Tool cabinets, tools and such

Slide Panda · March 30, 2011, 09:59:44 AM

Ah... Though not really a concern for me ATM, how does one link up with truck guys if you're not working for a shop or running you own business?

zooom · March 30, 2011, 10:59:41 AM

Quote from: Sad Panda on March 30, 2011, 09:59:44 AM
Ah... Though not really a concern for me ATM, how does one link up with truck guys if you're not working for a shop or running you own business?

networking baby!....if I had known what you were looking for, I coulda talked to my Snap-On guy and seen what he could find or come up with...

Slide Panda · March 30, 2011, 11:06:08 AM

I'm not really. That Cornwell was offered up in trade for some web work and should do for quite some time (at least I hope so). But now and then I see a snap-on gizzy that I can't find an analog to through Sears or something like that.

tocino · March 30, 2011, 11:39:43 AM

Quote from: Sad Panda on March 30, 2011, 09:59:44 AM
Ah... Though not really a concern for me ATM, how does one link up with truck guys if you're not working for a shop or running you own business?

If we're talking Snap-On, just walk up to the guy when you see him and see if he's got what you need in his truck. These food cart guys think they're doing something new?

Slide Panda · March 30, 2011, 11:42:19 AM

I'll give it a go. I didn't know if that was kosher or not since they focus on professionals. Didn't want to tread on any toes

avizpls · March 30, 2011, 11:53:57 AM

"Snap on guys" own their own truck, own all the tools in it, and the rights to a "route".....they arent merely employees of snap-on. They are more like independent retailers. Knowing that, I think you can see why they are QUITE happy to sell to anyone that approaches them (ones Ive met). Just dont embarrass yourself with sticker shock. Know before you go that snap on is expensive shite.

Slide Panda · March 30, 2011, 12:06:56 PM

Oh I know how costy their stuff is - about 2x what Sears runs. But as said, there's just some stuff that one can't get from sears. I want a set of the stubby hex attachments, and there's no analog.

They have a full lisiting on their website which looks like one can buy from.... Hmm. I was under the (misinformed) impression that snap-on only really sold to 'proper professionals'. Apparently I was dead wrong.

bikepilot · March 30, 2011, 04:10:39 PM

Often way more than 2x sears unfortunately. For example, full set of wrenches is well over a grand. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=4596&group_ID=522&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I tend to go with snappy stuff for hand tools - they just feel awesome (and work well too, but honestly for home work, sears stuff will get the job done nearly as well). I put them in a harbor freight box though and surprisingly its really quite decent (I wrenched for a living for 5yrs out of a $12k snappy box). If anyone needs a box, I got this one http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html Its not huge, but holds a fair bit of stuff. Drawers work smoothly and its made of pretty heavy gauge steel. Definitely a step up from lows/HD and most of the sears boxes. Not quite as nice as snappy or mac. I haven't seen a cornwall box in person.

Anyone can buy snappy stuff, either off the trucks or on-line. I've ordered a few things on-line, but usually buy off the truck. Pricing is about the same and if you buy from the same guy for a while you can generally expect some astoundingly good customer service.

Now that I'm not at a repair shop frequented by Mr. Snappy its more of a hassle, but I usually just swing by my old haunt and drop my broken stuff or purchase requests off with my buddies there and they get it all taken care of when Mr. snappy swings by.

Slide Panda · March 30, 2011, 04:48:16 PM

Since this thread took a turn I decided to change the title.

The Cornwell is pretty solid. Good guage on the the sheet metal and an internal lever lock for the drawers. The flip top lid lifts by itself on two gas charged actuators. There's two sets of holes for screw divers or similar. One set is low and can't be locked. The other is accessed only when the flip top is up. Since I'm no pro, it's got plenty of space for me at the moment... I think it'd take me a while to fill up.

And yeah, some of the snappy stuff is costy costy. While I like the good stuff, I'm not paying 1,300 for a set of wrenches, since I'm just working on my own and occasional friends stuff. If I was a pro, that might be a different matter.

On the good side, there's a decent amount of snappy stuff on ebay. Of course, none of those stubby hexs I want. Sucks to be me I guess.

Oh an going back to the organization topic - I just spring for this:
http://www.ernstmfg.com/products_css.php - arrives monday.

zooom · March 30, 2011, 07:03:06 PM

Quote from: Sad Panda on March 30, 2011, 04:48:16 PM
Oh an going back to the organization topic - I just spring for this:
http://www.ernstmfg.com/products_css.php - arrives monday.

I use these in my drawers for the various sockets and hex drive bits and whatnot -> http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=storage&Group_ID=13838&store=snapon-store

and then I use these for my various pliers and crescent wrenches and chennel locks and so forth -> http://pliersrack.com/

yes, Snap-On tools aren't cheap...I often talk to my guy and find out what is on promo-special and there are some good deals for sure. Their wrenches are damn good, their sockets have served me well, and on the rare occasion I break one or have an issue, it is not a problem getting a replacement....so you are paying for the service as well....but IMHO, I only want to buy a tool once...so I am willing to buy a GOOD one...not everything in my Matco box is Snap-On, but I have a fair bit that is.

tocino · March 30, 2011, 08:38:27 PM

Quote from: Sad Panda on March 30, 2011, 12:06:56 PM
Oh I know how costy their stuff is - about 2x what Sears runs. But as said, there's just some stuff that one can't get from sears.

Yep - my first bike was a CB550 and to get the plugs out you needed a very thin walled socket. My Craftsman one wouldn't fit. I forgot who told me to ask the snap-on guy, but assured me they were a store on wheels. So a few days later I was driving along and there's a truck. I ask the guy and yep he's got the socket and sold it to me. I recall it was 36$ - and at the risk of dating myself, this was in 92 or 93? dollars, so sticker shock for sure (that was over a third what I'd paid for the bike!). But that was the nicest socket I have ever seen, and worked like a charm.

Warning: once you've seen the inside of a Snap On truck it will haunt your dreams forever. I still fantasize about stealing one.

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Tool cabinets, tools and such