In another thread a poster mentioned his auto mechanic had $86k ******* in Snap On tools. Assuming you are buying off the truck and no used heavily discounted prices is this average, high, low? Seems like a lot but maybe that is the cost of entry. I know in my field I have maybe $5k in tools and equipment and started with a couple hundred at most.
Snap On Set $86k? Normal?
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wornoutoldman
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An auto tech can amass 100K worth of Snap-On tools in his lifetime. I'm sure there a quite a few guys here that have that kind of money in their tool sets. And guys that get by with less.
When you start factoring in the Cost of Diagnostic Equipment, Tool Storage etc it gets very expensive very quickly. I expect 86K would be just about every Hand tool available Full Retail or Damn Close.
I can fix anything
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May not be way off. I have my tools insured for $50K replacement cost. With my swap meet, pawn shop, and online shopping I have about $30K invested. Some thing were bought new from the truck.
rsieracki
Well-known member
like most people they state the retail/full price not what they actually paid... tho as others have said 100k isnt a lot for a huge box full of a lifetime snapon collection... when u think a dealer carires what 175k on the truck and thats far from everything in the catalog
I'd guess that replacement cost for my toolboxes and tools is somewhere well north of the $65k mark. I also spend $6-8k each year on average to purchase tools that I need for assorted jobs, so yeah $86k isn't entirely unreasonable to have "*******" in tools. Hiball is right, once you start talking diagnostics, the big money comes out.
mrholeshot
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It's not hard to spend 86K for a Master Technician to work. When you factor in everything it's not hard to do. I say a guy who's been working on cars 20 years and takes it seriously a 50K investment would be minimal shopping off tool trucks and other places. The sad thing is that when it comes to diagnostics most stuff is either wasted or obsolete in 3 years
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$86k off the truck, or $2.5k at HF, yeah, sounds about right.
Basic tool set most kids get in a school program is about $4k at 50% discount, so $8k truck priced, with maybe another $4k over the next year or two for stuff specific to what they are doing.
Line mechanic might do fine with that for a long time, but master mechanic is going to constantly be adding specialty tools that all tend to be expensive. Except for people who own their own shop I suspect the trend will be for the shop to provide the heavy lifting on special tools and diagnostic equipment so they can pay less to the mechanics.
Basic tool set most kids get in a school program is about $4k at 50% discount, so $8k truck priced, with maybe another $4k over the next year or two for stuff specific to what they are doing.
Line mechanic might do fine with that for a long time, but master mechanic is going to constantly be adding specialty tools that all tend to be expensive. Except for people who own their own shop I suspect the trend will be for the shop to provide the heavy lifting on special tools and diagnostic equipment so they can pay less to the mechanics.
It's not hard to have that much in tools, particularly SO. They are very high quality, for the most part, and have the price tag to match. The franchise owner we have usually gives good discounts, which makes them that much more attractive. To replace what I've got would cost around $50 to $60K, and it's not all Snap-On. I consider myself to have an average number of tools.
So, yes, it is realistic and what I would think is a little higher than average.
So, yes, it is realistic and what I would think is a little higher than average.
Great info guys. Thanks for the responses. Two follow up questions. On average what does a mechanic make per year? Auto, diesel, heavy equipment? Second question, if his tools were stolen what would a mechanic need to spend to get back to work? Again assuming no second hand or heavily discounted purchases.
That seriously depends on location, and how much "work" they are willing to do. Up here in Alaska, a good auto tech can make ~$50-60k/yr in a normal 40 hour work week. Heavy equipment and trucks are pretty similar, though if you are willing to work on the north slope wages over $100k/yr are pretty easy to come by. I work a 4x10 schedule in a local job 5 minutes from my house and I make ~$60k/yr.
I could probably deal with $8-10k in tools to get started again, but I do a lot of driveability and electrical diagnosis and consider a labscope a must have tool (which is $2-3k by itself). If you are just talking hand tools, $2-3k should cover the basics pretty easily.
I can fix anything
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wornoutoldman
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The how much does one earn question has way to many variables to answer without firing up the crytstal ball. Ball park 20k-100K plus depending on area (geographic and specialties) and experience. You can be quite comfortable but you need to work both smart and hard.
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action fab
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I own my own shop and can easly see spending that. But to the average tech that would only be met near the end of their career.
rayzor32
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I know plenty of master mechanics some of the best techs ive ever seen, older guys all had old rusted out snap on stacks/sideboxes no fancy boxes! Mostly snap on but plenty of craftsman in there also, buy used be thrifty don't buy snap on if something cheaper can do the job just as well.
So yeah you could spend that if you bought everything new off the snap on truck and had a big giant box.
So yeah you could spend that if you bought everything new off the snap on truck and had a big giant box.
crewchief888
Well-known member
the last time i did a full inventory of work tools, and replacement costs i was in the area of $80K. add to that the tools ive bought since then and what i have in the garage, i'd say i'd be in the $100K range in replacement costs.
ive been working on heavy equipment in dealerships, for over 25 years. started out as low as you could be, changing oil and busting tires for $4/ hr.
kept working hard, and learning everything i could.
my hours vary from week to week, but ive brought in $75K the last couple years.
wages vary greatly all of the country. experienced techs make between $25-38/ hr. depending on the dealer and union/ nonunion.
mrholeshot
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Master Technicians in my area average 65-85K per year. To go back to work after a theft would depend on if you work for a dealer or independant shop. The money is in the inndependant shop but it takes a lot more tool to get the job done. If you wouk in a one brand dealership you could probably work out of tool cart. In an independant shop you need a wall of tools.
