WE WANT TO SEE THAT NEW TOOL BOX! - Auto-Trend Repairs and Service Information Forums

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

WE WANT TO SEE THAT NEW TOOL BOX!

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Maybe he got something cool like this?

But something tells me it might look more like this

Or this,

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

C'mon PowerStroker, the suspense is killing me!

He's probably still at the dealer putting the first coat of wax on it, while caressing it... Don't forget a photo!

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Behold, the new PowerStroker mobile office

It's a KRL 1163 with stainless top and workstation hutch in candy apple red.

-- Edited by PowerStroker on Monday 20th of March 2017 11:28:38 PM

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Yo,

Now that's a pretty cool & large tool-box....No wonder you have the Ford pick-up with a 460-V-8 in it....You need it !!! Good stuff.

I didn't know Chewbacca had children, a boy & a girl ?...

Cheers,

Rastus

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Wow! That is a spectacular work of craftsmanship there PowerStroker!

Even better than I had imagined! And it's red! The ONLY color a tool box should ever be made in! Very impressive!

Most people looking at that don't even have the slightest clue, but that box there probably cost more than my Corvette!

Way cool PowerStroker!

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Thanks guys!
I did get a good deal on it. If you are a dealer tech on a regular Snap-On route, there is a special truck that makes it's rounds once per year where you can get tool boxes at huge discounts. Now I was going to wait for the RockinRoll cab special truck, but my dealer had been trying to sell me a box for 13 years so he emailed them and was able to get me the same deal now. Basically I'm in to this box for $10,000 plus my $3200 trade, for a box that retails for just under 18K.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

I was going to say, just that lower box retails for $13,000 on the SnapOn web site! And that's not including the top portion you added on or even sales tax!

A very good friend of mine who is a body guy has the same lower as you, but in Blue... He's always been a big fan of Blue, or Black. He got his almost 10 years ago I think.

The top portion you added on is really cool, so if you got a laptop or documents on the bench you can just roll down the door and lock it all up! A very good investment PowerStroker!

You see, consumer confidence is thru the roof under President Trump! LOL, although I am sure you will deny it...

Damn fine box you got there PowerStroker! Congratulations and enjoy!

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Wow, just wow....

I won't do the conversion to AUD, but that is one serious rolling office...No doubt, in time, it will be filled with the same Snap-On or equal to quality tools. And I hope that this takes a while to fill, as I don't know what you could possibly grab next, except another one...

I suppose the balance sheet see's it as some tax-return offer, & that's the way it should be too.

I dread the day when / if you leave the dealership, & have to get it home somehow...And then, where do you put it ?....Only kidding, you wouldn't have grabbed it if you couldn't get it home.

Congratulations PowerStroker !!! There must be something in peeing in your boss's Cherio's every day LOL !

Rastus

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Usually the best way to transport these boxes is by way of a flat bed tow truck! I'm not even kidding! I've seen it done more than once. They are so massive they wont even fit on the back of most cube truck lift gates!

PowerStroker already had quite an assortment of Snap-On tools, if you check out the tool crib section you'll see. Maybe in time we should move this thread over there but that's up to you guys... I really don't mind either way.

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

One of the reasons I bought this is because it is actually easier to move than my current one which isn't as deep and is very top heavy - big tipping hazard. You may ask why I would care about my ability to move my tool box. Lets just say there may be some changes on the horizon for PowerStroker, stay tuned for more as it develops...

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

I don't think Rastus was here the last time when you were having issues with the dealership... I think at that time there was a change in management/ownership of the dealership. But just so Rastus knows the particulars, it involved something to do with PowerStroker eating a customers Twix candy bar...

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Hmmm,

Well I guess there'll be enough room in that toolbox for a candy-dispencer too...Probably not a bad idea either, as that way not only is a snack always available, but if PowerStroker doesn't eat away the profit, it will likely help pay for the outstanding too...( If any, or he'll start making money off the candy ).

