tool trouble at work

[Zeke]

I think I'd put in a cheap camera somewhere that you can see from your phone.

 

[jakemac]

My advise (for the little it's worth) -

Don't spend your money on a cheap box just to get by. The cheapest solution until you can save some money for a better box, is to buy some sheet metal and close in the cart. Take the cart apart, install the sheet metal on the inside on 3 sides, using the shelf bolts and shelves to hold it together (drill holes in the sheet metal to match the shelf bolt holes). Then make some doors, plywood would work, and bolt or rivet the hinges to the cart posts. Put a padlock on the door.

The point isn't to build a safe, it's to make it less convenient for others to grab your tools when you aren't around.

This will give you some time to put money aside for a better box.

 

[davethorik]

What everyone else said, a lot of guys at the shop I work at leave their boxes unlocked 24/7, then they scratch their heads when half their stuff is gone and their nice 12" Mitutoyo dial calipers have been dropped and are now junk.

I only loan certain tools to certain people...there are a handful of guys at work I trust my tools with. Only about 3 or 4. Some of the rest I will loan tools to, but I will only loan them tools I won't be upset about if they are buggered up, and in general tools that are as few moving pieces as possible.

That's why I have been wanting to get a nice Snappy, Matco, or Mac double bay box with a full width top drawer...I am starting to accumulate tools that are too big to put in my Kennedy because it is too narrow. Leaving them out makes me worry.

 

[brit road garage]

the tool box i posted the link too is the cheapest roll cab out there n the uk other than second hand, i spoke to my snap on guy and a customer is trading in a kennedy stack and he wants 100 for it which doesnt sound like a bad idea

 

[jakemac]

The Kennedy sounds like a good option. Especially if its a mechanics set. A machinists set would work, but some of the drawers may be awkward to use for your tools. I hope it works out for you.

You know, we're going to want to see pictures when you get your hands on it.

 

[brit road garage]

yeah i gotta come up with something soon as possible but i first gotts get paid should have something to show you guys in a couple weeks,i appreciate all the comments fellas

 

[Audiocrazy28]

If you don't want to confront any of your co-workers, just lock all your tools, including your cheap ones. Now if they ask to borrow something, then that's up to you. At least you will know who has that specific tool while loaned out.

 

[bczygan]

You are NOT becoming that guy who doesn't share his tools. When you are in the shop, keep on sharing and borrowing.

But when you aren't there, there is NO reason for then to be available to anyone.

That is a reasonable middle ground.

It also allows you to have control. When a tool is borrowed, you will know who has it.

In fact, my policy would be to lock up whenever I wasn't around the box, like on lunch break, etc.

That way, a coworker would have to ask for a tool, not just take it.

 

[ecotec]

You are NOT becoming that guy who doesn't share his tools. When you are in the shop, keep on sharing and borrowing.

But when you aren't there, there is NO reason for then to be available to anyone.

That is a reasonable middle ground.

It also allows you to have control. When a tool is borrowed, you will know who has it.

In fact, my policy would be to lock up whenever I wasn't around the box, like on lunch break, etc.

That way, a coworker would have to ask for a tool, not just take it.

I agree about locking your tools up during lunch. On a couple occasions, I have caught a guy trying to steal a tool I had refused to lend him. I always lock up my tools during lunch now.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Financing something just gets you in the habit of ignoring the price / value of something as the monthly is nowhere near the total.

If you are in a job where you perceive (very necessary) tools and supplies as unaffordable, then your priorities are skewed, period. When you work retail, you dress nicely. When you wrench, you buy the tools needed to do the work efficiently

As for a "free" phone, the cost is amortized by you signing a (more costly than others) plan contract. Let's not pull our own third leg here, least over a four letter F word.

I'd recommend some night school and econ. classes to go along with your day job full of thieves. Or something to up your savvy of personal finances.

 

[Fretters]

If you are not there don't assume it was fellow techs that used your tools, Could be anyone esp if it happens on weekends. ( Bosses kids?) Easy to lose friends that way. Be tactful.

