? for you pros

[expatriated]

I work in finance so much of this tool stuff is new to me. But I'm curious about something. I read many posts of guys starting out in mechanic school/whatever and they all seem intent on buying their own tools, even going into debt to start out if they don't have the cash. Like it is mandatory to have your own set before you start.

When you are a mechanic and apply for a pro job in that field, whether at a dealership, private shop, jiffy-lube place or whatever, does the company expect you to show up with a full set of professional tools? Don't the companies provide that sort of thing? Or is it just that one would prefer to have his/her own better-quality tools?

It just seems a huge barrier to enter a business if you've got to first spend 10 grand on equipment when you don't even have a job.

Just curious. Thanks.

 

[krusty the clown]

when i first started in the business a tech was required to provide thier own HAND tools, testing equipment and specialty tools were provided. now day's a tech is required to provided ALL tools needed to preform his job. i have never worked anywhere that provided hand tools to thier employees.

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

9 out of 10 times, you will not get the job if you don't have your own tools. The shop will supply large expensive things, like 1" impacts (if needed), lifts, jacks, etc, but the rest is usually up to you. I do like picking my own tools out though.

I didn't have a 10 grand set of tools when I started, I had a Craftsman top box and a 143 piece set with some extras. A year and a half later I have the $20,000 set of tools that will do just about anything. With no debt.

 

[Thumper]

If you apply at a shop or dealership for a mechanics position....you best have at LEAST basic hand tools to do the job. SPecialized (factory special tools etc.) are normally shop furnished. It really depends on the shop, but most specify....."Must have own tools".

 

[Joe69]

The only things my employer provides are my service truck, a truck mounted crane, and a Miller Bobcat welder. I have to supply the air compressor, tools, and toolbox. I started out similar to WVA Tuba Dale. 21 years later, I have around $100k in tools.

Joe

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

I have worked at 2 school districts as a school bus mechanic, and both districts provide 100% of the tools

 

[caper]

The shops that will provide hand tools for their techs are few and far between.I've been doing this for almost twenty years and haven't come across one yet.Most shops will provide large tools like 3/4"dr sockets and wrenches over 1 1/4" but anything 1/2"dr and smaller is the techs dime.Air tools and electric stuff is the techs as well.What makes it worse is that for years here in Canada we couldn't even claim the expense on our income tax.Even now they have a big restriction on claims,you have to buy a certain amount before your eligible and you can only claim to a certain level and your employer must sign a paper saying the tools are required for your job.

 

[cwstevens92]

I provide air tools and thats it guys that i hire or look to hire must have there own stuff. Was that way when i started and will always be that way. I do however provide insurace on what my guys have "in my shop" and also give them 50 bucks a month tool allowance

 

[Zeroek]

I started out in a shop where I didn't have to have any tools at all. They provided everything since I only did oil changes and Tires. During that time frame we had the tool trucks that stopped at the shop and I would buy something here and there. Then by the time I ended up being a full time auto tech I had a ton of tools. I still to this day buy different stuff even though I have a fortune invested.

 

[expatriated]

Wow. So, when I take my Toyota into the dealer, all those guys in all the different bays are using their own tools? Is theft much of a problem? I'd have one big-*** lock at the minimum, or maybe one of those trunk monkeys in the bulk drawer.

At first thought, this would seem rather unique in professions. Imagine if cops had to show up with their own guns and patrol car to get hired? Surgeons have to bring all their own scapels, chefs bringing their own pots and pans to the restaurant before they can start work, or even a regular office worker required to bring his own computer to his cubicle?

My hat's off to you guys.

 

[Kurn]

It's not just mechanics,either.Machinists,equipment rebuilders,electricians,plumbers,factory maintenance,and even the computer tech with the briefcase,usually all have there own tools.I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Merkava_4]

chefs bringing their own pots and pans to the restaurant before they can start work,

Most chefs will have their own set of knives and sharpening steels stored in a roll-up pouch or specially fitted case.

$649.80 - Made in Victorinox Switzerland

 

[krusty the clown]

It's not just mechanics,either.Machinists,equipment rebuilders,electricians,plumbers,factory maintenance,and even the computer tech with the briefcase,usually all have there own tools.I wouldn't have it any other way.

my dad was an electrician, while he had his own tools the contractor provided tools used on the job. the tools were leased to the job as part of the truck. some of the jobs he worked on (like shell oil) would provide the tools to save the lease charges.

 

[ATTappman]

I work in finance...

I guess when you work in finance, you don't have to show up with your own money because there's enough people dumb enough to let you learn with theirs.

