If I Lost Everything, What Would I Buy Now

[@thegalli]

"I'm not gonna go through the toolbox and every tool because that would be like a 3 hour video" Don't threaten me with a good time

[@colemanbonner]

I had a young tech ask me the same thing recently- and I thought about it a long time. My Macsimzer box? Hell no. I’d go buy as many US-General roll cabs as it took to house my crap. Maybe even one of those snazzy new Icon boxes. They sure feel nice at the store. In terms of cordless- yeah, Milwaukee hands-down. For pliers? Knipex cobras/raptors/pliers wrench, and snap on for needle-nose and the talon-grip slip-joint style. Scanner? I have a Triton D8, which I use for quick scope work like you described, and I sometimes use it for domestics as a scanner. My Maximus 3.0 (Launch) is my most used. I’d replace it new, and replace the snap-on used. Not sure if I’d replace my Autel MS906PRO. Ratchets? I have 35 snap-on ratchets. Basically every configuration you can get with red comfort grips. I’d replace at least 10 of them. I’d re-buy my snap-on-brand locking extension sets in a heartbeat. Every size and length. Love them. Impact AND chrome. Chrome sockets? Snap on. Impact sockets? Sunex or GP. Bit sockets? VIM.

[@jeffcuevas5918]

If I had to do my life all over again I would buy the cheapest tools from HF. WHY? Cus snap on trucks are full of jerks and I want to keep my money not give it to the jerks.

[@alb12345672]

HF opened up literally next door (within 50') to a ford and subaru dealer and the techs live in there. I was bullshitting with one tech he said some of the tools (not all) could be better than the trucks. And if there is any problem he can get a replacement in 5 minutes. He said any earthquake brand is as good as a truck for his purposes.

[@timekeeper5275]

You ever notice you tubers on the tool trucks and you feel like their only getting their tool warrantied cause they just spent another $1000!

[@1337penguinman]

Buy the cheapest you can get away with that isn't going to slow you down. My stuff is a mix of mostly HF and Husky. Does the job fine. You have to warranty something too early more than once or twice, then go with a different brand.

[@DAZ_SR]

The HF ICON hand tools are pretty good.

[@DAZ_SR]

GearWrench is pretty good and I’ve had good, quick, effortless warranty returns.

[@danmccarthy8554]

I’ve been buying tools for about 40 years thus far and looking back I can see a few area’s I wish I’d done things differently: -I’d buy thin wall impact sockets instead of chrome across the board -Spend a whole lot less on Craftsman. I had a fondness for their tools because that’s what I started with, but once you get into true professional quality tools there is a difference... -I’d still buy top quality wrenches & ratchets, they are truly a joy to use. Love my SnapOn ratchets & flank drive wrenches. But not every thing needs to be quite that level. -I’d investigate some of the alternative offerings like Sunex sockets, Gearwrench etc... -I’d have stayed with Milwaukee cordless tools instead of having a dalliance with DeWalt. Recently switched back to Milwaukee and am very happy with them. Î

[@chryslertechnician3439]

Matco impact swivels 💯💯

[@joshuaburrus2916]

I'd love a matco diag. Review.

[@ryans8309]

Snap-on is Over-rated and Over-priced.

[@2secondslater]

Ironic that this comes up in my feed when I lost my workshop and all of the contents in it, including 7 customer vehicles to a fire just under 2 weeks ago. Just going through this process now, auditing all the contents lost for replacement value, there is a catch with insurance though, they tend to pay you out for replacement value but factor in depreciation of value for what you originally had and don't count inflation of cost. It ain't a simple thing to just replace what you lost.

[@2secondslater]

There is also another catch with most insurance, there tends to be a belief among techs/mechanics that if their tools were lost to a workshop fire or what have you, that the shop's insurance will cover their own tools and belongings. I can tell you categorically that this belief will be false in just about every circumstance, workers are responsible for insuring their own tools and belongings in just about every case, unless, the owner of the business has specified that his workers tools and belongings are covered in the insurance policy.

[@richyscameracaptures276]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[@BlindBatG34]

So sorry, my friend. That sounds like a nightmare. Snap-On prices go up every year usually around December. The insurance company is giving you less money to replace tools with a higher MSRP. Yeesh.

