Professional Auto Mechanics Must Buy Their Own Tools?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Buying Mechanic tools is EXPENSIVE! Did you know that most pro auto mechanics must buy their own tools? Even many beginner mechanics must spend a lot on tools. I spent about $5000 in tools my first year as a mechanic. So should you have to buy your own tools, or should a shop supply tools?
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I’d rather buy my own. Helps build to a point where I no longer need my employer if they piss me off enough
I am right there with ya.
That's me!
I kid you not dude, I’ve jumped jobs 4 times just since this time last year. I can’t seem to find a good job in this field in my area, and I’m glad as hell I own my own stuff, cause I can do whatever I need with them to make a living
Personally i would use and wear out their tools and build my tool set at home, so when i do finally get enough to make it on my own, my tools aren't all worn out.
Longtrailside Eh. If you buy good tools they don’t wear down easy. And if you do you just warranty them
Real mechanics live to buy tools! It's an addiction.
Addicting for sure. If I wasn’t such a cheap ass I’d buy plenty more.
That true buying tools it an addiction
Don't forget us amateurs who just have to buy stuff....
I’m prolly gonna get reamed for this, but I’m also a starting tech and I just went ahead and bought all Snap-On tools. You name it; box, sockets, wrenches, EVERYTHING Snap-On. The way I looked at it? I’ve already been turning wrenches for a vast majority of my 20 year life as a farm boy and being too broke to pay someone to fix my trucks. Not only that, but my dad is a technician as well and he’s always told me you get what you pay for, ESPECIALLY in tools. He went Matco first and seriously regrets it. And if I go ahead and buy these tools now, I’ll never have to worry about upgrading or trading in for better stuff later. Overall, for most people this is a hard thing to do, and I get it. A $20,000 bill isn’t something to be taken lightly, especially when you’re in a school/ training program while also trying to pay for bills. I’m just lucky enough to save up for this after many years, do lots of looking around for good deals (my Snap-On guy is fucking awesome too, excuse the language) and to have the drive and hustle for these tools. Because remember, tools aren’t just a need, they’re an addiction 👍
Not here to ream. You get it.
When I first started , I bought a $100 husky tool set . A year and some change later im still using the same t30 . And other people snap on sockets have broken . So my tip to for newbies is don't get caught up in brand all the time .
Good advice for sure.
More like snap off
The best thing to do is get tools with lifetime warranty (or a long warranty where lifetime isn't an option) with turn around on a replacement is as quick as possible. The tool truck could take a week or two depending on the tool and issue, whereas a local store might get you a replacement tool same day
Smokeyninja exactly ! I've been waiting for my impact gun for 3 weeks now because the trigger broke . It's actually slowing me down .
YaBoi Brian Sometimes you just have to get a cheap backup to get you through
Purchasing tools since 2006 (was 19), every time I open my drawers, its like a Time Capsule to my life, I bought this tool when this happen in my life, or this tool really motivated me to learn more within the automobile. I have some weird emotional connection to my tools (so many long hours wrenching) LOL wouldn't surprise me if I invested over 30k in my tools, worked at a independent shop for over 10 years.
Kevin Einheuser understand that completely
hi. my name is luke, and um... I am a toolaholic. it all started when I lost my first 13mm end wrench.....
I now own three rolling toolboxes all are full. some tools I got with cars I bought. some were my dads. you are right though. you can see a persons whole past looking in their toolbox.
" old worn and still working tools speak more loudly of my skills as a craftsman than my best work ever could."
At first I didn't mind buying my own tools when I was working on mainly 1 brand of car. But when I switched to an independent shop I realized I had to buy different tools for different brands and that got way too expensive. I now own tools that I've used 1 or 2 times and they just sit in a drawer, tools that cost me a lot of money. So I feel that if its something I need to use every single day, I will buy it. But if it is something that isnt used often, the shop should buy it for me or give some type of tool allowance to help pay for it.
Yeah I totally agree. That’s kind of how I do it in my shop (technology repair). We prefer our techs have their own tools but of course let them use ours as long as they are taken care of. Then all the specialty stuff and larger power tools we buy for our techs to use.
Custom tools, definitely.
My first auto job was at a Sears auto center and they supplied communal tools for the new, inexperienced guys. And of course the tools were absolutely trashed: cracked sockets, impact guns from the 1970s, torque wrenches with dents in the handles, ratchets with broken teeth, 8 wrenches (only 1 was metric)....ect.
The tool set from Sam’s Club my mother gave me as a gift for graduating tech school was far superior to the shop tools, and the very first paycheck I got went back into Sears pockets because I bought a Craftsman vertical 3 box stack to put my own tools in.
I didn’t need my own tools to make $$ back then, I needed my own tools to keep from going nuts waiting for someone else to finish using a tool.
Truth! I'm a dealer tech in a shop with 60 techs. Of course we all have our own tools but the shop provides the special tools for certain jobs. Many of us have ended up buying our own specialty tools for the reasons you listed: don't want to wait for someone to finish using it and tools used by 60 different techs are often abused and don't work very well.
People will always take better care of their own property/tools than of somebody else's.
I feel like with me it's the other way around. I always try to take good care of not better care of someone else's tools as opposed to my own. Unless they just give me permission to beat the crap out if it.
True but imagine putting 2-400$ or more into stuff to do your job
Harbor Freight baby I ain't ashamed lol
Heck Yeah!
