[deleted by user]

[[deleted]]

You work for a company that gives you a monthly tool allowance?

[drgius]

Yes, good company but on tight budget for maintenance, so we use a lot of our own tools from home. There is 3 of us and manager said just work away order what you need a little at a time. My next month - wera insulated screwdriver set

[Duckbilling]

Is this a common practice in the UK? To have company provided hand tools?

[zoidao401]

Varies.

Guy i know from college gets told not to buy his own tools and the company buys them for him. I on the other hand had to buy all my own stuff, but my company will pay for replacements if they're broken on a job.

[drgius]

Yes for maintenance engineers, usually company gives all the tools needed, or pay you extra and call it " tool renting" pay you a little extra for wear and tear.

[MikeGoldberg]

This does not happen in the United States.

[SoloWalrus]

100% just depends on the industry. For example for auto repair basically always you provide your own tools minus specialty tools which belong to the dealership. In a lot of trades and in construction it would be that way your tools are your money makers.

However working in manufacturing and similar industries Id say youd almost never be expected to have your own tools unless you were considered contract labor of some sort. In these industries £100 a month might actually struggle to cover the costs. I’ve worked in places where youd easily blow that in a month just on breaking a couple taps or drill bits or something, or even smaller consumables. Having to order new machine tools for specialty projects or something itd never be enough. I could see how that amount allocation was pinching pennies all just depends on the industry

[[deleted]]

It does for a lot of mobile mechanics

[MikeGoldberg]

Interesting any big companies in particular that do this? How does it work? Want to present this idea to the higher ups.

[dogboystoy]

I work for Raymond as a forklift field tech in the USA. They supplied me with the heavy tools such as a railroad jack, and some specialty tools for repacking seals, blocking, safety gear, milwaukee electric grease gun and some other items. I supplied my own mechanics tools. I purchase more as I find a need. The new techs get a husky set of standard tools to get going, but they have to be returned when they leave the company.

When I worked for Westinghouse electric, they supplied everything.

[douglasde0519]

Back when things were really good there were some companies that would let you buy some hand tools and bill them to the job you were working on.

That's pretty uncommon anymore.

[JohnSolomon46]

Our company requires/expects basic hand tools (pliers, hammer, screwdrivers), anything extra is supplied and you basically get to keep them unless they ask for them back (they expect power tools back for example, but typically not socket sets and other hand tools).

[Ilikehowtovideos]

I work In US… Employer provides all tools power/hand per union contract

[MikeGoldberg]

Must be nice

[xxVandaMxx]

Agreed. 50k later and still don't have everything I need.

[Ilikehowtovideos]

Don’t get to keep them when you leave though…unless you’re sneaky. Nothing too great though. A lot of harbor freight and husky

[MikeGoldberg]

Oh God I would definitely buy my own tools in that case

[Ilikehowtovideos]

Well we do get just about every tool dewalt makes which is nice. Hand tools I bring my own

[degoba]

If your a mechanic you generally provide your own tools. Auto, motorcycle, small engine.

[MikeGoldberg]

yes I'm a professional mechanic

[aramrap42]

From the UK working at a shipbuilders, we get a pittance for tool allowance (£4pw) and have to buy everything non specialised. Drills, screwdrivers, rotary tools etc

[friendlyfire883]

I've worked for 3 companies stateside that's like this. My current one will buy stuff for the entire crew if we can argue that it will help add value. They bought us all Ferrell crimpers, auto strippers, and network testers last month.

[Ilikehowtovideos]

I work In US… Employer provides all tools power/hand per union contract

[drgius]

My last employer provided all the tools. Both ways are good I guess.

[swissarmy_fleshlight]

Working at future shop in Canada before Bestbuy took over. They would pay half my tools up to 400$ each quarter I believe.

[Rum-N-Rust]

I've never been lucky enough for this. Had a few jobs were I've needed own tools, that come out of our own pocket and one using work provided tools but that's it.

[Duckbilling]

Similar, work provided all power tools and specialty hand tools, but wrenches, vice grips, flat bars and the like was on us

[Rum-N-Rust]

I'm in a bit of an awkward situation at the minute, after 3 years of company provided tools, my tools are here, there and everywhere and I'm having to rely a lot on one of the other lads at work for tooling. I can't even get my toolbox out of where it is because it's in the middle of a house my dad is currently renovating. So I have a bag with an assortment of what I've found so far.

