I woke up one hot summer day in 1978 and wondered why I was investing 10's of thousands in tools so I could make my dealership owner rich. Started buying shop equipment the next day. Opened my own shop in the spring of 1979. I retired on Christmas day of 2022. I never got rich, but I made a good living and retired with enough to live the rest of my life without worry. I still have my shop, equipment, and tools but now I use them for my own enjoyment. Any good mechanic can do it with 5 simple rules. Do quality work at reasonable prices! Work on every vehicle like you're gonna put your spouse and children in it! Use only top quality and proven parts! Pay yourself and employees well and bonus on the lack of comebacks! Put 10% or more of your income into safe investments! Oh!, and number 6. Love your job and you'll never work a day in your life.
Here is the old, retired guy feelings on the subject. Nobody has all the tools that they will need on a day-to-day basis. Because the industry is constantly changing, so is tools. If a mechanic has to borrow a tool twice, they need to buy one. They need to also realize someone else paid for the tool they are borrowing, clean it and return it as soon as they are done with it. The last shop I was in before I retired, I would have to { go get } my tools weeks later. My tools were broken, torn up and missing. What did I do, well these fellow workers would come to barrow a tool and the answer would be ' you know I loaned that tool to someone and they never returned it'. If you really want to make a mechanic mad, find him not in his work area, get in his tool box and help yourself to his tools without asking. The next time he turns his tool box inside out just to find you helped yourself to his toolbox. You are on the X-friends list.
As a dealership tech, I agree, however me and 3 of my coworkers have all gone in together to buy a lot of Subaru specific tools, and other expensive special tools, as chassis ears, smoke machines, an 1234yf machine for us only, and several other tools that are Subaru specific, but, no longer in the tool room, or have been broken, the 4 of us keep those tools locked in our boxes for us to use, if anyone else needs the tool, we either supervise the use of those tools or take the vehicle for ourselves. I understand that you are an independent shop, and I’m glad that you provide that for your techs, you have an awesome shop and awesome techs, I’ve learned a lot esp electric diags, but the sad part is, here where I work, most techs don’t care about equipment that they don’t own,
As a engineer who has worked in the tech industry my whole career, it's still always crazy to think how this business is. We are provided everything, computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, chairs, electric desks, etc. I understand each industry is different, but man the overhead for a starting tech/mechanic is crazy. For a young engineer coming out of college, they need nothing except their resume, and their brain.
I'm a rural mailman. I am required to provide my own vehicle and provide the maintenance. The only RHD available in America today is a Jeep Wrangler. $70,000 car to make $40,000.
As a commercial system software developer, I took my first remote job back in 2005, buying a work-only IBM ThinkPad T43 and a HP Laser Jet 4350dtnsl printer. I am quite certain I paid $5k for the equipment. Then again, the annual salary was $128,500.
I really like your perspective as a shop owner. I retired from the collision trade and took up mechanical work at home. The industry cries that no one is getting into it, but they (in general) do not compensate techs for quality. The corporate mentality looks only at numbers and rewards the worst hack in the shop because they turn big hours, then the good techs have to fix their comebacks for peanuts. They got what they created.
That is the truth. Tech pay is heavily weighted to reward production vs quality of work. Some shops pay more per hour depending on hours flagged. For example, you get your base rate up to 44 hours per week. 45-55 hours paid a few dollars higher. 56-60 paid a few dollars more and 61+ hours per week might be $10 more per hour. Christmas bonus was based on the total number of hours flagged for the year. No real incentives for techs to have low comeback rate.
Im going to add in another part to the debate, at my shop, we have all the specialty tools but they are often times damaged or missing when I need them. I started buying the tools myself so I won't have to go hunting for it later. I didnt have to do that, but it has made my life alot easier.
I took auto tech classes every year of high school, class of '01. Went to take courses at my local tech school and found out day 1 that I was expected to have my own tools at my future place of work. By the second week, we had a tool rep in class throwing us catalogs and promising discounts. I had never been in a real shop at that point and had never heard that. Put a bad taste in my mouth about the industry. Go in debt for the education and the tools was absurd to me. I always felt that if there is a bay open for work to get done, then there should be tools there for the work to get done. After 3 semesters, I changed course of study. Now that I know what the industry is, I'm astonished that you actually provide the scanners. Those prices are bonkers for me, as a DIY'er
I am fourtunate where I work as an elevator mechanic we get specialized tools payed for. I have to supply tools for myself and my helper they aren't allowed to have tools, only a pencil knife and a stick rule. But we start getting into specialized electrical equipment scopes meters amp meters and there is a computer interface for each different system and they cost 10's of thousands of dollars I wouldn't be able to do the specialized work like security and programming with out it. I am a dIY auto mechanic and just recently built a garage and got a 2 post lift so its going to be a while before the scan tools and scopes come but one day I hope to learn enough to use it well when I do get them. I can really appreciate what you do for your mechanics as a shop owner. You seem to be a really great boss to work for, and you are great at learning and teaching. I greatly appreciate the content you provide, and you take pride in your trade and really stand behind your work.
Agree with everything you said, I as a shop owner purchased a autel under a 1,000 and gave it to the tech that's been with me for about 5 years I believe he's worth the investment, but techs don't need to buy specialized equipment that's the shops responsiblility, tire shops don't ask techs "you're required to have a tire balancer before you start" I know that's going out there but that's the mentality of some shop's. On the other side I've interviewed so called tech/mechanics and I swear when they show up either the box is a carry around or it's a 4,000 snapon but 200 hundred dollars worth of tools and honest to God starting out of the gate expect top dollar per hou, not flat I pay by the hour and the location I'm in I'm paying 50% higher than any other shops in town. Small towns is a no win situation. Thanks for the content, sorry for the rant
Great video, shops should supply job specific specialty tools and techs supply every day tools. Techs like me who have been around a while might own many of our own specialty tools by choice, but it shouldn't be a requirement. There have been times when other employees want to borrow specialty tools the shop doesn't own, which isn't a big deal but can become an issue over time. Then there are the "mechanics" who don't own a hammer or torque wrench. To be in this industry you do have to have certain basic tools and if you borrow a tool twice, you need to buy one.
Great idea for a vid. And lots of variables, biggest one being Flat rate shop vs Hourly. If your flat rate the amount and type of tools you'll need to own will be much higher in number. Issue's start when YOU invest in tools, and other techs want to use them. If your hourly not really an issue, but Flat rate and it really becomes a problem. I worked with a guy that flat out told other techs, I don't buy tools for you to make money. For private shops the cost of the tool has to worth the investment, you can't buy everything. We made our own smoke machine and used to for yrs b4 buying one. It worked great. I'm in a really good shop, finally, and if the tool will make us money and not turn away work the owner will buy it. Its really easy to over invest and end up with a bunch of tools you never use again.
