I don't know about that but he should break even as I have been trying to sell a bunch of extra Snap On tools that I don't need anymore and they are like new and the most needed tools you would use and nobody wants to pay for them even at 40% off of new so I am keeping them .
I can return them to my dealer for 25% less then what new would cost so I would be breaking even as for what I paid for them 10 yrs ago in some cases make money but I will only get credit and I need cash.

 

I have a box I bought from Harbour freight. Its a general 40" roll cabinet. I gave $399 for it and the top box (I dont have yet) is $299. This thing is very heavy made. It doesnt have that pretty bright red finish that the Snap-on or MAC box has but it is every bit as heavy made, it has rooler guides and heavy locking casters. Compared side by side with a freinds Snap-on roll cabinet and it is just as well built. I know some folks are going to have a hard time beleiving this. They both weigh out empty about the same. There are other brands out there that can be purchased a lot cheaper and are just as good. Kennedy is another box that is hard to beat. Do some research before going into debt. Check Ebay sometimes you can get good deals on used Snap-on and MAC tools and boxes. If they can sell there tools at half price that shows that they are over priced to begin with. They are not going to lose money.
I hate to see these students come out of school with huge debt over their heads. Remember you cant borrow yourself out of debt and you cant spend yourself rich. Its tough trying to meet a $250.00 a month tool payment while making 10.00 per hr. as an entry level mechanic and make house or rent, utilities, car payment, groceries and if you have any kids then the cost of living is even higher. Not to mention the numerous other monthly expenses. I wish someone would have sat me down years ago and showed me all of this. You have a life time to build yourself into a career and the things that go along with it.

 

We used a lot of Utica and Thorenson when I was in working down in the engine rooms. Biggest hassle we had was getting ahold of 5/16 12 point sockets and wrenches. After 20 years I still have the 3/4 Thorenson we had to have bent at a 90 to get at a flange down in the bilge. Still shows the blueing from the torch and I've used it on a lot of differnt gear. It's perfect for pulling tierod ends and I beat the crap out of it for years.

Don't get me wrong I love my Snp on, Mac, Matco, SK, Craftsman. When the company buys them yea I get Snap On, when I buy, usually Craftsman and it's easier to just go to Sears and get a tool replaced rather than wait for the truck to show up. And yes I do have some Hqarbor Freight specials. Got a sets of Pitsburg 1/2 and 3/4 drive impacts I've been using for over 10 years and haven't broken one yet.

 

Well I have tried buying tools on Ebay and I have seen used going for more then retail. Maybe the things I want just go that high or I do not shop on Ebay enough. I have bid on countless things and I have only won like 2 things becuase I refuse to pay more the than half of what new costs. But I have never had any luck getting a good deal and if I did get a good deal it usuallys costs me more down the road.

 

When my Dad retired, he gave me a bunch of his Snap On sockets and ratchets. I use them practically every day and haven't broken one yet. I have alot of Craftsman stuff, but,I buy stuff from Snap-on and Cornwell when I need it, the tools are reliable and if they break they get replaced, no questions asked.

 

Well, after the ordeal I went through today with Home Depot, I'm seriously considering going ALL Snap On and Mac. Out with Husky. Not that I dislike Husky tools, I think they're okay. But Home Depot's exchange policy changes so often, (and for the worse over the years) it's not worth my time any more. 2 hours I wasted today, trying to get 2 new T40 Torx sockets from 2 different Home Depots, both places telling me "We don't carry this anymore, you have to send it to the manufacturer."

I'll have to look into mailing them in now.

I tell ya, you pay more for Snap On and Mac Tools, but at least you don't get a friggen headache dealing with idiots.

 

Anybody had any kind of experience with Kobalt?

 

I bought one of the Kobalt air tool sets (3/8 air ratchet, 1/2 impact, air hammer/Cheisel and accessories) I have no complaints with them. The 3/8 air ratchet has removed some very stubborn bolts with out any problems and the 1/2 impact seems to be very strong.

