auto techs: how long before you were set with tools?

[punkenduro]

im a just over a year into being a tech after a year as a tire guy, and i feel sometimes that no matter how much money i spend on tools, i always need more (and yes, this forum doesnt help a bit). my basic question is how long did it take you guys (and gals) to be "set" with tools, basicly to the point it was either upgrading what you have or buying cus it was new and shiny? just a thought that crossed my mind, might make me feel better about the 8-9k ive dropped this year.

 

[Farmer Joe]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

I'm pretty much in your situation and with near the same experience. I don't think it's possible to be "set" with tools if you're serious about your work, and like nice tools too lol.

 

[pipsters]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

What sort of tools are you still buying? I'm just curious, I don't do this for a living but find that I can do pretty much everything on my cars with a basic Craftsman set and a few other tidbits here and there.

 

[spoolgarage]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Never....... but you should feel confident in about 7-10 years.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Sad to say, you never do unless you are a restrained buyer and good with your money.

Buy use truck tools if possible. Win win. Used truck tools off co-workers is even better if they are trading up or want a different brand.

Whether on a shop floor or mfgr maintence or any type of mfgr or assembly, you have to buy tools that maximize your efficiency as well as maximize your paycheck at weeks end.

Need specialty tools to make jobs quicker, then buy them. Need better tools if you have quality or tool failure issues, than buy them.

If you start buying that set of huge Snap-On spud wrenches and you work on PC keyboards and hard drive replacements using P00 and P000 screwdrivers all day, then yep, u have a problem.



Good tools are nice and an addiction indeed.
Buy what best suits your professional efficiency and ad more as $$$ roll in as a result.

Any more than that is a finacial nightmare waiting to happen.

 

[punkenduro]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

im mostly set with wrenches, screwdrivers and the like, now its diagnostic tools, which cost an arm and a leg. compression testers, good scanners, power probes and such. oh yea, and i need a bigger box soon, and thats some serious cash if bought off a tool truck.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

punk the best way i canb phrase this is you know what's best for you for the LONGEST time i thought i was set god my truck balance paid off then i found a tool one of my guys had that got teh cycle started all over again i find i am constantly upgrading in the pursuit of higher end production

 

[MXblur]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

It never ends!

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

It never ends!

Because things change often and special tools are need for the job.

 

[blue dog]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

oh yea, and i need a bigger box soon, and thats some serious cash if bought off a tool truck.

there are a $hit ton of boxes for sale on Craigslist in Orange county and Los Angeles. There is a guy who has been slowly coming down on a nice big cornwell box with a top hutch in North Hollywood, hint hint. i bet it could be had for a song and a dance compared to new off the truck. This box has been for sale for at least 6 months.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/2765609581.html

He raised his price, was at $2500 on the weekend.

 

[mypov]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Depends on how much you want to spend per year . . .
I am new to the industry, apprenticing as heavy equip tech (but working mostly on automotive) - spent about 5 grand in the last 6 month. . .Probably another 5-6 grand and I'll have most of the tools I would need, most of the specialty tools "SHOULD" be supplied by the shop you work at. Another thing, is don't get too bogged down in buying everything at once.
the 5 thousand I have spent includes my tool box and I can do most jobs without digging into my bosses tool chest. I have also bought electric impact wrenches which are not required, or needed...so, there is always a way to do it for less, and still get the job done quickly. My boss was a flat rate mechanic for a number of years making bank, killing the flat rate times, and did it without spending thousands and thousands on tools. I think we most of us justify buying those expensive tools by telling ourselves they make us faster...I'm not saying this is true for everything, but I do know that there are ways of doing things quickly without spending the huge dollars on the flashy tools...
Just me and my opinion, and I'm pretty new at this too.
Oh yeah, and I'll probably spend the big dollars on the flashy tools too.
I like them, they're shiny, and can't resist.

 

[Seanbev24]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

It's a cycle that will never end. Just when you think you have everything you need...

1. New cars require new specialty tools
2. Diagnostic tools become outdated
3. Someone comes out with a better tool than what you've been using
4. You get sick of ****** shop supplied specialty tools and buy your own
5. You just like buying new tools
6. All these new tools take up a lot of space, time for a bigger box
7. Hey, this big new box has extra space, I should probably fill it with more tools

 

[countryroad82]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

In my field I was pretty well set with a decent set of Craftsman tools and I bought my specialty tools (autobody related). In recent times I have started upgrading to more Snap On because I always wanted them. As time goes by I still need a new special tool for new models and @#%&% european makes.

 

[Fedwrench]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Being set may mean being content with what you have too.

It also depends on if you have a life away from work. There's more to life than buying tools.

