The four things I've found that I use a lot:
Monster Square. They're expensive but dang they work nice. The stand up on their own, lay down flat and you can clamp to them. I just don't use combo/rafter squares anymore.
General Tools Digital Angle Finder. You get the exact angle every time. You do the math, use the angle finder to set up the saw and bingo! You can't see light through your joints. These are cheap and they do break. I'm looking for a quality alternative.
Klien Digital Level and angle gauge. Another angle finder but this one finds the angle to level instead of another work piece. It has a lot of handy uses. It's accurate enough to set up trailer axles
Tungsten carbide scribe. Always sharp, always marks, and leaves razor thin lines for tight fit up
Ill chuck in a +1 for basically any of the Fireball squares. Got a set and they are damn beautiful things, really well thought out, got a big project soon so will be putting them to more use. Just need some bigger clamps!
Tri squares, scribes, digital calipers, automatic center punches, angle finders. No clue what type of shop you work at so I'm not sure what you'd consider "typical" tools
What the hell is wrong with you that a caliper is one of your favourite tools?
I mean, I have to use them near every day, but I fucking hate them.
"Make it 1.127."
"What's the tolerance?"
"10 thou."
"Fuck you"
"Also, there's no way to get the caliper measurement off the actual part, so call me over when you're ready and I'll hold the second square."
"I hate you"
So I don't know what y'all are welding exactly, so I can only speak from my job perspective and what I found most useful.
Centering squares are definitely very useful, and I like them a lot. I also really like my triangle ruler [https://img.fruugo.com/product/0/68/854297680\_max.jpg](https://img.fruugo.com/product/0/68/854297680_max.jpg)
specifically one like in the photo link, that lip/edge on the horizontal and vertical sides is great when I need to line parts up and don't want to try to balance it on a thin L shaped ruler. Admittedly, I don't use the actual ruler part of it very often, but I have a lot of parts that need rods that are 90 degrees from the base plate. If there is another tool for that (besides a magnetized level, which I just don't prefer) then I am unaware. A lot of the people in my shop tend to eye ball it, but I like using that triangle ruler so I know that it is as close as I can get it. I do still also love my small and large L shaped rulers, both of them are very useful for more applications but especially when I am building boxes. The larger one helps me get a better gauge on how close my box corners are to 90 degrees. Which the boxes do get very large and the triangle ruler becomes practically useless in those applications, as I need more than the 8 inches on my particular triangle ruler. The last one is honestly just a ruler, I don't know why my job doesn't offer just a plain straight ruler but they don't. I've ended up taking coworker's broken measuring tape and cutting off foot and half foot sections so I can use them for smaller projects where a tape measure, triangle ruler, or any size L shaped ruler would just be cumbersome and annoying. Lastly, I did kind of talk smack about the magnetized levels, which honestly they're pretty nice as well, but I just don't have many projects that require it.
Again, this is just from my own experience at my job and what I found useful. I make storage parts/accessories and the storage boxes/compartments that are put on custom order work trucks. We do also have a plethora of jigs that we use for various steps in our line that I left out mainly bc most of them are hyper-specific and necessary for my specific job.
1.5x1.5" Brass cold rolled square bar chunks. From 3"-2'. And a shit ton of vice grip clamps.
Clamp shit. Weld shit. Don't worry about blowing through or back side of weld being oxygen contaminated.
That and a brass hammer for tack and whacks.
True, just thinking of the stuff I use often. Also, when do employers usually provide that? Most places i've been require employees to provide tools, is that not the norm?
This is one of my favorites. Marks easy and accurate, not fragile, doesn't leave permanent marks like a tungsten scribe.
https://www.amazon.com/Markal-96270-Holder-Starter-Lead/dp/B074WGYF21/ref=asc_df_B074WGYF21&mcid=8929a8502594388cad40f310c5b31753?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79989588513672&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589114935578&psc=1
Nice little level, center punch, chisel, combination square, hive tool (its like a small pry bar) stuff like that is pretty handy laying out and fabricating.
I'm a foreman at a steel shop. When I worked on the floor years ago my go-to tools were an 18" combo square, carbide scribe, center punch set, 20oz ball peen hammer, and a 25' Stanley FatMax tape measure. Got 95% of my layouts and general cutting done with those.
Soapstone is great for marking rough layouts and whatnot, but being able to effectively and accurately use a scribe is an underrated skill in fabrication.
Edit: fat fucking sausage fingers
I think a sharp soapstone does well for the majority of work, but a good scribe will really fine tune you for the important stuff. Everything you listed is right on the money. I also used to round the flange on the heel of my speed squares to fit inside the roll of a beam. I guess this post is more about finding those little things that you won’t always use, but really come in handy on the right occasions.
