'm nearly 70.
100%. I’ve managed to build up my set over the years working on the car and rebuilding mountain bikes, I have spent a few quid on premium bits when the cheap ones give out and I’ve also been lucky enough to inherit quite a few special tools that at the time I thought I’d never need, wrong.
Honestly go to harbor freight pick up vise grips are life savers, set of screwdrivers, a good hammer, set of metric wrenches, 3/8 socket set both shorties and deep sockets. If you remove a lot of tires get a impact gun and impact sockets. Measuring tape too
I can't lie in my course of work in the tooling side of aviation maintenance, I've warranty tens of thousands of pounds worth of Snap-On tools with our Rep - I can't even put a number on the true figure. Engineers have to use company equipment and they abuse it hard, tools often break. The rep has raised a few queries at times but overall I'm amazed they keep providing replacements. The warranty is golden I'll give them that. But Mike is also right, a lot of their stuff is no different to others, so you can save a few quid elsewhere buying for yourself... I only have a few snap-on tools in my own personal tool box at home.
So glad I watched this. Just saved myself a fortune. Seriously, the sparkly attraction of high end gear is very tempting but what are tools for? Getting the job done.
I use a universal fork seal driver. It Has three posts (similar to an oil filter spring tool), and works for a small range of fork diameters. I've been using it for a while with triumph and bmw, and have only once needed one a bit bigger. It was around $30 on amazon and has lasted me dozens of fork seals so far.
Fantastic advice 👍 -There are dozens of mechanic trades out there, we all deal with similar stuff. And every mechanic trade has its own difficult issues. -You’re not gonna know your trade-particulars until you start working, -With experience, you figure out what’s difficult & long to do based on what you do, -Then you can custom build up your box over time, to the work you do for a living, -Specialty tools for what YOU want to save time+energy on, -Just don’t be an “Adjustable-Wrench-Rambo-Bum”, you’ll only bring shame on yourself by borrowing all the time.
Yes I agree with that! And these simple rules work for all trades and abilities. If your a home diy, you may never need to upgrade compared to a professional who will be upgrading far quicker.
This is wise advice! For me, as an example, I started with with what was a craftsman tool set tell it got stolen then I could not afford so I got a cheap set what really cost me more in the long run. With tools braking and or damaging the bolts. But my first toolbox was a Mac top and bottom. But I got it because it was damaged so new from price was 2 grand but paid 750. Or my new box now is over 10k but I paid 3 for it . Now most of my tools are snap on but that is my choice but they give me the best service and warranty. Don't ever get the high end tools tell you really know you want to go this way. I also buy snap on used tools you can really save on this to So in short invest in the cheap but bigger tool box you can afford having a empty box that will fill up fast is better then getting a smaller box that you have a smaller box and not having the room.
i am an apprentice and mostly use Halfords but have been able to get snap on tool boxes and such off ebay some times cheaper than the clarck equivalents
For instance take pliers . I have a whole handful probably about eight different channel locks every one of them is screwed up. And now I'm going through and replacing the channel locks with a plier that's not that much more expensive but 100 times more reliable. Thats none other that Knipex. I've been using pliers for forty years and these things have just blown my mind at they actually do what they're supposed to say almost make jobs easy that we're going to be impossibly hard with my original channel locks that never lock into position that I wanted to.
I have more secondhand premium tools from eBay or other apps than I do new tools that I bought off the truck. I highly recommend hunting down used hand tools by premium brand because you’ll still have a free warranty.
Interesting video… makes sense if you can live with a mixture of brands, pre-owned toolboxes and have a bit of financial discipline when the Snap-On truck arrives.
Buy budget for some things initially. But buy quality for certain tools. My first ratchets were bought off Mac and Snap-On trucks. I’m still using both after decades of use. Consider buying used from retiring techs. Snap-On sells rebuild kits for their ratchets that are a bargain. I bought my first Snap-On torque wrench from a retiring tech for a deal.
Can't go wrong with the Halfords Advanced tools, they're cheap but take some abuse. Plenty of mechanics still use them. Plus Halfords also replace it for free iirc. Also the rule regarding borrowing tools, the golden rule "you break it, you buy it"
The best thing about Halfords is the lifetime warranty, you said it broke after a few month, well take it back it and get it warranted for a new one. Then i put that into my home set, After a few years of doing that you'll have some stuff you can use at home and the rest to keep at work.
