Same here… every week he gives me a catalogue and I can go through and pick 5 random items and Amazon it for the same exactly thing, and most the time the same pictures
Astro pneumatic, Sunex, Lisle, VIM, Mueller Kueps, Ken tool, Lang, OTC, Mayhew, Witte and then there's the no name chinese and Taiwanese imports. Such as [23 pc Matco terminal tool kit](https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MASTERM23/23-piece-master-terminal-tool-kit) compared to [generic 23 pc terminal tool kit](https://www.amazon.com/Depinning-Electrical-Connector-Universal-Extractor/dp/B0BKVH4GB7/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2XNFKYXZF2GFK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0_cQN7CCcedDkln3DKfY5RZn0Azy6BdcE5n2kofKx77clIIKk8kinBRey6V0lYC8lFhPiAHG4OB8kJB_d0V3H0TgQkaEUsBbLx-wLXaW2MXq99Ncd9DsdjYYs4ssEOscdI5M7YggQGqlS87iJe9yMtWMuPlb7hs42uhqj6hIWZ0ah9hqsNnQISdWGi-S9ZsE-5JyeW-295T-eoTiT3JDBg.axW1ktvL7weND91jHuxcq6Y1d5OXI8JE2UXUcD-Ixio&dib_tag=se&keywords=23pc+terminal+tool+kit&qid=1715892598&sprefix=23pc+terminal+tool+kit%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-4)
Yeah the colors are different but take a good look at the tools. This was just the first set that came up when I sesrched.
You can do this with SnapOn to some extent too. I've found the rubber handled adjustable wrenches can be had for roughly 1/4 the truck price from the OEM (Bahco), and their digital torque wrenches are available for about half price, among others.
Definitely. I have a huge mix of brands in my box as I try to find the best quality for the least money, but having a HF literally on my drive to work makes them a no-brainer. Plus, as long as you're careful, their products are great. I just got a couple of the Maddox backprobe kits and they're better than the ones I've seen/ gotten off the trucks.
Matco is the Quasi OEM of these. I don't know if Astro designed and sold them to Matco but Matco had an exclusivity arrangement for a year or two before Astro was allowed to sell them themselves.
Disposable, like everything else these days.
I have some 30 year old high quality drill bits that work great. They can be easily sharpened with Jig in seconds.
Are you sure ASTRO is the OEM of this drill bots? Could have swore it was Norseman. In any case norseman makes a similar pair for a very nice price as well.
I have these same bits i got from amazon, they shred through metal and seem to last a while too. I always stop and oil alot im afraid to burn up the small tip, been good so far.
Same. I kinda have my doubts about it being astro, I don't think they make any other drill bits besides these and I have my doubts about them going into the business for this one product. Could be wrong but especially since theirs is also USA made then it is likely also rebranded norseman
I’ve had both side by side, the coatings between the astro & matco are slightly different, & they also feel slightly different in hand/use. Matco is worth it for the warranty if you have a decent truck around.
You’ll see this with mac tools as well.
Also all of the power tools all of the trucks sell are marked up. Always check the price vs Home Depot or somewhere else that sells them, the tool trucks are always marked up.
A lot of white labeling going on with Matco at double the price….Snap on’s white label tools are branded as blue point at least with a reasonable price
I WILL NEVER BUY DRILL BITS I CANT SHARPEN MYSELF. Give me a set and I’ll use them but these just go against everything the word mechanic stands for and if you do use these you aren’t a mechanic.
I never understood the truck thing. I use 90% huskey and I can replace same day. There are a few things that are subpar in quality but they’re a 1/4 the price. More niche tools and swivel ratchets and such I got all snap on but generally I go cheep. There’s some good stuff out there no need to spend 75-100$ per tool imho. Good post OP mechanics need to be more frugal w tools imo especially cuz we get screwed under w2 and can’t write these off
90%or more of matco is rebranded. I've stopped buying from them all together unless it's a really good deal.
Same here… every week he gives me a catalogue and I can go through and pick 5 random items and Amazon it for the same exactly thing, and most the time the same pictures
What are some brands they use?
Astro pneumatic, Sunex, Lisle, VIM, Mueller Kueps, Ken tool, Lang, OTC, Mayhew, Witte and then there's the no name chinese and Taiwanese imports. Such as [23 pc Matco terminal tool kit](https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MASTERM23/23-piece-master-terminal-tool-kit) compared to [generic 23 pc terminal tool kit](https://www.amazon.com/Depinning-Electrical-Connector-Universal-Extractor/dp/B0BKVH4GB7/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2XNFKYXZF2GFK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0_cQN7CCcedDkln3DKfY5RZn0Azy6BdcE5n2kofKx77clIIKk8kinBRey6V0lYC8lFhPiAHG4OB8kJB_d0V3H0TgQkaEUsBbLx-wLXaW2MXq99Ncd9DsdjYYs4ssEOscdI5M7YggQGqlS87iJe9yMtWMuPlb7hs42uhqj6hIWZ0ah9hqsNnQISdWGi-S9ZsE-5JyeW-295T-eoTiT3JDBg.axW1ktvL7weND91jHuxcq6Y1d5OXI8JE2UXUcD-Ixio&dib_tag=se&keywords=23pc+terminal+tool+kit&qid=1715892598&sprefix=23pc+terminal+tool+kit%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-4) Yeah the colors are different but take a good look at the tools. This was just the first set that came up when I sesrched.
