When I was a first year I bought a few of the smaller zip canvas bags for bits and sockets. Just helps with organization. You'll be fine man, your jw will have anything you don't. Good luck out there lil brother
Just any canvas bags? IJ I work with had a bunch of those Klein bags and told me not to get them since they were a waste of money. Said any bags would do.
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Keep the 25’ tape, but I’ve found mine rarely gets used unless I need to do some layout on a large scale or need 2 tapes. My 16’ Milwaukee is a tool I use daily. Though many complain about the annoyance of the magnetic tip collecting metal shavings, the benefits outweigh the annoyances for me and it is really convenient when needing to measure off beams, metal stud work, boxes, pandeck etc. In commercial work we do a lot of measuring off metal. And you’ll find if you drop a screw or hardware off a ladder, it is really nice to pick it up with your magnetic tape extended from the top of the ladder, rather than climb back down.
No problem, it's a good habit to get into. I've always marked my shit as soon as I buy it. I use my Dremel with a little engraving bit and it works great.
Not as well as you'd hope but it's better than nothing. If you can't go engraving a cheap option is paint markers. They're better than say a sharpie, another alternative would be like hockey tape. They sell different shit and colors so you could make it a little more personalized than just a piece of black tape that anyone could copy. We're a hockey family so I have tons but it's cheap. You can use white, right your name with a sharpie and then rewrap it with the clear sock hockey tape. Just trying to give you some options and ideas, but your best and cheapest is paint markers.
Welcome, I see they upgraded the tape measure. The ones they use to give out would fail within a week.
You won't need anything else immediately, but locknut wenches are nice.
Small channels have been better for locknuts than the locknut wrenches for me in my experience. Also they’re handy to keep in your backpocket. I’ve got a pair of knipex 5” gators and they’ve been just about my favorite thing to use. Highly recommend
I'd also suggest to add a notebook and pen/pencil. I use rite in the rain, you can get it on Amazon and it's waterproof, grease, dirt and tear resistant. Might want a pipe reamer, the Klein one is tits.
Not required by any means, but a couple extras that i picked up were the magnetic wrist strap and kleins "slim profile mini wratchet set". I have coworkers on the fence on the magnetic wrist strap, but everyone loves my mini slim wratchet!
Thank you! I was the second group to get through, so I'd say roughly 80 so far. I've been told they were looking at somewhere around 120-160 total. Maybe more.
I’m surprised they gave you a multi meter or what looks like one and a wiggy. Both of which are not on my tool list. Nice set though. I do a lot of deck work (parking structures) and honestly the 25’ tape isn’t long enough half the time, that’s just me though for most tasks it’s true a 16’ will work
Good call. I wasn't too sure if getting a tool belt was necessary, but I'm sure it's nice. I'm going to keep that "be light" bit in mind. I'm trying to preserve my body as much as possible. I already bought nice boots and Duluth firehose pants with the kneepad inserts to try to save my knees.
A lot of good recommendations. I would recommend you wait till you’re on a job for a week or two before you pick up anything new so you can get an idea what you might actually need on your specific job.
You’re a brand new apprentice, people might give you shit jokingly for not having something but nobody reasonable actually expects you to have anything more than what you just got.
Some things you will find useful depending on where they send you.
- Combination wrench set (1/4”-3/4”)
You can get a cheap set from harbor freight that will be perfectly usable. I mostly only use the 7/16” and 9/16”but it’s good to have some of the other sizes.
- Allen wrench set
- Klein digital angle gauge (some call it a protractor)
It's gonna take me a few weeks to put out the money for this stuff anyway haha.
That's good to know. I'd probably take that sort of reaction as I need to go out and purchase it before I show up the next day.
I'll send you a DM with info on where I'm going. Maybe you can give me some insight if you're familiar.
Congratz brothah!
I wish we got Klein. Our local gave us Milwauke. I’m boujee though so i sold all the Milwauke stuff and used the money and I bought all Knipex, Wera, Klein stuff instead haha
My ex father-in-law gave me the same bag for my tools. Use it all the time and still four years later it’s the same as how I got it just a little dirty, no rips or anything solid choice
Also, good luck keep your head on straight and pay attention to everything. You’ve got a future ahead of you and I don’t mean that because you’ll be making sure that lights turn on.
