Does That Tool Pay For Itself???

[@harold6863]

As a retired BMW Master I actually bought tools we had on the toolboard because I couldn’t be bothered wasting time in a big workshop to hunt down the tools. But only tools I used a lot.

[@xephael3485]

"bought" or permanently borrowed? 🤣

[@1234563221]

I used to work for a company they told us there is no such thing as a shop tool in the job interview or a shop supply suck as rags brakleen or penatrating oil. But we received $6000 a year tool allowance could be used wherever we wanted just bring in receipts. They also gave everyone $5000 a year for shop supplies. The tool allowance had to be used up buy end of the year it couldn’t be saved. The shop supplies if you didn’t use it up you got the rest in cash at the end of the year. It was a good system and you could get the consumables you liked best not whatever they had. The only catch was if you quite or were fired whatever you bought in tools that year went back to the company or you could pay for it. If you used up your tool allowance you could also order what you needed on the company account and they would do payroll deduction even spread it over a few cheques if needed. Great shop owner to. Was more concerned with quality over time. Paid decent to $16 to $30 straight time with $5 flat rate on top of that.

[@JamesSmith-xs7sr]

Sounds like a great place.

[@Adam-kk7nw]

The shortage of automotive technicians is getting worse because it’s too expensive for new techs to stay in the field. Starting out, they have to buy a lot of costly tools, and the way they get paid-by the number of jobs done, not by the hours worked-means their income can be very unpredictable. Many find that after spending so much on tools, they’re not earning enough to cover their costs. Meanwhile, other jobs, like call center work, pay about $22 per hour and let people work from home without any big expenses. Because these jobs are easier, have steady pay, and don’t require a big investment, more people are choosing them instead, making the need for automotive technicians even greater.

[@frugalprepper]

Yeah, on the occasion I need a special tool I will look on e-Bay for a used one, the resell it on e-Bay when I am done with it, so the next guy can have one. Of course this means you need to have the cash to buy it and not make $50 a week payment for the rest of your life on it.

[@jasonkoplen2554]

Tools are a trap for entry lvl techs. There’s nothing this industry loves more than to sucker some kid earning $30k a yr onto a tool truck and bury them in $10k of debt @ 24% interest. Don’t fall for it! There is no ROI on tools in this industry unless you’re self employed and even then it’s pretty abysmal compared to other trades. Take a name brand mid lvl scan tool for instance. You’re looking at $5k for the tool then $1k per yr for updates. In 5 yrs that’s $10k plus interest. Assuming you get paid for diag and are $20 an hr flat rate after taxes that’s over 500 jobs @ 100% efficiency just to break even on just the scan tool and by that time the tool has almost no resale value. Employers should be providing tools until the lvl of compensation matches the expected investment just like every other trade. You can easily earn $30k - $60k a yr as a laborer electrician, plumber, hvac, etc with $1k or less invested in tools. There is no justification in buying tools to support a business you don’t own.

[@egx161]

I asked for some special tools at one shop and the idiot manager tells me, “can’t you make do”? Make do? As they all drive new company purchased BMWs.

[@JacksAutoDiagnostics]

Shops should be buying all special tools. Just about everything except basic tools. But they never do. I guess if you leave and take all your tools, they are betting on finding another sucker. Or go back to throwing parts on, install more tires, and slapping on a set of brake pads. Most shop owners are just like the customers. They just want to pull the codes and see what part it needs and install it. If it doesn't fix the car then they get rid of it, after they charged them for the part and labor! That's how some of them operate, but that won't work either. On modern cars the part is the devil to install. Go back to finding another sucker to buy all the tools and work for peanuts. Low wages is the only reason these places exist. If they had to give somebody who's been there 10 years a $1 per hour raise, they would rather shut the doors, or sit around complaining, I can't get anybody to do the work. There's a shortage of mechanics and we only got one parts installer and one tire man. People are lazy, nobody wants to work anymore. And this goes on and on until the end of time.

[@xephael3485]

Disposable economy

[@waterloo123100]

There’s local dealership here that has all the tools needed for Lube techs all you have to do is show up and learn. They push you to grow to be a tech as well more dealerships need to get on that band wagon if they want employees in the future

[@JamesSmith-xs7sr]

Made a smoke machine for under $25... Fish tank air pump, rubber hosing, & inscence sticks! Works, & the shop smells wonderfully trippy!

[@sirsparksalot]

I inherited my dad’s tools and imagine the time spent making many of the tools he used in his lifetime. The biggest takeaway for me is the craftsmanship and ingenuity it took to get the job done when the tools you have to choose from today were not available. His time was the most expensive investment and who knows how many prototypes it took to get the final version? I don’t believe that level of commitment exists in most modern “technicians “ today. If you’re not willing to invest in a tool because it’s too expensive, then try making it yourself and determine the value of your time relative to it’s cost. The one benefit is the prototypes are readily available to duplicate taking the design part out of it.