Throughout my apprenticeship I've borrowed tons of tools tons of times as I'm school based, only recently I've bought my own box but I've stuck with the idea that whatever I used a ton, buy decent but whatever is naturally more durable go cheap
Although it makes good sense to start out buying sensibly priced tools, i think some consideration should be given to the quality of the tools. There's quite a few brands of "budget" priced tools about, but if you're gonna be wrenching on other people's bikes, you don't want to be handing their pride and joy back to them with rounded off nuts and mangled screw heads. You can't close the bonnet on a motorbike to hide the damage...lol. My advice is to buy the best you can comfortably afford at the time. Oh, and JIS screwdrivers. Always.
I started as a motorcycle tech a few years ago and had my own set of cheap tools. After they kept breaking, always having to run to the store... Or they are poorly designed, so I keep rounding off fasteners, I decided to never make that mistake again. Started to only buy good tools. I work 24/7, even when I come home. Either working on my own vehicle, parents vehicles, friends vehicles, or some random guys to get some extra cash... I realized that if I kept buying junk, and had to keep replacing them, I would be wasting all my time and money. Just hopped on the Snap-on truck and bought all that I needed for what I do. Now I have a Masters 54" loaded with everything I need. Gonna get a hutch and a few other specialty tools here soon. Mostly all Snappy, got some Blue-Point and Matco littering my box as well. Quit wasting time and money on the other brands, doesn't mean you need to buy this expensive shit if you are just a small time DIY guy, buy it's nice to know that when you pick up your tools, they aren't going to be your limiting factor. They aren't going to break, strip, damage, or ruin what you are working on. There is a reason that these quality brands are called quality brands. There is also a reason that the tools you find at a local store are so cheap. That's not to say that you must buy all the nicer tools new. There are quite a few tools in my box that are, just as if not, older than me. You can get great deals buying the same tools, that cost a fortune, for a quarter of the original price. Do what you want, but the tool truck guys can be haggled with, also they barter too. Just because they sell tools doesn't mean that they know how to use them.
Is it just me or do you go with cheap branded regular spanners cause they don't break often, once they go crap you can turn them into hammers or more leverage etc
@@samcoleman8072 Funny thing about that, is i have a set of Matco metric wrenches and managed to bend the 19 while using it as a cheater trying to break out a 16mm bolt on Chevy brakes. Cheap wrenches..... hit or miss. I keep a set in my truck, but my work wrenches are Matco, Mac, Proto.
@David Pearson yh ok nvm I've used anything for a hammer be it handle end of screwdriver, kincrome rachet, toolpro multigrips etc. I spose only time will tell how good my tools r
@@samcoleman8072 buy a decent set and they'll never "go crap". I stopped buying cheap spanners when I had a 10mm snap on me which totally wasted the day I had planned. Buy good ones and they'll never break.
Borrow once , buy it !!! If you are not working in someone else's shop don't buy top of the line box's I bought 2 craftsmen 40" tool cart and swapped drawers so i had more thin drawers. Then i sold the other one.
The only real quibble I have with this is the "buy premium" bit. You don't have to go from Harbor Freight to Snap-On. Many of the cheaper brands also offer lifetime warranties, so why pay four times the price? And I've seen enough test videos to feel confident saying Snap-On does not last four times as long as the cheaper brands. I'm still using my granddad's Craftsman 3/8 ratchet that I watched him work with 40+ years ago. I don't think I'd have gotten any more use out of a more premium brand.
How come you didn’t replace the Halfords one with the replacement scheme which is just like snap on, because they use Bluepoint were chosen by snap on? Plus Simon Aviation technician and my Halfords item has lasted decades
I buy and sell mechanics tools, mostly snap on. You can get snap on stuff for the same money as cheap shite if you look in the right places. The warranty on ratchets aren't worth a light, don't bother buying new ratchets, the rep will 90% of the time make you pay for the replacement mech anyway. Handles are like £6, mechs are £15 ish. You're a fool to go with any other brand, nothing resells like snap on and most lads don't stay in the trade long so buy tools that are an investment, snap on at less than half price will always resell for the same or more. No other brand retains value in that way. Draper, sealey etc aren't worth a penny 2nd hand. This guy had to have the tools to start working, as an apprentice you don't, you've got time to look for deals and time to save for decent tools. When you decide you don't need a tool as much as you thought, a common occurrence, you can sell or swap it for a different tool of equal top quality. Something you'll never be able to do with cheap crap. You may be spending a bit more than cheap stuff, maybe 20% more for snap on at the right money but you'll get 2x the tool back and it lasts 10x as long. Warranty on snap on isn't worth the full price, generally if it breaks you want bigger and stronger bit the same again anyway. That's my 2c, why buy any tool new when they've been pumping them out of factories 24/7 365 for the last 100 years?
#4 ) Get 6 ,10mm sockets . Your welcome . Also those fork seal tools must have their foofoo valve adjusters balanced OR you'll get cross mojination of the flux capacitor ........... DUH !
