What tools?

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As a foeman or lead welder on a site, what tools/gear would you expect a new, entry-level hire to bring their first day on the job?Any insight appreciated. Thanks!
Reply:I don't know what would actually be required.But I like using my own stuff and would bring the basics.Gloves, helmet/welding mask, safety glasses, jacket.Basic tool bag, chipping hammer, brush, 2 adjustable wrenches, ball peen hammer, various other normal tools I like.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:It depends on state lawsMy state was 2x min wage for tools.For welding a hood hammer and a few hand tools (screw driver, center punch, wrenches pliers)Dave

Originally Posted by Billy Brewer

As a foeman or lead welder on a site, what tools/gear would you expect a new, entry-level hire to bring their first day on the job?Any insight appreciated. Thanks!
Reply:I think it really depends on the type of 'welding' that you're planning to do; is it just welding, or is it fabrication also?  Which process(es)?For me, I would expect somebody to show up with the following.  Please note that I don't have any employees and am not hiring, but if I were.....these are the tools that are in my bucket and always get in and out of the truck with me.  Showing up with tools like these tells me that you are serious and experienced.-tape measure, 25' minimum, a classic Stanley chrome-plated one would be fine.-chipping hammer-3-lb hammer-bullpin-wire brush-12" square-12" combination square-8" or longer cold chisel-7/16" or bigger centerpunch-oxy-acetylene tip cleaner (I don't use acetylene, but other people borrow it)-utility knife-metal pliers, no plastic or rubber on them, just cheap ones-MIG pliers-striker-combination torch wrenchMight be some more stuff in there, but that's what I remember for now.The PPE I bring on the truck to the job is as follows:-Welding shield-Clear face shield-Safety glasses-Welding hat-3M 7500 series respirator-Green cotton welding jacket-Leather welding jacket-Leather welding chaps-Kneepads-Hard hat liner-Hard hat-Welding gloves, Tillman 750L-Welding gloves, Tillman ??? (heavy, for Dual-Shield)-Aluminized back hand guard for the above gloves-Leather work gloves, I buy them in 12 packs from my LWS-Box of earplugs-First Aid kitI'm always wearing:-Redwing steel toes, just above ankle height-Carhartt double-knee dungaree pants-Belt-Tucked-in cotton t-shirt if summer-Tucked-in flannel shirt if winter-Additional cold weather layers if necessaryObviously you don't need all of this stuff as an employee.  But that's my personal equipment list.Edited to add that if all of this stuff is brand spanking new, it looks suspicious

Last edited by tbone550; 9 Hours Ago at 06:39 PM.
Reply:

Originally Posted by MinnesotaDave

I don't know what would actually be required.But I like using my own stuff and would bring the basics.Gloves, helmet/welding mask, safety glasses, jacket.Basic tool bag, chipping hammer, brush, 2 adjustable wrenches, ball peen hammer, various other normal tools I like.
Reply:

Originally Posted by smithdoor

It depends on state lawsMy state was 2x min wage for tools.For welding a hood hammer and a few hand tools (screw driver, center punch, wrenches pliers)Dave
Reply:

Originally Posted by tbone550

I think it really depends on the type of 'welding' that you're planning to do; is it just welding, or is it fabrication also?  Which process(es)?For me, I would expect somebody to show up with the following.  Please note that I don't have any employees and am not hiring, but if I were.....these are the tools that are in my bucket and always get in and out of the truck with me.  Showing up with tools like these tells me that you are serious and experienced.-tape measure, 25' minimum, a classic Stanley chrome-plated one would be fine.-chipping hammer-3-lb hammer-bullpin-wire brush-12" square-12" combination square-8" or longer cold chisel-7/16" or bigger centerpunch-oxy-acetylene tip cleaner (I don't use acetylene, but other people borrow it)-utility knife-metal pliers, no plastic or rubber on them, just cheap ones-MIG pliers-striker-combination torch wrenchMight be some more stuff in there, but that's what I remember for now.The PPE I bring on the truck to the job is as follows:-Welding shield-Clear face shield-Safety glasses-Welding hat-3M 7500 series respirator-Green cotton welding jacket-Leather welding jacket-Leather welding chaps-Kneepads-Hard hat liner-Hard hat-Welding gloves, Tillman 750L-Welding gloves, Tillman ??? (heavy, for Dual-Shield)-Aluminized back hand guard for the above gloves-Leather work gloves, I buy them in 12 packs from my LWS-Box of earplugs-First Aid kitI'm always wearing:-Redwing steel toes, just above ankle height-Carhartt double-knee dungaree pants-Belt-Tucked-in cotton t-shirt if summer-Tucked-in flannel shirt if winter-Additional cold weather layers if necessaryObviously you don't need all of this stuff as an employee.  But that's my personal equipment list.Edited to add that if all of this stuff is brand spanking new, it looks suspicious