So what about techs working at a dealership - do they have to pay for manufacturer-specific diagnostic equipment? Like Nissan's CONSULT system, for example. Would every tech be expected to buy his own CONSULT at Nissan's probably inflated price?

 

[gofastman]

I wish I had known about the glory of USED tools before I sank 6k into my box and tools when I got out of school, sure was nice to get a box loaded with shiny stuff though

 

[antolod]

Theft is one of the reasons guys are required to provide their own tools. The company I work for provides the tools need to do the job and we have a hard time keeping them in the building.

 

[tpolley]

what shop owner in his or her right mind would provide tools? tools have a nasty habbit of walking off. mechanics, especially young punks tend not to respect tools that are provided to them. they end up damaged/ruined and or lost. i worked at a firestone part time changing oil and they "provided" oil changing tools. cheap *** wrenches that would round off a drain plug, a pair of oil filter pliers with a carriage bolt in the hinge. none of the oil techs had their own tools. they just used the communal tools. the second day i started bringing my own tools to work every weekend in a little tool bag. on the days i forgot my tools i wouldn't get anything done. it would take me 3 times as long to, first, find the communal tools, then i had to screw with them to get them to work right. now i realise why i would consistantly flag more hours on saturday and sunday than either of the other two techs would all week.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

all for a job that pays really crappy [they pay you no extra money for a tool allowance]
and the more you can do , the less money you earn
silly ! isn't it ?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I guess when you work in finance, you don't have to show up with your own money because there's enough people dumb enough to let you learn with theirs.

So what about techs working at a dealership - do they have to pay for manufacturer-specific diagnostic equipment? Like Nissan's CONSULT system, for example. Would every tech be expected to buy his own CONSULT at Nissan's probably inflated price?

if I want my own tech 2 , it is 4 grand with the candi module
we all use the shops

 

[gofastman]

if I want my own tech 2 , it is 4 grand with the candi module
we all use the shops

I would really like a SO Vantage Pro

 

[Joe69]

all for a job that pays really crappy [they pay you no extra money for a tool allowance]
and the more you can do , the less money you earn
silly ! isn't it ?

My job doesn't pay so crappy. Of course, I work A LOT of overtime.

Joe

 

[petty4243]

I provide air tools and thats it guys that i hire or look to hire must have there own stuff. Was that way when i started and will always be that way. I do however provide insurace on what my guys have "in my shop" and also give them 50 bucks a month tool allowance

... have to ask... are you hiring lol, I would die to have tool allowance at all, and the insurance... you are almost a god... hats of..

 

[expatriated]

Most chefs will have their own set of knives and sharpening steels stored in a roll-up pouch or specially fitted case.

$649.80 - Made in Victorinox Switzerland

That's the Craftsman of kitchen knives, Merk. It's Shun or nothing. Heavy bolstered soligen steel is second.

http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=253&brand=shun

But you are right, all chefs worth their salt carry their own knife roll.

 

[cwstevens92]

... have to ask... are you hiring lol, I would die to have tool allowance at all, and the insurance... you are almost a god... hats of..

You take care of those who take care of you! My guys are like family so i treat them that way. I have 2 guys that worked for my dad and now work for me so between me and dad they have over 50yrs with us...so i do what i can for all of them

 

[carder69]

My brother-in-law is an engineer for a Ford Parts plant and he buys all the tools for the line. A little different since they work on the same part all the time and I am sure stuff walks out now and then.

 

[expatriated]

I guess when you work in finance, you don't have to show up with your own money because there's enough people dumb enough to let you learn with theirs.

It's a good thing, too. Cause most people in finance I know don't have a clue. And many of them are broke. They are great at giving advice but ask to see their personal balance sheet Most of them you wouldn't ever want to emulate.

 

[cwstevens92]

I can't remember ever haveing any shop tools "walk off"...broken oh hell yeah

 

[pmohr]

I guess when you work in finance, you don't have to show up with your own money because there's enough people dumb enough to let you learn with theirs.

So what about techs working at a dealership - do they have to pay for manufacturer-specific diagnostic equipment? Like Nissan's CONSULT system, for example. Would every tech be expected to buy his own CONSULT at Nissan's probably inflated price?

What's an extra $10k for a CONSULT-II, or god knows how much for a CONSULT-III?

I spy org members...

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have worked in a small machine shop that also did industrial pump and motor repair. It was family owned and they supplied tools. Problem was you couldn't keep track of anything. I bought a small box and started buying my own tools. I worked for pump distributors and they supplied larger and specialty tools. A couple supplied a shop set of hand tools, but they got lost or walked off.
I have always supplied my own tools. I will buy a much higher quality tool than will be supplied.

