Why not employer provided tools?

[Biomed]

I've never worked in automotive/truck/heavy equipment repair like many Garage Journal posters. I have worked in telecommunications/fire alarm/medical equipment repair. For every job I had that required tools the employer provided them, especially specialized tools or test equipment.

There is some debate right now in the medical equipment repair field if employers or employees should provide tools.

For those in the automotive/truck/heavy equipment field have employers ever provided your tools? Would you like the employer to provide tools? Do you have a preference - why?

 

[reptilezs]

employer supplied tools get "lost" cough ahem. my employer has the option of them supplying or i supply them and i get compensated yearly for tool wear and whatever. how big the compensation is depends on how much money the service dept makes that year

 

[tw33k2514]

The problem with employer supplied tools is that once you leave that job, especially as a new guy to the industry, you are Focked. Because most likely your next job will require tools. And you won't have any.

Not to mention employer provided tools get stolen, and abused.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

The employer is supposed to supply all of the tools for my work per union agreements. So you get a bucket of garbage as tools. I have always supplied all of my own tools. I have given beat downs to clowns who thought they were entitled to put a hand in my tool box.

 

[Fedwrench]

I've worked in a variety of situations. At the dealer, we provided our own individual tools and the dealership provided many specialty tools, scan tools, and shop equipment. However, if if there was a specialty tool in demand, you had to share, and that would cost you time, which would cost you money, so you bought it if you needed it a lot.
When I worked for the city, they provided scan tools, shop equipment and very few specialty tools. Techs provided their individual tools but, we got a $500 (before taxes) tool allowance annually to replace worn or old tools. We didn't have to show receipts and some techs never bought tools.
My current job provides everything from the clothes on my back to steel toed shoes on my feet, to all of the individual tools , specialty tools, and shop equipment we need. However, there isn't an endless pot of money for tools but, we do ok. It's mostly Snap on and other industrial brands like armstrong and proto with auto parts store sprinkled in when you needed a 30mm 12 poit socket to take a chrysler transmission apart on short notice. There are times when a particular tool is needed and rather than buy it, I'll bring it in from home to do the job. It's nice not to have the expense of getting tools unless, you like to get tools. There is also the issue of not necessarily using what you like best like Matco proswing wrenches, or other non snap on tools for example. I would not want to have my employer provide individual tools in a commercial setting though. They would probably go cheap with craftsman or harbor freight type tools. Then there's the who broke the shop's wrench problem, who stole my 8mm socket, who bent this wrench or modified this tool to do a job? fiasco. Accountability would also be a concern. I like the freedom to choose what I like to use.

 

[jsaw]

With the price of quality tools the employer would most likely buy the cheapest ones they could find and you would be stuck trying to work with them. Plus, there are lots of different options for tools, and people have their own personal preferences as to what tools they like.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Yes, you would break your freakin hands on the junk. Most employer supplied tools are good for fishing weights.

 

[BajaBound]

Cause *** holes steal them and it ends up costing more money for the company. But I believe there should be more compensation for employees buying tools.

 

[honcho]

When I commanded a field artillery battery I had a motor pool with over 50 vehicles and 5 mechanics. Each mechanic had a toolbox and along with a large motorpool set of special and less frequently used special tools I also had an armorer with a toolbox and communications techs with small toolboxes, not to mention the small complement of hand tools that went with each vehicle. Making sure soldiers took care of those tool and toolboxes was almost a full time job. When the tools are not yours, they are not cared for in the same way and when my mechanics didn't "own" the tools and got "free" replacements, tools had a tendency to walk away or be abused. Dedicated mechanics often bought and used their own tools so they could get the job done rather than be reliant on the often slow supply system. While I appreciated their dedication, mixing personally owned tools with government owned tools created headaches too. I think the way to go is to provide expensive special tools as employer supplied and a stipend for purchase, wear & tear of hand tools that are the property and responsibility of each individual technician.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

flat rate mechanic is not really an employee , more like a subcontractor with no control over his business ...I prefer to have my own tools , and when a new job comes along , the new boss pays for the flatbed for the box

