Wheres a good place to buy A&P aviation tools?

Question

I'm about to start an A&P Course and wondered who if anyone has a good starter tool set available? I know Snap-On has one but their prices are as much as my tuition! Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Answer 1

I sell Mac Tools and we offer a student discout program.  We don't have much for aviation but might have a few items that you can purchase at 50% discount.  I don't know where you're at but try finding your local Mac Tools distributor or call 1-800-Mac-Tools for more info.

Answer 2

I teach a powerplant course on the weekends for the local Communtiy College and understand your concerns.   Snap-On is way too high dollar for those entering the industry.  Mac Tools comes by with their makeshift kit but theirs lacks many 12 point items and is still a bit pricy.  Both try to rope you into some type of credit card of truck account leash to keep you buying.  Craftsman is a good bet but  I've noted their quality has gone down and you have to hassle with the stores for warranty issues.

I'm in SE Virginia and a few of my students are purchasing an awesome starter set from Grainger.  It was built locally by an A&P mechanic with a students budget in mind but using lifetime warranty tools of the trade by Proto, Blackhawk, Irwin, and their private label from Westward.  Most impressive was the top and bottom Blackhawk tool box that is identical to another students Mac Tool box.   ( See Grainger #7E994, I know he paid about $450 for the top and bottom set and it arrived in about two days).  Unlike many sets out there, they can also tailor this set to the tools they need, or don't need.

Anyway, if you have a Grainger nearby, and most places do, students can purchase on their schools discount.  I've added a few links to what Grainger offers but don't focus on the price since you'll get a lower price depending on your school.  

The first link is someting Proto offers as a starter set and it comes with a Proto box.

The second link is a Proto starter aviaiton tool set (without box) but toss in the box from the third link and you've got a great deal!

As for the starter set produced by the local Grainger (Newport News) I'll have to bring home one of the flyers that's floating around and post the info here later this week.

Answer 3

Go to your local Sears store and see if they can put you in touch with their industrial tool sales division.  Craftsman Industrial tool sales has a basic aviation tool set  (Craftsman Part # 9-200256) that will cost about half of what the Snap-on dealer wants for the same set of tools.