clarence wetzel
Active member
most of the guys at my shop dont say much about my tools but gasp about how many i have accumulated in such a short time . till i remind them about all the overtime i was putting in just before i got the new job.
Things people say about your tools.
- Thread starter kiatech
- Start date
The guys at my old job always commented on how many tools I had and how crammed my tool cabinet was. They also told me I always brought to much with me out to the ships or to the plants. But guess who they came running to when they needed that low profile or stubby ratchet, an allen socket or butane torch.
I might have taken me two more minutes to carry my toolbag and toolbox to site, but I saved more time than that on not having to borrow tools from the ships engineer or going back to the shop for something.
They also commented when ever I would bring in more tools. I tried to explain that I neither smoked, drank, spent money on sportschannels or golf, and that these tools would last me a hell of a lot longer than their hangover or nicotine buzz and cost less per year than those habits.
I might have taken me two more minutes to carry my toolbag and toolbox to site, but I saved more time than that on not having to borrow tools from the ships engineer or going back to the shop for something.
They also commented when ever I would bring in more tools. I tried to explain that I neither smoked, drank, spent money on sportschannels or golf, and that these tools would last me a hell of a lot longer than their hangover or nicotine buzz and cost less per year than those habits.
justanengineer
Well-known member
The most common comments I get are the usual "Thats a cool one, never seen one before" sort. The other variety is my personal favorite, "You paid how little for that? and you really need to take me to the auction/fleas/yard sales with you sometime."
fatfillup
Well-known member
I have a used tool store in conjunction with my pressure washer store. I have more inventory then 3 or 4 Snap on trucks. I hear the same 3 comments from customers all the time.
First time customer,,,,,,,,,,,Oh my God!!
Followed a little later by,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'll be back
Third comment is by repeat customers,,,,,,,,,,,I gotta get out of here!!
First time customer,,,,,,,,,,,Oh my God!!
Followed a little later by,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'll be back
Third comment is by repeat customers,,,,,,,,,,,I gotta get out of here!!
5mall5nail5
Well-known member
"Do you have a _____ ? It'd make this project so much easier!"
"No - let's go buy one!"
"No - let's go buy one!"
woody 73
Well-known member
"Wow that is a lot of...did you ever think of opening a hardware store."
ianguilly
Well-known member
"Ian will buy anything that's green" here that on the snap on truck. Get poked at for keeping my tools clean and neat, but then again I get other te h asking to borrow all the time.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I've gotten that one before too! As well as "Hell! You have a hardware store in here!"
RCStocker
Well-known member
It is a good thing my tools can't hear and don't have a complex.
They don't know that they are being talked about and I am sure if they did they would not care.
I, for one don't give a rip what people think about my tools. My cheap ones to just as good of job as my more expenisve ones. They are always ready and willing to take any use I put them to. I don't abuse the tools. I might the wife, kids and pets then again I don't have any of those either. LOL
They don't know that they are being talked about and I am sure if they did they would not care.
I, for one don't give a rip what people think about my tools. My cheap ones to just as good of job as my more expenisve ones. They are always ready and willing to take any use I put them to. I don't abuse the tools. I might the wife, kids and pets then again I don't have any of those either. LOL
chadster1
Well-known member
I want one of everything....
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Chad, you don't count 
You drive around a giant toolbox all day and every one of us is jealous
You drive around a giant toolbox all day and every one of us is jealous
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
Heard recently from a machinery factory rep / technical support guy I had'nt seen in a year or so. He walked out into the shop: " Hey I need to ask you a ques....HOLY ****!"
And everyone borrows my stuff 'cause I usually have the right tool for any given job....even the parts guy got jealous I had a nicer saw for cutting lengths of suction hose.
