I Bought The CHEAPEST Tools In Harbor Freight (6 Month TORTURE TEST)

[@CarWizard]

GP Duo Sockets for the win. Thin like chrome sockets, but fully warranted for impact use as well. Have used one set for 10 years. Zero issues.

[@walkermediaworx]

I'm going out to get a set of these and try them. Thanks wizard!

[@JosiahGould]

Well a recommendation from the Wizard is gospel in my book.

[@I-apologize-in-advance]

Obey the Wizard

[@andrewsadach3194]

More of a Craftsman, or Pittsburgh tools myself.

[@Ky_Mycology]

Wiiiizzzaarrd!!!

[@astridsactionrc545]

I went to “school” for mechanics over 20 years ago. The very first day was a 2 hour long sales pitch from Snap-on. I went to Sears once a week and bought what I needed piece by piece. I spent several thousand dollars. Got good tools and have only had to rebuild my very first ratchet (that is over 30 years old) once!!

[@Reno420alex]

Smart man

[@RandomGuyDan]

The good old days when Craftsman tools were actually good enough for a craftsman.

[@2057ram]

I went to a mechanic school 12 years ago had the same sales pitch from Snap-on did buy a small tool set half of it is stolen now don't needed since I inherited my dad old Craftsman tool set

[@arcanask]

Still got my small Craftsman ratchet set I bought at Kmart back in 2005ish. Nothing in it has broken and the finish on them still looks like I bought them yesterday. I'm actually kinda curious how the Made in China ones would fare with age over the USA ones.

[@4IN14094]

I do use Snap-ons that I brough when I enter the company I am working for but their deals was way cheaper then street price or "school" price that I heard of, much closer to some other reliable brands that I would otherwise brought, I guess the bigger the company the better the deal, that have a side effect though, as everyone in the company was using Snap-on in some ways and everyone is very "protective" about their own tool box compare to others who shop their own tools.

[@franknbeans3651]

Great job on this Jared! 100 percent agree with everything you've said! In the late 90s I bought the craftsman master set, and still use 90 percent of that set almost 25 years later. Nothing wrong with purchasing inexpensive sets.

[@philscott7949]

Thanks for the linear editing without opening with spoilers. Much easier to watch from start to finish!

[@forsakend27]

Great content..I bought an older craftsman forged usa set all the wrenches and impacts,haven't broken a single tool yet..save money for parts..

[@richardbates2367]

Pittsburgh I think the professional line has a set of long pattern sae and metric combination in wrench sets which are a v type groove open end and box end design I own them so I know they make them.

[@tdorney4334]

An honest tool review? That’s something new and foreign these days. Thanks I subscribed

[@MegaJuicebawx]

I striated my career in autobody almost 3 years ago. I bought most of my stuff (tools, toolbox, cabinet on toolbox). My philosophy is buy something at harbor freight, and when it breaks, or you use it constantly, upgrade to something off the tool truck. Except for ratchets. anecdotally, most cheap ratchets I've owned were just shit. Some times you do get what you pay for. btw, us general toolboxes are pretty nice, I've had zero issues with the 44in roller, other than like jared said, the spacing could be better. i plan to upgrade to the 72in roller soon, seeing as im running out of space.

[@jerkofalltrades5430]

I've had good luck with Duralast tools

[@lgliam]

Absolutely nailed it. I run a small bodyshop with less than 10 techs, and whenever I take on fresh apprentices they're always wanting to go straight to snap on and take on the debt, I tell them to buy cheaper tools and if they do break them with continual use then to upgrade that tool to something more expensive as they are clearly getting the use out of it.

[@osgeld]

yea it makes no since to buy a overpriced tool you are not using much, buy the cheaper tools and find out which ones wear out the quickest ... those are the ones that are probably being used and pushed the most. You don't want a 45$ o-ring pick set when your 10mm ratcheting box end wrench fails

[@aserta]

What you said, but it also builds tool knowledge. So many kids just jump into the expensive stuff thinking "oh, legacy tools, grandpa had them etc" and skip an entire chapter worth of shop education which does end up biting some of them in the end.

[@1pcfred]

@@aserta I have a complete metric socket set 6mm to 24mm and so many of those sockets I've never used because the ISO standard skips sizes. Although there are out of standard fasteners. But they're rare. Why I got that set is another story. It was a deal I couldn't pass up.

[@feron450]

The industry needs more people like you. My first dealer job was working at Mercedes’ and man did everyone try and say I couldn’t do the job without snap on tools, thankfully I didn’t go down that rabbit hole.

[@Gearhead2286]

Dude I buy whatever is cheap and if I break it I upgrade it. I'm cheap l and I have a full arsenal of shit I need to get my jobs done. Gotta be resourceful

[@sonicwillwin]

as a Harbor Freight employee I love to see genuine reviews of our products so i can better inform customers in my store

[@codya.k.a.nlnjacr1tt3r]

That's awesome. I have a deep appreciation for Harbor freight tools. I started my first job out of highschool with a small collection of harbor freight tools my father bought me and still use mostly harbor freight brands to this day. They have always been good tools at a great price and I feel now more than ever that you get alot of quality in the tools at a budget friendly price. Very impressed by some of the newer brands they have been putting out on the market lately.

[@cavalierliberty6838]

I buy well over half my tools at harbor freight, honestly holds up better than the other various crap I've bought except for older craftsman and kobalt stuff.

