Heavy-duty truck repair is becoming increasingly high-tech and it sometimes may seem like a technician must perform his job with a surgeon’s delicacy.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s important not to knock a technician’s toolbox off its well-earned pedestal. A toolbox holds the tools a technician gathers as he travels the learning curve. In a sense, the toolbox reflects the skill level, specialty and even personality of its owner.
Leland Long, manager of fleet services, Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc., West Columbia, SC, Dale Phillips, maintenance supervisor, Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc., Suwanee, GA, and Randy Davis, maintenance supervisor, Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc., Greenville, SC, consulted with one another as well as with some of their technicians and provided Truck Parts & Service with guidelines for technicians filling their toolboxes.
The first recommendation these experts provided was that an entry-level technician seek a toolbox that can be expanded as he grows into the job. Spending money to buy all tools at once can result ultimately in wasted time and money.
“Younger technicians tend to spend more on tools than seasoned technicians. A journeyman will spend on an as-needed basis since his box is well-supplied,” Long said. The experts also suggested that entry-level technicians consult with their more seasoned co-workers before spending money on tools they may not be able to cost justify.
For beginning technicians, the experts recommend taking advantage of resources available at tech schools or vocational programs. The schools often have established reliable contacts at various tool companies and therefore can secure a discount for a beginning technician building a toolbox.
Also, before spending money, technicians should check to see what their shops supply for them, such as safety glasses or goggles, ear protection, a good pair of gloves and steel-toed shoes.