I have several hf. Stuff including my main roller tool box. But my main tools are snapon and matco. If you are a full time tech you're knuckles and face will thank you.
I have to drag my wife along with me so she can monitor what i need to buy. I will literally come home with 7 things when i just needed to go in for hose clamps xD
I've been a technician for 16 years. I always research tools before I buy them. You would be surprised at how good some of the tools at harbor freight are. Yea when it comes to the basic stuff (wrenches and sockets ect) I buy from the tool trucks. But specialized kits like pullers and stuff I usually buy from harbor freight.
@@lawman860
Every puller I have got from there has worked for only a couple times before self destruction.
HF is good start. Once breaks.. buy a brand.
i like how the 10 mm was missing from the socket tray
carolina beacher I attached a 10mm socket to my keychain. Now my keys are gone too.
slidey1000 😂
When you have 500 sockets or more like I do it gonna happen
Can’t tell you how many 10’s and 13’s I’ve lost
If you find where they go you will also find a mountain of socks that disappeared from the dryer.
I prefer having my own tools to be honest but I love tools as much as I love cars so I can only sp3ak for myself lol
My recommendation would be to start not with a box but a cart. You can buy carts that have slots to hold wrenches and impacts. Plus plenty of space to put sets of railed sockets on. I started with craftsmen tool sets that came in their own cases so I would put the cases on the cart and just open them and have a plethora of sockets and ratchets at my disposal. Plus the cart was only $75.
Some thoughts and questions:
- Having tools supplied by the shop does not actually exclude using your own tools.
- The shop can probably buy the tools cheaper than what a single mechanic can (larger quantities usually means better prices) and I assume that the shop does not pay VAT whilst a single mechanic does.
- When you use your own tools, what happens if they get stolen (I assume you keep them in the shop)? Do you have insurance, or does the shop have an insurance that covers your tools?
I prefer people buy their own tools.
Then you’re a lot more careful, so it don’t break or get lost.
I’ve seen a shop where tools were provided and they would just constantly go and “borrow” from the other guys.
I was sick of it and went home and brought my own tools, got a cheap toolbox and expanded my tool collection from there.
If they wanted to borrow something they had to ask me and had to have a damn good reason for it for me to say yes. Of course they had to bring it back the second they were done with it.
Even though the boss tells them that if they’re missing something or if they break something they can just order it without asking and that he (the boss) will pay for it.
Next week I’m leaving them and gonna take it all back home.
DON’T GO WORK FOR FAMILY!!! It doesn’t work out well!!!
If I go work somewhere else as a mechanic (not necessarily automotive) I’ll bring my own tools! Even if the company will provide them.
I like having my own tools, I’ve heard allot of places that buy tools do it so they can search the toolboxes without permission of the person, perfectly fine if you’ve done nothing wrong but worrying if you have valuables inside
As a plumber, I face a similar situation of my own tools versus company tools. You are right that both have their pros and cons, but the tools for plumbing are much more expensive. I have been fortunate to be hired on to a company that is a union shop. On my second year, I'll be given a brand new set of tools that are my own personal tools from that point out. At the same time, I have spent a lot of money already on tools getting what I need to do the job with the last company I was with. It's nice to be able to just have those for around the house projects now.
It is better to use your own tools what would happen if you loose the shops tools you will always look after your own tools better if it wasn’t your tools
Buy your own or let the boss do it? What do ya think?
HumbleMechanic with you on this, freedom to do what you want with your tools is great!
Every dealership and all the shops I worked for or owned work the same way. Specialty tools and shop equipment are owned by the shop. And the standard must have tools you buy yourself.
HumbleMechanic Left my Audi dealership in the states, shipped my 30.000$ plus tools to Germany. Working for an Audi dealership in Bavaria and to find out they supply absolutely everything here. We use Gedore and very good stuff. Haven't bought single tool since. I will admit I miss using my tools and kinda had to relearn some jobs with their tool set up. The concept of buying tools for work is crazy to germans here. But if I was back in the states I would most certainly want to buy and use my own tools. I'm not planning on going back but i'll always have my tools with me if I do. VG
HumbleMechanic I talk like you do, like would it not be insane to work at a coffee house where you have to buy the coffee machine? Lol. But I think we have this tool culture that we do bcz again as you said where if the shop bought the tools it quickly descends into chaos, lost, stolen, broken yet unreported as broken and it's an unworkable algorithm. There must be a psychological component at work in different countries like the post from the guy in Germany that allows the shop to successfully buy tools and stay operational. Deep psyche!
THX 1138 You're on point with "tool culture". I had a conversation with our Gedore rep. He was quite interested in my tool set up. He mentioned how american tool companies is alot marketing. For instance he mentioned that the average american jouneyman has 14 ratchets. He more likely buys based of color handle, wants finer teeth, sizes, finishes, etc.They're buying ratchets that they already have to do pretty much the same job. I'm guilty of having about 22 or maybe more. I don't need so many ratchets. It turns more of a want than a need. They're reselling you what you already have with a certain different characteristic. At my dealership I have 3 ratchets 1/4 , 3/8 1/2. I do the same amount work and the same speed as I did with my other ratchets. I'm still beating book times.
seems like a weird gray area between employee and contractor
Very.
Honestly I think if techs thought of themselves as contractors things might be better.