I worked a CarMax a while back , they provided tools. It was a total Fluster Cluck , no one respected or cared for the tools. It was frustrating when someone would borrow something and not bring it back .
I got a job last year at age of 53....spent 25 years in the Uk working on my own,the last 6 or so in Spain.Have always had my own tools..quite a lot of them..here in Spain and France the Taller provides all tools,where as in the Uk mechanics mortgaged to the Snap on van... Top job covering this subject in video..
As a senior tech and small shop owner now. I felt It was an investment for me to have my own scanner and I actually had my own a/c machines because flat rate doesn’t pay to stand around. I slowly acquired them of course.
I agree a vehicle specific tool should be the shop’s responsibility and the ats scope! lol… I love the scope. Hand tools should be the techs responsibility 👍
Of topic, I just received the new multimeter from Power Probe the one that converts fuse voltage drop to amps, already used it to test for O2 sensor heater operation by putting the probes across the O2 sensor heater fuse. More uses than just for parasitic draw test.
Agreed completely. Scan tools I buy as to updates dependent on shop. I've done auto, heavy production, bus fleet type deal, rv. Rv for me it was an ok environment to update one of my scan tools. You've hit it all in terms of bs and well we own it. Good shop.
I agree the shop should provide a lot of shop tools but if I wanted to make more money I usually end up with buying them for myself and could not keep anybody out my toolbox or they would just steal them from me for a shop tools it's the abuse nobody don't respect other people's tools
I would say that special tools should be shop tools but on the other hand I've seen techs that destroy shop tools and the shop keeps having to re buy. If I buy my own special tools no one gets to use them lose or break them
I worked in a large Ford dealership - about 60 techs - and a lot of us bought our special tools because the shop tools were in poor condition and/or the time it took to go check out the tools you needed or track them down from the last guy who checked them out. It was much quicker to have the tool in your toolbox and know it’s in good condition so you can keep working.
@ghostwrench2292 yes you are correct but working in a dealership means you do one brand when you are independent it's a lot harder to buy the tools for all makes when you work on them here and there
I agree 100%, minus the scanner. If the shop provides something like that TopDone Elite you had in the previous video, by all means. However, I feel that a tech having their own scanner will (hopefully) come to know it inside and out, spending more diagnosing and less time relearning scanners or waiting for a scanner in a busy shop. You as a shop owner, would it be feasible to offer a tech an incentive of paying their subscription/update if they bring their own to work for you?
I think a tech having a decent midrange scanner isn't out of the question these days. Bidirectional models can be had for $600 + ~150/yr subscription. However the shop absolutely should provide a fully featured top of the line tool like a Phoenix or a Snap on for the specialty jobs.
The #1 thing that keeps me a DIY/Semi Pro Tech(Mobile/Friend Mechanic) is the cost of tools... been saving and buying what I can. But it is tough with life. But thank you for this... allows me to know what I should look for in a shop.
"Not gonna be any debate on this" I retired from working on generators GE J320's company i worked for in Maryland paid for all tools, company vehicle, gas card, unlimited OT, shoes, gloves, uniforms, no flat rate, i started at jeep dealer outta high school, best thing i ever did was get out of automotive. there's some debate for ya. also i worked with a wrench that came from shipping working on Mann diesels and described very big money. love your channel btw
I like storing all of the shop tools in one location, I worked for several shops that had the shop tools and equipment scattered throughout the shop. They were never in the same location!
I agree to the list for the most part. Specialty tools should be owned by the shop. AES wave set is something that could go either way. Most generally though, when it comes to sockets and pry bars, most shops and mechanics both have them. I've seen shops only provide one scanner for the whole shop and that really sucks!
I agree with all of your points, though I have more than one scanner and a bunch of my own suspension, chassis, and diagnostic tools. I just feel like it makes me more productive and I’m so much more familiar with them, which means quicker turnaround.
I see both sides of this issue. I feel to make an employee feel motivated it’s important to provide any tooling necessary to ensure the job is done properly. This includes all tools. The automotive industry is one of the only ones that requires the tech to provide such a huge investment. That being said, we do lose a lot of tools. Many are not being put back properly or taken care of. Our shop does a lot of fab work and includes auto repair so we’re not exactly the same.
Totally agree with your assessment with the exception of the scanner. I prefer to have my own so it's always available. I've worked in shops with a shop scanner but every time you need it, it seemed like someone else was using it. Other than that agree 💯
Good video. I'm not a tech but I would probably want as many of my own tools as I could afford that were not super expensive specialty tools or tools that are rarely needed. I agree that those are the ones that the shop should provide.
I run a small manufacturing facility which does provide tools to its employees. I do most of the troubleshooting and repair of our equipment and 99.9% of the tools I use I own. Tools I used often or which make my life easier I purchase. Machine Specific Tools or tools which are not used often or are expensive are company purchased tools. The company will replace broken tools without question but this leads to people abusing tools which I frown against because all tools have their limitations and you need to know this. I have worked at places where personal tools were not allowed to be used. I do service my own vehicles and will do the same for those who work for me to help them out. I also do PCB Repairs at home and will repair company owned PCB's at home where I have the equipment to the work when its quiet and I can better concentrate on the repairs without distractions. I also repair things for the people who work for me but they only pay for the parts and it's just my way of giving back and letting others know I appreciate the work they do for me.
The way you broke it down is pretty much how my bosses do it. The shop should at least provide a scan tool that does whatever kind of programming they expect techs to do. The last shop I was at had a pre touch screen solus that was too old to update and you had to hold the cord at a certain angle for it to read. Back then I refused to buy one on principal (plus we never made enough on diag to justify it)
I have my own rule. If I use a tool 3 times in a month. Then I need one and I should buy one. Regardless if the shop has one or not. Assuming it's not stupid expensive and I can afford it of course. One example is, when I worked for Chrysler I was doing a ton of valve jobs on jeep liberty engines. The shop had only one miller tool to lock the timing chains. Not an expensive tool. So I bought one for myself. It was a 24 bay shop. Only one of those tools for the whole shop. There was a TSB out on those jeep liberty engines. We were doing a lot of those valve jobs. The last thing I want to be doing is walking around the shop for 20 mins trying to locate that damn tool just to find another guy is using it while I have an engine half way apart. Nope. I'll just buy my own. That's one example. I did lots of engines. I was basically "the engine guy" in that shop. If there was such a thing. So I purchased a bunch of engine diagnostic tools. Leak-down testers. Chemical gas analyzer. There's a new tool on the market that I'll be getting that tests the amount of Blow-By an engine has. I've also got Dwell meters. Node lights. A Sirometer for engine balancing. All that kind of stuff. Recently I've been getting into motorcycles. I have a Yamaha 1100. I'm starting to like bikes more than cars. When it comes to cheap thrills. It's hard to beat a bike. I picked up my 1100 for just around $1,000 bucks. I can't think of any other vehicle that goes that fast for less money. Larry "Spider Man" McBride who races top fuel bikes, his shop isn't far from mine. Maybe one of these days I'll go see if he can make my stuff as fast as his. 😂😂.
