Supplying your own work tools...

Kavalree · 4 Aug 2017 at 00:14

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?

Kavalree · 4 Aug 2017 at 00:29

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.

Kavalree · 4 Aug 2017 at 19:39

For context, I repair iPhones, for the iPhone 5 upto the iPhone 6S Plus.
I will order the tools myself, for now, I totally forgot to speak to my boss about it, but I'll let him know about them when I take them in, providing they are OK to use (I don't see why not).

I did query buying a new chair as the chair I have isn't comfy, but I can't as my chair is ESD Safe and had to be throuroughly checked, along with my workstation. My tools look fine (Standard metal drivers and magnetic pentalobe/philips).

Kavalree · 4 Aug 2017 at 19:48

Diddums said:
Can you post a link to what you consider to be a good tool set, money no object? Rather interested to see what you guys use to repair phones tbh.

Not really, as the place I've seen it is a competitor for OCUK.
I can tell you, for iPhone's, we use a 0.8mm Pentalobe driver and a #000 Philips driver. Also use a spudger tool to disconnect parts and a metal tool to pop the screens off.