Given that I'm only an amateur mechanic, I have a huge toolbox. I do work on complicated cars, mostly German, and those do require a lot of specialty tools. But a good chunk of the tools I own are out of a desire for efficiency. I buy tools the same way any flat rate tech would. If I can do a job more efficiently with a particular tool or set, it gets purchased. I simply do not have enough time in my day to screw around. To me, it's much more fun and less frustrating when I have the right tools at hand. My time is more valuable than the cost of the tools. I often have to choose between several tools all well suited for a particular task. Picking the BEST suited tool makes the job easier, reduces the chance of damaging expensive parts or fasteners, and avoids many minor personal injuries. Try doing surgery on a modern BMW V8 or V10, and you will be glad you own virtually every metric socket or extension that Snap-on makes. A normally simple job like changing the frequently leaky valve cover gaskets can take most of a day. So much is crammed into the engine bay, access to any component is a challenge. Next weekend will be a valley pan gasket on an E53. It's not rocket science, but just the right tool every step of the way makes life easier. I think back to my first BMW, a 1972 model, and you could fix almost anything with the simple trunk toolkit.
Why are American's tool boxes so big?
- Thread starter Cato
- Start date
I don't recall ever insulting you. I'm sorry if I don't share the same opinions as you do.
I never said caloric intake needed to be regulated. Go back and reread my posts. Ponder the context of them, use your little brain to think about it really hard, and then reply intelligently. Reading comprehension is a damn chore ain't it?
Model A Fan
Well-known member
Because if we switched to metric, all the machinery and stuff in existence would magically switch to metric too...
:tard::tard:
I think its due to the variety of stuff you can own here in the States. You generally have more space here, so you can have more toys. In Asia and Europe you maybe have room for your tiny car and a small set of tools.
I have multiples of most basic tools and a wide spread of other stuff.
BTMSUP
Well-known member
This would certainly imply that you do support the regulation of caloric intake.
Like I said, please read your previous comments before spewing more useless info.
Not quite certainly.
From that quoted post, it was my hope that observers would read into how ridiculous it sounds that our government stepped in to regulate that, but fails to regulate other more important things.
I also emboldened the text "finally"...this was sarcasm. You missed that one too.
Anyway, in my very next post after the one you quoted, I clarified that I did not agree with our government regulating our caloric intake. You obviously did not catch that either but whatever that's fine...not a lot of people here did. I even said it twice.
Plus that other guy laid into me about "contradictions" that didn't exist. Sharp knives in this drawer, I tell ya... /sarcasm
From that quoted post, it was my hope that observers would read into how ridiculous it sounds that our government stepped in to regulate that, but fails to regulate other more important things.
I also emboldened the text "finally"...this was sarcasm. You missed that one too.
Anyway, in my very next post after the one you quoted, I clarified that I did not agree with our government regulating our caloric intake. You obviously did not catch that either but whatever that's fine...not a lot of people here did. I even said it twice.
Plus that other guy laid into me about "contradictions" that didn't exist. Sharp knives in this drawer, I tell ya... /sarcasm
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I can tell you the main reason why American boxes are bigger than in Europe. Probably been said before, I didn't read all the thread.
In Europe the general rule is; the shop supplies ALL tools and boxes, safety boots, overalls etc. The mechanics usually don't own a single screwdriver at their workplace. So basically the European toolbox is what I have seen you guys call roll cart - and that is exactly what they are used for!
Then the shop has "tool room" or some other form of storage for everything else the techs share. I.e a wall section covered with big pipe wrenches, 3/4", 1" drive sockets, ratchets impacts, gear pullers etc.. Shelfs for specialty tools, power tools, taps, drills, measuring devices or whatever said shop needs to operate... You get the picture!
There are more reasons, but this is the main one. Different system.
And there is no doubt the Euro system creates different tool politics and incentives.
In Europe the general rule is; the shop supplies ALL tools and boxes, safety boots, overalls etc. The mechanics usually don't own a single screwdriver at their workplace. So basically the European toolbox is what I have seen you guys call roll cart - and that is exactly what they are used for!
