Being someone who makes his or her living in a trade that involves the use of tools is a little different than being a home do-it-yourselfer who likes to collect tools for use around the house on weekend projects.

            The DIY-er might go buy a new cordless drill and a set of driver bits, and then wait anxiously for the batteries to charge so he can skip tra-la-la through the house drilling and tightening and loosening things.

            “Look, honey! I just tightened the screws on the hinges on all the kitchen cabinets. Without a cord!” he’ll proudly exclaim shortly before jumping in the car to go back to the hardware store to get some larger screws to replace the ones he stripped out with his new toy.

            Yeah. You know you’ve been there, so stop laughing…

            Anyhow, things are different for a pro tradesman. Tools are how the meat gets on the table and how the mortgage gets paid. They’re not to be taken lightly or treated as a pleasant diversion like a DIY-er might.

            Different trades have different requirements, of course—the essential items for an electrician aren’t the same items a pro auto mechanic is going to need. But, what are the essential, “must-have” basic items any plumber has to have in order to do his or her job?

            We hopped on the phone and asked about 15 contractors to give us a list of their basic “must-have” tools. We also solicited responses on our Web site and via e-mail. Plumbers and business owners from all over our 14 Western states supplied lists of their bare minimum items required to perform as a professional plumber.

            Now, here’s the list of the top vote-getters in no particular order:

Safety First

The first item for the toolbox is a good quality pair of safety glasses or safety goggles or, preferably, both. You’re a plumber—you occasionally need to use tools and machines that create debris that can be very hot, very sharp and possibly flying around unpredictably. Don't even think about using a tool without having them on your face.

Next, have a couple of pair of good, close-fitting work gloves--like the “Mechanix” type--and a lined pair of leather gloves, too. Steel-toed work shoes or boots? Well, they couldn’t hurt, either.

Safety, baby. Don’t leave the shop without it.

Bringing the Heat

Even in these days of plastic tubing and high-tech pipe joinery methods, a skilled plumber with a torch, solder and flux is still the state-of-the art. Both common types of torch, though, have their advantages depending on the type of work being done.

MAPP gas, a combination of liquefied petroleum and methylacetylene-propadine, can reportedly produce a flame temperature in excess of 5,300 degrees Fahrenheit. With this kind of heat, you can braze, solder, heat, flame-harden and even apply persuasion to a reluctant, rusty nut or bolt. MAPP is probably a good choice for a general service and repair contractor because applying the Big Red Wrench to a problem can sometimes save time on a job.

Propane doesn’t produce quite as hot a flame so it might be the way to go for jobs involving tubing smaller than about a half an inch in diameter. It’s also less expensive than MAPP gas, so it may be the best choice for a contractor who does a lot of sweating like a re-piping or new construction company. 

Pliers

This single heading covers quite a bit of ground. But we’re actually only talking about two separate types here: the locking, “Vice-Grip”-type pliers and the “water pump” or “Channellock”-type of pliers.

            Locking-type pliers come in almost every size and configuration imaginable and  from almost as many manufacturers, but quality is the key (as with any tool you’ll be making your living with). Some of the locking pliers available can exert as much as a ton of crushing, clamping pressure on whatever it is you need to hold, or they can be adjusted to put a feather-light touch on the fragile tubing you’re trying to sweat. 

            “Water pump” pliers, “channel-lock” pliers, “tongue and groove” pliers—it doesn’t matter what you call them, their value can’t be underestimated. Also available in different sizes and capacities, the key to these guys’ handiness is the fact they can be adjusted with one hand and their non-slip grips are long enough to allow you to put some serious leverage on whatever it is you’re trying to do. Another benefit is the angled "gooseneck" design helps you get them into tight places.

Wrenches

Adjustible, “Crescent”-type wrenches like this one from Reed Mfg. Co., are able to help you out of numerous jams on the job, especially if you have two or three different sizes at your  disposal. Photo Courtesy of Reed Mfg. Co.

