Snapon Epiq, the modular solution to avoid loosing money trading up boxes

[BarrelRoll]

There's tons of tool truck box threads on here. Snapon offers an option many people don't realize exist. It's probably still too expensive for most home gamers though is a great better than husky though not $7-10k option for an entry level tech.

Here's the back story:

1 thing that annoys me is snapon loves to sell newer mechanics classic series boxes. For 99% of mechanics they are stepping stone boxes, 24" deep 55" or 73" wide, 120 pound drawer slides, and entry level boxes. Usually they are full within 1-2 years, the guy sees a shiny 54" or 73" master series on the truck and trades in his classic because he'll have so much more room with the deeper drawers. Boom within a couple more years it's full again, snapon discontinued the master series top boxes so the guy can't buy a top box to go up. His only option is adding on lockers to his masters or trading it in on a bigger Epiq. Usually he'll finally go with the epiq for long term upgrade ability. To get to this point he's spent a lot on interest and on his 3rd or 4th box. There's an option Snapon doesn't want you to know about. The 36" Epiq side cabinet.

Here's the typical KRA2411 Classic series they love to sell to new mechanics.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/KRA...assic-Series-Roll-Cab-(Royal-Blue)/KRA2411PCM

$5,770
2,400lb load capacity
120lb drawer slides
23, 612 cubic inches of storage
6,300 square inches of storage

Here's the 36" Epiq side cabinet

https://shop.snapon.com/product/KEE...r-EPIQ™-Series-End-Cabinet-(Red)/KEEN361A0PBO
$5,295
4,000 load capacity
227lb drawer slides
23,016 cubic inches of storage
5,824 square inches of storage
Not shown are the 2 "shipping casters" which many people have used for years till they've bolted it up to another epiq.

The Epiq side cabinet has darn near the same amount of room for less money and a higher weight rating than the classic. The 30" deep drawers also make it a lot more usable than 24" deep drawers. The only downfall is the lack of a wider drawer for things like 30"+ pry bars and breaker bars. Once the bottom epiq is full you can add an upper drawer section, bolt on a locker, bolt on another 36", or bolt it on to a normal 60"+ epiq. They also offer a 36" hutch which is a nice option if you want a hutch that's smaller than the whole top box. It's very modular to allow a mechanic to build on what he's bought to fit his needs vs. having to trade in/ buy another box for more room.

I ended up ordering the box shown below in grey and purple. I attached a quote from my rep for the complete setup showing typical rebates/ trade in value (I have that much cash into the box getting traded in) and interest rate, it's showing weekly instead of monthly payments. They had it on special at the snapon expo in the fall and my rep grabbed me one, I don't have the quote here of how much was saved ordering at the expo though it's several thousand off. I finally take delivery next week.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Yet nobody is forcing a person to buy Snap On anything......

 

[Luciferi]

I can find much better ways to spend $21,000.

 

[dr_clyde]

I’ve never lost money trading in a box.

I buy them used, use them for a few years and then sell them or trade them in for what I paid or a small profit.

I don’t buy a new box unless they get a hell of a lot cheaper either.

I have Snap-on and Kennedy boxes, none cost me more than a few grand.

Epiq boxes are nice, no doubt. But your logic of people paying interest and losing money every time they upgrade is probably a bit flawed.

I’m sure there are some guys who finance themselves into a hole but most of the drivers I’ve dealt with will sell a new tech a box on a truck account so they’re not paying interest and will usually take the box they sold you back on trade for what you paid assuming condition hasn’t really changed. They often will give you a healthy “discount” on a new box with a trade in as well.

 

[crewchief888]

I’ve never lost money trading in a box.


me either.
i havnt "upgraded" my work boxes since '85
garage boxes were bought new from SO in the mid 90's.
aint getting rid of any of them anytime soon (er or later)

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My fear with the epiq is losing availability of a color. That's why I always wanted basic colors. My true desire is white with black trim, but I'd be too scared they would discontinue the color and I couldn't add on. My current shop has a floor too unlevel to keep a large epiq train. I have a 1033 with 2 lockers, and a 1032 next to it. I'll buy lockers again when the time comes.