As a union electrician, our tool list we are required to have fits into a standard backpack with maybe a small handbag in addition to the backpack. Should be the same way for these shops
I just bought a 3.0 liter ford water pump drive pulley tool for a 2006 Lincoln. It's a one and done at this point. Guess what though? I never even considered having the guest pay for the tool.
Totally reasonable on all fronts. The "almost consumables" are far more likely to last 10 times longer if the user knows its coming out of their pickets.
One tool I can’t get the shop to buy that I might buy myself is a walnut blaster because I know I could make good money with it. Although I would want some sort of printout to keep on the front counter so that the manager can easily explain to a customer what it is and why they should get it done
I agree with you a 100%. When I was going to college, the shop had all the tools you needed, but if you were to use the shop tools. Sometimes you had to wait for someone else to finish using something and these tools were pretty beat up. a lot of people don't care about other peoples still and don't treat it very good. I was makes parts with a tolerance of + or - .0003 and I wasn't going to trust these bent, smashed and rusty tools.
When I went through a general electrician's certificate program at a community college, I started by checking out equipment. By the end of the program, when I was taking an industrial automation course, I was using a hand truck to bring in my own equipment and consumables, all worth thousands.
If it rides on the tool box, it's the responsibility (and ownership) of the tech. Top-end scanners should be the responsibility of the shop, but the Tech should have a decent, professional level scanner (ex: TopDon Phoenix Lite). Vehicle specific is the shop's duty (and perhaps manufacturer specific). Large gear (a/c, alignment, wheel change, etc) also the shop. Miscellaneous floor stuff like jacks...the shop. PEP....depends. Uniforms, if required, it's on the shop. Minimum 1-per-week lunch, on the shop also.
Shop provides lunch once per week? Maybe at a small shop. When I was a a dealership with 60 techs, they would break out the grill a couple of times a year but the line was horrendous and to have the whole shop shut down at the same time for lunch was weird.
The problem is that techs take care of their personal tools only. Anything shops provide, they don’t even bother to clean it up and put it back to its proper location. The best is , if the tech breaks a scan tool or other shop provided specialty tool, " I DIDN'T DO IT."
Yes, as a dealer tech that crap bugs me to no end, hate going to the tool room and specialty tool either isn’t there, or broken, which is why me and 3 other coworkers have pulled together to buy a lot of our own dealer specific tools.
I've worked at both dealer and independent shops and those dealerships are mostly ran by car salesman so getting them to buy shop tools was like pulling teeth. But it all worked came out in the wash as I just sold them BS on their used cars to pay for it. Glad I'm not with a dealer anymore though.
Question - who do you feel is responsible for storing shop tools? At my work, I’m expected to make space for all the shop tools in my own personally-paid-for tool box. I guess the mentality is that my box is taking up space that is owned by the shop, so the space inside it must belong to the shop also.
I agree 100% with you. This is a very good video. Vehicle specific tooling and computers should be a shop expense. I’m self-employed with my own shop. Let me tell you it’s very expensive buying tooling. The 6.7 powerstroke front and rear main seal installing tool cost me $1600 John Deere fuel injector setting tool was another $1300.
I’m a GM dealer Transmission man and I have more money in transmission speciality tools than anything else. The dealer SHOULD have all of the special tools but you know how that goes.
As a DIYer, it never occurred to me that shop mechanics would have to supply their own tools. How do you keep them organized and separate from everyone else? Does each mechanic only work in one area, so everything in that area belongs to them? Or do you pack up your tools every day and take them home with them? You show all of the sockets for example in the drawers. How do you manage that? So many questions.
We generally work in our assigned service bay(s) so our tool box is right there. Tools get locked in our toolbox overnight. Each tech organizes their toolbox the way that works for them - some are very well organized and other throw all their tools in drawers.
I am also a DIYer, a DIYer that has amassed around $20K in automotive tools. I believe you would get a good feel of what professional mechanics have to deal with, in terms of tools, by watching the "Tool Box Tours" and "Koon Trucking" YT-channels. Viewing "Tool Box Tours," has introduced me to tools which solve vexing problems, many of them very inexpensive.
Hello Sherwood, a hypothetical question for you regarding shop tools: Let’s say you have a tech that’s worked for you for five years, and he’s recognized as an excellent employee, dedicated to doing great work for your shop. He/she comes to you and asks if they can borrow a shop tool to use on a weekend, do you let them? Or do you frown on them making money on the side using equipment that they don’t own? I’m curious what you would say. Thank you!
I bought my own scanner (Autel MX900) because I’m not a fan of the Launch Throttle III my shop has, simply prefer the Autel interface so it’s a preference thing. Also, one tool I’d say a shop should have over a tech is a ball joint press. Most ball joints are bolt on these days, so jobs requiring it are few and far between I’ve seen (I do maybe 2 jobs requiring it a year), so spending a grand on one doesn’t make any sense to me.
When I first started working remotely as a commercial systems software developer, I purchased a work-only laptop PC and high-speed printer. Folks often forget that PC stands for PERSONAL computer. It's a freakin' hand tool.
Hi ! The technician sells labor and his know-how, and he needs suitable tools and with current car electronics, software updates, and tools specific to each brand, this represents a lot of money. money . Hello from France .
Whats your opinion on this situation that just happened to me. We recently moved into a new/ used shop that had been sitting empty for a while. I was using my air impact on an air line that I have used a few times before and a bunch of rust broke lose in the air line and destroyed my impact. Who should be responsible for that repair. Not a cheap impact and we no longer have that particular brand of tool truck stopping by anymore. And yes I do go around and drain water out of the traps regularly.
I want that ATS 8 channel. Went to finance it but both ATS and AES wave used companies that finance only commercial businesses. So I won’t be able to get one . My cards don’t have that much open on them . 4 daughters in college 🥴
I don't even have watch this. Retired electrician. I spent as much money as any mechanic. Those are my tools. They made me money. They made me in demand. If I left one employer to go to work for another. Those tools went with me. The funny thing is. One leaves one shop to go work for another. The previous shop's clients are calling asking if I can help them! Invest in yourself. Education and tools. The employer honestly doesn't care in most cases. Why should Sherwood invest 10s of thousands of dollars into an employee's tools only for them to up and leave for any number of reasons. When I retired I sold almost everything. Now you're lucky if I'll change a lamp(light buld) for you!😮
I think mechanics should buy their own jump packs. I have been using the same one for over 3 years, while the shop has gone through at least 4 in that time due to people not wanting to take care of them.