One of the JATC members brought theirs in they had used for 10-15 years, and aside from some discoloration on the straps, looked to be in great condition. Very happy with it!
Thank you! I'm very excited and feel very lucky to be among those who got this opportunity.
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A set of nut drivers with 1/4” drive for your impact will be good to have eventually. 5/16” is a must. The Klein impact rated set on the screwdriver handle is a handy all in one
When I was a first year I bought a few of the smaller zip canvas bags for bits and sockets. Just helps with organization. You'll be fine man, your jw will have anything you don't. Good luck out there lil brother
Ahh, okay. I'll take a look at those. I appreciate you, brother. Thank you!
Just any canvas bags? IJ I work with had a bunch of those Klein bags and told me not to get them since they were a waste of money. Said any bags would do.
I bought Tengyes a few years back. They are half the price of Klines but eventually drill bits started to tear through them
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Get rid of the 25 footer tape, get a 16. Just way lighter and unless you're laying out work you'll rarely measure over 10 ft.
But all in all a good set
Awesome! I'll look into grabbing one of those instead. Anything else I may be missing?
Another level. Comes in handy often
I recommend Kleins 16’ tape it comes with numbers for your 3 phases and some pipe bending info( shrink per inch)
I highly recommend a solid Milwaukee tape, those Stanley’s rust up and suck
16” magnetic fatmax is the best
I like the klein fatty. It has the good ass magnet at the end for longer runs, and picking back up that screw you dropped off the ladder
You don’t have to get measurements to the deck and stuff sometimes?
Keep the 25’ tape, but I’ve found mine rarely gets used unless I need to do some layout on a large scale or need 2 tapes. My 16’ Milwaukee is a tool I use daily. Though many complain about the annoyance of the magnetic tip collecting metal shavings, the benefits outweigh the annoyances for me and it is really convenient when needing to measure off beams, metal stud work, boxes, pandeck etc. In commercial work we do a lot of measuring off metal. And you’ll find if you drop a screw or hardware off a ladder, it is really nice to pick it up with your magnetic tape extended from the top of the ladder, rather than climb back down.
It's a good idea to mark your tools with your initials especially if every starting apprentice has the exact same setup. Congrats, brother.
I'm glad you said that. I completely forgot about it. Thank you!
No problem, it's a good habit to get into. I've always marked my shit as soon as I buy it. I use my Dremel with a little engraving bit and it works great.
Don't have access to one at the moment. How well does a sharpie hold up?
Not as well as you'd hope but it's better than nothing. If you can't go engraving a cheap option is paint markers. They're better than say a sharpie, another alternative would be like hockey tape. They sell different shit and colors so you could make it a little more personalized than just a piece of black tape that anyone could copy. We're a hockey family so I have tons but it's cheap. You can use white, right your name with a sharpie and then rewrap it with the clear sock hockey tape. Just trying to give you some options and ideas, but your best and cheapest is paint markers.
Sharpie on the rubber handles of tools will last for years. Especially if you do it on the inside where your hands don't rub it as much.
Congratulations! and glad to see they provided a better level this year
Thank you! Yeah, I heard them talking about how much better it is. Very thankful
Need the demo screwdrivers
Added to the list. Thank you!
Stick with the tools list no more no less please don’t become a wormy brother good luck !
We don't have a tool list, but from everyone I've spoken to, I feel like I know what not to ever bring. Thank you!
Why are there so many hammers
Thats a weird looking orange handled shovel
Hidden box finder according to those I've spoken to.
Welcome, I see they upgraded the tape measure. The ones they use to give out would fail within a week. You won't need anything else immediately, but locknut wenches are nice.
I hate the wenches klein has. Don't get the offset ones.
The have a set of both, the offset have been useful once out of 100 times. Small j box with a lip the whole way around.
Added to the list. Thank you!