 

[customsbyjason]

when i worked at freightliner as a mechanic they provided tools each stall had a big box of tools for 3 shifts and just about once a week something was missing outta your box people would walk by and pick something up or put it back on someone else box or steal them i perfer to have my own tools but its a pain to move if you move from place to place

 

[YellowLakeWelding]

I've worked for a logging company several years ago then a short stint at a crooked heavy truck shop, both places didn't supply any tools what so ever based solely on the fact that company tools would always go missing. Anything specialty or diagnostic was each mechanics sole responsibility to purchase on their own. My view personally is that if your in the industry and the requirement to do your job is having the proper tools then by all means purchase those tools because they'll help you do your job and ensure your paycheck. I can imagine that some places with community tools also means abused and often worn out as well being then a lack of responsibility for some to take care of them because those belong to the company and not the person.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

well i was working at the mine they didn't provide any tools, but they did give us a healthy tool allowance as well as a boot allowance.

 

[NUTTSGT]

We have a craftsman box at the FD, we do some of our own repairs. What we can't do goes out the the city garage. The mechanic there has his own tools but the city does have tools for the other guys to use out there.

When I commanded a field artillery battery I had a motor pool with over 50 vehicles and 5 mechanics.

50 vehicles for an arty battery ? Must have Army, because the Marines don't have that many.

 

[Capri driver]

I worked for a prototype automotive fabricating job shop in the 80's (made parts, not entire cars) and we had to supply our own tools.

However, the company would purchase them on their account,pay 20% of the cost up front and then deduct payments out of our checks with no interest. Not only that, we had unlimited overtime, so whenever I bought anything, I just made sure I worked enough OT to make up what they were going to deduct that week.

I worked in QC, so most of my stuff was calipers, micrometer, indicators etc., but I have a nice Kennedy roller base and top box in my garage at home from back then. I doubt I would pay that much now for a home toolbox, so I am really glad I got it back in the day.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have been out of the dealer loop for a while however; I read that some European franchises are building shops with built in tool cabinets and complete tool sets in each stall. The article cited the desire to unify the look and utility of each stall. Personally I think it is a good idea but, as other have said the tools could be junk or grow legs?

All the skilled trades I have been involved with required the employee to supply their own hand tools. I think that goes back to the day when skilled workers were viewed more like the professions today.

Steve

 

[copterdoctor]

my company supplies any "model specific'' special tools, and gives a tool allowance every year.... but all hand tools are our responsibility to have....

but we have a "tool crib'' at our main hangar down in louisiana ... a guy sits in there and checks out the tools... no stolen tools where I work... but, as you can imagine, helicopter special tools are not cheap....

 

[Steve from Socal]

Copter,

You working for PHI now?

Steve

 

[kc-steve]

. . . I have worked in telecommunications/fire alarm/medical equipment repair. For every job I had that required tools the employer provided them, especially specialized tools or test equipment.

There is some debate right now in the medical equipment repair field if employers or employees should provide tools.

For those in the automotive/truck/heavy equipment field have employers ever provided your tools? Would you like the employer to provide tools? Do you have a preference - why?

I think you might be trying to compare apples to oranges. Like some have pointed out, some are paid on a flat rate so the quality of their tools is more important to them than it is to the employer.

I have worked in similar areas of electronics you mention and most of it was at the manufacturer's rep level. It was more important to the employer/manufacturer that I showed up at a customer's business with everything I would need as well as having quality tools. They even supplied a late-model mid-sized car of my choice replacing it after 60,000 miles (about every two years). I was paid a fixed salary, no overtime pay, but plenty of overtime.

Forgive me if I am wrong, but it sounds to me like your employer has decided they need to reduce expenses, and the tool thing is one of their options.

