Tools

tls_9

Hypothetically speaking, if you were a one man shop running on a shoe string what tools would you consider most important. Beside the obvious pipe wrench, tubing cutter and three pound hammer, what could you not live with out?

tom

Weezbo

screw driver *~/:)

and a scant 25000 misc.hand tools

Michal

I am a one man shop too

Well I am a one man shop and do everything from faucets to dual boiler installations on my own with the below mentioned tools, these are my necessities and are usually sitting in my truck
channel locks, adjustables, b tank or similar (propane torch if really on budget), all tube cutters, pipe wrenches, drill, hammer, screwdrivers, allen keys, sawzall, flash light, drop light, drop cloths, tool boxes, cheap electric meter, linesman, bx cutter, pliers thats about it besides your regular hand tools. If you have been in the field a bit, you will learn how to use many tools for many different purposes, not saying use a pipe wrench as a hammer, but use linesman pliers as strippers. a great place if your on your own and stuff is ebay, example i bought a ridgid tri pod for 79 dollars used with shipping, in excellent shape, changed the teeth and its fine. everyone has their own list, so it depends on what you do, like me, i have bought alot of stufff i might need, like threaders, large pipe cutters, etc.

Scott Kneeland

I have more than i need and not as many as I want.
If you charge a reasonable margin and don't worry about over pricing the compition the shoe string problem will go away.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Steve M_2

tools

> I have more than i need and not as many as I

> want. If you charge a reasonable margin and

> don't worry about over pricing the compition the

> shoe string problem will go away.

>

> _A

> HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

> 339&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

> Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

> "Find A Professional"_/A_

Steve M_2

tools

Besides basic hand tools, cordless drill, gas sniffer, CO detector and/or combustion analyzer.

jwade55_3

Multi-Meter

In my experience of working with many contractors of varing size, one of the most usefull tools I carry, and quite a few times I'm the only one that had one, is a good multi-meter. One that will do all of your electrical circuit readings, as well as dual temperature is a life saver.

J

jim murtaugh

tools

i started out on my own 11 years ago after working for a large contractor. and puting almost every extra $ into tools it took some time to aquire what i own now.my simple sugestion is dont sacrafice work quality or saftey for lack of tools there are a lot of contractors out there lets say medium size such as myself willing to lend you what you need to get started. where are you located? thanks jim murtaugh

Mark Anderson_2

a pilot broach

clammy

portable band saw

T^his is a big favorite of mine what you will save in saw all blades pays for it self in about 10 packages of saw all blades and a better cut and a small electric grinder ,a set of extractors ,taps ,small chisels,pipe reamers and a reegulator and nitrogen tank for pressure testing of course a good multi meter and electrical tools crimps and strippers and a good wire marking kit 3 m make a neat one with a roll dispensor and fine point marker .A oxy ace kit braze and cutting tourch works well to and #2 tool to have is eye protection and a excellent first aid kit with a eye wash kit i have one that followes me from truck to truck and the #1 tool is time and paintace and your mind take your time and do all your work as if you have to spend your life dealing with it peace and good luck in the future clammy

jesse the great

tools

Leatherman Wave will save you many trips to the truck per day

Steve_35

The essential tools will depend on

exactly what it is you plan on doing? Once you tell us that we could give you a better idea of what's essential and what's really nice to have.

For example, if you're going to service fuel fired equipment, some sort of combustion testing equipment is essential. If you're only installing, combustion testing equipment is pretty nice to have but you can farm out the startup and you may end up farming out some service on equipment you install that's still under warranty.

Steve_35

This is a new one on me.

> a pilot broach




Just what is a pilot broach?

j a

TOOLS

OUR BEST TOOLS ARE THE PROPER TRAINING THAT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO THINK OUT MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS.....AND NEVER BEING AFRAID TO BE SEEN READING THE MANUFACTURES INSTRUCTIONS

Tony Conner

Somebody...

...on this site put me onto Knipex tools, specifically the Cobra water pump pliers. They are so-o-o-o nice. They have a spring loaded push button to adjust them. Unless you push that button, they DON'T change their size setting, even if you drop them. You don't need to squeeze harder to grab tighter. Once they bite, they're just like a pipe wrench - as long as you keep pulling, they stay grabbed. Nice thin jaws too, they'll fit into lots of places their competition can't. The 10", 12" and 16" get used a lot. They make 7" and 22" as well. They don't get used as much, but when you need them... They have a sister style that I don't like nearly as well - the Alligator. They're traditional arc-joint pliers.

Al Corelli - Agix Associates

Pilot Broach:

It is how you start a conversation with the guy who drives the plane.

Boiler Guy

He who leaves the game

with the largest collection of COOL TOOLS ........

WINS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lwal

Must Have Tool

This is without a doubt a "Must Have Tool" for anyone in the service industry: "Shoe Covers" or "Booties" and a Uniform! Any service call or Recall I go on is always an opprotunity to show my customer that I Really Do Care about them. Covering my shoes gets the most amazing comments from them. It is also a great conversation starter. For instance, customers who call for a leaky toilet might say: "You have Doctors Booties on" and I respond with: "Yep, I'm the Potty Doctor", It always gets a laugh and breaks the ice. Now, I know you are on a limited budget, so you may be thinking this is one expense that can wait, but I beg to differ. Most medical supply stores carry them and as for a uniform? It shows the customer that this is what you do All The Time! You are a Pro! If money is really the issue, buy a used uniform from the salvation army! And By the way, once you have the Unifom and the booties, charge an extra $20.00 per job over what you were going to charge. Don't worry, customers pay more when they know they are dealing with a Pro!

Weezbo

Boiler guy ....I Like tha way you think *~/:)