I would say aside from new model vehicle changes, new tool introductions, moving up the job food chain, and upgrades, you should be set within 3-5 years.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

If you start buying that set of huge Snap-On spud wrenches and you work on PC keyboards and hard drive replacements using P00 and P000 screwdrivers all day, then yep, u have a problem.

STOP GIVING ME IDEAS!!! hahaha

 

[MrSnicks]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

I'm not an auto mechanic, but I work on old muscle cars and trucks in my spare time (ha-ha). My rule of thumb is if I have to borrow it more than 2 times I need to buy it. I buy used off craigslist, fleabay and pawn shops. I am not brand specific. There is Mac, Matco, Snap On, Cornwell, Craftsman, GearWrench and Mayhew in my toolbox.

Patrick

 

[bobcatdan]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

For fixing cars, in 5 years you should be pretty set. It depends where you work and the amount of specialty tools provided. My rule always was if I borrowed something five times, I need it. What has been the killer for me has been switching from Ford cars/trucks to John Deere and finally to Bobcat. Each brand I found different things I need and and also had tools I really don't use any more. The big thing is if you want to watch cost, don't let your tool set get bloated, you don't need 60 ratchets, 100 screwdrivers (25 being ratcheting), and every style of wrenches ever made. For the most part with hand tools, if you havn't need in five years, you most likely don 't need.

 

[Roots]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

There is a guy who has been slowly coming down on a nice big cornwell box with a top hutch in North Hollywood, hint hint. i bet it could be had for a song and a dance compared to new off the truck. This box has been for sale for at least 6 months.

I'm not familiar with Cornwell boxes, or tools for that matter, but that looks like you could low ball an incredible deal!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

im a just over a year into being a tech after a year as a tire guy, and i feel sometimes that no matter how much money i spend on tools, i always need more (and yes, this forum doesnt help a bit). my basic question is how long did it take you guys (and gals) to be "set" with tools, basicly to the point it was either upgrading what you have or buying cus it was new and shiny? just a thought that crossed my mind, might make me feel better about the 8-9k ive dropped this year.

For me, about 5 years, and around $38,000.

That's all hand tools, lots of specialty tools (inculding some pullers, timing tools, etc.) and a fair bit of electrical testing tools like meters, adaptors, leads, amp clamps.

What i buy now is mostly specialty stuff like pullers and engine/gearbox tools and diag equipment, such as scopes and stuff for my meters.

I will say that most of what i have earned has gone into tools, and i spent little on anything else so i amassed my collection quite quickly.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Sometimes I think it's 95% mental. My father ran a body shop for 40 years with what I would consider a very basic set of tools, along with what seems like an endless supply of custom made tools for specific needs he had over the years. My father just made what he had work, and on those rare occasions where he couldn't, then he bought or built the specialty tool he needed.

Sometimes I think guys become convinced that they "need" a thousand different wrenches, when 95% of the time a single set will do the job. Same goes for ratchets, sockets, pliers, etc. I've encountered very little that I can't remove with a standard socket & ratchet, or a standard wrench.

That said, anybody who can save time with more efficient tools can make more money, provided that those more efficient tools didn't cost more than the time you're saving is worth. It's up to the individual to determine whether that added expense for the tools will pay off in better efficiency.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Sometimes I think it's 95% mental. My father ran a body shop for 40 years with what I would consider a very basic set of tools, along with what seems like an endless supply of custom made tools for specific needs he had over the years. My father just made what he had work, and on those rare occasions where he couldn't, then he bought or built the specialty tool he needed.

Sometimes I think guys become convinced that they "need" a thousand different wrenches, when 95% of the time a single set will do the job. Same goes for ratchets, sockets, pliers, etc. I've encountered very little that I can't remove with a standard socket & ratchet, or a standard wrench.

That said, anybody who can save time with more efficient tools can make more money, provided that those more efficient tools didn't cost more than the time you're saving is worth. It's up to the individual to determine whether that added expense for the tools will pay off in better efficiency.

hmm i agree with you as my dad worked as a tech from 69-97 with the same cman stand i up half filled

on the other side of that how many tool innovations have come out in the last 10 years where 2 wrench set worked years ago my box has gear wrenchs crows feet x beams imho opinion i've needed them at least once a week based on job

 

[crewchief888]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

i started working on const eq in '84, and already had a pretty good set of hand tools to 1 1/4"

when i got divorced in '98 i was paid in full with all the tool trucks.

most of what i've bought since then was to build up a set of garage/home tools, or to replace tools i've lost at work.
i started buying stuff like electric drills, grinders, chop saw, bench grinder, more clamps, woodworking tools, plasma cutter, tubing notcher, bender.

i still run across a tool that will make a job go a little easier or faster, and they get added as finances and common sense will allow.
the older i get, the more i have to justify the purchase to myself.
wife dont care what i spend $$ on, as long as the bills are paid. she's gotten pissed off at me cuz ive walked away from something i need....

