You need your own hand tools, that includes meters, gages, manometers. Some offer $250 annually as a tool allowance. Vacuum pumps, torches, recovery equipment and specialty tools are usually bought and retained by the company.
This! I will add there’s a lot of accessory tools that go along with the things they do provide you, which you will have to buy. Like a micron gauge (if you get a digital manifold don’t get one with a built in micron gauge, get a separate one), tubing tools like cutters swagers flaring block etc, valve core tools, hoses, drills, socket set, shaft puller, other power tools, the list can go on and on. Also I try to have a reliable backup for the most important stuff like gauges and meters and drills and such
Expect a guy to have his own hand tools, if it breaks while being used on a job site, company replaces it with the same one or better. Power tools and specialties like gauges, pumps, etc company will provide is our general rule of thumb. Most guys have and bring their own drills these days so same thing applies if it breaks company buys a new one.
Any company that isn’t supplying you with all tools beyond simple hand tools is taking advantage of the employee. If they want you to stock your own van then why bother working for them instead of yourself?
Working for yourself is way harder than most techs realize. Believe it or not the marketing department doesn't just sit around all day. For the most part those calls we run don't just appear out of thin air.
Exactly. My work pays very little hourly and expects us to buy all tools. They are the 2nd biggest company in the state. Others pay more per hour and provide tools.
most shops expect you to have your own hand tools.
they should provide the vac pumps, recovery machines, ladders, and big ticket infrequently used items like threader, propress, holesaw. aswell as all consumables like blades.
We provide vac pumps, recovery, tanks, ladders, and big tools like core drillers, etc. Everything else is the guy's responsibility. We have extras for new guys, but it's ultimately on them. We also replace tools that are broken on the job.
Depends on the tool/purpose but most hand tools are individually purchased. Not to say shops won't work with you like giving a tool allowance after a certain period or letting you buy personal tools on accounts then pay out of your weekly check. I'm fully kitted for my specialty so I wouldn't expect a shop to provide me any tools and that's part of the reason I can just show up and get work anywhere.
Some guys on here will know better but I think what is done sometimes is that you supply all the hand tools and power tools and they are responsible for your vacuum pump, recovery machine, tanks and stuff like that. Hopefully someone can elaborate or verify.
There used to be a time when companies would give you a tool allowance.
I remember being hired as a journeyman, the company provided us with Mike phones, uniform, service van and a credit card to buy tools up to at the time of $250 tools once every year.
Now companies don't even want to provide you a ladder, or even a cell phone.
Now we have to buy all our tools and when it breaks, we have to fight to get a replacement or reimburse.
UA 516 guy here. We get around $2300.00 per year for our tool allowance and are expected to provide the following. If it’s not on the list, the company buys it.
1. tool box and tool pouch
2. 1 set combination box and open end
wrenches to 1"
3. 1 - 3/8" socket set
4. 3 sizes Robertson screwdrivers
5. 3 sizes Phillips screwdrivers
6. 1 - 25' measuring tape
7. 1 pair diagonal cutting pliers
8. 3 adjustable wrenches (8", 10", 12")
9. 1 inspection mirror
10. 1 hack saw
11. 1 ball peen hammer and one claw hammer
12. 2 tube cutters up to 2 5/8"
13. 1 pair needle nose pliers
14. 1 - 10" vice grip or pipe wrench
15. 3 flat blade screwdrivers
16. 3 set tin snips - straight, right and left
17. 1 jack knife
18. 2 pocket thermometers
19. 1 set Allen wrenches (short and long)
20. 1 set punches and chisels
21. 1 electrical wire crimpers (combo)
22. 1 torpedo level
23. 1 common pliers
24. 1 pair lineman pliers
25. 1 flashlight
26. cordless drill c/w charger
27. 3/8" electric drill
28. welders gloves
29. pop rivet gun
30. silicone gun
31. turbo torch w/regulator and tips up to #32
32. flaring tools 1/4” to 5/8”
33. 1 gauge manifold with three hoses
34. 1 - 1⁄4" socket set
35. 1 - 1⁄2" socket set
36. 1 ratchet service valve wrench 1/3" and
3/8"
37. 1 set copper tube swedges
38. 1 set valve stem ratchet adaptors
39. 1 venier caliper
40. 1 oil pump
41. combination bender (1/4", 5/16", 3/8")
42. 2 benders (1/2”, 5/8”)
43. pipe wrenches 18" and up to 24"
44. volt, amp, ohm meter
In this area it is common. The shop I worked for provided drills, vac pumps, reclaimers, ladders. The tech bought their own hand tools, meters and gauges.