[@M4sterT3ch]

That icon smoke machine is legit. Our shop has two that are currently out for repair. A snapon that cost $4000 and a redline dual high and low pressure thst cost $3000. The turnaround time on repair for both is horrendous. We picked up the Icon smoke machine to hold us over. And it's been great.

[@shepherdsfleetservicesllc8147]

Good point I never thought about like that

[@TimothyLloyd-x9j]

I now see your toolbox behind you. Are you now recording from work or is the box at home?

[@rock962000]

Green screen bro.

[@alexanderthegrape5370]

This trade is garbage ive been in it too long to start over but anyone thinking about it go do something else your pocket, sanity and body will thank you

[@xephael3485]

I don't think many mechanics understand ROI or tool value.

[@Ken-wu6hr]

Oh How Many Tools I bought Thinking I'm Gonna Use a lot & I use them once. Exactly Why I Don't work on Euro Trash. My Ford Timing set I Loaned out more than i used. J Box was a Flop Also. Than My Air bag Simulator.

[@kingduckford]

Watch out of the mentality of "I'll just sell it afterward". Many people delude themselves into thinking they can resell the tool for a high price after they are done needing it, then getting hosed on a resell price and selling it for a dime on a dollar. They believe they can make the profit in getting a job or two out of something and then dumping it, when they are not going to get enough out of selling the used tool or thing for enough to make it worth it. The very worst are the guys who buy something and "I'll just resell it afterward" will buy a $100 tool at $120 on credit making it $150 cost then resell the tool for $15, then a few years later needing that same tool again... and buying another one at a final cost of $150. Sometimes if you buy a tool you don't need very often, you are best off just keeping it then selling it for near nothing just to get some cash back. Sometimes the best course after buying a tool you don't need often is to keep it for the long haul.

[@SaerTurner-wn2qh]

yep but if that tool allows makes you $200 just once a year that still more than the interest Plus I believe there is no such thing as not having enough tools i have hundreds of kits and tools that I only use once in a blue moon when I do need them I have them and I do not need to wait rent or borrow .....But I am also a Veteran Mechanic that works on such a wide Variety of Jobs and I get paid for having these tools .. but if you are working in a shop and plan on making that your career for life then yeah shop has responsibility to buy Specialty tools and not expect tech to buy or own any tool out side of basic hand tools power tools and air tools ..............but if you plan on making your own shop and or being independent buy all the tools you can when you need them as well if that tool allows you to do a job that pays you 500-1000 dollars 1-2 times year it pays for it self over time

[@harveysmith100]

It's not just the $1000 it's going to cost you, it's the loss of interest per year you would have made on your $1000. Let's say $50 per year for the rest of your life.

[@xephael3485]

Many jobs can be done without the specialty tool if you increase the labor charge

[@abeodez751]

Hey there Boss you should do a tool box tour and or give us a close number on how much u have inverted as a whole in tools and storage. I’m into it about 12k at work with storage and I’ve been doing this about over 7 years or so off and on. And I do also have more tools at home probably another 5k

[@abeodez751]

Although I’ve mostly tried staying on a budget for the most part and obviously, on a low total cost. Pawn shops online tools, and some hf or part stores

[@stormyyoung6344]

I think about how much stress will it take off my daily work life witch might keep me from going to the Psychiatrist.😂

[@spacecat7247]

Personal preferences. The future is unwritten.

[@isorozco511]

German shitboxes always require special tools lmao

[@ben10mama]

I'm curious to hear your view, is it ok to stop buying tools? Like if you aren't finding you need any more do you just stop?

[@vzach1]

That's how I am, I've been at GM dealership for a little over 3 years, I've gotten to the point I don't need anything. So I don't buy tools unless something I have breaks and I want to upgrade it(like a box store torque wrench breaks and I upgrade to a snap on). The only other time I really buy any tools is for convenience and even then it would be something I do regularly. So I pretty much have quit buy tools per say. The dealership provides all our special tools too.

[@haldooley4940]

I buy a special tool cause I feel guilty for borrowing then I never get the job any more don't get to use the new tool

[@ghost13829]

Do not buy a smoke machine! Make your own. Plenty of ways to make one. They are very expensive from a tool truck or even online

[@HAHA.GoodMeme]

just have your local subaru diver rip some big vape clouds for you

[@waterloo123100]

I paid 150$ for mine. Made USA it’s paid for itself by now

[@GweedoSRT-4]

You working at a new shop?

[@rock962000]

He addressed it in a video a while ago. Said he's not gonna record in it

[@harold6863]

I think it’s a green screen.

[@rock962000]

@@harold6863 it is

[@Spamgoham1]

Yeah, but I pay you over double minimum wage you say you’re a mechanic buy everything have all the skills that go with that otherwise I’ll find a new technician that’s literally everywhere

[@aaadamt964]

A new one and a good one are two different things.

[@Spamgoham1]

@ very true👍

[@aaadamt964]

@@Spamgoham1 I've seen shops claim they can't find good techs but pay terrible, the shop is outdated, run down and they don't offer any benefits....

[@snappygreen2658]

​@@aaadamt964 true I work in Southern California about 10 years and I still haven't found a good shop or benfits