I've a had a few drivers tell me they try to keep people from buying any accessories for classic series stuff as the resale is weaker and they'll usually outgrow it regardless. Rock-n-roll box guys are just dying, dying, to sell me a mr big despite it being a downgrade in size. And our floors couldn't have one continuous box along the wall. I would like to move the boxes up front where I typcially work, but it's too dangerous due to retard tire guy delivery people and clumsy coworkers. I already cringe having someone pull cars in and out in a bay near them. Floors are flat enough there to put a super box.


I really love the modular/industrial looks of the top/bottom single bay epiqs. Like the sister of a Lista cabinet who's a model. Hot stuff.

 

[richfinn]

How much is the monthly payment on something like that?

 

[mike93lx]

How much is the monthly payment on something like that?

3 years at 10% is 678/month. No idea what the actual rates are, but I'd be surprised if they aren't higher.

If they are lower, you're paying for it by the loss of a cash discount, which should be factored into the financing cost.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How much is the monthly payment on something like that?

3 years at 10% is 678/month. No idea what the actual rates are, but I'd be surprised if they aren't higher.

If they are lower, you're paying for it by the loss of a cash discount, which should be factored into the financing cost.

260 payments of 63.39, that's weekly. 260/month,
Apr is 6%. 260/4/12 is 5.5 year term roughly. Google says a mortgage rate is about 6% currently on a 30year. That makes 6% in general a "good" rate. Best rate I've been offered by SO was 9.9, with a 790 credit score, zero negative marks.

IDK why the financing rebate is only $1k. Seems low but IDK what their current offers are or deal details obviously.

 

[purplezr2]

I don't have much to add other then I wish more people would buy those 36" units so the used market would start filling with them.

I have seen one locally for sale, but it was the wrong color. I would like to add one as I'm out of space in my 84" epiq

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don't have much to add other then I wish more people would buy those 36" units so the used market would start filling with them.

I have seen one locally for sale, but it was the wrong color. I would like to add one as I'm out of space in my 84" epiq

I want a few as dressers in my house.

 

[richfinn]

My Mortgage payments are only £250 ($300) per month and I will be shot of that in a couple of months

If I ran a dealership I would install built in tool storage from day one and let the techs keep the monthly payments themselves, it would have to be better for employee retention and welfare if they all had an extra $500-$1000 to spend?

 

[mike93lx]

My Mortgage payments are only £250 ($300) per month and I will be shot of that in a couple of months

If I ran a dealership I would install built in tool storage from day one and let the techs keep the monthly payments themselves, it would have to be better for employee retention and welfare if they all had an extra $500-$1000 to spend?

Easy to say. Harder to execute on thin margins.

I do think companies should be providing the tools that are needed to get a job done, though. Seems odd that this industry developed that way.

 

[richfinn]

Easy to say. Harder to execute on thin margins.

Something tells me it probably pays off in the long run, better staff retention and engagement, better standard of living for the technicians, better teamwork, company image etc etc.

https://www.listaintl.com/industry-solutions/vehicle-and-engine-service/automotive-dealerships/automotive-services-solutions

 

[mike93lx]

Something tells me it probably pays off in the long run, better staff retention and engagement, better standard of living for the technicians, better teamwork, company image etc etc.

https://www.listaintl.com/industry-solutions/vehicle-and-engine-service/automotive-dealerships/automotive-services-solutions

I'd believe that. Still have to cash flow it in the short term though.

 

[Lt CHEG]

Does SnapOn credit have pre payment penalties? In other words is there anything that would prevent one from using SnapOn credit to buy a box in order to get a good rebate and then pay off the box with cash in say 3 months to avoid paying all the interest and still getting the big rebate?