[@joblessalex]

Dude. They don't suck. They're not bad at all in most cases. Even if they do suck, the warranty makes up for it. You basically cut quality control and pass it on to the customer in the smartest way possible. The people who use em a ton and actually give a shit will test them pretty extensively in the store and they'll use them pretty hard. The people who will use it once or twice and that's it won't inspect it in the tools and will probably end up with the leftovers that the pro guys won't take. The pros get tools that'll last and the normies get the junk. Both are happy cause both will get one that lasts as expected. The warranty takes care of the in between cases. Absolute genius. The corners you cut are amazing. Very well curated. Every corner that's cut is cut with value in mind and not just cheapness. Corners aren't perfectly round, items aren't faced as well, rougher surface finishes. Just things that don't change the performance at all. It's a very well balanced act. There are cases where I've needed a better tool, but they're rare. Once I've needed a better extension since the hf extension snapped under the load of a Honda crank bolt. These are pretty impossible to begin with though. It received my kobalt impact and my Ryobi impact before getting the beans of a 6ft breaker bar. I just don't get the hate.

[@wildbill23c]

Do you take trade-ins on old US General Tool Chests LOL. I've outgrown my 17 year old 44" combo unit HAHA!!! It has sat out on an open air carport all its life, yep its dirty, but everything still functions perfectly on it...Looking at a 56" model but it looks as though the end cabinets are only for the 44" models....I'd have to go up to the Icon stuff to get end cabinets...and the prices on that brand are ridiculous. So I'll just stick with what I have until Harbor Freight can figure out how to get an end cabinet system that fits the US General 56" boxes LOL.

[@joblessalex]

@@wildbill23c I have a Craftsman box with hf end cabinets. Only mod required is to cut a tiny notch on the front and back to accommodate the hf end cabinet design. End cabinet is a bit deeper than the main box, but they're the same red.

[@groosbro1]

I'm a shade tree mechanic, and I own mostly Harbor Freight tools. So far the only tool I broke was a 10mm ratcheting wrench, which was replaced with no questions asked. I've beaten on the impact sockets with an impact and a three foot breaker bar and so far have broken bolts not the sockets.

[@cgg6450]

A lot of my bigger tools are from Harbor Freight pipe wrenches and bolt cutters

[@richardbates2367]

I'm someone who had several USA made wrench sets craftsman and great neck and even their tawain made ones,, and when someone who will remain un named hint borrowed over 65 percent of all of my tools most all the replaced wrenches and sockets are Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh pro...

[@richardbates2367]

I have a 149, and 194 PC mechanic tool set that is basically the truck crash and roadside service kit, that replaced the craftsman sets I had, and I have got two decent deals on gearwrench 1/4 90t and the 3/8 120xp like 51-55 PC set and they are the tool box set of good sockets, and now that 74 PC complete set of 3/8 shallow and deep sae and metric tekton and the mid sized combination wrench set

[@dave1135]

I went with the tool trucks when I started as a dealer mechanic, I had a lot of basic tools that were largely craftsman, that worked fine. Later years, the only time I would get something off the truck was for specialized tools, that you couldn't get anywhere else. Struggling to get something apart vs having the specialized tool designed for the job, makes a HUGE difference when you're working flat rate

[@dogtiredguitars]

Agreed. Specialty tools are a whole other thing. I build custom guitars and have spent the money on certain jigs/tools that make my job easier and more efficient. In those cases, it's money well spent.

[@oengusfearghas9608]

This is very true, though most often the various trucks aren't the actual manufacturer of the specialty tools they carry. Lisle is one of the big names to look into there. I have a number of things direct from them that are identical to ones off the trucks minus the added branding.

[@Gearhead2286]

You hit the nail on the head. I do the exact same thing. Specialty stuff is needed sometimes but you can still a job done with less expensive tools.

[@tcanthony2]

There is nothing like have the correct tool for the job. It’s not worth the fight. Even as a hobby mechanic I own a load of specialty tools. I just pick them up as I need them but a 150 dollar tool for the job is worth the pain and suffering. Plus for me buying the tool is still cheaper than taking it to a mechanic.

[@quickdiy8127]

Cheap tools and being cheap make for bad days. New people don’t understand this. You bought a $1 Harbor Freight screw driver to do brakes, oh you stripped out the Phillips ? And now you lost money on a flagged out brake job? $50 impact driver off the truck that pays for itself first job but the youtuber that said not to buy quality tools ever said skip it. Now you earn less than a high school kid at McDonald’s

[@CommodoreFan64]

I can say Jarred is speaking 100% truth here, as someone who grew up in a gear head family, as my real father was a certified welder, logger, farmer, mechanic, well driller, and overall handyman, and I first learned to wrench on farm equipment about the age of 6 in the 80's from him, and my step father was the son of an old school service station owner in the 60's, in the 70's he drag raced for MOPAR, in the early 80's he ran his own landscape business, then by the late 80's, he became a Master ASE Certified tech, then by the late 90's ran the maintenance department of a major hospital, and along with my 2 step brothers who are natural gear heads with their own storied careers, having raced just about everything from BMX bikes to Go-Karts, Dirt Bikes, drag cars, tractor pulls, etc.. growing up and to this day still do antique tractor pulling, I had, and still have a big learning tree of what to do, and what not to do, which led me to eventually in the very early 00's to becoming a heavy equipment mechanic for a site prep construction company with my real father, and later on working for a New Holland/Kubota dealership that was also a landscaping company, till the mid 00's when I finally had to change careers due to bad knees/shoulders from overdoing it being a small framed guy, and I watched both my father, and step father over the years get caught in the tool truck trap 1st hand spending thousands of dollars they really did not have just to make a living when during the 80's, 90's, and 00's, when they really could have gone to SEARS, and mostly gotten by with the Craftsman tools, except for the really specialty items like 2in hydraulic wrenches with an odd angle, etc.. So guys don't do it, as places like Harbor Freight, and even Walmart with their HART line have really improved, and shown you don't need to go into massive debt to get started in the mechanics trade!!

