Why are American's tool boxes so big?

[d.mcfarland]

/thread

Good post monomach.

 

[Justanoldguy]

No wonder the rest of the world dislikes Americans and our attitudes.

Man, you're a piece of work aren't you.

Not only putting down Americans but foreigners as well.

Pretty much ALL people I know DO NOT have that opinion of Americans.
In fact, the opposite actually.

So next time, don't go being the spokesperson for the rest of the world.

 

[toolslut6.0]

It'd be even better if you gave us a clue as to what the chuff you're referring to.

Kicked British ace twice in a row.(revolutionary war and war of 1812)

Then those Germans got pounded twice in 25 years in ww I and Ww I I. Lol thought everyone knew that.

 

[GTA Matt]

For sale: a few vw/audi timing tools. I will no longer be needing these. Im sticking to knuckle dragging diesels and peasant Hondas. Don't worry, they never came in contact with my Volvo timing tools and were stored in a completely different section of the box then my gm ohc and Ford 4.0 (gasp!) Tools so they are untainted. I'll also throw in my vw classroom training manuals and certifications. Now, they have my name on them, but after working on a Cummins last week, I am unable to read anyhow. The right price will also get you a ross-tech cable. I know all of the above is true because I was told this on the internet, by a French model. Bonjour!

P.S. the next time another one of them shitbox s8's come in with a stuck closed thermostat, I suppose I'll have to send them down the road....

 

[jb3]

A good shop is a good shop. If they are a good shop chances are they will have good business policies and do a good job whether its an arrogance inducing S4, or a tempo.

The opinion that a shop working on general automotive must necessarily be bad by definition is unique, but also flawed. A specialist, and especially factory authorized dealers paying 20 year old kids right out of tech school have just as much opportunity to screw up as anyone.

Mistakes happen, even venerated specialists working on space age magic audis. Mark of a really good shop is how they handle the mistake. Thats what makes me a loyal customer. I do most of my own work because im a cheap ******* and having been a fleet tech, i prefer to know whats going on with my vehicle. When i dont i take things to a specific general shop and they do a good job. They have made mistakes and treated me right when they did, so i come back
Ive brought them everything from 30 year old european diesels to domestic cargo vans, and they worked on everything with the steady competence of an experienced general shop.

 

[organ]

We got big tools...

 

[Piece-it Pete]

LOL I was going to say Clarkson is right about Audi owners but then a couple nice ones dropped in and proved him wrong Being a hack I also have a hard time not tending to like someone who tried to change a water pump on an A8 even in failure.

You touched common, peasant FORDS! UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!

It's the Ebola of the auto world?

Pete

 

[gsingh]

Man, some people are just so narrow minded. Or just cant afford a nice box.

The indy shop I used to work at, they took everything in. Toyota, Honda, BMW,
Audi, Mercedes, Volvo, Jaguar, even though we mainly worked on Fords. Mind you this is between 3 mechanics. The ones that worked on ford were the same ones that touched the Benz. I don't understand the mentality that one person cant work on multiple makes and models!

 

[gsingh]

I just re-read the thread and for some reason its making my blood boil.

 

[jb3]

I just re-read the thread and for some reason its making my blood boil.

It made we want to park my rusty dented 280k chevy work van as close as possible to the next S4 i come across, just to observe owner revulsion in person

 

[unslow1]

/thread

Good post monomach.

I second that. He is really confirming what most people I know think about Audi owners. My sister just bought one and is learning that first hand now. Maybe I have lots of tools because I got tired of running around town for two hours trying to find a 9mm Allen socket. Who decided that was a good idea on a Mariner's brakes? Just in the last 5 days I've worked on a 1909, 1912, 1979 blown pro street car and a 2007 Corolla. Some of us have that ability.

When did they start allowing trolls on this board?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

What makes spending $60k on a luxury car more reasonable than a guy spending $30k on his truck and another $30k on his tools/box to make a living?

 

[franzdom]

 

[Ridge Runner]

Neither do I. Please don't group me in with him!

 

[franzdom]

Neither do I. Please don't group me in with him!

No worries

 

[Piece-it Pete]

Neither do I. Please don't group me in with him!

Pete

 

[Ruger_556]

Here's the real story:

A mechanic breaks his bank account buying thousands and thousands of dollars worth of tools and more tools and even more tools and bigger tool boxes and then more tools to fill the monster tool boxes so he can break his back to work on F350s and Saturns and S4s all day...just to make a living.

Idiots. That's my point. You can make the same living, or more likely even a better living, as a manufacturer specialist. Your income won't be offset so much because you won't be spending as much money on tools that you don't need and tool boxes that take up too much space.

I think you're upset that there's guys that know more than you... While you can tell us all about your Audi there's guys that can work on almost anything and are dang good at it. You're just trying to justify it by saying it's stupid to spend the money on tools to be able to do it.

 

[franzdom]

I think you're upset that there's guys that know more than you... While you can tell us all about your Audi there's guys that can work on almost anything and are dang good at it. You're just trying to justify it by saying it's stupid to spend the money on tools to be able to do it.