HumbleMechanic if techs thought of themselves as contractors then every ticket would be a new contract. Along with the option to say no to work because it is not of a high enough value. I don't see that working very well.
on the other hand if they are employees they should be paid the same even if there is nothing to do, the risk of slow times or low value work being on the employer
Lasse Langwadt Christensen that is exactly right. If I'm at work for 40+ hours I should be getting paid for it.
You can always say no. But that doesn’t really work out too well.
Think of it like a commission sales job. Which I see, like I see a tech, is kind of like running your own thing.
A SHARED TOOL IS AN ABUSED TOOL!!!!
like the town ho.... been XXX effed XXX by many been loved by none
To a European it's ridiculous how it's supposedly an advantage to pay for your own tools when employed by a company. Just imagine a Programmer having to bring his own PC/Laptop with them to work or a fireman or soldier having to buy their own equipment to do their job.
When I learnt my trade as an apprentice in Germany every new employee was given a whole tool set (cart etc.) as their personal toolbox. They were responsible for the tools, reporting breakages or losses etc but the company paid for it, usually Hazet or Gedore professional quality tools. Price was absolutely secondary, no time lost asking around for a wrench or socket etc. If a company skimps on the quality of tools they give you then you know to start looking for a new employer.
Edit: Even the apprentices were given their own cart. Same goes for clothing too. A good firm will give 3 sets of clothing and have them washed regularly.
Edit2: Extra bonus: If you don't like it at the company you don't even have to haul a heavy tool box or cart with you ;)
Ok taking the programmer example. Assume the IT department forces all the employees to a new operating system (for all the stupid safety reasons). And then you already know that wouldn't run the CAD software you daily use......
And then 1001 more of such corporate shit examples. Get the idea?
@YeOldeGamer
As an newly issued Auto Tech, I couldn't agree more!
In my opinion, this comment is an example of professional principle at its finest.
Companies want to have the best work results? Then you need to have the best employees.
You want to have the best employees? Then you have to pay them and/or issue them the best benefits; this includes tools.
Its such a simple concept, but many, *many* larger companies (especially in the USA) do not wish to incorporate these ideas; its really quite a shame~
YeOldeGamer oh man after reading your comment i am saying united states is the hell on earth i don't know why we struggling here in everything :/
As a European I suppose you don't know the advantages of self reliance, personal freedom, and not living in debt for 50 years.
I'm not familiar with European ways, the apprenticeships, so correct me on anything. Are you paid as an apprentice? If not then you're making no money to learn. In America our companies pay us to go to school, or certifications, or training. What if you need to modify your tool, you send in a work form? I have a technician co-worker who had to cut a slit in one of his sockets to use it for something I don't remember. Plus what if you leave? The tool cart is yours? And are trades paid a set income where you're from? Like a union pay? If that's the case fuck that. Unions and set pay blow.
My main complaint is when the shop dictates what work will be done but doesn't provide the tooling necessary like scanners, bearing pressing equipment, jacks, etc. They want to pay flat-rate, which is a HUGE benefit to the shop, but say you can't leave if there is no work. Plus say you have to do something you don't have the tooling for. Impossible to make/beat time and guarantee the job if you have to hack together tooling. Special tools are just that SPECIAL. As some have mentioned above, I have a couple drawers full of tools that have only been used a couple times in 5 years.
Here in the UK if you start work in a workshop without tools your shown the door
Specialist tools or some of the large items I use for trucks are supplied for me but you can’t be borrowing sockets and screwdrivers etc
One of the main reasons why I will never work as an auto mechanic. I will never work somewhere that doesn't pay for my tools. I love doing it as a hobby but it doesn't compare to my day job.
Most car mechanics don't make that much money yet spend a ton on equipment to do said job. Kind of a bummer
Germans do it better. Anything that does not fit in a economically sized box is provided for you. ie. general hand tools. It is easier because you can resolve the issue of what a general hand tool is quite easily.
I like that. It also makes the shop look so nice
The shop i work provides the tools and equipment but over the years most have worn out, broke or have been stolen and we working with junk now from china because the boss won't buy new quality tools. We have wurth, unior, hazet screwdrivers, wrenches, air impact guns that are bend or broken and welded together many times, we have tons of broken sockets and ratchets we have many beat up bits and special equipment. Last week someone broke the VAG battery checking tool and we can't use it now. We are 30 people in this vw dealership and and many more have left over the years due to bad salaries. I have to bring my own hand tools (some sockets, bits, wrenches etc) to work, but i always take them back every day and NEVER leave them in the shop because someone will steal them. SO it's WAY better to have your own tools in the shop in order to do your job properly and not begging for new tools like we do.
Just curious, What is that shop charging for work? I bet it's not cheap the hourly shop rate.
@@wportegijsfor our wages it is expensive as well as for the majority of the people.
Specific point. Deutsch pin crimper pliers. Working in a shop, I could never find them. They were usually in a service truck. For $300, I bought my own. Seems expensive for a one use tool, but saved the head-ache of looking for the shops. Guys would ask to borrow mine, but I never loaned them out. Got called a dick, but 25 years later, I still have them.
