tool trucks geared towards auto mechanics???

[sberry]

matman here hit on something. I have a handful of snappy wrenches in small sizes that I bought 30 yrs ago when 75$ seemed like a real price,,, they have been worth it on occasion, have paid for themselves well when they were needed, hard to beat the 6 pt flank drive etc but every one from every set they ever invent I don't need. 99'5 % of the time a 2$ version of any wrench works fine.

 

[Motor-Mechanic]

I have got a decent tool kit at home with Snappy/Mac/Facom/Beta/SK/Fluke and loads of other quality stuff.

For work I just use cheaper end tools supplemented with a few choice quality pieces when only the best will do. We get supplied with Draper tools and they do the job most of the time.

I'm heading in a similar direction Rich. We're buying a house at some point this year, hopefully with a garage. So i'm gonna take the Snap-On box with the good tools, home. The tool cart with the cheaper tools is going to work.

The reason is, i seem to find more frequently that i have more tools at work than i actually need, but not enough tools at home that i really need.

 

[aussiek2000]

I don't own a high end box but i try to take care of the one i do have. Most tool box is the only one most customers see. You can see another guys' c-man in the background but its blocked by the alignment rack from sight. In the back 2 guys have epiq boxes and one has a Matco 5s.

 

[sberry]

I can tell you this for a fact, customers do not care, no one ever ever snoops thru my boxes or fusses over the labels on it to see what brand it is. I cant recall enyone ever asking certainly never had someone on the phone ask what kind of box I had when pricing work on their car. Never. Never had someone turn around at the door when they spot a Cman box.

 

[sberry]

I have one box set I must have paid 700 or so for over 30 yrs ago when I absolutely needed it now, the one I work out of now was 75 used over 15 closer to 20 yrs ago. In our case something well used or even improvised just helps scream competence, anyone can sign on the line for something shiny, I find it way more interesting when I see something a guy has done the best with what he has.

My favorites in these threads are ones with super practical written all over them. Way more interesting than spending on a piece a guy could never recover the cost in a lifetime even if he was the best flat rate man ever lived. I love those 400$ HF boxes, if I was starting over today they would be on my short list.

 

[85camaro]

I can tell you this for a fact, customers do not care, no one ever ever snoops thru my boxes or fusses over the labels on it to see what brand it is. I cant recall enyone ever asking certainly never had someone on the phone ask what kind of box I had when pricing work on their car. Never. Never had someone turn around at the door when they spot a Cman box.

Yep. Customers don't know, and don't care what kind of box you're sporting.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

There was a time when dealer techs were High Paid ..respected professionals ..that is when my boxes were purchased

 

[ianguilly]

I'll buy from who ever stops by my shop which is only snap on. I'll buy who ever has the best box to fit what I want for storage, which is snap on again. I'm not afraid to shop at sears or harbor freight for odds and ends, but since there is only one tool truck at work he gets my money.

 

[Turbo_Prop]

I have to say something about dealership mechanics, high end tool boxes and the customer not caring, etc.

My wife has driven a new Mercedes as long as we have been married and I have never touched them. The MB dealership is probably not a good center of mass, but it is what it is. Anyway, every now and then the service manager will bring me back to the bay to point something out. Aside from checking out my wifes car, I am looking around at the bay. It has always been imaculate, much cleaner than my own garage. The lifts look as if someone comes in at night a details them. The mechanics are dressed pretty cleanly, their work areas are impressive and the tool cabinets are always of a tool truck, triple bay, stainless top, etc. On several occasions the mechanic had to pull a drawer to get a tool and and wow, the marketing department could not have laid out that drawer better.

Does a nice box improve the techs take home pay, I dont know. But I do know that I walk away knowing the mechanic and the entire crew at that dealership are professionals and I have no issues with agreeing to whatever they recommend.

As for the tool trucks being geared toward auto mechanics, well duh, does that even warrant a discussion?

