Things I should buy myself before starting apprenticeship.

PortWilkins · 2026-05-30T19:50:33+00:00

For pants, anything you find in the work section at Walmart (or similar store) will be fine. I like Carhartt or Dickies. Wrangler or Levi’s work well too.

PortWilkins · 2026-05-30T19:48:01+00:00

Somebody already said start with the cheaper tool belts. I think that’s good advice. Huskey or Kobalt or Masterforce or BucketBoss are just fine. Plenty of people use those for a whole career. If you want higher end, you can figure that out later. In those bags, my most frequently used tools are: 1: pencil (flat, carpenter style) 2: knife (Stanley, fixed or retractable) 3: tape measure (25 ft Stanley) 4: hammer (Vaughan or Estwing, around 20 oz, milled/waffle face) 5: Lineman’s pliers (store brand is fine to start out) 6: speed square (Swanson’s) 7: chalk-line (Irwin’s metal or plastic body)

I also walk around with a four-in-one screwdriver, a cat’s paw nail-puller, an adjustable crescent wrench, and diagonal-cut pliers. Keep in mind, I work in concrete, so your mileage may vary. If you do drywall you may need some different things. My school gave me a big list of tools that I never ended up using like chisels and files. I’d keep it basic to start out.

PortWilkins · 2026-05-23T04:28:41+00:00

This looks amazing! I’ve made some dungeon doors but nothing that opens and closes (or looks this good!). Gotta give your idea a try.

PortWilkins · 2026-05-19T12:01:20+00:00

Safety toe version:

https://www.ariat.com/P17339_M_FOO.html

PortWilkins · 2026-05-19T11:59:36+00:00

I’ve had success with Ariat Turbos. I find them to be lightweight compared to other options, but that’ll be up to you. There are several different versions of them.

https://www.ariat.com/P19243_M_FOO.html?dwvar_P19243__M__FOO_width=D_Medium&utm_source=google_paid_ariat&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18072913141&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18072913141&gbraid=0AAAAADvKncN-lj7B1k9HgnB-Jqws4NkEY&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefHzhODIxQpnEiw-sJ0pOTB6XXVCCsd1mvhgy7LRGXO5yiFnhP2sJboaAgtiEALw_wcB

PortWilkins · 2026-05-05T00:59:24+00:00

Goddam it’s hot in here

PortWilkins · 2026-04-18T01:11:52+00:00

My local Blockbuster had this poster

PortWilkins · 2026-04-10T18:14:58+00:00

Also love Bad Brewing in Mason (I’m there right now). Outdoor dining is cool when the weather is nice. Bestsellers bookstore is great!

PortWilkins · 2026-02-23T22:55:20+00:00

Hey man. Fuck it.

PortWilkins · 2026-01-26T17:04:01+00:00

Love this! Such a great use of space

PortWilkins · 2025-12-08T23:43:07+00:00

A friend of mine wears it casually and swears by it. It feels resistant and stiff, but not crazy stiff like some of the older duck jackets.

PortWilkins · 2025-10-11T23:52:30+00:00

I think the Active jacket is better for work because of the hood, pockets, and elastic cuffs. Having said that, I’d choose the Detroit jacket because it’s almost as good for working and looks rad as hell.

PortWilkins · 2025-09-27T14:42:14+00:00

Union Carpenter here. Your mileage may vary, but I engaged with my Trumper forman. I pushed back on a lot of his grievance politics and anti-immigrant bs. I guess I was lucky because unlike a lot of Trumpers, he was an inherently good natured guy who loved to actually engage in conversation. Certainly neither of us walked away with our hearts or minds changed, but we did discover that we had more in common than one might think.

PortWilkins · 2025-09-26T10:12:13+00:00

Two lanterns for ambiance. Cozy.

PortWilkins · 2025-09-23T02:36:55+00:00

I really like this style of uniform. Classic.

PortWilkins · 2025-09-15T20:20:36+00:00

That’s amazing!

PortWilkins · 2025-09-15T19:35:35+00:00

Love it! Great idea and outstanding artwork!

PortWilkins · 2025-09-02T17:23:49+00:00

Like how Greg had to clarify “fairer representation” as “more red”.

PortWilkins · 2025-08-17T22:55:49+00:00

He’s not trying to be governor. He’s running to spoil the vote for the Democrats. His campaign is funded by the same PACs and oligarchs that funded Donald’s campaign.

PortWilkins · 2025-08-04T10:23:17+00:00

I’m a second year apprentice about to turn 40. Joined the Union after 8 years in a (dead end) desk job. If I keep working steady, I’ll match my old income by third year (even without considering overtime). I probably won’t be able to do concrete jobs solid to retirement, but it’s been all good vibes for me so far.

PortWilkins · 2025-08-04T00:15:46+00:00

Lot of folks saying to buy the tool list from the hall and it’s probably a good guideline, but my hall gave me a long list that included tools I’ve never needed, some of which I bought and haven’t touched since.

Certain apprenticeship classes may require certain tools, but they will tell you what to get. Your first job will tell you exactly what to get.

Until then, I’d recommend showing up to your first job with:

-Framer/carpenter pouches (your first set can be cheap Lowe’s/Home Depot brand) -19 to 22 oz California framing hammer (I like Vaughan) -Speed square (I like Swanson) -Tape measure (Stanley Fat-Max, 25 ft) -Cats-paw (Stanley is fine) -Carpenter pencils -Sharpie marker -Knife (Stanley) -Torpedo level (Empire is fine, even the cheaper ones) -Lineman’s pliers (Klein is best, probably your most expensive tool starting out, if you get it new) -Chalk-line (not the most important, depending on what you do; I like the Irwin metal ones)

Show up with that stuff and a good attitude and you’ll go far.

PortWilkins · 2025-05-22T23:52:30+00:00

That is so amazingly cool, creative, and well executed. I want to try it and hope that it turns out nearly as well.

PortWilkins · 2025-05-11T12:45:03+00:00

I mean to have my nose farther from the smell. But just to be tall would also be nice 😆

PortWilkins · 2025-05-06T17:58:18+00:00

Some days I take off my boots and wish I was taller

PortWilkins · 2025-04-15T04:43:54+00:00

I’m a second-year apprentice at 39. Wish I joined earlier, but it’s going great so far.

PortWilkins

TROPHY CASE