Steve

 

[Ritter4.0]

Being 19, still living at home, and just starting my job a year ago, I kinda like providing my own tools. I do not work in the automotive industry, so speed is not a huge factor. I cut out, and make parts for flight simulators. The tools I use most cost well over $100,000, and are owned by the company. I do not need the majority of the tools that I have bought so far. About 90% of them are USA that I bought used. The rest are good Tawain tools. I like it this way because I can take home whatever I want when I need it, and not worry about bringing it back anytime soon. Also, I will have a pretty decent set of tools for home use if I decide to upgrade some of my stuff to Snap-On (pretty unlikely). I might have a total of $1200 between my boxes, new, and used tools. If I continue to fill out my sets like I have been, I should not have more than $2500 into them, that would include buying a bigger box.

 

[Coach James]

For a while, I supplied tools at my gym for the coaches to maintain equipment. I got tired of seeing them not taken care of by my standard so I gave a couple of my employees gifts of C-man wrenches, sockets, ratchets, pliers etc and locked all my tools in my office or took them home.

Now they can lose, break or abuse their tools and I don't care. Actually it still bugs me, but it bugs me a lot less than when it was my tools. When we need taps, dies, pipe wrenches or anything else, I bring in my own, I use them then they get locked back up till I take them home.

Coach

 

[clark_nicholas]

My work provides power tools but i have to supply hand tools. I think the wear and tear allowance is a good idea how much should is ask for a year?

 

[4x4gearhead]

To be honest I am fine buying my own tools because as mentioned, if tools are supplied for you at a certain job, you get a new job that doesnt, and you are up sh!ts creek. I prefer to have my own things, what is a mechanic without tools?

 

[MoToys]

I am a locksmith so there is a decent amount of specialty tools needed on the job besides the standard set of hand tools.
Our company has been around since the late 60's and has bought out a few companies over the years. This gives us an ample amount of equipment to use. Some items are left in trucks and some items that we only have one or two of is taken out of the shop for the job it is needed on and brought back that night. We are not a very large company so stuff is mostly cared for and returned.
As for hand tools, you can pick through and put a set together with company owned stuff but why wouldn't you want to own your own tools, especially if they help you get the job done better.

 

[mrholeshot]

Ive never had and employer to provide my tools. My Dad made me buy my own tools to work in his shop when I was 8 years old. I've been buying ever since.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Employer provides nothing besides a crappy workbench and vice, crappy diag machine and a pretty decent 20-ton press. You have to provide all your own tools, basic and specialty. (Including special pullers, special suspension bush tools, timing tools, etc.)

The apprentice has been there for two years and still doesn't have any of his own tools, he uses the other mech's tools.

 

[diesel research]

Having worked in a few different industries/sectors, I notice it can vary greatly.

My first experience was in the army. Believe it or not, I was required to provide my own tools. Being 19 and in germany with no clue as what tools are what, I grabbed a actron automotive meter, a craftsman 254pc set, 16 flipover type gear wrenches (new hot stuff back then) and that was about it.

My experience greatly improved soon after. I was handed a giant crate filled with hand tools. Used of course. I was allowed to pick through what ever I wanted, to make a set, AND they were mine to keep! All proto/armstrong/sk. Built a pretty complete wrench/socket set from this and even had some specialty stuff like ratcheting flarenut wrenches. Was given an old beat up proto roll cab (26") as well. Mine mine mine.

Needless to say I quickly disliked raised panels.

Soon after, I was issued my first set. Issued with a hand receipt. A snap on set. Pretty complete. 936 era. On a weekly basis we could be demanded to do a layout and show we did not steal or lose anything. Missing items were deducted from paycheck.

Later I moved, got issued SK set and lost everything that was originally given to me as freebies.
_________________
I went on to be a researcher in a university lab pertaining to diesel engine development. About as white collar as it gets and still occasionally touching a tool. Usually sit in an air conditioned office browsing craigslist or ebay or something, while the engine ran anohter 10hour dyno cycle. Maybe a little bit of calculations of various results.

