opinions on a tool situation

[outdoorsman310]

I have worked at a small indie shop for about a year. I am 19 and am going to a local community college for automotive. I have seen people come and go, and the shop is taking a turn downhill with the recent loss of a mechanic that taught me alot and I work very well with.
They hired a new guy that I am trying to like last week. He is older and has been married before. has an old crashed into snapon box and some truck tools.
The new guy has not been terrible with tool borrowing procedures, and I am trying to be helpful but I have had to ask for at least one tool back. It is a ratcheting wrench/screwdriver and he had all day to return it. Had to ask for it and he was clueless at first but then returned it.
Yesterday i left my multimeter behind one of the bays because I got called to something else and did not move it to my box or island between the bays. he opened the door and backed over it. It was not broken, but he did not apologize or clean it. I am not sure what should be done in this situation but if i ran over somebody's tool I would apologize and clean it. Probably at least share replacement cost if broken, and tell them to not leave tools behind the bay! anyway he wanted to borrow my dvom after that and i talked to him a bit. He said he would have apologized if he broke it. I let him borrow it anyway.
I'm just not sure what you guys think about this. I shouldn't have left it behind the bay, but the thing is red and on concrete. I think it would be easy to see?

 

[KamiCrit]

First thing I thought of:

I wouldn't let him use your tools based off of that he can't handle them respectfully. Although in general, no sense in being the nice guy if you're the one getting screwed over.

Hands Off!

 

[MatBirch]

At this point, I think you hopefully made your point with the talk you did have. I would have likely apologized as well, or at the very least acknowledged the fact that- "hey you left your meter out, I didn't notice it, and ran it over. Seems to be ok though..."
Ride it out for a few days and leave it up to him. The ball is kinda in his court now, anyway.
I make a point with all my new hires that they need to have there own tools, but I understand it's tough. I make it very clear that I only get pissed about borrowing when something is not there WHEN I NEED IT!!! (As in return it RIGHT AWAY). Gives me solid ground to stand on when it inevitably happens and I have to get nasty

 

[aballl18]

If he has been a mechanic longer then you and dosent have a base tool set or a dvom.I wouldnt be loaning him to much bc he is not going to last to long. That is like one of the first things you get after you get your basic hand tools. My rule is if i have to use someone else tool more then twice in a month i will just get one. Snap on man once told me that i can replace the sockets if someone else breaks it, but on other tools like torque wrench or impacts everytime you let someone use it thats one less time your going to get to use it.

 

[3baygarage]

Simple apology, yes.
Reminds me of this guy I always got stuck helping in tech school. Not that he couldn't do the work but his tools consisted of Harbor Freight and cheaper stuff, he didn't have a good set put together.
Even if I was elsewhere in the shop he'd borrow from me. Never gave anything back till I took it back, but we were closer in age and got along so I didn't mind. Eventually I saw that he had a Proto cape chisel of mine in his bag. I asked if it was mine and he said it was his. The guy wouldn't even know where to find a chisel like that or what it was called. I let it go because I didn't need it.
The worst thing was he left my 1" Snap On wrench on the workbench, the class ended and the teacher scooped it up thinking it belonged to the school. Luckily I tracked it down but the dude was just totally irresponsible.

 

[rtole]

I think the not returning stuff is bad.......but you leaving a tool in a spot that it got run over.........thats all you. If he did not put anything back there he has no reason to look. Keeping things out of driving lanes is the best way to prevent damage. To your stuff and customer vehicles. Try telling a customer a tech wrecked their tire because he left a screwdriver on the floor. They will think its unprofessional. If it was me i would have said sorry, but dont leave your stuff there. I would not think that would warrent me to pay you for a broken tool. If i borrow it and drop it and break it......thats my bad....i pay.

 

[Flivver250]

Oldtimers without tools are usually drunks or junkies. There is a reason he is without tools. Don't be his tool. The shop owner should not hire a mechanic without tools, or if he does, he should be prepared to loan his own tools to him. I don't borrow or lend tools. If I need one I buy it.

