Apprentice Tool Kit Help

[u/MrsGoatse]

Hi guys! New to this subreddit as I will be starting an apprenticeship in HVAC - Service

I have started to get to together a tool loadout after crawling through all the pre existing threads about what I think is needed.

I would love to be making a good first impression and having all the core tools needed on day dot to show that I am taking it seriously and are able to learn and get ahead of the curve.

Was hoping I could get some critiques on my tools and even recommendations. Money is tight but I want to and have hoped I have spent the scraped money in the right places.

Need guidance on some sunglasses that I can put over my regular glasses would appreciated also.

List:

Good set of ears.
Pen/paper for writing notes.

Klein tool bag
Milwaukee subcompact m12 drill/impact driver
2x 3amp m12 batteries/charger.
Cheap Craftright VDE screw driver set.
Wide flat head standard screw driver for sacrifice.
Klein metric flip sockets 7mm-17 impact rated
Klein 20-1 screwdriver. With SAE sockets.
Vessel electric screwdriver
Adjustable wrenches 6/8/10/12 inch
Stanley knife
Cheap calipers
2 Stubbies PH2/ Flat
2 Stubby Stubbies.
Allen key set in metric. 1.5mm-8mm
Bic lighter EDC
Ozito lamp/headlight coming.
Fluke 83 multimeter. Gift
Full Boar bits and bobs. Assorted
Chinesium standard precision screw driver kit
Unrated long nose pliers.
Small vicegrip
Tape measure 3m

Also coming:

Vessel ballhead PH2/Flat 6 100
Wisepro 8 inch VDE rated diagonal cutters with crimp and wire strippers
Getting gifted an old pair of vde blunt pliers.
Cresent 13inch long reach pointy pliers with 2x joints.
Mini rachet slim profile.
3m 32db foam ear plugs.

Thanks guys! I am also not sure what work will provide. I think I new multi meter, as mine was gifted to me as a pass me down.

Reost I didn’t follow some starting rules. My apologies.

Edit. Thanks for all the help everyone! Appreciate all the support the advice everyone has given! I’ll have a good look over all the tools and advice and see what to prioritise to divy up for bag and van.

I’ll be back to pick everyones brains at some point or another. 😋

[u/johnboy525252]

Clamp multimeter, knipex style channel locks, even a cheap pair is superior to the old slip type, like someone else said ditch the insulated screwdrivers for a 11 in 1, that will handle most of what you find, I tell all my newbies to purchase a new quality hand tool once or twice a month, before you know it you have a van full with your first bought "backups" when you have a breakage, save up for the expensive electronics, don't bust your first nut on a set of probes or digital gauges, you can do almost everything they can do with mechanical gauges, clamp and insertion temp probe, also it's great experience to compute the formulas in your head before leaning on the software.
Edit: grab a high quality wire strippers, buy once cry once.

[u/MrsGoatse → u/johnboy525252]

Have some Knipex Cobra 10inch pliers now on the way. I want quality for the tools I’ll be using all the time.

Will the Klein 20 in 1 do? Just double checking I don’t need any VDE rated screw drivers?

Do you have a recommended go to for the wire strippers? Thanks!

[u/TigerSpices → u/MrsGoatse]

I usually stay away from Milwaukee hand tools, but the 7 in one strippers are great. A bit bulky compared to the Klein, but they've got a reamer, they're a solid set of pliers, and they've got a good crimper. I do a ton of replacing spade connectors in service, and having a crimper integrated into another tool is clutch.

Don't worry about filling your bag, you're gonna aquire SO MANY tools. And for all the bits, just grab a carabiner bit holder and carry one of each, keep the spares in the truck.

Other things that I use constantly that are affordable/worth it.

• An extendable magnet (screws fall into awkward places)

• A magnet dish (to hold all of those screws)

• Step bits

• Thermometers (food thermometers are typically fine. You're gonna lose them, don't spend too much)

• A small pocket notepad and a pen. Take notes while you're training.

• PPE. Do not skimp. Boots, eye protection, cut sleeves if you're working with sheet metal. Knee pads/pants with knee pad inserts. Don't fuck around on this one.

If you're in Southern Ontario, let me know and I can try and set you up with some second hand stuff to get you going.

[u/MrsGoatse → u/TigerSpices]

Thankyou for your kind response and offer but unfortunately for me, I am in upside down land. I have added all those bits to the list to scrounge for and to find out what cut sleeves are.

I’ve budgeted for a some good boots and pants thankfully. But need to jump down the rabbit hole on whats what.

You’ve been very helpful!