I enjoy supplying my own tools. Granted I won’t touch a mechanical side job anymore but I have my own project and take some of my tools home every weekend. My advice to the new guys starting out is make sure and shop around. Your name brand tools are ridiculous in price. Most tool trucks have a cheaper option as well blue point, expert etc. And almost every single third party tool on that tool truck can be bought online or at Lowe’s/ Home Depot at a significantly lower amount.
you made a lot of good points. I tried to become a tech, worked in one of the ford quicklanes. It was a step above a lube tech, but not quite a full blown tech. Technically our limit on a job was 4 hours of book time, or the main shop was suppose to do it. They said in the job description that tools provided, but I was informed in the interview that was not true. We did technically have one shop box, but having 7 techs all try to use one set of tools all at once, doesn't work. I did have a decent set of basic tools to start, but in the 6 months I worked there I probably spent at least $1500, between, harbor freight, the tool trucks and buying things online. (I bought a super cheep tool box for another $300) It gets expensive quick, and because of the position we didn't make much. I tried to be smart and buy only what I needed and expand as the level of jobs I was trusted with did as well. But as you know that adds up. I really like your basic tool set idea, sucks that it didn't work out. Would be a awesome thing for new techs if there was a way to do it. I liked having my own tools, I still use them at home a year later for my own projects, but I feel like if a place requires you to provide the things necessary to do the job, that you should be fairly compensated for that. maybe as a full tech your yearly salary justify providing your own tools, for me at $10 bucks an hour it was not. Buying tools had nothing to do with me leaving the industry, (didn't like the dealership life, and could make a lot more money going back to trucking) but it makes it a lot harder to start out.
lmao wall of cars with small pic of kid in corner
Oh man, probably the greatest debate in the industry. I actually work in a shop where everything is provided, so I can offer up the opposite viewpoint. Is it nice to not worry about my stuff and have it available at home whenever I want? Sure, but at the same time, it’s almost a daily occurrence of wishing I had something that I have at home, or not being able to find what I need, or finding what i need has been damaged or broken and someone didn’t bother to report it. Lucky for me (or unlucky), I am straight time, so these inconveniences don’t cost me. For a flat rate tech, I’d say it’s to your advantage to have your own stuff for sure. I think best solution would be an annual allowance for tools based on how long you have been there.
In our "world"(Romania), the shop has the responsability to supply the tools for the mechanic's, but it is not forbitten to bring some of my tool's. I like to use my own tool's, but for us it is hard buy all the tools needed for a job.
i feel like every shop should give you the options whether you want to have your own tools or want to be provided from the shop especially for someone who is new to automotive industry and don't have the money to buy tools like myself. I'm one of the lucky ones that's allowed to borrow from other mechanics and learn from them and see what kind of tools that i need to buy (even though i'm still saving money to buy my own tools). But most shops need you to have your own tools which could kind of discouraging new comers like myself to learn and apply to work in a shop. but that's just my opinion.
Same in Canada !! we buy our own tools.
Big dealers should provide tools. And you can have a choice to use them or bring your own.
Or at least like you said for the first maybe 2nd year apprentice so over the first 2 years they can save and finally get there own by year 3
i own enough tools to keep 3 mechanics working maybe more LoL
look at my videos u will see LoL
I prefer buying my own because when I need it I don't have to ask around for the proper tool.
I've bought all my own tools over many years. I worked at one place recently where the company bought tools and the youngsters there were clueless. They had no respect for any tools whatsoever, as they hadn't had to pay for them. It used to piss me off beyond belief when they would leave tools on site and couldn't be bothered about losing them.
Yeah that happens when people don’t buy their own styff
Being fully shade-tree and nowhere near professional levels of activity (seriously, I'm under cars maybe 4-6 times/year) I still get by almost completely on the 130 piece craftsman set my mom bought when I went away to college. I've added a few things (torque wrench, socket extensions/adapters, vice grip, gear wrenches, allen and torx bits, new box and organizers, etc) so I'm probably in about $1000 and have avoided at least $3000-4000 by being able to DIY. It's only really major stuff I'm not equipped to handle and probably the kinds of things I'd want to leave to a pro anyway.
Its the same in the UK. Buy your own tools unless its a specialist job then the firm might buy it.
As a flat rate tech you basically work for yourself. Pretty much a sub contractor without the headaches of a sub.
I like buying my own tools. That's what made me money. All the special little or big tools that I purchased to make things go smoothly easier and faster. I know where my tools are at they are where I put them. I don't have to hunt down a tool to do a simple job. Like you said they can go where I go.
All that being said. Over 30 years in the business I have spent over $50,000 dollars in tools including my tool box. I've had the same Mac tool box since 1984 after using a Craftsman for many years. I have added a snap-on side box and shelves and had a roll around cart as well.
I did the not own your own tool thing while I was in the Army. It sucks not having your own tools that you want to use.
My experience with shops that say "we will provide your tools" seem to be shops sponsored by China and harbor freight. Other then one shop I was aloud to bring in my own tools in place of their harbor freight tools. The one job that I couldn't, well let's just say it lasted 3 weeks... I find that me buying my own quality tools pays me back in lack of things breaking, stripping, or just plain fighting with the tool making the job 10x harder and putting me in a bad mood.
Great points! Thank you
Here in Germany almost every shop provides you with tools
I have a small business my own and I started with just the basics (ratchet set 1/2 and 1/8, spanners and ring-spanners from 6-22mm, basic screwdrivers, sidecuter and some pliers, and some different sized hammers and a box of torx and those multitooth things
This is all I need to rip a whole car apart for around 150€ total
And if something from my cheap tools breaks or if I need a new tool for a job I'll replace it with something of better quality
Anytime you purchase an item required for your job it's a tax write off!!!
