Supplying your own work tools...

Kavalree

Kavalree

Kavalree

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Digbeth
Just looking for a smidge of advice here, nothing major.

I started a new job the other day, repairing mobile phones. Now, all tools are provided to do the job, so that's fine, but they are "run of the mill" cheap feeling tools. I have no issue using these, but after some research, there are far better tools out there that may make my job easier and allow me to do a better job.

I've only been there a few days so I can't just up and ask the boss to order me these items, but how would you guys feel, if in my position, you ordered them yourself and payed for them yourself? They are not too pricey, around £35 to £40 for the tool set and a few other items.

I had no issues doing this when I built PC's for a rival of OCUK, as I got a few items to make my job easier and didn't bother asking for the £20 or so back.

So, in summary, would you buy the tools off your own back, or request them?
 
Jaffa_Far said:
Just looking for a smidge of advice here, nothing major.

I started a new job the other day, repairing mobile phones. Now, all tools are provided to do the job, so that's fine, but they are "run of the mill" cheap feeling tools. I have no issue using these, but after some research, there are far better tools out there that may make my job easier and allow me to do a better job.

I've only been there a few days so I can't just up and ask the boss to order me these items, but how would you guys feel, if in my position, you ordered them yourself and payed for them yourself? They are not too pricey, around £35 to £40 for the tool set and a few other items.

I had no issues doing this when I built PC's for a rival of OCUK, as I got a few items to make my job easier and didn't bother asking for the £20 or so back.

So, in summary, would you buy the tools off your own back, or request them?
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Get them to buy the tools. It's in their best interests as well if it makes your job easier because that'll mean you're more productive. Why buy the tools to do the job given to you by a company that could quite easily buy them? £30 or £40 may be a very insignificant sum of money to you but it's most likely a lot more insignificant for the company.
 
The only upside that I can see, for me buying the tools, is that at weekends, I can fetch my tools back home and do foreigners on the side for friends and family...

I'll speak to my boss before work tomorrow about him buying them.
 
I'm seriously considering buying my own safety boots we get free ones and they're pretty decent but nothing like the comfort you can get buying your own.

The free boots from work make good ones for anything really rough on your boots though as any damage and you can always get them replaced :p
 
Jaffa_Far said:
The only upside that I can see, for me buying the tools, is that at weekends, I can fetch my tools back home and do foreigners on the side for friends and family...

I'll speak to my boss before work tomorrow about him buying them.
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I guess if you're going to use them for your own weekend work then it might be worth the investment... Though I'd still push for them to buy these tools for use at the workplace and if you want, buy another set of the same tools for your own use. At least that way you're not wearing away the tools you've paid money for doing the company's work.
 
if you buy your own expect to have to deal with people nicking them on you, although that said if you work with even remotely decent people simply pointing out they're your personal tools should be sufficient to get them returned.

if it's something like boots, as tefal pointed out, then by all means invest in something that works for you, i've done that before with safety glasses as having your own personal pair is handy when you need to do things like see more than a blur.
 
adolf hamster said:
if you buy your own expect to have to deal with people nicking them on you
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That is a good point - I've had to quite bluntly define boundaries on that stuff in the past with both work and personally owned equipment due to people lazily misplacing their own then just borrowing someone else's tools and not returning them and then I don't have what I need to do my job.

Generally unless you have been working somewhere for awhile and have a good relation with whoever is in charge of stuff like that you won't find much interest in purchasing more expensive equipment unless you can demonstrate it will save them time or money.
 
I always bring the following to sea with me;

LED Lenser P5 torch - The plastic crap the company supply weigh a tonne as they use 2 x D-cell batteries, don't fit into your boiler suit pockets and despite all that battery, have an incandescent bulb that's like someone trying to light a fag in a rainstorm, useless!

A set of Wera Metric Allen keys, most ships just have a biscuit tin full of random unsorted Allen keys dumped in a drawer in the workshop somewhere, it takes a ridiculous amount of time trying to find the right size.

2 shifters, A Bahco 9031P and 9029T. Ship's own shifters tend to disappear with the Filipino crew when they sign off, so Chief Engineer's tend to refuse to order them. Handy for tightening up leaking glands you encounter when doing your rounds of the engine room.

Gerber Suspension multitool and a folding knife.
 
Gerber Suspension set is awesome - one of the few Gerber makes that still seems high quality - the rest I've found kind of naff these days.

+1 for the LED Lenser style torches - I have a little mini olight that blows away the torches we used to be issued in my old job on both weight, output and battery life in the same form factor.
 
Rroff said:
Gerber Suspension set is awesome - one of the few Gerber makes that still seems high quality - the rest I've found kind of naff these days.

+1 for the LED Lenser style torches - I have a little mini olight that blows away the torches we used to be issued in my old job on both weight, output and battery life in the same form factor.
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Thinking of upgrading to an O-Light, the USB rechargeable battery would be handier than having to sneak into the ETO's workshop to swipe the odd sly AA. Besides, my venerable P5's getting a bit shabby, nearly all the paint except for that at the bottom of the knurling grooves is gone. Gotta look the part! :D
 
I have my own tools (I'm an engineer, electrical/mechanic) but I've found that everywhere I worked, it's never been a problem getting the company to supply me with replacements or anything I need and don't have. Usually though I prefer to buy my own.
 
I'd just use the tools supplied but buy a set of decent ones to keep at home to do work on the side.

As mentioned people will borrow them but not return them etc. If you try getting the company to buy them everyone else will want a set. "why should you be the only one with quality tools?" will be their argument.

Just not worth the hassle.
 
I supply my own tools for my job on the basis of "if it breaks the company replaces it" never had an issue with this and the company know you will look after your own tools.

Not knowing your job, anything that has to be calibrated or certified let the company supply it as anything goes wrong your not to blame
 
Approach your boss, explain that you have seen better tools and are wondering if the co. could order a set in to try by comparison against the existing tools. Let anyone that uses the normal tools spend a day using them. If they are good then get them in for everyone.

(this assumes that there are others doing the same role)
 
I ended up buying my own as the boss just bought tat! My "expensive" tools have outlasted his cheapo tools several times and have worked out cheaper over time but he still can't see the benefit.
 
The Funktopus said:
LED Lenser P5 torch - The plastic crap the company supply weigh a tonne as they use 2 x D-cell batteries, don't fit into your boiler suit pockets and despite all that battery, have an incandescent bulb that's like someone trying to light a fag in a rainstorm, useless!
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As you're on a gas carrier, I'm expecting your torches should be intrinsically safe (Eex) which is probably what those Bright Star or Wolflights or whatever they supply are. By using your own, I reckon you'll be breaching BP's SMS and you could be up for the sack if you get rumbled. ;)
 
Always have my own tools.

Otherwise you end up using the pool crappy condition, half broken ones. Or they're just plain awol where some asshat has taken them home.

Just keep them in your own (preferably locked) tool box/pouch.
 
Buy your own if you prefer, you can always put the sum on your tax return as work expenses even if PAYE. You will get the tax on the amount you claim back at your marginal rate 20 or 40%.
 
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