Again, we’re covering a lot of ground here. But, let’s face it, no devoid of wrenches is anything close to complete, and the plumber’s is no exception. There are several types that ought to be in the tool kit of any pro plumber:

            Let’s start off with 8-inch, 10- inch and 12-inch adjustable, “Crescent”-type wrenches for starters. You’re also going to need a 12-inch pipe wrench and its toothless cousin, a 12-inch spud wrench, to avoid leaving marks on pretty chrome parts. The pipe wrenches can be either the straight or 90-degree type (preferably both).

            What about a hunk of pipe scrap to slip onto the end of these wrenches for more leverage? Forget about this idea—nobody cares how Grandpappy did it back in the day, OK? After all, Grandpappy’s nickname was “Stumpy” for a reason, you know? Use the tools correctly and safely or just…well, don’t.

            Also consider acquiring a set of larger-sized Allen wrenches for those garbage disposals and then round out your assortment with socket set and a set of nut drivers. Toss in a basin wrench and you’re all set.

Basic Cutting Tools

It may not exactly be a, "basic hand tool," but reciprocating saw like this battery-operated Milwaukee V28 unit, is nice to have on the truck when all efforts to reason with the stubborn pipe or stud have failed. Photo courtesy of Milwaukee.

Hey, sometimes you have to perform a little surgery. You’ll need to cut pipe to length or open a hole in the drywall or just simply cut a piece of string. May we suggest the following “must-have” cutting tools?

            Let’s start with a drywall saw. Also known as a “jab” saw or a “keyhole” saw, these pointy little dudes let you poke into, and relatively surgically remove,  pieces of drywall to reveal the piping underneath.

Sometimes, though, you need to get serious. That’s why you need to have a big reciprocating saw and an assortment of wood and metal blades on your truck, too. A tubing cutter and the companion piece—a tubing reamer—will also come in very handy.

            It’s also a swell idea to get yourself a high quality pocket knife or, even better, a “Leatherman”-style multi-tool. Try and choose one that comes with a carrying case you can hang onto your belt to make sure it’s always handy.

 

Measuring and Power Tools

If we required every contractor who responded to our question about “must-have” tools to pay us a dollar every time “tape measure” was suggested, we would be looking at picking up a Certificate of Deposit or two at the local financial institution. Bottom line—tape measure. Get a good, locking 50-footer and safeguard it.

            Now, power tools are what separates the men from the boys. Big, noisy and able to do large amounts of work in an ungodly short amount of time, these “must-haves” also get you done with the job at hand and on to the next one in very short order.

           We’ve already mentioned a reciprocating saw, but don’t forget a rechargeable drill with extra batteries and a set each of appropriately sized drill bits and screwdriver tips. Multi-tasking is good. And don’t forget the hammer drill and an appropriate set of bits and some concrete anchors.

Not to be Overlooked

OK, so there you have The Basics according to a wide assortment of Reeves Journal readers. But the items mentioned above by no means equal a comprehensive list—they’re just the things that got the most mentions from contractors and techs who are out there doing the job. There were, of course, many other tools mentioned as “must-haves.” It would be pretty reasonable to think the tools mentioned above could—and should—be augmented by items from this “secondary” list as time, finances and needs dictate:

• ABS/PVC pipe saw
• Bucket(s)
• Cellular camera phone
• Chain snap cutter
• Cold chisel
• Digital multimeter
• Drop cloth
• Drop light
• Extension cords
• File, 10-inch bastard
• Flashlight
• Flat and round shovels
• Hacksaws, regular and “mini” types
• Hammer, mallet or small sledge
• Hand axe
• Hand saw, 12-inch crosscut type
• Hard hat
• Home inspection checklist
• Inspection mirror
• Latex gloves
• No-hub torque wrench
• Pencils, chalk, markers
• Pipe vise and threader
• Plumb bob and string
• Screwdrivers, straight and Phillips
• Service Agreement Form/Contract
• Sewer machine, inspection camera and locator
• Torpedo level
• Water pressure gauge
• Wire cutters
• And finally, a positive “can do, will do” attitude