Tool box crates & employment woes.

[nicksny]

Gentlemen,


I want to show you guys how I crated my tools/tool boxes for my next job (which I'm not going to anymore, I'll get to that later). And also stress a point that if you have to ship your tools to a jobsite - never ship the toolbox loaded. And, I want your advise/opinions on signing onto a new position.


After my last job ended I crated my tools but didn't remove enough weight from the drawers. Lesson learnt. At some point on its way home my old box's drawers collapsed in on themselves from the weight of the tools/inertia...

My old toolbox after I got it home:

What I found when I opened the crate the top box was in... ****.

<img src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/nicksny/Picture6_zps91bcde97.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Picture6_zps91bcde97.jpg"/>

Anyway, it was a cheap-ish Napa box less than a year old and they wouldn't warranty it.... a-holes they said I was lying about what happened and that there was obviously physical abuse!? I won't get into that... I ended up buying a 2 year old Snap On Classic 78 Box. I am a 4th year apprentice and figured it is the right time to make the investment. I think everyone here will agree with my logic. (My fiancee didn't... shes over it now though )

It's the special edition Candy Apple Red w/ a stainless top...

The smallest closed u-haul trailer worked great to bring it home with.

Anyway, on to the new crate...

Started with the pallet/floor. The space in the middle was a mistake (measure twice cut once they say, who has time for that?? ) Used 2 pieces of plywood with a piece of 1" foam sandwiched between them. I did this to give the crate some cushioning in case it hit the dirt road in the back of the truck.

<img src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/nicksny/IMG_0900_zpsc4168ed6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0900_zpsc4168ed6.jpg"/>

Built the sides, framed in with 2x2s and then used 2 pieces of foam for each side - one 1" piece and one 3/4" piece so the foam sticks out past the 2x2s about 1/4" to sandwich the box in.

<img src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/nicksny/IMG_0902_zps92ff883e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0902_zps92ff883e.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/nicksny/IMG_0901_zpsf14578b0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0901_zpsf14578b0.jpg"/>

Built a little ramp to wheel the box up and in. Perfect fit.

<img src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/nicksny/IMG_0904_zps96a4c4a6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0904_zps96a4c4a6.jpg"/>

Finished. I have a small metal job box (see pic above of my old toolbox) which is in that smaller crate. I basically took everything that weighed a lot - wrenches, bars, hammers etc etc threw all my sockets in a bag and put them in there. The thing weighs a TON...

Threw a coat of paint on it in case it had to spend time outside (if the mine site didn't have a warehouse I could store the crate in. I basically made these crates to last and hopefully I'll be able to reuse them again and again if I have to.

<img src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/nicksny/IMG_0905_zps428dcd6b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0905_zps428dcd6b.jpg"/>

Now, I'm going to go on a bit of a rant here so bear with me...

I'm laid-off and in school finishing up my apprenticeship training right now. I got a call from my old employer who said to me that they need mechanics at a particular site and asked if I was interested. I said hell yeah so he says great. Calls me back 2 days later to tell me I'm approved through head office blah blah blah I fly out on Dec 27th. We talked for about 20 mins he explained to me what I need, what the jobs like and all that and told me to crate my tools and have them ready to be shipped out asap. Im taking my schooling away from home so I headed back on Saturday after school and hung out with my fiancee and son that night and Sun I went to get all the materials and took Monday off of school, built the crate and headed back to Vancouver for school that night. Tuesday morning, buddy calls me and tells me that someone made a mistake and the can't hire me because it will exceed their quota.

Not only did I spend about $350 on the materials to build those crates, but I went out and spent about $2000 on tools - it's a remote site so I figured I would buy a bunch of the heavier/bigger things I needed so I wouldn't have to haul them up there down the road. And I spent about $600 on arctic gear (it's about -45 degrees Celsius where I was going). I'm already flat *** broke from being in school and buying that toolbox and it's pretty devastating to have my line of credit hiked up especially near Christmas.

I wanted to arrive at the new job 100% prepared and look professional. Very unprofessional on the company's part if you ask me...

My question to you guys - could I have avoided this somehow? I was thinking I should make up a contract that would cover my ***. Get the employer to sign it saying they will be responsible for any costs associated with transporting my tools back and forth to the job site... Has anyone done something like that?

I am an underground mechanic and work for contracting mining companies (fly-in fly-out locations) so moving tools around is a major concern.

Thanks! Hope you enjoyed the post anyway, hope to hear from some of you.


Nick

 

[Sureshot]

I doubt you can do much in the future unless you have enough clout to get a signing bonus before you ship out but I doubt you will get that until you show up. Let the guy know and maybe he can do you a favour in the future to recoup your outlay.