[@vintagebikewurx3730]

We lost our shop to a fire a few years ago. The owner replaced 60k of my tools. We're up and running stronger than ever. I'll never forget him for that. Last I checked personal tool insurance cost if would have been 450$ a month. Maybe it's different now.

[@johngibson3594]

I would purchase gray pneumatic duo sockets that way I would not need to buy chrome and impact sockets.

[@radcoolade1481]

This vid should be more in depth break down of countless tools. Drawer by drawer. Most tools would be updated new version.

[@cbmech2563]

I lost everything and no insurance. I bought us general box and most of the hand tools were hf. You couldn't get me within a country mile of a tool truck. I can find as good or better on the internet for a lot less

[@canadiantrucker9574]

If you lost everything? Hell I'd go Grey pneumatic, Gearwrench, Sunex, aircat, and otc

[@ralphosborn8589]

They don’t make that color anymore 😭😭😭

[@KevinBigg]

If i lost everything id take the money and retire 😂

[@meabob]

If I could get half of what I have in, I would retire in one year and 4 months. That's when I can start drawing from my Roth accounts with no penalties.

[@donaldpainter628]

I'm trying to replace everything now the shop my tools got stolen at paid me 1500 dollars on 20000 dollars in tools that took 30 years to obtain so life sucks

[@johngibson3594]

If I haven’t said it I would like to wish you and your family a happy new year

[@mauricioiii3153]

Come on let’s be honest the answer is always for the most part a yes ... why??? The thrill of the chase .....

[@finesseautodetailing845]

That matco box colorway is too 🔥🔥

[@miscprojects9662]

I’d buy a snake and become a plumber. No such thing as a discount plumber.

[@PaulysAuto]

Interesting topic Mike and I appreciate your insight into these items 😉 Trying to catchup on your videos my friend!

[@CopCat34]

Good video. Our shop owner decided not to cover our tools if there was a thief, fire or other loss. So I bought tool insurance. Tool insurance isn’t that expensive. If I had to replace my tools I would buy Snap On again except I would by Milwaukee battery operated tools instead of Snap On. Snap On batteries are a joke.

[@BoltThrower321]

He would buy every tool again...well...at least from his sponsors.....

[@JohnBrinkPhoto]

I would buy standard thickness impact sockets and thin wall impact sockets and probably only minimal chrome sockets if any at all.

[@lynyrd583]

Very informative...I would like to see a part two with more hand tool categories; i.e. What Chrome Sockets, what Impact sockets, what wrenches, what ratcheting wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, ya know the fun stuff to debate. Thanks for the vid!

[@kingsporttoolreview8703]

That happened to me in 2007. I am an Electrician, and we use portable tool boxes called a "Job Box" . I went into work one morning and the entire Job Box was missing (Along with ladders and Ridgid tripod vise). At first I thought that one of the cleaning crews had moved our stuff to another part of the building. But no, it was gone and almost every tool I owned was in it. . . .To make it even worse, I was in the process of going through a divorce at the time and I had very little spending money when it happened. ((( I literally had to go to Sears and get budget friendly Craftsman and Channellock brand stuff to get me through til payday when I could get to an Electrical store and start re-buying Klein tools again. . . . . . since that happened to me I am now better prepared for it, over the years since then and I've stocked up two more "back up" tool pouches power tools ( I now have 3 of almost everything) . . . in fact that experience kinda open the door for me to try out different brands than what I normally bought.

[@mrmurdx8956]

There's no such thing as shop tool insurance or reimbursements if your shop burns down and all your tools melt away the shop is not giving you a dime.

[@WrenchingMafia]

Love your content

[@BlindBatG34]

If I had to do it again, I'd buy rebuy all of my Snap-On ratchets & wrenches (ratcheting, combination, Tech Angle Torque wrenches). For sockets I'd go with Cornwell (USA made, my dealer rocks and their prices are really good when on sale). I'd probably only replace 1/3rd of my air tools. My power tools are currently split between Milwaukee and Snappy and I really can't say if I'd switch to all Milwaukee. I really like the paddle trigger and ergonomics on some of the SO 14.4 stuff (ct761). I'd probably buy Milwaukee drills for more torque/battery life instead of SO and keep the SO power ratchets because of the lower profile head.

