Examples of tools you can save money on GEARWRENCH Rear Axle Bearing Puller Set - 41710 amzn.to/30NlEeq Astro 7897 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit and Master Adapter Set amzn.to/2AK80xX Astro 78444 Master Radio Removal Set - 44 Piece amzn.to/2np2uhe Stanley Proto JFF1700 Proto 23-Piece Complete Auto Cooling System Tester amzn.to/30K3ava Astro Pneumatic Tool 78825 Master Front Wheel Bearing Adapter Puller Kit W/Grade 8 Drive Bolt amzn.to/2p09fpZ

How many times do you struggle on a job only to find the tool in your box/shop for the job the next day that you forgot all about because you touch the tool only a couple times a year. I love getting old!

I worked in shop with Snap On snobs when starting out, it made no difference as I was paid by job and bought what I can afford that had the best value for the job, this is from a guy that a full Snap On Tool box the size of garage door. My purchase are dictated by how often jobs came into shop.

My favorite "special tool" that I bought Is my gearwrench serpentine belt tool kit. Badass and from Amazon.

My general rule when I was doing more than just performance stuff. I would usually buy the cheaper off brand tool, or look for the OEM used. If I wore the cheap version out I would spend money on the good tool. Like you said just depends how often that tool gets used. Keep up the good work.

I bought that exact rear axle bearing puller kit for my mom's Trailblazer. I initially used the slide hammer on it with the Gearwrench kit but ended up shattering the bearing race. Had to buy the OTC 927 push puller with OTC 6542 bearing cup remover. It works way better than a slide hammer

I was a vehicle mechanic for ten years before I retrained into aviation mechanics for the past 35 years before I retired. Aviation mechanics have specialty tools that are not used outside that field. The specialty tools used in aviation I sold off before I retired but I still have my old vehicle mechanic tools that I bought. With the specialty tools of vehicle mechanics I have several off brand tools that I acquired from mainly part stores as the shop back in the day I worked at did not have the tool trucks stop very often. These tools are still used occasionally and are keepers but they of course were not the cost of the truck brands. I became a very fugal mechanic on vehicles as the more spent for the specialty tool the higher the cost of the repair of the vehicle. I did a lot of vehicle repairs over the years for myself, neighbors, coworkers and by saving the cost on the tools the better it was for me. If the off brand tool did break after several uses I simply upgrade to a better tool off a tool truck as now I have a neighbor that has a tool truck.

ATD is a really good brand to get some specialty tools cheap

there are companies like OTC who makes a lot of special tools and alot of them are manufacture special tools. Lisle tools, etc. i bought a 11 way slide hammer set from OTC for like $100

I buy everything online now. I have that same kit for pulling axle bearings out.

I've been waiting to pull the trigger on a ball joint set,at work I'd use it on the occasion for pressing u-joints specifically on PTO shafts,at home we'll for ball joints and as a press lol..haven't decided which one

You are absolutely right. Also good practice worth noting might be to look at the tool needed and perhaps you can make it yourself. For example I just built a tool to adjust the carrier bearings on a dodge rear diff with a couple pipe fittings and a pipe from the local hardware store for about $12. Sometimes they just need to think outside the box a little

Great video. Thank you. I can’t see spending the huge amount of money on tool-truck specialty tools unless I will be using them often.

I only buy snap on when it is far superior. I bought the snap on bjp1 because it was far superior to anything else. I have the oem slide hammer and the same kit as you’re gearwrench but the oem version. I won’t buy gearwrench due to warranty issues. I had a new out the box ratchet wrench busted. Went to take it back said contact manufacturer. Called them they say sorry sir. Since that day I’ll never buy gearwrench again. That was my experience not everyone’s is the same. Where I live it’s not worth it. Great vid FRM 👍🏼👍🏼

Amen! This goes for all trades. Thank you for speaking about this.

Timing kits is a big one ive been purchasing off amazon lately. You can buy complete vw/audi, bmw, gm, ford timing kits that service a slew of different engines for a fraction of what just the couple pieces you will need to do one engine will cost.

This dude has some of the biggest hands I have ever seen...Great video.

I hate when I have to make this exact choice! I have been buying some "aftermarket" specialty tools. So far all have performed as expected. I did how ever run into some problems with the OTC compression and leak down testers (these look to be the same as Matco, but different gauges). But only after a few uses the gauges are shot. They did warranty them but I replaced them with Snap-On. I felt like I couldn't trust them.

You can also get oem specialty tools from eBay as well

Great video. I have the same Gear Wrench axle tool. I use it once every three months. Your advice is spot on. We are in the business to make money 💰. If the tool doesn’t pay for itself within a year then buy the less expensive tool.

I Agree. I've Been Buying a lot of Specialty Tools online. Even Name Brands are Cheaper & Quicker To Get. I Needed a VW Timing Tool/ FRM even said a Cheap one Should work. & It Did.

i love OTC tools there cheapish and damn fine tools for how much I use them. Gearwrench,astro, even oem brand stuff has worked for me

The internet brands definitely have there place for occasional use tools. I am inclined to buy the “other” brands these tools as well. Great video. Thanks.

What’s do you recommend for like a master electric crimper set that does Deutsch connectors weather pack both and has the terminal removers?? Found one from tool aid at my independent tool dealer that was a little over 200. I didn’t know if you had any other options.

I have had this approach backfire when the tool will not work or breaks the first time I use it. Brands like Lisle, K-D, or NAPA are usually a good bet.

