Gloves, boots, knives and …
Posted by: PTEN editor
… sunglasses, etc., all that personal gear you keep in your bay, where do you buy it? Do you look to your mobile tool distributor for new boots and gloves, or do you just make a purchase on the weekend at the shoe store or hardware store? What about knives and sunglasses? If you wait for the tool guy when you need to replace your work shoes, why?
For those of you willing to share an opinion, be aware: I will single out the best response I get and send the writer a gift:
The Ullman Devices’ HTC2LT telescoping lighted inspection mirror with all-angle ball joint to hold the lighted mirror head firmly at any angle. Share your thoughts on buying personal gear, and you could win this tool!
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*** Congratulations to Michael Gould. His comments were selected as the winner for this post. PTEN will be sending Michael the Ullman Devices’ HTC2LT telescoping lighted inspection mirror.***
September 27th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
It is really hard to buy stuff out of catalogs from the dealers. Most do not keep these items in stock or only have limited access. It is more reassuring when you can spend some time at stores to try items on and get a feel for them before you buy them. I will buy gloves from a dealer because they do carry quality gloves that usually can’t be found at a store.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
For me it depends on the item as to where I get it from. I haven’t purchased shoes from a tool truck largely because, the dealer isn’t too keen on it, and I can see why. He can’t really maintain a selection of models and sizes on his truck. I could pick a shoe out of a flyer but, with most if not all workshoes being made overseas, no one knows how true to size they’ll run. The dealer would have send them back or try to unload them on someone else if the shoes didn’t fit. I usually get my work shoes from a shoe store or from an online vendor. I have purchased one of those scratchless buckle mechanic’s belts from a tool truck though with great success. Luckily for me, gloves, razor blades, sure shot sprayers, and misc tapes and hardware are provided by my employer. I buy Streamlight flashlights and parts from my tool truck. Sunglasses are prescription so that rules out the tool truck but, he was able to get me prescription safety glases. My tool truck dealer also provides me with the most important piece of personal gear that I’m never without, the free pocket screwdriver.
October 13th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Disposable gloves and mechanics gloves we purchase from either our first aid equipment supplier or NAPA. Safety glasses also come from our first aid supplier. Safety shoes are purchased either from Matco or from our approved safety shoe truck. The city gives each employee $100. per year for the purchase of safety shoes. Flash lights are from Streamlight, purchased from NAPA. Scratchless belts are purchased from Snap On.
October 17th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I purchase gloves, boots, knives, safety glasses, belt, t shirts, jackets, hoodys, and even beef jerky from my Matco guy. He even gives away free candy and a drink when you buy or pay. Great service!
October 18th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Shoes are a must to yry on and walk around to fit everybody is differant unless you are buying exact same brand everytime,my perscription safty glass are ordered at the same time as my regular ones from the eye doctor,knives,gloves,I like and will wait for the truck except for the everyday brown jersys,flashlights I have got bought off the truck and on more quality lights are becoming available now outside the tool truck,but I still try to give the tool guy the benifet of the dought do to the weekly good service and overall taking care of me
October 31st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
We have a small shop, and have 3 distinct tool centers in the shop, as well as our own personal tools. Most of our personal tools are from the truck, but boots and shoes are usually from either Sears or Red Wing. Gloves and safety glasses are usually from Harbor Freight, and we swear by our Surefire flashlights, from Surefire of course. Our knives and consumables (sandpaper, zip ties, etc.) are from our local industrial hardware store. We will usually purchase items from whoever gives the best quality and service for the price.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I purchase my boots at the Red Wing store. I only buy American made/Union made if it is all possible. I use American made Uvex safety glasses, for sunglasses, since they fit over my American made prescription glasses. The knives I use are a Stanley American made disposable blade knife, that I resharpen to get a longer blade life. My pocket knife is a Hartsfield custom made not 10 miles from my home. People ask me why I buy American Made. I have seen first hand what buying imported items has done to our industries here. I have seen garment workers, in Los Angeles, lose their jobs just because the manufacturer was going to save a couple of cents per Item. I am willing to pay extra for American Made/ Union Made items because it means that my neighbors, friends and relatives will have good jobs, health insurance and a pension. I feel it is a crime that American Industry has turned its back on the American worker who built these companies into the tool powerhouses they are. It is time that corporate America take some responsibility for the American worker and keep manufacturing jobs here or we are going to end up a third world country with a few haves and most have nots. thnk you.