A Pepsi machine wouldn't go astray either...

Cheers,

Rastus

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

I'm not sure that trading-in your old toolbox was such a great idea...You need more room !

And get "Yo momma" to push the trolley LOL !

Ciao,

Rastus

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Well, it fits all of my tools but not all of my test parts which are now in plastic bins. I was planning on adding a side or top locker once I moved to the other dealer, but since I'm staying here now I probably won't because supposedly we're getting a major remodel with built-in tool boxes within the next couple years.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Damn that is pretty fucking impressive!

You really do need a side box for all them boxed specialty tools, but that work bench is TITS! Love the lighting too!

It's already filled to the gills! Did your old box have more storage? Or were you having to store some of it outside of your old box?

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

That ^ is the old box. The new one is about 7 inches deeper so I was able to combine 2 drawers in to 1 in a lot of cases. Also the old one had some cheap side cabinets (harbor freight on the right and Waterloo locker on the left) It was the right side cabinet that held mostly test parts. But since we are allegedly getting built in tool boxes within the next 2 years I hesitate to add much on to this box at the present time because it's going to have to fit in my home garage eventually. If I do add anything it would likely be the upper matching bulk storage cabinet. I am glad that I went with the candy apple red rather than the regular Snap-On Red though. My box makes the regular red look orange in comparison.

I'm glad you like the LED lighting. It was a $560 option that my dealer gave me for $430. It's really cool because it is on a switch that automatically turns on when the hutch door is opened.

-- Edited by PowerStroker on Wednesday 5th of April 2017 04:33:44 PM

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Built in tool boxes? That sounds interesting, please explain!

Could you even see what was in them top drawers of the old box without a step ladder?

I am sure this Insignia monitor I have hooked up to the Mac Mini displays horrible reds! My vette almost looks pink in some photos! My cheap ass needs to upgrade my monitor! LOL

At least you made the step up to a SnapOn box! I thought your old box was a SnapOn, but from the photos it appears it was a Matco, which was good, but no where near a SnapOn.

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Built in tool boxes would be owned by the dealership and be an integral part of the shop. Every technician would be assigned a unit and given a key for it. Here is a company that makes them and has pictures on their site...

http://www.sharkprofessional.com/

The build quality between the Matco and Snap-On seem comparable, but I like the prestige of Snap-On.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

Not so sure I'm a big fan of the built in tool boxes... Might be good for them fly by night types, but honestly it's more or less too Orwellian for my taste, almost like them cookie cutter neighborhoods... The only advantage I can see would be the dealership being able to micro manage space and have access to your tools!

Do these built in tool boxes come fully stocked with tools too? Just can't seem to warm up to the idea, and it would have to cost the dealership bookoo bucks too.

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

I'm not thrilled about the idea either, and since it would be filled with my own tools I would certainly re-key it so only I had access to mine.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Man, you'd definitely want to be etching your name heavily on your tools, that's for sure.

I've got one of those Waterloo toolboxes, with a 4-draw box sitting on top of a main 2-large-draw box with a large upper fold in ( think garage door ) door for the heavy extras. There's no avoiding it being top-heavy, but that's life. I like that the top-box can fit into the lower compartment when moving, & then fit into the boot / trunk of my car. There's never enough room. I fully loaded this "new box" up on the first day, whilst emptying my fold-out six-draw type. ( Amazing how many tools fit into this small a space. And I ended up using it again when I did my stint as a mobile air-conditioning-repairman, since my Waterloo would never have fitted in the back of the van ).

Over the years & numerous embarrassing falls, with the Waterloo, I did notice that the weight of the tools was causing the wheels in the lower compartment to sink into the base-plate, where they mount / bolt-up...Thankfully, it stretched evenly lol, & remains reasonably stable.