I love watching your video's they are very informative and you tell it like it is. I also like that you don't do your video's each week on the Snap On truck and tell us it's Snap On Wednesday. Keep'em coming

I can relate about buying specialty tools I wish the internet was up and going a lot 20 years ago you can actually get it online quicker faster and cheaper

Smart video. Just had this conversation with our new guy yesterday.

That rear axle bearing remover tool. A common thing used, maybe not every day, but quite often, I may say..at least from my own experience. I say, if you needed twice, it's time to buy it

Some tools I buy the cheaper set and if I wear one size out or brake it. Will buy that one in a better tool truck brand

Thank you.

My question always is where is the line drawn on what the shop buys, what the lead tech buys, what do the regular techs buy?

I have the rear axle puller from harbor freight. I used it 1 time in 5 years

I dont work in the biz day to day any more but when I did the convenience of the truck was huge. If I needed a tool that I didnt have and couldn't borrow I could call up one of the guys and most always either meet them down the street that day or have it tomorrow. I suppose I was lucky cause we always had good reps. The problem with amazon is its usually 2 day but sometimes not so much. especially with oddball stuff. So now your 2-3 days waiting on a tool you hope will work and if it doesn't ?? Tool truck you get to put your hands on it and a lot of the time the guy on the truck knows exactly what you need so blam blam out the door, good to go, job done, invoice paid, happy customer and happy boss. etc etc. dont get me wrong, I appreciate the the tools that companies like astro and vim are putting out there, some really good stuff, but sometimes the truck is the way to go... even if it costs you twice the price. And i dont know if its just me but I always feel pretty good putting a new Snap-On tool in my box no mater the price! Guess I'm a fan boy.... No regrets!

Bought a axle nut kit from local part store,about 50$,Mac had the same kit,same box,different color,about 100$,dont use all the time,but it works just fine

Thanks Mike.

I wish you would make more of a tool list...please

There are so many companies that are stepping there qualities of there tool and price so you buy off net and still get good service. if a tool works well its cheap if it keeps breaking is expensive.

I’m just an amateur doing repairs on my own vehicles and equipment. Have had some of my “cheaper tools” for 30 years with no problems. Here’s the way I see it. If you can save $25, $50, $100 or more on a rarely used off brand tool that will get the job done dozens of times over then that is money that flows directly into your savings or retirement plan. Do that many times over your career and it really adds up. Do it early in your career and the ROI in these accounts can easily mutliply your original deposits. So what Flat Rate Master is telling you can help you to retire in a much better position. I’ve really abused some of my lower cost tools and they are holding up just fine.

Couldn't agree more well said FRM !!!!

I love my OTC specialty tools. Very high quality for the price.

Thank you

Very good video. Some excellent points made.

That's how I think about it when I decide if I want to make something an "investment" I also think about what might happen if that tool breaks. Had a scary experience with a harbor freight spring compressor.

Specialty tool..cant remember where we put it last month.

I just started at a Subaru dealership and I had to buy a T 70 I was going to buy it online but he was on it for almost the same price so I went ahead and pulled the trigger and bought it from him considering I’m gonna be using it every day

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssss! Well said that's why I love this channel!!!

Can you make a video that defines the different levels of a technician. Like apprentice, semi skilled, and master, or a, b, and c tech. Obviously master techs should be able to do almost every repair that comes in, but there's more gray area in what it means to be semi skilled.

Very well said ..

So since you’re talking about solid axle wheel bearing..... I’m curious what do you guys do for rear bearings on Toyota trucks? I know you need a special tube looking thing to press it off

Great points 👍

Endoscope is 20 on eBay

I all ways shop around of tools

I think you can rent the first 2 tools for free at the parts stores

Matco is a Name Brand and don't they re brand astro, sunex, gearwrench and wright tool?

I love all the alternative brands rather than buying off the tool truck. Our snap on guy has to be the worst one around. It takes weeks/sometimes months to get anything we try and order and warranty. One guy at our shop waited 6 months to get his Allen wrenches warrantied. The snap on guy kept forgetting, bringing shorts when he needed regulars, and bringing metrics when he needed imperial. I can't stand dealing with him

Great video.

Good points

Dont forget lisle tools for the price and there easy to get

Still to this day in Australia, a lot of special tools are only available to dealers and specific only to one make or model of vehicle, we are still struggling here to get the lawmakers to enact any kind of right to repair legislation and the manufacturers and dealers have a monopoly still.

Waiting for this

My parts dept. Has specialty tools but it's always missing so I buy my own. I don't let anybody make money off my tools when it breaks nobody ever used it .

amazon prime is the best, get it 2nd day or better and way way cheapr than the truck

Just don’t buy a cheap coil spring compressor I’m a diy guy and bout a cheap one to do one job the coil spring compressor exploded. The one I rented at orilleys after that did the job

he gets more and more sweaty lol

Great video is always love the channel

Hey flat rate master I’ve been moving up slowly from a lube guy to a line tech and now I’m to the point where I need to buy a good digital multimeter. What do you recommend? I saw a really good power probe multimeter for around 80 bucks and it seems to have all the bells and whistles... do I really need to buy a 400$ snap on meter? Thanks!

Boy howdy. In the right market that radio kit would easily be worth 10 times the price tag 😝😝😝😝

Good video. When are you going to a video about icon?

Agred

Great Tip FRM 😀🧰👨🏼‍🔧

Why dont you have more subscribers?

First

For me when possible i have the shop rent the axle puller tools from the parts store cost is nothing for the few times a year i need it

What is this thing you speak of called the inter net lol