I was at the local Toyota dealer having a recall done on my car. I noticed that all the toolboxes were Lista style, they were either very close together or attached to form a wall of tool box. Has any here worked at a dealer that provided/required you to use their tool box? Would such a dealer customise the drawer arrangement to suit the specifics techs needs? I'm not sure how I would feel about putting all my tools in an box owned by someone else.
Dealerships providing tool boxes for techs?
- Thread starter Aqua-Andy
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gdocktor3
Well-known member
I'm having serious deja vu right now....
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Earlier this year, thread turned into a train wreck
Can't bring toolbox to work?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327511
Can't bring toolbox to work?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327511
jdlong
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If dealerships really cared about the quality of service they provided, they would issue $50,000 tool sets to their mechanics.
[email protected]
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I worked at a large Audi dealer and they provided tool boxes and tool carts. They were all the same drewer config.
MadTinkerer
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The Benz dealer I work at supplies snap-on 7022 boxes along with a cart and a bench with a hutch
nickelmore
Well-known member
I called on a Ryder Truck repair shop that had 15 new boxes ready to be swap int the shop.
I understand that you can add to the box what you want but when you leave it get inventoried and is set up from what "corp says" you need.
I understand that you can add to the box what you want but when you leave it get inventoried and is set up from what "corp says" you need.
I seemto have that ability with my threads
tonyciambrone
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My sources tell me Lexus has built in tool chests over in Westmont...I am pretty sure the guys can have roll carts though but not 100%
gdocktor3
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sorry, mechanics are independent contractors and as such are responsible for their own tools
However, most dealerships have quite a bit of money invested in the factory mandated special tools.http://www.sharkprofessional.com/pr...ucts/60-inch-Tool-Storage/SP-1060D-9-Toolbox/
They compare to Shure products.
http://www.shureusa.com/
There are several manufacturers of dealer shop equipment besides the usual truck brand or vidmar type stuff. The trend for a more uniform shop appearance is catching on.
This right here
No other trade that I can think of has lower starting wages and such a high initial tool investment
You can start off as a plumber with an adjustable wrench making $20 an hour to start or as a mechanic $10,000 in debt to snap on for $13 an hour on flat rate
maxpower_hd
Well-known member
My brother is a machine mechanic for a large company. A few years ago they told everyone to take their boxes home. Then they provided basic tool boxes for every day tools and a tool crib for the specialty tools. All inventoried and you are responsible to keep it that way. So the can actually charge you if you loose a tool.
I like the tool crib idea but really prefer my own every day tools.
I like the tool crib idea but really prefer my own every day tools.
maintguy
Well-known member
Hey industrial maintenance is the same way.
sberry
Banned
Mechanics are not independent contractors at dealers. They get a paycheck from the dealer.
nbpt100
Well-known member
Up until recently, if you wanted to be a pilot you'd spend six figures and a number of years on an education to get a ~20k/yr job for a long time. Now you'd be lucky to make that while flight instructing for the 2-3 years it'll take to get the minimum experience required to get a regional airline job, where most now pay in the 30-40k range.
Sorry, mechanics are independent contractors and as such are responsible for their own tools
http://www.sharkprofessional.com/pr...ucts/60-inch-Tool-Storage/SP-1060D-9-Toolbox/
They compare to Shure products.
http://www.shureusa.com/
There are several manufacturers of dealer shop equipment besides the usual truck brand or vidmar type stuff. The trend for a more uniform shop appearance is catching on.
Some seriously clean looking shops in their gallery. Looks like in-ground lifts are also making a comeback!
Lots of Asian manufacturers here in the states have that philosophy.
Company provides all the tools.
Their QC programs require some documentation that the tools are adequate.
They can't track QC if they can't document what tools are being used.
Pretty common trend. I expect the Japanese dealerships may be moving that way as well.
Company provides all the tools.
Their QC programs require some documentation that the tools are adequate.
They can't track QC if they can't document what tools are being used.
Pretty common trend. I expect the Japanese dealerships may be moving that way as well.
nbpt100
Well-known member
I can also see how the high end dealers are very concerned about how the shop looks. If there are a variety old beat up looking tool boxes of varying colors and sizes they may not like that appearance.
They are big in to appearances.
I know the Sonic tool box is organized with cut outs for every tool. This is nice so you know what is missing and where everything should be. Very efficient. I would not be surprised if that is how they are organized. It is a significant investment but smart way to work.
3 Gun Shooter
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The local Honda and Volkswagen dealers have blue built in tool boxes. If a mechanics wants one of the tool carts needs to be the same or very close to it blue.
nbpt100
Well-known member
I had an Auto mechanic teacher once say to me if you tell someone it will be $500 to fix their car they will freak out. If you tell them it is $20k to fix their roof they are ok.They see it as an investment. They say I will just get a home equity loan and get it done.
