u/Witty-Fly-2812

Would you add a third battery platform or just stick with what I already have?
I’m a Toyota tech and currently have 4 DeWalt cordless tools with batteries/chargers and 2 Snap-on 14.4V tools with 2 batteries and a charger.
I’ve been thinking about getting an extended-reach electric ratchet and eventually a stubby impact. I like the Snap-on 14.4 stuff, especially the trigger/ergonomics, but my impact ct861m already stopped working after 2 months and has to be warrantied. It’s making me question whether I want to keep investing in the 14.4 line.
Would you:
Stick with Snap-on 14.4 since I already have the batteries/charger?
Start buying Milwaukee M12 for ratchets/compact tools and have three battery platforms?
Move some of the DeWalt stuff home and slowly transition to Milwaukee?
Try selling some of the DeWalt/Snap-on stuff and consolidate?
My DeWalt 1/2” impact is the cordless tool I use the most and I’d probably keep that regardless. Just trying to avoid wasting money buying into too many battery platforms.

Is the Snap-on die grinder worth the extra money over Capri?
I’m an auto tech and I’m looking at getting a 90° die grinder. I’ve been comparing the Snap-on to the Capri, and there’s obviously a pretty big price difference.
I’ll be using it professionally at work, mostly for things like cleaning hubs/brake surfaces, tire patch prep, and general cleanup. But I’m in the South, not the Rust Belt, so realistically I’m not going to be reaching for a die grinder constantly.
For the guys who have used both, is the Snap-on actually worth spending the extra money on for professional use, or would you just grab the Capri and put the money toward other tools?
I don’t mind paying more for something that’s genuinely better and will last, but I also don’t want to pay Snap-on money just for the name.

I’m an auto tech and I’m looking at getting a 90° die grinder. I’ve been comparing the Snap-on to the Capri, and there’s obviously a pretty big price difference.
I’ll be using it professionally at work, mostly for things like cleaning hubs/brake surfaces, tire patch prep, and general cleanup. But I’m in the South, not the Rust Belt, so realistically I’m not going to be reaching for a die grinder constantly.
For the guys who have used both, is the Snap-on actually worth spending the extra money on for professional use, or would you just grab the Capri and put the money toward other tools?
I don’t mind paying more for something that’s genuinely better and will last, but I also don’t want to pay Snap-on money just for the name.

I’m a pretty new Toyota Express Technician and I’m trying to learn as much as I can and eventually move up into the main shop.
For the experienced technicians here, what are some things you wish you had done when you were first starting out?
What can I do both inside and outside of work to become a better technician, build my skills, and put myself in the best position to move up from Express?
I’m willing to learn, buy the tools I actually need, study outside of work, and help more experienced techs whenever I get the opportunity. I don’t expect to know everything overnight—I just want to make sure I’m building good habits early and becoming the best technician I can be.
Any advice on training, certifications, tools, diagnostic skills, or things I should be practicing would be appreciated.

Was thinking about spending the extra money and going snap on or should I just go with icon

Which are the best impact 3/8 swivel socket sets

Looking for a good spark plug socket set with a solid warranty. I’ve been looking at the Snap-on set, but wanted to see what you guys recommend before spending the money.
What brands/sets have held up well for you guys? Mainly looking for something good quality with a warranty that won’t be a pain if I ever need to replace something.

Looking for a good spark plug socket set with a solid warranty. I’ve been looking at the Snap-on set, but wanted to see what you guys recommend before spending the money.
What brands/sets have held up well for you guys? Mainly looking for something good quality with a warranty that won’t be a pain if I ever need to replace something.

I’m 22 and currently live at home. My car is paid off, and I don’t have many monthly expenses besides gas, a gym membership, and other small things here and there. I also don’t have any major credit card debt.
I’m trying to take advantage of having low expenses while I can and set myself up financially for the future.
Right now I’m contributing 8% of every paycheck to my 401(k) and basically just letting that run automatically. I also invest $5 a day into VOO (S&P 500) through Robinhood with the intention of holding it long-term.
A few questions:
Is 8% into my 401(k) + regularly buying VOO a good approach at my age?
Is Robinhood fine for holding investments for decades, or would you recommend moving to Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, etc.?
What else should I be doing with my money while my expenses are this low?
I want to build an emergency fund. Should I keep that money in a normal savings account, or should I open a high-yield savings account (HYSA)?
How much would you recommend keeping in an emergency fund for someone in my situation?
Should I prioritize the emergency fund before increasing my investments?
I know living at home with very few bills puts me in a fortunate position, so I want to make good use of this time instead of letting all the extra money disappear on random stuff.
Curious what you guys would do if you were 22 and in my situation.

