I need to watch the videos again, is that Matco a 6 series? Also they didn't use the top of the line Craftsman boxes like the ones in the 1st few pages of the 2009/2010 catalog, which have a strikingly similar appearance to SnapOn's KRL line and at $8,999 for one they are getting up there in the mega bucks category.
As to a tool list in runs the range, these techs are industrial maintenance techs in large plants. The average maintenance shop has over 60 techs, and many of them have 2 - 4 roller cabinets. So these guys are working on wide range of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic systems, they'll do machining, woodworking, sheetmetal work, welding, so there tool selection is wider than the average automotice tech. So its easy for them to accumalate a large selection of tools over the years.
I've recently ordered Makita 3/8" cordless impact wrenches and Proto 3/8" drive SAE 15pc standard, 15pc deep, Metric - 19pc standard, 19pc deep 6 point impact socket sets, each received a Dewalt 18 volt kit with a 1/2" hammer drill, sawsall, circular saw and grinder for each of the techs to carry in their tool boxes along with new Dell laptops.
I am demanding they roll their tool carts/boxes out to all repairs. They've each have been issued supply kits which stock a wide selection of machine screws, bolts, nuts, wire terminals, roll pins, dowel pins, lubes, sealants, a few small rolls of wire, 20ga - 12ga.. All in all they each have about 120 pounds of supplies and they each have LED Drop lights, extension cords and air hoses in their kits. In doing this I greatly minimizing their walking (lost time) most of these plants are over a million square feet so a guy can spend 15 minutes walking out to machine and another 15 minutes walking back for a tool, so in doing this they spend more time repairing than commuting.
I was able to justify all of these tools in that I have over the next two years an average of 5 guys retiring and I am not planning on replacing them, so effeciency will be key. I was able to sell this program along with not having to layoff guys to meet upcoming budget requirements per our 5 year strategic plan. We do comprehensive training utilizing a combination of local trade schools, colleges and industrial trainers. My philosophy is I want a team of techs who can do anything, so that when they roll up on breakdown they can do what is needed. I have added a few new electic trucks/carts and the parts department which also oversees issues shop tools are now assigned to bring out parts and tools to a repair. If needed they'll tow a gas powered welder, or other large items behind them all that is needed is for the tech to radio in what they need.
So what I ask of them is to buy longterm solid tool storage, they too have to invest, I realize most of these guys are starting out, but they see that many of the older techs have old SnapOn, MAC a few Matco boxes, and there are more than a few older Craftsman boxes, which to me are fine, except they are somewhat limiting from their drawer configurations, but as we all know Craftsman's boxes in the last 10 years are nothing like they built in the 70's.
TheGrooveking