I always tell the apprentices to buy it if you borrow it from me more than 3 times
Our shop provides tools and it’s a mess about getting them put away or accounted for. I ended up buying my own set for common stuff as everything is exactly where I want and how I want it.
Hey charles, love your videos! Especially as I'm a vw master technician in sweden and there's a lot I see myself in :) Here we get all the tools supplied by the dealership, you have your own box but whatever you need you just order. Tools going missing happens but most of the people have respect for them. Dealerships usually have contracts with a good brand so tools are at a good price for them. To me the dealership should definitely supply the tools, the efficiency of the shop would be lower if the mechanics had to work with low quality or improper tools to get the job done.
Yes, people respect the tools because you are in Sweden. In southern Europe, Greece Italy etc techs will use a 200eur gedore tool as a hammer all the time. Especially if its not theirs. And tools get stolen all the time.
I wouldn't say buying tools. Id rather say investing in my self/future.im a hard core addict...lets not talk about flashlights..now there i admit i somewhat throw my money in the drink...ugg i cant help it...cheers Charles
I work as a factory mechanic and on average I see about 50% of places give you tools it's honestly a deal breaker for me if a place doesn't offer tools because I just have a basic bag of stuff for around the house stuff and it would suck to have to buy that much gear. Let alone get it there.
It’s a big ask for a new employee that’s for sure
I’m a Mercedes benz tec and my first year of being there I spent a lot of money on tools but as rightly said there my tools but the dealer dose supply special tools but people do leave them at the backside tho ha
Every one knows mechanics have to supply their own tools. I remember checking into Automechanics classes at the local college. You are expected to invest in your own tools. At that time it would have cost me $1,500 for tools. HELLS BELLS! I would JUMP all over that today. My brother had three rolling carts full of tools when he passed away. I have no idea who got them or any of the details but I would have loved having them. I had my own rolling cart but after dealing with Cancer and retiring, I pretty much sold most of my specialty tools. I worked on snowmobiles and had many specialty tools for different manufacturers and models. Mostly clutch tools and specialty tools for crank work. I decided against auto mechanics and persued small engine instead. I ended up with my own shop. My friend ended up closing his upholstery shop because the city was taxing him every year on his tools. How the hell do you do that? He had to inventory his tools and pay some kind of tax. He moved back out to the country. Businesses have it hard enough but for townships or citys to charge taxs on tools? Crazy! I decided to not get into Boat engines simply because the cost of specialized tools was crazy. Riding mowers were easy money.
From the UK... regardless to company policy/practice... I always bring my own tools. I would never borrow a tool or use anyone else's tools. Mine Mine Mine 😂😂😂
In the shop I work at, we buy our own tools but the company will replace broken stuff. As the working foreman, I'll throw a couple of things for my guys on a shop supply order, especially for the newer guy if he needs something, flashlights, utility knives, voltage detectors, etc..
Definitely worth owning your own tools in CA. State law here states mechanics that are required to provide tools to perform their job must be compensated double the current minimum wage. Right now that's $11/hour so you're starting at $22/hour. Unless you're express lube and they provide the tools there, then you get whatever. Even if that wasn't the law here, I would still prefer to own my own tools.
Also, one of the biggest money makers is coming up with your own method with a specific set of tools to smash the flat rate time.
I live in Scotland with my experience about 99% of garages require you to buy your own tools. A handful of dealerships supply tools.
My first tool set was from craftsman....back in 2006. Still have most the wrenches, almost all the deep sockets, sparse short sockets, but overall it started my addiction so to speak. I started working on vehicles in middle school, first real wrenching job was a the local freightliner dealership. I started washing vehicles and hanging out with the techs, doing menial tasks for them on my lunch break until I was able to be a porter. Cleaned bays started oil changing and maintenance service until they offered me a tech position. That took me to becoming certified on cummins engines, as well as Eaton transmission Mercedes and Detroit. Fast forward to today I work for a local well established technician at the local boatyard working on inboards, as one of 3 full inboard techs in our port city. Hard work reaps a great many benifets, as well as a broadening customer base will multiple doctors, lawyers, and lawmakers in the area. I started making 13 an hour full time commission mechanic when the job field was out to break you if you took any one wrong step.
It's always good to have your own tools. I wouldn't wanna use somebody else's tools. Plus I work on my own car as well. Even things that you may not use very often is good to have laying around. You don't have to worry about finding the tool that nobody may have or having to rent it. If I need a specialty tool I buy it instead of renting. Saves me gas and time if I need it again.
Im in the UK and in My current job (roadside breakdown) the company supply all the tools which is great because if anything breaks or gets lost it gets replaced no questions asked , also all the other mechanics are supplied with the same tools so you don’t get one guy doing a certain job just because he has the specific tool .. another good thing is all of my own tools from when i worked in a shop are now at home and i have a nice little miniature shop of my own !
Without my own tools, I would not be anywhere near as valuable a tech as I am. I have numerous special skills that other techs don't, and numerous fringe tools matched to those skills that most techs don't know how to use or even what they are. I hate working out of someone else's tool set for many reasons, but a simple example is that I hate fixed head ratchets. I don't own any, and every socket set that comes with one immediately looks like a waste.
I never minded buying my own tools Untill it was costing so much. When snap-on wanted $50.00 for a single socket ! I just got out of the field when the laws in my state changed as to the way we were paid. Now I just work on farm equipment on the side. And my shop is swamped with work.
