talk me out of it! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kmaysob · #1 05-03-2007, 09:18 PM

im thinking about buying a matco box. somone stop me!

davestlouis · #2 05-03-2007, 09:23 PM

Go for it! Tools are my weakness, climbing on the tool truck I'm like a kid in a candy store.

TheDon · #3 05-03-2007, 09:31 PM

I settled for a craftsman chest ...

Carleton Hughes · #4 05-03-2007, 10:09 PM

Oh, for ricecake! You've already determined you want it and seeking validation here is simply a matter of form,so just get it! I believe Oscar Wilde maintained the only way to deal with a temptation is to give in to it..............

Let us trust you will use them well. A friend has Matco,superb,over-engineered and very ergonomic tools,great support and response in the unlikely event of breakage.

I've still got my Grandpa's S&K's..........

Hatterasguy · #5 05-03-2007, 10:20 PM

Bah don't spend money, spending money sucks. Whatever you have now is fine.

wbain5280 · #6 05-03-2007, 11:39 PM

Spend your money on tools instead. Buy a cheaper cabinet, Sears, Home Depot, Lowes or try your local Craiglist. Scan your newspaper too.

Costco has a nice one for 600 bux too.

RobTheMod · #7 05-04-2007, 01:03 AM

Hello, ASE master tech speaking here!

Something I learned from the guy who owned the first shop I worked at: Tools make you money. Can't make a living turning wrenches without good wrenches. A tool box, OTOH, is vanity and ego talking. If you've got the cash in the bank, go ahead! if you need to pay the Matco man weekly for the next five years, then I'd think twice. (I'm local- who's your Matco guy, anyway? Curious if we might have the same one as I work in the E. Valley)...

Put this way: Hypothetically, you've got $5000 to spend on tools and a box. Which will make more money for you: $500 Craftsman box with $4500 worth of Craftsman,Mac,Matco,SnapOn inside? Or a $5000 Matco box?

I use a Mac rolling 3 drawer cart and a Craftsman chest, middle, and top box. I paid $250 for the Mac cart used from the Mac man, and $100 for the Craftsman boxes on Craigslist. I'm buying another Craftsman next week. When I get enough to fill 2 Craftsman 3-box towers, then I might think about a serious box- but until then I need to spend money on the tools and not the box! Just a thought!

Pete Geither · #8 05-04-2007, 05:06 AM

Very good advice from Rob. I just got a deal from my local indy tool guy on a rolling cart, with BIG wheels, 5 drawers and top and bottom storage. Roller bearing drawers and reinforced structure for $340. He has been selling a ton of these boxes to people who make a living with their tools who have figured out they can carry about everything they need in the cart and actually be able to drag it around with them from job to job. I love mine and will post a pic later.

G-Benz · #9 05-04-2007, 06:53 AM

The pros know best!

I guess it comes down to "are you going to be that mobile with the box once you get it?" i.e., are you a weekend NASCAR pit jockey?

OMEGAMAN · #10 05-04-2007, 10:21 AM

I agree with Rob. Ive been wrenching for about 16 years and The fanciest box ive ever owned was a blue point. And the only reason I bought it was it was freight damaged and an excelent deal. Spend the money on the tools. The guys with the big tool boxes and the snap-on jackets tend to suck as mechanics in my opinion. They can usually replace a part in the blink of an eye buy but couldnt tell you why they were doing it.

John Doe · #11 05-04-2007, 12:09 PM

Kmay--aren't you still in HS? If your college isn't funded I would put the $ in an ESA. If college is funded, I would put it in a Roth IRA. If you are the beneficiary of a significant trust or receiving the max UGTM amount from several generous relatives each year, go for it, and get your self a Van Staal fishing reel while you are at it (sorry Hatt

)

kmaysob · #12 05-06-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobTheMod

Hello, ASE master tech speaking here!

Something I learned from the guy who owned the first shop I worked at: Tools make you money. Can't make a living turning wrenches without good wrenches. A tool box, OTOH, is vanity and ego talking. If you've got the cash in the bank, go ahead! if you need to pay the Matco man weekly for the next five years, then I'd think twice. (I'm local- who's your Matco guy, anyway? Curious if we might have the same one as I work in the E. Valley)...

Put this way: Hypothetically, you've got $5000 to spend on tools and a box. Which will make more money for you: $500 Craftsman box with $4500 worth of Craftsman,Mac,Matco,SnapOn inside? Or a $5000 Matco box?

I use a Mac rolling 3 drawer cart and a Craftsman chest, middle, and top box. I paid $250 for the Mac cart used from the Mac man, and $100 for the Craftsman boxes on Craigslist. I'm buying another Craftsman next week. When I get enough to fill 2 Craftsman 3-box towers, then I might think about a serious box- but until then I need to spend money on the tools and not the box! Just a thought!

tim mcgraw-matco man

kmaysob · #13 06-09-2007, 07:53 PM

well i did it anyways. it was the best investment i have made in a while. plenty of room too. heres a crappy pic. i was in a hurry friday

ASaltyDog · #14 06-09-2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaysob

well i did it anyways. it was the best investment i have made in a while. plenty of room too. heres a crappy pic. i was in a hurry friday

I've got an old Snap-On box that some poor mechanic owned/rented for about a year before the snap-on guy threatened to repo it. I saw it in the shop all shiny and handsome, and asked him about it. I gave him $1k in cash and that was that. That was 15 years ago.

Every time I see the snap-on guy he's got 3-4 used units locally. They're usually about 30% of new if you go around the snap-on guy, if he gets involved he'll add 50% back in the deal for his pocket. They evidently hang around these auto-shop colleges like the one in NC and plague on those poor kids just coming out of school with $20k in upside down credit.

Your investment? Look dude, it's like your Merc - it depreciates. Unless it's signed by Kimi Rikonen it's not a collectors piece. And it won't help with security either. If anything it puts it all in one comfy place for the thieves to roll out.

Have to admit though - that's one of the better looking boxes I've seen. Just hang onto it IMHO, pass it down to the kids. Whack them in the head with your cane when you get old and they attempt to garage sale it

kmaysob · #15 06-09-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASaltyDog

I've got an old Snap-On box that some poor mechanic owned/rented for about a year before the snap-on guy threatened to repo it. I saw it in the shop all shiny and handsome, and asked him about it. I gave him $1k in cash and that was that. That was 15 years ago.

Every time I see the snap-on guy he's got 3-4 used units locally. They're usually about 30% of new if you go around the snap-on guy, if he gets involved he'll add 50% back in the deal for his pocket. They evidently hang around these auto-shop colleges like the one in NC and plague on those poor kids just coming out of school with $20k in upside down credit.

Your investment? Look dude, it's like your Merc - it depreciates. Unless it's signed by Kimi Rikonen it's not a collectors piece. And it won't help with security either. If anything it puts it all in one comfy place for the thieves to roll out.

Have to admit though - that's one of the better looking boxes I've seen. Just hang onto it IMHO, pass it down to the kids. Whack them in the head with your cane when you get old and they attempt to garage sale it

well the difference between me and the autoshop students is im already in my position. i didnt buy with the hope of selling it in 5 years. i hope to have it for 20+. it has a lifetime warrenty on the slides. as far as secturity goes, it weighs 700lbs empty,it gets locked in the tool crib at night and everything i own is insured by my company. thank you, you should see it up close.