 

[mech-tech]

As I said before, I have no doubt any mechanic will have expensive tools or boxes, I see that everywhere. It just seems the auto guys tend to have the fancy stuff more often then not. Typically the only nice clean shops I see are at car dealerships, but that makes sence cause any heavy truck or equipment shop won't look "pretty" for long with equipment on the painted concrete. I've noticed hydraulic fluid also tends to tear up paint over time, which I suppose explains part of it. Still, it's impressive to see a brand new decked out snap on box at an auto dealer shop with the full radio surround sound and custom lighting!

 

[Toolhorder]

I don't pay any attention to what the other guys have. I buy the best stuff I can find and I give a **** what the guy next to me uses. I get made fun of for having "every" tool but I'm the first guy that they want to borrow from.

 

[mech-tech]

Amen to that, I sooo know the feeling! Lingering on this site has exposed me to so many tools that I never knew existed. I often get the question "where'd ya get that?". I too am the "go to" person when some one needs a tool they dont have.

 

[CWP1616L]

There's a Freightliner dealer in town. The shop is open 24/7 and the tool boxes there are some of the biggest Snap-on makes.

 

[dsmnickk90]

There's a Freightliner dealer in town. The shop is open 24/7 and the tool boxes there are some of the biggest Snap-on makes.

My brother in-law's dad is a mechanic for frieghtliner and has a brand new 12k snap on box filled with pretty much nothing but snap on tools. At home he has a few cheaper boxes filled with Snap on SK and a few other brands thrown in.

 

[sberry]

The MB dealership is probably not a good center of mass, but it is what it is.

Thi is probably pretty accurate and a place where the extra bling may pay off, a slightly different customer who doesnt mind paying for it.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Yep. Customers don't know, and don't care what kind of box you're sporting.

In our world, they don't really "care" but I can tell you they definitely DO notice. The owner takes great pride in showing many of our customers and vendors around and giving them the 10 cent tour of the whole place. It can be a PITA to stop what I'm doing and clean for a "foreign dignitaries visit", but the compliments can be nice and we usually chat for a minute about what I do, my tools, and how I started with here with nothing more than a CM carry around box with basic hand full of sockets and wrenches in it in 1995.
A money guy came through last week and commented that this was the first shop he'd been to that didn't have kitty litter / oil all over the floor. The boss and I joked later that he should have been here the afternoon before

 

[Toolhorder]

All the high end European car dealers in my area have gone to Lista type cabinets and told the techs to take their boxes home.

 

[sberry]

I can tell you this, as another mechanic I really dont look, if itys out of place I look, if its insuffecient or over kill I look. Organized and workwise I look, fussy cleanliness not so much unless the job demanded it.

One of the top truck shops here is a pig pen, he has a lot of that truck stuff but its buried in rubble. I do use him on my inspections at same or higher cost that the shiny outfit. If him and son can work in the mess more power to him, despite that he knows what he is doing and second knows I know what I am doing and if there is a minor issue he would like to see corrected he knows it will be done asap. He wouldnt be scared to tell me something was wrong or right knowing it doesnt benifit him 50 cents either way.

In this respect the tool is of no concern to the service, both shops have same tools and boxes, one is cleaner costs a lot more, always trying to upsell something like I just fell out of a tree when I am there to get the paper.

As a side to this the messy guy is the master mechanic of record for last 30 yrs at the truck garage, he asks about my strawberries and if there was ever a mechanical issue would swear on it had to be human error vs neglect.

If I wanted to drive a Mercedes could probably do it with a 10 yr old one I made a diy deal,,, if I really could afford it probably do the same, take to dealer on occasion and call it a day. The Ford dealer gives a service deal that cant be beat, well under 30$. My neighbor girl bought a 40K truck she dont need and has to work to support and in dripping winter out under it doing an oil change it dont need to save 5$ on materials. Ha.

We have a full shop, buy on sale, I got no problem if Dad wants to pay the 26 to go down and BS while they change the oil and do the fluids tires, they even wash it. I will get up from this keyboard for a lot of things but to save a dime on that one aint it.