And everyone borrows my stuff 'cause I usually have the right tool for any given job....even the parts guy got jealous I had a nicer saw for cutting lengths of suction hose.
basspro
Well-known member
Being in industry outside of the automotive world, I own alot of industrial brands, all top quality and some snap on. Most production workers think that if its not Snap-On its junk. I would say the majority comment all the time about how nice it must be for the company to purchase our tools/box. Haha, I just laugh and tell them that I am in fact very proud to have purchased my OWN box full of tools, then they shut up. Other than that people dont say much, us mechanics talk tools amongst each other everyday however.
Nitroinsane
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2013
- Messages
- 73
Today the co owner of the shop told me I was a sucker for owning all snap on and Mac tools. I immediately took all of MY TOOLS he was using and locked them up
mikester
Well-known member
One of my friends buys all Craftsman. I mean EVERY tool that he owns. Even power tools. He comes over and hes looking at my Proto and Armstrong polished combination wrenches and he asks me where I bought this "junk. Same with the Porter Cable and Milwaukee drills. He swears theyre ****. Its kinda funny.
fatfillup
Well-known member
Way to go!! You also need to tell him if he borrows it twice, he needs to buy it.
diesel research
Well-known member
forgot, several craftsman fanboys have made similar snide comments, and generally clueless of tools outside of the sears catalog. Quick to point out the massive quantity of items they have, even though 90% is fluff filler. Typically entry level guys with every tool sears sells, so i cut them some slack, and do not rub it in when their raised panel wrenches arent long enough, or their raised panel ratchets slip and bust their knuckles again.
WSMC633
Well-known member
My future Father In Law owns a repair shop. He has pretty much whatever you could think of to fix most cars. He said I'm pretty much the only person he has ever had to borrow a tool from. 
Guess I'm doing something right.
Guess I'm doing something right.djjsr
Well-known member
If you're happy with your tools, it really doesn't matter what other people think.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
I only have one friend that cares as much about tools and stuff as I do. At work its kind of the opposite of the OP because I catch a lot of **** for having spent a lot of money on tools... I dont let it bother me, especially when my boss says something about what Im using and then days later asks to borrow. Who cares, they can shove it. Im happy
canuckian
Well-known member
Other than the occasional "are you sure you need so many *insert name of tool here*?" from the wife, not many people say anything but then again, I don't use my tools for a living so they don't get as much "exposure" to people for comments. People who know me well enough to be privy to what's in the shop either have the same taste in tools/equipment as I have or they don't care one way or the other. My dad was a little shocked the first time he pulled a toolbox drawer open looking for a screwdriver. The comment was something to the effect of "why do you need so many tools if you work on computers for a living". My thoughts on that is if someone has to ask that kind question, they've already got their mind made up that you've "wasted" your money so there's no point in saying anything. The basic tools required to do my job can be had for less than $100 total cost. I wish I could say that about the tools for my hobbies.
O RLY
Well-known member
When my GF goes "you spent HOW MUCH on that!?!? I say how much did that purse or heels cost ya? I win everytime....
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
at least your tools make you money, and dont sit in the closet after being worn once lol!jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Canuckian, realistically I could fix just about any computer with a #2 phillips and a pair of pliers, but what fun would that be
shampoop
Well-known member
Sounds like it depends on what industry you're talking about. The electrical industry is very different. Can't tell you how many times I've heard it's the journeymans job to teach from the higher ups. The apprentice's job to learn is a given. Duh. But there is a BIG difference between telling an apprentice hey go do that, vs. do this instead of that because of this reason. There is a thought process and a logical reason to do things a certain way, and to make the apprentice better, you need to share that information. People don't become professional athletes by watching sports on TV, they have experienced veterans others coach them.
I'm an apprentice and have learned next to nothing at work in the past few months doing something very similar to what you describe. Lately I've only asked questions to avoid being yelled at. Seriously, all of the time, I ask how to do something that I already know how to do excellently in every sense of the word because either I'll get stopped and told to do it in an inferior way, or because it's just a ****** no win situation, and by passing the decision buck to the journeyman, not allowing them to ***** about the decision.