[@cgg6450]

I laughed whenever that basic tool set from Snap on cost over $4,000.00 that’s robbery

[@wildbill23c]

@@cgg6450 That looks kind of like those no-name "mechanic" sets, or homeowner sets you find in catalogs for $100 LOL. They overinflate that price because they know people are dumb enough to hand over their credit card because it says Snap-On. I can see some Snap-On stuff, as I think the those companies do make some specialty tools you can't find elsewhere, but you gotta really need that tool to make it worth what that tool truck is selling it for...many people just find other methods to avoid buying that stuff due to the cost, or they make their own.

[@klobbersaurus685]

I tend to buy on the low-mid quality when buying tools. If I have something break because I use it a bunch, I go more mid-high. If it breaks because it's junk, I'll go to the next step up. ~20 years of amateur wrenching, that plan has done me really well. I really appreciate this testing to help us all make some better choices.

[@wildbill23c]

I know a mechanic that will buy the cheap Pittsburgh and other brand wrenches, purposely and use them when he needs to modify a wrench or screwdriver, or something in order to be able to reach a bolt or something, you can cut a wrench, heat it and bend it, etc...but he's like no way in hell am I cutting my Snap-On or bending my Snap-On wrenches for that, so sacrificing a $10 wrench VS a $100, yep I can easily see that logic too. I have done the same, I'll buy that basic tool, if I wear it out or break it, I'll upgrade to the next brand higher until I find one that works. Much better than starting at the expensive end of the line for no reason.

[@bgee461]

I got all the tools a guy could want, and I STILL found this segment very appealing. I love that you are honest and upfront about the reality of the tool industry. There are only a handful of corporations that own all the big names world wide. I especially like that you did the experiment with your own dollars and not by sponsorship. As for power tools, I'm currently a Milwaukee guy bc they were the first to have a sweet cordless impact, but I'm eyeballing Rigid recently.

[@wildbill23c]

The cordless tool line is another one of those rabbit holes you can get sucked into real quick. For me I got my start with Dewalt 18VXRP 4 piece set I won as a door price about 18 years ago at a store. So I just stuck with Dewalt and slowly just added to the tool line as I needed...course now I've got the 20V and 60V/Flexvolt stuff...but its mainly due to once you have the batteries/chargers you tend to stick to one particular platform due to already having the batteries/chargers. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Milwaukee, Makita, etc. Ridgid makes some great stuff and I have been eying their stuff recently as well. I don't have any Ridgid hand or battery tools...I do have a Ridgid TS3612 10" contractor table saw, and the Ridgid 13" thickness planer....both I've had for probably close to 20 years, both work great...I've heard several say their cordless tools are great too and wouldn't be surprised. They're more foreign made now sadly than they used to be, but what isn't anymore honestly.

[@AR-ed3xw]

Maybe Ed will do the right thing and send you a Snap On set

[@MaxSpeedMike]

I've had husky tools since I started wrenching. Still use them so many years later. Pretty good quality. Only had one ratchet stop working, but it's an easy fix.

[@alanmoore78]

The Husky and Cobalt lines at the big box home stores are not terrible, and one thing I do like about those stores is say I've got a set of wrenches and it skips a couple sizes like 14 or 16mm, you can buy those individual tools and fill in your set without buying another whole set of wrenches. Much better to spend $13 for one good wrench than $40 for a whole set of cheap ones just to get that one missing size. Reminds me I have a 3/8 drive Husky ratchet that froze up that I need to run in for a replacement.

[@dr.trombone2747]

I just started working as an RV tech about 2 months ago, the snap on and matco trucks come every week for us. I'm glad I can say that most of my tools are from harbor freight and home depot. I've probably only spent $2,000 total on my box and tools, counting a few Milwaukee tools. Thanks for making these videos Jared!

[@bkad6238]

I started to get trapped by the tool trucks. I was lucky enough to have a well seasoned mechanic decide to mentor me. He very quickly set me straight on buying tools. Thanks Mac

[@risingevil83]

I bought that 500 piece set too. And it worked perfect for me and my brother when we work on our cars. The issue i had was the screwdriver sockets. Those are crap material. The other thing is i had to buy an icon swivel head 10 in ( 3/8 ) rachet because the quinn works, but its too small. Not enough leverage to loosten bolts. For pliers i went with what worked for me for a long time, craftsman

[@peteledwidge3631]

Excellent advice. I never had the money to be a snob about tools when I started wrenching... I did over the years learn 'which' tools it was wise to spend decent money on and what could be semi budget kit. The old adage 'you get what you pay for' does come into play, but the 'reasonable' tools (used correctly) will definitely still get the job done in a professional setting.

[@1pcfred]

Snap-On is still out in front but others are catching up. So it is hard to justify the premium S-O charges. Snappy ain't 10 times better than the next guy. Today it's more like 10% better. So you're not really getting what you pay for.