 

[Flivver250]

BTW, your tool salesmen know all too well that old guys that need basic tools are not safe credit risks.

 

[cyberslick188]

Snap on man once told me that i can replace the sockets if someone else breaks it, but on other tools like torque wrench or impacts everytime you let someone use it thats one less time your going to get to use it.

Wow, what a salesman.

 

[outdoorsman310]

He did say that i left it out and ran it over and it seemed to work. he was a bit rude later when he wanted to borrow it and said he would apologize if he broke one of my tools on purpose, still not apologizing about running over my meter. That really made me wonder. I can see not replacing the meter because I left it in the lane but if i loan him something and he breaks it then all i get would be an apology?

He has tools and I am not sure of the scope of his set but i know he has a wrench set a bunch of snapon swivel sockets, a 1/2 impact, and some other basic stuff. He is supposed to "specialize" in exhaust. He seems like a loud jerk to me and when he reads a code he often says it needs xxxx part. I figure that he will hang himself and I will leave there soon enough. He was trying to do a compression test and thought you were supposed to bump the starter until the piston went to the top.. how could somebody not know something so basic?
Any way, I have learned now to not leave tools in the way ever, and will be getting a cart soon to make it easier to transport and keep track of my tools. Also the scrapiron man has not been coming lately. not sure if it is related to the other mechanic leaving or what? I will pay off my tab and quit buying from him unless he straightens up. He is quite unreliable.

 

[ibedayank]

why tool chests have locks

 

[RV77]

Sounds like your shop aquired a "new tool"......Dont loan anything else to him because you might have things disappearing.How old is he ? I wouldnt think an "exhaust specialist" would have the need for a DVOM or any other diagnostic tools.

Does he resemble anyone on the "Faces of Meth" posters ?

 

[RumT]

A few employers ago, the boss and I were reinstalling the interior panels on a customer airplane. Boss borrows a scribe to help line up screw holes in panels. He's working up front cockpit area and I am working aft in the cabin.
We're all finished. Hey where's my scribe.......
What scribe? I didnt borrow your scribe.
grrrrrrrrrr
I go up and look through the flight control areas but dont find it.

The owner found it.

When he went to lower the pilots seat to his position it punched up into his hand he had underneath to trigger the height release.

HE WAS PISSED (rightfully so).

He confronted my boss with it.

"Oh. I guess I left that in there."

 

[outdoorsman310]

Sounds like your shop aquired a "new tool"......Dont loan anything else to him because you might have things disappearing.How old is he ? I wouldnt think an "exhaust specialist" would have the need for a DVOM or any other diagnostic tools.

Does he resemble anyone on the "Faces of Meth" posters ?

I am not sure how old he is, and he is much less capable than the previous mechanic that he might be supposed to replace? But I suppose he is "over the hill" age wise. not really old, maybe mid30s to early 40s
I believe he drinks, not at work, but does not do other drugs. He doesn't have his own car and uses his girlfriend's car to transport himself. he wants to buy a crappy fiero in north carolina with a hack job ferarri "home install" body kit on it. he wants to put a turbo on it too. The shop is in Delaware by the way. Not sure why he would think that is a good decision but it is his choice.
I guess I'll stop loaning him tools. After all he has been in the field longer than me and should be able to live off of his own tools.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Oh good, he's that guy. Reminds me of the broke-*** parts driver who drives a clapped out Civic wagon (circa Reagan presidency) who keeps asking for a price quote to put a Duramax into his Caprice.

I'd keep my belongings far from his paws. I've known several folk with that personality, and while they've all been perfectly nice guys, they've also been effed in the head... always the "no I swear everyone else caused my problems, and it's never my fault" ****. Being willing to take/sell/lose your stuff without feeling responsible has always been right there too.

 

[captain14]

I believe Gregster just went through a different version of this employee in his thread

The same things seem to stand out in both threads. Older mechanic and limited amount if tools and always asking to borrow something and not returning.

