I need help with box selection...OR a to crowded shop?

[Kona Cruisers]

hello all..
I need some help with tool box /cart selection. My current box is a Matco 1440.
pretty much a 50" box with a matco side locker (half height) and a Matco hang on side cabinet with 6 drawers. Total Drawers is 19 drawers +one in the locker.... around 84"+....

Problem, We added so many techs when we added Hyundai, plus the addition of another Asian Market Manufacture in the future, it became a tight fit in the shop... Then with poor planing, we added lifts to our tight shop and rearanged what we have and Holy **** it got REAL TIGHT real quick. (we added 7 techs to a FULL shop... only two techs have two bays now.)

Ok, well being I am quick service... (we do a bit more then most shops quick service dpt.) the Service Mngr, decided we should get smaller boxes.. Well first when he asks us to do something we don't have tools for be cuase I took specialty tools home. I'll loose it...

I have narrowed it down to a couple of boxes
the

I like this becuase I can put a top box on it and have some good amount of storage.
1500 ish...

more of a true cart. Snap on man said pretty much the same bax as above with an opening top.. upside quick acess down side limited additional storage.

little spendy. INfo???

the expandable matco cart is an option.. but our matco guy is a lil flaky,,

anything else i should consider / why?

thanks

 

[bcjames]

If you can't add width, meaning a bigger footprint on the shopfloor, to me it makes sense to go for a box that allows you to build upward if you need to expand.

 

[TruckTech]

the Service Mngr, decided we should get smaller boxes

Tell him to shove it up his A$$ and buy the whole shop new boxes himself.


On a smarter and more realistic note, I go with the first option, add a top box or hutch (Id got with a hutch personally and use magnetic bars to maximize storage), plus 2 fold down shelves on either side for when you do have space.

Theres one tech at my shop who uses 2 single bay craftsman boxes, he keeps his main stuff in one, and his specialty stuff in another that stays in the storage area. Were not short on space, but he just prefers it.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Tell him to shove it up his A$$ and buy the whole shop new boxes himself.

2nd that or ask him to loosen his tie because he is losing blood flow to his peanut. I would lose the side cabinet and add a top box, if at all change anything. Depends if you can get another job if yours is threatened if you don't i guess.
But to ask a tech to get a smaller box is one of the dumbest things i have heard recently. Seems like they are expanding beyond what they can carry.

 

[daveblank]

the expandable matco cart is an option.. but our matco guy is a lil flaky,,

Buy it from Matco direct.


If you're thinking about a big cart/small box, check out the Matco MSC11. It can be customized to fit your needs.

 

[Kona Cruisers]

.. Kind of temporary. they are suposed to start construction soon but when it is completed who knows...

I understand to a point how many quick service techs have 80+" of box... I would lose side cabinets and go to a top box but is a 80's box that isnt in production anymore so a top box isnt an option.
I do like my job. going from a dealer who never got OLH authorized to one that never gets denied OLH is GREAT!!!

I am kind of leaning to the base/top box option.

 

[TruckTech]

.. Kind of temporary. they are suposed to start construction soon but when it is completed who knows...

I understand to a point how many quick service techs have 80+" of box... I would lose side cabinets and go to a top box but is a 80's box that isnt in production anymore so a top box isnt an option.
I do like my job. going from a dealer who never got OLH authorized to one that never gets denied OLH is GREAT!!!

I am kind of leaning to the base/top box option.

If this whole thing is temporary, I would lose cabinets and find myself an el cheapo top box that may or may not fit perfectly on top for the time being.

Keep your job, and your money.

 

[yogitech]

If its a temporary situation I would look into getting a used craftsman single bay and go the cheaper route.... My .2

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

If this whole thing is temporary, I would lose cabinets and find myself an el cheapo top box that may or may not fit perfectly on top for the time being.

Keep your job, and your money.

If this is only going to be for a few months get a cheap HF or Craftsman top box when you move to the bigger building buy your self a new nice box that will do everything you want and once you are moved in you will know what size can and will fit your needs.

Also this is going to sound dumb but i live in my little nut shell, what does 'OLH authorized' mean?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Tell your service manager he's a **** and that he should organie the shop better instead of telling you to downsize on the tolbox. Never heard anything so ridiculous..

 

[TruckTech]

Also this is going to sound dumb but i live in my little nut shell, what does 'OLH authorized' mean?

Some kind of flat rate term from the goofy world of flat rate mechanics????

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Some kind of flat rate term from the goofy world of flat rate mechanics????

I never really understood how flat rate works, i get payed by the hour weather I work or stand there, they give me a tool allowance and all the consumables I can eat with out question. I didn't think it was a bad gig but maybe there is better

 

[TruckTech]

I never really understood how flat rate works, i get payed by the hour weather I work or stand there, they give me a tool allowance and all the consumables I can eat with out question. I didn't think it was a bad gig but maybe FLAT RATE *****

Fixed

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I never really understood how flat rate works, i get payed by the hour weather I work or stand there, they give me a tool allowance and all the consumables I can eat with out question. I didn't think it was a bad gig but maybe there is better

Flat rate pays based on the number of labour hours you do. If the book says 3 hours for a job, you get paid for those 3 hours. Regardless of whether you do it in 1 hour, 3 hours, 5 hours.. If you work real fast and get a lot of work it's good. If there's not much work, it ain't so good..

I'd rather be on hourly or basic + comission.

You eat consumables???

 

[tw33k2514]

Now maybe it's just me...but if someone asked me to downsize a box I would be pissed! You already dropped a lot of money on your current box( I am assuming). For your boss to expect everyone to just go buy smaller box's is just downright stupid. Unless he is paying, I would tell him to go F himself.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Now maybe it's just me...but if someone asked me to downsize a box I would be pissed! You already dropped a lot of money on your current box( I am assuming). For your boss to expect everyone to just go buy smaller box's is just downright stupid. Unless he is paying, I would tell him to go F himself.

We're on the same wavelength here.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

You eat consumables???

Sorry was trying to make a laugh, at one point they asked why i went though so many Consumables. Rubber gloves- Ear plugs- Gloves etc. I said because i was eating them, so now when i ask for something i always ask for some ketchup with it

You are only supposed to get one pair of mechanic gloves of your choice a month payed for by the company. I always get the most greasy of **** to work on or they burn so i always have to get a few extra.

 

[Kona Cruisers]

OLH = other labor hours.
FOr example. 07 cad CTS came in.. left front bulb out. yadda yadda yadda.. two hours latter a pin connector needed to be replaces under the dash... the pin connector only paid 0.3 plus a 0.3 diag.. I got 1.0 OLH on diag since it wasn't part of any normal Diag....

 

[speed bump]

If I were in that situation I would probably tell him thats nice so when am I getting a raise to pay for this new tool box?


If he keeps insisting I would probably:
1 Check the employee policy manual and see what it has to say about it. Also check with you HR department.
2 If push comes to shove just take the locker and the side cab off.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

set the side boxes on top the box, and just stand on something to reach the drawers if need be?