There's no need for tact. A man's tools are generally one of his most prized possessions. If someone doesn't have the decency to ask to borrow, and then to bring back the tools in at least the same condition they borrowed them in, then they don't use them. It's that simple. If people ask and they know the rules on borrowing, (and in all honesty, I've yet to meet one bloke worth loaning tools to who isn't just as **** about lending his own tools out), then that's fine, they get to borrow them.

Plonkers who take tools and abuse them deserve the same level of consideration which they give, no matter who they are. Decent tools aren't cheap, and most rarely if ever offer to replace what they damage.

 

[Bigplum]

eBay item 191249524634, It's a lista on a buy now for £200 , in Northampton !

Just look for metal tool box and pick the used filter , bleedin loads on eBay

 

[Ruffgeezer]

No lock on that Big Plum, but good spot.

Just bare in mind here that if this young lad is an apprentice, his wages are going to be below the minimum wage as the employer will offset the cost of any training against his salary. I think I earned about £6k in my first year at his age, so £200 is a fair chunk of change to this guy.

The only work around with something where the lock is busted or missing would be to weld a hasp and receiver to the front of it, and drop a section of bar in across the drawers and padlock it on when you aren't about.

 

[brit road garage]

im on 180 quid for 4 days work, so budget is pretty tight because i have to pay rent, car insurance and i have a girlfriend who insists on going out all the time haha
i found us pro tool boxes and i can get a decent big box for 78 quid a month for 6 months which isnt bad http://www.usprotoolboxes.com/page24.html

 

[Bigplum]

That lista has a lock hole , with a bit of luck the locking rods are still present , they will take a offer on it too ( try a offer of 160 who knows? ) ,
damm sight cheaper than 78 quid a month and it's just up the road from Oxford
Surely it's worth a look ?

 

[Ruffgeezer]

£500 for US Pro tools? No ta, If you are looking at going that much coin, get a second hand one on tick from your snap on man, at least it'll be worth the same if/when you sell it afterwards. (assuming you don't mistreat it of course!)

I've only had one new toolbox, which was a Sealey/ American Pro disaster, I didn't even keep it a year before p/exing against a second hand snap on cab.

 

[brit road garage]

it has no wheels though? and its white haha im a diva i know
also i have no way of getting it home

 

[brit road garage]

well i finish college soon s i will be clocking 5 days a week there so the finance deal wouldnt hurt too much does anyone have a us pro?

 

[Bigplum]

How about this , eBay item 291192668831 bids @ £80 and the reserve is not met so it might go nuts
It's local to you too , made by or for Facom. Lovely boxes , the wheels retract to make a solid bench ( same as the ones I know of in Southampton although they are a tad scruffier )

As for the lista Wheels , you don't need no wheels ( back to the future reference)
I can find you a set of wheels free , my works are forever throwing stuff away and I'm running out of room for salvaged kit

 

[ttpete]

im on 180 quid for 4 days work, so budget is pretty tight because i have to pay rent, car insurance and i have a girlfriend who insists on going out all the time haha
i found us pro tool boxes and i can get a decent big box for 78 quid a month for 6 months which isnt bad http://www.usprotoolboxes.com/page24.html

Sounds like the high maintenance girlfriend is your biggest problem. If you get the box, it'll be the perfect opportunity to plead poverty for awhile. Best of all, you'll find out which is more important, you or the nightclubbing.

You're 18. Keep looking for a better job than the one you have at the moment. When I was your age, I did a hitch in the military and got enough diesel experience that I landed a good job after I got out.

 

[brit road garage]

Well iv been accepted to university for architectural engineering in September 2015 I'm taking a year out this year to hit up Panama next June so I'll be working at the shop in the time being, I do love working on cars and bikes, but iv decided I don't want to do this for a living I'd rather keep it as a hobby and work on cars and bikes that I like (mostly old stuff) rather than working on an ungrateful customers vauxhall vectra


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[PelicanPines]

My uncle borrowed my brand new electric drill. He was drilling holes in concrete and was putting all his weight into it. The bit was binding, the drill laboring. I basically said WTF. His response was... "I didn't want to ruin mine."...