 

[canuckian]

Does SnapOn credit have pre payment penalties? In other words is there anything that would prevent one from using SnapOn credit to buy a box in order to get a good rebate and then pay off the box with cash in say 3 months to avoid paying all the interest and still getting the big rebate?

I did exactly that with my last box. no penalties.

 

[reader2580]

Easy to say. Harder to execute on thin margins.

I do think companies should be providing the tools that are needed to get a job done, though. Seems odd that this industry developed that way.

The issue I always hear about is mechanics don't respect the tools when the company buys them and replacements for the inevitable lost tools don't always happen quickly. The company may not buy enough of the specialty tools so mechanics end up waiting while someone else is using the tool they need. Maybe there are ten mechanics and only three or four scanners. Mechanics might end up waiting to use a scanner pretty often. If a mechanic buys their own tools they often buy their own scanner. One mechanic here on GJ talks about being the only one with a scanner that can do things like reset electronic parking brakes so gets a lot more of the higher paying jobs.

My employer has machinists and mechanics who supply all of their own basic tools. They get a small tool allowance to buy tools that they get to keep if/when they leave the company. Larger specialized tools are provided by the company. The company provides the specialized software to talk to the engine/transmission computers on our heavy trucks.

 

[dr_clyde]

I once read somewhere that America is a nation of cowboys and real cowboys have their own tack.

 

[richfinn]

I once read somewhere that America is a nation of cowboys and real cowboys have their own tack.

I think the techs should have their own basic tools (with a guidebook) and maybe a tool cart and the company should outfit the workshop with permanent storage facilities and "equipment".

I mean fair enough buying sockets and spanners etc. on an interest free revolving account (or whatever Snap-On calls it nowadays) but allowing staff (especially junior staff) to go into debt for $20k toolboxes is simply bad management.

If I were a Dealer Principle I would negotiate a deal with the tool truck dealers and only let them on site if they sold tools on R/A at an agreed discount (like the industrial reps do) and pass it on to the techs.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I mean fair enough buying sockets and spanners etc. on an interest free revolving account (or whatever Snap-On calls it nowadays) but allowing staff (especially junior staff) to go into debt for $20k toolboxes is simply bad management.

Has anyone ever had an employer insist they only spend their personal money on Snap On tools? It seems to me (from the outside) that tech's have their own free will to spend their personal money on tools that best fit their needs and desires.

If we were to agree that Snap On's pricing and business model is predatory, it still takes a willing person to do business with them. It's no different than any bank/car dealer/credit card company on earth. They provide a service or product and it's up to the consumer if they want to agree to their terms of purchase. Just because it might be a poor financial decision in someone else's eyes, doesn't mean it's wrong as long as both parties agree to the terms.

 

[BarrelRoll]

My Mortgage payments are only £250 ($300) per month and I will be shot of that in a couple of months

If I ran a dealership I would install built in tool storage from day one and let the techs keep the monthly payments themselves, it would have to be better for employee retention and welfare if they all had an extra $500-$1000 to spend?

Here $300 doesn't even get you a room for rent.

I've done the company tools thing. It's nice from a money standpoint though the shop culture needs to be right with good organization and clear expectations. 1 shop was well organized and everything was taken care of, it was easy to find tools and everything got put away every night. Another was a mine, no real organization system or expectations, tools would be hiding in a pump station and you'd burn an hour trying to find a wrench driving through 1000 vertical feet of a mine.

One thing that sucked was going from a place with 100% company tools to almost all personal tools. I ended up spending $5k in tools buying things I didn't have and duplicate tools so I would still have some tools at home. Providing company tools and boxes is a good way to get a guy stuck somewhere, as an experienced mechanic a guy without tools would have to drop a ton of cash to go somewhere that doesn't provide tools and boxes.

