Hey everyone,
What tools would you list as essential for someone new to the trades to have in their tool belt for doing general carpentry and trim work? Also, what mid-priced to high-end (would prefer mid-priced right now) tool belt would you recommend?
Thanks,
S.J.
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Replies
Curved claw Plumb hammer 16oz
mini flat bar
cat's paw
pencil;
utility knife
trisquare
25-30' tape
1/2"and 7/8" chisles - sharp
multi-screwdriver
adhesive tape for fingers
Small size Titebond
Chaulkbox
spare pencil
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nail sets
trim work in a new house?
all you need in your pouch is a pencil, sharp chisel, tape and hammer
workarea?, chop saw, table saw, compressor and nailers and a coping saw
a router is nice for hinges and lock sets, but a chisel works good too,just takes longer
BIG thing is a finely tuned chopsaw with a GOOD blade so you can tweak a miter a 1/2 a degree and learn the the concept of coping
caulking is not a piece of trim
In addition to the tools already mentioned, I like to carry a block plane in my tool belt, especially when doing trim.I find it much easier to take a couple of swipes to fine-tune the fit of some trim rather than going back the the miter saw.
I would add a 4 in 1 hand rasp. for 5 bucks it sure can be handy, I also grind it on the edge (s) so that the teeth are ALL the way to the edge..cleans out them odd ball cope crannies real well.
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
This list could have gone on and on but what you need depends on your employer.
All the guys that have worked for me are just asked to supply the first 3 and a tool pouch of any kind. If they stick around awhile I kinda push them to aquire tools little by little.
My biggest reccomendation is to buy GOOD TOOLS.
As for your belt just go to Lowes, home depot, or where ever and just buy one that looks the coolest that you can afford. haha
I can't really reccomend a brand but a decent setup will set ya back about $50 to $75
DO NOT get one that the pouches are sewn directly to the belt. Mine consists of 2 of the nylon side pouches, a leather belt, a leather tape holder.
Also watch out for the ones that the pouches are real tight. If they're to small ya just can't hardly get your hands in em.
Lets not forget bandaids
and Jeffs super glue.
Darkworksite4:
Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN
Not sure what threads you've been reading lately, S.J.?, but I was inspired by the compressor died, need help fast thread where guys were offering up loaners to others in need. Where are you located? I just replace my tool belt on a whim, and have a spare I'd be happy to send to you, so you can get off and running without spending any money. Let me know if your interested, I'll give you more details, size, etc, and just need your address.
Scott
Crafstman makes some pretty good mid range tool belts. And a good Sears store will have a good display to choose from.
Who Dares Wins.
you know, if we'd been talking real tools, you'd have been shot on sight for that craftsman/sears referance right?
Let me get this straight. First, everyone says "Buy American>" Then Sears/Craftsman gets put down as having inferior tools. But then Craftsman says their tools are American made. You can't have it both ways.
Craftsman occupies a middle niche -- somewhere between Snap-On and Harbor Freight. And their prices are somewhere in the middle too. I bought one SnapOn wrench, 9/16", for $32. A whole set of the same type of wrenches from Harbor Freight would be the same price. But I only needed the one.
The Craftsman power tools are a diferent story however. I once had a 1/2" hammer drill which failed four times. Thestore balked at refunding my money on the last one so I sent an e-mail to the President. Then I got my money back. They also sent me a free "Professional" model which still works.I've had good luck with their Radial Arm Saw, the King of Saws.
Sears has pretty good tools at a fair price, a nice catalogue, faqirly consistant stock [as opposed to Home Depot] and, of course, their guarantee.
~Peter
If it breaks, you get to kerp both pieces. [Hey, that's Henry Ford's guarantee.]View Image
First, I never was one to jump on the "Buy only American" bandwagon, not that I don't look for American made first, but I'm not opposed to buying foreign if the quality is better.
I guess I should have clarified, I was referring to crapsman power-tools not hand tools, for the most part their power tools are not worth the plastic they're made of and at least locally, the Sears stores are overpriced for competitors power tools so I hardly shop there unless it's off the clearance rack which is usually stocked with very good deals.
Are craftsman power tools even made in America? I don't know?
as for their hand tools, I like them, mostly because of the lifetime guarantee, but you'll never find me buying a craftsman power tool.
Neil
It;s the power tools that are being jumped on.. Not the hand tools.
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Say what you want Craftsman makes good hand tools and they have pretty decent tool belts too choose from. There no Gucci/ Occidentals but they are pretty decent for the most part.
Who Dares Wins.
Edited 2/16/2004 9:21:35 PM ET by Gunner
Let's just shoot him ant way's...
The amusement will do us good..
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Oh yea tough guy want some of this???? Huh????????
View Image
View ImageWho Dares Wins.
At least I could sleep in....
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
I can tell you what toolbelt to AVOID: the Oxy Toolchest. Some of us discussed this a few months ago. It's a horrid contraption. Makes the wearer about as wide as a shovel handle is long. It does have advantages over conventional belts, but I've concluded that its disadvantages have earned it a permanent posting on a nail in my shop wall. $200 decoration.
bastard file
big lugg for gun
I can vouch for not getting the pouches sewn onto the belt, also tight...Major pain! I'm looking to upgrade it as soon as possible. I have in my bags:
Hammer, 30' tape, chalk line, speed square, torpedo level, screwdrivers or multidriver, catspaw, utility knife, pencils, a center punch or nail set, long nose pliers and wire cutters, and probably a lot more that I can't remember...But those are the things I use very consistently. Also, a chisel wouldn't be a bad idea, but make sure you have a blade guard for it. I'll be happy to give you my current belt, but you could do better. Have fun.
Young, poor, and eager to learn
I found that Craftsman has a good selection. They sell some nice leather nail and tool bags separately and have about four different types plus all the little pouches for specialty stuff (tinsnips, cell phones, screwgun ect). I bought the stuff separate along with a good belt, leather for me, and just built my own for what suited me. Cost would be about $100 and well worth it.
What I load into it depends of course on what I'm doing. Always have Hammer, 4 in 1 screwdriver, knife, nail set, square (speed for frame and combo for finish) pencils, tape, nipper-pullers, pliars, block plane & chisel for finish, a cup of coffee, a buttered roll, and a cell phone which should always be turned off so you can get some work done....buy the big bags.
just a diyer but i second the band-aids.....lots of band-aids
Dan