@ghostwrench2292 the guys I work with have never taken care of the jump boxes the shop provided. In fact, the shops jump box isn't working at the moment, so they are using mine. However, they leave mine the way they found it without issue. But when you are the one who paid for it, you're likely to take better care of it.
Two 72" KRLs here, 4 scan tools, and a Pico4425 - you can guess how much my employer supplies. No scan tools, no timing tools, no refrigerant detectors, NOTHING. My employer needs to ship some jobs, because I (the tech) can't afford to buy the timing/specialty tool versus what I get paid. Some jobs I would be spending $100 more than I would get paid, essentially me paying $100 to work on the car for free. I get the point of the video, but the vast majority of shops would rather lose the revenue from the job, versus buy equipment. Shops are completely delusional about what is really required to work on cars. I have that boost pressure tester too, from lisle, and the AESwave kit. LOL.
@@ghostwrench2292 They just can't fix 50% of the work coming in the door. No diag, no wiring repair, minimal press work, no timing belts or chains, etc. It would kill their revenue but they would probably survive.
A basic scanner will pay for itself for a flat rate tech...waiting on someone to get done with a scanner isnt productive... Splitting the cost of a special tool you may never use again is a fair compromise
None of it should be required from the technician. I have an HVAC shop, we buy every tool, truck, etc. for technicians, and I’m pretty sure they make the same as a auto tech
The only thing you didn't mention is a purchase of your 8 channel oscilloscope it is an extremely expensive oscope costing around $7,000 I definitely think the shop should buy one for every Tech that they want to work on cars
The rate a tech gets paid, compared to the amount of money in tools hes expected to bring to the table has never made much sense to me. It feels similar to the way the restaurant industries expects their customers to pay their employees wages through tips. Im sure you guys pay your techs a lot better than most shops, however techs dont get paid enough in this industry in general, especially the good ones!
Having to buy your own tools is why I decided against being a mechanic at all. I’m sure it’s not bad overall but for some of the salaries vs tool cost it’s insane. Especially since truck brands are lifetime warranty, why not provide a mechanic with tools (outside of power tools) that in theory you’ll never have to buy again. I know it’s a huge upfront cost but that’s how most businesses operate. At my job we have 300k of equipment for video work and there’s absolutely no shot we’d go in to debt or buy things ourselves. Not my industry, my opinion technically doesn’t matter one bit but those are my thoughts. Seems like it kills the industry for a ton. Same with flat rate 😅 I do like your balance though!
I would not like that at all. It would be like working out of someone else’s tool box - weird. Some guys do a lot with fewer tools and some guys like to buy more variations of tools. I’d rather buy what I want or feel like I need.
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Well, I'm not a mechanic and I'm not in the US, so probably my opinion won't matter to you, but if I were to work in a shop, with my own tools, I'd want to know how much I'm being paid for my skills and services and how much I get paid for the wear and depreciation of my tools. I haven't heard of any profession other than this that requires the employee to bring his own tools.
Many in the trades supply their own basic tools, trades like electricians, construction, etc. There are two good reasons: (1) common tools get abused and (2) common tools are not personalized. Also, in a number of cases, tradesmen owning their own tools is the steppingstone to independence.
Many decades ago, I told a girlfriend, if you're considering purchasing a durable good, like a stereo system, get advice from the repairman, not the salesman.
I have a rule in my life and it has served me well… I will borrow a tool twice…that mean I borrow the tool once and I need to borrow it again I’m buying it cause no tech want to see another tech make with your toys😂😂😂
Techs are W-2 employees. W-2 employees should be provided with everything they need for the job. Contract employees, like a barber, can at least claim their tool investment on their taxes.
I have never worked in this industry but it doesnt seem right to make them buy their own tools. If i ran a shop i would probably buy them the tools and if they stay there for like 1 year they can keep them, otherwise they need to return them if they quit. An incentive for them to stick around longer.
Tools, even Harbor Freight tools are way too expensive to give away after 1 year of service. The way to keep good techs is to treat them well and pay them very well.
It's funny how people will go into debt tens of thousands of dollars on a college education, any number of courses having no redeemable value, yet they feel basic hand tools, tools which are designed to satisfy personal preferences, should be supplied to them by their employer. Prospective is important, folks.
I woke up one hot summer day in 1978 and wondered why I was investing 10's of thousands in tools so I could make my dealership owner rich. Started buying shop equipment the next day.
Opened my own shop in the spring of 1979. I retired on Christmas day of 2022. I never got rich, but I made a good living and retired with enough to live the rest of my life without worry.
I still have my shop, equipment, and tools but now I use them for my own enjoyment.
Any good mechanic can do it with 5 simple rules.
Do quality work at reasonable prices!
Work on every vehicle like you're gonna put your spouse and children in it!
Use only top quality and proven parts!
Pay yourself and employees well and bonus on the lack of comebacks!
Put 10% or more of your income into safe investments!
Oh!, and number 6. Love your job and you'll never work a day in your life.
Sounds like you did it right. You are in the 1% group. Happy for you.
Here is the old, retired guy feelings on the subject. Nobody has all the tools that they will need on a day-to-day basis. Because the industry is constantly changing, so is tools. If a mechanic has to borrow a tool twice, they need to buy one. They need to also realize someone else paid for the tool they are borrowing, clean it and return it as soon as they are done with it. The last shop I was in before I retired, I would have to { go get } my tools weeks later. My tools were broken, torn up and missing. What did I do, well these fellow workers would come to barrow a tool and the answer would be ' you know I loaned that tool to someone and they never returned it'. If you really want to make a mechanic mad, find him not in his work area, get in his tool box and help yourself to his tools without asking. The next time he turns his tool box inside out just to find you helped yourself to his toolbox. You are on the X-friends list.
No truer words, respect 👍
100% #BIGFACTS Hit the nail right on the head there ol’ timer I just posted some of these same things😂😂😂😂
As a dealership tech, I agree, however me and 3 of my coworkers have all gone in together to buy a lot of Subaru specific tools, and other expensive special tools, as chassis ears, smoke machines, an 1234yf machine for us only, and several other tools that are Subaru specific, but, no longer in the tool room, or have been broken, the 4 of us keep those tools locked in our boxes for us to use, if anyone else needs the tool, we either supervise the use of those tools or take the vehicle for ourselves. I understand that you are an independent shop, and I’m glad that you provide that for your techs, you have an awesome shop and awesome techs, I’ve learned a lot esp electric diags, but the sad part is, here where I work, most techs don’t care about equipment that they don’t own,
@@jlw1985 that's seems to be the Western mentality. Not caring about other people's stuff.