We live on rugged roads, at that rate willing to let the dealer do the general lube on untill it starts to need service work, As they come off warranty and times/years/seasons become a factor we assume the service and do routine as they come in for other issues.

Got a pickup in now that was 8k since oil. some in a dusty world. It had been in earlier for muffler at 5 or so, we greased the front end, we didnt figure to run it another pull before its yearly but we 2 new tires to it and fuss with brakes, change oil, I got it on once a year for oil, dont care if its 3 or 4K or 10, dont even look at the odometer untill it comes in. If we brake down a unit or 2 you can see the miles go up on the rest, its fleet service type numbers etc. I got a couple trucks change at 5 yrs.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I can guarantee you guys nobody outside of tool collectors and mechanics could give a rats **** what brand your tools have stamped on the side of them. I'd even bet that the majority of Americans don't even know snap on exists. I just recently started buying myself good tools the more I do my own work. Before then when I used mechanics I never even gave their tool boxes a second glance when I pulled into their shop. 90% of the time people don't even look into the garages. They talk to service guy and look for a place to use their phone or wifi. You could have snap on dipped in triple plated gold and only you and the guys that work with you would notice.

 

[marlinspike]

I've found that in shops where the techs don't care about tools, the shops are a mess and the work they put out reflects it.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

From the few people I know who work/worked in each trade, heavy equipment mechanics are worried about getting the job done right and don't give a good damn what the brand is on the tool that lets them get their job done. Car mechanics, on the other hand, worry as much about what other mechanics in their shop think of their tools as they do their skills.

The mindset between the two groups is about as different as the difference between a carpenter and a concrete guy.

 

[GTOGreg]

Ask to see their monthly bill from those trucks. When I was at a dealer 20 years ago, even then it wasn't unusual for guys to have $45-60K in tools/box from a combination of the Big 3 (all their trucks were there at least once a week). The internet and proliferation of tool sources has probably kept prices in check. But I bet they're still spending that much or more.

 

[EvilWelder]

I was a mobile heavy equipment tech from 1996 to 2009. I went from almost 100% SK, to slowly working in Craftsman and later adding in more Harbor Freight.

Working in the dirt, mud, snow and rain is hard on tools. Not too mention I had a habit of losing **** by leaving it behind. For example, after I lost 2 SK 1 1/16" wrenches (both my fault, but one grew legs and walked away) I took the rest home and bought all long pattern Harbor Freight wrenches.

Darn good wrenches IMHO.

Josh

That is the truth, I abuse and loose stuff, because the machine must be fixed, NOW!!!
I am a heavy equipment guy and do industrial plant work, I am lucky to catch a tool truck once a year to swap out my broken stuff. I have lots of Proto, Armstrong, Wright, and Williams stuff, it is tough, reasonably priced and I and get a replacement at the supply house.

 

[sberry]

I like a clean floor too, I really work at trying to avoid big mess in the first place if I can help it. Only reason I chat about tools and boxes is that there is no need for every new guy to think he cant get along without a 10K box especially if he has to make payments. In todays world a guy really doesnt have to. If a guy buy a new shiny redbox from HF and fill it with shiny stuff from Walmart you would really have to take a close look to tell it apart.

If I had to start over today and get hand tools to make a living with Walmart would be on my short list, that and Cman along with a little HF and maybe handfull of "good" wrenches for something I had in hi duty service etc if the other stuff didnt work out. .

 

[Charles (in GA)]

You should see the **** aircraft mechanics work out of, you'd never get on an airliner again

HEY!!!!!! I resemble that remark!!!

Charles

 

[braol]

Car mechanics, on the other hand, worry as much about what other mechanics in their shop think of their tools as they do their skills.

The mindset between the two groups is about as different as the difference between a carpenter and a concrete guy.

Where not all like that lol, but I did work with a lubetech that worked out of a $4k or so SO box and then traded it in for a $6k dollar SO box before he had the first one paid for.