[@802Garage]

Matco are all rebranded stuff you can get cheaper without the brand name anyways. Except their tool chests. Unless you are a well paid wrench every single day professional, buying from the big tool trucks rarely makes sense to me. Even then, there are many tools where the cost does nothing except affect how many brand name tools you own. Use tools appropriately, like you said, and you'll have good luck. Spending good money on some cordless tools will have a bigger impact, no pun intended, than spending more on hand tools. For hypes sake please stick with Milwaukee, DeWalt, and other color brands rather than going with a tool truck cordless. The cost is nowhere near worth what you are getting. Fun review!

[@anthoneyking6572]

Damn man that was so on Point I'm a EX Mechanic in the UK for 30 Years and Yes Snap on stuff its luverly to use but I agree with you tools that will do the Job Buy Smart not for the Name if you need a few tools you can abuse then yes Snap on Cracker Bars and leavers shore will last you but starting out 100% I agree with you Awesome Vlog man thank you

[@Intabih]

As an apprentice, I appreciate this channel. Also, as a 47 year old apprentice I have only spent money on stuff that I use every day. I got my basic tool set from the apprenticeship program and have spent $250 so far.

[@joshrepik]

Currently in the grips of the tool truck pyramid scheme, working my way out though. Mac got me for a $6000 toolbox, getting that paid off slowly. Lost my job during the pandemic, missed a couple payments, suddenly owed over $1200 as the “next” payment. Luckily I’m working it out with mac corporate, the interest is gone, the bank is out of the equation, and it’s staying off my credit. I have three truck accounts, totaling almost $2k. That Mac box has never been full. I like it, I’ll pay it off and keep it, I’ll pay off the tools I bought on the trucks (some for home use, most because I’m a heavy diesel mechanic and things DO break working on stuff that big, even quality stuff, it’s nice to have a replacement show up at work) That being said, I have a $200 US General cart I use far more than the big Mac box. I agree with you Jared. Listen to this man!

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

It has been even harder for mechanics lately. I left traditional and into performance during the good years. I have bough tool boxes just out of the shiny factor. If older me knew younger me, I’d tell him to save a lot of money

[@sofielee4122]

when I went to A&P (aircraft mechanic) school, they had a deal with snapon where everything was half off, and it STILL was over 10k for my box and tools. and over half my class had rust issues with their pliers within 2 weeks of receiving them. so, yeah, go to harbor freight and get the same thing if not better for less money

[@Reno420alex]

Thank you 👍

[@noclass2gun342]

Man... I won't tell you harbor freight won't get the job done... but the tools from there are not better... or even close to being as good. I have a 68" epiq that is loaded with both harbor freight and tool truck tools and there is absolutely a quality difference.

[@finkelmana]

I like Harbor Freight. However, you have to be very careful with what you purchase. They do sell decent tools for cheap. They also sell complete and utter junk. I have purchased tools, taken them out of the package, found they were crap, even for Chinesium, and took them right back to the store for a refund. Also, do not use WD-40 to prevent rust (maybe a different product, but not plain WD-40) as it dries very quickly and leaves a residue.

[@Reno420alex]

How can snap on sell a set of tools for 4500$ when it looks identical to a 50$ walmart garbage set. The tools look like such poor quality almost like walmarts hyper tough tools... for 4500$ thats fucked up. I get they have a "life time warranty" which is still a joke in some circumstances, you could have each tool replaced 20 times at walmart all 120pcs and still not add up to anywhere close to 4500$ "crappy little red toolbox included". Their tools aren't even that great of quality like they try to make people think.. its been along time since snap on was actually high quality. Snap on just needs to die already such a greedy company

[@MagicBrownMan]

the ironic part about the lifetime warranty is that most hand tools now a days are lifetime warranty. The one benefit is that with the tool trucks is that phone call can get the guys to come to the shop and replace a broken tool while the other brands you either have to go through the store or wait for it to come in the mail, but you are paying for that so pick your poison. If you make money off your tools or can get comped for tools from work, then it might be worth but it all other situations you can find better compromises to suit your needs.

[@Reno420alex]

@@MagicBrownMan in my opinion there is nothing that can make the price difference worth it. I'm a mechanic and make a living off my tools. Pretty much all I use is either craftsman or husky and maybe a few harbor freight or Walmart ones here and there but I can tell you I have never and will never buy an expensive hand tool. Everything breaks so why spend 10x as much for almost the same thing. When it comes to tools thats my view. Only with tools though... lol

[@Reno420alex]

@@MagicBrownMan I do like expensive stuff 😁

[@13coyote13]

Snap On is the biggest rip off on the market. In Canada they bankrupted a lot of tool truck owners when they started refusing to honor their warranty.

[@MrTjmk]

Before retiring I was a tech at a local Cadillac dealership for about ten years out of my life.Nearly every other tech that worked at that same dealership had name brand tools and name brand tool boxes. (nothing wrong with that) Some of these guys had vast tool sets that when combined must have cost about as much as the price of a brand new Cadillac car.I'm afraid that I'm just chronically cheap cause I could never get myself to pay the cost of SnapOn or Craftsman or any of the other name brand tools. Nearly all of my tools were Harbor Freight tools, if I had bought them new. Those that were used were just tools I'd had since forever.About the only exception was a Snap On impact wrench that I'd bought at a yard sale for about twenty-five bucks. Funny thing was that periodically my coworkers would come over to my work bay to ask to borrow one of my cheap-ass Harbor Freight tools when one of their high dollar name brand tools either got lost, stolen or malfunctioned somehow. For the price of just one of their name brand tools I could buy a spare of each of my individual tools and still have money left over. I didn't mind loaning them my tools. I knew that the SnapOn guy only came by the dealership maybe once a week or every two weeks. I don't really remember how often any more. It's just that my coworkers relied on their tools to make money just like I did. They couldn't stand around and wait for the SnapOn guy to show up with their free replacement tools. I was raised to be frugal. I found that the Harbor Freight tools did the very same thing that the name brand tools did, and they didn't cost nearly as much. If money were no object, I probably would have bought all name brand tools but as it was, I just didn't see the need to spend that kind of money.