[@donaldfinley2829]

Good video. I was thinking about getting the Zues. Now i am going to look harder at the Autel. Thanks for the input.

[@michaelbarresi9347]

The dealer I work at now burned down 7 years ago, no one had insurance and the owner didn’t have any insurance on the technican’s equipment. Everything burnt down. There was a tech with a Mr. Big series snap on box, burnt to a crisp in the fire. Everyone got a check for $20k for new tools

[@bradd9970]

Funny you mention this. I actually lost everything 3 years ago to a shop fire. Put me out of work for a month. I replaced most of my stuff. Some stuff I didn’t. You know those tools that you use once in awhile that you could just borrow or rent. I didn’t replace those.

[@aaronmaendel9730]

Just watching flat rate at 3am👍🏻

[@inverseuniverse5727]

Looking back many years for me , maybe getting fired would have been better ?

[@prevost8686]

If you could actually get fired in our industry these days you’re probably a serial killer. Yep, WrightGrip 2.0 American wrenches kick Flankdrive Snapon wrenches ass at half the price.

[@fenrizwulf6682]

I'd definitely buy my Snap-On Modis edge again, but I wouldn't buy any of the "bigger/better" Snap-On scanners. All the rest of my tools, I'd probably buy again too, but maybe fewer full sets of sockets and just some specific sockets instead. I probably wouldn't buy the Snap-On FDX socket sets again at all.

[@1970chevelle396]

I would take the money and move to a foreign country.

[@gregblau8082]

I wouldn't get the jsc cart again. There are things I love about it but it's too big to move around our bays and some drawers open when it's rolling. Also I have a few things (not a whole lot) that I bought before the Amazon brands and KZbin reviews were prevalent or weren't as useful as I thought. Matco digital drum micrometer comes to mind.

[@RobertCiampa9112]

A new wife. I am too old to find one and do not want to be alone. Happy Monday!

[@TheMinecraftgosmoo]

Hope she doesn’t see this otherwise your wish might come true

[@jamesu]

None of us old timers would buy everything we currently have. I haven't used most of my air tools in the last two years and most of the SAE tools since the 1990s.

[@embreesmith7613]

I did lose most everything ! some $80,000 worth I bought Proto and Wright, a bit of GearWrench

[@MiguelGarcia-nl3ci]

how?

[@embreesmith7613]

@@MiguelGarcia-nl3ci crackhed nephew that worked for me

[@brandonmurphy4657]

How did you kill him?

[@LEGOCAMARO]

Think the sockets and wrenches would be fine hopefully that snap on warranty covers fire damage.

[@MattSadis]

That'd be tough to lose the Wall of Revel. Matco makes some good looking boxes!

[@kanjorsx4969]

The only good thing about snap on’s diag equipment is the guided component test and most of their scan tools are linked to Mitchell but I feel that getting and autel and the price of a 4 or even 2 channel pico scope is much more cost effective and you get a much better scope and a really good scan tool that does just about everything you need it too

[@Troy_Built]

My toolbox would have a lot more Gearwrench and Astro. Then a lot less Snapon, MAC and Proto.

[@Jesse-gv9tf]

Why? The price?

[@Troy_Built]

@@Jesse-gv9tf As others have said the tool truck tools used to be a lot better than the others. That often justified the additional expense. Now the tools are only a little better in most cases and the exact same in a lot of cases. It's hard to spend a lot more for just a little better.

[@devoncoolman88]

The only thing i would probably change is i would buy cheaper brands of less used/rarely used tools.

[@zannusx]

I would not re-buy my Snap-On tool box, Solus Edge, and the electric impacts. I have no real regrets about everything else in my box so I would re-buy the rest (well maybe not the SAE stuff).

[@Thee-Trash-Mane]

New subscriber here...I have some VIM tools and I love them! What VIM do you use in the shop?