 

[ttpete]

You're in the same position I was when I got into the trade. A pro will have the tools he needs to do the job, his boxes will be clean inside and out, and the tools will be arranged so he'll know if something is missing. This is what you need to get in the habit of doing. I owed the Snap-On man money for a long time, and you'll probably do the same. Don't get in the habit of loaning common hand tools that everyone should have. That guy who asks will be someone who either isn't serious about the profession or spends his pay down at a bar someplace.

When you finish a job, wipe the tools down and put them back in the box before starting on the next one. Lock up if you aren't going to be in the shop for any length of time.

As far as the multimeter goes, you left it there. It's not the other guy's fault he ran it over.

 

[outdoorsman310]

thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate people with more experience taking time out of your days and helping me. I have already begun locking my box on test drives and such and making sure things are put back after every job. especially since I left my tool out to get run over.

 

[outdoorsman310]

Oh good, he's that guy. Reminds me of the broke-*** parts driver who drives a clapped out Civic wagon (circa Reagan presidency) who keeps asking for a price quote to put a Duramax into his Caprice.

.

Did you tell him it would cost... One million dollars ?

 

[firebox40dash5]

Did you tell him it would cost... One million dollars ?

I prefer trolling for the lulz of hearing him explain how easy it is. You using an LB7 or an LLY bud? What year Caprice you using? You gonna section the firewall to clear the Ally, or adapt a 700R4?

For the record, the answer to the latter is 700R4.

 

[aballl18]

Another thing you might want to think about or you might have already done is marking your tools. some ppl do it some dont.

 

[dledinger]

Oldtimers without tools are usually drunks or junkies.

Or recently divorced.

 

[Honda guy]

Lay down the law from day one. I don't mind loaning tools, but it's going to be on my terms. The first time a new guy asks to borrow a tool, he's going to here my "tool rules" spiel. Polite but no BS. I might come off as a bit of a jerk, but it saves a lot of headache down the road.

 

[outdoorsman310]

Another thing you might want to think about or you might have already done is marking your tools. some ppl do it some dont.

I have some marked already that i used a cutoff wheel to mark. My boss handed me this thing to mark mine if i wanted to. Its like a little electric hammer thing I believe. I will see how it works after work tomorrow.

 

[Rakoprtr]

Lay down the law from day one. I don't mind loaning tools, but it's going to be on my terms. The first time a new guy asks to borrow a tool, he's going to here my "tool rules" spiel. Polite but no BS. I might come off as a bit of a jerk, but it saves a lot of headache down the road.

I'm intrested in hearing the spiel

 

[mp23]

Specializes in exhaust? Is there such a specialty? honest question.

 

[92integra]

Specializes in exhaust? Is there such a specialty? honest question.

there must be they got an exhaust ase test after all

 

[outdoorsman310]

Specializes in exhaust? Is there such a specialty? honest question.

I have been unimpressed with his exhaust work and he uses the torch on just about every job. he even used it on some sway bar end links. not sure if those would have popped off with a prybar or not, I just do not feel comfortable heating anything with a grease pocket in it. For example a ball joint or sway bar end link. I have been told of exploding ones.

 

[outdoorsman310]

there must be they got an exhaust ase test after all

His ASE papers were "burned in the front yard" by ex wife or something according to him.

 

[wornoutoldman]

You shouldn't have to "mark" your property unless you want to. This new guy sounds like a real ********. I'd tell him "don't touch, take or think about my tools." If he is not ready to work that's not your problem. Let his boss deal with this clowns tool shortage.

After all it's unlikely this "exhaust specialist" can teach you much or help you in any way.

 

[Mxjr12]

I've been told that you can contact ase and get duplicate papers

 

[Honda guy]

Lay down the law from day one. I don't mind loaning tools, but it's going to be on my terms. The first time a new guy asks to borrow a tool, he's going to here my "tool rules" spiel. Polite but no BS. I might come off as a bit of a jerk, but it saves a lot of headache down the road.

