Some People are Just Trouble Makers!

[kshansen]

Just out of curiosity I asked my boss what exactly my "Job Description" was.

He got a copy from HR and one line read "Mechanics are required to provide their own basic tools"

When I inquired what was considered "Basic Tools" he said don't worry what you have is fine. Well that did not tell me much. So I took it on myself to email HR saying "Basic Tools" does not give much idea as to what they feel I should be providing. Well that question got passed around to a few people and today my boss handed me a paper to read a sign that said "Basic Tools" would be hard to define and what I have is more that sufficient and if any special tools are need they will supply them and as I am close to retiring not to worry.

Now if they were to hire someone to take my place does this mean if he shows up with a hammer, #2 Philips screw driver, a 12 inch Adjustable wrench and a pair of pliers they will be happy and supply all the tools he needs?

Why do people make rules they can not or will not define? I and I'm sure most here could in a matter of five minutes rattle off a list of "Basic Tools" adjusted for the type of industry one is going to work in.

Well that's enough venting for now!

 

[Scrub Puller]

Yair . . . kshansen . Our Operators were required to have "basic tools" . . . I had a list, sockets, rings and flats to 11/8" a set of screwdrivers, eight ten and twelve inch adjustable wrenchs, multigrips, hacksaw, cold chisel plus anything else they fancied . . . pretty simple.

It could create a lot of friction if one bloke had gear and the other didn't . . . and it was a mugs game to supply them.

Cheers.

 

[Nige]

I'd define a set of basic tools as being "A minimum of equal to the Caterpillar 8T-0460 Serviceman's 117-piece Tool Set, or the equivalent in any other reputable tool brand".

Just my 2c - don't shoot the messenger .................

 

[kshansen]

Yair . . . kshansen . Our Operators were required to have "basic tools" . . . I had a list, sockets, rings and flats to 11/8" a set of screwdrivers, eight ten and twelve inch adjustable wrenchs, multigrips, hacksaw, cold chisel plus anything else they fancied . . . pretty simple.

It could create a lot of friction if one bloke had gear and the other didn't . . . and it was a mugs game to supply them.

Cheers.

I'd define a set of basic tools as being "A minimum of equal to the Caterpillar 8T-0460 Serviceman's 117-piece Tool Set, or the equivalent in any other reputable tool brand".

Just my 2c - don't shoot the messenger .................

I would agree with both on this. Just strikes me as lazy or incompetent to make a rule but then not have an answer when asked for some kind of clarification.

I just don't want to be around a year from now when my tools are not available. Company does have a "basic" set of tools in a roll cabinet(that I donated) but as 80% of the guys here do not have any or very few tools they have little respect for the company tool and just drop them when done with job or leave them in the back of pick-up truck to get rusty.

 

[old-iron-habit]

In all the trades I can understand a new apprentice not having all the tools he will need or is required to have, but the ones that are going to make it will ask what tools they should pick up first. They tool up as they go. The ones that don't are not on the jobs for long.

 

[NZ Engineer]

In all the trades I can understand a new apprentice not having all the tools he will need or is required to have, but the ones that are going to make it will ask what tools they should pick up first. They tool up as they go. The ones that don't are not on the jobs for long.

Agree with this comment, its a matter of tooling up as they can go. Our company provides $.50/h tool allowance and a staff account so we buy their tools for them as they ask for them (to get best buy price), and they pay off their tool account as they go.

I don't have a real problem with the request to hold "basic tools"... its just a normal expectation of all trades staff that they will do so. Anybody that doesn't is obviously not committed to the cause and wont last the distance as the other staff will soon give them enough s#@t about it...

 

[kshansen]

Agree with this comment, its a matter of tooling up as they can go. Our company provides $.50/h tool allowance and a staff account so we buy their tools for them as they ask for them (to get best buy price), and they pay off their tool account as they go.

I don't have a real problem with the request to hold "basic tools"... its just a normal expectation of all trades staff that they will do so. Anybody that doesn't is obviously not committed to the cause and wont last the distance as the other staff will soon give them enough s#@t about it...

Wish I could get$0.50/hr tool allowance! Dang over the last 40 years even working just 1,500 hours a year that would be $30,000!

Anyhow the point I was making is not that I have a problem with supplying my tools but the fact that the company makes all kinds of rules that we must follow but when asked for clarification on a rule they just say, "Oh that would be too hard to explain". It's like the way they say you need to wear fall protection when there is a possibility of falling. Does that mean operators need to wear safety harnesses when getting into or out of a skid steer?