My current mine provides some tools though they aren't well taken care of. I needed to pull a pump impeller, grab the big 3 jaw puller, drive underground, go to start pulling, it has the wrong pressure screw in it, it felt fine though slips with pressure on it. Drive up to the surface, find the right pressures screw, threads are boogered. Dig around for the right die, chase threads, look around for the puller tip, can't find it. Drive back underground, start pulling, it's walking without the tip. Back to the surface, weld a nut to a bolt to keep the puller centered, back underground, finally get impeller off. After that I started buying the contents of the snapon puller cabinet on eBay. I now have just about every puller in the cabinet for less than $2k out of pocket.

 

[BarrelRoll]

I can find much better ways to spend $21,000.

High dollar tool boxes are a lot like pickups with leather seats. You can do the same work with a cheaper tool box or a truck with vinyl seats. You don't NEED either though they are nice to have.

My fear with the epiq is losing availability of a color. That's why I always wanted basic colors. My true desire is white with black trim, but I'd be too scared they would discontinue the color...


I really love the modular/industrial looks of the top/bottom single bay epiqs.

That's a fear of mine as well. The grey and purple has been pretty popular so hopefully it stays that way. The normal color combos almost are never on special, I'm pretty sure this is on purpose.

If I ran out of room a 68" single bank epiq will probably be my next purchase.

260 payments of 63.39, that's weekly. 260/month,
Apr is 6%. 260/4/12 is 5.5 year term roughly. Google says a mortgage rate is about 6% currently on a 30year. That makes 6% in general a "good" rate. Best rate I've been offered by SO was 9.9, with a 790 credit score, zero negative marks.

IDK why the financing rebate is only $1k. Seems low but IDK what their current offers are or deal details obviously.

I got quoted 4.5% fall of 2021. Im not sure if they are going to honor the low rate/ what rebates are right now. I'll do $1,000 a month till it's paid off either way.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My Mortgage payments are only £250 ($300) per month and I will be shot of that in a couple of months

If I ran a dealership I would install built in tool storage from day one and let the techs keep the monthly payments themselves, it would have to be better for employee retention and welfare if they all had an extra $500-$1000 to spend?

I pay more than $300 in insurance and taxes. It's like 701 or something all in.

I would.not ever consider working in a place we're management had access to my tools, to loan out and borrow when I'm not there. Because that's exactly how it would go down.

They'd have to give me access to the camera and security/alarm systems at a bare minimum so I could track when people came in and if they were near my things.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Does SnapOn credit have pre payment penalties? In other words is there anything that would prevent one from using SnapOn credit to buy a box in order to get a good rebate and then pay off the box with cash in say 3 months to avoid paying all the interest and still getting the big rebate?

None that I am aware of, or have paid. You gotta read the details though to verify.

I do exactly what you're talking about, take their rebate for financing, then pay it off before interest accrues. Dealer DGAF, and I'm sure snap on credit sees it as the cost of doing business. Last few things i bought, a used cart and a used scanner, just went on the truck account.

 

[richfinn]

Has anyone ever had an employer insist they only spend their personal money on Snap On tools? It seems to me (from the outside) that tech's have their own free will to spend their personal money on tools that best fit their needs and desires.

If we were to agree that Snap On's pricing and business model is predatory, it still takes a willing person to do business with them. It's no different than any bank/car dealer/credit card company on earth. They provide a service or product and it's up to the consumer if they want to agree to their terms of purchase. Just because it might be a poor financial decision in someone else's eyes, doesn't mean it's wrong as long as both parties agree to the terms.

I totally agree with the whole concept of Capitalism don't get me wrong , but part and parcel of that should be using your leverage (or your employers) to get the best deals possible for yourself and those you are responsible for.

It's a long time since I worked in a dealership but I guess lots of techs are buying tools online nowadays.

That said Trade Unions should be negotiating on the techs behalf and educating them to get better deals, I'll bet NASA and Boeing Don't pay retail.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I think the techs should have their own basic tools (with a guidebook) and maybe a tool cart and the company should outfit the workshop with permanent storage facilities and "equipment".