I started with a big craftsman roll away , top box and a side box I got from Sears on sale for $3.000.00. A lot less than the cost of just a Snap-on roll away. I still have that box. Lol
Always great to have those expensive specialty tools that you can use when you're starting out and can't afford them, but once you have all your basic tools and your feet under you, there's nothing like not having to worry about the shop tool getting lost or broken
To be honest the mecanic is the first one to blame an the first one to be screwed.
This is probably my favorite video you have done since you left the dealership. I love hearing your take on things and you’re the reason I started working at a dealership in the first place.
I definitely prefer to buy my own general use tools... gives me the option on features, quality and so forth, plus they will be taken care of better because I felt the pinch at purchase time. Most specialty tools should be provided by the shop though, especially in a dealership setting. Two of the dealerships I worked at had the specialty stuff behind the parts counter, and they had to be signed in and out. That worked well in my view, we rarely had things missing or broken at those shops, and the wrecking balls who had a habit of damaging tools could be educated or terminated.
when i left my last place of employment my tools of course came with me. sadly for them they no longer have the minimum tooling to comply with their dealership contract. unfortunately there is a fine line as to what is a techs responsibility and what the shop owners responsibility is. and in every case this is negotiated between the shop and the tech and never have i seen anything in writing. this becomes a point of unnecesary friction a lot of times.there are good and bad with shop supplied or tech supplied tools and there really is no good answer as to which is better. the us is different in many ways and its not limited to car techs. machinists hvac techs appliance repair etc etc etc. the list goes on.
Charles. you inspire me, brother. I been working almost ten years in a Ducati dealership and some tools are waaaay to expensive, buuuuuut. I feel that having my own tools make me a better technician because the satisfaction of ending a job is amazing, make me feel a better tech. Thanks man.
Here in Australia with taxes you can buy tools STRAIGHT UP and it's just a business expense/work expense and you will pay ZERO income tax. It gets a bit harder with vehicles because the only allow "commercial vehicles" which HAS ACTUALLY driven the price of pickups and vans to ridiculous levels.
ORRR places like one I worked at would have the tools disappear. I remember we had a few specialized tool of a particular type, told SPECIFICALLY NOT to put them in our lockers because the next shift will need them, OF COURSE blaming newer employees while the newer guys saw someone who had been there for YEARS actually whack one in their locker. Honestly someone should have spoken up....
Our local dealer chain supplies a custom box that fits with the layout of the service bays and air conditioning too. I feel like that is good compromise. Tech gets to pick their tools and keep them while the dealer provides a clean, cool place to work.
Shops have enough to hold over our heads . . Let's Keep Our Tools Ours ! It's a great negotiating position when interviewing for a job as well . Just my 2 cents . Thanks for the great content ,Charles
I would rather have my own tools. I don’t care about the money. I know for sure nobody is stealing, losing, or breaking a tool if it’s mine.
finding shop tools is such a pain and no one takes pride in stuff if they dont own it
During my 36-year career as a software developer, I purchased the bulk of my office supplies because it was not worth my time pleading with management about what items would improve my efficiency, enabling me to meet my deadlines. Now that I am semi-retired, I enjoy being a DIY mechanic, researching and acquiring various tools.
Over the last 40 years I have been in both types of shops and I will always choose to buy my own tools. In shops that provided tools, I always ended up bringing in my own tools, because they made my job much easier. I did have an advantage when I started as a mechanic because I had been racing cars for several years and already had a lot of tools.
when i went to tech school a portion of the tuition went towards a tool kit from snap on. You would use the schools tools through the time you were there and at the end you got the same tool kit brand new to start your job with. I liked that approach but at the same time it eliminates your choice in it you cant chose the brand or what you get. Not everyone wants snap on even though at the time it was 50% off
Techs should provide their own tools. Expensive but, they have the tools for a lifetime.
Combless Man or till they realize they hate it and aren’t making shit then sell everything on Facebook/craigslist for half of what they owe/paid.
That's true but then again that is true with about anything one could buy. Go out and buy a new Dell machine only to learn it is crap and there you are stuck with a machine that you have to sell at a big discount. BTW, Dell was just an example, it could be shoes, a bag of charcoal or magicians starter kit. Finally, I would hope that one would know once they are in a training program or a school if they were cut out for the job.
I’d hope so too
Combless Man it’s not about being cut out for the job. The recruiters and tech schools all tout about how great it is and you’ll make 6 figures etc.. it’s isn’t until you get in for a while and find it is all a lie and then look at the national avg pay for auto techs and find it is below all other trades and yet is requiring higher and higher levels of training and education. That’s when you sell all your shit at below cost (but it’s the only “bonus” check you’ll ever see in the auto field) and then go into something else where you can make more money and the work is often much easier with all job requirements provided.
It’s starting to change as the pool of techs is drying up and the programs are getting less and less filled as the younger generation isn’t getting duped into it and the mid aged techs are going into other industries while the older are retiring so it will be interesting the changes coming.
Jesse Hill ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️👍👍👍👍👍
VW Shop Mechanic from Germany here....our shop pays four our Tools (well VW here has a list what every Mechanic has to have in its toolbox)!
If I need something that I need? Every 2 weeks there comes someone where we can order tools (like XZN tools etc)! So yeah, most of the time in Germany you get the tools from your shop
Sometimes the sticker price of tools can suck, but other times you can work a deal.