And I waited an entire THREE MONTHS to upgrade my 10 year old craftsman single bank box to a KRL722bpcm 54 ..so I did good! Lol but on the real- I bought it 4 months old from one of the "must have new half generation shiny etc" guys I work with. He took a 3200$ loss , and I took out a much smaller used car sized loan so it was a wim win, and ill have it for the rest of my life...ORRRRR I could sell it in 3 years for a 3200$ profit lol, hell probably more with how the Market future looks!
I prefer going without the tool until I have the money to buy a quality one because why by Atul twice when you know the cheaper budget one's going to break down and record time specially if it's from harbor freight you'll get one or two maybe 5 uses out of it and then be right back looking at it again a week two weeks later.
Decent advice, I suppose. I was really hoping for a video on building a toolbox instead of collecting the contents of same. Oh well. Can't judge a video by the title, eh?
Do you have Harbor Freight tools where you live? I started off with a Crescent USA tool set from my dad and have built up from it with this ideology, ICON tools are great and the warranty makes it easy to work with tools heavy and replace.
You know halfords that will give you a new ratchet right? Just take that broken one to them, you dont even need proof of purchase. I have the same halfords tool chest and 80% of my tools are halfords pro and most are 20 years old. The older pro was better than the newer advanced, but the lifetime warrenty applies to either.
I think you kind of contradicted yourself by saying you should never need to borrow a tool twice, but you don’t have to buy it if you only need to borrow it once. Either you’d have to purchase the tool after the first time borrowing so you have it for the second time or you’d need to borrow it twice and purchase after that. I agree with the sentiment and I’m an aircraft mechanic. If I have to borrow a tool twice in a month, I but it for myself. Or if I know it’s a tool that will see regular, but occasional, use then I just add it to a list where I track the frequency of use for each tool. A new tech starting out might need 20+ new tools they hadn’t thought of, but only the income to afford 2-3 quality tools per month. That’s when I think frequency of use plays the biggest role. Great video, though. I definitely agree that spending money wisely and planning purchases is the best way to go, rather than just buying randomness from the truck.
I did notice that while editing the video, but thought it may slip through unnoticed but still getting the general idea across! Thanks for the kind words.
@@GameCastCubed as long as it have halfords advanced or professional stamped on the tool they will replace. Years ago they used to say no moving parts covered but they scrapped that.
What’s the point of buying cheap tools then replacing it with good quality when it brakes? Just bye the quality stuff in the first place. The first snap on tool I bought was a 3/8 hard handle ratchet 31 years ago I’ve used almost every day since and it still works perfectly not only that but with good old inflation it’s now worth second hand more than I payed for it.
For rule 2 i say 3 times and you buy it, if you use borrow it 2 time in one month then you buy it but 2 times over a year isnt worth it. For rule 3 just buy full kits cause when you need it you dont wanna have to wait for it, and if you have to halt jobs for a tool your losing money and customers. Just buy once cry once in that case
the number one rule in the workshop i work in is if you borrow it and brake it you buy new, even if you brake a spanner from a 12 peice set you buy a new set and give them to the dude you broke and you take the old set
I work as a Technician at an RV dealership. our shop runs under the "3 Borrow Rule." Especially for specialty tools, if you borrow it three times, at that point, you clearly need it and sould go ahead and get one for yourself.
Yes 🙌
Couldn’t agree more
Same here. I do commutation radio installs and have the same rule. If you borrow a tool 3x in one day or one week, go buy your own. I hate not having my tools returned to me when I need to use it myself. 👍🏻
@@360plussynthetics
Yes!!
I’ve had this conversation with so many guys that borrow my stuff,
-I find if they’re not bright enough to figure out the “borrow-3x-times-rule” own there own,
-Then it’s going to take a lot of patience to explain to them why it is frustrating not being able to use your own tools that you paid for, because they’re using them 🤦♂️
Absolutely
I've personally followed the rule but for 2 times.
A majority of my tools that I've got now are tools I've had to borrow twice from our lead tech.
I think this is great advice. My uncle was a motorcycle mechanic. He did that after getting out of the service after WW2. I am proud to have his primary socket set, which is a standard and deep 3/8" drive SK set. Back then, bikes were smaller and simpler. His most used tools were just the 3/8" set and a set of open end wrenches. There was no metric, and there were no imported tools. As a mechanic today, you just need way more specialized tools, and the cost difference between budget level and top shelf is amazing. So when you hear the old timers talking about "just buy snap-on", I think they're going back to an era where that wasn't as unreasonable as it is now. Wish you the best with your shop and channel!
Love your philosophy and your focus on doing the job not having a shiny toolbox brimming with brand name most of which are not needed or even used. Refreshing to see someone of RUclips with such a practical rather then glamour based approach.
