How Many Tools Can I Buy From Lowe's for $400? (Beginner Tools)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 พ.ค. 2023
- Do you want to be a plumber? Do you need tools to get started? In today’s video, I am heading over to our local home improvement store to do some shopping. My team has challenged me to buy some beginner plumbing tools and get a starting plumber bag together for $400 max...Can I do it?
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Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, The Expert Plumber, and welcome to my channel. On this channel, it's ALL about plumbing. We play games, we experiment, and we have FUN here, talking and learning about all things plumbing!
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Should’ve gotten a marker and a pencil for a couple bucks more 😂
Yeah😂
Should’ve
I mean im pretty sure everyone have pencils and rulers laying around their house
Those are free at any hotel
Just a double-ended Sharpie is all you need. Broader nib for general marking and a superfine nib for precise lines on materials.
I'm an electrician, I'm 21 years in. My first set of power tools were craftsman. The drill had more torque than the higher end at the time. I've later switched to Milwaukee.
Craftsman was awesome quality when it was made in America. Just like DeWalt, when they stopped making it here it went to shit.
Just wanted to say thanks for making this video, Roger. You have no idea how many young people you’re going to help.
I grew up with a single mom and while she is a saint and tried to be dad when she could, there’s just some stuff she didn’t learn.
I’m in my late twenties now and while I’m not a tradesman, I’ve had to learn a lot of things on my own and I wish I had a resource like this when I first started living on my own.
Fixing things on my own with my own hands has not only saved me a lot of money but has left me feeling accomplished and capable.
Definitely inspired me to go get some essential tools I’ve been putting off getting.
I appreciate when experienced professionals build starter lists for people wondering what they need to start with for the least hassle.
Heavy duty tool bag is certainly great. I started out with a 5 gallon bucket and bucket organizer that fits over it. Lots of pockets for tools and still able to carry big ones. Worst comes to worst still have a 5 gallon bucket if I need one. Definitely gets heavy after a while but my OG bucket and bag is at least 18 months old and still holding up.
Hell I still have one and never will get rid of it. I have my tool bag for hand tools and general "useful on almost anything" and then my main power tools (drill, impact, sawzall, water bottle, batteries, light) in the bucket + bucket buddy. Then just offload what tools I need once on site to the bucket buddy pouches for the day.
Mines still holding up after 5 years, just passed it down to my buddy that started in the trades a few weeks back.
So many uses for that bucket in case you don't need it for tools anymore. Can shred and make new paper, mix cement, build a shop vac, mix paint, ad infinitum til the end of imagination. Most uses you can clean it after and use it again for any other.
Lol I gave a friend a bucket with doubles from my dad’s garage trust me I’ve bought sets and sets of tools and they ended up there where he hung up the wrenches on his wall on nails so there were lol 10 1/2” and like 2 10mm.. either way I set him up with standard and metric tools and a variety of tools that made him happy because it allowed him to get back to working on cars. Wasn’t fancy lots of harbor freight piece’s but it was working also sockets. I used to work for Lowes so I would buy tools on the major holidays
My dad's got a Kobalt tool bag, and then for his "specialty" tools he's got an old industrial laundry detergent bucket.
He's not in the trades, but he used to be.
With what I learned from my dad, always get tools you can do any job with just your pockets and have your toolbox as backup. This is a great guide Rodger. Thank you
Right on
What does that even mean?
in 1994 when I started my plumbing apprenticeship the senior plumber took me shopping for the basic tool kit. It cost $3000 . I was earring $9216 a year. They were nice tools. Some items were half a weeks wages. I still use those tools to this day. My old boss from New Zealand went to the rigid factory in Ohio. He knew Quality.
Which tool was your favorite?
Basic kit costs 3k? Is that affordable where you live? They expected you to pay for that immediately or was it a thing where the company buys your tools and you make payments on them check to check until you pay them off?
