Master technician John Harris of Brooks-Huff Tire & Auto in Towson, Maryland has been a technician for 30 years. In his time as a technician, Harris has gone through his fair share of toolboxes. Most recently, in 2017, he traded in his first-generation Snap-on Epic Series Mr. Big for the newer, bigger model of the Mr. Big.
“This one is definitely my last one,” Harris says.
The toolbox
The 17’ wide by 8’ tall tool storage setup features a power bank, which Harris says is great for cordless tools, LEDs in the workstation and both side lockers, and Harris’ personal favorite feature, keyless entry. Compared to the first-generation Mr. Big toolbox, the newer model is just a bit taller, making it an ideal height for Harris, so he doesn’t have to duck his head while working on his computer.
Harris was also pleasantly surprised by how much Epic Series lockers had to offer.
“When I transferred [my tools] over, I wound up having way more open drawers just because so much stuff was able to go into the lockers,” Harris says. “It was amazing. But that was kind of the goal when I bought the box.”
Like many technicians, Harris knows that when it comes to organization, it’s best to keep similar tools or those used for certain jobs grouped together.
“The one locker is pretty much all steering and suspension tools,” Harris says. “The other locker is mostly diagnostic and electrical stuff, and then the drawers, [I] just try to keep similar stuff in each one.”
The effects of COVID-19
Harris works at the largest location out of seven for Brooks-Huff Tire & Auto, where he says “we take in everything” – lawn mowers, skid steers, ambulances, and dump trucks – but they typically don’t work on heavy duty vehicles, mostly medium duty and smaller. The shop also does some restorations for a few customers with older vehicles.
“I pretty much do whatever comes in,” Harris says. “I'm the guy that when nobody else can do it, they bring it to me.”
Harris performs a lot of diagnostic work as well as state inspections and typical routine check-ups. Currently, the shop has about a dozen technicians on staff, but according to Harris, they’re down with everything that’s happening with COVID-19.
Though they’re constantly looking for new technicians, there were a couple of months during the beginning of the outbreak where all the hourly technicians were put on furlough, leaving only the flat rate technicians to run the shop. This meant Harris was doing whatever came through the door.
“I could be doing a very detailed diagnostic in one bay and an oil change and two tires in another bay,” Harris says. “But Maryland has recovered pretty well I think and gotten back to work. We've been super busy the past month and a half. Things are a little more back to normal.”
Advice on buying on a toolbox
While work begins to pick up again, Harris offers some advice for any technicians looking to make a big purchase, such as a new toolbox.
“Aside from the obvious things of quality, warranty, and features, the biggest thing with big purchases is making sure you get good financing,” Harris advises. “It doesn't make sense to spend $30,000 to $70,000 on a box and then get slammed with 15-20 percent interest.”
One of the reasons Harris has stuck with Snap-on toolboxes over the years is that however much he paid for the toolbox to begin with, he’s gotten at least that much back when he’s traded it in.
The last piece of advice Harris has when it comes to purchasing a toolbox?
“Make sure you pick a color you can live with!”