All tools provided. Mostly craftsman professional, but some clausing, bosch, and miller mixed in Any time we needed a different tool, as long as it was under $5,000 I had the go ahead to make a purchase. Due to the white collar nature, no one had any desire to use/keep any of the tools. No worries. Hell, they wouldn't even take stationary or office supplies lol. Never felt a need/desire to lug my own tools around.

Pretty much most tool usage was working on our own vehicles, so we didn't have to when we were off work. Anything from motor swaps to transmissions to light bulbs. If the job ran over into after hours, there were even adult drinks involved.
_________________
Went on to do heavy maintenance at a car shredder. no way in hell could I afford the necessary tools nor would I want to use them in a place covered in 6ft of shredded junk.

Not to mention, if the company didn't have the right tool for the job, it got subcontracted out to someone else. You can see the desire NOT to have the right tool.

They were cheap asses who tried to set up POs with harbor freight. :wtf When you really really twisted their arms they would get wright/williams/proto. No one there knew how to use tools, so the risk of theft was extremely low (except for power tools). Not to mention, who really needs a 4 1/2" wright socket at home?
______________________
Went on to an OTR trucking company. They provide very little of anything. 6 full time shifts sharing the same work area. Will steal any and everything in sight, especially since they are in "your" area while you are at home sleeping.
______________________

From my own experiences and the experiences of many others, tool theft is much more common in the vehicle repair industry. Lot more thieves and low lifes. Hence the reason companies are reluctant to provide tools.

A truck repair shop down the street, provides tools to "use". After 1 year they are yours to keep. Not sure of brands or quality, could be interesting to see. Considered that place since they offer 42% commission, but feeling iffy that they could provide the work flow.

 

[HandyManny]

In my experience, when it comes to automotive and aircraft repair, the mechanic in almost all cases has to own thier own tools. The exceptions being some larger shop equipment like drill presses, air compressors, machining/cutting equipment, and maybe some special diagnostic tools, etc.

Generally in the manufacturing and assembely industry, my experience was that most tools were provided by the company, and those tools are specific to each persons particular job. But in those industries each individual person generally only uses a specific limited number of tools anyway.

In the carpentry, building, and construction trades and in trades such as electrician, HVAC, and plumbing, these guys buy and own their own hand and power tools in general, the exceptions being large heavy power equipment such as back hoes and bobcats, etc.

In these jobs I'd rather that the individual buy and use their own tools. That way they can acquire what they like and investing in something makes you value and respect it much much more.

 

[Weps]

i raised this question in the $10,000.00 tool box thread and there seemed to be several common thoughts. i'm still not sure i understand them though.

what is it with this "tools go missing" line? i'd be surprised if i've lost more than a handful of tools in my life and most of that occurred at one time when i carelessly took the trash out in the dark. at no job i've ever had, no one stole other people's stuff. and if they'd try, it wouldn't take to long to figure out what had happened and people would be held accountable. if tools start disappearing, so should the problem employees. same with tools damaged by abuse or negligence. it should not be a common occurrence.

i also don't buy that employers would provide the cheapest tools possible. maybe some would, but as an employer, i would want to provide the tools necessary to do a high quality job and also attract and retain skilled employees. the type of people i'd want working for me are likely not going to be excited to find themselves outfitted with HF specials.

the type of environment that many of you are describing just does not make sense to me. employers are offloading business costs to employees. and in the process forcing them into debt as an established practice. then these same employees are competing against their coworkers in many cases and seem to have little trust or confidence in them.

is this really what many of you have to deal with?

feel free to tell me i'm wrong or why i just don't get it. i honestly don't know the industry or anyone in it and this is as close as i've been able to get.

