Trades that require the least tools.

[MikeF2316]

Office equipment repair. By that I mean photocopy repair. They have a nice case with screwdrivers, pliers etc.

 

[alskdjfhg]

Pipeline welding isnt too tool intensive compared to a tool and die maker or heavy equipment field service mechanic.

 

[RivennHewn]

******.

Tool kit fits in your wallet

 

[Brownsfan]

I'm a truck and tractor mechanic, did my apprenticeship on diesel generators and do the odd side gig replacing clutches and working on small cars so my tool kit ranges from 1/4 inch sockets to 1'' drive. Wrenches up to 2 1/2 inch and box draws full of things I don't even feel like lifting on a Monday morning, never mind swinging off.

Occasionally an auto electrician helps me in the shop and he has minimal tools and charges a similar rate to myself.

Who else knows of trades where people make great money and only have to invest in minimal tools?

I have never heard the term automotive electrician used besides by people from outside the US. It seems that in other countries you can specialize in automotive electrical and wiring repair etc. In the USA most that work on vehicles are jacks of all trades. I specialize in automotive electrical but I pretty much has to go into business by myself to do it. Shops here don't employ automotive electricians as a full time thing. I wish it was a thing here in the states though.

 

[Cmreschke]

Union Journeyman Inside Wireman (commercial/industrial electrician) requires one small to medium hand box of tools. Everything beyond that is a company tool.

Only when it's enforced my brother!

 

[Cmreschke]

Every nuke plant I worked at told me up front not to bring tools. I worked on the overhead cranes and they supplied everything. Contamination risk was always the reason.

What trade? Where in the thumb are you?

 

[Mikeske]

Aircraft assembly mechanic, no tools required, all tools provided by the company.

Not true 30 years ago but now all tools are provided as they are etched and accounted for daily.

 

[Gmonkee]

Some places it makes total sense because the job has specific limits and needs.
Nice when you get it because all you do is use and account for the tools at the station.

I had the full ball of wax in mechanic's tools but sold all the bigger stuff to the shop owner slowly. I still use the same tools and care for them but work in a better equipped shop at less personal loss risk.
I have a tote with regular smaller tools that does the 90% of course and that is mine.

It worked for him and I as I am here long term and he went from body shop to full mechanic shop with minimal full retail prices.
Doesn't hurt he is a tool junky with big eyes. He likes them all.

I am returning to semi reformed minimalist standing. Less to worry over.

 

[Lotek]

Automotive service writer, all they need is a pen, don't even have to bring their brain to work...

 

[Dozerhand]

Heavy equipment operator. All the tools you need are stored between your ears.

 

[classicharleyj]

Engineering Design Checker.. the company supplies the red pen and yellow pencil.. I supply the brain.
Jim

 

[ecotec]

Only when it's enforced my brother!

Of course, Chris. I have not seen very many blatant examples of skirting the letter of the rule. I figure that service truck drivers could get away with a lot... if they wanted to.

I like that our local does not have a "you have to have exactly these tools" tool list anyways.

 

[Wamsutta]

The ratio between pay and tool investment has got to be the widest in the electrician trade I would think. 50 dollars an hour with just a few tools on a tool belt.

 

[cdeer001]

Surgeon - I think all you need is a stethoscope. Plus, you get clean shiny tools and clean uniforms every day.

 

[crewchief888]

i'll say this,

been working at const eq dealerships for over 30 years, mostly as a field mechanic, i have a lot of tools
most days (98% of the time) i get by with a couple sockets, couple wrenches, a hammer, a paperclip, and a voltmeter, easily carried in one hand.

it's those other 2% of the time i need the rest of my tools...

company doesnt provide any basic hand tools or much in the way of test equipment.
they do provide me with a laptop, cell phone, air compressor, torches, diagnostic software, a few of the OEM specific tools i need in the field.
a lot of our "shop tools" seem to disappear on a regular basis, i dont blame them at all for not wanting to replace the stuff.

 

[jumbojak]

Line cook. I've only ever met one person who brought anything to work, today actually, and that's only because the company is too cheap to have their knives sharpened. I went over some basic knife sharpening with her so she doesn't ****** up her new blade with the pull sharpener the knife came with and recommended a decent stone to get her going on her own.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

Detention work. Company supplies everything including blue Sharpie markers.

We get the tools we need to do the job right. We buy Metabo, DeWalt and Bosch power tools. Hand tools are whatever we pick. Klein, Stanley, Craftsman, Crescent (we like to cut them up), Kobalt, Greenlee, Wiha, Husky, Proto.

The company has to own all of them because they are taken into the Prison or Jail and left there until the job is finished.

Check out Cornerstone or Pauly Jail.

 

[Rarified27]

Piano tuners- Most I know don't have much more than a 12" bag.

Instrument repair is a good business if you network with schools because kids are always breaking or mistreating their things.

If my school paid me for the amount of things I fix daily, I could stop teaching.

 

[gigamel]

Scaffolder

Done