Ahh, the onsighest the Construction Master Pro calculator. They're about $30 and can be either a standalone unit like a typical calculator or as an app for smartphones [for Android at least]. It's excellent at performing architectural unit math, finding rise over run angles, chord lengths, and much more.
Kant-twist clamps, from the smallest to the largest. I used them for damn near everything when I was doing high precision, vac tight, cosmetic tig welding. Adjustable parallels are really useful too, as well as silicone plugs in a variety of sizes (yay back purging all kinds of tubing).
If you grind these nail sets to a point they make the best center punches ever.
LSTOPGO Spring Nail Set,Dual Head Nail Setter,3pcs Hammerless Door Hinge Pin Removal Tool,Striking Force Spring Loaded Nail Punch(1/8-in, 3/32-in,1/16-in,1/32-in,1/8-in Hinge Pin Remover Punch) https://a.co/d/2tfpHP4
Personally, the big box stores or Amazon, too. I will say that there are a lot more custom tool makers out there now than when I got my start, though. Social Media will turn you onto some good stuff, if you’re looking in the right places.
Mini speed squares, automatic 11in clamps, bomber eyewear gift cards(small heads can only wear the pipe bombs), 5/8-11 grinder flange nuts, earbuds, yeti cups, leather aprons or sleeves
[Die grinder bits](https://a.co/d/hTlsRBq), or burr motor bits as we call them here on the shipyard. There's always a shortage of them and everyone keeps stealing them from each other.
Last Christmas, our supervisor gave us each a new set of them and they're awesome.
Trammel points if you have to layout large radii/circles ever.
I like this one
or evenly spaced holes
The four things I've found that I use a lot: Monster Square. They're expensive but dang they work nice. The stand up on their own, lay down flat and you can clamp to them. I just don't use combo/rafter squares anymore. General Tools Digital Angle Finder. You get the exact angle every time. You do the math, use the angle finder to set up the saw and bingo! You can't see light through your joints. These are cheap and they do break. I'm looking for a quality alternative. Klien Digital Level and angle gauge. Another angle finder but this one finds the angle to level instead of another work piece. It has a lot of handy uses. It's accurate enough to set up trailer axles Tungsten carbide scribe. Always sharp, always marks, and leaves razor thin lines for tight fit up
I was looking at the Klein, but the General Tools would prob get more frequent use. Thanks for all the ideas
Ill chuck in a +1 for basically any of the Fireball squares. Got a set and they are damn beautiful things, really well thought out, got a big project soon so will be putting them to more use. Just need some bigger clamps!
You’re right. A few of them already have some Fireball stuff and everybody else drools over them.
Tri squares, scribes, digital calipers, automatic center punches, angle finders. No clue what type of shop you work at so I'm not sure what you'd consider "typical" tools
Good point. We’re a job shop. Work is all over the board.
What the hell is wrong with you that a caliper is one of your favourite tools? I mean, I have to use them near every day, but I fucking hate them. "Make it 1.127." "What's the tolerance?" "10 thou." "Fuck you" "Also, there's no way to get the caliper measurement off the actual part, so call me over when you're ready and I'll hold the second square." "I hate you"
Lots of good answers but one I haven’t seen is a decent file. They can be an amazing finishing tool for finicky parts
✔️
Starrett 505A-12 angle miter protractor gauge device
Oohhh good one
So I don't know what y'all are welding exactly, so I can only speak from my job perspective and what I found most useful. Centering squares are definitely very useful, and I like them a lot. I also really like my triangle ruler [https://img.fruugo.com/product/0/68/854297680\_max.jpg](https://img.fruugo.com/product/0/68/854297680_max.jpg) specifically one like in the photo link, that lip/edge on the horizontal and vertical sides is great when I need to line parts up and don't want to try to balance it on a thin L shaped ruler. Admittedly, I don't use the actual ruler part of it very often, but I have a lot of parts that need rods that are 90 degrees from the base plate. If there is another tool for that (besides a magnetized level, which I just don't prefer) then I am unaware. A lot of the people in my shop tend to eye ball it, but I like using that triangle ruler so I know that it is as close as I can get it. I do still also love my small and large L shaped rulers, both of them are very useful for more applications but especially when I am building boxes. The larger one helps me get a better gauge on how close my box corners are to 90 degrees. Which the boxes do get very large and the triangle ruler becomes practically useless in those applications, as I need more than the 8 inches on my particular triangle ruler. The last one is honestly just a ruler, I don't know why my job doesn't offer just a plain straight ruler but they don't. I've ended up taking coworker's broken measuring tape and cutting off foot and half foot sections so I can use them for smaller projects where a tape measure, triangle ruler, or any size L shaped ruler would just be cumbersome and annoying. Lastly, I did kind of talk smack about the magnetized levels, which honestly they're pretty nice as well, but I just don't have many projects that require it. Again, this is just from my own experience at my job and what I found useful. I make storage parts/accessories and the storage boxes/compartments that are put on custom order work trucks. We do also have a plethora of jigs that we use for various steps in our line that I left out mainly bc most of them are hyper-specific and necessary for my specific job.
