McFootSoldier Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Oldest says if he wants to be a mechanic and he has to have his own tools costing £1000 +, he does go to college but is not at the job stage yet. Is this true or is he just wanting to buy a heap of tools to sit in the shed ? If you work at a garage are you expected to have some of your own tools or does it vary from company to company, garage to garage ? I assumed your employer supplies your tools but never worked in a garage so ? So basically is this true or is he at it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Oldest says if he wants to be a mechanic and he has to have his own tools costing £1000 +, he does go to college but is not at the job stage yet. Is this true or is he just wanting to buy a heap of tools to sit in the shed ? If you work at a garage are you expected to have some of your own tools or does it vary from company to company, garage to garage ? I assumed your employer supplies your tools but never worked in a garage so ? So basically is this true or is he at it ? I haven't worked in the motor trade for +10 years, but back then the boys supplied their own tools yes. This was Arnold Clark & Harry Fairbairns so it could well vary. Apprentices would usually use the mechanics tools or go on the scrounge until they were time served. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khana Lagur Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 I've got two nephews, both apprentice mechanics. As Scunnered says they usually start off using the journeyman's tools their assigned to work with but are expected to start building up their own kit over time. Usually a Snap-On guy comes round the bigger garages regularly and flogs kit to mechanics. I very much doubt any garage would buy a toolkit for an apprentice, But a set of spanners, screwdrivers and a socket set would be enough to get going with. Apprentices do go to college but that's paid for by the employer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodguy Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 We buy our apprentices their basic toolkits, they then pay it back over a set amount of time directly from their wages. Anything else they need is built up overtime. Granted it's a machine shop rather than a Motor mechanics, but may be relevant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McFootSoldier Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Thanks exactly the advice I needed. So he is right in that he needs his own tools but doesn't need to spend a fortune straight away. He has a basic toolbox with a number of pieces that he bought, spanners, socket set and some sort of 90 piece torq box. So that would get him started and he could build up over time. He is really keen and I want to encourage him but he can go a bit over the top. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunchy Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 As an apprentice I got a basic toolkit but was expected to build it up over time. Even now I don't like getting tools from my employer unless they ask what make I want as I want a tool I can trust not some cheap thing that will only last 5 mins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldo Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 When I was an apprentice spark we got our tools provided to us albeit they weren't the best. For mechanic tools such as socket set, spanners etc. The Halfords Professional range gear is great quality with a lifetime (I think) guarantee and are a good but cheaper than Snap On. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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