Why are European Toolboxes Smaller

[SM Racing]

Mnay of the US mechanics seem to have multiples of many commonly used tools. I have 10 or 12 different ratches, multiple sets of metric shallow, deep, impact, and standard sockets, not counting a similar arrangement of standard stuff and I don't have anything with standard fasteners. Five + sets of metric wrenches, ratcheting, stubby, thin profile, etc. All those sets show above seem to have limited applications. What do you do if you break a ratchet or socket? Just have an empty hole?

How do you get by not having AC gauges, vacuum gauges, fuel pressure testers, scan tools, battery testers, volt meters, a million different sets of pliers, screwdrivers, etc? Hell working on a VW/Audi requires 50 different types of sockets and drivers.

Maybe they just buy one type manufacture kinda like the Snap On weenies and never look into other Brands. Maybe everyone buys that one brand listed by the manufacture and just sticks with it. I like trying out different ratchets, pliers, etc. I would think you efficiency takes a huge hit by not having all the potential tools you can? Do European techs work on flat rate like they do here?

 

[Super Cholo]

I thought there was a high toolbox tax.

BINGO! John--Las Vegas

 

[dazcapri]

we just don't have the space you guys have if I stuck one of those boxes in my garage I wouldn't be able to fit a car in. Also like other posts have said you only really need metric tools cars after about 1970 were mostly metric a/f [sae] is only really used by people restoring old cars and is starting to get hard to get over here.

 

[route246]

I agree about the space issue. In Japan I saw a ton of SO cabinets but they were all the smaller models. No 72" jobs over there. They just don't have the space.

we just don't have the space you guys have if I stuck one of those boxes in my garage I wouldn't be able to fit a car in. Also like other posts have said you only really need metric tools cars after about 1970 were mostly metric a/f [sae] is only really used by people restoring old cars and is starting to get hard to get over here.

 

[richfinn]

Mnay of the US mechanics seem to have multiples of many commonly used tools. I have 10 or 12 different ratches, multiple sets of metric shallow, deep, impact, and standard sockets, not counting a similar arrangement of standard stuff and I don't have anything with standard fasteners. Five + sets of metric wrenches, ratcheting, stubby, thin profile, etc. All those sets show above seem to have limited applications. What do you do if you break a ratchet or socket? Just have an empty hole?

How do you get by not having AC gauges, vacuum gauges, fuel pressure testers, scan tools, battery testers, volt meters, a million different sets of pliers, screwdrivers, etc? Hell working on a VW/Audi requires 50 different types of sockets and drivers.

Maybe they just buy one type manufacture kinda like the Snap On weenies and never look into other Brands. Maybe everyone buys that one brand listed by the manufacture and just sticks with it. I like trying out different ratchets, pliers, etc. I would think you efficiency takes a huge hit by not having all the potential tools you can? Do European techs work on flat rate like they do here?

Oddly everyone seems bewildered that we work out of small tool carts in Europe and then in the USA there is a "show and tell" thread about small mobile service carts that carry 95% of what a tech actually uses on a day to day basis.

 

[diesel research]

Just imagine having to share a bay with other techs, who often work other shifts than you (shop is open 24/7) you quickly get rid of big box syndrome.

 

[richfinn]

In Britain a job is just a job (even if you really love what you do, like me).

It seems to me that in America its a way of life and maybe the big boxes are a combination of wealth/one upmanship/laying down some sort of attachment to a workplace (in a good way of course).

I actually thin out my stuff on a regular basis as I accumulate stuff and never throw anything away it gets ridiculous how much I pack into my van.

 

[SM Racing]

Apparently the box defines the size of your manhood. Guess the Europeans don't get that? That is what kills me about techs here. They have a tool box that cost more than a new car and yet they only make 50K a year. That makes no sense at all.

 

[KU_MechE]

They're primarily bigger because real estate is at a premium and a smaller box fits the shop better. See Ed China's shop on Wheeler Dealers.

Also, Americans tend to go overboard with things like eating, truck lifts, and toolboxes

 

[mrholeshot]

While I own an arsenal of large toolboxes, close to 200 ratchets more sets of wrenches than I can count in reality I can do just about any minor or mid level repair out of the small cantilever box under the rear seat of my truck.

 

[SM Racing]

Its amazing how far the junkyard bag can get you if the situation arises.

 

[sbin]

I have a small Kennedy metric box and a small craftsman sae box that I can tear down a car or truck out of.The only tools that don't fit are 24" 1/2 breaker bar, pry bar and 5# hammer.Have carried the Kennedy box into a pullapart junkyard and left with a motor and ****** in a few hours.
But it is alot nicer to work next to the big Snap On box with all the odds and ends collected over the years.Noticed the big hammer and pry bar get a lot less use.