[@montevallomustang]

I couldn't live without the guided component testing of the snap on scanner does anyone else offer something similar. I'm guessing you haven't had the c clips break on the matco swivels, I gave up on them and bought the snap on after the 12mm broke 3 times in a year

[@thebaldmechanichardatheari1124]

Sure surprised that you wouldn't get a snap on product. But good on giving honest opinion.

[@Peep18m]

I have the vim mms64 I love that set. Has everything and then some. Great video sir👍🏼👍🏼

[@Crazy_clown6969]

Especially if you got full retail for those two boxes and all the scopes and all the Milwaukee tools that he didn’t even pay for LOL Good video

[@nickjonesrc]

Can’t believe you wouldntbuy the snap on impact swivels, the Matcos I’ve had didnt last. You have the old ones with the ring?

[@brad8665]

Nick Jones snap on impact swivels are the only ones I’ll buy. The Matco ones are junk.

[@nickjonesrc]

My thoughts too

[@108SBSO]

FRM would you replace your Matco Maximus 3.0? I know it’s powered by launch. Those scanners are a powerhouse and for the money it’s a good deal.

[@finesseautodetailing845]

Great topic 👍🏽

[@Crazy_clown6969]

That’s what I was thinking he was going to say he was going to retire

[@davecarroll5989]

If that would happen I would find a new carrier

[@richardlewandowski2797]

Your mileage will vary 🤣

[@Jangus]

Good topic Mike

[@joshuaklingensmith7843]

AKA also divorced?

[@jasonkirk8513]

Once again WELL SAID FRM !!!!!!

[@n9wox]

Must have been a scheduled video release or your twin is walking around in the UK.

[@beluxauto5968]

I am happy that I have European wrenches . They don't burn LOL

[@mbs5328]

Which scan tool would you buy if you were a DIY'er and only had around a thousand dollars to spend for a scan tool?

[@charliemagoo7943]

Study launch or autoenginuity.

[@MrThapetbrooklyn]

What kind of software does the shop used to estimate cost for labor and material

[@jrneff9773]

pico If I buy the system today do they offer a training course in west tn

[@leoashrae4199]

What a great, honest, video. I would also suggest that you factor the quality of your dealer into your "truck" tool purchases. Case in point; back in the 70's I had two great dealers (MAC and Snap-On)... no Matco or Cornwell. Later on we lost our great (but elderly) Snap-On dealer and when he was finally replaced we ended up with a turd. But, since I had a box full of Snappy, and a book full of debt, I was kind of stuck with the brand. That is when I began to replace a lot of my Snap-On for MAC, just because the MAC guy was great from the service perspective (I never, ever, did without a MAC tool that broke... including a loner tire machine that I had for almost a month). My point is; if you have a truck guy who takes care of you (obviously, because he wants your business) take that into consideration.

[@oscarrodriguez654]

I’m placing an order on a green matco 4s triple bank this week.

[@DriveShaftDrew]

thumbs up shared

[@henryramos378]

Wooh

[@fomocore]

If I lost everything definitely wouldn't buy from Tool trucks. Even my snapon guy 20 years starting to complain about warranty. Amazon icon. There are way too many alternatives that are better. I've gone through too many Mac and Matco guys. Thousands and thousands of dollars spent. warranty is like raping them. Do it a few times they never come back. As an older Tech this really pisses me off. Great Reserve will be taken. Maybe a new career

[@mecalpsha4473]

*Buy QUALITY over Quantity - meaning Snap-On/Matco/MAC/VIM ect SUPPORT THE TOOL TRUCKS!!!*

[@adamaj74]

If you have watched his recent videos you'd know the Taiwan made tools stood up to his tests better than the tool truck brands. I've seen many a video where a Snap On wrench or ratchet breaks before Taiwan made Gearwrench, etc.

[@mt1885]

@@adamaj74 BREAKING tools on purpose - from a bunch of idiots who need helmets....

[@adamaj74]

@@mt1885 Not quite sure what you mean...but yes testing tools until failure shows which are best.

[@mt1885]

@@adamaj74 Not the incompetents you are referring to. 🚽🚽🚽

[@adamaj74]

@@mt1885 Is english your first language?

[@tommycasselman1697]

Snap-on basher!

[@PaulysAuto]

😂😂😂 yeah Mike? $15k is sooo reasonable for a Zeus!