New Apprentice's List.

[WelshWood]

Hey there guys,

So my friend's son has just taken up a carpentry course and is sick of using the tools in his college as they get bashed around by the other pupils.

He's asked me as his birthday is coming up, what would be the basic hand tools he would need to get a good head start in the trade; Now I know what I would be telling him to get, but i'm just curious as to what you guys had that helped you out when you were fresh into the trade

Thanks in advance,

~WW

 

[GhostFist]

What's the apprenticeship for? Cabinets and furniture, or general construction? I'd get a couple of silky saws, they're portable and sharp, good tape measure, folding rule, a decent combo square and a rali jack plane. oh and a half decent block plane and a few chisels. While we're there a couple of diamond stones for resharpening. And a compass and some Trammells. And a good framing square.
.....and a scale ruler. 

 

[nickao]

I am not sure but I think the training over there is far more formal. Is there one program or different programs for framers or finishers(trim carpenters). Here the guys that frame a house cant trim it out and the guys that trim it out a lot of time cant install cabinets.

What exactly does this course entail?

The first best and most important tool I had to have was a hammer. And they made me frame houses with it using 16 d spikes for two months. And then they made me use a trim hammer on interior work for as long a time, all the while the experienced workers used air guns. The guns weren't very good back then and so heavy, but we were amazed by them They made sure we could use that hammer before we jumped on to another task. But all our experience was on the job site, not at a school.

To this day I can still swing a hammer and drive a spike in one smack, I see newer guys in the trades that can't really handle a hammer. My old foreman would say they swing it like a girl, tap tap tap.

So I would say two hammers, a trimmer and a framer, speed square or other, tape, tool belt, but again I dont know what this course is about.

 

[WelshWood]

Mostly site carpentry, but over here most carpenters do (or should be able!) to do all aspects in a house [wink]

~WW

 

[nickao]

That's a long program then I am sure.

I would think  the school has a list, then we can point out the better brands for those tools.

Here is the list I found:

Carpenters pencils
Tape measure
Hammer
Carpenters square
Tool box
Screwdrivers
Chisels
Hand plane
Bevel

http://www.carpentry-tips-and-tricks.com/carpentry-apprenticeship.html

Maybe your kids school has something similar in the UK or find a blog like this from a worker that went through it in the UK.

 

[Sparktrician]

These days I'd expect to see a good construction calculator as part of the apprentice's gear.  Teach them to use measurement tools from the most basic to the more sophisticated before ever letting them pick up a hammer, never mind a saw.  "Measure twice; cut once."  Some of the hacks I've seen here in the US seem to measure by eye only, and heaven forbid picking up a level to check level and plumb.  Seems like it's a jam fit, nail it off, caulk it full to cover the errors and hope nobody sees the mismatches.  Just pitiful!  Then I go into an historic craftsman bungalow or one of the mansions in Newport and marvel at the accuracy and consistency. 

 

[slopjock78]

These days I'd expect to see a good construction calculator as part of the apprentice's gear.  Teach them to use measurement tools from the most basic to the more sophisticated before ever letting them pick up a hammer, never mind a saw.  "Measure twice; cut once."  Some of the hacks I've seen here in the US seem to measure by eye only, and heaven forbid picking up a level to check level and plumb.  Seems like it's a jam fit, nail it off, caulk it full to cover the errors and hope nobody sees the mismatches.  Just pitiful!  Then I go into an historic craftsman bungalow or one of the mansions in Newport and marvel at the accuracy and consistency.

i'm with you on this one.  I'm not in the trade full time, but raised by an excellent carpenter (my dad) who taught me how to do everything correctly.  It seems these days, a trim carpenters number one tool is a caulking gun......pitiful

I would add good quality levels in 24", 48" and 72" as well.  For trimming he will also need a good coping saw and a set of nail sets.  Also,  although its not necessarily a "hand tool", but a quality cordless drill, with a full set of drill bits and 1/4" bits for screws

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hey there guys,

So my friend's son has just taken up a carpentry course and is sick of using the tools in his college as they get bashed around by the other pupils.

He's asked me as his birthday is coming up, what would be the basic hand tools he would need to get a good head start in the trade; Now I know what I would be telling him to get, but i'm just curious as to what you guys had that helped you out when you were fresh into the trade

Thanks in advance,

~WW

Hi
When I was working in F.E we had a dealer who would offer basic start up kits to the students on hand tools and power tools. Decent prices and reasonable quality - good for the student, dealer and college as it helped overcome the problem of supplying tools in good condition.
rg
Phil

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]
Many dealers offer apprentice start up kits, go on some websites and check them out. Here is one example from down under where we too have formal training.

http://justtools.com.au/cooper-tools-116pce-apprentice-carpenters-kit-ctkac1n

 

[Kev]

Getting to know a quality hammer or two and a couple of punches.