You have to be careful IMO how many tools you acquire for yourself, based against the special tools that your employer / dealership needs to acquire for themselves. We don't get paid enough money IMO to cover what would be "their" costs. Things like "Special Factory Tools" need to be bought in greater than single numbers if they need to be shared by more than say 4-mechanics at a time. I don't think you should be buying them for yourself, unless its for your own use at home, on your own special-need basis toys.

Cheers,

Rastus

-- Edited by Rastus on Thursday 6th of April 2017 03:58:46 AM

-- Edited by Rastus on Thursday 6th of April 2017 04:00:18 AM

redthom · Newbie

Wow! That's a great looking toolbox. Would love to have one.

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Thank you, I'm really enjoying working out of it.

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

I should update this since I bought the matching overhead locker.

Also had a custom black vinyl zip up cover made for it (not shown) since the old red one didn't fit anymore.

And yes, that is a desktop waterfall in the middle... I couldn't find a place for a koi pond, but I did get much better rocks for it than what it came with.

Zambrano Resin Curved Stream Tabletop Fountain with Light

My tool box has a water feature bitches.

-- Edited by PowerStroker on Tuesday 26th of February 2019 10:04:41 PM

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

That's one incredible work-station PowerStroker ! And the waterfall isn't too bad either lol !

I nearly had a thought about posting up my little Waterloo box, now that I've recovered it from my folks garage, but yours absolutely dwarfs it, so no need to go there lol !

Shawnee_B · FAR BEYOND DRIVEN

Pretty cool!

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Thanks guys!

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

WoW PowerStroker! That is indeed a good looking box!

Very impressive and very professional! You can always add on the koi pond next year! LOL

I don't have any upgrades to share at the moment since the 211, but this is giving me the itch! LOL

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

PowerStroker wrote:

HOLY $-H-I-T POWERSTROKER!

What are them round things in the blue dish at the top left of this photo! Are them ROLOC PADS, PowerStroker!?

Did you get the memo?

#87-61-24: INFO. USE OF 'SURFACE CONDITIONING DISCS' - (Apr 2, 1998)

https://autotrend.activeboard.com/t48632137/powerstrokers-ultimate-saturn-rebuild-lots-of-pics/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NP8y63Ms4o&t=5s

Shawnee_B · FAR BEYOND DRIVEN

I used to be able to get some awesome angle grinder discs called flev cell. Red, flexible, little bumps on them. I was working a welding supply then, can't find them on shelves. Got a 5" Milwaukee angle grinder I been using over 40 years!

Well appears similar avaliable, these work awesome.

Like the type 29 the best but worked my app, someone else may like flat. Worth a try.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Roloc Pads have their place-in-use...

It's known that you don't use them for cylinder-heads or block surfaces that need to be perfectly flat. And certainly not on aluminum.

Shawnee_B · FAR BEYOND DRIVEN

Never heard of the rolaks but kinda shy away from cylinder heads! Least when it counts like someone elses shit. If it my IC, OK I'm game.

Shawnee_B · FAR BEYOND DRIVEN

PS. The water works is awesome.

I know what peace can come from watching, listening.

You got a bad "moment" go watch, listen, get back in prospective.

I can understand that being there on a mental aspect besides aesthetic.

haslefree · Veteran User

Okie dokie then. Im impressed, PowerStroker! Youve got a small fortune invested in that awesome hot Red tool box and all those tools.
Hope you have that insured properly. You just never, ever know...

xoxo
HF

biggrin

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

Rastus wrote:
Roloc Pads have their place-in-use...

It's known that you don't use them for cylinder-heads or block surfaces that need to be perfectly flat. And certainly not on aluminum.

Shawnee_B wrote:
Never heard of the rolaks but kinda shy away from cylinder heads! Least when it counts like someone elses shit. If it my IC, OK I'm game.

Yeah Rex, see... Even Rastus knows about this all the way in Australia, and Shawnee all the way down in a backwater state like Kentucky. Where the hell have you been?

