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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    Default A choice of mechanical fitting tools

    I am one of the few people at my employer with a mechanical background (most others are electronic/ electrical by training)
    The latest task I have been given is to strip down and then devise a scheme to repair/ refurbish some machinery essential for production of electronic assemblies. As they have no specific tools for mechanical fitter I have been told to work out what I need and they will buy it for me. (Usual comments made about not being too extravagent, as this kit will be only used occasionally. On the other hand, this is a one-off offer, so I don't want to miss things that may be handy)

    It has of course set me thinking about what will be needed. Like a a number of us, I have amassed tools over decades and so have all sorts in my shed and for a variety of purposes. Obviously duplicating all that is out of the question. Some basics are evident though. My question for others is with the list I have below, is there anything that I have not included that you think useful; alternately are there things I have listed that don't really give 'bang for buck'. Also, are there some sizes of some of these items that are better than others?

    (Note - I will be attacking both metric and imperial machines, so where I have listed something like hex keys, assume both systems will be bought)

    16oz ball pein hammer; centre punch and pin punches
    Adjustable spanners - say 12", 8" and 6"
    Spanners (ring and O/E) and sockets, ranging from 6mm up to say 25mm (may need 1/4" and 1/2" drives)
    In-hex sockets
    Circlip pliers
    Vice grips (std, long nose and chain varieties)
    Screwdrivers (phillips 1 to 3 and a few slotted)
    Hex keys
    Seal picks
    Steel rules (6" & 12")
    Pliers (normal, long nose and slipjaw)
    Soft face hammer

    I think I could get most of these things in a 100 to 200 piece tool kit (say Sidchrome or Kinchrome), but the complicating factor is that the company can get electrical tools at a good price from some of the big electrical suppliers, so if I submit a list it can not be guaranteed that there will not be substitutions from a purchasing person who thinks a hammer is a hammer...

    Anyway, that is my current list - I'll be interested to compare with other's thoughts.

    Michael

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    I would add as Vernier Calipers may need to measure items more accurately than a steel rule and maybe a optivisor

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    102

    Default A choice of mechanical fitting tools

    I would add in a soft face hammer as well

    Cheers Matt
    Edit A choice of mechanical fitting toolsA choice of mechanical fitting toolsA choice of mechanical fitting toolsA choice of mechanical fitting tools just saw soft face hammer

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    jilliby nsw
    Age
    71
    Posts
    111

    Default

    Hi, As an ex fitter and having done this type of specialized re-worked machine work, pin punch set, centre punch, drill bit set, countersink bit, Drill. Crimpers for elec terminals comes to mind
    Equipment I think depends a lot on weather the machine need overhauling, re-purposing or a combination. Probably get the basics and after the first first machine add any specialized tools to make the job easier.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
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    825

    Default

    I'd add pozidrive and torx to your screwdriver list if these aren't already available on site.
    Rubber mallet.
    Stanley knife.
    Torque wrench.
    Perhaps a puller set if the budget stretches that far.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vic
    Age
    48
    Posts
    544

    Default

    What about a impact/rattle gun?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    71
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    5,942

    Default

    Make sure you get a decent set with ratchet, breaker bar and extensions of various lengths, they'll come in handy for the fastener that's behind everything. Depending on what sized fasteners you'll be working on, I'd look at getting 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" drive sets. Check before going cap in hand, see what size circlips and fasteners you'll likely to come across, as you may need to get a larger sockets also. I got asked to fit a 60mm internal circlip, using a little 6" set of circlip pliers, I stuffed around for about 20 minutes trying to get it in, failing miserably. Went to the local tool supplier and got a decent sized unit, and the job was done in 2 minutes.
    Various sized brass bars for drifts wouldn't go astray either, for that obstinate piece of equipment that has been missed on the lubrication schedule. A small ball pein would help too if you had to make a gasket.
    I see you have listed In-hex sockets, what do you mean by that?
    You'll also want a decent sized tool box and lock to keep unwanted fingers out.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
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    35
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    1,522

    Default

    I would probably swap the shifters and smooth pliers for a full set of the knipex sliding adjustable spanners.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Posts
    292

    Default

    If the work has tight access to nuts and bolts a set of wobble extensions for the socket sets is a great thing. I hated the floppy universal joints in socket sets.