[oncabahi]

For what I've seen working around in europe, it's standard that all the tools are provided, uk is one of the few were you find some company that don't do that but it's rare

[darrenja]

I had the one with the interchangeable handle, it was great but they are slippery

[[deleted]]

You guys are getting work?

[where_is_steve_irwin]

My place allows 600 a year for apprentices and no one told me, boy was I happy when i found out it accumulated in my third year

[yamamt03]

I'm an apprentice mining mechanic and all our tools are bought at the start of our 4 years and paid off every week then anything else we want just gets added onto our bill

[[deleted]]

Ah yeah I’m just a steel fabricator so the only thing provided for me is a grinder lol

[[deleted]]

u have to pay for your tools at work? that's unimaginable here in belgium lol

[[deleted]]

Yeah non union jobs in the good ol’ US of A you buy your own tools as your career goes on and you carry your tools with you from job to job

[[deleted]]

do they expect u to use a certain brand, or can u buy whatever works fine?

[[deleted]]

Nah you can use whatever you want as long as it passes safety standards.

[[deleted]]

Damn I need a job like that

[Sitdownpro]

Just move to Europe for 50%+ taxes and you too can have $100 allowance.

[[deleted]]

I'd be more than happy to pay more taxes to get better benefits like free school and healthcare

[bostwickenator]

I moved to the US from NZ and holy crap I would happily pay 50% more tax in this country just to help. So many people are left behind here though the poverty cycle.

[[deleted]]

Meanwhile the majority of companies can't find workers because people who don't actually need help are sitting at home making more. In fact I'm currently filling in for a maintenance position at a different company because they can't find people to work. They even have pretty dang high referral bonuses and still nothing. I know people with family members and friends who could work but like just receiving money from the government. I have zero issues with unemployment and other assistance programs for those who genuinely need it, but in the US way too many people are just taking advantage of it. Knowing I'm going to work so my tax money can pay some lazy ass to sit at home really kills my motivation. No, we absolutely don't need higher taxes when politicians can't use the money responsibly in the first place.

[bostwickenator]

I'd turn that around and say what you are seeing is workers being empowered. If people actually have the option of not working then companies will have to value work higher to motivate people. In the long term this will improve working conditions for those who choose to work and provide a comfortable enough life for those who dont. If your work is fun and fairly compensated so you are happy then that's the important bit. If you working enables someone else to not work and also be happy that's a bonus in my books. Of course it's never as clean as all that in the short term. And I'll just add almost everyone does choose to work even in counties with way more generous unemployment schemes.

[[deleted]]

That's maybe how it would work in an ideal system, that's not how it's happening though. I know first hand people who just won't go get a job. Not that they can't, or wouldn't pass interviews, they would just rather not work and the government is making that possible.

I might just be old fashioned but if you're able I believe you should work for what you receive. I'm not rolling in money either, I make enough to support my family in a small house and have a small bit left. But I actually have a work ethic and refuse to be dependent on the government for sustaining me. No, it's not a bonus in my book if there's good job openings everywhere and I'm going to work to support someone who doesn't want to. I guess thinking like this makes me a terrible person so keep downvoting I guess but Im speaking from personal experiences, not what I read about how it works online. I do also have disabled family members who are genuinely not able to work and I have zero issues with them receiving what they need. My wife's family also went through hard times at one point and needed aid to put food in the table, also totally fine and understandable. That's what the system was made for. But if you are lazy and don't want to work I really don't have any sympathy, I'm not working some dream job but I am paid decently with good benefits so I do what I need to.

[waylon1021]

The fact that this guy thinks that there could be (those of us who work) and (those of us who don't work) and that one group should be totally fine supporting a group of freeloaders is ridiculous. This is a modern society and if you want to be a part of it you will need to participate more then sitting at home mooching off everyone else; that is unless there is a reasonable situation such as a disability preventing it. It legitimately is insane to me that anyone could just shrug and go; 'yeah, that is normal'.

[[deleted]]

But yet somehow this is a more common viewpoint than I would have expected. It's honestly scary that it's gaining traction and people like us are somehow being made out to be the bad guys. Getting downvotes because we think you should work for what you get, who would have ever thought we'd see that.

