When entering the automotive field full time, you start to see what it takes to make it in the industry. Knowledge is first and most important thing you can poses. The ability to apply your knowledge is the second. The third most important thing is to be a productive and efficient technician.

Matco Tools

In order to be an efficient technician you’ll need the right tools for the job. You have management skills right? Now you need to leverage those skills for money management in the area of tool investment. Shop around and find the best deals on tools that can help you be the best technician in the industry.

Of all the tool company’s out there Matco tools is the only tool company that currently has a program set up to benefit everyone who is an automotive student in a registered Vocational or Technical program. You get special pricing on tools just by registering on their website under VOTECH and providing your student identification and the program your enrolled in. These tool discounts are also good for the Instructors within the same programs.

Other applicable technician programs

The other technician programs that might look into these deals at Matco are: automotive, diesel, motorcycle, watercraft, and aviation. Matco tools cover a wide base, students in these vocational programs might want to head over to this website and see if they have anything that might be appropriate for you.

Now you can shop between the four major tool companies and find the best deals for your money.

Last Note about Tools for Vocational Students

Refer to the Tools sections and scroll to the bottom for links to Snap-on, Mac, and Sears/Craftsman tools for other high quality tool options.

Here is a list of some of the most common maintenance items you will need to know when working on your car. If you click a link it will jump to that section so you can see what tools you will need for that particular maintenance job.

• Starter Tools – Traveling
• Starter Tools – Apprentice
• Oil Change Tools
• Tire Tools
• Disc Brake Tools

Starter Tools – Traveling

Craftsman 154 pc. Mechanics Tool Set

Craftsman 26 in. Tool Box

Magna Cart Hand Truck

Starter Tools – Apprentice

Craftsman 187 pc. Mechanics Tool Set

Craftsman 6 Drawer Roll Away Tool Box

Craftsman 10 pc. Air Tool Set

Oil Change Tools

Typical Oil Wrench

Filter Insert Wrench

Strap Oil Wrench

Three Legged Oil Wrench

Metric Ratchet & Assorted Socket Size
(For removing Drain Plugs)

Funnel

Tire Tools

Tire Pressure Gauge

Tire Pressure Chuck

Tire Depth Gauge

Disc Brake Tools

Brake Caliper Compressor

Brake Pad Thickness Gauges

Torx Sockets

Locating / purchasing tools for your automotive repairs

Now you know the tools, but where can you buy them, and what is a good price to pay? Well, here’s what you need to know.

Today there are many varieties of tools and tool companies, almost too many to choose from. There are tools for the career automotive technician and there are tools for someone just starting out. If you’re in the market for a basic starter set of tools you can check out some of the following websites. It is these sites were you will find the same product photos that we have displayed above.

Check out Sears tools they have lots of great deals, including a 154 piece tool set regularly $149.99 on sale for $99.99. This is a great deal on socket sets and wrenches already organized in standard and metric sizes as a kit. This site is very user friendly and easy to find specific tools by using the search.
The four main tool websites that offer specialty tools and great monthly specials with an opportunity to come to you at your work place are:

Sears tools
Snap-on tools
Mac tools
Matco tools

NAPA Auto Parts
(napaonline.com)

The NAPA website is it’s very user friendly. You have access to a complete price list and NAPA is a nation wide parts chain. Enter your zip code, car type, year, make, model and a part description. (example; motor mount, water pump, oil filter, etc.)

O’Reilly Auto Parts
(oreillyauto.com)

O’reilly is known for great monthly specials. They can get parts the same day or overnight if their not instock. Their best quality is price matching, if its cheaper elsewhere they will adjust the price. They offer great parts warranties as well.

Autozone Auto Parts
(autozone.com)

This is a great place to get parts, fluids, cleaners and accessories for your everyday needs. They can also special order parts when not in stock. Autozone perk; make 5 purchases over $20 in 6 mths. you’ll receive a $20 giftcard.

Advance Auto Parts
(advanceautoparts.com)

Great store with good pricing and store hours. They offer a well trained staff for parts help and have access to more factory or OEM parts for the domestic car lines. Advance also can special order parts on Sundays and holidays.

Pull a Part-Used Auto Parts
(pullapart.com)

Here is a very user friendly website for checking on parts availability and pricing for the do it yourself type person.

Junkyard parts

In reference to Junk yard parts-an alternative to parts stores check out this post for an inside look into a do it yourself auto parts store.

Searching for the best deals

When pricing parts for your car, price around to find the best deal? Parts usually rotate around on sale every couple of months from one place to another, use the promotions section for monthly specials. Pricing can be done on line ahead of time. Once you found a good deal, call to check on the availability and find out if it might be a special order part. Sometimes special order parts take a day or two to get. Another good question to ask is, what kind of warranty does it have? Some parts have a 90 day warranty, but for a little more cost you could get a part with a full year warranty.

Keep in mind that aftermarket parts stores are designed for the do it yourself type person. Most automotive repair shops do not install parts purchased from an outside parts source. There are two reasons why repair shops don’t install customer supplied parts. The first reason is that repair shops have a deal with certain parts stores, that if they use their parts and that part should fail then the parts store will cover the cost of the part for the duration of the warranty. If you supply a part and the shop was to install it, and it failed, then they would have to jump through hoops in order to assist you in receiving a warranty. That is why most shops will not install parts brought in by customers. The second reason is, the repair shop gets a special break on parts purchases by using certain shops and can mark up the parts to gain access to more money that can help cover overhead cost of running a business.

This is why it’s good to learn about how automobiles work and how to perform repairs yourself. Learning is good, but saving money is better.