TOOLS EVERY APPRENTICE SHOULD OWN

You don't need to spend thousands of pounds building a toolbox before your first day.

In fact, you shouldn't.

Start with the tools you genuinely need and build your collection as your career develops.

A recent discussion from someone starting their first machinist job produced the same sort of advice you'll hear repeatedly: basic measuring equipment, indicators, a precision square, Allen keys, files and deburring tools are useful foundations, but there is little point buying everything immediately.

Why own your own tools?

Your own toolkit gives you familiarity.

When you use the same micrometer repeatedly, you become comfortable with it.

You know how it feels.

You know how it works.

You know how to look after it.

It also means you can build your own collection of tools around the type of work you do.

A good starting point

Depending on what your employer provides, a machining apprentice might eventually build a toolkit containing:

• 150mm vernier caliper

• 0–25mm micrometer

• Larger micrometers as required

• Dial test indicator

• Magnetic base

• Engineers square

• Steel rule

• Radius gauges

• Files

• Deburring tool

• Allen keys

• Spanners

• Screwdrivers

• Pliers

• Ball pein hammer

• Soft mallet

• Scriber

Your workplace may provide some or all of these, so always check before buying.

Don't buy something simply because another machinist has it.

Buy it because you understand what it does and know you'll use it.

Your toolkit should grow alongside your skills.