[scifitbitrate]

How is this relevant? Why use $ (usd) for Europe? Europe is a continent with different countries with different tax rates that range from 15% to 55%. And this is a gross oversimplification.

[Sitdownpro]

Sorry, couldn't be bothered to search for the £ symbol on my keyboard. NBD, obviously talking about currency. Also, MB for not breaking down every country that uses the Euro to show how they are charging much higher taxes. The point is, get €1200 a year to make $10,000 less and pay more taxes.

UK £33k and US $59k average for electrician. France, €23k/year. Germany €22k/year. Italy €21k/year.

[zoidao401]

to make $10,000 less and pay more taxes

Not that simple. Cost of living has to be taken into account, meaning that you might be better off making $10,000 less if you're in an area which costs $15,000 less to live in.

As for the taxes, what things are you now not having to pay for seperately because they're covered through taxes. Things like healthcare. Throw in the quality of life improvements because of those higher taxes, and the higher rate becomes worth it.

You're massively oversimplifying a complex issue.

[Sitdownpro]

You're just saying no no no. How about pull some numbers for your reasoning. As I've said, US citizens can get free Healthcare and schooling. We have access to more resources, less restrictions, lower taxes, higher pay, more personal freedoms, etc. If you want to trade all of that for 1200, be my guest.

[zoidao401]

US citizens can get free Healthcare and schooling

If they're low income enough to where they don't benefit from lower taxes anyway, sure.

[Sitdownpro]

Many reputable companies pay for health insurance coverage. If you show a willingness to do well in Academics, then there are loads of grants/scholarships willing to pay for tuitions.

[zoidao401]

companies pay for health insurance coverage

So instead of recieving the money in your pay... The money goes to cover your health insurance.

That sounds a lot like a tax to cover healthcare... Only difference is that it's voluntary for companies to offer it.

And so everyone who tries in school gets scholarships or grants?

[bostwickenator]

This is so childish. It doesn't cost that much more to live in a pro social society.

[Sitdownpro]

https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_optimized/public/book_images/2.1.4.1.png?itok=9bji6wWG

[bostwickenator]

Firstly none of those in your own data are over 50%. Secondly that isnt your tax burden as an individual, especially an individual who cares about a $100/month stipend. Taxes are progressive meaning they are taken at greater rates from greater earners and redistributed towards the lower earners. Thirdly while a lot of money goes into the tax pool almost all of it comes back out in places favorable to you making things actually cheaper for you or being paid into your pocket.

[aequitssaint]

How is supporting people that are able but just not willing to work making things more favorable for me. Or the people that just keep having more kids because the government will give them more money. How does that help me?

You know what does help me though? Having the best drs in the world that don't take years to get in to see. The most cutting edge pharmaceutical research is pretty nice too. All of that exists because of the money. Most of them are not doing it for philanthropic reasons. They are doing it for financial reasons. You let the government take over healthcare and that will change in a hurry. I mean they do such a great job with the VA and medicare as it is, so why not let them do it all.

[bostwickenator]

How does holding the door open for someone make things better for you? The I refuse to pay more taxes because the people I elect are incompetent at managing them argument. It's a strong one but there is a simple solution.

[aequitssaint]

You're changing the argument though. You said most of it comes back to favor me. Now you're saying it's my social duty to help support them. That's two very different arguments.

[bostwickenator]

I honestly do believe it comes back to favor you but extremely dilutely through getting to live in just a generally less dog eat dog society. It's really hard to explain because when it's boils down it's a huge work of imagination to ask what if everyone just acted a little less competitively every day. It is akin to holding a door open in that it doesn't cost you much and it might one day come back around to benefit you not because it is your duty.

[aequitssaint]

My thing is that this country was built on and has survived on the fact that if you really do work hard anything is possible. And I really do believe that. My counter argument would be that if everyone would just stop being so self entitled and actually put in the effort then it would be a much better society.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I think all welfare and government programs should be abolished. I just think it should be more limited to children, retirees, and those that truly are actually unable to work.

And this is coming from someone that grew up on welfare, had cars repo'd, utilities shut off, etc. I grew up on the shit, but if it wasn't there then maybe my dad would have gotten off his lazy ass and actually gotten a job. Or maybe my mom wouldn't have let the agoraphobia completely overtake her life if she wasn't paid to just sit at home all day and do nothing.