    Headlamps, flashlights and inspection mirrors.
    Magnetic, 2 finger and 4 finger pick up tools for hardware that gets dropped into the bowels of a project.
    Bandaids.

    Pete

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Age
    67
    Posts
    362

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    some machinery essential for production of electronic assemblies.

    Michael
    Is this machinery pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanically driven?
    The reason I ask is that dealing with pneumatic and hydraulics can require some thinner spanners. eg Sidchrome long series after about 2000 became to thick. Some Kingchrome short series solved this but that is four sets of spanners your carrying.
    Though I would never take mine to work something like Stahlwille might save on all that but I would hate to think of the cost of those now.
    3/8 drive socket set is one of my most used followed by 1/4 then 1/2 and 3/4 if things get brutal.
    A range of ball pein hammers.
    My favourite hammer is the old Thor copper/leather head combo.

    A set of 2" long circlip plies are very handy.

    Tony

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Cairns, Q
    Posts
    666

    Default

    If there is any Japanese gear maybe JIS instead of Phillips screwdrivers? I understand that the JIS screwdrivers work well with both head types but the Phillips can damage JIS screws.

    Frank.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
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    64
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    4,887

    Default

    In hex sockets are sockets ( normally impact) which have either a Metric or Imperial hex on one end and a 1/2" square drive on the other, generally used for undoing larger cap screws.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Just to add a little to my initial post, this is to establish a basic kit. How much more it gets used will be an on going question. Electrical tools (like crimpers) are no problem and I already have calipers and a micrometer to measure. Things like mirrors and torches I already have as well. The equipment is mechanical, driven by electric motors so no hydrualics involved.

    One of the issues for me is how much do I let work supply and how much should I get myself - circlip pliers are an example. I have only got a couple so it is tempting to buy them personnally, claim them on tax and then they are my personnal tools later on. Knipex pliers are on that list too.

    If I knew that I was going to be doing this for the next 10 to 15 years I would buy a kit myself so I had exactly what I wanted but as I have a good set of stuff at home, I don't want to be in the situation where in a couple of year's time the boss tells me that my time is too valuable to be mucking around with machines so they are hiring a fitter to do that. If work paid for the tools I would probably have to hand them over too...

    Not a big fan of 3/8" drive sockets, simply because they overlap 1/4" and 1/2" which represent the small and large ends of the expected range. Buying a tool kit with all three sets seems a waste. The box is another thing too. What is readily available are tool bags because that is what electricians use. A reasonable box starts at $200+, so buying a near complete kit makes sense as it will include a box.

    Michael

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    It is simple, any new job you are to repair you take what you have and make a start, the simplest task and you seem to have half the tools out of the workshop, so you need to do the job to know what tools you need.
    Having guess now and buying tools you might need will be a waste of money that could spent on what you do need.
    If you need to buy your own tools to do the work then you need to tell your boss that you will do the work on a sub contract basis and your pay rate will $110/hr plus gst.

    Cheers, shed

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Yes, but getting back on topic, what are the tools that would make up a basic set suitable for mechanical fitting?

    I will be looking at the immediate task on Monday and working out what is needed then. There could well be some special items like pin wrenches that will have to be bought. What I am interested in is the collective thoughts on what would make up a set so that when I'm expected to do miracles on short notice I don't find that I don't have a big enough hammer...

    Taking the opportunity to round out my own collection is not to be ignored and items used occasionally I don't mind using for work purposes. It seems silly for a one off use for work to spend several $100's for something I already have. The frst place I worked all the diesel fitters had their own tools; everyone had their own preferences and ideas of what was important. I don't mind work buying tools, but do want 'the right ones' for the tasks I'm likely to be set.

    Michael

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