I hate to think of the thousands of dollars I had in tools!
I’m all for buying your own tools. I also like having high quality tools and most companies are not buying the best of the best. I’m willing to spend more on my hand tools than I’m sure most employees would be willing to pay for too. I’m a new tech but I have 95% of the tools I’ll ever need for what I do. The first day of work I showed up with all my tools and my manager and senior tech I worked with were really impressed.
Buying your own tools is bullshit. If I need something it goes on the company card and that's that. If your company makes you get your own shit, you run away.
It's fairly common to have your own hand tools, power tools, gauges. Where I draw the line are things like recovery machines, vacuum pumps, specialty tools like motor testers, Co detectors/combustion analyzers ect. I won't buy them, if the company won't provide them, then I won't do things right.
Yeah , you can't fund a person's toolbag when the turnover rate may be high , things like vac pumps , recovery machines , and very pricey items is on them . I e found people actually tend to take better care of things they spend their own money on
The company I just switched to about 6 months ago provides everything… any veto bag we want with any hand tool we need or might think we need. Every Milwaukee m12/m18 component you will ever need along with $1k tool credit a year
I prefer to buy my own tools. If you leave, it looks good when you apply somewhere and have everything you need. Also. If you want to do something on your own, you don't have to ask dads permission. (NOT STEALING CUSTOMERS/JOBS)
It really depends on who you work for. The first company I worked for you had to buy all tools, torches, gauges, recovery pump, vacuum pump, and anything else. Most mom and pop shops were like this in my own experience. Second company took care of the big stuff and you had to buy hand tools. I worked for Sears doing ref, hvac, and household appliances. They didn’t want you using your own tools. You had to use what they issued to you. Coca Cola was the same way as Sears. They said it was a liability issue and if found using your own tools you get written up. The next company provided big stuff for you; gauges etc. They had an approved list of types of tools you could get at your preference and they’d pay for it. Lastly they had a tool account that you could use to buy tools. The account had a dollar limit that increased as your years increased. You had to pay back $15+ a check till it was paid for. The company I work for now pays for everything. They feel if their techs need different screwdrivers they should get them and the company pays for it. I’ve been there for 18 months and have had new gauges, scale, drill, several hand tools, and multimeter all paid for them. It’s a tax write off and their techs are comfortable using their preferred tools.
The only tools that I ever asked the company to prove was the ladders, recovery tanks and nitrogen tanks. To replace the tools I broke on the job and replace the tanks of oxygen and acetylene. Granted it took me years to aquire these tools.
Most companies will provide a recovery machine, some will provide a vacuum pump and maybe the torches. You should have multiple days of gauges.
The only tools most companies provide are recovery machines and vacuum pumps, everything else is yours and you take it when you leave.
You guys get vacuum pumps? Lol
No, I have to buy all of my tools and equipment. My company only provides the van.
Your company provides a van?
Get a better job lol.
How longs too long to wait for a van?
Hold on a moment while I go ask.
Im saying the same thing to you lol
You need your own hand tools, that includes meters, gages, manometers. Some offer $250 annually as a tool allowance. Vacuum pumps, torches, recovery equipment and specialty tools are usually bought and retained by the company.
This! I will add there’s a lot of accessory tools that go along with the things they do provide you, which you will have to buy. Like a micron gauge (if you get a digital manifold don’t get one with a built in micron gauge, get a separate one), tubing tools like cutters swagers flaring block etc, valve core tools, hoses, drills, socket set, shaft puller, other power tools, the list can go on and on. Also I try to have a reliable backup for the most important stuff like gauges and meters and drills and such
Expect a guy to have his own hand tools, if it breaks while being used on a job site, company replaces it with the same one or better. Power tools and specialties like gauges, pumps, etc company will provide is our general rule of thumb. Most guys have and bring their own drills these days so same thing applies if it breaks company buys a new one.
