Thread: A choice of mechanical fitting tools

Is all the machinery metric or are you likely to run across SAE or WW fittings?

Not sure what is expected these days, haven't really performed a lot of maintenance in the last 13 years, but when working for an employer I was excepted to be able to provide hand tools up to 1" 25 mm in regards spanners sockets , up to 12" shifter, Allen keys to 10mm , 3/8", basic hand tools punches,files , hammer , hacksaw, rules,tape brushes, scraper ( not machine,) drifts up tp 1/2" 12 mm, Fox wedges, maybe a taper gauge for alignment purposes, feeler gauges chisel,smaller tape wrench's, any thing larger than stated sizes or particular to the job was supplied by the employer.

This being said anything that enabled me to perform my duties trouble free I would try and source myself,at least that way I was increasing my portfolio and allowing me to perform my duties easily.

Without knowing the specifics of the gear you will be working on, its hard to recommend a tool kit. And will you need metric or imperial, or both ?

I have been a Diesel Fitter for more than 35 years and have enough tools to sink a small ship, but I still find the need to buy specialised tools to make the job easier.

I think maybe the best way to go would be to buy a basic set of tools to start with, then get extra stuff as you find the need for it.
A set like this may well do what you need, but the box won't have much space to add more tools to.
https://www.kincrome.com.au/164p-cantilever-toolkit-mp

Or you could get a bigger box, and start filling with tools bought separately.

One of the reasons I prefer an employer to supply tools, is that some employees don't care where a tool is taken from, they don't bother returning it, leave it laying around only to have someone else use it, next thing you're missing tools. DAMHIKT. At the moment you're the only only one likely to be using them, but who knows, one of the others may need a particular tool that is in your kit, you're not around, so they just grab it.
If you have sons that mess around with cars etc, you'll know what I mean.
I have my welding mask, gloves, etc in my tool box, come Monday morning I'm spending 15-20 minutes plus looking for my tools!!!!!!!!!!!

This equipment is old, so probably imperial, but some of the newer stuff is metric.

As Peter has summarised, most employers I've been with have expected a basic set of small tools, and his list is a reasonable summary. This is one of the few employers that I have been with that want to supply them. I'll live with that for the basics but one of the reasons my shed grew was that I was tired of being retrenched and losing access to tools and equipment. (These days my shed is better equipped than some of the work workshops I've used ) I've got some uncommon stuff in there that I like using and so don't see much point in getting duplicates for work (regardless of who pays)

I don't mind the idea of employer supplied tools but I do like the idea of quality tools. Some of the tools being mooted are almost disposables. One of the guys loaned me a shifting spanner the other day and I spent the first half hour taking it apart, cleaning, fettling and greasing it, just so it felt 1/2 way reasonable (and that for two bolts). I'm torn between trying one of everything available and just asking for a kit like the kincrome suggested (I'm a Sidchrome guy myself - I still have that first kit...).

I will also be asking for a cupboard with a lock.

Michael

Hi Michael
I have just re-entered the workforce and have gone through this exact same thing.
About the only thing on your list I can see would be pry bars and perhaps a set of taper punches which are great for starting a pin removal job then you can take over with an ordinary pin punches.
The rest of your list is a good starting point.
For a carry bag I managed to pick up a tool bag which is a back pack but has an extendable handle and wheels like a luggage trolley for when the kit expands.

Phil

Something else you may want to consider is how much do you want to double up on your tools.
Its great to have your own tools at work but when your at home and want to do something do you have the tools.
Like other people I know were supplying tools is part of the job and like to fiddle around at home you end up with at least two sets of tools.


Tony

Was in a similar situation in early 2000s.

Hopefully I havent missed this detail in writeup, but would enquire about whether they have an account with industrail supplies store. Was dealing with owner who realised they needed they needed a part-time maint guy to do the basics, and get things going should there be a break down. Obvoiusly there was limits to this with basic tools and admittedly Im not a maint fitter, plumber, sparky etc.. by trade. Then would be the first point of call to get guys in.

Was given a limit of how much could spend in one hit, before having to ask permission from above. Building up a level of trust here gave me more wriggle room, as long as I kept the gear going. Reasonable justification and I gradually accrued the gear required.

If they don't have an Industrial supplies store account (surprised if they don't), would be pushing for them to get one. Price up a kit you recon will get you started. Add to it as you go.

Now days I own my shop, so more likely to get a yes from me if I don't have to try and pay a large account bill in the one month.

If you can get a space allocated to you, suggest perhaps a cage you can lock up, otherwise tools will go walkabout.

Good luck with it.

Hi Guys,

I've done a bit of contract work for various companies ! The problem that I've found is that they employ you because they don't have the in house expertise and they want the job done now, time is money and a stood machine is costing them money.

They also expect you to have all and any tool needed to do a job. I used to ask that if any tool of mine that got damaged or went missing, they replace it. They would quickly agree to that, but any tool you wanted replacing would take months to obtain if it ever did. I got round that issue by having them refund the money to me on production of a receipt for a replacement that I had been out and purchased.

I also had a locked tool box and was been forever asked if I could loan this or that ! Your stuff gradually disappears and never comes back. So when you refuse to loan it, then you get moaned and grumbled at. Even when you point out that it is not company property. I've even had a tool that I was using picked up and walked away with, one that I had just put down and was using it at the time.

Hi Michael,

A set of feeler gauges?

Simon

Originally Posted by BaronJ

Hi Guys,

I've done a bit of contract work for various companies ! The problem that I've found is that they employ you because they don't have the in house expertise and they want the job done now, time is money and a stood machine is costing them money.

They also expect you to have all and any tool needed to do a job. I used to ask that if any tool of mine that got damaged or went missing, they replace it. They would quickly agree to that, but any tool you wanted replacing would take months to obtain if it ever did. I got round that issue by having them refund the money to me on production of a receipt for a replacement that I had been out and purchased.

I also had a locked tool box and was been forever asked if I could loan this or that ! Your stuff gradually disappears and never comes back. So when you refuse to loan it, then you get moaned and grumbled at. Even when you point out that it is not company property. I've even had a tool that I was using picked up and walked away with, one that I had just put down and was using it at the time.

Loaning or straight theft can be a real problem.
Don`t believe what the insurance company tells you when you take out a policy to cover your tools when you work off the back of your truck.

One place I had worked at a couple of days a week on a contract bases over 18 months the odd tool went missing then one day two bags of tools went missing when I went for lunch. Went in and told the boss never to ring me again he had a bunch of thieves working for him. Two weeks latter a cheque turns up to cover the tools lost and a request to come back and do some work for them. I then got the reputation as being an ass**** because I would not lend my tools to anyone and my boxes on the truck were always locked. You just can`t win.

Tony

A really good indication of a manufacturers quality is to look at their 1//4 drive socket sets. The better ones go to 9/16 whereas others only go to 7/16.
Cross head screwdrivers depend on what is fitted to the machinery. Philips, posidrive and others are not interchangeable withou damage.

Roger