good tools to buy newb here

[nick982002]

I'm starting with my first refrigeration place next week installing split A/C systems in trailers and they said that i need gauges,cutters and a torch kit normally what kind of each is perfect for this type of job.im kinda on a limited budget so something to get me started would be good.

[bustawrench1]

Turbo-Torch kit with small and med size tip, B-Tank..........approx $300.00

Yellow Jacket series 41 with 60" low loss hoses................approx $100.00

Left, Right, Str8 snips, seamers, hammer, folding bar, ect...approx $200.00

Hand tools, pipe wrenches, tool bag, multi-meter..............approx $300.00

That will get you started.........buy good stuff like Ridgid, Fluke, Malco, Klein and Channel Lock...........or buy cheap stuff and replace it every 4 months.

[Airmechanical]

Turbo-Torch kit with small and med size tip, B-Tank..........approx $300.00

Yellow Jacket series 41 with 60" low loss hoses................approx $100.00

Left, Right, Str8 snips, seamers, hammer, folding bar, ect...approx $200.00

Hand tools, pipe wrenches, tool bag, multi-meter..............approx $300.00

That will get you started.........buy good stuff like Ridgid, Fluke, Malco, Klein and Channel Lock...........or buy cheap stuff and replace it every 4 months.


i partially agree;

dont bother with a turbo torch get used to an oxy accetylene rig $350

get a set of standard gauges with hoses $40.00

klein strippers, channel locks, 6 n 1 screwdriver, tubing cutters (3 sizes)

and that other stuff that bustwrench said



.

[model m-man]

Guages - Ritchie Yellow Jacket ( w - low loss fitting's)
Cutter - Ritchie Yellow Jacket Mini Tubing Cutter
Torch - Turbo Torch Air/Acet - MC or B depending on which size tank's your employer has.

If your employer uses Stay Bright Silver solder instead of 15% silver you can get by with a Mapp Gas Turbo Torch for a lot less money. One of my old instructor's that is also a HVAC contractor uses nothing else on install's.

Avoid the el cheapo guages unless all you're after are the hoses! IMO BTDT & the Uni's are in the cabinet collecting dust.

Employer should supply Nitro guage and tank. Good Luck!

[480sparky]

ridgid klein channellock crescent crafman malco. all great hand tools
I would recomend fluke and amprobe for a meter but If money is an issue I also comend greenlee they have good product at a good price.

[hvactech13]

If you are really tight on money you could get by with a Fieldpiece multi meter and replace it later on with a Fluke. My Fieldpiece is used as a backup meter (along with my Craftsman).

IMO oxy/acetylene is better for brazing lines.

Like bustawrench1 said go with the good stuff, or replace the cheaper ones often.

[icehouse]

Tools that I recommend

1-6" adjustable
1 8 " adjustable
1 12' adjustable
1 6" square shank straight blade screwdriver
1 10" square shank screwdriver
1 # 1 phillips screwdriver
1 #2 phillips screwdriver
1 #2 phillips screwdiver 12" long
1 1/4" stubby nut driver
1 5/16" stubby nut driver
1 set of nut drivers complete (not the ones in the roll up with the handle)
1 straight, 1 left hand, 1 right hand snip
1 set of Yellow Jacket, Robinair, or J/B gauges with low loss fittings
Rigid tubing cutter and mini cutter (keep away from Imperial they're not what they used to be
oxy set up with small tanks
FLARE NUT WRENCHES
a good multi-meter and clamp-on
and don't forget a good thermometer

And welcome on board :D:D

[brocco82]

Icehouses list is good.

since you are first starting in the field I personally wouldn't buy all the expensive stuff. I'm not saying go cheap but don't kill yourself and be strapped for cash buying all namebrand, made in usa tools.

When i started in the field I bought husky and kobalt hand tools cause that's all i could afford at that point. As time goings on I do replace with better name brand, made in the usa tools (ie, rigid, craftsman, klein, Channellock).

I think you would rather had a Huskey tools (which i've had some of mine for 3 years and still works prefectly fine) then telling your boss you don't have some tools right now b/c you can't afford top notch tools.