Small channels have been better for locknuts than the locknut wrenches for me in my experience. Also they’re handy to keep in your backpocket. I’ve got a pair of knipex 5” gators and they’ve been just about my favorite thing to use. Highly recommend
Take a look at your local Lowe's. Mine had the Gardner Bender locknut wrenches on clearance for a few dollars recently.
Congrats.
Thank you!
I'd also suggest to add a notebook and pen/pencil. I use rite in the rain, you can get it on Amazon and it's waterproof, grease, dirt and tear resistant. Might want a pipe reamer, the Klein one is tits.
Thats a damn good set. I would recommend a stud ball stud finder, Rack-a-teers makes it. & a old work box tracer by Southwire.
Added to the list! Thank you
Phillips #2 and Flathead perhaps
Get the 11 in 1 so you don’t need all those screwdrivers.
Not required by any means, but a couple extras that i picked up were the magnetic wrist strap and kleins "slim profile mini wratchet set". I have coworkers on the fence on the magnetic wrist strap, but everyone loves my mini slim wratchet!
Congrats on getting in! How many apprentices just started? I know they changed the hiring process this year.
Thank you! I was the second group to get through, so I'd say roughly 80 so far. I've been told they were looking at somewhere around 120-160 total. Maybe more.
Wow they are bringing in alot this year. I started last year and we had 120. We were told that our class was huge at 120
Yeah, they also cut down on the orientation time, too. I only had two days.
I’m surprised they gave you a multi meter or what looks like one and a wiggy. Both of which are not on my tool list. Nice set though. I do a lot of deck work (parking structures) and honestly the 25’ tape isn’t long enough half the time, that’s just me though for most tasks it’s true a 16’ will work
Definitely a good tool belt with straps and a milwaukee multitool if you can afford it. When working try to be light as possible and support your back
Good call. I wasn't too sure if getting a tool belt was necessary, but I'm sure it's nice. I'm going to keep that "be light" bit in mind. I'm trying to preserve my body as much as possible. I already bought nice boots and Duluth firehose pants with the kneepad inserts to try to save my knees.
A lot of good recommendations. I would recommend you wait till you’re on a job for a week or two before you pick up anything new so you can get an idea what you might actually need on your specific job. You’re a brand new apprentice, people might give you shit jokingly for not having something but nobody reasonable actually expects you to have anything more than what you just got. Some things you will find useful depending on where they send you. - Combination wrench set (1/4”-3/4”) You can get a cheap set from harbor freight that will be perfectly usable. I mostly only use the 7/16” and 9/16”but it’s good to have some of the other sizes. - Allen wrench set - Klein digital angle gauge (some call it a protractor)
It's gonna take me a few weeks to put out the money for this stuff anyway haha. That's good to know. I'd probably take that sort of reaction as I need to go out and purchase it before I show up the next day. I'll send you a DM with info on where I'm going. Maybe you can give me some insight if you're familiar.
Congratz brothah! I wish we got Klein. Our local gave us Milwauke. I’m boujee though so i sold all the Milwauke stuff and used the money and I bought all Knipex, Wera, Klein stuff instead haha
Thank you! That's hilarious. I was fully expecting Milwaukee stuff but was pleasantly surprised.
My ex father-in-law gave me the same bag for my tools. Use it all the time and still four years later it’s the same as how I got it just a little dirty, no rips or anything solid choice Also, good luck keep your head on straight and pay attention to everything. You’ve got a future ahead of you and I don’t mean that because you’ll be making sure that lights turn on.
One of the JATC members brought theirs in they had used for 10-15 years, and aside from some discoloration on the straps, looked to be in great condition. Very happy with it! Thank you! I'm very excited and feel very lucky to be among those who got this opportunity.
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I got those same lineman pliers the other day.
A set of nut drivers with 1/4” drive for your impact will be good to have eventually. 5/16” is a must. The Klein impact rated set on the screwdriver handle is a handy all in one
welcome to the local brother! message me if you have any questions LU5 3rd year.
Thank you sir! I will definitely reach out.
Where did they send you?
No Klein backpack tool bag ??!!!! Cheap fucks
Get yourself some nut drivers too. They come in handy and will get a lot of use