[@CL-yp1bs]

Exactly.., buy multiple from harbor freight instead of waiting for the damn tool truck to come around.. they have really stepped up their game recently with their higher end offerings like Icon and Quinn... like seriously good stuff

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

Nice work Jared.. it's true about Harbor Freight.. and yes there are 'better' assumed names out there, but as far as hand tools, I've broken more name brand tools than I have HF tools.. especially since the Quinn lineup started.. they're actually very much Snap-Onesque .. anyway great video series thanks again!

[@zacharykelley359]

Wish I learned this when I was starting out, get harbor freight first, whatever keeps breaking that’s what you invest in.

[@jonmattingly700]

When I started wrenching 47 years ago I was dazzled by the shiny tools from Snap On and I would brag that every tool I had was Snap On but my home tools today are mostly oddball names and they work just as well as the tools I had way back then.

[@cgg6450]

I think it’s crazy how much Snap on charges for their tools their prices are robbery

[@wngimageanddesign9546]

45 years ago I was made fun of for entrusting my money on Sears Craftsman tools and boxes. Considered crap compared to Snap-On MatCo, MAC or Proto. But they were made in the USA, strong, and guaranteed. I wore out one ratchet, replaced some screwdrivers, and broke (abused) a few sockets. All replaced hassle-free. I added Lyle and other brands of automotive specialty tools too. A few SK pieces, and later Gearwrench when they first introduced their ratcheting box ends. I saved a ton of money, and got every job done. I found some decent Harbor Freight offerings that found their way into my Craftsman tool chest/cart. Now these days, people pine over the loss of old Made in the USA Craftman quality. Replaced with China and India sourced tools and crappy tool storage offerings. I think it's obscene when a wrench or socket is $50 per piece from Snap-On. WTF!?! For $50, I can have an entire socket set or combination wrench set! Warranted for life! Made in the USA back then too! Now, Made in Taiwan...probably your best bet in value and quality. Superior to the China and India tools! And still be lifetime warranty (ie. Tekton, IKON, WEN, Gearwrench Pro, etc.) $200,000 on tool truck tools made me cringe in pain!

[@mikekozi-lester3887]

Love the show first time !!! I watch your brother 's and brother Great show from Derek and his Family 👪 Vice Grip Garage and Little Grip Garage also the other ViceGripGararge Are U thinking about having a Tool 🔧 Company make it a Radio Station Name probably the one place U tune up all there stuff if they don't no how anymore!!!

[@Junior0292]

Can you try Gedore R45603172 (172 socket set 1/2,3/8,1/4) german tools made in Taiwan. i think as full Metric(only) socket set its good $150

[@Mad-Lad-Chad]

I loved this review. I'm a shade tree mechanic I guess, if even that. I fix mine and my girlfriends cars, 3 in total. Normally I do a lot of DIY work and build PC's. Most of my tools are from Harbor Freight and they've done awesome. Back when I worked at a Chrysler dealership (I was the service advisor at the counter not a technician) the guys laughed at me using my cheap tools to do work on lifts after hours. Told them the same thing I tell everyone when it comes to what I work on/build/customize/program; my work speaks for itself and any new mechanic should feel the same. The quality of the work you do says far more about you than the tools you use to do that work.

[@DachsAutos]

@TheQuestionableGarage - I've been stewing for months on getting tools/storage for the shop that I'll just have to store when we put in the floor. I've gotten to the point where my frustration out-weighs my productivity. Off to HF today for another cart, tools, and the Menards store for some shelving. I came back to this video specifically to confirm I dropping the right stuff in my shopping cart today. BINGO.

[@whatever_12]

I think tool truck $15 a week sound better than $60 per month thus people tend to buy into it without realizing how much it is! Often they will say "why not add this.. It's only $4+ a week" and people are overspending without grasping it

[@iVroomify]

Just bought a Pittsburgh toolset and I dropped my new socket wrench in my oil when I was doing an oil change lol

[@StephenCole1916]

The Windows disconnect sound confused the heck out of me for a second 🤣

[@tripprogers4814]

What is that sound in the background?? It’s the sound of Snap-on, Cornwell, Matco & Mac Tool drivers scratching Jared off their list

[@unclebob4208]

I use tools every day too. I've broken and fought the return desk over husky tools. Not worth it in my opinion. Buy the truck brands on eBay. You'll have to wait to piece together your set but it is a much better outcome. You'll hate the Klutch/Crapsman/Harbor freight tool feel and reliability. Even though they have 'gotten better'... Chinese is Chinese.