Very well said!

 

[Casey69]

When did they start allowing trolls on this board?

dunno. one or two guys can really mess up decent thread. having a lively debate is one thing. can't believe this is still alive.

 

[creativecars]

Ok, to get this back on track.
How big does a tool box need to be to hold the ego of a Audi mechanic?? Who cares?? Because they only need one tool and they make their wrenches out of unicorn horns.

 

[owenst7]

Ok, to get this back on track.
How big does a tool box need to be to hold the ego of a Audi mechanic??

I'm guessing about 3 inches.

 

[franzdom]

I'm guessing about 3 inches.

 

[Jure]

I'd say the single largest factor is that we need to have full SAE sets in three drive sizes while most of the world doesn't need any SAE tools at all.

Another factor, at least from what a German MB tech told me, is that a bunch of the powered stuff we buy ourselves and keep locked up in our boxes here are provided by the shop over there. He said all of their cordless and air tools were given to them by the dealership, so they were just left laying around instead of being stored securely like ours.

Yet another factor is that for most of the world cars are smaller, and so are their fasteners. Some guys in other countries don't even need 1/2" drive. We're loaded with SUVs and pickups, though...so they're necessary.

I still wouldn't use a 26" stack, though. Even if we were all metric, I'd still have my 56" bottom box and use the top as a work surface. Same for the 44" at home...though if I didn't need any SAE, some of the home box space would probably be taken up with woodworking tools that are hanging from walls now.

here in Europe, 1/4 and 1/2" drive is common...3/8" drive is uncommon and you cant just go in store and buy some 3/8" sockets. so basically if you want a socket set which is above 14mm well then 90% of people here will go with 1/2 drive because you can get it in every store... and our tool boxes are small because we skip the 3/8 drive

 

[rancherbill]

I guess the ultimate answer is, whatever works for you.

There are a lot of local customs I see on GJ - they are not wrong just different.

I agree with Europeans that American boxes are bigger than some European cars and cost more.

 

[Jure]

I've never understood why techs have big boxes and homeowners have little boxes.

would you rather leave your car in shop with craftsman machinis tool box or in shop with a KRL1003? giant *** tool box looks more professional

 

[spoon671]

Look, fella...It's pretty clear that your experience with toolboxes is confined to seeing the one owned by the guy that you pay to work on your beloved S4.

You should leave it at that.

You're one of those guys who knows nothing about the industry and spends his time talking smack about the folks who work in it...right up until we see you make a thread with a title like "Need help from VW/Audi techs" in the Free Parking section. You're not the first of your kind we've seen around here.

Okay, for the record I work on my own cars. Always have and always will. The examples I mention in my previous posts are simply examples.

And, I worked in the industry at a GMC dealership from 2002 to 2008, after serving in the US Army as a 91b (wheeled vehicle mechanic). I have no other automotive experience. But I now am an industrial automation electrician and mechanic...I basically work on large robotic assembly lines.

Anyway, quit turning the focus on me. Let's focus on why really you have a big toolbox? If you have a reason...state it.

 

[Fretters]

Let's focus on why really you have a big toolbox? If you have a reason...state it.

Why? A persons reason for anything is the affair of no-one but themselves, unless it actively intereferes with another person in some way.

 

[gsingh]

Anyway, quit turning the focus on me. Let's focus on why really you have a big toolbox? If you have a reason...state it.

Because I need it to store all the tools I have and because I can afford it.

 

[spoon671]

I think you're upset that there's guys that know more than you... While you can tell us all about your Audi there's guys that can work on almost anything and are dang good at it. You're just trying to justify it by saying it's stupid to spend the money on tools to be able to do it.

I'm not saying that. I'm happy that lots of guys on here know how to do a lot of different work, and I'm not going to take that away from them. But, although I've offended some folks (sorry about that) I'm simply trying to bring to light the fact of American culture.

We as Americans can barely see past our noses. When someone who is well traveled, and whose seen dozens of shops in places throughout the world, the typical large toolbox-owning American just discounts their opinion.

And then insults him and calls him names. :/

One of my first posts in this thread stated that I hoped those reading it were intelligent enough to grasp the points I was trying to make. I understand if you get my point, and you disagree. That's cool, I love that! But somehow it seems that a lot of folks on here simply aren't intelligent enough to grasp them anyway. They insult my choice in personal vehicle, or insult my choice of profession (which I didn't even state until my post before this one.

And yes, everyone around the world, by and largely dislikes us Americans and our collective attitudes. It ***** for me when I travel... :/

 

[spoon671]

Because I need it to store all the tools I have and because I can afford it.

Well there you go, that's a honest answer. Tools are your "thing" right? I can understand that.

 

[franzdom]

I don't mind your choice of personal vehicle, it's your attitude I take issue with.

 

[gsingh]

Well there you go, that's a honest answer. Tools are your "thing" right? I can understand that.

Right now I have 3 tool boxes. One at the indy shop I still go to sometimes, its a Snap-On Classic 96, I have a Mac MB1500 at home and the 3rd one the dealer provides for me.