 

[Steevo]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

I retired from wrenching long before I was "set" with all the tools I needed. Twenty years later, I still am not 'set".

 

[BigAl62]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

You'll never be completely done, auto manufacturers are constantly changing things and you will always need to buy tools. After 30 years I still buy new stuff (not just because I want to). It's a conspiracy between the auto and tool companies!

 

[jamesc]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

I am not set yet, I am about 7 years in the trade, what I find is best is to buy different then your co workers so when your offset wrench doesnt fit, you borrow his and vise versa, I dont know about other shops but at my work we all borrow tools from each other. We are an independant repair garage with 4 techs, we see all sorts of vehicles so nobody is going to have the perfect tool for every job but varity helps.

 

[Brentocool]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

I work for toyota and all are SST's are supplied by Toyota

 

[punkenduro]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

first off, i want to thank all of you for your answers, they all have helped in some form or another.

second, i want to give a more detailed explanation to clarify why i asked this (if it matters):

a. i work at what i would call a "chain tire and service shop". basically we do almost everything, and if we cant do it in house, we outsource what we cant (exp. if we do a head gasket, the head is sent to a machine shop to be milled/tested).
b. our shop supplies almost nothing as far as tools. they supply the flush machines, alignment rack, and a ****** horrible freight press. no shop scanner, no shop specialty tools, not even a impact gun or socket set for the oil guys to use.
c. unlike some shops, even with in our own company, there is no "open box" policy at our store. im in with one tech enough i can barrow tools on rare occasions, but its frowned upon. the other tech wont even talk to me. basically if you dont have the tool, you have to hand the whole ticket over to the tech who does.

i dont know if that helps at all to understand my question, but it might put you in the mind set of why i asked to begin with.

 

[Seanbev24]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Sounds like a ****** company and d-bag coworkers. I'm not gonna give away good tickets to people who have no tools, but I have no problem letting coworkers use my stuff occasionally IF I CAN SEE THEY'RE ACTIVELY TRYING TO BUILD THEIR OWN COLLECTION.

A chain tire shop that doesn't supply impact guns for new techs is pretty ridiculous. One thing I learned quickly, however, is shop-supplied tools tend to be abused **** anyway so the best thing is to use them only until you can buy your own.

 

[klarmie]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Sounds like a ****** company and d-bag coworkers. I'm not gonna give away good tickets to people who have no tools, but I have no problem letting coworkers use my stuff occasionally IF I CAN SEE THEY'RE ACTIVELY TRYING TO BUILD THEIR OWN COLLECTION.

A chain tire shop that doesn't supply impact guns for new techs is pretty ridiculous. One thing I learned quickly, however, is shop-supplied tools tend to be abused **** anyway so the best thing is to use them only until you can buy your own.

X2

Look for a different place to work.

Any one in my shop is welcome to use a tool of mine with 2 rules.

1. dont make me look for it when your done with it
2. return it cleaner that it was when you took it.

If a tech is honestly trying to make an effort to buy the tools needed for their position then I will loan them mine. I have been in the business for over 25 years and am pretty well set, but there are new specialty tools or tools that work better coming out all the time. Most new car dealerships do have specialty tools from the factory, but I have found some instances when you needed a tool when another tech was using it. Thats when you would consider buying your own. IF you were in a place that had someone who would loan you tools, keep the moto of if you use it more than twice then you need it. That has always worked for me as well. We all have tools in our box that we use every day and then there are tools that we use once a month or once a year, but when you need it, you have it. You will never have every tool you want.

 

[greasemonkey44]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

i sympathize; it takes along time to get all the tools to do a job well
and it costs alot of money
im two years in and i have most of what i need; sockets, wrenches, hammers, prybars, electrical tools
ive bought what i used and borrowed most. I still borrow pullers, torque wrenches, and special tools. I can do most of my work load without borrowing, however it costs alot to get to the point im at, and even more to go beyond that.

i wish you luck and hope you find a point you are comfortable with. Also i hope the shop you are in isnt as bad as you say, or at least they pay you well

 

[Skin]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Sometimes I think guys become convinced that they "need" a thousand different wrenches, when 95% of the time a single set will do the job. Same goes for ratchets, sockets, pliers, etc. I've encountered very little that I can't remove with a standard socket & ratchet, or a standard wrench.

ding ding ding

This is a bad place to meet them but many guys in the field dont buy the newest fanciest tools as they come out. They get by with what they have and do just fine. I'd agree with a few years and a few thousand. More if you start to get into specialty pullers/drivers/presses and diagnostics etc but there really isnt a whole lot of that out there comparative to the different variations of basic hand tools. A lot of it is self control. Ask anyone who has a rather decent assortment of stuff what they actually use day to day and i bet its a small fraction of everything.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

i bought the vast majority of my tools while i was in school and could take advantage of the Snap On student discount. after graduation i filled in the empty spots in my collection and bought the specialty tools that where required for the job.

