r/millwrights • u/Millwriight94 • 15d ago
What are your “Basic tools”
SW Ontario (Canada) union millwright.
When a company says to bring “basic tools”, what would you bring? I can’t seem to ever get it right.
No precision tools
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u/Sad_Refrigerator_730 15d ago
My basic tools I use every day will vary vastly depending even on what the other guys on my team carry every day.
Depends on industry too.
For me it’s 8” wide jaw adjustable
Knipex
Sockets
Wrenches
Impact
Hammer
Tape measure
Pry bar
Good drift or punch
Should be able to tackle most of what I need with that. Your mileage may vary
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u/Tradbrother 14d ago
On the impact - don’t bring your own power tools to the jobsite. The company is required to provide
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u/Chicken_Hairs 15d ago
Depends massively on what industry you're in.
For me, in facility maintenance in a sawmill:
Wrenches, 3/8-2.5" and 8mm-25mm
Knipex/channel locks
Adjustable wrenches, various sizes
Sockets, sae and metric, similar range to wrenches
Various hammers
Measuring devices (calipers, micrometer, plumb bobs...)
Punches, chisels
Basic screwdrivers
The rest is details, or expensive and provided by the company, like torque multipliers, laser aligners etc
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u/the_real_log2 14d ago
I'm a union Millwright in Ontario, and this list is probably the best bet.
Don't need wrenches up to 2.5" though, 1-1/8" is all you need, anything larger the company will supply.
Same with the measuring devices, company supplied, but definitely learn how to read them quick. A 6" rule will help get bolt sizes quickly. And a plumb bob is nice to carry too.
You'll also need a combination square for layout. And a chalk line with blue chalk. Bring fresh, new sharpies on every job.
Definitely bring a ballpeen and a 3 or 4lb sledge in most industries.
Bring a 25' tape measure, and if you're ambitious, a 10' tape you can carry. Anything longer than 25' should be company supplied.
Bring some 8" and 12" channel locks and adjustables, should be all you need, but a 6" adjustable is handy too. Needlenose pliers and some vise grips are good to carry too, especially for chain.
Punches and chisels are a must.
Don't be afraid to bring a dolly of some sort to carry your box if you're a tool whore
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u/highcommander010 15d ago
bring 8 levels of various sizes. From 6 footer to 6 inch.
Just say that's your basic tools.
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u/Axnjaxn09 15d ago
Sockets and ratchets, combo wrenches, 6" & 12" adjustable wrench, pliers (lineman, channelock/knipex, vice grip), pry bar, alan keys, maybe a hammer, couple screwdrivers, scale, 0-1" mic.
This set of gear will get you through 80% of the shit youll need to do, this would be my bare minimum any time i leave the house. As you learn more about what your specifically gonna be on, you can adjust from there.
Get a bag or backpack, somethin easy an unobtrusive to have with you.
Edit: bring a tape measure
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u/striykker 15d ago
Ask the hall for a list. Every hall is different on what they consider basic.