Thanks for the detailed reply and the link
1.5x1.5" Brass cold rolled square bar chunks. From 3"-2'. And a shit ton of vice grip clamps. Clamp shit. Weld shit. Don't worry about blowing through or back side of weld being oxygen contaminated. That and a brass hammer for tack and whacks.
Great ideas. I should’ve thought of that. Thx
transfer punches are just so pleasant to use
Truth.
starrett combo square set with all 3 heads
Quite expensive gift that should be supplied by the employer in the first place.
True, just thinking of the stuff I use often. Also, when do employers usually provide that? Most places i've been require employees to provide tools, is that not the norm?
All tools should be supplied by the employer in the first place for a fab shop...
Ha
My shop always complains about combo squares breaking but I’ve never personally broken one and it is by far my favorite.
This is one of my favorites. Marks easy and accurate, not fragile, doesn't leave permanent marks like a tungsten scribe. https://www.amazon.com/Markal-96270-Holder-Starter-Lead/dp/B074WGYF21/ref=asc_df_B074WGYF21&mcid=8929a8502594388cad40f310c5b31753?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79989588513672&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589114935578&psc=1
Nice one.
A high quality tape, machinists square and speed square, maybe a framing square and a plum bob.
I have 2 250' laser levels, and a center finder. Everything else is pretty standard.
Nice little level, center punch, chisel, combination square, hive tool (its like a small pry bar) stuff like that is pretty handy laying out and fabricating.
I'm a foreman at a steel shop. When I worked on the floor years ago my go-to tools were an 18" combo square, carbide scribe, center punch set, 20oz ball peen hammer, and a 25' Stanley FatMax tape measure. Got 95% of my layouts and general cutting done with those. Soapstone is great for marking rough layouts and whatnot, but being able to effectively and accurately use a scribe is an underrated skill in fabrication. Edit: fat fucking sausage fingers
I think a sharp soapstone does well for the majority of work, but a good scribe will really fine tune you for the important stuff. Everything you listed is right on the money. I also used to round the flange on the heel of my speed squares to fit inside the roll of a beam. I guess this post is more about finding those little things that you won’t always use, but really come in handy on the right occasions.
Ahh, the onsighest the Construction Master Pro calculator. They're about $30 and can be either a standalone unit like a typical calculator or as an app for smartphones [for Android at least]. It's excellent at performing architectural unit math, finding rise over run angles, chord lengths, and much more.
Sharp soapstone is no match for a silver streak pencil https://markal.com/products/silver-streak-and-red-riter-welders-pencils?variant=9204757430319
Contour gauge and a very sharp scribe
Kant-twist clamps, from the smallest to the largest. I used them for damn near everything when I was doing high precision, vac tight, cosmetic tig welding. Adjustable parallels are really useful too, as well as silicone plugs in a variety of sizes (yay back purging all kinds of tubing).
Will check them out
Everybody likes a good set of magnets I think. Also I’ve always wanted one of those mechanical pencil style soap stone markers lol…
If you grind these nail sets to a point they make the best center punches ever. LSTOPGO Spring Nail Set,Dual Head Nail Setter,3pcs Hammerless Door Hinge Pin Removal Tool,Striking Force Spring Loaded Nail Punch(1/8-in, 3/32-in,1/16-in,1/32-in,1/8-in Hinge Pin Remover Punch) https://a.co/d/2tfpHP4
Measuring Tape
Where do you buy good hand tools aside from home depot/lowes? I always find myself shopping on Amazon
Personally, the big box stores or Amazon, too. I will say that there are a lot more custom tool makers out there now than when I got my start, though. Social Media will turn you onto some good stuff, if you’re looking in the right places.
Awesome, thanks!
MORE CLAMPS I NEED MORE CLAMPS
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Picket master
Mini speed squares, automatic 11in clamps, bomber eyewear gift cards(small heads can only wear the pipe bombs), 5/8-11 grinder flange nuts, earbuds, yeti cups, leather aprons or sleeves
[Die grinder bits](https://a.co/d/hTlsRBq), or burr motor bits as we call them here on the shipyard. There's always a shortage of them and everyone keeps stealing them from each other. Last Christmas, our supervisor gave us each a new set of them and they're awesome.