 

[danski0224]

i raised this question in the $10,000.00 tool box thread and there seemed to be several common thoughts. i'm still not sure i understand them though.

what is it with this "tools go missing" line? i'd be surprised if i've lost more than a handful of tools in my life and most of that occurred at one time when i carelessly took the trash out in the dark. at no job i've ever had, no one stole other people's stuff. and if they'd try, it wouldn't take to long to figure out what had happened and people would be held accountable. if tools start disappearing, so should the problem employees. same with tools damaged by abuse or negligence. it should not be a common occurrence.

i also don't buy that employers would provide the cheapest tools possible. maybe some would, but as an employer, i would want to provide the tools necessary to do a high quality job and also attract and retain skilled employees. the type of people i'd want working for me are likely not going to be excited to find themselves outfitted with HF specials.

the type of environment that many of you are describing just does not make sense to me. employers are offloading business costs to employees. and in the process forcing them into debt as an established practice. then these same employees are competing against their coworkers in many cases and seem to have little trust or confidence in them.

is this really what many of you have to deal with?

feel free to tell me i'm wrong or why i just don't get it. i honestly don't know the industry or anyone in it and this is as close as i've been able to get.

I am in a union trade.

There is a hand tool list in the contract. Show up with just that, and you can't do much... and the union hall won't back you up. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Show up with something like a battery drill (not on the list) and sometimes a union blowhard will (1) steal your tool or (2) report you to the union hall.

In my experience, employer provided tools have been junk, or close to junk. The employer also wonders why you can't get anything done with junk tools. Some of the junk borders on unsafe.

Yes, people steal. All the time. Drills, bits, welders, hardware... on and on. To many, it is some kind of badge of honor.

Most employees don't give a damn about the employer provided tools.

I have had the same magnetic 1/4" driver for literally years. I was on a job where people couldn't keep one for a week. I know of a guy that has a coffee can full of these. He asks for one all the time, just because he can.

I have had the same cordless drill for years. Others will intentionally break tools for a work stoppage. Some do it for sport.

Extension cords are expendable. Employees don't care.

I know people in the automotive field- similar problems with employer provided specialty tools. Broken and no repairs, stolen, missing, hoarding.

A retailer had mobile carts for things like printing labels. Scan guns broken, employees locking them up so no one could use "their" stuff. Handheld walkie-talkies damaged and destroyed.

At a recent business seminar, I did not hear of 1 employer providing hand tools or basic power tools due to damage and theft/loss (whatever you want to call it). These people were from all areas of the USA.

I used to share your point of view, but reality is different.

There are exceptions, but the percentage is very small.

I have treated employer provided tools with the same care I give my own tools. I am the exception, not the rule.

In addition, employers in my trade are shifting their costs of doing business to employees. If you do not own a pickup truck or van, you are shortly without work. If you do not provide a cell phone, you are also without work. Some are requiring the employee to work off the clock (show up early, stay late). Same goes for power tools that the employer is supposed to provide. Again, the union hall does nothing. These practices are common on the non-union side of the fence. Almost all help-wanted ads in my area specify truck/van/tools/phone.

 

[HandyManny]

i raised this question in the $10,000.00 tool box thread and there seemed to be several common thoughts. i'm still not sure i understand them though.

what is it with this "tools go missing" line? i'd be surprised if i've lost more than a handful of tools in my life and most of that occurred at one time when i carelessly took the trash out in the dark. at no job i've ever had, no one stole other people's stuff. and if they'd try, it wouldn't take to long to figure out what had happened and people would be held accountable. if tools start disappearing, so should the problem employees. same with tools damaged by abuse or negligence. it should not be a common occurrence.

i also don't buy that employers would provide the cheapest tools possible. maybe some would, but as an employer, i would want to provide the tools necessary to do a high quality job and also attract and retain skilled employees. the type of people i'd want working for me are likely not going to be excited to find themselves outfitted with HF specials.

the type of environment that many of you are describing just does not make sense to me. employers are offloading business costs to employees. and in the process forcing them into debt as an established practice. then these same employees are competing against their coworkers in many cases and seem to have little trust or confidence in them.

is this really what many of you have to deal with?

feel free to tell me i'm wrong or why i just don't get it. i honestly don't know the industry or anyone in it and this is as close as i've been able to get.