Good protective glasses.

A decent portable first aid kit.

A good thermos and lunch box [big grin]

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

In my occidental tool belt I carry the following;
Stiletto Hammer
Swanson Speed Square
Channellock cutting pliers
Kline mulit screw driver
Voltage tester
Pencil
Sharpie
Nail set
Utility knife
Construction calculator
1in marples chisel

 

[Kev]

[size=13pt]
Many dealers offer apprentice start up kits, go on some websites and check them out. Here is one example from down under where we too have formal training.

http://justtools.com.au/cooper-tools-116pce-apprentice-carpenters-kit-ctkac1n

... and for the apprentice that has everything .. https://www.vespertools.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=80&category_id=12&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member]

 

[Dangermouse]

If I was to do my apprenticeship again I'd want

standard claw hammer
5m tape measure
combination square
sliding bevel
Stanley knife
marking gauge
nail punches
a basic set of screwdrivers, slotted, Phillips, posi drive
tool box / tool bag
spirit level
hard point saw, bacho 244 or spear and Jackson predator
chisels, marples blue chip1/4", 1/2", 3/4" and 1"
nail pincers
pliers
folding rule
coping saw
somthing plane
junior hacksaw

that's should see him right for his first year

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

I think the key with tools is quality over quantity, a tool kit can be built up over time. A basic kit such as hammer, tape measure and a decent quality square are a must and hard point saws will surfice for site work and a coping saw would be handy, some half decent chisels 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1" and a nice no.4 or no.41/2 smoothing plane will cover most tasks and for levels I always go for stabila a 24" is good for most tasks and can be carried I a tool box. With that lot in his box he would be able to cover a lot of bases and the rest can be picked up through out his apprenticeship hth.

 

[Jak147]

If it's gifts that will stand the test of time then a 20oz vinyl grip estwing was first tool I ever bought and I still use it every day 15 years on. The face isn't quite as wide as it once was and the claws are a little shorter but still hits the mark every time. If I pick up someone else's hammer I can tell instantly by the balance and the dent in the wood that follows [unsure].

Stanley currently have a really nice folding utility knife with woodern scales that would make a nice gift too, thou in my experience it's hard to keep track of Stanley knives, they all to often get 'borrowed'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-010073-Folding-Pocket-Wooden/dp/B009215TG8

I also have a pair of diamond sharpening stones which have been in my kit box since my first year as an apprentice. My Jedi master was really hot on keeping tools sharp but would never let me use his oil stones. He had the dish in the center just the way he wanted and wasn't about to let me anywhere near it.

 

[demographic]

I made this list out some time ago, things have moved on a bit and I've not updated it recently but its pretty much a list of the tools I use and keep in my van...

Power tools, In the van:

110 volt transformer.
110 volt extension leads.
110 volt Hitachi SDS drill with selection of bits as well as a keyless chuck for HSS bits.
110 volt Metabo STEB 140 jigsaw with selection of blades.
110 volt Makita compound mitre saw.
110 volt De Walt power planer.
110 volt De-walt Compact router.
110 volt Festool TS55 circular saw and guiderails always in the van and the 9 inch Hitachi is sometimes in there if I'm cutting shutters or need the extra depth of cut..
Hitachi 18 volt cordless drill/driver.
Hitachi 18 volt cordless impact screw gun.
Hitachi cordless second fix brad/nailgun .
Hitachi cordless first fix nailgun .

A few assorted clamps/spreaders.
6 foot Stanley Fat Max level.
Box of auger bits from 6mm to 25mm.
Stanley 5 1/2 jackplane , Japanese Samurai Laminated blade/iron in it.
A couple of hardpoint handsaws (One is the good one for clean timber and the other is the ex good one for crap timber that may have nails in it).
A four sided diamond hone .
Two joiners stools made from 4x2 with a 6x2 top

In my hand toolbox.

Top tray..
Brad awl.
Pliers.
Snips.
Marking gauge I made myself at college.
Lucas Girder type 91 adjustable spanner,
Couple of screwdrivers.
Plumbers adjustable pliers.
Two plumbers pipe cutters.

Second tray and it gets a bit more expensive here...

A set of six Marples chisels plus a 2 inch one thats just great.
2 Axminster 42mm all steel chisels .
Set of dividers.
Veritas 220 adjustable mouth low angle block plane.
Veritas honing MK 2 guide.
Stanley 92 shoulder/rebate plane.
DMT 600 grit diamond hone.
Set of nailpunches.
Pushpin.
Sliding bevel x2.
Assorted countersinks the best of which are of the "snail" type with a hole in the side of the cutting face.