I mean fair enough buying sockets and spanners etc. on an interest free revolving account (or whatever Snap-On calls it nowadays) but allowing staff (especially junior staff) to go into debt for $20k toolboxes is simply bad management.

If I were a Dealer Principle I would negotiate a deal with the tool truck dealers and only let them on site if they sold tools on R/A at an agreed discount (like the industrial reps do) and pass it on to the techs.

Issue is the pay system my man. If you would just pay me my $50/hour that I make on piece work, I'd be fine passing around with hand tools and suffering.

When it's my money to be lost, are we buying press discs in 1mm increments to 2" or 5mm increments up to 6"? Or do I get a bucket of old bearings and a messed up bearing splitter? Do I get told to "make it work" with an Amazon timing tool, or are we buying assenmacher?

If it's the shops problem, I could probably swallow that. When the difference between me making 100k+ or 40k is tools, I need tools.

 

[richfinn]

I pay more than $300 in insurance and taxes. It's like 701 or something all in.

I would.not ever consider working in a place we're management had access to my tools, to loan out and borrow when I'm not there. Because that's exactly how it would go down.

They'd have to give me access to the camera and security/alarm systems at a bare minimum so I could track when people came in and if they were near my things.

Yeah, but I'm a old codger and bought my house 30 years ago for £30,000

 

[richfinn]

Issue is the pay system my man. If you would just pay me my $50/hour that I make on piece work, I'd be fine passing around with hand tools and suffering.

When it's my money to be lost, are we buying press discs in 1mm increments to 2" or 5mm increments up to 6"? Or do I get a bucket of old bearings and a messed up bearing splitter? Do I get told to "make it work" with an Amazon timing tool, or are we buying assenmacher?

If it's the shops problem, I could probably swallow that. When the difference between me making 100k+ or 40k is tools, I need tools.

I'm all for buying tools, it's the toolbox thing that I can't get my head around, some of these guys are paying what my house cost

 

[mike93lx]

I'm all for buying tools, it's the toolbox thing that I can't get my head around, some of these guys are paying what my house cost

Every hobby has expensive stuff, it's just that those are usually luxuries and bought as a splurge not a "necessity"

 

[toolenthusiast]

Issue is the pay system my man. If you would just pay me my $50/hour that I make on piece work, I'd be fine passing around with hand tools and suffering.

When it's my money to be lost, are we buying press discs in 1mm increments to 2" or 5mm increments up to 6"? Or do I get a bucket of old bearings and a messed up bearing splitter? Do I get told to "make it work" with an Amazon timing tool, or are we buying assenmacher?

If it's the shops problem, I could probably swallow that. When the difference between me making 100k+ or 40k is tools, I need tools.

Sometimes it’s a game of chicken between the owner/manager and the techs. For example I’ve worked in plenty of shops where a tech had his own hub grappler. I’ve never seen an owner buy one for the shop if a tech already had one. It ***** but that’s how it seems to roll.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Yeah, but I'm a old codger and bought my house 30 years ago for £30,000

Yeah.... times change. What you paid 30 years ago isn't relevant to today. Just like what a box cost 30 years ago isn't relevant. I'm sure a bottle of coke or a candy bar was cheaper. Well, less money, idk about purchasing power.

I have an 85k house, bought 4 years ago. 3 bedroom, decent area.

Sometimes it’s a game of chicken between the owner/manager and the techs. For example I’ve worked in plenty of shops where a tech had his own hub grappler. I’ve never seen an owner buy one for the shop if a tech already had one. It ***** but that’s how it seems to roll.

Why would they buy? The tech is subsidizing their business. If they could get the techs to pay for the electric bill they would. Imagine office workers bringing their own laptops, desks, etc.

Same reason I don't share tools. They're mine, for my money making. Shop can buy some tools, or pay me hourly to build and maintain a tool room. That they paid to fill.

My hub grappler, they're all my tickets then. Or the other people can use the press

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Here $300 doesn't even get you a room for rent.

