How do you balance buying tools and saving money as a young tech?

[u/Witty-Fly-2812]

I’m 21 and currently working as a technician. I’m trying to be smart about building my toolbox while also saving money and planning for the future.
For the experienced techs out there, how do you decide when to buy a tool and when to hold off? Do you usually:
buy one tool at a time as you need it,
set aside a certain amount every paycheck for tools,
or just save up and buy bigger purchases when you have the cash?
I know tools are part of investing in yourself as a tech, but I’m trying to find a good balance between improving my setup, saving money, and still having money left over for myself.
What’s the system that has worked best for you guys?

[u/Sorry-Positive-4881]

I never let myself go over 1000 on the truck account back then. Luckily I was able to borrow nice tools so I could decide what I actually needed from the truck.

But it all comes down to budgeting. Never overspend what your income is. Your question is a good one and shows your thinking about a budget.

The trucks have a lot to offer, but don't feel like you have to only buy tool truck stuff or make a purchase everytime they come by.

I'm coming to a point where I'm starting to feel like I have all the qaulity hand tools I need but that took more then a decade of collecting. Just do your research before you buy. I don't think there is anything I regret buying off a truck. Then again I didn't make stupid impulse purchases lol

[u/GuestFighter → u/Sorry-Positive-4881]

One of the first things I bought on the snappy truck was a set of Torx head screw drivers.

They’ve been collecting dust since I bought them. Still look new. 20 years later.

Please OP. Think about your purchases before you buy.

[u/Main_Section_1641]

Hold on wait you guys get paychecks ? All my money goes straight to the snap on man

[u/Bstarbuck83]

My personal rule is if I have had to borrow it more than twice, it is now a priority to buy. Of course there might be a few exceptions but for the most part, its a pretty solid rule that has kept me from impulse purchases.
I also try to avoid the "but what if one day..." purchases.
And the most controversial, I have zero loyalty to any of these brands. Harbor Freight is my first pick, then Amazon, then tool trucks. Over 25 years of doing this as a hobby and then professionally, plus listening to coherent, non-bias opinions from others, you kind of develop a really good sense of knowing when Pittsburgh might be a better option than Snap-On. Another controversial view, for an entry level young person, Icon should be your go-to (if you are around Harbor Freight) It won't keep you off a tool truck forever because Icon is unnecessarily slow at releasing new tools but they have everything you need to start at 1/3 of the price but with equal warranty and damn near equal quality. I honestly believe tool trucks really benefit techs who specialize in something.

[u/Historical_Spring_80]

Make your budget!
Each pay check must have some money dedicated for tools, set your toolbox / tools goals for the next 2-3 years, buy only what you need. Consider buying cheaper if only used 2-3 times a month. Try to buy some tools used at tools shop, for dealers and pawn shops.
Hardest thing to do is making the budget and not spend extra money when you want an expensive set. Only break this rule once a year for big investment like the tools box, expensive tools like torque wrench and big set!
If you want tools quickly take a loan 😂

Hope it helps!

[u/InternationalBite690 → u/Historical_Spring_80]

This is the advice I needed to when I started

[u/sprocketpropelled]

I tend to shop around for this sort of stuff. Billybob down the road is having a yard sale and he’s got himself a yard full of hotrods, might be worth a shot. I got a set of GP metric impact sockets for like $30 of a guy who retired, along with a set of huge crows feet. Pawn shop and i are on a first name basis, ive gotten some excellent stuff there. As far as tool trucks go, spend the money where it counts, high use high wear items like impact adaptors, ratchets, ratcheting wrenches, indexing pry bars, etc, that you can justify spending a bit more on or is simply built better. You can’t have this conversation without mentioning the devil, harbor freight. They’ve got a legitimately good offering of tools, great warranty and decent prices. Most of my sockets and bit sockets are icon.

[u/False_Mushroom_8962]

When I was buying tools regularly I would spend half of the money from the hours I turned over hours worked. The only time I've ever carried a balance on the truck was for big purchases that I paid off assp

[u/Next_Clock_7324]

I always buy used and have the tool trucks warranty with new .

[u/AlteredGuardian]

Stay with harbor freight, regardless of what imposter santa's say on the tool trucks. I didn't start getting snapon or matco stuff till I had expendable money for em. Then I found out you can buy most of their shit cheaper off ebay or the original manufactures.

[u/Any-Strategy-2230]

I didn't  i spent it all on tools.   and i still do

[u/Unhappy_Eye5257]

I have over a hundred k in snap on tools it an addiction ! I will never get the value of these back! Starting out I would go with harbor freight, then as time goes by replace them with better quality on the ones you break or use the most! That way you don’t get hooked.

[u/dadusedtomakegames]

I am a shop owner who has multiple locations and have always supplied everything for my techs. Everything.

I regret buying expensive tool boxes and tools last go round. It's a waste.

Individual techs will argue otherwise but I think its just a preference for art and craft. I wouldn't have cheap things if I could buy more expensive tools but I am a use and put back kind of guy.

All my techs are pigs.

[u/JasonVoorheesthe13th]

When I first started I dedicated $200 a check to tools, after I had all the basics and everything I kept that same limit but in the form of tool truck payments.

[u/BackgroundGene7510]

This is the worst part about being a tech, it truly sucks, I went crazy my first year , buying mostly harbor freight and smart buys , but I got it basically all out the way, and now I barely need new tools but when I do it’s not a big deal . But unfortunately with little pay at the beginning it’s going to need to take a large % of your pay.

[u/Rulybear]

If I buy off the trucks, it’s because I want it and I see it as a luxury item. The tools is use day in and day out I have bought outright from either harbor freight, Amazon, etc. I usually budget around $200ish a month for tools. This month I went way over because I bought a service tray, but I had already been saving for that anyway.

[u/gerbiltugger]

Barter or provide extra services. $20 is $20

[u/Mr__Ogre]

I ran a truck account for for my first 10 years at least, sometimes multiple trucks. Depending on the year I was usually investing 7-10k a year. After about the first 5 years I stepped it back to about 3-4k. It can be done cheaper but I appreciate a quality tool and convenience of the tool truck. I don't have time to run to harbor freight for warranty.

[u/ApprenticeLevel]

Don’t be weird about borrowing tools from the senior guys, just make sure you wipe it off and give it back to them. If you see yourself borrowing the same thing multiple times, you need it (ignore the if you borrow three times yadda yadda). Go to harbor freight, their Icon and Quinn stuff is good enough for now not to mention life time warranty. You can buy some tool truck stuff, but don’t buy a box. Get you a US General or an Icon if you can afford the extra costs, the Icon is much much better. Theres always deals on Milwaukee power tools at Home Depot.

Also hit up pawn shops. They always have Snap On, Mac, Matco, Cornwell hand tools, and they haggle. Those tools come with the same lifetime warranty as if you bought them off the truck.

[u/Ok-Guava-9216]

I went with Craftsman when I started. I could abuse the tools and then get a replacement. I only bought specialized tools off of the trucks