@@CarlYota At $3,000 they 100% overloaded them with a ton of stuff they were going to use infrequently just to not have to let them use their tools. Even today as a second year, I've only just spent $3,000 on tools and honestly $1,000 of that is on tools just to have a set of my own that I don't use all the time and journeymen would let me use. And they're absolutely quality brands as well.
We buy our apprentices tool for them and not from Ferguson because they suck really bad
I've had a Stanley fatmax for 4 years now, comes in a little rough but still great
The knifes without the slider for the blades are meant for drywall, it’s so the mud can’t dry in the slider and prevent it from working anymore
My first company gave me a list of starting tools. I bought higher quality brands and 3 years later they're still working great. I have around $1500 in hand tools by now.
That’s awesome! What tools did they give you to start off with?
Let us know the list too poease
I do exclusively residential service so my list is for that. This is my basic hand tool list, there are more that are handy to have but not necessary. The ones marked with a * are the ones I carried every day as an apprentice.
*Tongue and groove pliers(6.5", 10", 16.5")
*Crescent wrench
*Razor knife
*11 in 1 screwdriver
*Mini hacksaw
*Torpedo level (graduated cylinder)
*Tape measurer
*Pex cutters
*Pex crimpers
*Copper cutters
*Pipe reamer/chamfer
*Solder torch head
Lineman pliers
Basket Strainer wrench or pliers
Basin wrench
Seat wrench
Stem wrench set
Element wrench
Pipe wrench (8", 18", 36")
Tub drain wrench
PVC saw
Tin snips
Pick set
Moen cartridge puller
Handle puller
Claw hammer
Small sledge hammer
Stone chisel
Cats paw (small crowbar)
Longer level
@@23tracy91 that’s a great set to start out with… Did they give you a bag with wheels???
@@23tracy91 thx
Common Roger W with the Filthy Frank reference.
Common filthy frank W
The last channel that i would expect to see Filthy Frank on
This isn’t the first time I’ve used filthy frank
Thats a nice kit for someone starting out, i use steelsons that my dad was given when we was a apprentice by his boss, there about 60 years old and still going strong!
Not every plumber can be a fitter, but every fitter can be a plumber. Nonetheless, great video, and very informative. Glad you're willing to teach the next generation
My first tool bag was my old backpack from high school. Served well for those first few months
Awesome advice and awesome video. Especially the bit at the end. If you're just starting out or being trained at something new, ask your the person in charge "what basic tools would you expect me to have if i told you i could do this?" Blew my current boss's mind when i asked this. It shows that youre serious about learning and doing the job.
Edit: also beware of "Buy once, cry once". These days some companies are resting on their laurels, and will happily sell you "chinesium" at made in america prices, while other places will sell you chinesium with them understanding that youll be back in a few weeks to have it replaced for free and probably buy other stuff
Yes, you have to research expensive tools before buying. The more complex it is, the more important this is. Buying lifetime warranty Harbor Freight wrenches is one thing, it's a solid chunk of metal that will get replaced for free every time it breaks. Buying things with motors from HF is another thing. And buying obscure Knipex pliers you use twice a year might not be cost effective either. You also don't want to just buy everything expensive and assume it's good. Not all Milwaukee tools are worth their price. Some Ryobi stuff tests better than Milwaukee. I think it was the stapler in this case. Always do a bit of research before dropping several hundred dollars on a tool. The simpler a tool is, the less likely you need to spend a ton of money to get something that will work and last you decades.
I’ve had my fat max for 7-8 years now. Works great. Takes a beating and keeps going
Sometimes i like to walk through home Depot or Lowe's and look at the tools. Specifically look at the ones that are low in stock or out of, noticed those tended to be the better ones either bang for buck or quality
I take a picture of sticker for the next time
That's a good rule of thumb for beginners! Thanks for sharing
What I love about tape measures with magnets is that I can use it to pick up all the screws etc. I drop down holes and behind furniture 😅 I'm seldom more than three feet away from a tape measure! (Totally a lie, but I did get me another one to have in my apartment, because it's too handy and I don't want to go down to my workshop all the way down in the basement! I mean, I live on the second floor! It takes me all of two minutes to go down there!)