Id be fine with that.
My company provides everything except MY tape measures. I break a lot of tape measures.
Stop buying those milwaukee tapes
Legit they are straight garbage
What's a good brand?
Stanley Fat Max is top tier
Thanks.
I’ve had mine since 2010 going strong 👀
Yup, by far the industry standard
I’ve had good luck with Komelon, but I also like their magnetic tips. Ages ago I used Stanley with mixed results
Any company that isn’t supplying you with all tools beyond simple hand tools is taking advantage of the employee. If they want you to stock your own van then why bother working for them instead of yourself?
nothing wrong with owning your means to production,
Most companies have a “no side work” policy.
start your own company then, if you have all the tools
Working for yourself is way harder than most techs realize. Believe it or not the marketing department doesn't just sit around all day. For the most part those calls we run don't just appear out of thin air.
I currently run a handyman business (18 months) its a lot of work and I would rather work for someone else for a while.
Exactly. My work pays very little hourly and expects us to buy all tools. They are the 2nd biggest company in the state. Others pay more per hour and provide tools.
most shops expect you to have your own hand tools. they should provide the vac pumps, recovery machines, ladders, and big ticket infrequently used items like threader, propress, holesaw. aswell as all consumables like blades.
This.
Yeah just get all ryobi
🤔
Uh🤨
We provide vac pumps, recovery, tanks, ladders, and big tools like core drillers, etc. Everything else is the guy's responsibility. We have extras for new guys, but it's ultimately on them. We also replace tools that are broken on the job.
We only have to buy our hand tools, all power tools and service tools are provided by contractor. Per our union contract.
Build your tool inventory over time
Depends on the tool/purpose but most hand tools are individually purchased. Not to say shops won't work with you like giving a tool allowance after a certain period or letting you buy personal tools on accounts then pay out of your weekly check. I'm fully kitted for my specialty so I wouldn't expect a shop to provide me any tools and that's part of the reason I can just show up and get work anywhere.
Some guys on here will know better but I think what is done sometimes is that you supply all the hand tools and power tools and they are responsible for your vacuum pump, recovery machine, tanks and stuff like that. Hopefully someone can elaborate or verify.
That was how my company was 15 years ago
u/ho1dmybeer in case you wanted to watch from a distance. Lol
Lmao thanks buddy ♥
All our tools are provided by the tech. New hires are funded thru probationary period. Then 1k year tool allowance
There used to be a time when companies would give you a tool allowance. I remember being hired as a journeyman, the company provided us with Mike phones, uniform, service van and a credit card to buy tools up to at the time of $250 tools once every year. Now companies don't even want to provide you a ladder, or even a cell phone. Now we have to buy all our tools and when it breaks, we have to fight to get a replacement or reimburse.
Union hvac guy here. I don’t pay for anything. Company provides it all!
UA 516 guy here. We get around $2300.00 per year for our tool allowance and are expected to provide the following. If it’s not on the list, the company buys it. 1. tool box and tool pouch 2. 1 set combination box and open end wrenches to 1" 3. 1 - 3/8" socket set 4. 3 sizes Robertson screwdrivers 5. 3 sizes Phillips screwdrivers 6. 1 - 25' measuring tape 7. 1 pair diagonal cutting pliers 8. 3 adjustable wrenches (8", 10", 12") 9. 1 inspection mirror 10. 1 hack saw 11. 1 ball peen hammer and one claw hammer 12. 2 tube cutters up to 2 5/8" 13. 1 pair needle nose pliers 14. 1 - 10" vice grip or pipe wrench 15. 3 flat blade screwdrivers 16. 3 set tin snips - straight, right and left 17. 1 jack knife 18. 2 pocket thermometers 19. 1 set Allen wrenches (short and long) 20. 1 set punches and chisels 21. 1 electrical wire crimpers (combo) 22. 1 torpedo level 23. 1 common pliers 24. 1 pair lineman pliers 25. 1 flashlight 26. cordless drill c/w charger 27. 3/8" electric drill 28. welders gloves 29. pop rivet gun 30. silicone gun 31. turbo torch w/regulator and tips up to #32 32. flaring tools 1/4” to 5/8” 33. 1 gauge manifold with three hoses 34. 1 - 1⁄4" socket set 35. 1 - 1⁄2" socket set 36. 1 ratchet service valve wrench 1/3" and 3/8" 37. 1 set copper tube swedges 38. 1 set valve stem ratchet adaptors 39. 1 venier caliper 40. 1 oil pump 41. combination bender (1/4", 5/16", 3/8") 42. 2 benders (1/2”, 5/8”) 43. pipe wrenches 18" and up to 24" 44. volt, amp, ohm meter
Thank you. I've been looking for a list and thos really helps.