[@darrenporsch]

There's no way all that matco stuff on the top of your toolbox is only 250. the big long ratchet alone cost that much. Those tools on the top of your box from matco are pushing close to a grand. I've seen that Yukon toolbox. my issue with it is the drawers seem really flimsy and they shook a lot. Supposedly the one from home Depot or Lowe's I'm not sure was supposed to be made a little nicer. other people have done reviews of them head to head on KZbin

[@mythbuster7538]

There are some speacilty tools u have t get from say snap-on. But in general too expensive. Just watch the car wizard videos. he has harbor freight tools and tool chests. And he has a good business he can buy just about anything he wants,

[@penrithautoelectrical1942]

We all been coned to buy from the tool truck. And I agree if i were to do it all over again with whats on offer today from lot of other tool makers, Snapon would be my least choice except a few things.... But to be fair. when we were 18 Jarrod lot of the tool makes that are available today didnt exist, so tool trucks were it...

[@ianschulze1461]

I think people feel pressure to go with the name…. It’s unfortunate. I agree that with some things you get what you pay for, but if a less expensive option performs well, it performs well.

[@maxxmich]

the tool truck guys work and sell their "wares" to put their kids thru school... that's all... your just payi g for a name.. and the quality is not that great... in general

[@Joint_Boy]

I just found this channel recently and watched the first parts of these reviews about a week ago. As soon as I finished the HF video I thought it needed a follow-up. I was so excited to see this on my lunch break! Thanks so much to Jared and the whole crew for making awesome content!

[@Koup_TV_]

How do I find a man talking about tools I'm never going to buy so interesting...?

[@stevemonkey6666]

Jared. Do you understand that snap-on, even as we speak, is sending an assassination squad to Georgia?

[@mikekozi-lester3887]

Hi Jared nice video 📹 and tool chest so musclur how about a cotter pin 📌 for those types of tools 🔧 get a recall

[@vincentenk4449]

Jarred, I want to thank you so much for putting this out there for everybody, especially the young guns just getting started! Guys, LISTEN to Jarred! There's NO GLORY listening to the tool truck fanboys & spending MAJOR chunks of your paychecks on tools just for bragging rights when you're just getting started!

[@mape9014]

Pliers are something where you should buy the expensive ones. As with cheap pliers you migth be fighting hours with something that the good ones allos to do in minutes. For me Wiha, Knipex and Bacho have worked great.

[@ImTheJoker4u]

lOVE my Kline Tools

[@williamdillingham5781]

When I was 18 years old, harbor freight did not exist in this country yet

[@lout3921]

I've been using a $200 mechanic set from home Depot made by husky. It has saved me thousands and the last 7 years working on my own car. I still have it and all the tools work perfectly fine.

[@RONSPOTZ]

I'm starting a new job at HF next week. The manager got to know me by how often I would buy from them and offered me a job. Good people. There are some things that I will not buy from HF, knowing that Snap-On makes a more reliable tool (torque wrench) and some things that are made in the same factory as a tool truck equivalent (Cheif long barrel air hammer, made in the same factory as Mac). The one significant advantage for HF, you never need to wait on the truck if a tool breaks. Just my two cents.

[@100PercentJake]

Been looking to get a toolset for junkyard runs and another one to keep in my house, so this is incredibly useful.

[@dylan-nguyen]

My local lowes randomly had a 230pc tool set for $30 clearance Gave it to my little cousin

[@daddynichol52]

Vice Grip Garage always buys that Pittsburgh set for his rescues.

[@georgekerr8804]

I think I have only bought one thing from Snapon, my used rollaway tool box in 1974, when I was 19. I don't know what brand it is. Most of the original hand tools are Craftsman USA starting when I was 15. I have a lot of cheap Harbor Freight type tools. I have never been a professional mechanic. More of a Composite Fabricator, Tool Maker, Machinist, Manufacturing Engineer, CAD Designer.

[@georgekerr8804]

I have broken a few ratchets and sockets, though severe misuse.

[@starkyslp16]

The lounge area and garage organization is looking good! Also always appreciate opinions from Wizard and Jared. These guys have spent a few lifetimes in the shop and know what they're talking about

[@johannbeukes242]

Sub 100 likes . Oh yes . Fastest I've been able to watch these awesome videos. 1 of my favourite channels. Thanx for the informative videos with no over hype just relaxed and awesome

[@maxxmich]

also bought a set of nicer gear wrench sae/metric.... still using. those the most of al l my wrenches

[@2strokesimdone833]

The apprentice sets are mandatory to purchase before you can graduate some tech schools. They never gave me my diploma because I wouldn't buy that snap on rip off kit.

[@TheQuestionableGarage]

That’s what I figured.

[@ed0c]

derek from Vgg uses the pittsburg ones all the time! lol

[@TheBlueberry606]

Yea, tools have definitely changed since the 80s i can tell ya 🤣 Especially since i had a few, and yes they were junk. But today is another story Especially since most American companies passed all there technology on to China and Taiwan. 😳

[@Mrflash222006]

I know they're not cheap, but the Wera Joker wrenches are a big time saver

[@Bingo1Dog]

Well I guess I can take an extra 30min for lunch. I got pulled away from it for 5 min anyway

[@Fix_it_Garage]

You absolutely nailed it. I'm definitely a victim of buying off the tool trucks. My entire work tool set is all major tool trucks. I really thought thats what i needed to be a good tech especially when trying to be one of the youngest honda certified master techs. But when I went to build my.home set for wrenching the garage. Its all been home depot, lowes, and harbor freight and they hold up just fine to the abuse I put them through and then some. Great informative video for anyone new to mechanics.

