What kind of tools

[HVACappwife]

My husband is working full time as an HVAC apprentice and going to school. He is not far from his Journeyman lic.

I am very proud of him and want to get him tools that will be beneficial to his line of work and surprise him with them.

Any ideas or suggestions? As well where to buy them I am wanting to get him good tools that will last more than the average lifespan of a Wal-mart drill.

Thanks everyone.

[rogerk]

This is all I carry and there isnt a job I cant do with it.

[jpsmith1cm]

http://www.instrumetrix.com/categori...tem-Analyzers/

Digicools are very nice, but I have heard good reports about the Testo stuff, too.

Other things to consider are a good micron gauge, a good digital multimeter, a manometer and a good digital psychrometer.

Other things to think about if the above are outside of your price range.

Nothing sucks worse than not having light when you need it. A good flashlight is priceless and not terribly expensive. hint. Maglights don't count as 'good' flashlights. here is the one that I carry daily. http://www.surefire.com/6P-Original They also offer an LED version, but I'm not a big fan of LEDs.

[RamDiesel]

Be prepared for 'sticker-shock':

www.HVACR-tools.com

www.yellowjacket.com

www.fieldpiece.com

www.digi-cool.com

www.vetopropac.com

www.Tequipment.net

Tools are expensive......but good tools are priceless !

[supertek65]

funny
we just put together a list for apprentices tools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i think most of us ???? i think???
like Klein hand tools
fluke meters
such as a fluke 902
it does temperature, volts,amps!!!!!!!!!!!!

fluke 902, fluke 52 fluke 179 are 3 that i have
you could get away with just the 902

i use an ideal leather tool bag/ case whatever??

leather is GOOOD!!

klein
dykes,linesmans pliers, needle nose, screw driver set, allen wrenches,
magnetic nut drivers

i personally like the little bosch drill/driver!!!!!!!!!
other guys like the milwakeeee

husband is LUCKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good luck
have fun

frank

[supertek65]

to start you just need an okay set of gauges, tool bag/belt one good multimeter
basic habd tools, good drill and a micron gauge
the boss should have the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jpsmith1cm]

funny
we just put together a list for apprentices tools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i think most of us ???? i think???
like Klein hand tools
fluke meters
such as a fluke 902
it does temperature, volts,amps!!!!!!!!!!!!

fluke 902, fluke 52 fluke 179 are 3 that i have
you could get away with just the 902

i use an ideal leather tool bag/ case whatever??

leather is GOOOD!!

klein
dykes,linesmans pliers, needle nose, screw driver set, allen wrenches,
magnetic nut drivers

i personally like the little bosch drill/driver!!!!!!!!!
other guys like the milwakeeee

husband is LUCKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good luck
have fun

frank

I opted for Craftsman tools, simply because Sears is everywhere, and when you are travelling a lot, it's easier to cash in on the warranty simply because there is almost always a Sears nearby.

Can't argue with anything you said, Frank.

When you make your living with tools, you can't go wrong with good tools.

[supertek65]

jp

i spent about 400 bucks this week at sears

working on a hitachi screw

metric wrenches sockets especially 30 mm

metric allen sockets

metric deep well sockets and the long metric allen sockets w ball

all with the sizes engraved nicely on the side

i have atleast 3-5k worth of craftsman stuff on my truck
including 3/4 drive set up to 2 7/8

LOOOOOOOVE ITTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I opted for Craftsman tools, simply because Sears is everywhere, and when you are travelling a lot, it's easier to cash in on the warranty simply because there is almost always a Sears nearby.

Can't argue with anything you said, Frank.

When you make your living with tools, you can't go wrong with good tools.

[gruntly]

Before I got into the trade, maaaaaaany moons ago, the family bought me tools of sub-standard value. Lots of them.

After I started apprenticing, it didn't take me too long to learn that tools are an investment into my capacity to do a job well. I eventually told my wife to pass the word around not to buy me tools. I know the thought is there, but I choose my own tools, which needless to say are usually high-end. Unless they use tools everyday and depend on the quality of tools required to do work successfully, they can't understand the difference between an inferior tool and quality. It becomes all about price.

Many people say "Can't afford it." Most trades people understand "Can't afford not to."

I am not advocating the most expensive tools on the market. It is pointless investing a pile of cash into something that will only get used once in a while. It is more to the point that your hubby knows what's important to him. Probably better to surprise him with "Let's go shopping!" and let him choose his own.

jpsmith1cm's flashlight is a great idea.

This is probably the best pocket flashlight I ever had:

http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-T...t-22-80048.php

[HVACappwife]

Thank you everyone you have given me a lot to mull through. I will look into some of them and see.

It may turn out to confusing and I just buy him a tool box and stuff the cash into it so he can pick his own .

Thanks again.

[spotts]

I like the anti roll on that light! Opening e-bay as I type!!! My lights are called "Led Lenser". They are super high output adjustable beam led's, but they are around $80+. I think they are designed as tactical lights. So bright there is a low beam option. Thanx!!! Tools are my favorite toys!