Tools for welding heat exchangers

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I switched jobs a couple months back, I was previous making ASME Expansion joints... Now I fit/weld heat exchangers and strainers.Units vary from 3" to 100"+Mostly 6-24" or so. But they get to be pretty big sometimes.What kind of tools are a must have and what would make it easier?I'm trying to think of anything that could be useful... It's definitely different making these type of vessels versus expansion joints. I'm talking about tools outside the normal hammer, tape, etc...Things more like centering heads, divders (radius markers), etc...Making measurements for saddle cuts takes a bit of time, is there anything that can measure it all at once? Instead of having to draw a few different lines and punches, etc...I'm just trying to make it as easy/accurate as I can without struggling because I don't have the right tools. There's no pre-cut out or fit up inspector... The first time an inspector takes a look at it is after it's completely welded and cleaned. Kind of unusual I think, but it's what they do.Also, who makes high quality digital levels in the USA?I don't dare buy any craftsman now that they're sending all their tool lines over to china. (not just toolboxes and saws anymore!)Last edited by Hass; 01-15-2012 at 03:48 PM.
Reply:Not US made, but a very good precision level. I have one of the older 24" digital levels that's been discontinued for the newer ones and it gets used more than the "standard" nondigital  24" Stabila level I have. I picked it up originally because the place had then on clearance and at the time I needed a decent 2nd 24" level. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. One big plus is that it will read in deg, which makes determining miter cuts easy for things.http://www.stabila.com/main.taf?p=1,1,4,3The "normal" top end Stabila levels I've used have checked out to within less than a 1/8" over distances of more than 20' and less than 1/32" over the length of the level themselves. ( I'll chalk part of that up to the pencil line) when double checked with my Topcon laser level. Part of this is the fact I know how to read and use a level, but a big part is the precision of the levels them selves..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If you get a sheet metal layout book, it will have the different saddle measurements, if you think that will make it easier on you.  Also, the construction master calculator is pretty good for changing degrees into an arc length for laying out the orientation.  I use an HP scientific calculator myself, but some people find the specialized calculator helpful.