I’m 22 and currently live at home. My car is paid off, and I don’t have many monthly expenses besides gas, a gym membership, and other small things here and there. I also don’t have any major credit card debt.
I’m trying to take advantage of having low expenses while I can and set myself up financially for the future.
Right now I’m contributing 8% of every paycheck to my 401(k) and basically just letting that run automatically. I also invest $5 a day into VOO (S&P 500) through Robinhood with the intention of holding it long-term.
A few questions:
Is 8% into my 401(k) + regularly buying VOO a good approach at my age?
Is Robinhood fine for holding investments for decades, or would you recommend moving to Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, etc.?
What else should I be doing with my money while my expenses are this low?
I want to build an emergency fund. Should I keep that money in a normal savings account, or should I open a high-yield savings account (HYSA)?
How much would you recommend keeping in an emergency fund for someone in my situation?
Should I prioritize the emergency fund before increasing my investments?
I know living at home with very few bills puts me in a fortunate position, so I want to make good use of this time instead of letting all the extra money disappear on random stuff.
Curious what you guys would do if you were 22 and in my situation.

I saw a post earlier from someone asking if they were too old to get into the trade, and it got me thinking.
What age would you guys consider young, average, or late to get into the automotive trade professionally?
Like, what age range would you consider getting in young, what’s a pretty average age to start, and at what point would you consider someone a late starter?

I’m a Toyota tech and I’m not in the Rust Belt, so I don’t deal with a ton of rust.
Do you guys actually use a cordless drill much, or do you use your impact drivers for pretty much everything?
I already have an impact driver, so I’m wondering if a dedicated drill is worth adding to the toolbox or if it’ll mostly sit.
If you use a drill regularly, what are some good drills bits you’d recommend?

I’m 22 and currently an Express Technician at a Toyota dealership making $18/hr. I’ve been there for about 3 months. Before Toyota, I worked at a quick-lube shop for around 5 months, so I have roughly 8 months of automotive experience total.
A brand-new Volkswagen dealership is opening near me and they’re hiring an entire service department — Entry-Level/Lube Techs, Express Techs, Apprentice Techs, B Techs, A Techs, and Master Techs.
I applied and have an interview next week.
I’m still pretty new to the industry, so I’m not expecting to walk in as a B tech or anything like that. I’m hoping I could possibly get one of the Apprentice Technician spots, but obviously I won’t know what they’re willing to offer until I interview.
My biggest concern is that I’ve only been at Toyota for 3 months, and I don’t want to start over. I don’t want to leave Toyota just to go to VW and end up at the very bottom doing nothing but oil changes and rotations again.
My goal is to start learning actual repairs and diagnostics and eventually become a mainline technician. If VW offered me an apprentice position with factory training and a good path toward moving up, I’d definitely consider it. But if they only offered me an Entry-Level/Lube position, I’m not sure leaving Toyota would make any sense.
I also don’t want having only 3 months at Toyota on my résumé to make me look like a job hopper later.
What would you guys do in my position? Would you stay at Toyota and keep building experience, or would you take the VW interview and see what they offer? Is it worth leaving Toyota this early if VW gives me a better opportunity? And would you consider an Express position there, or only leave if they offered an apprenticeship?

I’m 22 and currently an Express Technician at a Toyota dealership. I’ve been there a little over 3 months.
A brand new Subaru/Volkswagen dealership is opening and hiring technicians. I applied and they invited me to an in-person interview next week.
At Toyota I’m mostly doing oil changes, tire rotations, inspections, filters, batteries, etc. I’ve gotten to help with some brakes, spark plugs, suspension work, and a CV axle, but I’ve been told I could be in Express for around 9–12 months before moving up.
Do you guys think it’s worth going to the interview and seeing what a brand new dealership has to offer? Or would you just stay at Toyota, keep getting experience, and wait for an opportunity to move up?
My main goal is to get out of Express eventually and start doing more actual repair work.

I’m 22 and currently an Express Technician at a Toyota dealership. I’ve been there a little over 3 months.
A brand new Subaru/Volkswagen dealership is opening and hiring technicians. I applied and they invited me to an in-person interview next week.
At Toyota I’m mostly doing oil changes, tire rotations, inspections, filters, batteries, etc. I’ve gotten to help with some brakes, spark plugs, suspension work, and a CV axle, but I’ve been told I could be in Express for around 9–12 months before moving up.
Do you guys think it’s worth going to the interview and seeing what a brand new dealership has to offer? Or would you just stay at Toyota, keep getting experience, and wait for an opportunity to move up?
My main goal is to get out of Express eventually and start doing more actual repair work.

Toyota express tech here. Is a cordless drill worth buying, or will it mostly collect dust? Besides drilling tire repair holes, what do you actually use it for in automotive? Would you buy one again or spend the money on something else? (I'm also in Georgia)