A home is an appreciating asset (usually) A car is just a money drain.
I would tell any young person be an electrician or a plumber over an auto mechanic any day. More money and a lot less to keep up with too. Things don't change very fast in the world of plumbing.
It would be more like if you had to buy the plane you would be flying and be expected to continue your education staying current on every new plane your company makes (and has ever made)
3 Gun Shooter
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You said it right there, most people don't have a problem fixing their house, but don't really want to pay to fix their car.
sberry
Banned
I really don't like working on cars now and would probably shoot myself if I had to face auto work every day. The best thing about it now is getting it done.
Only reason I do any of it now is I got to and I can and its usually more work to have someone do it.
Only reason I do any of it now is I got to and I can and its usually more work to have someone do it.
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JonnyMac
Well-known member
Ford provide their own tools worldwide. Kinda nice that there is no reason to dig into your own paycheck in order to be able to do your job
Interesting comments, I was not trying to stir up a hornets nest, just curious. After reading some of the responses I can see it from the dealerships perspective. I will admit that the built in tool boxes look nice, but.... I like how my tool box is set up and it is very efficient for "me". I will admit that my tool box set up was sort of an eyesore, Green Matco 8525 box with gold trim (dealer was issued it when he bought the route and got it for a song), to the left of the big box was a Craftsman stack red with black draws on top and all black on bottom, all roller bearing slides. Mounted on the side of the Cman box was a power strip, retractable extension cord and all my chargers. It was the perfect set up, I would wheel it around the shop and even out in the parking lot if that was the only spot to work. I guess I would miss the flexibility my setup had.
I work at a dealer and we have built in boxes similar to lista. Ours are Rousseau with stainless tips. Very good quality I've seen guys stand on the drawers. Also our parts dept is full of similar Rousseau cabinets and drawers. Most of us have carts. I bought a large cart / box on the side that I keep beside my box mostly for special tools (I figure if I'm going to wear out any box it might as well be the one I have no money invested in). The dealer didn't want us to have any carts, then gave in and said if they matched we could bring them, then it got to a point of who cares. Most guys have red because it's the cheapest (China made) and just beat the **** out of them.
nbpt100
Well-known member
What brand of hand tools is Ford now using?
ttpete
Well-known member
Over here, Ford furnishes tools to those who work directly for the company, as I did in product development. I could have anything I needed to do my job.
I don't know about dealerships, though.
No where as nice a snap on or matco. Drawers are flimsy. I have had lots of nuts fall off from the chrome trim.
Teenager with old tools
Well-known member
My auto teacher complained about how it was a pain in the rear that she had to load all her tools in her truck when she left Toyota so I guess that one had the mechanics bring their own tools
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This is the way of the future (present?). Today's consumers do not want to see a shop full of guys in greasy blue jeans and an old ratty decal'd up toolbox.
The Lexus dealer in my area has a shop that looks like an operating room and a full glass wall into the service waiting area.
The Toyota side of the business isn't quite that nice - no real visibility - but you can see the consistent built-in work areas.
I see no issue with supplying all your own tools (I wouldn't want to have the dealer supply them) and using the built-in benches and boxes. To me, it looks like it is a very well thought out design.
The Lexus dealer in my area has a shop that looks like an operating room and a full glass wall into the service waiting area.
The Toyota side of the business isn't quite that nice - no real visibility - but you can see the consistent built-in work areas.
I see no issue with supplying all your own tools (I wouldn't want to have the dealer supply them) and using the built-in benches and boxes. To me, it looks like it is a very well thought out design.
Clean, neat, and put together just puts off a good vibe to the consumer. My favorite mechanic has a pretty unimpressive shop in a horrible part of town. The inside of that dump is kept pretty much spotless and he expects his technicians to keep it that way. Maybe a little different to the topic at hand though since he doesn't supply boxes.
I did tour a dealer that purchased snapon work centers/boxes for every station but that was more of a control aspect for the service manager. Dude was intense and had a rep for moving your box out by the street while on a test ride to inform you that you're fired.
JonnyMac
Well-known member
Uk based product development used to be snap on boxes with various tools.. i think thats now changed to britool but im not certain on that. Australia used to be sidchrome until competition allowed other equivalent companies to get a foot in the door. US was snap on some years ago but im not sure now. Basically there is a standard kit availabke for various trades, problem is as the technology changes the kits dont always get updated so the required tool is just purchased by the company
SawtoothJL
Well-known member
Yep. And a lot of it requires 3/4" or even 1" drive stuff that employers don't supply...
Schurkey
Well-known member
I tell the pups they should be dental hygienists. The same two years at trade school, but when you're done, you get paid more, you get to work in-doors (heated in winter, cooled in summer, no dust, no wind) and you only have to buy a dental pick.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
No other trade that I can think of has the same level of peer pressure to start a $13/hour career $10,000 + in debt to a tool truck....