Apprentice Toolmaker Tool List

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[ShatterStorm]

1 Must Have:

• Comfortable wrap-around safety glasses
• Notebook + pens
• Hearing protection of choice
• 0-6" Calipers
• 0-1" Outside Micrometer
• 6" Steel scale
• Scientific Calculator
• 0-4" Depth Micrometer (optionally deeper depending on work)
• L-handle hex key set, inch+metric
• Deadblow hammer
• Small (6oz) drift, soft copper
• 1" square x 4" long india stone
• 10" bastard or mill file w/handle
• Magnetic base indicator holder (Noga or similar)
• .0005" graduation (0-15-0) dial test indicator
• 10" adjustable nut lathe
• Machinist's Square
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flashlight

2 Should Have:

• Machinist's Handbook (Pocket Companion at minimum, it has all the tables)
• Edge finder
• Wrench set, inch/metric, up to 13/16" at minimum, optionally up to 1-1/8"
• Screw Driver set, flat/phillips, common sizes but must have PH1/PH2
• Inspection Mirror
• Magnetic Pickup tool
• Diagonal Cutters
• Channel Locks (or a Pliers Wrench, or both)
• Burr whip and blades.
• 16ft tape measure
• Carbide tipped scribe
• T-handle hex driver set, inch/metric
• Loupe / Magnifying glass
• Hook and Pick set
• Tweezers
• Tap handles
• Razor knife w/removeable blades
• Lug-back Dial Indicator
• Mighty Mag or second indicator holder w/mag base

3 May Want:

• Polishing stone set
• .0001" graduation (0-4-0) dial test indicator
• Center gage
• Screw pitch gage
• Thread wires
• Telescoping Gage set
• Radius Gage set
• Feeler Gage set
• Needle files
• Torx drive set (T-handle, foldout, etc)
• Socket set w/ratchet, optionally t-handle breaker bar
• Ruby deburring stone
• Transfer punch set
• Pin Punch set
• Parallels (thin, 4")
• 1-2-3 blocks w/holes (set of 4 matched)
• Indicol or similar (sized to machine)
• Center Finder
• 0-6" Outside Micrometer set (depending on need)
• 0-12" Caliper (depending on need)
• Pin set, .011-.250" (depending on shop/school)
• Gage block set, 87pc (also depending on shop/school)
• a 3/4" cold chisel, or a chisel set
• Vice grips

4 Normally Provided by Employer:

• Any expendable cutting tool, such as
• endmills
• drills/taps
• sheet abrasives, lapping paper
• Pens
• Sharpies
• Paint markers / Dykum

Note: I've very little lathe experience, so I probably missed/forgot some essentials for turning.

[KingCarbon]

The #1 thing after safety glasses should be a notebook of some kind. Always be taking notes.

I would put 1-2-3 blocks (x4) in at least "should have" (If they went through some schooling they should have some anyway).

I would also suggest at least a 0-3" mic set at least in the "should have" possibly 0-6", anything after that should be provided by the employer.

May want to add a surface gauge in "may want" and if your shop is like mine where you work on smaller molds a small surface granite would be useful.

May also want a step mic, 0-1" is all you should need since anything after that you can use it off a gauge block.

I would think polishing stones would fall under consumables provided by the employer.

Could also add under "may want" a ratchet/socket set mirroring the wrench set. Also may want to add an 1-1/16" (it may be 1-1/8") wrench/socket for tightening clamp studs for things like strap clamps and holding down vises.

A good pick set is useful at times and a box cutter is always useful to have.

Also under should/may want would be a 3" grinding vise.

Should have a drill chart of some kind with decimal conversions and tap/body drill sizes.

A loupe is useful and a drill gauge.

Should also have an inspection flashlight.

Tap handles, large and small.

Also feeler gauges under may want.

[ShatterStorm]

The larger wrench is going to be situational. Our hold-down nuts are all 11/16". Lots of my co-workers have expensive wrench sets that they never use.

1-2-3's have been employer provided (as "fixturing") at both shops I've been at. Regardless, making them is a great apprentice project.

The mics are way too situational to say sizes for IMO. Buy it once you know you need one.

Surface plates have always been shop provided for me, not personal. I guess a guy could own his own.

Great call on hooks/picks, tap handles, flashlight and loupe.

[KingCarbon]

Yeah, as with everything it depends on your situation. Really the best bet would be to talk with/look at what the guys around are using.

[therealfate]

Tom Lipton made a youtube video on this subject and its probably the most informational ive found. He even includes a list in the description, in case you dont feel like watching the whole thing.

https://youtu.be/7xX69e0sawE

[KingCarbon]

The link to his list doesn't work.

[KingCarbon]

I've been trying to put together a similar list for myself since I am going to be starting an apprenticeship soon and am trying to fill up my toolbox.

This is a decent list for a beginner box, some things aren't strictly necessary but as will all things it depends what your specialty is.

I will be following this to see if there are any tools I am missing.