I’m at an independent shop now and if we need a special tool to do a job (I.e.: Timing chains on a 2.5L Jetta or Audi V8) the boss will order tools for the shop and they sit in our ‘special tools’ room. That’s something the boss should take care of, other wise I agree these are my tools and I want to use them as I see fit, whether I need them for a project at home or wanting to do side work, there’s no hassle.
Also, I miss the Time Lapse videos. Those were awesome.
Honestly? Shops should buy ALL the tools, and the good ones. You want good help, but on our dime? Don’t get me wrong, I have thousands in tools. The only reason I bought tools was cause my at my first job, everyone would be a prick to let me barrow theirs. NO MORE OF THIS SHIT. You want to own an auto business? TOOLS FOR EVERYONE ON THE OWNER’s DIME! Don’t gotta be snap on. I say that after 10,000$ in fully paid tools later. I’m not like you guys with more than that invested, but I don’t think it’s right.
Your videos and from EE are very, very good.
Today I will do the oil- and brakefluid changeon my new R/T and send it into to wintersleep.....
Tomorrow, I will wake up my Golf VR5 and have fun during wintertime with the awesome sound...bastuk-exhaust.
Oh yes, my toolbox ist full, but allways found something I didn't have to fix something. Yesterday I purchased a3/8" wrenchset from Bahco (swedish), cause of my 1/2" is sometimes to big...not enough space to work with.
Greetings from germany
I work at carmax and they supply our tools. It works for us.
I started working for Carmax 3.5 years ago. It's a relief to not worry about tools and an air conditioned shop is nice. They don't allow one to work on their own vehicles there so having your tools at home is what it should be.
I'm a maintenance tech and my work supplies tools. You guessed it, I use metric sizes a lot in place of SAE. You know, the 11mm - 7-16", 13mm - 1/2", 14mm - 9/16". Tools go missing because someone wanted to use a flathead screwdriver of mine like a chisel on a chrome plated part they now dinged up, creating a new problem of parts not fitting together right, while braking the tip off the screwdriver...
I agree with buying your own set of tools, but specialty stuff and 'consumables' should be provided. I work for a commercial truck fleet. Our shop supplied "specialty tools" is a fairy tale. Jacks, a very incomplete set of 3/4" and 1" drive impact sockets, 1 A/C machine, 3/4 torque wrench and some seal and yoke pullers is the extent of it. 2 diagnosis laptops and 1 battery charger for 5 guys to share. No tap and die, no AC leak detection.
For valve train adjustments there's expensive special sockets needed. I just figured it out and built my own set. One good thing is they will reimburse 50% of prescription safety glasses.
Love the video, I’m about to be going to tech school and my school actually awards a hand tool set when you graduate and it’s yours to keep as long as you are employed 3 months out of the program in your field. They say it’s $2500. Not sure as to the quality of the tools but it’s definitely something to get the job done. I’ve been investing some money in electric tools now but will wait for any air powered tools.
Shop supplies big tools and specialty.
However.. if you use it alot.. behove you to buy your own special tool.. ie spark plug extractor.
Starter mech needs only basic tools. $1,000 ( I think) would buy a Craftsman set. I still to this day use my Craftsman from my childhood.
Parents.. buy your kid the larger toolset. 400+ piece.
Don't need matco or snapoff to get into mechanicing
I looked at your torque wrench recommendation, but I'm wondering: who is the toolmaker equivalent of Toyota/Honda? I mean, which brand is tops in terms of long-term quality and reliability, but still affordable? I've been wondering about getting a Japanese torque wrench. For certain parts, I really don't want the torque setting to unexpectedly go wrong.
UK dealer chain I work for supplies new apprentices with 1st and 2nd year tool sets to keep, plus the option to buy a decent sized Matco tool cart at about 1/3rd the tool truck price. That or supply your own box. Dealer also provides the main diagnostic equipment and all the brand specialist tools. Works out quite well, although we did have a new tech arrive with no tools and he spent 2 months having to borrow literally the most basic tools. Or rather he had to work with an apprentice and borrow the apprentice's tools. Probably wouldn't have got hired a few years ago without tools but techs are in high demand right now.
Myself I've probably spent about £2000 on tools/box overall (newly qualified), got a really good deal on a used Matco 6s double bay, got Milwaukee impact wrenches, a few other power tools and all the hand tools I really need, mostly decent value budget brands but they hold up. Avoided the tool truck like the plague and it's paid off, some of the other guys at the same stage have spend £5-6k by the time they qualified and if anything I have more tools than them.
Tool economics/management is a huge issue!!! I worked in an environment with a tool crib. Huge PIA!! You go to the crib to check out the tool. Tool might be in use, broken or missing and wastes time. I think shops could provide banks of storage cabinets, specialized tools and possibly provide a one time tool allowance (ie hiring bonus) upon start of employment. But I want my own everyday tools. However I'd start with middle of the road tools with very few from tool trucks. If more then 10% of your tools are from the tool truck, then you wasted lots of money. If a tool breaks, then that's the time to seek out the best one possible and even that tool may or may not be from the truck. The trucks offer consistently good quality but not always "the best". And if you ever have to borrow a common tool, then that should prompt you to order your own for the next time.