Just a suggestion, do with it what you like

[icehouse]

I've often wanted to drown my troubles, but I can't get my girl to go swimming
:DBATHTUB:D:D:D

[brocco82]

I would use the bathtub but she locks the door all the time. Only allowed in during shower time:D:D:D. Maybe that's why I keep her around???

[icehouse]

I would use the bathtub but she locks the door all the time. Only allowed in during shower time:D:D:D. Maybe that's why I keep her around???
GOLDEN ? :D:D:D

[berg2666]

What company makes you provide a torchkit?

[icehouse]

What company makes you provide a torchkit?
When I first started service the owner explained that if he bought the tools and equipment, "You guys would just throw it in the truck but if you bought them you would place them and know where everything is".
He financed you tho.

[local 832s]

Also a good tubing bender and manometer are basics that you will need.

[bobb25]

Turbo-Torch kit with small and med size tip, B-Tank..........approx $300.00

Yellow Jacket series 41 with 60" low loss hoses................approx $100.00

Left, Right, Str8 snips, seamers, hammer, folding bar, ect...approx $200.00

Hand tools, pipe wrenches, tool bag, multi-meter..............approx $300.00

That will get you started.........buy good stuff like Ridgid, Fluke, Malco, Klein and Channel Lock...........or buy cheap stuff and replace it every 4 months.Normally I'd agree with you. I've had a lot of my tools for 20-30 years, but he said "limited budget". That's a pretty general term, but he may not be able to afford $900 if he's just starting out. Good used tools are always an option.

[icehouse]

:) Also try htpp://www.Snapon.com they set up a payment plan for you.

[bustawrench1]

What company makes you provide a torchkit?


Every one I ever worked for, except one.

[bustawrench1]

Normally I'd agree with you. I've had a lot of my tools for 20-30 years, but he said "limited budget". That's a pretty general term, but he may not be able to afford $900 if he's just starting out. Good used tools are always an option.


Visa..............might as well start building a credit history while he's at it, it's a tool just like a screwdriver or hammer and sooner or later everybody needs one.

[JumpSteady]

I would go with victor oxygen acetylene, yellow jacket manifold gauge with a set of low loss hoses, and another set of regular hoses. Yellow jacket or rigid tubing cutter and mini tubing cutter.
Although I think you can go cheap on some tools (like nut drivers you lose them anyway), these tools you need good ones.

[Hrdworkingacguy]

Being a professional pain in the a$$ even if I have $1000.00 in my pocket I won't spend cash on tools...I get my company to buy them through their credit account at whatever parts house I happen to be at and pay them back out of my check every week...They basically take $40 a week from my check to pay a tool account and in return I fart around for a couple extra hours a week to make up for it...Has worked pretty well so far I have the best tools in the company I think i have spend well over $10,000 in the last 5 years and never really noticed it...:eek:

BTW if you don't have company issued tools like a vacuum pump, torches, nitrogen tank/regulator, they can't lord them over you and micromanage them...Over time I would set a goal to own everything you need yourself...

[Eaallred]

My simple rule of thumb is this:

Snips - Midwest. Red and green offset for sure, then save up for the 'upright's. They'll save your butt some day

Tin Handtools - Malco.

All the other hand tools can be cheapies for now, just keep in mind you'll eventually change them out for nice things later on.

For the most part, I try to be a "buy once" kind of guy. You pay more up front, but less in the long run.

[icehouse]

Being a professional pain in the a$$ even if I have $1000.00 in my pocket I won't spend cash on tools...I get my company to buy them through their credit account at whatever parts house I happen to be at and pay them back out of my check every week...They basically take $40 a week from my check to pay a tool account and in return I fart around for a couple extra hours a week to make up for it...Has worked pretty well so far I have the best tools in the company I think i have spend well over $10,000 in the last 5 years and never really noticed it...:eek:

BTW if you don't have company issued tools like a vacuum pump, torches, nitrogen tank/regulator, they can't lord them over you and micromanage them...Over time I would set a goal to own everything you need yourself...
Caution!! When I worked for a company that had a plan like that, they thought they had an idiot working for them. When I gave my two weeks notice, they handed me a bill for all the tools. To bad for them I handed them photo copies of pub stubs showing that I paid for the tools