tool selection/ advice for new technician

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So a little about myself before we choose tools. I am 19 years old and I go to College at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. The reason I am at OSUIT is because of a company called Aggreko. They are mobile power, heating/cooling, oil free compressed air company. They are world wide. During my college experience I go on 6, 2 month internships to gain field knowledge. After my two years at college I must work for another two years atleast with them unless I pay back a pro rated amount. They started every tech off with:
Fluke multimeter and amp clamp set
blue point 1/4 and 3/8 socket and wrench set sae and metric
blue point 1/2 socket set sae and metric
yellow jacket gauge
snap on allen keys metric and sae
snap on torx keys metric and sae
snap on nut drivers
snap on basic flat head and philips head screw drivers
refrigeration wrench
flaring tools
snap on small pry bar
ball peen hammer
and a tool back pack.
I have added myself craftsman ratch wrenches, gfci tester, deburring tool, blue point vise grips, snap on tape measure, blue point extenable mirror and magnet,head light flashlight, 1/2inch flex head craftsman ratchet, 8 inch clamp, big rigid strap wrench, bosche 1/4inch impact and drill and reciprocating saw, and a husky 22inch rolling bag.

As I work on everything for 15ton ac units to 1000ton water towers and 3cyl diesels to v16 quad turbo diesels. I need an assortment of tools. BUT heres the kicker during the 6 months I can be at my home shop in NJ or I can be in san francisco for the two months. Many times we get sent on event jobs like the superbowl and after I get out I do not stay and report to a shop I will be mostly a field tech but will have a shop truck then but now, I need basic tools to be a jack of all trades kind of guy.
My main question is, what else do you think I need?


This is my need to add list:
18inch aluminum pipe wrench- rigid
IR temp gun- fluke?
deep sockets both SAE and metric- not sure of the brand to get
picks medium length- snap on
mechanics stethoscope- a tech showed me his and I love it!
soldering iron- ????
3/8inch angle ratchet- snap on
refractometer- macto
tap and die set- ?????
bolt extractor- ????

then expendables:
pb blaster, zip ties, electrical tape etc


MY QUESTIONS:
Should I purchase anything else?
Is it worth getting snap on flank drive sockets? (I get 50% off all snap on, mac, and matco stuff)
any tips going into this type of field? My dad is a funeral director and mom is a teacher I grew up tinkering with lawn mowers not working on tractors like most people in my class.
 
If you're flying all around the world how are you going to pin down the snap on guy who's also on the move? I'd get Kobalt sockets b/c you can always find a Lowes and they aren't that shabby.

I'd think hard about security; you'll be in weird places and there might be folks with sticky fingers grabbing your bag. Like to a degree where I'd hide a cell phone in a corner that you could then track remotely.

I'd include a decent breaker bar and 2 lb sledge but OTOH there's something to be said for travelling light.

These guys sound like a blast to work for! Stay in touch.
 
Deep sockets? I can't say enough good things about premium Mac sockets. They loosen badly damaged bolts that look like they were impossible to remove.

The Wera Zyklop 3/8 ratchet has an adjustable angle. Many people like them, and I have one.

I use Mayhew prybars because you can hit the end with a hammer. I am not sure what sizes you might need, but I think Mayhew makes several different sizes.

For the infrared temp gun, I would take a look at what kind of attachments you can get for your multimeters. I don't know if there is an IR attachment, but there sure are many attachments out there.
 
I see flaring tools-hopefully you mean a flaring/swedge kit-I have 2 Yellow Jacket small sets (1 in each truck), but you'll need a small & large set to do everything. I didn't see a set of torches, either-Victor makes good ones, I personally use the small portables, along with 2 spare MC acetylene tanks & 1 spare small oxygen tank. Be sure to get the set with the cutting torch as well. A good angle grinder & Dremel is a good idea too. Get a good pair of strippers & crimpers for wiring as well (I have Klein & Vaco myself). Could go on...
 
Lots of people here claim AeroKroil is better than PB Blaster. They don't sell it in the stores so you'd have to mail order it. You can get it directly from KanoLabs on a BOGO.
 
Technicians come into Sears from time to time and buy a few very specific tools as some of their tools did not make it inside a locked suitcase to their destination. I might think twice about flying around the world with SNAP-ON tools.

Sears also has some max access and universal tools you might consider since one tool can do a few jobs, thus less total tools to carry.
 
I calibrate IR thermometers at my cal lab in Reno. None of them are very accurate, and they don't really need to be accurate for use by a mechanic. You will never know the "emissivity" of the object you are measuring, and that is the biggest error in IR thermometry. I'd get one from Harbor Freight. If you're going to be flying all over the world count on your tools disappearing. I'd buy moderate priced tools and save the receipts to show the airlines. Good luck!
 
