Tool allowance...does this exist?

[Mugen AP1]

So I've been a hydraulics tech for 10 years or so now. Every shop I have been to people always bring up the mystical "tool allowance". However I have never known anyone who has had this perk nor have I ever been offered this at a shop...does this exist (and in what trade) or is it like the Loch Ness Monster?

 

[alvoski]

I work for a railroad. We get $175 a year as per our union contract.

 

[chadster1]

Usually a tool allowance will only exist in larger corporate owned/government shops.

 

[binkcat16]

after several years of complaining to my boss our regon finaly got a tool allowance 10,000 over the period of 5 years works out for me at 200 bucks a month 150 after taxes it helps out. i dont complain as much any more

 

[ranger302]

I get $200 a month from the wife unit. No complaints.

 

[poprockcrusher]

We got a check one year for 250.00 ..government jobs pay 1000.00 but you must turn in receipts

 

[Roots]

They're not uncommon, when working for large companies.

 

[Tim-Bob]

In Canada, it depends where you work. In 1987, I got 75 per month at a Dodge dealership. We could save it up and make big purchases, or apply it to payments. Now, there are still a number of places that have a TA, but if you get one, you can't claim your tools on income tax. If you make significant tool purchases, you get screwed on income tax by the TA.

 

[blueflame6]

When I started my toolmaker/machinist apprenticeship in 1969 we were alloted a $600 tool allowance over the 8000 hour (4 year) training. It was spread out every 1000 hours, sure helped on the apprenticeship wages we were paid.......

 

[reptilezs]

bicycle mechanic. i get 1% of all labor from the repair ticket.

 

[archirelic]

I worked for my University that I currently attend now for a brief while and I had an allowance for consumable items, i.e.: fasteners, saw blades, sandpaper... You get the picture. It wasn't much in the grand scheme of things, but in the end, I was very pleased and wound up having quite a stock pile of goodies once my position was over.

 

[bibman]

It exists in the Electronic Service Industry, with the larger companies many times there is an account setup at grainger or Fastenal or Tech NI Tool...you just order what you need and it is charged to the company.

 

[2fat2fly]

So I've been a hydraulics tech for 10 years or so now. Every shop I have been to people always bring up the mystical "tool allowance". However I have never known anyone who has had this perk nor have I ever been offered this at a shop...does this exist (and in what trade) or is it like the Loch Ness Monster?

At an airline I used to work for we got $200 per year to repair our tools. We couldn't use it to buy new stuff unless that tool was a replacement for one we had and broke at work.

 

[fortson]

we get a $300. a year tool allowance. union shop.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

i used to have a job that gave us $50a month t/a could only be spent at mcmaster& carr and you had toi turn in vouchers through h/r it was a real pita i was there 3 months (summer job) and my order came in after my end date

 

[ActAppalled]

I get a yearly tool allowance from work. IIRC it's somewhere around $150 and is paid in my paycheck with no strings attached.

 

[RRmech]

$200 a year, per Union Contract.

Steve

 

[98TJ]

No allowance, just buy what I need and write it off come tax time.

 

[crewchief888]

one const eq dealer i worked for had a tool and boot allowance program

the boot program paid up to $75 once a year for work shoes/boots, with a reciept provided
tool program paid $25 / every quarter, and $100 tool bonus at the end of the year if you had no lost time accidents.

 

[shoturtle]

It depends, I have worked for company that had a tool allowance. Others that provided the tools, generally industrial grade stuff.

 

[yost69]

I get a tool allowance. After the bills are paid, I'm allowed to buy tools.

 

[Justin1776]

No tool allowance but I do get free consumables for jobsites such as drill bits, saw blades etc. Truck allowance of 100 a month (rolling tool box I guess). I know people that used to have tool allowances for construction jobs but most all of them we're union jobs up north. Some local dealerships here would give a hiring bonus in form of tool truck credit but that was years ago.

 

[Rig Rocket]

we get a 1000 a year at my work. 250 for work boots

 

[Sh1thead]

No tool allowance but get free consumables like nitrile gloves, wire brushes, emery cloth, misc nuts and bolts, wire, tape, rags, and solder all charged to our parts dept. Doesn't sound like a huge deal but it adds up quick, especially the gloves.

 

[byoungblood]

I got one when I worked an HVAC job when I was in college, but it was a one time $50-100 if I remember right.

My brother got one as a commercial/industrial HVAC tech (I guess he's going to get it again since he's gone back to work for that company) yearly. I think he said it was $300-400 or so.

 

[Cobra5150]

No allowance but if I need something I just order on the company credit card. Anything over 300 or so I get OK'd first even though officially I don't have to.

 

[Dereklmartin]

The shop I work for we get $450 a year for tools and I think it is $400 every two years for boots

 

[Fedwrench]

When I worked for the city, we got $600 a year before taxes (yes, they took taxes out). However, receipts weren't required and many techs didn't buy tools. We also got free uniforms, 2 pairs of safety shoes a year and consumables were available aside from brake clean. They wouldn't buy it due the health hazards associated with it.
My current gig provides everything too include tools. I like having the freedom of choice to use what I like and I do but, free tools is good.

 

[6brzina]

$600 every year for tools, boots, and rain gear. They just add it to the last check of the month in October.

 

[otis66]

My last job gave me A $200.00 tool allowance and a $50 dollar boot allowance. The last job I had before I retired in 2010 gave me a $150.00 boot allowance every year. I also got a new Carthart jacket every year. One year It would be a heavy jacket the next year a light jacket. Also my uniforms were supplied by company and cleaned. 11 sets of uniforms. I had to supply my own basic tools up to 1-1/4" and 24mm. The job supplied everything else. If any of my tools broke and was not covvered under warranty the job would replace it. Alsio the job would pay to have all air tools rebuilt.

 

[71flh]

When I worked on electronics for a not so large company, as tools wore out or were broke, I could expense replacements. Since nobody verified anything I expensed a few new never had tools as well...

 

[oilslick]

I supply hand tools and some special tools just not model specific stuff, shop owner buys scanner and things like 3v broken plug puller, wire brushes, cleanup stuff, 4wd sockets, drop lights. pretty good deal. I spend about 2k a year average on what I do not know but I do have a lot of different tools and brands. I have been at this shop for 17 years so why complain now!!