new employees and tools

Ted_9

Have your own hand tools and cordless drill. If your a sheet metal mech, hand tools and corded drill.

Now to answer the question. I have 3 bags. one for basic hand tools, one for electrical or trouble shooting and one for sheet metal. It would take two to carry all of those tools in at once. I just bring what I think I'll need.

Massachusetts

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theprentice

new employees and tools

there is a possibility that i may be relocating in the near future and will definitely be looking to continue working in this great trade. in the year and a half i've been involved in this industry i have spent money on some basic hand tools. i would love nothing more than to have all of my own tools but obviously money can be an issue at times. for those of you who are employers i was just wondering if you could possibly give me an itemized list of the tools you require your new employees to have. any help you could give me would be appreciated.

one other thing, a co-worker of mine carries a good sized bag that holds almost all of his hand tools into every job which prevents having to run back and forth to the truck. this seems very logical to me so i purchased one of those 5 gallon bucket tool pouches to house most of my hand tools in. my boss (employer) however is constantly hounding him for this. "why would you want to pack that heavy f^#$&@!g eveywhere." now don't get me wrong my boss does pack a solder box and an electric box but it seems that while on service calls i spend more time running back and forth to the truck for tools that my co-worker always has on hand. just curios what your take was on this.

thanks, theprentice

amhplumb_2

Run to the truck -or- have the tools?

It's nice to see people new to trades wanting to have their own tools. It shows some dedication! Keep it up! Now, run to the truck, or have the tools? How big is your friend's tool bag? If the guy wants to lug it in, so what! On another given day, he could be chewed out for running in and out to the truck for not having all of the tools because he didn't bring it in! I always allowed apprentices and other journeymen the freedom to work in their own developed styles provided they got the job done in a reasonable time and professional manner! Lord knows that I am faa----ar from knowing everything! I applaud your friend for the effort of having the tools and wanting them readily available! However, I don't necessarily fault his boss for not wanting to see the guy lug them around if he doesn't have to either! His experience may be wanting to see your friend "working smart" rather than "working hard!"

lchmb

carry light

I personally carry a light bag for the basic trouble shooting. Every service call will be for something different. You could never carry every tool possible. I carry basic wrench's, pressure testing equipment and a multimeter, if more is needed then it is packed in the truck and available.

The bigger the bag, the harder on your back and the more apt you are to damage something trying to get in and out of the house. You will over time find your own niche, dont' be to concerned to start, just watch, look, listen and learn. IMHO..

As far as tool's to own, I own most of the equipment I need. This is completely my choice because I hate to use someone else's equipment. But to start, you should work on basic hand tools, a good quality meter and a decent drill. After that your job will dictate what kind of power tool's will be most important. The only thing I will add to this is it's your equipment. Unless your employer has a replacement program for broken or lost tools I would not lend it out. Check with them and see what they will cover.

STEVE PAUL_3

APPRENTICE TOOL REQUIREMENT LIST

Over the years we have found that the weight of tools most needed when on a service call can be narrowed down to under 25 pounds. In most circumstances the typicalm jobs can be completed with the attached basic apprentice required tool list tool.

STEVE PAUL_3

minimum tool requirements

We require all of our apprentices to have a minimum list of required hand tools. Most service jobs can be completed with the tools on this list. It makes no sense to carry in an 18" and 2' wrench in a bucket when you have to replace a basin supply.

STEVE PAUL_3

STEVE PAUL_3

Minimum required tools

Most service jobs can be completed with the attached list of tools. If you want to load up a bucket with 95 pounds of tools that you seldom use to save one trip to the truck, welcome the world of back, knee, shoulder, leg and arm pain. We don't stay young and strong forever. Work smart not hard.

STEVE PAUL_3

> there is a possibility that i may be relocating

> in the near future and will definitely be looking

> to continue working in this great trade. in the

> year and a half i've been involved in this

> industry i have spent money on some basic hand

> tools. i would love nothing more than to have all

> of my own tools but obviously money can be an

> issue at times. for those of you who are

> employers i was just wondering if you could

> possibly give me an itemized list of the tools

> you require your new employees to have. any help

> you could give me would be appreciated.

>

> one

> other thing, a co-worker of mine carries a good

> sized bag that holds almost all of his hand tools

> into every job which prevents having to run back

> and forth to the truck. this seems very logical

> to me so i purchased one of those 5 gallon bucket

> tool pouches to house most of my hand tools in.