I like owning my own tools. However, shops should definitely provide specialty tools
As a engineer who has worked in the tech industry my whole career, it's still always crazy to think how this business is. We are provided everything, computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, chairs, electric desks, etc. I understand each industry is different, but man the overhead for a starting tech/mechanic is crazy. For a young engineer coming out of college, they need nothing except their resume, and their brain.
I'm a rural mailman. I am required to provide my own vehicle and provide the maintenance. The only RHD available in America today is a Jeep Wrangler. $70,000 car to make $40,000.
@@LowInformationthat’s crazy!!
@@LowInformationwhat's the saying? you will own nothing and be happy
As a commercial system software developer, I took my first remote job back in 2005, buying a work-only IBM ThinkPad T43 and a HP Laser Jet 4350dtnsl printer. I am quite certain I paid $5k for the equipment. Then again, the annual salary was $128,500.
I really like your perspective as a shop owner. I retired from the collision trade and took up mechanical work at home. The industry cries that no one is getting into it, but they (in general) do not compensate techs for quality. The corporate mentality looks only at numbers and rewards the worst hack in the shop because they turn big hours, then the good techs have to fix their comebacks for peanuts. They got what they created.
That is the truth. Tech pay is heavily weighted to reward production vs quality of work. Some shops pay more per hour depending on hours flagged. For example, you get your base rate up to 44 hours per week. 45-55 hours paid a few dollars higher. 56-60 paid a few dollars more and 61+ hours per week might be $10 more per hour. Christmas bonus was based on the total number of hours flagged for the year. No real incentives for techs to have low comeback rate.
Im going to add in another part to the debate, at my shop, we have all the specialty tools but they are often times damaged or missing when I need them. I started buying the tools myself so I won't have to go hunting for it later. I didnt have to do that, but it has made my life alot easier.
i do the same!!!!
I took auto tech classes every year of high school, class of '01. Went to take courses at my local tech school and found out day 1 that I was expected to have my own tools at my future place of work. By the second week, we had a tool rep in class throwing us catalogs and promising discounts. I had never been in a real shop at that point and had never heard that. Put a bad taste in my mouth about the industry. Go in debt for the education and the tools was absurd to me. I always felt that if there is a bay open for work to get done, then there should be tools there for the work to get done. After 3 semesters, I changed course of study. Now that I know what the industry is, I'm astonished that you actually provide the scanners. Those prices are bonkers for me, as a DIY'er
Your examples of tech - vs - shop separation is spot on!
I am fourtunate where I work as an elevator mechanic we get specialized tools payed for. I have to supply tools for myself and my helper they aren't allowed to have tools, only a pencil knife and a stick rule. But we start getting into specialized electrical equipment scopes meters amp meters and there is a computer interface for each different system and they cost 10's of thousands of dollars I wouldn't be able to do the specialized work like security and programming with out it. I am a dIY auto mechanic and just recently built a garage and got a 2 post lift so its going to be a while before the scan tools and scopes come but one day I hope to learn enough to use it well when I do get them. I can really appreciate what you do for your mechanics as a shop owner. You seem to be a really great boss to work for, and you are great at learning and teaching. I greatly appreciate the content you provide, and you take pride in your trade and really stand behind your work.
Agree with everything you said, I as a shop owner purchased a autel under a 1,000 and gave it to the tech that's been with me for about 5 years I believe he's worth the investment, but techs don't need to buy specialized equipment that's the shops responsiblility, tire shops don't ask techs "you're required to have a tire balancer before you start" I know that's going out there but that's the mentality of some shop's. On the other side I've interviewed so called tech/mechanics and I swear when they show up either the box is a carry around or it's a 4,000 snapon but 200 hundred dollars worth of tools and honest to God starting out of the gate expect top dollar per hou, not flat I pay by the hour and the location I'm in I'm paying 50% higher than any other shops in town. Small towns is a no win situation. Thanks for the content, sorry for the rant
In finland shops provide absolutely everything.
Same in Sweden
And in Denmark . 😁
Great video, shops should supply job specific specialty tools and techs supply every day tools. Techs like me who have been around a while might own many of our own specialty tools by choice, but it shouldn't be a requirement. There have been times when other employees want to borrow specialty tools the shop doesn't own, which isn't a big deal but can become an issue over time.
Then there are the "mechanics" who don't own a hammer or torque wrench. To be in this industry you do have to have certain basic tools and if you borrow a tool twice, you need to buy one.
Great idea for a vid. And lots of variables, biggest one being Flat rate shop vs Hourly. If your flat rate the amount and type of tools you'll need to own will be much higher in number. Issue's start when YOU invest in tools, and other techs want to use them. If your hourly not really an issue, but Flat rate and it really becomes a problem. I worked with a guy that flat out told other techs, I don't buy tools for you to make money. For private shops the cost of the tool has to worth the investment, you can't buy everything. We made our own smoke machine and used to for yrs b4 buying one. It worked great. I'm in a really good shop, finally, and if the tool will make us money and not turn away work the owner will buy it. Its really easy to over invest and end up with a bunch of tools you never use again.
I worked a CarMax a while back , they provided tools.
It was a total Fluster Cluck , no one respected or cared for the tools. It was frustrating when someone would borrow something and not bring it back .
I got a job last year at age of 53....spent 25 years in the Uk working on my own,the last 6 or so in Spain.Have always had my own tools..quite a lot of them..here in Spain and France the Taller
provides all tools,where as in the Uk mechanics mortgaged to the Snap on van...
Top job covering this subject in video..
As a senior tech and small shop owner now. I felt It was an investment for me to have my own scanner and I actually had my own a/c machines because flat rate doesn’t pay to stand around. I slowly acquired them of course.
I agree a vehicle specific tool should be the shop’s responsibility and the ats scope! lol… I love the scope. Hand tools should be the techs responsibility 👍
Sorry about losing that 10mm.
I lost another 10. Now the 15 is gone.
@ back to harbor freight! Because the tool truck don’t come around anymore 😆
I’m in the automotive salvage business We provide all the tools for each dismantler Easy to keep boxes full, warranty items
@@jcarr0314 sorry about losing that 10mm last week. Why does Carlos have 2 10s? Now my 17 is missing. Look in the crusher
Of topic, I just received the new multimeter from Power Probe the one that converts fuse voltage drop to amps, already used it to test for O2 sensor heater operation by putting the probes across the O2 sensor heater fuse. More uses than just for parasitic draw test.