NOTHING annoys me more than being expected to become skilled and develop expertise at a trade, but instead being instructed to perform mindless monotonous labor every day. The street goes both ways.
canuckian
Well-known member
Canuckian, realistically I could fix just about any computer with a #2 phillips and a pair of pliers, but what fun would that be
lol true. I was thinking more along the lines of termination tools but for computers, yep you're right. Actually with the newer ones we're getting now it's all tabs and slots so no tools required really.
adamsredlines
Well-known member
Most if em give me grief for buying so many tools but they sure know who o call when they need a tool! Suddenly its no so crazy when they need a oddball tool or something in a bigger size.
I give my neighbor shi^ about is tools. He is a handyman and technically I am but my main trade is electrical. Anyway he brags about all the tools he has in his double garage but it's mostly chinese **** and HF ****.
I tell him I have less tools because I buy quality tools that last and mostly USA stuff. Like they say it's not about quantity it's about quality.
I can go out and buy half of the HF store in one shot but I would be exchanging most of it out pretty quickly because most of it broke.
Anyway in the end all I really care about is what I buy. My tools are my money makers, my hobby pretty much my life so I invest into quality stuff.
I tell him I have less tools because I buy quality tools that last and mostly USA stuff. Like they say it's not about quantity it's about quality.
I can go out and buy half of the HF store in one shot but I would be exchanging most of it out pretty quickly because most of it broke.
Anyway in the end all I really care about is what I buy. My tools are my money makers, my hobby pretty much my life so I invest into quality stuff.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Canuckian, realistically I could fix just about any computer with a #2 phillips and a pair of pliers, but what fun would that be
Sounds like we got a couple "Computer Guys" here...
Agreed, #2 and a Pair of Pliers is absolute basic... I also use my P1 quite a bit (Laptop screws).
Due to some new processes, I now use my Whia Security T7 quite a bit too.
I dont "NEED" a MAC 20pc Screwdriver set, or a complete set of Whia Security Torx Screwdrivers, or my MAC toolbag, and various other "nice tools", but sure makes my job easier.
As far as what other people say...depends on who's talking. My dad who spent +/- 34 years as a Millwright has a very different outlook on tools & brands then my Father In Law who is a very good shade tree mechanic..and excellent at bodywork.
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Polski-Chevy
Well-known member
Sounds like the only tool they really need is a good cell phone to contact a tow truck and to find a local shop
Ryf
Well-known member
ummm.. if someone ever wasted my companies money on bs games and hazing they'd be fired. that kid and you are paid to work in some capacity and those games are wasting funds and running up labor... which causes lost contracts to employers due to going over budget. no offense to anyone intended, but this kinda stuff isn't ok.
dsmnickk90
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- Joined
- Sep 24, 2011
- Messages
- 711
If only he knew all his sockets are the exact same as Armstrong.
shampoop
Well-known member
I think that kind of stuff really exists simply because some people in the world are assholes for life and it's their best excuse for being an *******.
Getting all deep and philosophical about needing to battle and suffer so that you can appreciate what you have. You know how people never change? What if all of that bullying effort was in vain? What if it had zero affect on the apprentices character traits by the time they journey out. Is it not possible that if instead of wasting all of that time and effort with hazing and mindless work tasks, the apprentice spent all of that time learning their trade? Getting better and more knowledgeable at their trade. Sounds like a good way to reduce the amount of fresh journeyman that don't know what they're doing. Appreciating the job doesn't mean much if you find yourself unemployed due to a lack of skills/knowledge/speed.
I usually get the man your tools look dirty or worn out..your box is cluttered you need a bigger one. I'm a neat person but not OCD or ****. There not museum pieces they make me money every day.....the box doesn't match the side cab I get picked on for that I just tell them that box doesn't make a dime the tools do and I'm not compensating for a smal....well nvm. I work with alot of **** OCD tool borrowers it *****.