Bottom section of the box...

Estwing 20 ounce claw hammer
Estwing 24 ounce ripclawed framing hammer.
Tool belt/hammer loop pouch.
Fisco tape measure.
Stanley knife.
Pencil.
2 foot wrecking bar.
Small but very handy nail pulling bar.
600mm Stabila girder level.
Stabila boat level.
Coping saw.
Facom hacksaw.
Stanley chalk line.
Mortise gauge.
Axe.
Box of cordless and security bits.
Box of cobalt alloy steel bits from about 1mm to 13mm in half mm increments.
Bolster x2 cos ones a lot slimmer than the other.
String line x2.
Combination square.
Padsaw for cutting shapes out of plasterboard.
Little radio.

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Jeepers that must be a big tool box.

I made this list out some time ago, things have moved on a bit and I've not updated it recently but its pretty much a list of the tools I use and keep in my van...

Power tools, In the van:

110 volt transformer.
110 volt extension leads.
110 volt Hitachi SDS drill with selection of bits as well as a keyless chuck for HSS bits.
110 volt Metabo STEB 140 jigsaw with selection of blades.
110 volt Makita compound mitre saw.
110 volt De Walt power planer.
110 volt De-walt Compact router.
110 volt Festool TS55 circular saw and guiderails always in the van and the 9 inch Hitachi is sometimes in there if I'm cutting shutters or need the extra depth of cut..
Hitachi 18 volt cordless drill/driver.
Hitachi 18 volt cordless impact screw gun.
Hitachi cordless second fix brad/nailgun .
Hitachi cordless first fix nailgun .

A few assorted clamps/spreaders.
6 foot Stanley Fat Max level.
Box of auger bits from 6mm to 25mm.
Stanley 5 1/2 jackplane , Japanese Samurai Laminated blade/iron in it.
A couple of hardpoint handsaws (One is the good one for clean timber and the other is the ex good one for crap timber that may have nails in it).
A four sided diamond hone .
Two joiners stools made from 4x2 with a 6x2 top

In my hand toolbox.

Top tray..
Brad awl.
Pliers.
Snips.
Marking gauge I made myself at college.
Lucas Girder type 91 adjustable spanner,
Couple of screwdrivers.
Plumbers adjustable pliers.
Two plumbers pipe cutters.

Second tray and it gets a bit more expensive here...

A set of six Marples chisels plus a 2 inch one thats just great.
2 Axminster 42mm all steel chisels .
Set of dividers.
Veritas 220 adjustable mouth low angle block plane.
Veritas honing MK 2 guide.
Stanley 92 shoulder/rebate plane.
DMT 600 grit diamond hone.
Set of nailpunches.
Pushpin.
Sliding bevel x2.
Assorted countersinks the best of which are of the "snail" type with a hole in the side of the cutting face.

Bottom section of the box...

Estwing 20 ounce claw hammer
Estwing 24 ounce ripclawed framing hammer.
Tool belt/hammer loop pouch.
Fisco tape measure.
Stanley knife.
Pencil.
2 foot wrecking bar.
Small but very handy nail pulling bar.
600mm Stabila girder level.
Stabila boat level.
Coping saw.
Facom hacksaw.
Stanley chalk line.
Mortise gauge.
Axe.
Box of cordless and security bits.
Box of cobalt alloy steel bits from about 1mm to 13mm in half mm increments.
Bolster x2 cos ones a lot slimmer than the other.
String line x2.
Combination square.
Padsaw for cutting shapes out of plasterboard.
Little radio.

 

[demographic]

Jeepers that must be a big tool box.

There's a clue there somewhere, lets see if you can spot it...

I made this list out some time ago, things have moved on a bit and I've not updated it recently but its pretty much a list of the tools I use and keep in my van...

Power tools, In the van:

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Stanley fat max toll box? I was referring to your hand tools  [big grin]

 

[demographic]

Stanley fat max toll box? I was referring to your hand tools  [big grin]

I just copied and pasted my insurance list from my work files.
Just look at the handtools part if you want but all those tools have found their way into my van and the toolsafe in that van for good reasons.

Buy the cheaper ones for a Prentice but there's a good choice to look at.Then you know the bit that says In my hand toolbox.?

Well, oddly enough they are the ones in my toolbox, it is a roll box, think it was a Mastermate one.
Looks like this.

I've now moved on and have pretty much all those tools (including most of the powertools) in a selection of Festool , Metabo, and BTI T-Loc boxes that all live in my toolsafe.
Well, apart from things like my six foot casing level, that won't fit in the toolsafe.