Agreed completely. Scan tools I buy as to updates dependent on shop. I've done auto, heavy production, bus fleet type deal, rv. Rv for me it was an ok environment to update one of my scan tools. You've hit it all in terms of bs and well we own it. Good shop.
I really like your presentation style!
You can never have enough shop tools. Wish I had the extra money laying around to buy some of these. Thanks for showing us!
Totally agree with the aeswave test terminal kit. I bought mine a few years ago and I would still buy my own if the shop had one. I use it a lot.
I agree the shop should provide a lot of shop tools but if I wanted to make more money I usually end up with buying them for myself and could not keep anybody out my toolbox or they would just steal them from me for a shop tools it's the abuse nobody don't respect other people's tools
I would say that special tools should be shop tools but on the other hand I've seen techs that destroy shop tools and the shop keeps having to re buy. If I buy my own special tools no one gets to use them lose or break them
I worked in a large Ford dealership - about 60 techs - and a lot of us bought our special tools because the shop tools were in poor condition and/or the time it took to go check out the tools you needed or track them down from the last guy who checked them out. It was much quicker to have the tool in your toolbox and know it’s in good condition so you can keep working.
@ghostwrench2292 yes you are correct but working in a dealership means you do one brand when you are independent it's a lot harder to buy the tools for all makes when you work on them here and there
I agree 100%, minus the scanner. If the shop provides something like that TopDone Elite you had in the previous video, by all means. However, I feel that a tech having their own scanner will (hopefully) come to know it inside and out, spending more diagnosing and less time relearning scanners or waiting for a scanner in a busy shop. You as a shop owner, would it be feasible to offer a tech an incentive of paying their subscription/update if they bring their own to work for you?
I think a tech having a decent midrange scanner isn't out of the question these days. Bidirectional models can be had for $600 + ~150/yr subscription. However the shop absolutely should provide a fully featured top of the line tool like a Phoenix or a Snap on for the specialty jobs.
110% correct !
The #1 thing that keeps me a DIY/Semi Pro Tech(Mobile/Friend Mechanic) is the cost of tools... been saving and buying what I can. But it is tough with life. But thank you for this... allows me to know what I should look for in a shop.
"Not gonna be any debate on this" I retired from working on generators GE J320's company i worked for in Maryland paid for all tools, company vehicle, gas card, unlimited OT, shoes, gloves, uniforms, no flat rate, i started at jeep dealer outta high school, best thing i ever did was get out of automotive. there's some debate for ya. also i worked with a wrench that came from shipping working on Mann diesels and described very big money. love your channel btw
I like storing all of the shop tools in one location, I worked for several shops that had the shop tools and equipment scattered throughout the shop. They were never in the same location!
You did a good explanation of tools used by techs and what the shop ( in my case the company) but a good differentiation
I agree to the list for the most part. Specialty tools should be owned by the shop. AES wave set is something that could go either way. Most generally though, when it comes to sockets and pry bars, most shops and mechanics both have them. I've seen shops only provide one scanner for the whole shop and that really sucks!
I agree with all of your points, though I have more than one scanner and a bunch of my own suspension, chassis, and diagnostic tools. I just feel like it makes me more productive and I’m so much more familiar with them, which means quicker turnaround.
I see both sides of this issue. I feel to make an employee feel motivated it’s important to provide any tooling necessary to ensure the job is done properly. This includes all tools. The automotive industry is one of the only ones that requires the tech to provide such a huge investment.
That being said, we do lose a lot of tools. Many are not being put back properly or taken care of. Our shop does a lot of fab work and includes auto repair so we’re not exactly the same.
I agree with you completely and I am a mobile mechanical owner.
Totally agree with your assessment with the exception of the scanner. I prefer to have my own so it's always available. I've worked in shops with a shop scanner but every time you need it, it seemed like someone else was using it. Other than that agree 💯
nice presentation Sherwood. thx
What a boss the techs are so lucky to have him if my surgery on my neck goes well I might apply for a job and relocate so impressive
Good video. I'm not a tech but I would probably want as many of my own tools as I could afford that were not super expensive specialty tools or tools that are rarely needed. I agree that those are the ones that the shop should provide.
I would say the HIGH COST tools. Plus tools to be into EPA compliance (ac machines, smoke machines, special pullers..etc)
I run a small manufacturing facility which does provide tools to its employees. I do most of the troubleshooting and repair of our equipment and 99.9% of the tools I use I own. Tools I used often or which make my life easier I purchase. Machine Specific Tools or tools which are not used often or are expensive are company purchased tools. The company will replace broken tools without question but this leads to people abusing tools which I frown against because all tools have their limitations and you need to know this. I have worked at places where personal tools were not allowed to be used. I do service my own vehicles and will do the same for those who work for me to help them out. I also do PCB Repairs at home and will repair company owned PCB's at home where I have the equipment to the work when its quiet and I can better concentrate on the repairs without distractions. I also repair things for the people who work for me but they only pay for the parts and it's just my way of giving back and letting others know I appreciate the work they do for me.
Think your are pretty much right on !
I heard it's different in other countries. Techs don't need to provide there on tools. The shop provides it all.
And get paid a lot less! In Germany around 2500 bucks for a Mastertech after taxes and social security/health insurance
If you’re serious enough, you’ll want your own so no one can take them and you can do what you love to do as long as you want.
The way you broke it down is pretty much how my bosses do it. The shop should at least provide a scan tool that does whatever kind of programming they expect techs to do. The last shop I was at had a pre touch screen solus that was too old to update and you had to hold the cord at a certain angle for it to read. Back then I refused to buy one on principal (plus we never made enough on diag to justify it)
I agree with everything you said!
I have my own rule. If I use a tool 3 times in a month. Then I need one and I should buy one. Regardless if the shop has one or not. Assuming it's not stupid expensive and I can afford it of course. One example is, when I worked for Chrysler I was doing a ton of valve jobs on jeep liberty engines. The shop had only one miller tool to lock the timing chains. Not an expensive tool. So I bought one for myself. It was a 24 bay shop. Only one of those tools for the whole shop. There was a TSB out on those jeep liberty engines. We were doing a lot of those valve jobs. The last thing I want to be doing is walking around the shop for 20 mins trying to locate that damn tool just to find another guy is using it while I have an engine half way apart. Nope. I'll just buy my own. That's one example. I did lots of engines. I was basically "the engine guy" in that shop. If there was such a thing. So I purchased a bunch of engine diagnostic tools. Leak-down testers. Chemical gas analyzer. There's a new tool on the market that I'll be getting that tests the amount of Blow-By an engine has. I've also got Dwell meters. Node lights. A Sirometer for engine balancing. All that kind of stuff. Recently I've been getting into motorcycles. I have a Yamaha 1100. I'm starting to like bikes more than cars. When it comes to cheap thrills. It's hard to beat a bike. I picked up my 1100 for just around $1,000 bucks. I can't think of any other vehicle that goes that fast for less money. Larry "Spider Man" McBride who races top fuel bikes, his shop isn't far from mine. Maybe one of these days I'll go see if he can make my stuff as fast as his. 😂😂.