Robert Haas
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You guys need to shut the heck up,
I told my wife that all my tools including the boxes only cost a few hundred bucks
You gonna get me in dutch with the wife
I told my wife that all my tools including the boxes only cost a few hundred bucks
You gonna get me in dutch with the wife
taylorguitar
Well-known member
but...can anyone really justify a Snap On price? to me it's like justifying my wife buying a $500 Coach purse. marketing...it really is amazing.
crewchief888
Well-known member
so am i to assume she has never "overspent" buying a purse, shoes, jewelry, clothes, purfume, or fancy undies?
RLRRLRLL
Well-known member
You cant say much when your user name is taylorguitar. those are some pricey guitars! haha
Be thankful. $500 is a small one. Some of them go above $1500+!!!
I live and die by my tools, they put food on my table. I own mac, SO, among a few others, there is a difference... you don't need them to start out with on the line, but they will get your farther, more effectively and reliably for the long haul and this is why quality counts. for the Destroy It Yourselfer, do whatever you want... it'll wait, and you've gotta go to work tomorrow anyways, it'll wait til you get home.
If she told you she spent $500 on a purse, shes pulling one over on you. Coach purses are $200 brand new, new line. My wife loves coach and its been the go to gift for several years now. The last one I bought was in vegas on the strip. Thats called trip insurance for the next time I want to have a getaway with the guys
The funny thing is the outlets are not really any cheaper and they carry the "old" stuff. I know, I know too much about coach purses. She doesnt say anything about my tools, I dont say anything about her purses and shoes.I have been wrenching for a little over 10 years and have over $50k at the shop. probably another $10k at home. $86k is easily believable. Now you know why we charge $100/hour.
taylorguitar
Well-known member
srmofo...well, i should have said add the check book holder and wallet and there you have $500...ha ha
Tyler Williams
Member
I find it quite humorous when my carpenter friends start bragging about how much they have invested in tools. They have no idea. I agree that it doesnt take long to hit close to the 100K range. Especially once you start buying more of the bigger shop type items that the shop wither wont buy or buys poor quality stuff that doesnt last.
Heres a example of a 11K puller set, this in my opinion eventually needs to be in most techs tool boxes:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=10199&group_ID=1209&store=&dir=catalog
Heres a example of a 11K puller set, this in my opinion eventually needs to be in most techs tool boxes:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=10199&group_ID=1209&store=&dir=catalog
That is just rediculously overpriced. I could buy a brand new Nissan Versa with that money. The Versa has more stuffs and much more complex than a bunch of claws and screw threads. SO is just screwing us.
Tyler Williams
Member
I agree they are very expensive, but at the same time when you need a good puller they are worth every penny.
mrholeshot
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No way, As an auto tech most of that would never come off the board. Then there are a few things it won't cover that is common. A handful of pullers and a shop press and you are golden. I can handle about any job and every puller I own had a combined price of 1500-2000. Thats just overkill for an auto tech. Thats more for doing heavy equiptment and specialty shops.
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
I haven't fully estimated my tool inventory in long time (I just keep a photo record of what's there), but I'd easly gues my setup is over 60K and I don't but much for expensive stuff like diagnostics / scanners.
I have one guy working for me that refuses to spend money on his tools - I'd bet he hasn't spent 1k on the last 5 or 6 years. He gets by using shop tools / borrowing my stuff. But He has nearly nothing to take with him to the next shop, shoul he decide to move on....
I have one guy working for me that refuses to spend money on his tools - I'd bet he hasn't spent 1k on the last 5 or 6 years. He gets by using shop tools / borrowing my stuff. But He has nearly nothing to take with him to the next shop, shoul he decide to move on....
I was going to say the same thing. The only thing I have sent out is certain rear axles. Tthey wont pay me to press them so I wont do it.
crewchief888
Well-known member
add matching shoes,
and a new thong and bra.
hell i dont care, it keeps her happy
and i reap the benefits
Just a nice fat bank account and no tool truck debt!!
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
No, actaully he's more broke than anyone....
Interex
Well-known member
Look in the toolboxes thread and start doing the math on some of those boxes.
For those of you with 40k+ who also spend an additional 4-5k per year, what are you getting for that money that you didn't already have, and are those new tools paying for themselves or do they just make work a little more enjoyable?
I understand spending a few hundred on a tool that saves time on a frequently done job, but I would think after 40k+ you would already have bought those tools.
Don't get me wrong, I am not being critical, but rather I am honestly curious as to what new tools you are getting at that point in your career.
I understand spending a few hundred on a tool that saves time on a frequently done job, but I would think after 40k+ you would already have bought those tools.
Don't get me wrong, I am not being critical, but rather I am honestly curious as to what new tools you are getting at that point in your career.