Thank you very much!
This is the best & most sensible tool advice on RUclips
Also remember in the UK Halfords Advanced range of tools have a lifetime warranty. I’ve used the Advanced range for many years and only had to replace a ratchet and a couple of sockets
Yeah if anything breaks you can go to a halfords at any point you don't have to wait for a van to come round once a week
Good video.
I thought I'd add a philosophy I heard ChrisFix say regarding purchasing tools.
It was along the lines of "Price what it would be for a professional to do the job, and then find out what you can do it for yourself. Half the savings and pocket one half and invest the other half in tools". I thought it was a good, sustainable view.
Thanks, that’s a good rule, you will also learn a lot on the way which in invaluable!
@@Mike_abel learning is invaluable? tell that to the school systems
I went to harbor freight and got the General 5 drawer tool cart for $200 with coupon , Black Friday I got a Craftsman 344pc Black Chrome set included for $169 120 tooth ratchets were included in 1/4,3/8,1/2. I went to harbor freight purchased icon flex head ratchets & stubby flex head ratchet , impact sockets both shallow and deep in 3/8 & 1/2 for $300 most items on sale. Went to Home Depot and got a m12 stubby kit for $200 and included (2)6.0 batteries. I believe they called it the starter kit. If you bought the batteries for $199 you pick a free tool and I picked a m12 stubby 3/8. All around $800 and was setup nicely!! Like you said buy cheap replace with quality tools. However I’m in love with these tools and they work great with awesome warranty!
For rule two, I follow the "if you borrow it 3 times, I need to get it" and for the most part I have followed that. Especially 3 times in a short period of time. But 3 times over the course of a year, I've got a world certified GM tech for a shop lead, and a key to my buddy's box (almost to world certified) that if I ever need something I don't have, as long as it comes back to them when I'm done and the tools clean, they don't mind.
Great advice. So many videos telling people to purchase insanely expensive tools when it's just overkill.
I agree, so many people starting out get drawing into spending an excessive amount of money on tools!
This is great advice on both sides of "the pond". I started out working as a plumber, then later learning HVAC and I work on my own vehicles. I purchased tools as I needed them, and the frequently used ones I have always ended up getting the higher quality.
I'm a small engine mechanic and I have the exact same approach. Well done
I still have, and frequently use, the SK brand 3/8- and 1/2-inch socket/ratchet sets that I bought when I was 16. Sure, the boxes are a bit messy because of the gallon of contact cement that fell over on them in my truck about 30-years ago, but the tools have done me good service. I'm 74 by the way and still turn a wrench now and then.
Great advice for a mechanic starting his journey
Good luck if you just starting out! Remember to enjoy it and the first few year learn as much as you can! I’m 10 years in and still learning everyday!
I'm a carpenter and this is great advice that I follow.
One of the first things that comes to mind are router bits. They eventually wear out and need to be replaced. A good high quality, long lasting bit is $30+
I purchased a set of 70 bits 4 years ago for $140 ($2/bit). As I wore bits out I've replaced them with premium ones. It's been a great practice for me because I have virtually everything for one-off profiles.
Then there is my $4 hammer from harbor freight which I absolutely love and have had over 10years. No need to replace it with anything else.
Exactly I think it works for a wide range of traders and skill levels.
This is a great video... well done.
I'm just a diy guy but I've got a pretty impressive tool selection. But when you really start looking all the sockets are a mix of all brands. There complete sets but different brand names. They do what their made to do and I put the collection to gether over time and on a budget.
I work on heavy equipment and it’s the same way for me, it’s a older Snap-on box with the biggest mix of tools you’ve ever seen lol
Great video & basically my theory for sure except anymore these days I go for the complete sets.
This channel will go far. An excellent and helpful video.
I work in field service and follow similar practices. Being field work it's easy to loose tools, so I keep a few snapon ratchets and pliers on the van, everything else is HF, napa, or hardware store tools. Most of them are years old and see regular use
Absolutely correct I’ve seen so many people bury themselves in debt buying too many and too expensive tool’s especially tool boxes.
going through that now, decided to go with harbor freight for a mechanics set, had a 25% off coupon, walked out $175 for a 301 piece set and half my tool list checked off
Though I already had a host of other tools, when I moved into my house and built my workshop I bought that set to start its collection then another same set to start a work van. Best range of sizes for the money, pair ir with the $40 wrench sets that go 10mm to 32mm and the sae set and you're covered!
