tools for an apprentice welder fabricator?

[cori_southwales]

What tools should one own as an apprentice fabricator welder?
I work with medium/heavy steel and rarely with thin steel (never less than 2mm) I have ball peen, lump hammers
Various burning nozzles,
Scribes
Centre punches
A trammel
Steel rule
16ft tape
Files flat and round
Chisels
Punches
Screwdrivers
Squares (regular and combi)
And a hitachi 9" grinder.
Is there anything that any of you can suggest will help make life easier?
Thanks
Cori

[eecervantes83]

What tools should one own as an apprentice fabricator welder?
I work with medium/heavy steel and rarely with thin steel (never less than 2mm) I have ball peen, lump hammers
Various burning nozzles,
Scribes
Centre punches
A trammel
Steel rule
16ft tape
Files flat and round
Chisels
Punches
Screwdrivers
Squares (regular and combi)
And a hitachi 9" grinder.
Is there anything that any of you can suggest will help make life easier?
Thanks
Cori

2 At least 25' tape preferably 30'.
4-1/2" angle grinder.
Levels magnetic 8" & 48" two each.
Framing square & large adjustable t-square.
Chalk line for large layouts.
Plum bob.
Pair of Collapsible pipe stands.
On/off 90° powered magnets. Helps while tacking & layouts.


That's off the top of my head.

[Cgotto6]

Nice stabila levels, nice angle finders, good comfortable ear protection to name some of my favorite day to day items.

[jbomb]

Should be supplied by your work

[eecervantes83]

Should be supplied by your work

Not everywhere.
My previous employer had us (welders) supply all our own tools.
Which I didn't mind.
But ! if your tools get damaged or worn -the employer does need to replace them.

& 1 other item I just can't do with out
are Bessy clamps. Try to build your set in pairs. Their expensive but a must have tool.

[go2building]

Vice grip clamps, for small stuff. Soap stone holder, compass to fit round soap stones, hood, chipping hammer,ss wire brush , welding jacket and tig finger, sold by weldingtipsandtricks.conm

[J C]

Never worked somewhere that didnt provide all the safety gear, grinders, & clamps. I use calipers alot. Also took 2 pieces of angle about 2" long & welded flat bar on the point of the angle & then put a half moon bead of weld on the flat bar. Helps with using pipe clamps on square tubing when trying to square up parts. Also have a 6" scale. If you have to provide your own grinders a nice die grinder & dynabrade belt sander are nice too.

[jbomb]

I've never worked anywhere that didn't supply the tools and would buy you any tool you needed to do the work

[FusionKing]

Ask them what they expect... so you don't buy stuff you don't have to......unless you're RICH!

[Fireman]

i use two 4 1/2" angle grinders a lot. One has a flap disk the other a grinding wheel or cut disk. Heck i could use a 3rd on but just to much stuff hanging on my welding cart.........Fireman Bill