Wow lots of answers! Thank you! The reason im thinking about high end tools is because i have learned over my limited life-buy right buy once. But everyone has a point about being in sketchy places (ive been in the bronx at 1030pm). I have never actually used high end sockets but artificialist does bring up a point on mac getting damaged bolts off and i have also been told snap on just fits better. As per the torch I was thinking about that but I am not sure about transporting that stuff esp the oxy acytelene (spelling).
I have the max access ratchets pro series but personally they suck at a normal bolt.
I am deff buying a snap on or the like angle head ratchet as they have less arc...
As per the ir guns what i seriously need it for is walking around say the superbowl with 35 miles of cable checking the connections between each... instead of bending down and touching them i can walk around with an ir gun and if a temp is off a bit then i can investigate. In my multimeter i have the temp probe (for testing the air) and a thermocouple for the pipes.
But i think you guys have a point on the sockets... and since aggreko carries insurance on the tools i will get westward back not snap on. I dont have any kobalt and might try them.
In terms of ratchets what length for a 3/8? I was thinking 13inch handle?
I have a 1/2 and 3/8 breaker bars
Thanks for the help on the bolt loosener also
But a bigger pry bar might help! Thank you guys for the comments i seriously appreciate it
Another question what about buying a jobox and shipping it everywhere (aggreko pays for it) a lot of techs do that. I know one classmate bought one.
I am QUICKLY running out of room
 
No help on your tools, but just wanted to say congratulations on what sounds like a great opportunity you have earned here. Best of luck.
 
As I am a 30 year old heavy truck technician and have acquired a few tools since i was officialy employed at a truck fleet I can tell you this.

Any tool with a lifetime warranty is a good tool.

I've bought tools from harbor freight, local department stores, sears, online from amazon and maybe once or twice off the local tool vendor trucks (not a fan of the tool trucks, stuff is way way overpriced.

I can tell you that the only snapon/bluepoint tool I own is a coolant tester

and the only Matco tool I own is a 1/2 inch drive impact swivel.

A good majority of my tools are craftsman, and they are easy to warranty at the local sears.

My air tools range from Chicago Pneumatic, Astro Pneumatic, Ingersoll Rand, with a few olds and ends like coleman and central pneumatic.

i don't know exactly what kind of little putzy work you may do but eventually you may wanna think about some cordless drills or drivers, i use the [censored] out of my battery drills and drivers

I'm a fan of chicago pneumatic, priced decent and of decent quality, and my drivers/drills are craftsman

when you find yourself asking what length you need for a ratchet the correct answer is....whatever lengths they come in
laugh.gif


you can never have too many tools of course and you'll find yourself buying more and more especially as you are in the field longer and things change you'll need more tools to adapt, such an endless process.

Just don't be one of the those guys that thinks the more tools he has the better Technician he is.....definitely not the case.

When i first started my job they gave me a list of tools to suggest i have them before i started.

Granted most guys are decent enough to let you borrow things but eventually that welcome wears out.


but congrats on the job, sounds like a sweet deal
 
I drove a used car down to my sister and flew back. I had a toolbox which of course I had to check. I included a printed list of *EVERY TOOL* and for Snappy I'd include serial numbers when available-- or at least model numbers.

The airline opened my tool box, then, I assume, spread it on a table. I got all my tools back but lost a ball point pen. They probably figured it was previously on their table.
lol.gif


They had a tag on my box saying it had been opened for security reasons.

This is an automotive site and most of us deal with rusty bolts and need heavy duty tools. Not sure about HVAC-- there are wet places and dry places but you could coast through with mid-grade stuff in spots. Good on you though for going for top shelf torx and hex; these can be downers when they snap off. My Harbor Freight open box shelf has bunches of Torx sets where the T45 or T50 snapped off.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino

This is an automotive site and most of us deal with rusty bolts and need heavy duty tools. Not sure about HVAC-- there are wet places and dry places but you could coast through with mid-grade stuff in spots. Good on you though for going for top shelf torx and hex; these can be downers when they snap off. My Harbor Freight open box shelf has bunches of Torx sets where the T45 or T50 snapped off.

Yes, high end Torx bits are worth it. Many auto parts stores sell them made by Lisle, and they are made in the USA. Unfortunately, they tend to get rounded off easily.

I have Snap-On, they never let me down.
 
I wouldn't get the SO nut drivers - they're too square. Nut drivers need to be round so you can spin them real fast. I'd recommend either Klein, Wiha, or PB Swiss.
 
Originally Posted By: morris
as always my friends have great ideas. ill give only one. do NOT borrow tools!!!!!

Or loan them either.
 
I've been looking at the Hakko FX601-02 soldering iron.
Seems like it would be good for things that suck a lot of heat or need to solder quickly, like Li-Ion batteries.

I don't do much soldering anymore though and I have enough Weller elements and tips so I just leave it in my Amazon wish list.
 
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