 

[HandyManny]

They're primarily bigger because real estate is at a premium and a smaller box fits the shop better. See Ed China's shop on Wheeler Dealers.

Also, Americans tend to go overboard with things like eating, truck lifts, and toolboxes

I agree. I love this country and will defend it to the end, but I often wonder about some of the thing many Americans do, like going overboard with a lot of stuff. I see some mechanics tool boxes and I even see pics posted here on this forum of peoples boxes and ask myself - How many multitudes of the exact same tools does one person need?? For example, does a mechnic really need half a dozen or 2 dozen standard 3/8" drive ratchets to do any job?

When I wrenched my 3/8 drive ratchet set consited of one standard length ratchet and one longer handled flex-head ratchet.

 

[north]

Here in Norway the employer will provide the most basic and common used tools to each mechanic and the bigger and more seldom used stuff will be shared.

 

[demographic]

One day those thicky Europeans will catch onto the well known fact that every proper mechanic needs at least 20 ratchets to change a set of plugs.

Some of those crazy Euro Mo Fo's actually believe they only have two hands and one head...

Can you believe it?

























I'm not admitting how many vices (or vises as you lot call them) I have on this thread, as it might go against the point I just made, Ahem.

 

[SuperSocket]

This is why...

Stuff is much more expensive there, less cars per capita, metric, etc.

 

[nikonica]

I'm sure it's mostly a cultural thing. I am an American and I own a lot of tools because I feel like it adds to my independence. So I have all the little specialty items to take care of any situation that might come up, and I have duplicates of the common items like sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers so that my projects are not stymied by the need to have a broken tool replaced (although I've only ever experienced a couple tools breaking, not counting screwdriver tips). Looking at it from a real-life perspective, i.e. from the perspective I'd have were I running a business, I could get by with a lot less. I too could (and sometimes will) do most of my work from the little Vermont American hip-roof hand box that lives in my car's trunk.

However, I am amazed by some of the "garage monument" tool boxes that are out there. I have nothing against it, I just don't fully understand it.

 

[HandyManny]

I am an American and I own a lot of tools because I feel like it adds to my independence. So I have all the little specialty items to take care of any situation that might come up, .

This is probably the best thing I've heard in years. Spoken like a true red, white, and blue American. I wish more people today thought this way.

 

[richfinn]

Maybe the marketing men at Snap On etc. decide how big/expensive a techs tool box should be (they then sell you a $1500 tool cart to store the useful stuff). Im not knocking them for it, its genius.

Whats good about this site for me is the home made stuff and the restored classic stuff.

 

[jape]

Why should have lots of tools?

My metric tools

Wrenches
4-22mm (Facom, Bahco, Stahlwille, Hazet, Kamasa)
24mm (Stahlwille)
27mm (Stahlwille)
30mm-32mm (Bahco)
34mm-36mm (Bahco)
8mm-19mm ratchet wrenches(Facom)

Socket sets

1/4" 4mm-14mm (Facom)
1/4 and 1/2 tool kit 4mm-34mm(Kamasa, with SAE sockets 5/16-13/16)
1/2" 8mm-32mm (Facom)
3/4" 22mm-50mm (no brand, my grandfather bought it in the beginning of 80's, i think that it is from japan. All of parts are good condition and nothing is missing)

SAE

Wrenches 1/4-15/16 (Bahco)

Sockets 5/16-13/16 in Kamasa set

Set of screwdrivers (Bahco)
Some pliers (Knipex,Bahco)

Adjustable Wrenches 8", 10", 12" (Bahco)

And some special tools (pullers etc)

With these, i have repaired all machines from lawnmover to tractor (changed clutch and fixed transmission) and some plumbing

All of tools fits to one toolbox (socket set are in their own cases), and the best thing, all of hand tools fits to my car trunk

I have dreamed to buy tool chest. But if i put all of my tools to drawers, how to hell i can take tools with me if my tractor brokes on field? Big chest doesn't fit to trunk

I have spent about 3k€ to my hand tools, and i think that it is big amount of money

 

[route246]

I keep one big box (currently a 72" Montezuma) and multiple smaller kits. The smaller kits are medium, small and very small.

The medium one is a big tool bag full of almost everything except drills, wrenches and sockets. This one is used sparingly and I often take it with me when I need to do something at a friend's house or other remote place. It's a Veto XXL-F zipper top tool bag.

The small one is an open tool bag with a lot of hand tools plus two low voltage Makita drills, one drill and one impact. This is the one I use the most because it is easy to carry with a shoulder strap and doesn't break my back. This one is a Veto OT-LC open tool bag.

The very small ones are pouches with basic screwdrivers, cutters, pliers, hammer/mallet, etc. for handyman work around the house. These are some form of electrician's tool pouches of various sizes.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Mine's bigger