[@corygriffiths4394]

What’s crazy is my DeWalt 84 piece mechanics tool set is like $300.00 cheaper than one mechanics tool set from Snap On that’s literally crazy I could buy like 5 or 6 different DeWalt mechanics tool sets for the price of just one Snap On mechanics tool set lol

[@xtremesnipes98]

i live in the uk and one of our grocey shops sells tools it is called lidil and i can honestly say the tool are great for the price and perfect for someone starting off mechanicing i bought i think a 48 piece socket set with screwdriver bits for £10 and i have bought rachet sets smaller like 12-20 piece sets for £6-£10 and so far i have only broken a 10mm socket and that was because my idot uncle used the bit to break lose a stuck 10mm bolt and the bit wasnt strong enough but for general use like removing body panels even taking brakes apart the tools have worked amazing sometimes the big brands arent the best

[@MarianoLu]

That shop is looking better every video!!! Thanks for the great content Jared,

[@Speedycat]

i've bought a lot of used stuff from liquidations and inherited a big chunk of tools too. If you have time to gather your stuff, look at liquidations or used sites. I've got stuff from the 50's and 60's that still works great, some hand tools i got might even be older. One of my favorites is a Stahlwille 1/2" Socket set that my Grampa had, no clue how old it is but it says "Made in West Germany" on it. I'm quite certain that it would take a nuclear blast to destroy that set.

[@rjnation5042]

Yeah your a good man Jared, great advice for the young or new car builder, I'm 51 & still have some of my father's tools, as well as a heap that I've bought along the way, love your work & attitude big fella, Rj in Oz

[@dogtiredguitars]

Great bits of wisdom there, Jared. Thanks for taking the time to get the soapbox out and do a bit of public awareness and education.

[@zach2beat]

On the idea of the apprentice program thing at 17:30, I had a friend going to her local community college and she wanted to learn to work on cars because she had helped her dad out a good bit and enjoyed doing it when she was younger. They wanted her to buy a tool set that was the school approved set for like $3,500 to $4000 and this was like seven years or eight years ago. She couldn’t afford it so I helped her by getting online pulling up the tool set and finding out what all it included, and went on Amazon and made a wish list on there of all the same tools that came in that tool set for her to get it and it ended up being like $500 including the toolbox itself. The amount that some of the programs expect you to pay so that somebody else can get a huge markup is insane.

[@osgeld]

I worked with a kid about 15 year ago, and he wanted to be a graphic designer, so he signed up for a reputable local school whom specialized in such matters. One of the requirements at the time was a Apple iMac which he was to provide, and the school would provide Photoshop suite at an extreme discount. I am a computer nerd so he asks "man I just bought this sick dell like last year and it didn't even cost me that much" and yea sure enough his dell he bought for medium weight gaming kicked the snot out of the iMac they were requiring, kid's not made of money, not from a well to do family, he sold the dell, scrapped up the difference working OT, got his education ... and the last time I talked to him he was working for one of the local billboard companies (he still lives in our little burb). It sucks but trade schools especially, have rackets setup with companies, so a good kid like P from a bad part of town, living with his nanna, basically had to waste money just to learn how to do what he was already good at ... cause they liked Apple and not Dell ... even though they both ran the same software. Its shameful

[@violinmiata]

I have a nice collection of vintage Craftsman tools that I inherited from both grandfathers and my dad. When something breaks or goes missing, it’s Harbor Freight 80% of the time. What Jared said is true, they make mostly good tools now, pretty much every body does. Woodworking tools are another thing

[@corygriffiths4394]

Most tools are made in China today or Taiwan even the top quality brands like DeWalt Craftsman Milwaukee and others so the Pittsburgh would be about the same as far as quality I mean sure DeWalt Craftsman and Milwaukee are better quality but not by a lot Harbor Freight has really improved their tools over the years I have some of their wrenches and their awesome.

[@cyntax_error]

The only Snap-on tools I have were given to me. Almost everything I have is Halfords Advanced/Pro (UK version of Harbour Freight?) and it has all done really well. It even has the same lifetime warranty! We need a new t-shirt; Snap-On - Make questionable choices lol

[@admiralking]

Fantastic, heartfelt review! Thank you for your efforts.

[@phyrexiancoffee6324]

All the work I've done has been with Harbor Freight tools (minus my impact & angle grinder, those HART sales are just too good to pass up), and I am 100% satisfied with what I have. I'm in my kit for $700, and haven't felt the need to go up to the nice, shiny tools. Though I am just a hobbyist, so that might have something to do with it.

[@DaveKootchie]

I swapped out the Pittsburg pliers for the Quinn set. SO MUCH BETTER. The quality is very noticeable. If you need better the Doyle kit is only like $10 more. Also the Quinn screwdriver set is much better than the cheapo Pittsburg set.

[@CrazyMrTim]

When I was in the Air Force, we called the crescent wrench the "all-sixteenths"

[@bradklingensmith]

When I was in it was the Mexican socket set. I was in TX, even my Mexican friends called it that. Would never fly now. I wasn't a mechanic, 2 neighbors were.

[@dougnelson423]

Thanks for the video Jared. Outstanding, on point and very educational for me!!!

[@LunchBoxWars]

I’m a A&P mechanic, most of my tools were originally from Craftsman, from the 1990’s. Over time I added specialty tools from Snap on, MAC, MATCO, Gearwrench and etc. Good quality budget tools will do 90% of the job, and only snipe those specialty tools you really need off the trucks.