 

[kiatech]

Pretty much every shop but ours has built in tool boxes. Even Toyota has them.

 

[ironmutt]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sberry
I can tell you this for a fact, customers do not care, no one ever ever snoops thru my boxes or fusses over the labels on it to see what brand it is. I cant recall enyone ever asking certainly never had someone on the phone ask what kind of box I had when pricing work on their car. Never. Never had someone turn around at the door when they spot a Cman box.
Yep. Customers don't know, and don't care what kind of box you're sporting.





customers do care to a point cause if the guy working their car cant take care of their tools or their area how well are they gunna take care of their car . keeping the floor clean helps keep the mats clean . keeping your tools and box clean and organised your clothes clean projects a professional appearance witch conveys trust . having a ratty beat up box looks bad but if its clean and maintained even a cheap hf box will do the job

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I can tell you this for a fact, customers do not care, no one ever ever snoops thru my boxes or fusses over the labels on it to see what brand it is. I cant recall enyone ever asking certainly never had someone on the phone ask what kind of box I had when pricing work on their car. Never. Never had someone turn around at the door when they spot a Cman box.

lol. I need some shocks put on my truck. How much will it cost? Btw what kind of box are you using? lol

 

[ToocoolZ28]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sberry
I can tell you this for a fact, customers do not care, no one ever ever snoops thru my boxes or fusses over the labels on it to see what brand it is. I cant recall enyone ever asking certainly never had someone on the phone ask what kind of box I had when pricing work on their car. Never. Never had someone turn around at the door when they spot a Cman box.
Yep. Customers don't know, and don't care what kind of box you're sporting.





customers do care to a point cause if the guy working their car cant take care of their tools or their area how well are they gunna take care of their car . keeping the floor clean helps keep the mats clean . keeping your tools and box clean and organised your clothes clean projects a professional appearance witch conveys trust . having a ratty beat up box looks bad but if its clean and maintained even a cheap hf box will do the job

When I wrenched for a living in an Olds/Honda dealership the customers werent allowed in the shop to see what kind of boxes or tools we used.

I also worked as a body man at the same dealership, the bodymen had the worst looking, dirtiest and beat up boxes I had ever seen. My Craftsman was one of the best looking boxes in the shop.
Now that I am retired I have a big nice looking box, go figure

 

[sberry]

having a ratty beat up box looks bad but if its clean and maintained even a cheap hf box will do the job

I will agree with that 100 %

Also agree about body guys, I often wonder how they do anything. Takes about 10 of them to put a socket set together, more junk in most of their boxes than tools.

In defense of somenice boxes I am in my own shop, doesnt have to match anyone elses. I provide all the tools when anyone else works here, if we dont have it and need it we get it, if there isnt enough to go around we get more.

Someone gave us a half a dozen old cheap screwdrivers that look like survivors, tips were fair and we add them in circulation. About 95% of the time its just fine,,, if we really need a better one we can find it. Same with combination wrenches, I got about a hundred chicom jobs and they are a Godsend, takes a ton of stress away when they are plentiful.

 

[1941Willyscoupe]

For me, I don't lend tools so all of my high quality stuff stays in my boxes and doesn't leave my garage. I have tool boxes/bags in each car full of less expensive (yet decent quality) tools. Thats just from one car guy!

 

[jfcasey]

Pretty much every shop but ours has built in tool boxes. Even Toyota has them.

It sounds great, but in reality when our shop supplied boxes break or have issues its a royal headache from management. It also ***** having zero options on how its set up. Don't get me wrong though, it definitely beats being 15k in the hole for the same size set up from snap on, but its not all roses with employer supplied boxes.

 

[mech-tech]

I've noted since I began working as a road tech, I rarely have time to even wipe my tools down, it's often hurry hurry hurry cause a peice of equipment is broke down and trucks are waiting to be loaded. Just today I was working on a telehandler forklift that the customer needed a week ago. Working in 40 gallons of hydraulic fluid mixed with oil absorbant made me realize how much I love my cheap stuff!!!!