Hey, as a tip for camera placement, try to keep it at your height. When showing a tool or something specific, you crouching isn't an issue. However, it feels a lot better when your just talking and you stand straight up
One more tip, which I learned from my Dad, who was a motorcycle mechanic and latter a car mechanic, is buy cheap wrenches when you need to modify or cut them to remove a fastener without having to buy the special tool from the dealer for a repair will do once in a lifetime
Love the video, not really much to add. These videos have become rare goldis in the internet landscape! But thats what it's all about, i think ;D
If I know I'm going to use it all the time or it needs needs needs to be precise I just get the nice one right away. Except for the big sockets over 1/2 in drive. Don't feel like spending 800 for one socket
I think you give some real good advice here. I am an amateur mechanic and photographer. So I think one thing to go with buying budget is to get tools with a good warranty if you can. Around me, the harbor freight tool sets are as cheap as they get but they’ve lasted me 5 years of intense use without much issue. And any time I’ve had an issue I bring the tool and they give me a new one no questions asked. I mentioned that I’m a photographer because I know my way around a shoot. I think it would probably be worth it for you to invest in a lav microphone. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use and will clear up the audio in your videos tremendously. You can pick one up for less than $30 USD.
I Agree, the warranty is very important. Just look out for companies that don't give warranty for moving parts like ratchets.
I used to be a mechanic and i used to buy Snap-on as when i started there was not much choice like today,i did buy some Halfords stuff but in those days they were rubbish,but i sold my tool set as i'am now a bus driver.I did replace all that i had with that Halfords top professional that they do,i wish had had that choice when i was working on cars,your advice is really good and all young apprentices should take heed,i think there is a lot of pressure on them to buy Snap-on,Clarke do a great range in budget tool boxes and cabinets cheers
Those are fantastic rules for my tools! The truth is, I am a tool attic, and I buy way more tools than I need.😂
The advice is spot on, like other commenters I just want to point out Halfords Advanced has a lifetime warranty and is just rebadged Facom or Sykes Pickavant. This is very common across a wide range of industries. Snap On rebadge Bahco tools and charge higher prices too.
Thanks I agree!
Valid information from someone that is a working professional. I am just a home mechanic and only work on my own items. I always go budget and I am in my 60's. I have a value priced handheld engine scanner that a friend of mine (who is a professional mechanic loves). My scanner cost me about $80 usd and my friends "Tool Truck" cost him about $2,000 usd and it needs to be updated regularly from the "Tool Truck"
I will agree with the borrow rule, if I need it more than once, I need to own it. As far as tool box and brand of tools I prefer, Snap-On Epiq and Snap-On tools, when I retire, they will go home with me, and, look awesome in my home garage.
Thanks for the informative video. I'm at a stage now where I keep my motorcycle tools in a tool bag on the bike and am always using it for my home servicing so really want to double up on everything now to keep me more organised.
Liked and subscribed!
Totally agree, buy budget replace quality.
Could not tell you how many time I've purchased a tool for a one off job, and never used it again.
However this part of the world used tool chest just don't exist. Trying to find one has become the bane of my existence
Same. I buy branded budget and replace with premium. My first tools were also the halfords advanced set and i still have almost all of it. The bits which have broken they replaced with the lifetime warranty, other parts i've chosen to replace with snap-on when it's obvious that the halfords or other stuff isn't good enough. I've found US Pro to be fantastic. I use all my kit 5 days a week on motorbikes.
By the way, you are correct up buying, not what I was called budget, but by reasonable tools and a toolbox, then replace the ones with better
That is some very sound advice!
That was sound advice on starting off buying your set of tools. When I started I bought basic, when added to this as and when required. Everything in them days were 1/2" sockets in SAE and Whitworth. Most spanners were open ended or offset ring spanners. Mostly I replaced the odd socket when I lost it, then bought 3/8" sets, followed by 1/4" sets. I couldn't tell you how many different brands of sockets I have that make up set now, but it's a lot. I still have most of my original socket set and I'm nearly 70.
Good solid advice. Like it.
100%. I’ve managed to build up my set over the years working on the car and rebuilding mountain bikes, I have spent a few quid on premium bits when the cheap ones give out and I’ve also been lucky enough to inherit quite a few special tools that at the time I thought I’d never need, wrong.
Honestly go to harbor freight pick up vise grips are life savers, set of screwdrivers, a good hammer, set of metric wrenches, 3/8 socket set both shorties and deep sockets. If you remove a lot of tires get a impact gun and impact sockets. Measuring tape too
I can't lie in my course of work in the tooling side of aviation maintenance, I've warranty tens of thousands of pounds worth of Snap-On tools with our Rep - I can't even put a number on the true figure. Engineers have to use company equipment and they abuse it hard, tools often break. The rep has raised a few queries at times but overall I'm amazed they keep providing replacements. The warranty is golden I'll give them that. But Mike is also right, a lot of their stuff is no different to others, so you can save a few quid elsewhere buying for yourself... I only have a few snap-on tools in my own personal tool box at home.