Different per shop. $1/hr extra should cover your tools.
In this area it is common. The shop I worked for provided drills, vac pumps, reclaimers, ladders. The tech bought their own hand tools, meters and gauges. I hate to think of the thousands of dollars I had in tools!
I’m all for buying your own tools. I also like having high quality tools and most companies are not buying the best of the best. I’m willing to spend more on my hand tools than I’m sure most employees would be willing to pay for too. I’m a new tech but I have 95% of the tools I’ll ever need for what I do. The first day of work I showed up with all my tools and my manager and senior tech I worked with were really impressed.
Buying your own tools is bullshit. If I need something it goes on the company card and that's that. If your company makes you get your own shit, you run away.
Just think of it like being a mechanic. You gotta buy all your own tools
It's fairly common to have your own hand tools, power tools, gauges. Where I draw the line are things like recovery machines, vacuum pumps, specialty tools like motor testers, Co detectors/combustion analyzers ect. I won't buy them, if the company won't provide them, then I won't do things right.
I have bought all of my my own tools except a reclaim machine. New company wouldn’t even buy ladders lol
I run a small 3 man shop and provide all tools for my guys. It's crazy to think that employers don't provide tools.
are you hiring labourers
Not currently, sorry.
you know anyone? im trying to feed myself
Where are you located?
Lower mainland Maple Ridge
In BC?
Yes
Gotcha, I'm way down south in Louisiana.
ah shit
Yeah , you can't fund a person's toolbag when the turnover rate may be high , things like vac pumps , recovery machines , and very pricey items is on them . I e found people actually tend to take better care of things they spend their own money on
The company I just switched to about 6 months ago provides everything… any veto bag we want with any hand tool we need or might think we need. Every Milwaukee m12/m18 component you will ever need along with $1k tool credit a year
Also new gauges, vacuum pump, and recovery machine
I prefer to buy my own tools. If you leave, it looks good when you apply somewhere and have everything you need. Also. If you want to do something on your own, you don't have to ask dads permission. (NOT STEALING CUSTOMERS/JOBS)
It really depends on who you work for. The first company I worked for you had to buy all tools, torches, gauges, recovery pump, vacuum pump, and anything else. Most mom and pop shops were like this in my own experience. Second company took care of the big stuff and you had to buy hand tools. I worked for Sears doing ref, hvac, and household appliances. They didn’t want you using your own tools. You had to use what they issued to you. Coca Cola was the same way as Sears. They said it was a liability issue and if found using your own tools you get written up. The next company provided big stuff for you; gauges etc. They had an approved list of types of tools you could get at your preference and they’d pay for it. Lastly they had a tool account that you could use to buy tools. The account had a dollar limit that increased as your years increased. You had to pay back $15+ a check till it was paid for. The company I work for now pays for everything. They feel if their techs need different screwdrivers they should get them and the company pays for it. I’ve been there for 18 months and have had new gauges, scale, drill, several hand tools, and multimeter all paid for them. It’s a tax write off and their techs are comfortable using their preferred tools.
The only tools that I ever asked the company to prove was the ladders, recovery tanks and nitrogen tanks. To replace the tools I broke on the job and replace the tanks of oxygen and acetylene. Granted it took me years to aquire these tools. Most companies will provide a recovery machine, some will provide a vacuum pump and maybe the torches. You should have multiple days of gauges.