I'm intrested in hearing the spiel

Honestly, most techs I've worked with are very respectful of each others tools. The worst situation I've had was working at a dealership that had HUGE turnover and kept hiring rookie techs fresh out of MMI. I've lost track, but at least 10 techs came and went, in the 1 1/2 yrs I worked there. After a couple of incidents, I just got real blunt and to the point with the "tool rules". It goes kinda like this:

-Ask before you borrow. I don't want to drive myself crazy, looking for a "lost" tool.
-Wipe it down and bring it back as soon as you're through using it. Oh, and let me know when it's returned (Announce it's arrival).
-I don't loan out torque wrenches, DVOM's, or other precision tools.
-Notice how the screwdriver handle isn't all beat up? My screwdrivers aren't hammers. Only the hammers are hammers.
-If you break it, no problem. Just be sure to let me know so I can take care of it.
-Don't borrow a tool and then loan it to a customer, salesman, etc.
-No modifying, bending, grinding, mutilating the tools.
-I don't want to share your sweat, so gotta get your own test ride helmet.

 

[outdoorsman310]

I've been told that you can contact ase and get duplicate papers

he said something about them not having them. I think that was a bs story. well I'll do my job with my tools and he can do his and spend all his money on booze

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have worked at a small indie shop for about a year. I am 19 and am going to a local community college for automotive. I have seen people come and go, and the shop is taking a turn downhill with the recent loss of a mechanic that taught me alot and I work very well with.
They hired a new guy that I am trying to like last week. He is older and has been married before. has an old crashed into snapon box and some truck tools.
The new guy has not been terrible with tool borrowing procedures, and I am trying to be helpful but I have had to ask for at least one tool back. It is a ratcheting wrench/screwdriver and he had all day to return it. Had to ask for it and he was clueless at first but then returned it.
Yesterday i left my multimeter behind one of the bays because I got called to something else and did not move it to my box or island between the bays. he opened the door and backed over it. It was not broken, but he did not apologize or clean it. I am not sure what should be done in this situation but if i ran over somebody's tool I would apologize and clean it. Probably at least share replacement cost if broken, and tell them to not leave tools behind the bay! anyway he wanted to borrow my dvom after that and i talked to him a bit. He said he would have apologized if he broke it. I let him borrow it anyway.
I'm just not sure what you guys think about this. I shouldn't have left it behind the bay, but the thing is red and on concrete. I think it would be easy to see?

Sounds like a: "what's mine is mine, what's yours is mine" kind of guy. Might just want to avoid situations where you take a significant loss from this schmuck. Lot's of people like this actually, break all your stuff and never replace it. Don't bring your lunch to work or you're gonna lose your sammich and coke bro!

 

[nicksnothereman]

Specializes in exhaust? Is there such a specialty? honest question.

Depends on the area but they exist especially in areas where "trucks" or "off roading" are popular. They don't just do exhaust but mainly that's what they end up doing for trucks because people want them louder or taller. Bolt on stuff with some custom exhaust work. Have a couple here too but oddly not as many as there were on the east coast.

 

[Colotow]

I worked, did without other things I wanted so I could buy MY tools so that I could do MY job. No way someone else is going to make $$ using my tools.

 

[Unmarked Bill]

There's going to be idiots in the world, well-meaning or otherwise. Might as well learn to live with them somehow, like they say it's easier to wear slippers than to carpet the world.

It seems like the best approach is to be nice to everyone or ****** to everyone, whichever you're more comfortable with, otherwise people take it personal. In any case, it seems like this situation will work itself out soon.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I prefer trolling for the lulz of hearing him explain how easy it is. You using an LB7 or an LLY bud? What year Caprice you using? You gonna section the firewall to clear the Ally, or adapt a 700R4?

For the record, the answer to the latter is 700R4.

10" body lift should work...... better yet; a JC Whitney Diesel Urberator conversion kit for his gas engine...

Tell him he has a diesel/ 5.7 Oldsmobile /
and tell him he shouldn't be putting gasoline in his diesel....