In my home box I have tools to do general maintenance to anything else that needs to be done.

Indy shop box, I got alignment tools mostly. Might do a oil change here and there but mostly alignments.

Dealer box is another story. I got too many tools there. Why? Because I need all that ****. Need an E10 socket in 1/4 inch, 1/4 swivel and 3/8 drive. Short sockets, mid length, deep sockets, in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive. Need multiple ratchets, way too many extensions and EXPENSIVE *** SPECIAL TOOLS!

 

[gsingh]

I don't mind your choice of personal vehicle, it's your attitude I take issue with.

Agreed, don't care who you are, what your background is or what you drive. Its just that you came out a jerk.

 

[spoon671]

Why? A persons reason for anything is the affair of no-one but themselves, unless it actively intereferes with another person in some way.

Oh I totally agree with you. But someone created this thread ya know lol? I'm just voicing my opinion in answer to the question.

Opinions are like assholes, right?

 

[spoon671]

I don't mind your choice of personal vehicle, it's your attitude I take issue with.

I did act like a complete ******* didn't I? Sorry about that..I guess all the previous posts got to me a bit and I wanted to jump in and shake my sense into people. My sense..lol

No harm intended.

 

[Jure]

WOW! It seems the touchy-feely Nancy's took this thread over. The original question was a valid one but few have really gave up legitimate reasons as to why we in the U.S. seem to have the need for large tool boxes. It would be nice if more European mechanics chimed in though as I think we may be going off the illusion that they can do all their repairs out of 3 drawers of tools or a carry box. I find this hard to believe and would like to have a better understanding of how Automobile work is performed in Europe.

GeaseMonkey44 nailed it rather well I think.

some of the shops in my area

 

[Justanoldguy]

And yes, everyone around the world, by and largely dislikes us Americans and our collective attitudes. It ***** for me when I travel... :/

Did you ever think the problem is NOT Americans but one American... YOU?

 

[bart1]

here in Europe, 1/4 and 1/2" drive is common...3/8" drive is uncommon and you cant just go in store and buy some 3/8" sockets. so basically if you want a socket set which is above 14mm well then 90% of people here will go with 1/2 drive because you can get it in every store... and our tool boxes are small because we skip the 3/8 drive

This is a good point and makes some degree of sense. It is true from what I have gathered in Germany as well.

I'm not saying that. I'm happy that lots of guys on here know how to do a lot of different work, and I'm not going to take that away from them. But, although I've offended some folks (sorry about that) I'm simply trying to bring to light the fact of American culture.

We as Americans can barely see past our noses. When someone who is well traveled, and whose seen dozens of shops in places throughout the world, the typical large toolbox-owning American just discounts their opinion.

And then insults him and calls him names. :/

One of my first posts in this thread stated that I hoped those reading it were intelligent enough to grasp the points I was trying to make. I understand if you get my point, and you disagree. That's cool, I love that! But somehow it seems that a lot of folks on here simply aren't intelligent enough to grasp them anyway. They insult my choice in personal vehicle, or insult my choice of profession (which I didn't even state until my post before this one.

And yes, everyone around the world, by and largely dislikes us Americans and our collective attitudes. It ***** for me when I travel... :/

I have been to over 10 countries and I also thought that the world generally did not like Americans. However, I have found this not to be true at all. I have not travelled to any Middle Eastern countries, but Europe, Asia and the Americas have all treated me very well. I think it may be more about overall attitude and how you present yourself. You seem to have gotten under some people's skin here, so maybe just think about if you can present yourself differently.

I have a car that is a bit of a specialty Euro make as well. I have had many general mechanics turn me down, saying they do not work on these. The two shops I do use if I am not doing my own work are specialsts in the make (they do have big boxes, though).

 

[monomach]

some of the shops in my area

Note all of the shop-provided tools hanging on walls instead of being locked away like the self-purchased tools of techs in the US. Well, except for the fake, obviously-posed second picture.

I also see two larger boxes in the last picture. It looks like they have real boxes and are just using 26" bottom boxes instead of service carts.

 

[spoon671]

I have been to over 10 countries and I also thought that the world generally did not like Americans. However, I have found this not to be true at all. I have not travelled to any Middle Eastern countries, but Europe, Asia and the Americas have all treated me very well. I think it may be more about overall attitude and how you present yourself. You seem to have gotten under some people's skin here, so maybe just think about if you can present yourself differently.



I have a car that is a bit of a specialty Euro make as well. I have had many general mechanics turn me down, saying they do not work on these. The two shops I do use if I am not doing my own work are specialsts in the make (they do have big boxes, though).

You're right, I've been voicing a pretty narrow opinion of things. Self presentation really does have a huge effect on how one is perceived by others. I try hard to be nice when visiting abroad, but I guess I can see where I can fault as well.

Yeah specialty Euro make, I'm glad someone understands. I'm dreading my timing belt replacement man. I don't have the facilities at home to accomplish this particular task by myself. Dropping the engine and trans, my wife just won't let it happen.