It's a practice that's been occuring since day 1 with mechanics and even to a larger extent in other trades going back farther. The highly skilled always own their own tools. As far as debt goes? Each individual is responsible for their own finances in life. That's nobody else responsibility, but your own. Certainly not your employers. Where we run into problems in this country is when each individual stops taking personal responsibility in their lives. When that happens we all want our employers and the government to run our lives and protect us from ourselves. That's not how it should be.

 

[JD6619A]

I work for a equipment rental company

First day of work I was asked how good can u weld. I built my own bench (boss told me to get a welder from the yard and make a materials list), added a few lights over my bench and rolled my boxes into place. Made some shelves. Gave the crusty wall in front of my work area a coat of paint. Boss was impressed enough I made 3 other work benches then eventually painted the whole shop (cant remember how many gallons of primer and paint). got a raise after a month of being there (owner of the shop was impressed with the paint job, likely the walls haven't seen new paint in 30 years)

Employer supplies all the specialty tools, and consumables we supply our own tools. Uniforms provided to us as well. Our Service vehicle has company provided tools though they go missing pretty quick. Theft isn't an issue at work. Fellow mechanics ask to borrow and not just take.

 

[KCarGuy]

When I was an Electrician, Every Guy had to have (or own) a certain amount of Tools. These he carried on him at all times.
You could be let go if you did not have a certain tool doing a job.
Above and beyond the Personal Tool supply that you would carry...If there was a Special job that needed to be done, You would go to the Tool Cage and see the Guy who manages the Cage, check out those needed tools and now you were responsible for the return and well being of those tools (like if you fried a 1/2 Snap-on Ratchet or socket, it comes out of your check).
Thats what the auto industry needs to do...A Mechanic should need to buy or have a Specific Tool set or set of Tools (standard list), after that, the Parts department can sign out (and back in) other tools that are needed for certain repairs.
It is crazy, that there are mechanics out there trying to do quality work with 5 grand in tools, while others have had to shell out 75 grand to make a good living.
This would also prevent theft (as much as you can).
Just my 2 Cents on that subject....

 

[diesel research]

i also don't buy that employers would provide the cheapest tools possible. maybe some would, but as an employer, i would want to provide the tools necessary to do a high quality job and also attract and retain skilled employees. the type of people i'd want working for me are likely not going to be excited to find themselves outfitted with HF specials.

the type of environment that many of you are describing just does not make sense to me. employers are offloading business costs to employees. and in the process forcing them into debt as an established practice. then these same employees are competing against their coworkers in many cases and seem to have little trust or confidence in them.

is this really what many of you have to deal with?

feel free to tell me i'm wrong or why i just don't get it. i honestly don't know the industry or anyone in it and this is as close as i've been able to get.

It's common. Auto repair industry is loaded with thieves.

Yes equipment is often subpar. It may have been name brand and just run into the ground, or may have been a POS from day one.

Many employers have to deal with corporate accounts and are somewhat limited to where they can buy tools. They can't ebay/craigslist/garage sale/amazon and get raped over the coals. Then further raped by repair bills. They just paid $500 to get an impact rebuilt that i can buy brand new for a bit more than $600 but they would have to pay more than $1000 due to who they deal with.

I just did a little walk around report a few hours ago on shop equipment and found all grinders need to be dressed and are fully loaded with aluminum. The torch's acetylene valve is leaking (just happened) and 2 of the parts washers won't go into recycle mode. There is a wilton 6" bullet vise laying on the floor for 6 months because the slide got stripped out.

Like I said before, a previous employer actually tried to get a corporate account with harbor freight. If that doesn't show you how cheap they are, nothing will.

It is also not about high quality workmanship. Quite the contrary. The goal is to deliver the lowest quality/least cost that can still get away with. They call that "efficiency". That is most everywhere in private sector.