 

[GB Hicks]

"At first thought, this would seem rather unique in professions. Imagine if cops had to show up with their own guns and patrol car to get hired? "


Th PD I used to work for provided the car and a radio when I started, the rest was up to me. Since then the city council finally approved and they issue the guns radio and holster, the rest is still up to the officer. To get started it costs around $2500 for all the necessary stuff if you buy it new. Lucky I had lots of freinds who were officers who helped me out.

 

[Danglerb]

Requiring a mechanic to have their own tools is a double check that they know something about being a mechanic. A good set of tools implies time spent working with them and paying them off. Also if you still have a full set of tools good chance you aren't an addict or other kind of flake.

 

[ATTappman]

I spy org members...

As you often say, "Indeed."

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

My job doesn't pay so crappy. Of course, I work A LOT of overtime.

Joe

overtime ? wt/hell is that ?
we work flat rate [no guarantee] and it has been quite the struggle lately to even get 40 hours working 90% warranty
hey copper , my tool bill is getting close to the 200 k mark
you could equip a regiment for that
bought without the public largess of six figure cop salaries paid around here

 

[Merkava_4]

That's the Craftsman of kitchen knives, Merk. It's Shun or nothing.

Yeah, but can you run that black "PakkaWood" through the dishwasher? I wouldn't think so.

 

[GM_tc]

Beign enrolled in a tech shool helps alot when it comes to buying tools. I am currently in my second year of GM ASEP program. I get half off all matco tools, most mac tools, and less snap on. It last for a month or two after i graduate or until u buy up to $7000 in matco tools. I started with a 240 piece craftsman set and built from there. Luckily the techs i work with at the dealer will let me use a tool they have if i dont. When i go flat rate ill will built up all the tools i need.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Ahh!! Overtime.........Remember the good old days.

 

[autoace]

when i first started in the business a tech was required to provide thier own HAND tools, testing equipment and specialty tools were provided. now day's a tech is required to provided ALL tools needed to preform his job. i have never worked anywhere that provided hand tools to thier employees.

Yeah, these days it is really bad, i was at the toyota dealer the other day, I saw a guy in the service bay trying to take of a new Toyota oil filter cap (internal cartridge) type, and he was using a band wrench! The dealer does not provide the specialty tools even, how pathetic. You think you get the best service from a dealer, all depends on who you get there. They are a bunch of underpaid independents, that work under the dealers roof. The business is messed up, bad.

 

[wreckercologist]

My thoughts are pretty much in line with most of the other replys.

My employer provides the equipment(shop, jacks, jackstands, 3/4" & 1" drive stuff, welders, plasma cutter, torches, frame drills, air drills, and consumables), and I provide the needed hand and power tools up to 1/2".

That said, I work for flat rate most of the time and don't like waiting for the by the hour monkeys to get off their lazy butts and finish what they're doing so I can use the "______shop tool". As a result, I have three 3/8" air drills, one 1/2" air drill, an inline drill, and will be purchasing an angle drill sometime in the future. I also have my own wrenches up to 2" and a 3/4" drive set. Time is money and I don't have time for the "oh, who cares....I get paid by the hour anyway" attitude. I make more money this way, and I get to buy really kickass tools.

 

[autoace]

all for a job that pays really crappy [they pay you no extra money for a tool allowance]
and the more you can do , the less money you earn
silly ! isn't it ?

Tell me about it, Some of my customers ask why I "rough it" on my own. I just laugh, like there are any real mechanics jobs WORTH working at. Even Mercedes Benz only pays about 15 bucks an hour, and that is if you are real good,LOL..........................Benz charges 150 an hr. to the public though

 

[srmofo]

I dont know how guys deal with dealerships. Im a realatively new tech (8 years since starting as a tire tech at sears, Ive been an L1 for a year or so) and I make 17 hour flat rate plus health insurance, dental , 401k, paid vacation, and some holidays. Its also rare for me to pull less than 50 hours in a 47 hour work week. The owner of the company takes care of us. Appearently hes figured out a happy tech is a profitable tech. He even takes us up to lake erie to go fishing on his boat a few times a year (100+ employees, 2 groups, big *** boat plus some rentals).

These threads really help me to realize how good I have it.

To answer the OPs question, I have never worked for anyone that provided tools other than racks, floor jacks, and shop equipment. Sears gave a good discount though and ,most tech schools get a damn good break on the tool trucks.

IMHO though only fools rush in and buy that 10000 starter set without spending a few years in the business and by then you have most of it. I started with a 240 piece craftsman set and started building from there. It makes me sick every year when I do my taxes