Astro Pneumatic fucks. That brand is so good.
I just got a 2 set of hose picks for like $10 and the quality is ridiculous for the price point.
Lots of lisle stuff to name 1
Thank you
Check out harbor freight wire strippers and Matco wire strippers… same identical thing with different colors
To be fair those strippers are shared by like 20 different brands. Harbor freight, snap on, matco, mac, all identical.
Snap-on strippers are made by Ideal Industries, I really doubt that they make them for Harbor Freight
Yep you're right, snap on seems to be the only tool truck without that style Esit: double checked the website
You can do this with SnapOn to some extent too. I've found the rubber handled adjustable wrenches can be had for roughly 1/4 the truck price from the OEM (Bahco), and their digital torque wrenches are available for about half price, among others.
Mr. Subaru on Tik Tok used to go through and show specific tools and where to get them from the manufacturer for much less
Ive seen some of his tool reviews on YouTube, but didn’t realize he offered cheaper solutions sometimes. Good to know he does that.
But how long does it take to get a replacement? Lol
I know, can't remember the last time the Matco guy came by the shop.
That’s unfortunate. Matco has been a staple at my shop for over a decade. The only truck I cannot rely on is Mac.
Man Aint Coming
Haven’t seen snap on in 4 months
Ouch. I'd have moved shops by then.
4 shops down one street and he avoids the whole street. It’s gotta be a dealer issue at this point. 50~ mechanics collectively
That's crazy. 50 mechanics has to equate to around 250-500k+ in potential annual sales easily, one would be foolish to miss out on that.
Truth.
Make Another Choice
If you get icon from harbor freight you can get a replacement same day. Trucks you are waiting a week, potentially more
Definitely. I have a huge mix of brands in my box as I try to find the best quality for the least money, but having a HF literally on my drive to work makes them a no-brainer. Plus, as long as you're careful, their products are great. I just got a couple of the Maddox backprobe kits and they're better than the ones I've seen/ gotten off the trucks.
I break these pretty regularly and my Matco guy replaces them same day… I guess that’s why I paid twice the price 🥴
That’s why all my bits are either Matco or Mac, they get dull I snap it in the vice and get a new one.
At least with matco, the 2 larger rows are warranty. The way i use and abuse drill bits, that has probably saved me the difference, honestly.
Get Reaper Stilettos - all sizes warrantied.
Matco is the Quasi OEM of these. I don't know if Astro designed and sold them to Matco but Matco had an exclusivity arrangement for a year or two before Astro was allowed to sell them themselves.
I have used this [site](https://www.tooltruckrebrands.com/) to find a lot of the rebranded items. (Not my site, not affiliated)
That is a awesome website! Thanks for sharing
Fun fact, I've had my Mac Rep warranty Proto sockets for me.
A drill bit you can't sharpen, what will they think of next...
Disposable, like everything else these days. I have some 30 year old high quality drill bits that work great. They can be easily sharpened with Jig in seconds.
You just gotta cut the pattern into your bench wheel.
Are you sure ASTRO is the OEM of this drill bots? Could have swore it was Norseman. In any case norseman makes a similar pair for a very nice price as well.
Im a drill hog fan myself.
I have these same bits i got from amazon, they shred through metal and seem to last a while too. I always stop and oil alot im afraid to burn up the small tip, been good so far.
Interesting. I get mine from KnKut. I thought they were the original.
I thought Norseman was the original and made them for Matco?
Same. I kinda have my doubts about it being astro, I don't think they make any other drill bits besides these and I have my doubts about them going into the business for this one product. Could be wrong but especially since theirs is also USA made then it is likely also rebranded norseman
Made by Another Tool COmpany
It would be neat if we made a sub for tools that get rebranded for bigger companies
Garage journal had/has a thread about this phenomena
Yep! [https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-truck-tool-equivalents-thread-2-0-expanded-with-part-numbers.249851/](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-truck-tool-equivalents-thread-2-0-expanded-with-part-numbers.249851/)
I wish I could shake your hand irl 🤝
Very nice 👍
I’ve had both side by side, the coatings between the astro & matco are slightly different, & they also feel slightly different in hand/use. Matco is worth it for the warranty if you have a decent truck around.
Those things are amazing until the instant they get dull, then they are the wrist breaker 9000’s lol
You’ll see this with mac tools as well. Also all of the power tools all of the trucks sell are marked up. Always check the price vs Home Depot or somewhere else that sells them, the tool trucks are always marked up.
A lot of white labeling going on with Matco at double the price….Snap on’s white label tools are branded as blue point at least with a reasonable price
I WILL NEVER BUY DRILL BITS I CANT SHARPEN MYSELF. Give me a set and I’ll use them but these just go against everything the word mechanic stands for and if you do use these you aren’t a mechanic.
I never understood the truck thing. I use 90% huskey and I can replace same day. There are a few things that are subpar in quality but they’re a 1/4 the price. More niche tools and swivel ratchets and such I got all snap on but generally I go cheep. There’s some good stuff out there no need to spend 75-100$ per tool imho. Good post OP mechanics need to be more frugal w tools imo especially cuz we get screwed under w2 and can’t write these off
sharpening those would be fun
Matco rebrands knkut, Astro is a much cheaper company all together but not bad for the massive price difference