I've done the company tools thing. It's nice from a money standpoint though the shop culture needs to be right with good organization and clear expectations. 1 shop was well organized and everything was taken care of, it was easy to find tools and everything got put away every night. Another was a mine, no real organization system or expectations, tools would be hiding in a pump station and you'd burn an hour trying to find a wrench driving through 1000 vertical feet of a mine.

One thing that sucked was going from a place with 100% company tools to almost all personal tools. I ended up spending $5k in tools buying things I didn't have and duplicate tools so I would still have some tools at home. Providing company tools and boxes is a good way to get a guy stuck somewhere, as an experienced mechanic a guy without tools would have to drop a ton of cash to go somewhere that doesn't provide tools and boxes.

My current mine provides some tools though they aren't well taken care of. I needed to pull a pump impeller, grab the big 3 jaw puller, drive underground, go to start pulling, it has the wrong pressure screw in it, it felt fine though slips with pressure on it. Drive up to the surface, find the right pressures screw, threads are boogered. Dig around for the right die, chase threads, look around for the puller tip, can't find it. Drive back underground, start pulling, it's walking without the tip. Back to the surface, weld a nut to a bolt to keep the puller centered, back underground, finally get impeller off. After that I started buying the contents of the snapon puller cabinet on eBay. I now have just about every puller in the cabinet for less than $2k out of pocket.

^ This right here is the long and short of the problem.

If you get paid $50 to change that impeller, you literally cannot afford to go through that process. You'd be making more money at a gas station, making $1 over min wage. Shenanigans like the above example are why shop tools don't work unless you're hourly. Even salary would be a nightmare, with organization like that. You'd be working 60 hour weeks for 25 hours worth of actual work. So instead of lounging with a coffee to burn out the last 30min of your day, you're working unpaid OT to do a job that shouldnt be that long.

Same deal as in auto repair. Instead of a hub grappler, you get to pull the knuckle and put it in a press. And drill out all the cotter pins, chase threads, etc. After you didn't get paid for the 60 point inspection form, made 6 bucks for an oil change and rotate, $0 for the test drive before and after, you HAVE to make time on this bearing.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

My pet peeve was when I had a tool that no one else in the Shop had including management, everyone (management included) then thinking that it was OK to use mine. That use to tick me off.

Wish I had never bought any of the Snap-On boxes or the big Macsmizer box i owned. Honestly wish I had never bought anything from the Tool Trucks. Knowing what I know now I could have saved $100K-$150K easily. Probably more. Problem I had is that when working with the variuos assorted low lifes in the Collision (and even Restoration Shops) trade, is that when you have nice stuff, people want to take it. I've had stuff stolen in the time that it took to go to the front office (after being called up there) and come back 5 minutes later. I had the Owner of one Shop actually pick the lock on the Macsimizer box I owned to get something he needed when I wasn't there. Nearly went to Jail when I found out he did that. I never want to work collision again.

 

[Radio Flyer]

Easy to say. Harder to execute on thin margins.

I do think companies should be providing the tools that are needed to get a job done, though. Seems odd that this industry developed that way.

I have these conversations a lot at work.

Office staff should bring their own computers.

etc.

 

[mike93lx]

I have these conversations a lot at work.

Office staff should bring their own computers.

etc.

If my boss started telling me I was on the hook for my work computer, or travel expenses, I'd laugh and get a new job.

Too bad mechanics can't do the same.

I buy personal tools for personal work. Work buys tools for work they want me to do.

 

[richfinn]

Yeah.... times change. What you paid 30 years ago isn't relevant to today. Just like what a box cost 30 years ago isn't relevant. I'm sure a bottle of coke or a candy bar was cheaper. Well, less money, idk about purchasing power.

I have an 85k house, bought 4 years ago. 3 bedroom, decent area.




Why would they buy? The tech is subsidizing their business. If they could get the techs to pay for the electric bill they would. Imagine office workers bringing their own laptops, desks, etc.