We ran some of those toolboxes in side compartments on body jobs and had to be aware of the weight in the drawers or the spot welds would break. Your box looks like it was dropped.

 

[AnEv942]

Um something doesnt sound right- I dont get it-
your former employer calls and offers a job-you accept- he then runs thru corporate-then calls back and schedules.
Then you get a call from 'buddy?' Why? I mean wheres the former 'employer' that offered then got approval and notified you. That who I'd be talking to. (unless 'buddy' speaking for the employer?)
I would not say or do anything that might jepordise any future openings-but this should have come from the'boss' or the person whom spoke to you.? At minumum explain where your at and rediness if something changes to fill any voids. (In case former boss realizes you got left out to hang due to 'error and would be hesitant to do it again. Sometimes the left hand doesnt know what the right is doing)

As far as your expenses..if this is your profession and to be continued down the road- untimely and permature possibly but not money miss-spent.

.

 

[Mr_fixit]

That box was dropped!

 

[nicksny]

Yeah when I said 'buddy' I meant the same guy I was talking to before (I think he mustve been the project super)... Its a Canadian thing LOL

I love that saying 'The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing'. Exact description of that company.

Yeah I'm not too upset about the whole thing (at least I'm 100% ready when my next opportunity comes).

I sent an e-mail out to a bunch of contacts I have in the company (master mechanics, area managers etc) to express (in the most polite way I could) how unprofessional I thought that was. I know things can get complicated when you're in a big mining company and anyone who's worked in that industry will know what I mean... but c'mon

Nick

 

[nicksny]

That box was dropped!

It may have happened when I moved it from my driveway to my shop with the hand truck...(when I lowered it to the ground?) I'm gonna take the drawers out and try to bang it out and fix it up if the welds aren't broken. Maybe I'll use it as a home box or donate it to a young apprentice... Whatever, I got a Snap-on box now

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Nick, sorry to hear about the rescinded job offer. I did enjoy seeing your craftsmanship on the toolbox crates. You must do good work so I wouldn't let it bug you too much. Things will work out, they always do.

 

[zkling]

It may have happened when I moved it from my driveway to my shop with the hand truck...(when I lowered it to the ground?) I'm gonna take the drawers out and try to bang it out and fix it up if the welds aren't broken. Maybe I'll use it as a home box or donate it to a young apprentice... Whatever, I got a Snap-on box now

I don't think so, it would take a pretty good jolt for that to bend like that. That is one thing that I don't like about boxes with a bunch of split drawers. They put a bunch of extra weight on the top compartment due to the center support for the drawers. A few drawers plus the top compartment which is usually loaded with sockets ends up being alot of weight. Even a hard road bump could have done that.

Congrats on the new box, one heck of an upgrade. I really hope the job situation works out well for you.

 

[Hopalong604]

Nice box! I was gonna buy that same box from a guy in hope. I guess you're the lucky ******* that beat me to it. Lol

 

[nicksny]

Thanks for the encouraging words guys!

Nice box! I was gonna buy that same box from a guy in hope. I guess you're the lucky ******* that beat me to it. Lol

Yeah I guess I was! ****, sorry bud!

 

[nicksnothereman]

Gentlemen,


I want to show you guys how I crated my tools/tool boxes for my next job (which I'm not going to anymore, I'll get to that later). And also stress a point that if you have to ship your tools to a jobsite - never ship the toolbox loaded. And, I want your advise/opinions on signing onto a new position.


After my last job ended I crated my tools but didn't remove enough weight from the drawers. Lesson learnt. At some point on its way home my old box's drawers collapsed in on themselves from the weight of the tools/inertia...

My old toolbox after I got it home:

What I found when I opened the crate the top box was in... ****.

Anyway, it was a cheap-ish Napa box less than a year old and they wouldn't warranty it.... a-holes they said I was lying about what happened and that there was obviously physical abuse!? I won't get into that... I ended up buying a 2 year old Snap On Classic 78 Box. I am a 4th year apprentice and figured it is the right time to make the investment. I think everyone here will agree with my logic. (My fiancee didn't... shes over it now though )

It's the special edition Candy Apple Red w/ a stainless top...



The smallest closed u-haul trailer worked great to bring it home with.

Anyway, on to the new crate...

Started with the pallet/floor. The space in the middle was a mistake (measure twice cut once they say, who has time for that?? ) Used 2 pieces of plywood with a piece of 1" foam sandwiched between them. I did this to give the crate some cushioning in case it hit the dirt road in the back of the truck.


Built the sides, framed in with 2x2s and then used 2 pieces of foam for each side - one 1" piece and one 3/4" piece so the foam sticks out past the 2x2s about 1/4" to sandwich the box in.


Built a little ramp to wheel the box up and in. Perfect fit.