 

[FSERVICE]

Kshansen the people that make that rule book up don't know a socket from a hammer!!! they cant explain it cause they don't know, some things are just best left unexplained lol I see a lot of shops I work around with "shop tools" that the mechanics don't pick up, leave laying in a bucket 1/2 full of water in the bed of the truck, the list goes on & on!!! till they have to buy them they will never take care of them any better either...

 

[willie59]

I was going to say something along those line FSERVICE, the pencil necked geeks that write these rules wouldn't know a ladies foot prybar if one sat in their lap and called them momma. :yup

As for the "new hires" that come along, mechanics are an odd breed, we typically begin this skill very early in life, as opposed to graduating High School and then discover we want to become a mechanic. That's not to say that doesn't happen, but rather it's an exception. For the most part, mechanics start when they're a kid, tinkering with their bicycle, or making a mess of something in your dads shed.

As time goes by, the young apprentice accumulates a new tool here and there (we're junkies for that sort of stuff), so by the time he becomes of age that he could hire on at a shop he pretty much has a "basic set" of tools, and most likely a few "special tools" to boot.

 

[partsandservice]

I once worked for an equipment dealership and the management decided to develop a code system for repairs. Those put in charge of this task had no service experience. It was almost impossible to use their repair codes as very few applied. On a small feller buncher with wheel motors one of the repair codes was r and r drive line which this machine had none, r and r radiator with an air cooled Engine ect, ect. I was able to find one code that applied, miscellaneous trouble shoot for repair. I used that code only, followed by the three C's. For those that don't know, complaint , cause and correction. When ever the suits called me in to the office they wanted to know why I was unable to participate in this grand idea they had implemented. They put me back in the service truck. I still started all my job paperwork with miscellaneous troubleshoot for repair. They eventually decided to part ways with me for not being a team player. They did contact me a few months later and offer me more money to come back to the " team". Since I was employed somewhere else shortly after lunch on the day of my dismissal I declined the offer.

 

[NZ Engineer]

Nice... sounds like we could work together one day just fine ha ha

 

[kshansen]

Then there are the bosses who have no idea of what the people he is suppose to be managing are capable of doing.

Just a little over a year ago we had a very mistreated little gen set with a 3-53 Detroit engine in it. Big boss seemed surprised that I felt confident I could repair it. Had to explain that myself and another mechanic had already rebuilt it once maybe 15 years ago and I was able to find the files I had from back then! A little 3-53? Wonder what he would think about the 16V-71's we used to rebuild along with the 3508, 3306, 3408, D399 Cats, 1710 Cummins and so on. A 3-53 is like working on a lawn mower engine.

This is a guy who can't give a decision on how to proceed on a line bore job on a skid steer loader, been parked for over six months waiting on a decision! Bosses we had 15 years ago could give you an answer on major projects in a matter of minutes. I did not always agree but at least knew which way to proceed. 90% of the time they were right.

 

[caterpillarmech]

I'm with you khansen. My favorite is can you loan so and so this tool so he can go do the job. You stay put in the shop but he gets to go out! WTH. Another good point on fall protection. I have asked the question " where do we tie off to?" with no educated response. "Just do it" is all I get.

 

[Mobiltech]

I'm with you khansen. My favorite is can you loan so and so this tool so he can go do the job. You stay put in the shop but he gets to go out! WTH. Another good point on fall protection. I have asked the question " where do we tie off to?" with no educated response. "Just do it" is all I get.

Don't you have a sky hook in your tool box..... All good mechanics carry a sky hook !

I find there are some in management that like to implement new poorly implemented rules to justify there existence. Usually it's the safety guy.

 

[Nige]

The sign over my box used to read "The mechanic who loans tools is on his holidays" .................

I find there are some in management that like to implement new poorly implemented rules to justify there existence. Usually it's the safety guy.

You mean this guy ..? An interaction with one of his ilk is what led to my signature line.................

 

[kshansen]

Don't you have a sky hook in your tool box..... All good mechanics carry a sky hook !

I store mine next to the bucket of steam for cleaning equipment before I work on it.

Some times even the non-management guys cause problems. Yesterday while feeding a cold mix plant one of our operators decides to take a brake and shuts 980G off right on the ramp to the hopper. We have this mixer here for just two days so time is critical. Well when brake was over guess what the started decided to let out all it's smoke:Banghead

With no safe or easy way to release the parking brake with available tools the only option was to hook a heavy cable to a 988H and move it! Only had to move a few yards and parking brake was not able to stop the 988H. Had a spare starter on shelf so a little over an hour and it was ready to go before quitting time and before the rain started.