Same reason I don't share tools. They're mine, for my money making. Shop can buy some tools, or pay me hourly to build and maintain a tool room. That they paid to fill.

My hub grappler, they're all my tickets then. Or the other people can use the press

I personally think what a lot of guys like yourself are doing is subconsciously preparing for eventual self employment, your purchasing not just tools but shop equipment in preparation for opening your own shop (I did it my self for 20 years until a different path opened up). This is no bad thing of course if you want to chase that dream (I think you would be good at it BTW), but put some money aside in preparation because one day soon the value of your tools and equipment and the capability it brings will outstrip what an employer is prepared to pay you.

When your better equipped than your employer, you are the business!!

If I were in the USA my money would probably go on the Tekton boxes and not Snap-On Epiq, whatever you save is your first years rent on your own shop or at least a nice chunk of it.

 

[BarrelRoll]

^ This right here is the long and short of the problem.

If you get paid $50 to change that impeller, you literally cannot afford to go through that process. You'd be making more money at a gas station, making $1 over min wage. Shenanigans like the above example are why shop tools don't work unless you're hourly. Even salary would be a nightmare, with organization like that. You'd be working 60 hour weeks for 25 hours worth of actual work. So instead of lounging with a coffee to burn out the last 30min of your day, you're working unpaid OT to do a job that shouldnt be that long.

Same deal as in auto repair. Instead of a hub grappler, you get to pull the knuckle and put it in a press. And drill out all the cotter pins, chase threads, etc. After you didn't get paid for the 60 point inspection form, made 6 bucks for an oil change and rotate, $0 for the test drive before and after, you HAVE to make time on this bearing.

Exactly. I'm hourly so I'm not loosing money playing stupid games though I don't care for them. If I was flat rate I probably wouldn't be here any longer. Our bonus is tied to unplanned down time, so if something is down that hurts our bonus and we are playing stupid games I do feel it in the wallet slightly. We had a horrible supervisor who loved to play games push a kid who's been here 5 more months than me though I have 6 years more experiance than him to the same level of pay I'm at. He can change parts decently though doesn't have a clue when it comes to troubleshooting and should have never been pushed through. When I first started he had a couple hand me down tools. If he's making the same money I am he can buy the same tools I have. I've put my foot down on some things. If my tools are needed for a job I'm on it if I want to be one it, if it's a job I don't want to be on I might loan a tool just so I don't have to do it. My tools do get me a lot more of the higher skilled less back breaking work than the guys with 3 hammer drawers.

I personally think what a lot of guys like yourself are doing is subconsciously preparing for eventual self employment, your purchasing not just tools but shop equipment in preparation for opening your own shop (I did it my self for 20 years until a different path opened up). This is no bad thing of course if you want to chase that dream (I think you would be good at it BTW), but put some money aside in preparation because one day soon the value of your tools and equipment and the capability it brings will outstrip what an employer is prepared to pay you.

When your better equipped than your employer, you are the business!!

If I were in the USA my money would probably go on the Tekton boxes and not Snap-On Epiq, whatever you save is your first years rent on your own shop or at least a nice chunk of it.

That's in the back of my mind as well. I know I won't be here for ever though am not 100% on what the next step or 2 will be. I'm trying to get tooled up enough so I could go out on my own, apply for some of the better paying/ high skilled positions, or change fields and be tooled up to start without a large outlay of cash. This mine I'm at now requires personal tools, the last mine didn't. I ended up dropping $5k on tools for this job before I started buying things I didn't have and duplicates so my box at home wouldn't be completely empty.

 

[1982fxr]

Yeah, but I'm a old codger and bought my house 30 years ago for £30,000

Ok, you're from another country. Your posts make more sense now.

 

[richfinn]

Ok, you're from another country. Your posts make more sense now.

My Mrs and kids are all American Citizens though (dual nationality now actually), so I do feel your pain (God help me, I do)