10K wow I wish it was that cheap over 30 years being in Car Biz I have over 100K in my Boxes !! Not 1 box 3 and most is Snap on and Mac Matco SK ect This her I step in harbor freight for the 2 time in my life just to pick up 9k power gen for home so I don't do china tools when I feed my family with them but don't get me wrong its not for me I take pride in what I use every day USA made !!
What really sucks about the whole system around buying your own stuff is similar to the whole US system, your pay as a mechanic is trailing behind prices and you'll never catch up. By design. I've personally seen Snap-On and the other 'premium' brands tools more than double in cost in 10-15 years! Mechanics pay sure have not doubled...
TIME LAPSE. Yeah buying tools is frustrating as hell sometimes. I always say there are some tools worth paying out for the name brand stuff (mac, snap on etc). Torque wrenches, a good sturdy impact etc. But at the end of the day, do you really need a hammer off the snap on truck? A hammer is a hammer. Quarter inch sockets? I've been using my kobalt brand stuff for years day in and out and haven't broken one. All about buying smart
Coming from Europe this always seemed weird to me. I was no mechanic, but I worked in a carpentry shop. The company provided us with tools to accomplish tasks that the job required us to perform, If I needed anything i just went out and got it, the tool was my personal tool until I eventually quit my job. Then the company passed it down to an apprentice or someone who needed it, the next guy would go out and get a new or better one when he broke it or it didn’t perform the way it should.
For me it’s reasonable that the company should provide you quality tools to deliver quality product.
It’s not your responsibility to make quality product without them providing you quality tools that makes you accomplish a product that the company can be proud of and stand behind.
Actually, you often allowed to borrow the Tools of your Company here in Germany - Actually, nearly always if we don't speak about special Stuff which costs five Grand or so and needs alot of configuration after setting up.
But regular Tools, just fill a formular out which states that you lend it -> You're good to go + you always can bring your own tools with you.
Back when I worked in a bigger company, they even offered me once a Truck to lend for my move from one appartment to the next. Futhermore, if it's by law regulated that an Employer has to supply you with the needed tools ... Well, you wont earn less.
I have only worked on smal job sites, here i have my bosses working with me and so they hear me loud and clear! cinda like in Scanner Danners "Peet", or Erick O, or.....
So if your boss dont have dirt in the hands 8+/24. Then you may have different experiens.
That's why I laugh at teachers who bitch about having to spend their own money on supplies. First of all, you make a lot more money as a new teacher, than a new tech. Second, you spend a few bucks here and there on inexpensive shit, while i have to 50 to a couple hundred bucks A WEEK on my supplies. Don't get me wrong, teachers got it bad, all the different governments are fucking teachers hard. But it ain't as bad as what we have to go through. Plus, our bosses get mad when we tell them we don't have the necessary tool to do a job, and we just sit there like: "bitch I could have everything I need but you assholes fuck us left and right on pay(cause we're flat rate, without the necessary work volume to afford everything we need)" Teachers can at least try to change shit cause they're government employees, and can vote new people in who can make things better for them. We can't vote on our managers, GM's, business owners. We're fucked. Especially since, at least in my area, every shop seems to have the same disdain for their service employees, and a incredible lack of work that comes through the shop. Excluding warranty, but that almost fucks us harder than our employers do.
It's been over a hundred years since mech/tech have worked on cars, from the beginning they had their own tools. It's the right of passage as a mech. On our job app it has a question. Do you have your own tools and if yes what's the dollar amount not including your tool box? If it's less than 1500, no go, not even a interview. Some even come in after hire date and say somebody stole my tools, sorry bro we have no work for you. Were paying 20-30+ an hour , hourly wage. We supply the work and pay, you supply the tools.
As a heavy diesel fitter, we have to supply our own tools/tool boxes/specialty tools etc. I have zero problem with this. It sucks hard having to constantly borrow the other guys tools. Something I like about this though is if we break our tools doing a job, work will generally rebuy them for us. An example being a Sandvik truck, we snapped 4 filter straps getting 1 of 3 engine oil filters off. Came in next swing and boss had bought everyone a new strap.
Please, can I get some comments from mechanics on how much you spend per month on tools? My husband spends $400 PLUS every month! He has been a tech for over 30 years, so it's not like he is without tools. It seems outrageous to me. If you all want to save a fellow technician from being hounded by his wife, then please, please comment!
In Mexico you can't supply tools for the technicians cause most of the time those tools will slowly start to disappear in mysterious ways, heck sometimes people I know went for their cars and the entire shop and the car disappeared, sad but true.
It sucks (likes you mentioned) to have to worry about tools at a dealership due to the judgement as a first year tech. Your co-workers (ie..tool snobs) can make it a hostile work environment. I started with $450.00 of Harbor Freight tools. I now own thousands of dollars of tools & I have em to work on my stuff & started a company as a independent.....commanding my own price. So i am glad that i purchased my own as i will pass my skills & tools to my sons after i retire.
This comment is probably too late but prior to 2018, techs could have itemized their tax deductions for non reimbursemed employee expenses on anything over 2% their adjusted gross annual income. Tools are definitely a large up front investment but could’ve looked forward to a fat tax deduction as well. Too bad the 2018 Tax Cut and Jobs act eliminated it.
I’ve been a Nissan tech in the uk for the past 6 months now and I’ve managed to stay off the tool truck and spend smart, cost about £1057 (about $1300) to get me started with a full tool kit including a toolbox and top box, I do prefer buying my own tools, plus in the uk we can get a lot of the money back through a rebate!