Then the shop has "tool room" or some other form of storage for everything else the techs share. I.e a wall section covered with big pipe wrenches, 3/4", 1" drive sockets, ratchets impacts, gear pullers etc.. Shelfs for specialty tools, power tools, taps, drills, measuring devices or whatever said shop needs to operate... You get the picture!
There are more reasons, but this is the main one. Different system.
And there is no doubt the Euro system creates different tool politics and incentives.
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yea sure , ive been doing this for 26 years and ive never been in a workshop that supplies tools to fitters/ engineers ,overals yes boots sometimes. Tools never. Unless your working for the army, however we do share and we do borrow from work college's , on a rule , borrow it once and buy it! Here in the y-uk all garages ive worked in and people ive had work for me insist on your own tools , so please dont be in the mind that we dont supply our own tools or we work for people that supply ANY tools.
Colin
seagullplayer
Well-known member
It takes a big tool box to fix everything in the world...
I believe the UK is an exception to the "general" European rule. Monte has informed us this is the way in Germany, I know it is also the main rule in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and I suspect also in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Swiss, Austria...
It would be interesting if more Europeans would chime in on this matter.
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Strange way of working, this means no respect for the tools used.
Strange as it seems, it is quite possible to respect something you don't own.
From my experience - this has to to with shop culture. I know of shops where everything is destroyed is they think it will save them few minutes. The opposite is generally more like it.
Even if the the shop owns and supplies the toolbox, most mechanics refer to them as their own and use them as such.
Fretters
Well-known member
Pretty much sums it up.
Technically part of Europe, but a lot over here fight against it tooth and nail. Quite ironic when you consider we are literally a mongrel nation consisting of a lot of European blood, and have been since time immemorial. Respect/courtesy/consideration/basic human decency are all intrinsic to a person, not selectable dependant on scenario/situation. Someone who has no respect for other peoples things will generally have little if any respect for their own either.
As someone so elequently put it, (or possibly quoted someone else?), the other day, in response to a similar thing: "Those who understand require no explanation, and for those who don't understand, no explanation is possible".
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Pretty much sums it up.
Respect/courtesy/consideration/basic human decency are all intrinsic to a person, not selectable dependant on scenario/situation. Someone who has no respect for other peoples things will generally have little if any respect for their own either.
As someone so elequently put it, (or possibly quoted someone else?), the other day, in response to a similar thing: "Those who understand require no explanation, and for those who don't understand, no explanation is possible".
too true, much respect for whoever quoted that.GTA Matt
Well-known member
Out of genuine curiosity, how big is your tool box/tool collection? What type of work do you do and what variety of vehicles?
Big enough sockets 4.5mm to 72mm spanners to 56mm couple 1/2 inch impacts couple of 3/8 impacts and couple of air ratchets tray of screw drivers. Tray of elec tools , crimping soldering fluke meters. Specialist vw gm ford and merc belt and chain tools.
Diagnostic ids for ford rangerover and star for merc as well as snappy diag.
Oh and a kettle for t n coffee
About 50k in total , that was insurance last estimate.
Y do you ask?
I fix emergency service vehicles , manly ambulances and police cars. We have jus lost the police contract, but are in the proses of winning it back. I also work on coaches and buses as well as hgv
Diagnostic ids for ford rangerover and star for merc as well as snappy diag.
Oh and a kettle for t n coffee
About 50k in total , that was insurance last estimate.
Y do you ask?
I fix emergency service vehicles , manly ambulances and police cars. We have jus lost the police contract, but are in the proses of winning it back. I also work on coaches and buses as well as hgv
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GTA Matt
Well-known member
Like I said, just curious. I suspected that you had a fairly large collection if you had been at this for 26 years in shops that never provided tools and worked on a variety of vehicles. Obviously a guy who only works on 1 car line in a shop that provides specialty tools will need a far smaller box then the guy who works on all makes in a shop that provides only electricity, lifts and air.
Thanks bud make me feel so much better, i was an owner for 10 years before i got stuffed on a bad business deal, but hey i dont feel bad for myself when i can come on here and be digged at by someone like youself. Thank you.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
Not quite sure I understand? I wasn't taking a dig at you. I suspected you had a large collection and it sounds like you do. No disrespect meant.
Sorry buddy my miss-understanding. Obviously having a bad morning.