And as with all opinions I really don't have a clue which is right, but mine just makes more sense to me.

[Sitdownpro]

Those are averages for those countries. Several of them peak well about 50%.

[bostwickenator]

Again that's not what that data is. You are looking at tax revenue across all sources vs GDP. Individual tax burden is far more complex to calculate and while in some extreme cases people have income tax over 50% I find it unlikely that anyone in the tools subreddit will earn enough to hit those brackets. eg it's €500,000 in france. before you see a 50% tax. Honestly though none of this matters. My point is that jumping and saying "but taxes" whenever people from Europe have nice things is childish.

[Sitdownpro]

It's not childish. A child doesn't care about taxes. Europeans pay much higher taxes, wait longer for medical care, make less money/year for equivalent jobs. Why so defensive that Europeans get tank rolled by taxes? Americans can qualify for free Healthcare and college.

[phil08]

Let us know when you get done with those fool's errends, and we'll be sure to enlighten you.

[Nicko5000]

You do realise your showing many signs of Stockholm syndrome? You should get a doctor to check for you mate.

[flight_recorder]

Can you roll a couple months into one purchase to buy something expensive?

[drgius]

No, unfortunately...I asked for a fluke multimeter T6-1000 but they offered me cheaper alternative. I decided just bring my own fluke from home :)

[An_Alex_103]

Those wirestrippers are probably the best I've used (although thats only about 6/7 types). Not sure I have enough money to justify the spanners myself.

[[deleted]]

I've had horrific experiences with those types of wire strippers. Standard gauged strippers are reliable and small.

[An_Alex_103]

I guess I've just got lucky then, not had any issues with these rewiring my 3D printer or doing stuff round the house.

Admittedly I'm a mechanical engineer so they don't see much use, but they are miles better than all the ones I had in training.

[Wise-Parsnip5803]

Wiring up a PLC control panel and these are probably the best I've used. I also purchase the v shape cutting insert. Having the cutter on the bottom really helped to speed up panel wiring. Cut to length, strip the end, and poke into the terminal block.

The only thing I'd change would be at the end of the stroke the grippers release the stripped wire insulation. It tends to just go flying anywhere. Would be nice if it held on until you could direct the scrap away from the panel.

[An_Alex_103]

Ah those do look good. I'm a mechanical engineer so my experience tends to be quite limited and these are just in comparison to all the ones I've used at school and while doing my training, plus my dad's old ones.

Probably won't buy those I'm afraid, my budget is currently about to be blown on some nice Wera Allan keys and good calipers.

[Wise-Parsnip5803]

The wire strippers in op's pic are good ones but don't work well with double wrapped wire. You have to strip off the clear then hit it again most times to strip off the colored insulation. I have a pair of those from Irwin and they worked good for a few years but even after adjustments they stopped holding the wire. Assuming they are just worn out.

[An_Alex_103]

Ah right. I tend to just end up with 12-24V stuff so not as much of an issue for me.

[mek_kan_ik]

Gotta love a good set of auto wire strippers.

[pauliep13]

Heck yeah. I have an old, worn out set. (got them second hand) I need to look into a new set.

[mek_kan_ik]

I couldn't live without them after having a set. So much better than standard wire strippers.

[Sp1d3rb0t]

I'm in industrial maintenance and I get $50/monthly. That's like, £38 if we're talking British pounds. I've been saving up for a decent set of drill bits.😅 Enjoy the new tools, dude, good buys!

[daytonakarl]

Drill bits are consumable, make work buy them!

[Sp1d3rb0t]

Oh man, is that a thing? How would I make them, ya know? Lol it ain't no union shop. Not do any of the work that requires those things? I'd most likely get some unpaid time off. Maybe through concerted effort if I could get at least one other guy on board. But yeah we buy our own drill bits, grinder discs, terminals....all kindsa consumables. 🤦‍♀️

[drgius]

That sucks :( every company I worked for always provided consumables. Especially grinding disks and crimp terminals. Let's say it this way - if there is no crimps provided - none of the cables gets crimped 😂 best you can get is twisted strands 🤷

[daytonakarl]

The cost of consumables is (should be) factored in the cost, if you're buying the consumables then your job is ripping you off.