So glad I watched this. Just saved myself a fortune.
Seriously, the sparkly attraction of high end gear is very tempting but what are tools for? Getting the job done.
My boss has the same toolbox as you! We had a shop fire yesterday and it melted a bit but it waa was a the first toolbox he had as an apprentice!
Great advice. I think I spotted a 1/2" drive splined socket for threaded cartridge bottom brackets in that bottom drawer.
Great advice, thank you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I use a universal fork seal driver. It Has three posts (similar to an oil filter spring tool), and works for a small range of fork diameters. I've been using it for a while with triumph and bmw, and have only once needed one a bit bigger. It was around $30 on amazon and has lasted me dozens of fork seals so far.
Fantastic advice 👍
-There are dozens of mechanic trades out there, we all deal with similar stuff. And every mechanic trade has its own difficult issues.
-You’re not gonna know your trade-particulars until you start working,
-With experience, you figure out what’s difficult & long to do based on what you do,
-Then you can custom build up your box over time, to the work you do for a living,
-Specialty tools for what YOU want to save time+energy on,
-Just don’t be an “Adjustable-Wrench-Rambo-Bum”, you’ll only bring shame on yourself by borrowing all the time.
Yes I agree with that! And these simple rules work for all trades and abilities.
If your a home diy, you may never need to upgrade compared to a professional who will be upgrading far quicker.
@@Mike_abel
Thanks man 👍
Refreshingly sensible advice! Subbed 👍
This is wise advice!
For me, as an example, I started with with what was a craftsman tool set tell it got stolen then I could not afford so I got a cheap set what really cost me more in the long run.
With tools braking and or damaging the bolts.
But my first toolbox was a Mac top and bottom.
But I got it because it was damaged so new from price was 2 grand but paid 750. Or my new box now is over 10k but I paid 3 for it .
Now most of my tools are snap on but that is my choice but they give me the best service and warranty.
Don't ever get the high end tools tell you really know you want to go this way.
I also buy snap on used tools you can really save on this to
So in short invest in the cheap but bigger tool box you can afford having a empty box that will fill up fast is better then getting a smaller box that you have a smaller box and not having the room.
i am an apprentice and mostly use Halfords but have been able to get snap on tool boxes and such off ebay some times cheaper than the clarck equivalents
For instance take pliers . I have a whole handful probably about eight different channel locks every one of them is screwed up. And now I'm going through and replacing the channel locks with a plier that's not that much more expensive but 100 times more reliable. Thats none other that Knipex. I've been using pliers for forty years and these things have just blown my mind at they actually do what they're supposed to say almost make jobs easy that we're going to be impossibly hard with my original channel locks that never lock into position that I wanted to.
Good advice.
Wise words bud👍🏼
your so close to 1000 subscribers!! Honestly you deserve more for the good work you put into your videos
Just read this comment and I have just cross the 1000 marker. Thanks for the support!
Good advice, curly. cool shop.
I have more secondhand premium tools from eBay or other apps than I do new tools that I bought off the truck. I highly recommend hunting down used hand tools by premium brand because you’ll still have a free warranty.
Interesting video… makes sense if you can live with a mixture of brands, pre-owned toolboxes and have a bit of financial discipline when the Snap-On truck arrives.
Very, Very, Very good advise!!
Buy budget for some things initially. But buy quality for certain tools. My first ratchets were bought off Mac and Snap-On trucks. I’m still using both after decades of use.
Consider buying used from retiring techs. Snap-On sells rebuild kits for their ratchets that are a bargain. I bought my first Snap-On torque wrench from a retiring tech for a deal.
Facom tools are awesome. Was able to get them back when they merged with SK. Now we don't have any good source here in the US.
Subbed . 👍👍💪🇺🇸 down to earth information.
Can't go wrong with the Halfords Advanced tools, they're cheap but take some abuse. Plenty of mechanics still use them. Plus Halfords also replace it for free iirc.
Also the rule regarding borrowing tools, the golden rule "you break it, you buy it"
The best thing about Halfords is the lifetime warranty, you said it broke after a few month, well take it back it and get it warranted for a new one. Then i put that into my home set, After a few years of doing that you'll have some stuff you can use at home and the rest to keep at work.
That’s a great way to build a second tool set, but fortunately for me my workshop is at home!
@@Mike_abel Yes, but this was more for people that go to a work place. Like you said you use to.
