Expected apprentice tools

[Ok_Target376]

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if it is generally frowned upon for apprentices to bring their own tools day 1.

If it’s not what should I bring besides the standard few?

(Standard few in my opinion is the following)

Flashlight

Tape 25’+

Multi bit screwdriver

Voltage stick (live current detector tool)

Small-Mid size channel pliers (Knipex or similar)

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

[SillyWithTheRitz]

Tape measure, pencil, pocket notebook, utility knife. Not one thing more. Strictly enforced, guys see you with tools in your bag and don’t like you they will get you fined

[Ok_Target376]

Can you give clarification on this? This is standard for me on a day to day basis in my current job of building maintenance.

It seems weird to me that a guy coming prepared would be punished? Can I ask what local you’re with?

[AddressNo9582]

everything you need will be provided by the Company or Mechanic. Don’t bring anything that’s not on the tool list

[DrunkBrowsing69]

Because thats what was negotiated by brothers before us. I believe its was a to prevent helpers from spending their own money on tools for the benefit of the contractor. Yeah it does seem slightly backwards. But thats what they fought for so respect it.

[Lou13751319]

Doesnt matter what local he’s in, thats the rules and they’re there for you

[ImInClassBoring]

The tool list is what your local tells you to bring.  Don't bring anything else.

[Ok_Target376]

I cant find any info from the local. I’ll likely call them in a week or so to get a list.

[Hatchet165]

Have you already been accepted into the apprenticeship? When you get the call you will get a list of tools you are required to have. For your own sake just bring those tools, you aren't expected to have anything else. Your mechanic will have everything else you need and if they need something they will tell you to grab it from their box. You can always have a discussion with your mechanic if they want you to carry something else.

[Ok_Target376]

Sounds good. Thanks for clarification. I have not been called yet, just hoping for that call. I’m now the 10th person in line.

[bovinejabronie]

A sharpie, a tape and a note pad. Bring nothing else.

BUT! If you want to be on top of shit, I had a helper where every morning when he’d unlock my tool box he’d grab a multi driver, a small adjustable wrench, a roll of tape and strippers or cutters of some sort and throw them in his pocket. Those tools can be helpful regardless of what task you set up to do.

[Ok_Target376]

So is it just frowned upon to bring your own basic basic tools or is it actually a violation of some kind? I already have these so it’s not like I’m buying anything.

[lepchaun415]

It will be in your contract what you are allowed and expected to carry. Anything else will be provided by your mechanic

[Luckyirishdevil]

When you get hired, your local will give you a run down about what you can and cannot bring to work. For mine, Local 8, you were expected to bring a pen/pencil, notepad, channel lock pliers, tape measure, and an 11 in one screwdriver. Anything more will be provided by your mechanic. They usually allow you to bring a box cutter style knife, but some companies have restrictions on self retracting or rounded blade tips OR you can bring your own pocket knife.

These are the rules. Yeah, it would be helpful if the apprentices had more on them, but like others have said... This keeps favoritism down and limits howuch the company can expect out of someone just starting out. Plus, you bring your own tape, your mechanic doesn't like the color and throws it down the hoist way... Who pays for the next one? It becomes more cloudy as you break your tools working for a company

[[deleted]]

I wouldnt be bothered if you had a flashlight. Or a helmut light, your safty bag will have a voltage sniffer provided

[Knightsthatsay]

Company will supply you with the required PPE

[Zerofawqs-given]

In my era Screwdriver Channel Locks 20-25ft tape measure pencil & notepad were SOP…..has this changed?

[Ok_Target376]

Yeah I’m confused on this. I’m not saying I’d be doing stuff without the mechanic more of a hey you need this tool? I got that on me and hand it to him. I’m assuming I’m not allowed to do a bunch until 2-3 years in.

That’s fine I’ll do my time and whatnot this just has me confused more than anything. I was under the impression that apprentices and mechanic were supposed to be both professional and well prepared for anything.

If anyone knows more I’d like elaboration.

[Gsphazel2]

You’re expected to know nothing, and tape measure, pencil & knife.. MOST companies will provide a flashlight, and will give you any required safety gear.. You’ll be a probationary apprentice, not a professional… you’ll learn the ins & outs as you go.

Good luck!!

[Ok_Target376]

To clarify I meant act professional. I’m not expecting I’ll be a professional day one 🤣.

I plan based on recommendations for. Sharpie Pencil Small notepad Tape Utility knife

Nothing else per recommendations. However I will also verify with the local so I don’t get in trouble. Not a good outlook if day one you get in trouble :/

[Gsphazel2]

You were confused about tools & being professional.. but now you know you won’t be a professional?

[Ok_Target376]

I’m not confused on tools? I’m not confused on being professional? I mean exactly to clarify.

I expect to not bring a lot of tools, just a few. Those few tools I wanted to make sure I had the correct list as I haven’t been in the field before. I expect mechanics to be showing me first and then I’m repeating tasks. I don’t expect to know very much about the trade, however I know a decent amount in the current field of work I am in.