I've tried to tell operators to never shut off a machine where it will be in the way if starter fails. Not a common problem but when it happens it's not fun changing one on a hot engine when you are in a hurry.

 

[John C.]

The tools list is never defined because they figure you will just keep buying more than you need.

When I started in this business any fool with a 1/2 inch Craftsman socket set, a sixteen ounce hammer, a couple of screw chisels and wrenches to 15/16 inch was a journeyman. Now days they want you to have the 600 foot pound torque wrench with the four to one multiplier and they call you a whiner if you won't pay for the electronics to work on their engines.

I don't recommend the green horns get into the knuckle busting business anymore. Take the thirty grand it will cost to tool up and start landscaping or something else. If you are smart enough to fix things, you are smart enough to be in a money making business on your own.

 

[Axle]

Since you mention HR, I'm going to assume a large company. HR does not exist to make your job easier, HR exists to add bureaucracy to your job.

To pick apart your message;

When I inquired what was considered "Basic Tools" he said don't worry what you have is fine. Well that did not tell me much.

Bossman translation: What you have is just fine as basic tools, you need something, we'll get it.

So I took it on myself to email HR saying "Basic Tools" does not give much idea as to what they feel I should be providing.

Reality: You poked the sleeping bear unecessarily. You are hired already are you not? You have provided the necessary tools.

Well that question got passed around to a few people and today my boss handed me a paper to read a sign that said "Basic Tools" would be hard to define and what I have is more that sufficient and if any special tools are need they will supply them and as I am close to retiring not to worry.

The sleeping bear has awakened and is grouchy because there is no supporting paperwork. HR loves, no thives, on paper work. In turn, you have added more beurocracy to your bossman, and now he has to speak with the HR bear. Something he probably tries to avoid at all costs.... until somebody pokes that sleeping bear...

Now if they were to hire someone to take my place does this mean if he shows up with a hammer, #2 Philips screw driver, a 12 inch Adjustable wrench and a pair of pliers they will be happy and supply all the tools he needs? Why do people make rules they can not or will not define? I and I'm sure most here could in a matter of five minutes rattle off a list of "Basic Tools" adjusted for the type of industry one is going to work in.

Why do people make rules they won't define:
From the hiring guys perspective; Silently to himself during the interview 'this guy looks like trouble, and smells like my most hated highschool english teacher. No way I want him working here. Too bad he meets all the other qualifications...'
Hiring guy at the interview; "Do you own an Allis Deere Spacely Sprocket installer"
Guy: Uhm... No....
Hiring guy: I see... I will be meeting with the bossman in a couple days after finishing all our interviews and we will get in contact with you if you are the lucky candidate.

Three weeks later:
Guy calls hiring guy: I'm wondering what the status of the job is.
Hiring guy: I'm sorry, we filled that position.
Guy: Why?
Hiring Guy: You did not have all the basic tools we require for this position. Thanks for applying. Good bye.
Guy: O-o

Back to the real world;
Basic tools is an easy way to deny employment. If you reject the guy because he looks/smells/insert whatever personal bias it is grounds for legal action.
Basic tools also = the bossman is willing to buy you what you need if he sees you actually take care of tools. Wire cutters are basic tools. I use mine as wire cutters, my bossman doesn't bat an eye if I tell him I need a new set. Somebody else, not so much. I also don't go blabbing around the company buys me a set of wire cutters when I need it. Capice? =-)

Alex.

 

[kshansen]

The sleeping bear has awakened and is grouchy because there is no supporting paperwork. HR loves, no thives, on paper work. In turn, you have added more beurocracy to your bossman, and now he has to speak with the HR bear. Something he probably tries to avoid at all costs.... until somebody pokes that sleeping bear...

Well if you recall I used the following as the Title of this Thread:

Some People are Just Trouble Makers!

So I knew up front what was going to happen and they proved I was right in what I was thinking. I guess I should give the credit or blame for my attitude, depending on your point of view, to my late mother. She got lots of pleasure out of poking the grumpy bears every chance she could! And one of her favorite sweatshirts she wore with pride said " Sarcasm-Just one of the services I provide"

 

[Nige]

Sounds like your Mom would have got on well with my #1 son. He has a line in biting sarcasm that has to be heard to be believed. .........