Throughout my apprenticeship I've borrowed tons of tools tons of times as I'm school based, only recently I've bought my own box but I've stuck with the idea that whatever I used a ton, buy decent but whatever is naturally more durable go cheap
Although it makes good sense to start out buying sensibly priced tools, i think some consideration should be given to the quality of the tools. There's quite a few brands of "budget" priced tools about, but if you're gonna be wrenching on other people's bikes, you don't want to be handing their pride and joy back to them with rounded off nuts and mangled screw heads. You can't close the bonnet on a motorbike to hide the damage...lol. My advice is to buy the best you can comfortably afford at the time. Oh, and JIS screwdrivers. Always.
excellent
I have a full set of snap on for my personal use
This is a good rule
I started as a motorcycle tech a few years ago and had my own set of cheap tools. After they kept breaking, always having to run to the store... Or they are poorly designed, so I keep rounding off fasteners, I decided to never make that mistake again. Started to only buy good tools. I work 24/7, even when I come home. Either working on my own vehicle, parents vehicles, friends vehicles, or some random guys to get some extra cash... I realized that if I kept buying junk, and had to keep replacing them, I would be wasting all my time and money. Just hopped on the Snap-on truck and bought all that I needed for what I do. Now I have a Masters 54" loaded with everything I need. Gonna get a hutch and a few other specialty tools here soon. Mostly all Snappy, got some Blue-Point and Matco littering my box as well. Quit wasting time and money on the other brands, doesn't mean you need to buy this expensive shit if you are just a small time DIY guy, buy it's nice to know that when you pick up your tools, they aren't going to be your limiting factor. They aren't going to break, strip, damage, or ruin what you are working on. There is a reason that these quality brands are called quality brands. There is also a reason that the tools you find at a local store are so cheap. That's not to say that you must buy all the nicer tools new. There are quite a few tools in my box that are, just as if not, older than me. You can get great deals buying the same tools, that cost a fortune, for a quarter of the original price. Do what you want, but the tool truck guys can be haggled with, also they barter too. Just because they sell tools doesn't mean that they know how to use them.
Is it just me or do you go with cheap branded regular spanners cause they don't break often, once they go crap you can turn them into hammers or more leverage etc
@@samcoleman8072 Funny thing about that, is i have a set of Matco metric wrenches and managed to bend the 19 while using it as a cheater trying to break out a 16mm bolt on Chevy brakes. Cheap wrenches..... hit or miss. I keep a set in my truck, but my work wrenches are Matco, Mac, Proto.
@David Pearson yh ok nvm I've used anything for a hammer be it handle end of screwdriver, kincrome rachet, toolpro multigrips etc. I spose only time will tell how good my tools r
@@samcoleman8072 buy a decent set and they'll never "go crap". I stopped buying cheap spanners when I had a 10mm snap on me which totally wasted the day I had planned. Buy good ones and they'll never break.
Halfords advanced stuff is cracking for the price and has a lifetime warranty. Still got most of the stuff I bought during my apprenticeship
Borrow once , buy it !!! If you are not working in someone else's shop don't buy top of the line box's I bought 2 craftsmen 40" tool cart and swapped drawers so i had more thin drawers. Then i sold the other one.
The only real quibble I have with this is the "buy premium" bit. You don't have to go from Harbor Freight to Snap-On. Many of the cheaper brands also offer lifetime warranties, so why pay four times the price? And I've seen enough test videos to feel confident saying Snap-On does not last four times as long as the cheaper brands. I'm still using my granddad's Craftsman 3/8 ratchet that I watched him work with 40+ years ago. I don't think I'd have gotten any more use out of a more premium brand.
How come you didn’t replace the Halfords one with the replacement scheme which is just like snap on, because they use Bluepoint were chosen by snap on?
Plus Simon Aviation technician and my Halfords item has lasted decades
Nice logo 😎
It’s all in the design…
Subscribed
That borrow rule is usually after the 3rd time.
I buy and sell mechanics tools, mostly snap on. You can get snap on stuff for the same money as cheap shite if you look in the right places. The warranty on ratchets aren't worth a light, don't bother buying new ratchets, the rep will 90% of the time make you pay for the replacement mech anyway. Handles are like £6, mechs are £15 ish. You're a fool to go with any other brand, nothing resells like snap on and most lads don't stay in the trade long so buy tools that are an investment, snap on at less than half price will always resell for the same or more. No other brand retains value in that way. Draper, sealey etc aren't worth a penny 2nd hand. This guy had to have the tools to start working, as an apprentice you don't, you've got time to look for deals and time to save for decent tools. When you decide you don't need a tool as much as you thought, a common occurrence, you can sell or swap it for a different tool of equal top quality. Something you'll never be able to do with cheap crap. You may be spending a bit more than cheap stuff, maybe 20% more for snap on at the right money but you'll get 2x the tool back and it lasts 10x as long. Warranty on snap on isn't worth the full price, generally if it breaks you want bigger and stronger bit the same again anyway.