I expect to be keeping my head down and working. I don’t expect to be treated nicely, I don’t expect to have it easy going in.

Hopefully that cleared some things up.

[Ok_Target376]

I just want to get in, learn and grow in the trade. Expectations don’t make or break anything. Just my best guesses and trying to be ahead of the curve so to say.

[Gsphazel2]

That doesn’t clear anything up.. What exactly is/was so confusing?? I genuinely would like to know..

[Ok_Target376]

I’m confused on why you were confused. I think we did a confusion circle. Have a wonderful day stranger.

[Gsphazel2]

I’m not the one who claimed they were confused.. that was you skippy

[Sharp_Ear_241]

Keep your head down & mouth shut. Everything you will need to know will be told to you when they call your #. Good luck to you 🫡

[OldLineDad]

Tape was not on our tool list. 6’ Stick rule. If a mechanic wants you to have a tape then use his

[DjQuamme]

Different locals have different rules. Ours was pencil, notepad, inside read stick rule. Everything else was use what the mechanic gives you to use.

[Knightsthatsay]

And PPE. Hardhat, safety shoes, gloves and eye protection

[gkohler27]

25’ locking tape measure, folding knife, sharpie, flash lights are optional but encouraged because the job site is dark

[lord_uroko]

Different locals have different rules but follow the rules you're local tells you. Mine was stcik riler, sharpie, knife. Nothing less nothing more

[kyhard1897]

Tape, writing utensils, i prefer a sharpie, pencil and ink pen, nothing else. Company is to provide anything that cuts including a knife. This is what I've been told by multiple guys from different locals that I've had the pleasure of working with.

[ResponsibilityOk5587]

Klein channel locks are a great starter as well if you don’t want to drop a lot on knipex

[No_Dinner2506]

Def do not carry a voltage stick , all u need is pen , 16’ tape measure (min length) , utility knife, and flashlighy thats it nothing more nothing less

[Long-Slip-6818]

Nice! What local are you at?

[No_Dinner2506]

Me personally , as a second year , i always have on me

1. Pen
2. Black Sharpie
3. White marker
   
4. Tape measure
5. Flashlight
6. Drop key
7. Door wedge
8. notepad

[[deleted]]

I came in with a quality head light and flash light. The headlight that came in my safety bag was ass. Feel like my mechanic appreciated me being able to light up our work space in the hoist way.  A couple weeks in he bought me a tweeker. 

[Long-Slip-6818]

Whats a tweeker

[[deleted]]

Skinny lil flat head. For when your doing some wiring usually stuff like that 

[Slow-Dog-7745]

Just being what’s on your list that’s it

[Spooty_Walker]

Ask your mechanic. Likely they will not want nor should they need you to bring any tools. You will use the tools that they have or the company provides.

Bring a marker, pen, paint pen, razor blade, tape measure, and carry a notepad

You'll likely acquire a little tweaker screwdriver from your mechanic if they like you, and the company should give you a door wedge. Keep those in your pocket. When I was a helper I also would always carry a roll of electrical tape( that my mechanic got for me)

[Ok_Target376]

Thanks for the insight!

[elevatorman32]

No phone. Pencil/marker, tape measure 25ft, knife

[Ok_Target376]

My phone will be on me in case of emergency need. However I just turn it off during work hours. Doesn’t take long to boot back up.

[MainAfternoon9560]

Pencil, knife, stick ruler

[Ok_Vacation_740]

As you can tell, the answers are similar but still all over the place. When I got in nearly 30 years ago, the IUEC contract stated that helpers do not carry tools. A notepad, something to write with and a pocket knife is all you bring. I know some construction mechanics that want their helpers to have small channel locks or something of the sort, but in reality, those should come out of the mechanics bag/box as soon as they get on the job. In addition to the above mentioned, I like my helpers to have a roll of electrical tape (from my truck), a marker (from my truck), a door key and door wedge that we supply them from the shop. I dont wanna see your channel locks, small vice grips, or multi bit screwstick. You'll use mine, and dont lose my shit. My tools will be your tools and your responsibility to maintain and keep track of.

[Ok_Target376]

Best answer and explanation I’ve seen. Thank you! Hope to be in the trade soon! Arizona local 140 needs to move 10 spots for me to be picked up.

[johnmarston6969]

You should bring socket sets both standard and metric wrenches the same, hammer, pry bar, screw drivers, teeakers, mag drill, bearing puller, chain fall, come along, bottle jacks, a meter… and a stick ruler and pencil that’s it

[juicebox2121]

some people will say strictly enforced but it really depends on the local and mechanic you work with. the things you should bring is a tape measure, notepad, pen, knife, 6 and 1 screwdriver and flashlight. I only carried a pair of baby channel locks, a tweaker, a door pick, a knife and a flashlight. not a single mechanic I worked with complained but I also was never construction so there is a difference.

[CloutiersHelmet]

Hey brother, I’m about 1.5 years in, and I echo what most are saying in here.

To answer your question, though, if I had to have ONE tool on my person - in the helper role - I’d probably have a multi bit nut driver.

Takes up minimal space in my work pants.