 

I was just doing some research on what manufacturers actually make what tools. Found some interesting info from wilkipedia. I know there are brand loyal people out there and if you have a particular brand you are loyal to then by all means you should stick to your brand. Competition is what keeps industry going.
First thing a ran across was on DeWalt. Now I know folks that swear by DeWalt but if you told them to get a Black and Decker anything they would probably have some very colorful words to describe how they felt about your suggestion. Guess what B&D owns DeWalt
1989 - Black & Decker acquired Emhart Corporation. The purchase included the brand names Kwikset, Price Pfister faucets, Molly wall anchors, POP rivets, True Temper golf club shafts and many other consumer and commercial products. Black & Decker was inducted into the U.S.A. Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame for its cordless power tool achievements and contributions to NASA’s Gemini and Apollo programs.
1992 - Were mentioned in guitar magazine "Fret the Way" by Geraint Cronin because Eddie van Halen "could pluck the guitar twice as fast as a Black and Decker drill ever could with a plectrum glued to it."
1992 – Black and Decker launched the entirely new DeWalt line of professional products for North America was launched.
1993 – The Company’s earned the Vendor of the Year awards from Wal-Mart. Also launched the selected Elu line of professional power tools for Europe.
1994 – The SnakeLight® flexible flashlight is one of the Company’s most successful new product launches.
1995 – The new line of DeWalt Professional Power Tools & Accessories launches in Europe.
1998 – The Company divests most of the household appliance business and completes the divestiture of non-strategic businesses acquired with Emhart.
2003 – Black & Decker sells its European security hardware business to Assa Abloy. Baldwin Hardware Corporation and Weiser Lock Corporation are also bought this year.
2004 - Black & Decker acquired the Tools Group from Pentair, Inc. (NYSE: PNR). The Tools Group, included the Porter-Cable, Delta, DeVilbiss Air Power, Oldham Saw, and FLEX businesses.
2006 - The acquisition of Vector Products, Inc. adds an automotive and electronics platform to Black & Decker's consumer business.

Then I found out some history on MAC who is owned by Stanley, yes Stanley.
Mac Tools continued to grow in the 40's with a large government contract that they received in 1942. In 1961, the company's name was change to the now familiar Mac Tools from its earlier name, Mechanics Tool and Forge Company. In 1980, Mac Tools was bought by the Stanley Works, and is now part of major brand that includes Stanley Tools, Proto Tools, Facom Tools, and Blackhawk Tools a subsidiary of Proto Tools.
Craftsman is owned and produced by KCD IP, LLC (Kenmore Craftsman DieHard Intellectual Property, Limited Liability Company).
I thought it brought up an interesting point about tools. Before you count out a tool because it is cheaper and doesnt come off an over priced truck that charges huge interest to middle class workers trying to make a living. Look into who actually makes the tools. I couldnt find the name of the coorperation that owns and produces Snap-On but I know they make a lot of different brands of tooling including Blue Point, Williams and several others. I thought it was kind of funny that MAC is owned by Stanley. Now I wont try to argue that Stanley is as good as MAC, its just not. I do however have some Stanley items in my box and they have held up well. They are just a lower end tool for the weekend warrior and home owner/ DYI. Research goes a long ways towards being able to make an informed decision.

 

I know that some guys are on a payment plan with their Snap On reps. I'm even on a payment plan. But I don't pay interest. I'll even show you my invoices.

As for Snap On ownership, I think they are a stand alone company by themselves.

 

I am on a payment plan with Snap On with no interest. As long as you go through the dealer to get your tools, there is no interest. The individual dealers do not finance tool boxes ussually. That is done through Snap on... with interest.

 

I had a account on the truck at one time and if you keep a small truck account there is no interest. If you get one of the large sets or over a certain amount then it goes through Snap-On financing at around 25% interest like a credit card. Snap-On is owned by a coorperation I have seen it somewhere but have been unable to locate it.

 

After doing a little more looking, Snap-on is owned by Snap-on INC. they also own Blue Point, Williams and Bahco. They probably own several more and who knows who they contract with to make their tools.

 

I saw an earlier post saying MAC tools are cheaper then Snap-On, well that's because of Stanley owning them. Before that they were an all american brand founded in Ohio in 1938 by 7 men. They sold to stanley works in 1980 I believe. So the more parts you make the cheaper you can sell them.

Snap-On tools are made right here in Iowa, in the northwest part of the state, and their tools have a lot of small features other tools don't have or try to copy, though they are expensive.

I have bought very few Snap-On products, but I won't buy Craftsmen either unless it says MADE IN THE USA....my .02

 

I really like Macs wrenches and Snap-on ratchets and sockets. I have about 50% of each.