As a union electrician, our tool list we are required to have fits into a standard backpack with maybe a small handbag in addition to the backpack. Should be the same way for these shops
I just bought a 3.0 liter ford water pump drive pulley tool for a 2006 Lincoln. It's a one and done at this point. Guess what though? I never even considered having the guest pay for the tool.
Totally reasonable on all fronts. The "almost consumables" are far more likely to last 10 times longer if the user knows its coming out of their pickets.
depends on the tool but the more tools and tech has the more self-sufficient they are and the more productive they are.
I think that's more than fair. A good technician needs the proper tools!!
One tool I can’t get the shop to buy that I might buy myself is a walnut blaster because I know I could make good money with it. Although I would want some sort of printout to keep on the front counter so that the manager can easily explain to a customer what it is and why they should get it done
What's this for? Cleaning off calipers?
@@User-y9t7u I believe I have seen them used, primarily, to clean intake manifolds, the purpose to improve fuel economy.
I agree with you a 100%. When I was going to college, the shop had all the tools you needed, but if you were to use the shop tools. Sometimes you had to wait for someone else to finish using something and these tools were pretty beat up. a lot of people don't care about other peoples still and don't treat it very good. I was makes parts with a tolerance of + or - .0003 and I wasn't going to trust these bent, smashed and rusty tools.
When I went through a general electrician's certificate program at a community college, I started by checking out equipment. By the end of the program, when I was taking an industrial automation course, I was using a hand truck to bring in my own equipment and consumables, all worth thousands.
If it rides on the tool box, it's the responsibility (and ownership) of the tech.
Top-end scanners should be the responsibility of the shop, but the Tech should have a decent, professional level scanner (ex: TopDon Phoenix Lite).
Vehicle specific is the shop's duty (and perhaps manufacturer specific). Large gear (a/c, alignment, wheel change, etc) also the shop. Miscellaneous floor stuff like jacks...the shop.
PEP....depends. Uniforms, if required, it's on the shop.
Minimum 1-per-week lunch, on the shop also.
Shop provides lunch once per week? Maybe at a small shop. When I was a a dealership with 60 techs, they would break out the grill a couple of times a year but the line was horrendous and to have the whole shop shut down at the same time for lunch was weird.
Is it the same with car dealerships do the mechanics need to purchase their tools or are they provided.
The same, from what I understand. My nephew is a tech and he buys his hand tools and the dealership provides the specialty tools and the laptops.
Dealer techs have their own tools. Shop provides the special tools.
100% agree!!!
The problem is that techs take care of their personal tools only. Anything shops provide, they don’t even bother to clean it up and put it back to its proper location. The best is , if the tech breaks a scan tool or other shop provided specialty tool, " I DIDN'T DO IT."
Yes, as a dealer tech that crap bugs me to no end, hate going to the tool room and specialty tool either isn’t there, or broken, which is why me and 3 other coworkers have pulled together to buy a lot of our own dealer specific tools.
I’m so tired of working at the dealership I wish I could work for you guys! 😢
I've worked at both dealer and independent shops and those dealerships are mostly ran by car salesman so getting them to buy shop tools was like pulling teeth. But it all worked came out in the wash as I just sold them BS on their used cars to pay for it. Glad I'm not with a dealer anymore though.
Question - who do you feel is responsible for storing shop tools? At my work, I’m expected to make space for all the shop tools in my own personally-paid-for tool box. I guess the mentality is that my box is taking up space that is owned by the shop, so the space inside it must belong to the shop also.
My tool box is full of my own tools that I own. Sorry, I can’t fit your tools unless you want to buy me a larger tool box.
We need a video on shop management software
I agree 100% with you. This is a very good video. Vehicle specific tooling and computers should be a shop expense. I’m self-employed with my own shop. Let me tell you it’s very expensive buying tooling. The 6.7 powerstroke front and rear main seal installing tool cost me $1600 John Deere fuel injector setting tool was another $1300.
Great as always
I’m a GM dealer Transmission man and I have more money in transmission speciality tools than anything else. The dealer SHOULD have all of the special tools but you know how that goes.
back in the day shops stopped providing tools due to them comming up missing.
As a DIYer, it never occurred to me that shop mechanics would have to supply their own tools. How do you keep them organized and separate from everyone else? Does each mechanic only work in one area, so everything in that area belongs to them? Or do you pack up your tools every day and take them home with them? You show all of the sockets for example in the drawers. How do you manage that? So many questions.
We generally work in our assigned service bay(s) so our tool box is right there. Tools get locked in our toolbox overnight. Each tech organizes their toolbox the way that works for them - some are very well organized and other throw all their tools in drawers.
I am also a DIYer, a DIYer that has amassed around $20K in automotive tools. I believe you would get a good feel of what professional mechanics have to deal with, in terms of tools, by watching the "Tool Box Tours" and "Koon Trucking" YT-channels. Viewing "Tool Box Tours," has introduced me to tools which solve vexing problems, many of them very inexpensive.
@ Very interesting, thanks for replying!
Hello Sherwood, a hypothetical question for you regarding shop tools:
Let’s say you have a tech that’s worked for you for five years, and he’s recognized as an excellent employee, dedicated to doing great work for your shop. He/she comes to you and asks if they can borrow a shop tool to use on a weekend, do you let them? Or do you frown on them making money on the side using equipment that they don’t own? I’m curious what you would say. Thank you!
Been there, don't care if they do side jobs but won't risk loaning tools or equipment because they may not come back or they may be damaged.
I bought my own scanner (Autel MX900) because I’m not a fan of the Launch Throttle III my shop has, simply prefer the Autel interface so it’s a preference thing. Also, one tool I’d say a shop should have over a tech is a ball joint press. Most ball joints are bolt on these days, so jobs requiring it are few and far between I’ve seen (I do maybe 2 jobs requiring it a year), so spending a grand on one doesn’t make any sense to me.
When I first started working remotely as a commercial systems software developer, I purchased a work-only laptop PC and high-speed printer. Folks often forget that PC stands for PERSONAL computer. It's a freakin' hand tool.
