tools for returning to work

[millwrightjesse]

Ok, iam needing some tool ad vice i had many thousands of dollars of snapon and matco tools stolen. And iam trying to. Find some low cost tools to return to being a millwright i was an otr truck driv er. And now iam trying to get off the road and be home more since i found out my fiancee is pregnant. Iam on a low budget to do this so i need the best inexpensive brands. A nd who /makes the best ratchet

 

[wreckercologist]

If you're sweet on Snap-on, Williams can be a good, lower cost substitute.

 

[Goinlow]

Kobalt by Williams metric 3/8 drive impact sockets for like $15. Forget the link but someone else should know it.

 

[jerryW]

If on a really tight budget, look at the Duralast at Auto Zone. Then as you can upgrade.

If you have the time look at flea markets.


jerry

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Hit the flea markets. I've found, and passed up so much stuff its crazy. The guy I buy from has lots of Craftsman wrenches and sockets. The stuff is not really that bad, honest, it has worked for many people for many years. His stuff is mostly seconds and he finally started making up sets and ty-wrapping them together. They sell lots better now. The stuff I've seen sells for dirt cheap compared to elsewhere, and this guy has all kinds of ratchets. I've bought a couple of new Proto 3/8 from him just because I liked the shiny on them, a pear head, and a fine tooth, six bucks each....... you won't find that elsewhere.

Charles

 

[rockchucker]

What is your budget and what Tools do you need. I think a little more information would be very helpful.


I lived in Ephrata for a few years 15 years ago...Where are you going to work?

 

[littletoes]

Hey "neighbors"! What Rockchucker said. If you going to be working as a millwright, and you don't have anything anymore, you may just be needing "everything". The millwright's I've known, did just about everything.

 

[millwrightjesse]

1/2 drive sockets 3/8 through 1 1/2" standard and deep
3/4 drive sockets 7/8 through 2 3/4"
Wrenches 3/8 through 2 3/4"
Impact wrench and sockets
Air tools
Precision tools
Multi drawer tool boxes
Crow foot sockets

I. Will be working for boise cascade kettle falls in febuary

$1000

 

[littletoes]

Sounds like you'll be relocating up here. A couple of friends work there too.

 

[millwrightjesse]

Yes I will be moving up that way and commuting a bit

 

[littletoes]

Sounds like they might have given you a list of required tools?

That big stuff will cost you the most. I don't know of any cheap brands that I would put my weight behind, taking fasteners apart of that size.

I only have a few 3/4" drive sockets, the ones I use the most. Bad boys are expensive!

 

[mrholeshot]

1/2 drive sockets 3/8 through 1 1/2" standard and deep
3/4 drive sockets 7/8 through 2 3/4"
Wrenches 3/8 through 2 3/4"
Impact wrench and sockets
Air tools
Precision tools
Multi drawer tool boxes
Crow foot sockets

I. Will be working for boise cascade kettle falls in febuary

$1000

Thats a tall order on a 1000 dollar budget. I'd hit Sears for the 3/4 drive set

.http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934892000P?prdNo=24&blockNo=24&blockType=G24

 

[millwrightjesse]

Yes. I know it is a tall order on that budget. Also is there a place to replace craftsman near kettle falls or republic? I can barrow some money from a friend if needed. Also I'm glad to meet someone from that area

 

[millwrightjesse]

I'm going off what they told me and when I used to millwright in Morton Washington

 

[littletoes]

Theres an itty-bitty Sears in Colville, you'll laugh when you see it. Mostly mail order, but I bet they have a truck that comes fairly often.

I commute to Spokane on a daily basis (hence the need for my little red Honda. Lots of miles, burns oil, but it still gets 38-42 mpg), so if I break a craftsman tool, I return it there.

Not much help, sorry.

That Craftsman set above seems like the best deal.

 

[millwrightjesse]

I'm buying 2 diesel suburbans

 

[rockchucker]

100% tall order to fill man. You may be able to keep checking Craigslist or contact the Snap-On guy in the area. You may be able to get credit through them. Sears is having a good deal on first purchase with a CC application. I would try to buy a set with most of the stuff that you need then buy the large Wrenches separately. Start researching. Maybe start with a Mechanics set from Sears like this one then go from there...


http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00983081000P?prdNo=38&blockNo=38&blockType=G38


Then you are going to have to hit up Harbor Freight for all of the Air Tools and the rest of the lot.

Either or....That is a **** load of Tools to buy with a grand.

 

[woody 73]

Impact sockets from HF
Williams screwdrivers.
Orange Deadblow hammers from HF.
Nicholson Files.
Craftsman Pro ratchets.
SK chrome sockets.
I like CP air tools but a lot of members like the IR air tools.
Brown & sharpe,Mitutoyo & Starrett will cost you dearly so look for chinese counterparts,like General.