And of course i bought tools that might be required...in the future...someday...

 

[Agent1320]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

At age 18 I was $12k in debt with Snap-On. Paid it down to $9k by age 19, then sold it all back to the Snap-On truck to pay it off at age 20. Since then I've gotten by just fine working at dealerships, independant shops, mobile mechanic, and hot rod shops with my Craftsman tools that I bought with cash over the years. Now the only Snap-On tool I have is a 1/4" drive ratchet that wound up in my toolbox somehow. I'm not in debt, have more tool than I need, and only buy what is needed. A good mechanic can make do with what he's got.

Buy the basics, borrow the specialty tools until you know what you need to buy. To me the tool trucks are a joke. It's all glamour. Don't get yourself into debt with a tool truck.

 

[LostHSV]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Don't get yourself into debt with a tool truck.

x2 --Racking up major debt in tools makes little financial sense. At that point you are not working for income but working to pay off debt.

 

[90gt]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

For me it took ~1 year and around $5k till i was set with tools, i have recently stopped buying tools that i dont need. my box conists of snap on, mac, craftsman and some chinese tools. As i see it basic tool sets should be made of craftsman(just starting out) and tools that you tend to use more frequently such as ratchets and wrenches would be upgraded to a tool truck brand. With this method you are gonna have better quality tools without completely emptying youre wallet and getting in debt. If i have to buy a tool to finish a job and i know i won't be using it much, ill either drive down to sears, or walk 300ft behind my shop to harbor freight. Being in a shop and doing many side jobs also require a lot of diagnostic equipment. Best investment i have made was a nice scanner and up-to-date software because thats the best way to make money, its equivalent to purchasing a snow thrower for the snow. I also hold good relations with the tool trucks so i can pay what i can afford every week. another thing to know is not to get in debt. I will pay off all my debt to snap on before i buy mac. as of now i owe $60 to mac and when i pay that off im buying a matco box with student discount and that will take a while to pay off.

 

[otis66]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

I've been a mechanic for over 25 years and I have not reached that point yet.

 

[GoBlue]

Re: auto techs: how long before you where set with tools?

Took me about a year and half i would say. Most anything i have added since has not been needed. The trick is to know what you have to buy from the truck and what you can go cheep on and still get a good tool. keep in mind buying from the truck does not mean buying from the truck always...sometimes its buying truck brand used. I do this when ever possible. I never buy from the trucks on impulse. If i see something i like, i check around to see if its A any good and B a re-brand. If its a rebrand i buy from the OEM and save a ton. If its original i buy it used and save a ton. My last resort is to pay truck pricing.

Think about some of the big savers you can make and not hurt yourself. Get the Craftsman 43 piece wrench set. Its every wrench you will ever need for less than $200. Also jump on their big socket sets. These tools may not be flashy but they are proven, American made, covered under warranty and WORK WELL. I like truck brand ratchets but there are plenty used around. Stuff like extensions and universal joints, impacts etc. can be had from Harbor Freight and honestly they are pretty decent. When you buy your box, get a loan from the bank and buy used. Whats 10k on the truck is often 1500 on the street. There is HUGE depreciation on truck brand tools...but when you buy used...you can always get all of your money back should you decide to sell. Be smart and dont get your ego involved.

Last but not least the best piece of advise i can give you is to save $40 cash a week for tool purchases in lieu of a truck account. Put the money in your box, when you have enough hit ebay and pay cash. This way you will always have good stuff...but you wont have the debt. What you will find in the working world is that no one gives a flying **** what kind of tools you have so long as you can get the job done and dont borrow stuff all the time. End of story

 

[back2class]

I am not a tech but FIL is and we sometimes work together. Hard to say how long...Almost as hard to say how much $$. Big difference between truck tools and "good quality" lesser brands. I have 36" wide by 6' tall box with a sidebox pretty full. Easily have just about everything you see in the $9,000 Craftsman dream sets except some of the silly duplicates,,,,plus a bunch more. I suppose the amount of mechanics "box tools" I have would cost about $10,000-12,000 buying Craftsman and other quality mid level stuff or about $25,000 if it were all Snap-On. Neither of us see the value in most of the truck brand stuff. Ad he is not some hack, this is an ASE master in several areas with 30 years in the field.
Basicaly I find I have enough for most anything I encounter for the most part. I'ts little things here and there and real specialty tools that are "brand specific" that I find lacking sometimes. But for the core set of tools for mechanical work I am about set and hope this is some help. If I were suddenly working at a dealer or some other specialty I would need to add alot for that area. But not much in the way of hand tools.