[@danielbrown7077]

when i started as an apprentice, my boss gave me all his Repco old (mostly broken) tools and brought new tools for himself. Repco had life time warranty so i traded in the broken tools ie handles falling off and ratchets slipping for new ones. i saved a lot as a first year. i was very happy with the hand me downs

[@desertratedc9596]

I think my first kit may have been pieced together for around 2k. A mix of Tekton, Pittsburgh, GW and splurges of Carlyle and this "kit" includes a General 5 drawer technician cart to hold them in... now you add my Milwaukee powertools and you can easily add another 1.5k to that with 500ish just on my big Milwaukee impact.

[@toddturnbaugh4451]

love the honesty about where a young mechanic should spend his money. On some things I'm a buy once, cry once kind of guy. But depending on your needs and resources that doesn't always make sense.

[@mrjameschong]

you know??? I have many tools from different brands: my little proto 3/8 MADE IN USA ratchet, my am-pro millimeter ratchet wrenches, my stanley millimeter wrenches (because the proto MADE IN USA ones were stolen from me) I have a sk flexible head ratchet -tools... but I always, always go out to fix my car with my 170-pc crescent tool kit... it's easier to transport hahahahahaha... apart from the basic tool kit that I have in the trunk of the car... .and balance on the phone to call the tow

[@rollerdragon]

#PinkPowerSports jared... i love you man... but did you just say: mackanizim?? 1302 ?? i'm kidding.. i KID...[shows himself out]

[@stevefrieswyk8583]

You young guys and gals need to listen to his advice, I talk about this when I do training classes. I also have tools.... many many dollars in tools🤣

[@iFixJunk]

When I was a new tech, storage (toolboxes) had to be FREE, as in found on the side of the road, or converted from something else, like a file cabinet. The tools were all Craftsman, Husky, Harbor Freight, and the occasional brand-name where it mattered, like Channellock pliers (not a truck brand but definitely not cheap junk). I STILL prefer used boxes, even if they need TLC. All they do is HOLD TOOLS. I can fix up a toolbox. I'm a mechanic. This "business model" (if you consider your personal budget a business) went pretty far for me because I purchased more tools on fewer dollars and was more prepared while getting my foot in the door of a niche trade (I'm not an auto tech). You don't want to have to constantly borrow tools from your peers. If the shop has any tools, spend your money on OTHER tools until you feel it's necessary to have your own copies of those tools because other guys are using them or you just need them that frequently. And, if you borrow it from your coworker twice, BUY ONE OF YOUR OWN.

[@lf2334]

As a "normal" homeowner, I've yet to have any issues with my Harbor Freight tools. I believe they're all Pittsburgh and Warrior. The 2 cheapest lines. I bought them all roughly 10 years ago. I don't think this is so much a testament to their quality as it is a testament to how expensive tools will make no difference to the average person. I use them here and there when I need them. They always work. If someday one stops working, I'll replace it for a few bucks and have it for another 10-20 years.

[@jimflys2]

It's just like the guys that take the same deer as me with their 3,000 rifle and 2 000 scope. A savage 110 with a 150 scope will kill that deer just as well and probably shoot a tighter group at the bench. How do I know? Let me show you my buddies set up and mine. But guys think that way. It's a self ego boost. I must be good because I spent so much.

[@m.t.v.7934]

the ONLY way i would by all Snap-On tools would be if i had an unlimited money/. You can get good tools at cheaper prices and get yourself a nice starter tool set. Pick a power platform like DeWalt or Ryobi (depended on what exactly you are working on) and you will save thousands of dollars and still get the job done

[@DieselJim]

Jared, you should do a torture test of the tractor supply job smart 324pcs mechanic set with the weatherproof box. It roughly the same price of the cheap Pittsburgh starter set. It be interesting to see your take on it.

[@TakuroSpirit77]

When I started as a tech 20+ years ago, the tool trucks WERE the only choice. Low weekly payments, easy warranty of broken tools, plus they're good. I still have a lot of my Snap Off stuff to this day. But back when Sears (Craftsman) was around, and before Home Depot and Lowes that was your only other choice. There was no online shopping, and no multiple brands to choose from (other than the tool trucks). BUT, I was given one great piece of advice from an older tech: "Your TOOLS help you work on the cars, the box just HOLDS THEM". i.e. Don't spend $5000+ on that shiny new Snap On box, when a $500 used Craftsman box does the same exact job. Today I see new techs dropping $5k, $10k, $15k on JUST THE TOOL BOX and I just laugh and shake my head.

[@MarzNet256]

Cool. There is a $5 off non-expiring coupon for any Pittsburg Pro ratchet. I saved $60 using it at HF on a dozen ratchets. Also, I just got a 26" US General top box for $150 (scratch and dent) and it's an awesome upgrade from my 1969 Craftsman 10 drawer top box.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy W-E-D, On these Spark-Plug SOCKETS with the RUBBER Inserts = I used a liberal amount of RUBBER CEMENT in the SOCKET & on the RUBBER INSERT & I never saw them PULL OUT again on the Spark-Plugs COOP ...

[@DachsAutos]

I've got a good set of Craftsman sockets I've had since I was 14 that are my go to for most things, but anything new I'm buying these days is going to likely come from HF unless it's some random oddity I need to order off the jungle-webs.. For the price, you can't beat it, and so far I've not had issues with quality. I have a few of the tool carts, tool box, multiple angle grinders, paint guns and assorted specialty sockets.. Hands down, for a new person entering the trade, or you KZbin aspiring celeb, it's a great fit of quality and cost.