Hope this helps you out.

 

[millwrightjesse]

Yes it does help thank you

 

[Danglerb]

What about Gray Pneumatic for big socket sets?

I would buy only what I have to new and use credit, cash I would reserve for buying as much used as possible.

 

[Thedroid]

I do wish you luck, but I don't think you will be able to find all of those tools for a grand , and probably not for 2 grand either. If you've worked as a journeyman Millwright before, than you have a good idea of what you'll need to get by at first, and what will have to come later. Get you smaller stuff together first so you can handle the basics. Then you need to talk to the other millwrights about the bigger stuff, and also find out what your doing. From my experience in large industry, your employer will usually have a very good selection of the larger tools and rigging equipment. A lot of Millwrights travel, with large mobile tool trailers also. I've never even seen a combo wrench in 2 3/4 and I don't think any of us could even break a bolt loose with that wrench or with a 3/4 drive tool. Gonna have to get out the knocker wrenches and a sledgehammer or the big airtools. Don't waste your money on that big stuff till you've started the job.

What does the company specialize in?

 

[Thedroid]

Is that a lumber mill? I can't imagine them not having a good selection of those large tools. They probably won't let you put a tool to a machine for awhile. Walk in with the basics and see what the deal is.

 

[millwrightjesse]

I'm already a journeyman and yes I have used 2 3/4 wrenches

 

[Thedroid]

Not doubting you at all, I work with big stuff all the time and anything over 2" has always called for bigger guns than mine especially if it was torqued down with a hydraulic torque wrench.

 

[scott37300]

What kind of plant are you going to working at? What do they do? Millwright tools differ from factory to factory depending on the machines they have. And there are so many tools to just start out depending on what THEY require you to have and what they supply as shop tools. Everything from sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, picks, pry bars, tap and die set, hammers of all kinds, punches, drill bits, pliers, allen wrenches, and on and on and on. Just the things I listed above will set you back well over double what your budget is, even buying some used. Then you mention a toolbox, the last mill I worked at supplied a craftsman roll around 42" and made a steel platform with new casters for it.

Your best bet is to call up the company and ask to speak to the head maintenance guy and ask him what your main duties will be the first few weeks and what tools he suggests you bring with you. I know sometimes the newbies will do simple things like press bearings all week long to rebuild a machine. Or replace belts. These things don't require many tools at all besides the shop tools most plants already have.

 

[millwrightjesse]

Lumber mill.

 

[littletoes]

Its a sawmill, or better yet, a BUNCH of sawmills. One of the biggest Lumber companies in the Northwest.

http://www.bc.com/index.html

Back when I worked at one, It seemed quite a bit of the equipment was put together with allen type fasteners (internal hex). I don't know how many sets I have because of that mill. At that time, most of it was SAE, but as time went on, and the mill purchased more and more equipment from Europe, we started to see more metric stuff.
I had the Snap-On dealer stopping by every thursday. Guys would ask me if I was going to be a mechanic, I'd tell 'em, "nope....but when I get to be your age, I wont be able to afford these..." BOY was I smart beyond my years!!!

The problem for me, back in the 80's, they didn't pay ****, so I moved on. Don't regret it either, that mill closed in the 90's.

 

[millwrightjesse]

I was a millwright at tmi. Forest products

 

[millwrightjesse]

I lucked out. This evening i bought from a friend a set of 3/4 drive impact sockets 7/8 through 2" proto professional

 

[littletoes]

Hope you got a good price! Them bad boys are expensive!

 

[millwrightjesse]

120 dollars

 

[mikebramel]

wow wanna sell those to me now FRIEND?

 

[wornoutoldman]

wow wanna sell those to me now FRIEND?

 

[mtkst19]

check out epsteins. the below listed link is what they have listed under the milwright section. In addition, check out the closeouts for other stuff you need. I think you can put a dent in your list for less than you think. May not get everythig you need for 1k, yet should be enough to get you going.

http://store.harryepstein.com/c/Millwright.html

 

[millwrightjesse]

Thank you everyone

 

[millwrightjesse]

I picked up a set of penncraft sockets at a pawn shop

 

[Busted Bolts]

I'm a SO guy, but the new gear wrench line from danaher is good stuff. The 3/4 drive stuff is priced not to bad, also to start off you could also try sunnex. for at least the sockets. Good luck, sorry to hear of your loss, I work with mill wrights and their tools are who they are.

 

[littletoes]

Sounds like your on your way to getting a set of tools rounded up! Awesome.

 

[millwrightjesse]

here are a few pics now

 

[mrholeshot]

Glad to see you getting it back together