-- Edited by PowerStroker on Friday 1st of March 2019 11:10:33 AM

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

haslefree wrote:
Okie dokie then. Im impressed, PowerStroker! Youve got a small fortune invested in that awesome hot Red tool box and all those tools.
Hope you have that insured properly. You just never, ever know...

xoxo
HF

Thanks haslefree! See this is why I have to charge you extra to fix your Trump Edition truck, I've got a lot of overhead to pay for you know. The dealership I work for provides some insurance, but wouldn't be enough to cover a total loss, so I have a lock on one of the wheels to make it awfully difficult for a thief to roll away with it.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

PowerStroker wrote:
Rastus wrote:
Roloc Pads have their place-in-use...

It's known that you don't use them for cylinder-heads or block surfaces that need to be perfectly flat. And certainly not on aluminum.

Shawnee_B wrote:
Never heard of the rolaks but kinda shy away from cylinder heads! Least when it counts like someone elses shit. If it my IC, OK I'm game.

Yeah Rex, see... Even Rastus knows about this all the way in Australia, and Shawnee all the way down in a backwater state like Kentucky. Where the hell have you been?

Yeah well since we're not fixing ships, and I am not hiding behind the dealership I think it's quite well known you're just a Fords speciality mechanic, Rastus is a Sailor - and I am the Master Mechanic!

They have airplane sealant to fill any fine abrasive scratching on aluminum and iron.

One thing is for sure, I don't think I could trust either of you in the instance of a repair that needs a clean surface for a quality seal, except to say that PowerStroker is FOS and has been caught red handed with Roloc pads in his toolbox, so obviously he knows the real truth, but omits it because he is used to hiding behind the dealer and spreading disinformation. One only needs to look in the Ford truck forum to see exactly how predatory them Ford guys are. It breaks their heart every time a vehicle falls out of warranty because 9 times out of 10 that means they just lost a customer. Meanwhile they keep doing warranty work for Ford Motor Company for about 1/2 to 1/3 of the true labor time.. And people wonder why Dealership guys can be so cranky?

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

haslefree wrote:
Okie dokie then. Im impressed, PowerStroker! Youve got a small fortune invested in that awesome hot Red tool box and all those tools.
Hope you have that insured properly. You just never, ever know...

xoxo
HF

My toolbox is over 800 Square foot and includes a hoist, tire machine, press, tire balancer, mig welder and all the tools PowerStroker has...

There is an old saying that goes "The toolbox does not make the mechanic". It's still true today!

I am sure PowerStroker is a good mechanic, and his toolbox is of the finest you can get. He should be proud!

You make a very good point about insurance though haslefree! Thieves love big tool boxes like PowerStrokers because they just attach a wench to them and drag them up on a flatbed trailer - locked wheels or not. A decade or so they cleaned out an entire dealership around here, I remember that because it was one of the only times I seen the SnapOn guy smiling and in a good mood! LOL

I am currently working to get better insurance for my stuff too, they have to send out an agent to inspect and verify contents.

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

And before anyone dives off into a big debate about Roloc pads, let me just say once again that:

"There is a big difference between milling something that is not flat and cleaning/resurfacing something that is already flat".

It's called a straight edge and a feeler gauge, USE IT!

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

First off, It was I that told you about the big no-no if using rolocs to clean head and deck surfaces. I live by that rule and provided evidence of such in the very thread you posted, but I have rolocs for other things. The most common use for them in my case is to knock the rust off a brake rotor before chucking it in a brake lathe, that way it is actually mounted true so you can cut the rotor true.