Link to that flashlight holder. My strion needs it 😀
Hi ! The technician sells labor and his know-how, and he needs suitable tools and with current car electronics, software updates, and tools specific to each brand, this represents a lot of money. money .
Hello from France .
Whats your opinion on this situation that just happened to me. We recently moved into a new/ used shop that had been sitting empty for a while. I was using my air impact on an air line that I have used a few times before and a bunch of rust broke lose in the air line and destroyed my impact. Who should be responsible for that repair. Not a cheap impact and we no longer have that particular brand of tool truck stopping by anymore. And yes I do go around and drain water out of the traps regularly.
I want that ATS 8 channel. Went to finance it but both ATS and AES wave used companies that finance only commercial businesses. So I won’t be able to get one . My cards don’t have that much open on them . 4 daughters in college 🥴
Thanks for a great video.
I don't even have watch this. Retired electrician. I spent as much money as any mechanic. Those are my tools. They made me money. They made me in demand. If I left one employer to go to work for another. Those tools went with me. The funny thing is. One leaves one shop to go work for another. The previous shop's clients are calling asking if I can help them!
Invest in yourself. Education and tools. The employer honestly doesn't care in most cases.
Why should Sherwood invest 10s of thousands of dollars into an employee's tools only for them to up and leave for any number of reasons.
When I retired I sold almost everything. Now you're lucky if I'll change a lamp(light buld) for you!😮
Should you charge the cost of a specialized tool to the one customer that is the first to be used on?
I think mechanics should buy their own jump packs. I have been using the same one for over 3 years, while the shop has gone through at least 4 in that time due to people not wanting to take care of them.
I don’t think they should but it’s quicker and easier if they do. I have my own.
@ghostwrench2292 the guys I work with have never taken care of the jump boxes the shop provided. In fact, the shops jump box isn't working at the moment, so they are using mine. However, they leave mine the way they found it without issue. But when you are the one who paid for it, you're likely to take better care of it.
Two 72" KRLs here, 4 scan tools, and a Pico4425 - you can guess how much my employer supplies. No scan tools, no timing tools, no refrigerant detectors, NOTHING. My employer needs to ship some jobs, because I (the tech) can't afford to buy the timing/specialty tool versus what I get paid. Some jobs I would be spending $100 more than I would get paid, essentially me paying $100 to work on the car for free. I get the point of the video, but the vast majority of shops would rather lose the revenue from the job, versus buy equipment. Shops are completely delusional about what is really required to work on cars. I have that boost pressure tester too, from lisle, and the AESwave kit. LOL.
So if you quit does the shop go out of business?
@@ghostwrench2292
They just can't fix 50% of the work coming in the door. No diag, no wiring repair, minimal press work, no timing belts or chains, etc. It would kill their revenue but they would probably survive.
A basic scanner will pay for itself for a flat rate tech...waiting on someone to get done with a scanner isnt productive...
Splitting the cost of a special tool you may never use again is a fair compromise
Shop tools with consumables. Shop purchases tool. Tech purchases refills. Split the difference.
None of it should be required from the technician. I have an HVAC shop, we buy every tool, truck, etc. for technicians, and I’m pretty sure they make the same as a auto tech
In Sweden the shop holds all equipment!
Does the flat rate pay system exist in Sweden?
The only person that pays in the end is the customer 😢
The only thing you didn't mention is a purchase of your 8 channel oscilloscope it is an extremely expensive oscope costing around $7,000 I definitely think the shop should buy one for every Tech that they want to work on cars
100% that’s a shop expense and not a tech expense. Completely agree!
The rate a tech gets paid, compared to the amount of money in tools hes expected to bring to the table has never made much sense to me. It feels similar to the way the restaurant industries expects their customers to pay their employees wages through tips. Im sure you guys pay your techs a lot better than most shops, however techs dont get paid enough in this industry in general, especially the good ones!
Having to buy your own tools is why I decided against being a mechanic at all. I’m sure it’s not bad overall but for some of the salaries vs tool cost it’s insane. Especially since truck brands are lifetime warranty, why not provide a mechanic with tools (outside of power tools) that in theory you’ll never have to buy again. I know it’s a huge upfront cost but that’s how most businesses operate. At my job we have 300k of equipment for video work and there’s absolutely no shot we’d go in to debt or buy things ourselves. Not my industry, my opinion technically doesn’t matter one bit but those are my thoughts. Seems like it kills the industry for a ton. Same with flat rate 😅
I do like your balance though!
In germany all tools are provided by the shop. You have "your own" tools but they belong to the shop.
I would not like that at all. It would be like working out of someone else’s tool box - weird. Some guys do a lot with fewer tools and some guys like to buy more variations of tools. I’d rather buy what I want or feel like I need.
Thanks for sharing such valuable information! Could you help me with something unrelated: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (mistake turkey blossom warfare blade until bachelor fall squeeze today flee guitar). How can I transfer them to Binance?
Well, I'm not a mechanic and I'm not in the US, so probably my opinion won't matter to you, but if I were to work in a shop, with my own tools, I'd want to know how much I'm being paid for my skills and services and how much I get paid for the wear and depreciation of my tools. I haven't heard of any profession other than this that requires the employee to bring his own tools.
Many in the trades supply their own basic tools, trades like electricians, construction, etc. There are two good reasons: (1) common tools get abused and (2) common tools are not personalized. Also, in a number of cases, tradesmen owning their own tools is the steppingstone to independence.
A car salesman once told me never spend money fixing a car, but to invest the money into a new car.
Many decades ago, I told a girlfriend, if you're considering purchasing a durable good, like a stereo system, get advice from the repairman, not the salesman.
I have a rule in my life and it has served me well… I will borrow a tool twice…that mean I borrow the tool once and I need to borrow it again I’m buying it cause no tech want to see another tech make with your toys😂😂😂
Damn seems like you guys hit 100k a month ago
👌
Techs are W-2 employees. W-2 employees should be provided with everything they need for the job. Contract employees, like a barber, can at least claim their tool investment on their taxes.
How many times has the Shop bought a tool that a Tech had that no one else had and you needed to borrow the Tech's tool?
I have never worked in this industry but it doesnt seem right to make them buy their own tools. If i ran a shop i would probably buy them the tools and if they stay there for like 1 year they can keep them, otherwise they need to return them if they quit. An incentive for them to stick around longer.
Tools, even Harbor Freight tools are way too expensive to give away after 1 year of service. The way to keep good techs is to treat them well and pay them very well.
👍
Where can I get my hands on Royalty Auto Service Merch 👀
It's funny how people will go into debt tens of thousands of dollars on a college education, any number of courses having no redeemable value, yet they feel basic hand tools, tools which are designed to satisfy personal preferences, should be supplied to them by their employer. Prospective is important, folks.