That's my 2c, why buy any tool new when they've been pumping them out of factories 24/7 365 for the last 100 years?
#4 ) Get 6 ,10mm sockets . Your welcome . Also those fork seal tools must have their foofoo valve adjusters balanced OR you'll get cross mojination of the flux capacitor ........... DUH !
I try this all the time "clicking buy now on a 2nd m18 2646-20" grease gun
And I waited an entire THREE MONTHS to upgrade my 10 year old craftsman single bank box to a KRL722bpcm 54 ..so I did good! Lol but on the real- I bought it 4 months old from one of the "must have new half generation shiny etc" guys I work with. He took a 3200$ loss , and I took out a much smaller used car sized loan so it was a wim win, and ill have it for the rest of my life...ORRRRR I could sell it in 3 years for a 3200$ profit lol, hell probably more with how the Market future looks!
I prefer going without the tool until I have the money to buy a quality one because why by Atul twice when you know the cheaper budget one's going to break down and record time specially if it's from harbor freight you'll get one or two maybe 5 uses out of it and then be right back looking at it again a week two weeks later.
Decent advice, I suppose. I was really hoping for a video on building a toolbox instead of collecting the contents of same. Oh well. Can't judge a video by the title, eh?
Do you have Harbor Freight tools where you live? I started off with a Crescent USA tool set from my dad and have built up from it with this ideology, ICON tools are great and the warranty makes it easy to work with tools heavy and replace.
Facom and Beta are just as expensive to Snap-On in the US
You know halfords that will give you a new ratchet right? Just take that broken one to them, you dont even need proof of purchase. I have the same halfords tool chest and 80% of my tools are halfords pro and most are 20 years old. The older pro was better than the newer advanced, but the lifetime warrenty applies to either.
work on daily base with wrenches that a litle bit low quality than gearwrench... never brake wrench. maybe you should match the tools to job you do...
u got a loicense for that toolbox bruv?
Sound advice
Halfords Advanced tools all have a lifetime guarantee. Buying snapon is a bit of waste of money if you ask me.
I think you kind of contradicted yourself by saying you should never need to borrow a tool twice, but you don’t have to buy it if you only need to borrow it once. Either you’d have to purchase the tool after the first time borrowing so you have it for the second time or you’d need to borrow it twice and purchase after that.
I agree with the sentiment and I’m an aircraft mechanic. If I have to borrow a tool twice in a month, I but it for myself. Or if I know it’s a tool that will see regular, but occasional, use then I just add it to a list where I track the frequency of use for each tool. A new tech starting out might need 20+ new tools they hadn’t thought of, but only the income to afford 2-3 quality tools per month. That’s when I think frequency of use plays the biggest role.
Great video, though. I definitely agree that spending money wisely and planning purchases is the best way to go, rather than just buying randomness from the truck.
I did notice that while editing the video, but thought it may slip through unnoticed but still getting the general idea across! Thanks for the kind words.
And you'll find snap on rebounded in bahco and others... also halfords advanced are lifetime warranty?
They do! And the Halfords warranty doesn’t apply to morning parts, I.E. all the ratchets!
@@Mike_abel you sure I got a ratchet changed
@@GameCastCubed as long as it have halfords advanced or professional stamped on the tool they will replace. Years ago they used to say no moving parts covered but they scrapped that.
Pound of what?
What’s the point of buying cheap tools then replacing it with good quality when it brakes? Just bye the quality stuff in the first place. The first snap on tool I bought was a 3/8 hard handle ratchet 31 years ago I’ve used almost every day since and it still works perfectly not only that but with good old inflation it’s now worth second hand more than I payed for it.
👍👍
While these are true my ocd makes me buy full sets that match.
First rule is you must have an unlimited amount of funds to finance it. Quality tools are far from cheap
Don't buy any standard SAE tools nobody uses those anymore unless you drive 80s car or older. I never use 1/2, 5/8 or 9/16 anymore.
AAAAAAA carbs are siting open 😱
For rule 2 i say 3 times and you buy it, if you use borrow it 2 time in one month then you buy it but 2 times over a year isnt worth it. For rule 3 just buy full kits cause when you need it you dont wanna have to wait for it, and if you have to halt jobs for a tool your losing money and customers. Just buy once cry once in that case
Great vid, but it's not about building but how to BUY. Title needs a tweak.
1:10
the number one rule in the workshop i work in is if you borrow it and brake it you buy new, even if you brake a spanner from a 12 peice set you buy a new set and give them to the dude you broke and you take the old set