I also use rolocs to clean metal surfaces before welding. They do have their place, it's just never on a cylinder deck or head sealing surface. Flatness is more important than a shiny clean appearance in those cases, which Shawnee and Rastus understand. Odd that our resident "master mechanic" doesn't. Perhaps you should up your game and become a master TECHNICIAN like me. Especially since you live so close to the company that published the aforementioned tsb we have been referencing.

haslefree · Veteran User

PowerStroker wrote:
haslefree wrote:
Okie dokie then. Im impressed, PowerStroker! Youve got a small fortune invested in that awesome hot Red tool box and all those tools.
Hope you have that insured properly. You just never, ever know...

xoxo
HF

Thanks haslefree! See this is why I have to charge you extra to fix your Trump Edition truck, I've got a lot of overhead to pay for you know. The dealership I work for provides some insurance, but wouldn't be enough to cover a total loss, so I have a lock on one of the wheels to make it awfully difficult for a thief to roll away with it.

PowerStroker, are you saying if a Ford customer got another employee in the service department, they could possibly charge less because they dont have to pay for that beautiful tool box filled with tools like you?

just askin...

SELLC · CERTIFIED POST WHORE

PowerStroker wrote:
First off, It was I that told you about the big no-no if using rolocs to clean head and deck surfaces. I live by that rule and provided evidence of such in the very thread you posted, but I have rolocs for other things. The most common use for them in my case is to knock the rust off a brake rotor before chucking it in a brake lathe, that way it is actually mounted true so you can cut the rotor true.

I also use rolocs to clean metal surfaces before welding. They do have their place, it's just never on a cylinder deck or head sealing surface. Flatness is more important than a shiny clean appearance in those cases, which Shawnee and Rastus understand. Odd that our resident "master mechanic" doesn't. Perhaps you should up your game and become a master TECHNICIAN like me. Especially since you live so close to the company that published the aforementioned tsb we have been referencing.

So you wrote two paragraphs to dance around what I said in one sentence?

He is definitely stealership grade! LOL

-- Edited by SELLC on Friday 1st of March 2019 09:31:01 PM

PowerStroker · UNSTOPPABLE!

haslefree wrote:
PowerStroker, are you saying if a Ford customer got another employee in the service department, they could possibly charge less because they dont have to pay for that beautiful tool box filled with tools like you?

just askin...

Well, there are some cases where what you pay depends on who makes the estimate... I don't know which of my colleagues actually worked on that truck, or even what it was in for, I just saw it in the service parking lot and decided it would be fun to snap a picture and suggest to some of my friends here that I gouge Trump fans. I like to stir the pot.

Some technicians allow the advisers to estimate their work, but I am one that makes my own estimates. About 70% of my day is spent doing warranty work anyway, in which case I have no control. The 30% of the time I'm doing customer pay work I generally just go off of what our shop's internal computer system suggests, which is set at Alldata time +10%, and that is usually fine with me. I do have the ability to override the labor suggestion, and in cases where I know there are more difficulties involved, I do pad the estimates accordingly to cover my time. Just like if you call 5 different furnace repair people to get an estimate, you will likely get 5 different numbers because there is always a human element involved in estimating work. I do pride myself on making a correct estimate the first time to avoid having to call a customer back to get more money - an ongoing issue with some of my colleagues. I own everything outright, so the price tag of my tool box and its contents does not factor in to the equation when making an estimate for a customer, (though their attitude might). Btw, there are 3 other techs where I work with comparable boxes to mine. The other guys each have different drawer configurations, and they went with a side locker instead of the overhead locker that I got, but the prices are very close. Our Snap On rep even told me that on his entire weekly route, he sees about 12 opulent boxes, and 4 of them are at my dealership.

Rastus · UNSTOPPABLE!

Everyone can make a book-time...When circumstances allow lol !

The problems start when clocking-on to the job, & then having to find the car that may live within an acreage of other vehicles, & even sometimes moving other vehicles out-of-the-way wasting time before the vehicle is even touched.

Often a road-test is needed before commencing a job to confirm a fault, & /or to find others.

PowerStroker's tools & his box help him make time on a job, simply because he doesn't have to go looking around the work-shop for tools-for-the-job. This enables him to stick to his quote, & even make money over a weeks book-time service times. It keeps everyone happy, & even gives PowerStroker incentive to keep going back lol !