Reply:I would expect him to have the items on the list that the company gave him.  Pretty  broad question.  Especially considering subcontractors vs employees.vs helpers vs tradesman vs first job vs sold tools for food....
Reply:If you could weld and i hired you as a welder you would do it on 1st day. I would be more inclined to hire a green welder vs green fabricator although some guys are naturals.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:To show up, gloves,  tape, hood, hardhat and glasses, and maybe 12 inch adjustable in back pocket, if it was pipefit, it would be 440 channelocks in one pocket and 6 ft folding rule in the other.   You can get more next day or if its needed but you do not need grinder or drills.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by Billy Brewer

This is healthy list. I'm also wondering how likely is it they would let an entry level guy actually weld anything?
Reply:

Originally Posted by tbone550

Yeah, the point of that list was to show that anybody can require anything.  You need to ask your employer what he wants.  When I show up to use somebody else's equipment or work in somebody else's shop as I'm occasionally hired to do, I show up with that stuff plus clamps, because other people's clamps are usually crap.  I never bring my power tools on someone else's job.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Billy Brewer

I guess it wouldn't hurt to have everything locked in the bed of my truck and just carry a bag of the basics onto the sight.  I don't want to be in a position where I have to ask to use someone else's tools.
Reply:Young guys are all different, some take time.  I have seen kids take a semester at a vo tech and look like they been welding for years, the next make a mess.  If i got the work and the kid can weld it i just as soon sweep up.   I cant do other things while welding.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by MinnesotaDave

Before I moved, there was a company that used to call me for carpentry/construction work when they were short men.They paid me extra per hour because I came with my full truck of tools for me to use. No wasted time hunting for half broken company stuff, if I needed it, I had it. Air nailers, compressor, chop saw, table saw, demo tools, ect.
Reply:

Originally Posted by tapwelder

I would expect him to have the items on the list that the company gave him.  Pretty  broad question.  Especially considering subcontractors vs employees.vs helpers vs tradesman vs first job vs sold tools for food....
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sberry

Young guys are all different, some take time.  I have seen kids take a semester at a vo tech and look like they been welding for years, the next make a mess.  If i got the work and the kid can weld it i just as soon sweep up.   I cant do other things while welding.
Reply:Easy way to find out is ask the employer.ChrisAuction Addict
Reply:

Originally Posted by milomilo

Easy way to find out is ask the employer.
Reply:Relax,,, i can tell from here you will do fine.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by tbone550

Yeah, the point of that list was to show that anybody can require anything.  You need to ask your employer what he wants.  When I show up to use somebody else's equipment or work in somebody else's shop as I'm occasionally hired to do, I show up with that stuff plus clamps, because other people's clamps are usually crap.  I never bring my power tools on someone else's job.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sberry

Relax,,, i can tell from here you will do fine.
Reply:Agree with Sberry that you'll do fine, and one final thing about my list.  The bucket itself.  I just realized people might think I mean something like a Home Depot 5 gallon plastic bucket with one of those cute bucket toolpouch things on it.  No.  I mean a metal bucket of about 2.5 gallons size that can't melt or catch on fire, and there's no toolpouch on it.  I use the galvanized kind that looks like an old milk bucket; my hardware store carries them.  All of my tools just get dumped in it.  I keep a second one that's a little smaller for tossing rod stubs and little pieces of scrap in, and I also set it under the vise to catch torch slag and sparks when I'm cutting; helps protect whatever surface I'm parked on.Both of those buckets get pretty beat up over time, but it's just one more sign that you've been there and done that.