 

[indestro]

Im a Army mechanic and am in charge of a crew of junior mechanics responsible for about 50 pcs of eqpt. I dont use the issue GENERAL MECHANICS TOOLBOX because its very sparce and low quality, example 45 tooth round head sk rats that SELF REVERSE, NO DEEP WELL SOCKETS. 4 or 5 small sockets and limited extensions.however there are thread pitch gages and numerous punches and chisels.So to make a long story short a VERY GENERAL. kit which would serve a unit weapons armorer well but not a mechanic whose mani purpose in life is to work on GM 6.2-6.5L HMMWV services ex: pan gaskits filter replacements- belt replacement and so on

SORRY FOR THE RANT...WE haveto supplement our isue **** and think and work out of the box.

 

[eyeboltman]

my company supplies any "model specific'' special tools, and gives a tool allowance every year.... but all hand tools are our responsibility to have....

but we have a "tool crib'' at our main hangar down in louisiana ... a guy sits in there and checks out the tools... no stolen tools where I work... but, as you can imagine, helicopter special tools are not cheap....

Do you think helicopter tools would work on my 1997 chevy S-10 You must se some odd tools ?

 

[MoToys]

It's a practice that's been occuring since day 1 with mechanics and even to a larger extent in other trades going back farther. The highly skilled always own their own tools. As far as debt goes? Each individual is responsible for their own finances in life. That's nobody else responsibility, but your own. Certainly not your employers. Where we run into problems in this country is when each individual stops taking personal responsibility in their lives. When that happens we all want our employers and the government to run our lives and protect us from ourselves. That's not how it should be.

And more to the point, what is a skilled mechanic without tools?
I don't know any mechanic, shade tree or professional that would not want to own their own tools.

 

[copterdoctor]

Copter,

You working for PHI now?

Steve

No steve, I'm working for ERA helicopters up in Alaska. We have a LOT of helicopters down in the gulf too..

having been an apprentice at one time, i would tell that kid to go F himself... I am not above borrowing, or lending tools... ONCE.. if I need to borrow, or lend, a tool more than one time, than I will go buy it, or tell the borrower to go buy it.... I will lend/borrow, the second time, but make sure I say out loud that I won't lend/borrow again because i'm buying that tool ASAP.

Do you think helicopter tools would work on my 1997 chevy S-10 You must se some odd tools ?

I work on all my personal vehicles... like I said, most special tools are company provided..
I'll go and take a bunch of pics this next week and post them... there's a BUNCH of special tools... and that doesn't include "shop" equipment like press, brake, roll, lathe, mill, etc etc etc.....

 

[Moose-LandTran]

having been an apprentice at one time, i would tell that kid to go F himself... I am not above borrowing, or lending tools... ONCE.. if I need to borrow, or lend, a tool more than one time, than I will go buy it, or tell the borrower to go buy it.... I will lend/borrow, the second time, but make sure I say out loud that I won't lend/borrow again because i'm buying that tool ASAP.

It's not my tools he uses, so i don't care. Apparently we're getting another apprentice in a few months, and i can tell you now there ain't no way i'm providing tools for anyone but myself. Our current apprentice complained about giving Snap-on £200/month. I've dropped more than £600 in one week without bitching, and £200/month on tools isn't much at all to me.

I rarely borrow tools, about the only one i borrow now is a special tools for removing inner tie rods, but the other tech borrows some of my stuff every so often. It's not a big deal, he doesn't borrow that much.

 

[Vicegrip]

I have been out of the dealer loop for a while however; I read that some European franchises are building shops with built in tool cabinets and complete tool sets in each stall. The article cited the desire to unify the look and utility of each stall. Personally I think it is a good idea but, as other have said the tools could be junk or grow legs?

All the skilled trades I have been involved with required the employee to supply their own hand tools. I think that goes back to the day when skilled workers were viewed more like the professions today.

Steve

The dealerships I work on supply Shure or Lista brand tool boxes but the mechanics use their own standard tools. All the specialty tools are dealer supplied. Mechanic owned tools get cared for but the shop's stuff not so much.

I can see 100% why the shops do not supply hand tools. They would wander off or get trashed.