That was 35 years ago. The next day I purchased my first cman tower for $125 at sears.

Everytime I forgot to lock the box... something would go missing. Kept everything locked up till there was no worries of anyone borrowing my stuff.

 

[brit road garage]

Also I just wanted to say I really appreciate the comments and help from you guys this is why I love the journal


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[rcupp]

Why not just rivet, bolt, or weld sides on the cart? Door hinges on the front and a lock hasp...

 

[brit road garage]

that's what I'm rolling with at the moment, I'm seriously considering the big is pro, always wanted a box like that with the big draw on the top and the smaller draws side by side, but I'll sleep on it and I'll talk to my snap on guy on Thursday to see what he has part ex


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[MagnumForce]

Man, and I take Harbor Freight for granted, they have amazing boxes for great prices. Such good values.

 

[AndrewV]

You've been in a shop since 14? Wish our child labor laws were like that, i'de have been all over that.

Yes they use your stuff, and have destroyed/lost it. Lock it up when gone. $$$ You spent, not them.
And your tools wont walk away.
Get a cheap 27" bluepoint from your SO rep. $700 retail american, will give you a work surface to.

 

[ttpete]

that's what I'm rolling with at the moment, I'm seriously considering the big is pro, always wanted a box like that with the big draw on the top and the smaller draws side by side, but I'll sleep on it and I'll talk to my snap on guy on Thursday to see what he has part ex


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If nothing else, you could get a 3 drawer riser and put it under your top box to make it possible to lock everything up.

 

[rick carpenter]

The climate at your shop is people feeling free to borrow tools even if the owner is not around. I see that you have three options...

1. Lock up all your tools. Probably not the best for the shop atmosphere but probably best for your tools.
2. Go one on one to everyone and show your abused tools and let them know somebody else returned them that way so please be careful since you don't want any others returned in that condition. Probably not something you'd want to do. Me neither.
3. Buy an outdoor grill cover and cover your box, with a sign on it that you don't want your tools abused so please return them in the same condition as when borrowed. They'll see it and talk among themselves.

 

[brit road garage]

i spoke to them this morning everything damaged lost is going to get replaced when to tools trucks show up and next time when im not there they will right down on a sticky note what they have borrowed, im still gunna get a bigger box though i want one any how but this is a good start

 

[Wamsutta]

If you continue to buy nice tools like you have been, you're going to need a way to lock them up. Leaving your tools out for other people to use when you're not there is not a good idea.

 

[brit road garage]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/X-LARGE-T...s_Tool_Boxes_Storage&var=&hash=item4d10e05260
just found this has 14 draws on ball bearings and draw liners not a bad price either

 

[Bigplum]

its going to be bendy and wobbly for that money , you need to move into the s/h market to get something decent , no matter if its a bit scruffy , scruffy is fixable ,bendy **** will always be bendy ****

 

[pepi]

Box em and lock em, if they have to ask for a lone at least you know who and most important the condition of when returned. Very simple spend the money save yourself the hassle, some money spent now will save much more down the road.

Don't buy cheep **** and you don't need some over price gee-whiz thing, find middle ground type and go for it.

 

[Matt_C]

Now I've seen a pic, just go and buy this;

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ga...s-industrial-6-drawer-ball-bearing-tool-chest

Then sell the top box you have and put the new one in it's place. It's more than enough storage for what you need/have, it's much better built, all the drawers lock when closed, and keep the shelves of your cart for service items.

Plus, take a couple wage slips with you to Halfords, and you'll get a trade card meaning you can get a discount on tools, including tool boxes, and service items (such as oil, batteries, etc)

Problem solved

 

[rick carpenter]

i spoke to them this morning everything damaged lost is going to get replaced when to tools trucks show up and next time when im not there they will right down on a sticky note what they have borrowed, im still gunna get a bigger box though i want one any how but this is a good start

That's a real good start with your co-workers. Sounds like they are going to start respecting you and your property more now!