 

[bustdknuckle]

I work at a freightliner and isuzu dealership. Most the guys including me have snap on boxes. But i need to upgrade and i am looking at getting a Montezuma box due to not wanting to be 5k further in debt. We have snap on mac matco and cornwell trucks that come to the shop and due o the fact that they go to mostly heavy diesel shops thats the kind of tools they have on the truck. As far as what tools i buy i go by how much i use it. If i use it everyday i get snap on, few times a month i get napa cman mac matco or cornwell if once a month or less i get harbor freight or online cheapos

 

[Conductor562]

This begs the question, have you guys ever had a customer ask what brand of tools you use?

 

[Hawk Thor]

This begs the question, have you guys ever had a customer ask what brand of tools you use?

Some of the marine engineers that are in the shipyard with their ships are interested in the tools but they won't throw you overboard for having cheaper tools.

I like it when they want to talk tools. Just got the chance to introduce a Canadian engineer that was sorting through tools and parts on a new to them ship, to Knipex. He had a Cobra 400mm waterpump plier that he had just put in a locker with specialty tools and seldom used equipment. I convinced him to go out and buy Cobra 125mm and a Knipex CoBolt.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If i use it everyday i get snap on, few times a month i get napa cman mac matco or cornwell if once a month or less i get harbor freight or online cheapos

So how often do you use your toolbox?
I'm only a weekend warrior (On Heavy Duty stuff...Tractors, Excavator, Farm Equipment in General)...and I currently have what could be considered a nice Crapsman box...and I cant stand it anymore. Most of the larger lower drawers are bowed out so much they rub on the drawer below when opening & closing... I wont go into debt 0.00 for a box, but I've been saving my pennies and one of these days I will get a Macsimizer or SnapOn to replace it..
Now I know why it was traded into the SnapOn guy. If I had to use this box every day, it would have been gone LONG ago.

IMO its not the customers that notice or care...but to me, if your using something every day it pays to go quality. I can see why my dad has all of the 3/4" Sockets from SnapOn, inside a SnapOn box, next to countless other SnapOn tools....Since we were young he tought us that quality tools pay..not cost.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

at work we use snap on industrial, proto, channel lock but its mostly snap on. I had to raise hell to get an Armstrong 1/2 locking flex ratchet. outside of snap on they want to get it from Grainger.

I am industrial maintenance BTW

 

[durallymax]

I would say enough of it is more a matter of the auto techs "**** swinging" as one other guy said, and the heavy techs worried about getting the job done.

Around here though, the heavy/diesel/ag techs are about half and half. Many have the skinny tall craftsman box overflowing with tools. The rest have nicer big boxes, many have a large triple bay with top chest. The bottom line is that you need a lot more tools for heavy/diesel. Many auto techs have more tools than they will ever need. Most could work out of a tool cart. A lot of the reason also comes down to the older guys working there, theres enough 50-60+year olds still in these shops.

Lets face it, joe blow doesn't need his car back immediately, theres new cars everyday, loaner cars, and most people have multiple cars.

Heavy equipment on the other hand has to be running. Theres no excuse for downtime and theres rarely loaners available, if their is, they are pricey.

I wont say you cant have nice boxes in heavy shops, diesel shops, farm shops, etc. I have mostly Snap-on, Matco and german brands with the rest being craftsman in a big snap on box. My box doesn't leave the shop, my tools will on occasion but if I know that I am going to work on a manure pump or something, I leave the nice tools in the shop and grab the harbor freights.

Its more about pride and care. My tools are also my hobby so I put the extra effort into not loosing them and keeping them nice. It doesn't take much extra effort and that kind of attitude keeps the project your working on clean and repaired well.


One other thing to mention is that you are more likely to see a wrench flying in a heavy/diesel shop than an auto shop. Lots of things dont like to move, or like to crush you.