A very naive tools question

[volunteers]

I am not a professional and I don't know any professionals in this field.
The question is:

If you are hired by a company, say an IT company, the computer is your tool and the company will buy computers for you to use.

I don't know if you are hired as a mechanical professional to turn wrench, will the company make all the tools ready for you? either snap-on or craftsman?

I saw many people talked about buying tools from truck, do they pay from their pocket or they get refund (reimbursement) from their employer?

 

[tbobbo]

In the auto business its generally a given that someone working as a mechanic needs their own tools. A few places will supply you tools. Often tire techs are supplied the tools they need. I dont know about other industries.
Some shops give tool allowances, I have never seen one in my area. Tools can be used as a tax write off if you itemize your return, but its not that big of deal.

 

[volunteers]

In the auto business its generally a given that someone working as a mechanic needs their own tools. A few places will supply you tools. Often tire techs are supplied the tools they need. I dont know about other industries.
Some shops give tool allowances, I have never seen one in my area. Tools can be used as a tax write off if you itemize your return, but its not that big of deal.

Tax return thing is new to me, very good to know. Thanks

 

[tbobbo]

Also most shops have specialty tools that pertain to their field, mostly bigger items that a regular guy cant afford. My shop has a scan tool, and a few alignment tools. It varies from shop to shop. I worked at a dealership and they had a whole room of specialty tools. Make no mistake, I would say I have over 50,000 in tools over my 20 years of wrenching, but thats been spread out so its not that bad over time. I spent 5000 just this year, and this was the first time I was able to itemize.

 

[Jwrightkustomz]

The automotive business can have a lot of turn over sometimes, so it's not really cost effective to keep buying tools for someone everytime you hire. Yeah you can try to keep track but it never really works. The real tool is the knowledge, experience and capacity to find the information to complete the task at hand. If you're a serious tech you would want your own tools anyway. No sense in having the experience if you have no means of execution when you leave the job.

 

[Shipfittin]

In the shipyard industry, I supply my own tools as far as all the basics go. But just like the auto guys, my job will provide like my specialty tools (ie: torches, welding machines, etc.)

 

[crewchief888]

ive been working for heavy eq dealerships for over 25 years.

normally you are required to have basic hand tools up to 1 1/2", air tools as required, usually up to 1/2" dr

welders, torches, presses, large pullers, larger wrenches and sockets above 1 1/2"
3/4" & 1" drive supplied by the dealership
'special" tools provided by the dealership

i was a machinist for several years before that, we were required to have basic machinists tools as the job required.

some dealerships have a tool allowance program that pays $**.** per month/quarter/year.

 

[sdguy55]

I have just started off working as a mechanic for the heavy equipment industry and i have the basics up to 1" but i have to say at the two places i have worked your almost better off buying all your specialty tools anyways. With as many guys as there are in our shop your eventually gonna have a time where someone else is using your tool that you need. And both shops i have worked in dont do a very good job of keeping track of there tools. So were extremely short on over 1" sockets, wrenches, special tools.

 

[The Dutchman]

I've spent 50 grand over 25 years; 2 grand/year average. At the 2 dealerships I worked at I only worked on a couple different makes & was supplied with a sufficient amount of special service tools. Still I had a boatload of tools, I thought. Then I found work at a local garage where they work on any car or truck up to 1 ton, but mostly just do routine maintenance. Still, to my dismay, I was continually without the necessary tool. So this year I've gone nuts & spent 15 grand on tools! I'm single & don't have a SO to cry over checks written to the Snap On guy.

We like to ***** about how much we have to shell out in tools, but OTOH we're fiercely proud of our collections. The other guys at work tease me about buying unnecessary tools, but then they're over at my box weekly asking ti borrow this or that. I don't mind. It vindicates me.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Even in light and medium mfgr. , specialty and assembly jobs, it is the employee's responsiblilty to keep the minimum required tools and a toolbox per the company's requirement.

Often specailty tools like die grinders, air saws and air drills will be provided or "assigned" to you and expendibles like burrs, drill bits, saw blades, screwdriver bits, etc. are provided free and by the employer.

THe higher the pay or grade of the job, the more likely you are supplied with tools, but, as many a floor boss has stated here on GJ and I have seen first hand, if you gave out or assigned tools to a guy on an assembly line making $8 hr with the usual high rate of employee or contract worker turnover, all your profit would go to just buying tools that constantly "get legs" and go missing.

BTDT.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i have most everything i need for most services, however i dont have a full complement of every tool(found out last week when i didnt have a 9mm allen for expedition brakes.)
if i dont have a tool; the boss man most likely does. Everything from pullers to separators to torx plus and vw spline drive
The shop provides air, a press, lifts, jacks, stands, a/c machines, work tables; if they provided anything more the newest guy would prolly call it his, and wed never see it again
its also a pride issue to have everytool you need for the jobs you see