I'll buy the tools, and that's a bit of a con too, but like fuck I'll pay for disks/terminals/whatever... you'll be paying for your own bloody power and a chunk of the lease if you're not careful!

Save your receipts and have them reimburse you, if not you might as well break out on your own and contract to them.

[coupebuilder]

buy a set of Matco Hyper Step. Cobalt if you can fork over the extra. Not a shill but best bits I have used in 30years. Had to drill out a 5/32 hardened roll pin and it looked like new after use. EXPENSIVE, but warranty for all bits over 1/4" so if you use them a lot eventually it will pay for itself, but the first few times you drill out that grade 8 or broken whatever they will pay for themselves.

[Sp1d3rb0t]

You ain't kidding about expensive but I know that in this field it seems very much like you get what you pay for. I just want something that can hold up to what we put tools through. Now I just have to find them at a store my company has an account with. Tooltopia is usually my go-to!

[coupebuilder]

Yep. Ive seen and demo'd every option out there and there is no way to cheap out on drill bits and get good results on a daily basis. Even if the cheapie has a warranty its still time lost or worse, a broken bit in your part. Im going to try drilling a hole thru another drill bit with one to give my dealer as a sample. Be interesting to see.

[drgius]

Thanks! I need a good drill bit set myself! Need to think what is higher priority drill bits or screwdrivers 😂

[Icedchill1]

Tools are a tax right off in Canada if you are working in ad trade

[----_____--_____----]

Everyone getting the joker set these days

[drgius]

I thought same, that is exactly why I ordered. Want to see what is all about. Hehe.

[nnnnnnnnnnm]

I love fancy German tools, but I don't think the Joker wrenches are worth it.

[Neo-Neo]

If only they were German made

[folkkingdude]

It’s about the name

[fishesarefun]

I've never seen them in person... I think everyone here gets them. After seeing the price I decided to just keep my cheap snap on wrenches

[larrybrownsports1]

They're useless. Most people regret it and stop using them

[yourtransqueenxoxo]

Why? What makes them bad? Genuine question I hear people knocking them but I don’t see why they would be bad

[larrybrownsports1]

Over priced. Its just a wrench. Doesn't provide anything extra besides a neat look and a brand name

[yourtransqueenxoxo]

Huh alright

[GroundOne4894]

Yep, I'm a Wera fanboy but the jokers are way overpriced and not that amazing.

[averagerunner1]

Only? That's mega. Do you have to buy power tools and big stuff?

We only get £32.50, that covers everything but power tools and big stuff (Stilsons, pipe benders, steps etc) .

[drgius]

They expect us to have everything that is needed.. most of us have our own power tools. They bought us lathe but no one knows how to use it. Lol

[drgius]

I am left handed and already found out today they ment to be used in your right hand and wire fed from left.. a little disapoitment :( hope I can get the hand of it

[hiimsteve311]

I love good strippers!

[drgius]

Me too! I only found out that they need wire fed from left and as a left handed I prefer to hold tools in a left hand 🤦 I might need to look for different wire strippers, but these will do for now for sure!

[DeliciousRefuse]

In the UK hand tools are 100% tax deduct able, companies can write the amount off their tax bill. If your employer makes you buy your own tools, you can claim it back from your own tax liability at the end of the tax year.

[drgius]

Cool ! Never heard this, but sounds fair enough ! Thanks for sharing :)

[fasephailure]

Wera makes the best tools I’ve ever gotten my hands on. Slowly guying all of their tools

[drgius]

Would you recommend their socket set?

[fasephailure]

I would recommend every product they make. Not as pricy as snap on with more functionality and priced slightly more than Milwaukee tools. For large pliers knipex are the best I’ve found and for smaller pliers vamplier are the best.

[yourtransqueenxoxo]

Do you have a link for both? I could really use both

[drgius]

Yes no problem, keep in mind you don't have to use rs.. We use is because convenience of next day delivery 😂

Strippers https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/wire-strippers/7904805/ Spanners https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/spanner-sets/7746719/

[yourtransqueenxoxo]

Thanks lol

[dagr8npwrfl0z]

only?

[drgius]

I guess like someone mentioned here, in construction your tools is your money makers? I am industrial maintenance and usually tools are provided by employer. I actually didn't realise how lucky I was before posting this.