> my boss (employer) however is constantly hounding

> him for this. "why would you want to pack that

> heavy f^#$&@!g eveywhere." now don't get me wrong

> my boss does pack a solder box and an electric

> box but it seems that while on service calls i

> spend more time running back and forth to the

> truck for tools that my co-worker always has on

> hand. just curios what your take was on this.

> thanks, theprentice

hr

Own your own

tools, buy the best quality, mark them well and you will have a lifetime investment.

I prefer those "gatemouth" bags as seen in the Duluth Trading catalog. They pack better in the truck, look more professional, and don't scratch floors. Weather and water proof also.

I love buckets for carrying fittings and inventory, but a tool box or tool bag feels better than a bucket to me.

Collect your tools over a lifetime. I like flea markets and garage sales to find great old, higher quality tools. I like "pre trained" tools to new, cheap import crap.

Also watch for auctions where plumbing or HVAC shops go out of business. A great place to find the bigger power tools like threaders, T drills, etc.

If you have the time some nice stuff and rather unique stuff runs through e-bay. Deal with the sellers that have a good long list of responces.

hot rod

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Big Ed_3

Gatemouth

I too prefer and use the soft bags ,my favorite is the Gatemouth for tech-service work . For the reasons hot rod has stated and the bags set up puts the hand tool at hand and in order . The buckets and tool boxes I have used over the years seem to gather clutter and you had to dig for tools all the time. I found the larger the tool carrier the more useless tools you carry . I remember decades ago I was humping down a full size metal Kennedy tool box . The home owner noticed the effect it took and he brought up to lighten the load . I said I hated to run back and forth to the truck . He looked in to my steamer trunk and said " Well .... How often do you use that !" tap you have in there" . I was young , stubborn and cheap back then and kept that monster causing damage in its path until the latch broke on a flight of stairs . Now I am older ,stubborn and frugal .

Tools ....... I like tools that work and feel good , In the beginning start with the cheaper stuff until you learn how to keep them and learn what you need . When you start out on any facets of this field most tend to load up expensive tool you seldom use . Buy as you need them...... Tip: check out ebay for the higher end stuff .

Loosing them is always a problem , since the areas we have to work in . I swear "Them is Gremlins in attics " . Another problem.....Working with another tech that has crap tools and is always grabbing your good tools......... There is a reason why his tools are crap.. Tip: Check his pockets before he leaves.....


I evolved over the years...... Now when I first arrive to the call I walk up with a smile , my new three cell led Mag ($22 at HD) and a Letherman . I talk to the home owner to find out what is the problem..... Then I move to the suspected area to scope it out . Have them remove any hazards and set up not to cause damage to property . Chose a better exit if there is any , not over white expensive carpet . Avoid mud and dog poop . Bring in the drop cloths and lights and the last thing I bring in is tools . Depends if your boss is a efficiency or safety expert who would yell at you first . But get use to it . In this field the bigger the shop the more they break you balls Learn don't take it personal it that $#!@ falls down hill..... Cheaper to be careful then case damage to you or property .

lee_7

American van has a really nice set of tool bags. They have a hard base that is water proof, with each side having multiple pockets in a zippable side. This feature is really nice for those days when the tool bag tips over. Your tools don't fall out all over the truck. They are a little pricey, but they are very durable. They have a great warranty as well. I went thru 3 to 4 of the cheapy big box open tool pouches a year. I have had this bag going on three years and still looks great.

Big Ed_3

Veto Pro

Look like a nice bag .I like the hard water proof bottom and large handles . Shoulder strap a given , II would not go with out one now.... It look bullet proof...

lee_7

It is the BEST TOOL Bag I have ever owned. I am planning on buying another for my second truck so I don't have to switch toolbags from truck to truck. It is pricey, but worth every penny

Al Corelli_2

I have two Veto Bags

One has been through hell and back. Boiler installs, the real dirty stuff.

The other stays in my personal service vehicle and I try to keep it nice.

I will never own another bag. They HAD to be thinking of me when they designed it.

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Mike Thomas_2

Veto Pro Pak

I bought one when they first came out. Best bag I ever owned. The plastic handle broke in about 18 months. Called the factory to see if they could just replace the handle, and they guy sad the early ones were mistakenly made with recycled plastic and they had 4 break. He sent me a brand new bag and pre-paid the return of the old one. He said that he trusted me, but they just wanted to see how my old bag had held up. Really nice guy, really nice bag!