? for you pros

[Joelfke]

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.

where are you studying GMASEP!? i too am a GMASEP student in central NJ and just lost my internship....looking into ACdelco stores since dealers are empty..

 

[Joelfke]

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

it makes me chuckle when students i goto school with get sucked into buying 10k worth of brand new tools when they barely know which way to turn a bolt to get it off....

i too started out with the 240 pc craftsman set and in a year and change i have many tool brands and i acquire as i need but in no way shape or form am i going into debt with a tool truck

 

[Stick]

I got lucky, my first job as a mechanics helper, was a government contract where tools were provided. Each mechanic signed out a box of tools at the start of their employment, and paid for anything missing at the end. I took the advice of one of the lead mechanics when I started and bought tools and a toolbox even though the company provided them, and by the time the contract was over (3 years), I had about $10k in tools. Other guys who worked there left with nothing to show for it, because they had blown all of their money on god knows what.

Now several years later, I work in a union shop, and the contract we work under specifies what the mechanics provide, and what the shop provides. Anything really big ticket is provided like 1" impact stuff, pullers over 25 tons, factory scan tools, wrenches over 2", etc. Several of us still buy bigger ticket items, like the vantage pro that I own, But you never know what the next contract you work under will provide.

It ***** for the guys just starting out, but it is a good way to make sure that anyone who comes to work is reasonably well equipped for pretty much anything that comes their way.

 

[Vinko]

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.

Or if tools are provided, some people don't respect them. There's a problem of some guys thinking they've got to "improve upon" a tool with a grinding wheel

I don't think many machinists would want to use someone else's tools. You have your own stuff, and that's it. Other guys don't touch your stuff, you don't touch theirs.

 

[JD6619A]

the last place I worked you provided your own hand tools, air tools, drills. The employer would supply the consumables.

The new place where I will be working soon they supply you with a E350 Van (they replace them every 3 years and are diesel) , a small generator and some shelves, the rest is your duty.

Havent been to many places that provide the tools.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Years ago, I was talking to an EMD mechanic on the rig about the size of tools he used, and he told me that anything above 1", the company bought for him. I said 1" drive, and he said, NO, 1" hex size.

Also, quite a few ag equipment dealers have an allowance to help their technicians purchase tools, but I have NO idea how that works, I wound up having better tools and shop equipment than the last dealer I worked at had in the shop.

 

[mkdive]

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

Hattori KD series......is IMO the best blade that money can buy. It will carve circles around swiss made blades.

Though the price is high...I guess this would be the SO of the kitchen blade world. (J.A. Henckels, Shun, Victorinox, Boker, Mercer, messermeister...don't campare to Hattori).
His HD & FH lines are made for more of the every day kitchen user or even chef. But the KD series is a freaking work of art!

http://www.japanesechefsknife.com/KDSeries.html

my .02

 

[catmech]

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

Mr. cwstevens92 - my hat is off to you. I read a thread you posted about buying Amercan made tools, your posts about tool isurance, breaking sockets and then this. You appear to be a great guy. I know I would be proud to work in your shop and I am guessing that your guys have a ton of respect for you.

As far as having to buy my own tools - well I think of it like this; when the time comes that I no longer belong in the shop I am working at it is a relief to know that I will be able to take my tools, my education and my experience out the door and down the road to the next opportunity knowing that I am ready to hit the floor running. No matter what these three things are mine and go with me when I leave.

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

Mr. cwstevens92 - my hat is off to you. I read a thread you posted about buying Amercan made tools, your posts about tool isurance, breaking sockets and then this. You appear to be a great guy. I know I would be proud to work in your shop and I am guessing that your guys have a ton of respect for you.

As far as having to buy my own tools - well I think of it like this; when the time comes that I no longer belong in the shop I am working at it is a relief to know that I will be able to take my tools, my education and my experience out the door and down the road to the next opportunity knowing that I am ready to hit the floor running. No matter what these three things are mine and go with me when I leave.

I couldn't have said it any better.

 

[southpier]

Requiring a craftsman to have their own tools is a double check that they know something about being a craftsman. 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.

we have a winner!

 

[expatriated]

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

Right. Pakkawood can't go into the dishwasher, contrary to what my wife thinks.

Like a snap on wrench, they have to be treated with kid gloves: polished, place on a pillow, kissed good night, etc.