Finished. I have a small metal job box (see pic above of my old toolbox) which is in that smaller crate. I basically took everything that weighed a lot - wrenches, bars, hammers etc etc threw all my sockets in a bag and put them in there. The thing weighs a TON...

Threw a coat of paint on it in case it had to spend time outside (if the mine site didn't have a warehouse I could store the crate in. I basically made these crates to last and hopefully I'll be able to reuse them again and again if I have to.

<img src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/nicksny/IMG_0905_zps428dcd6b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0905_zps428dcd6b.jpg"/>

Now, I'm going to go on a bit of a rant here so bear with me...

I'm laid-off and in school finishing up my apprenticeship training right now. I got a call from my old employer who said to me that they need mechanics at a particular site and asked if I was interested. I said hell yeah so he says great. Calls me back 2 days later to tell me I'm approved through head office blah blah blah I fly out on Dec 27th. We talked for about 20 mins he explained to me what I need, what the jobs like and all that and told me to crate my tools and have them ready to be shipped out asap. Im taking my schooling away from home so I headed back on Saturday after school and hung out with my fiancee and son that night and Sun I went to get all the materials and took Monday off of school, built the crate and headed back to Vancouver for school that night. Tuesday morning, buddy calls me and tells me that someone made a mistake and the can't hire me because it will exceed their quota.

Not only did I spend about $350 on the materials to build those crates, but I went out and spent about $2000 on tools - it's a remote site so I figured I would buy a bunch of the heavier/bigger things I needed so I wouldn't have to haul them up there down the road. And I spent about $600 on arctic gear (it's about -45 degrees Celsius where I was going). I'm already flat *** broke from being in school and buying that toolbox and it's pretty devastating to have my line of credit hiked up especially near Christmas.

I wanted to arrive at the new job 100% prepared and look professional. Very unprofessional on the company's part if you ask me...

My question to you guys - could I have avoided this somehow? I was thinking I should make up a contract that would cover my ***. Get the employer to sign it saying they will be responsible for any costs associated with transporting my tools back and forth to the job site... Has anyone done something like that?

I am an underground mechanic and work for contracting mining companies (fly-in fly-out locations) so moving tools around is a major concern.

Thanks! Hope you enjoyed the post anyway, hope to hear from some of you.


Nick

Ouch.

Oh btw. If you're going to use plywood to crate frame the inside. Just a suggesting.

Could you possibly crate the tools, buy a box on-site, re-crate the tools, then sell the box before you leave? Assuming there aren't tools/storage on-site.

 

[nicksny]

Ouch.
Could you possibly crate the tools, buy a box on-site, re-crate the tools, then sell the box before you leave? Assuming there aren't tools/storage on-site.

I don't think that would work... unless you know any polar bears that are in the business of buying/selling toolboxes

 

[kbeefy]

I do alot of field work and ship tools all over the place. It might not be feasible for you but this is how I do it.

I use clamshell portable boxes. I reinforce the bottom with a chunk of 3/4 plywood cut larger than the box bolted to the bottom. The plywood reduces shipping damage about 50%.

I have some coworkers that now use Pelicans. They cost alot, but have a lifetime warranty.

To avoid the first failure you posted, consider removing the casters.

It's nice to have a whole rollcab, but shipping is a nightmare. A couple field-boxes on a rolling table are easier to transport and almost as convenient.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I don't think that would work... unless you know any polar bears that are in the business of buying/selling toolboxes

Ok. Get a portable box (a big one) and just deal with the lack of space. Carry what doesn't fit in regular sized reinforced tool bags.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I wouldn't blame NAPA for not warrantying the damage to the box- moving tool boxes around like that isn't normal and they aren't built for it. So yes, it was damaged- maybe not by you, but the warranty isn't for damage.

Another thing to consider is to cut up foam sheets to insert in the empty drawers that would help cushion them against collapse.

Also- DESSICANT! You can get bulk amounts and make your own bags out of burlap or similar. The cat litter aisle of your store should have dessicant crystals to put in bags.

 

[pop pop]

Never act on a job "discussion" until it is put in writing.

 

[mrjaw14]

Never act on a job "discussion" until it is put in writing.

+1 on this. That's how you could have avoided it. Always get it in writing. Ifyou have a lot of upfront expenses like that I'd ask for some money up front, or ask them to make shipping arrangement. Really anything to get them to put skin in the game.

If you had a signed offer letter and a written statement of what you needed, went out and got it, then they go back on their word, you can try to take them to claims court for breach of contract, but not without a signed offer letter.

 

[Steinmetz]

Nice box! I was gonna buy that same box from a guy in hope. I guess you're the lucky ******* that beat me to it. Lol

I was in Hope BC about a week ago on business.