You're the reason I learned basic repairs. I got an HVAC license when i was 18, and it's been very useful at home and in my car. I can do most trades and mechanic work. I still call up a trade if I can't do it right.
Amazing can't wait to get my tools together and help my dad out
I got a list when I started working in the US, I had already been working before so I didn’t get everything they wanted me to but I would recommend a drywall saw, needle nose pliers and some side cutters.
Either way, i couldn’t stay under 600 my first time getting all the tools I needed back in 2021 and now I easily have 2500+ with different testers and power tools
Yeah adding power tools really jacks up the price
i started off using Milwaukee tapes and i went through 3 of them pretty fast because the tapes kept splitting. I switched to the stanley fatmax and haven't had that problem. They definitely don't last forever, but they do last much longer
Milwaukee 25' wide tapes feel huge in my hand. The fatmax isn't small but it feels more comfortable. The 16 footers are fine in both cases. I don't think Stanley has a magnetic 16' though so I went Milwaukee in that case. For my carpentry bag I have a 25 fatmax. For my drywall bag I have a 16 fatmax. And for my plumbing bag and my electrical bag I have Milwaukee wide magnetic 16s. I don't use them often enough to have to worry about destroying any of them. At work I keep a small Dewalt 9' on my belt which I take care of so it lasts forever, and I use cheap $3 twelve footers on the wet bandsaw. They last a year or two each because the wet environment eventually facilitates wearing the numbers off. My experience with the Kobalt guarantee is that the employees don't know what it really is. they think you're just returning something you bought recently and try to look up your receipt. Better to just spend a few bucks a year and buy new cheap tapes for me. Plus smaller is better there because I never measure anything longer than 100", and anything over 6' is rare.
@@CarlYota Amen. After a year I've learned 16' is more than enough almost always, and I only really bust the bulkier 25' lufkin on groundworks.
@@CarlYotai had the same experience with Lowes employees... I was trying to warranty a kobalt polesaw and the customer service department didn't know what they were suppose to do. Ended up having to call Kobalt cooperate to guide them on how to accept the polesaw.
Great video! I’m graduating from high school soon and will be getting into “PHCC” here in Pennsylvania and your videos have been helping me learn a lot so thank you and keep sharing🙌🏽
Congrats on graduating and good luck with PHCC💪🏻 don’t stop learning! 🧠
@@RogerWakefield thank you I appreciate it💪🏽
This is extremely encouraging and informative! Very inspirational stuff here. Building the next generation of trades men a student at a time
Great video suggestions. The one choice you were torn on ( 8:14 ) tubing cutters… I highly recommend staying away from the kobalt tubing cutters and the ratcheting PVC cutters. I recommend everyone go with Lenox brand ones. The cobalt ones have brittle cutting wheels and cutting jaws. Yes, Lowe’s will replace them hassle free. But the amount of time you spend warranting those particular tools far exceeds the cost difference and you’ll find replacement Lenox parts/ consumables at most supply houses you’ll probably be visiting more frequently then Lowe’s during the work week. As well as most employers pay for the consumables if your able to charge them to a job order. So in the long run Kobalt pipe cutters are going to cost an apprentice more in the long run. As well as a potentially leave in the middle of a job more frequently to have this particular tool replaced. All the other kobalt and other tools you recommended I agree are good tools and in the rare event they need to be warranted they make since.
The toughbuilt reload utility knife is the best razor blade knife on the market! Has 2 magazines so you can switch between straight edge and a hook and also has super fast and easy blade changes.
The bastard file, the most overlooked thing ever. Has helped a lot with many projects.
I have a old Stanley 25 foot metal tape measure , I used it for the 5 years I been working but I owned it for 8 I do drywall and flooring sometimes porches and roofs and it’s took a beating , only problem I’ve had starting this year is the spring dosnt work at long distances anymore so you have to manually do it until it sucks it in
I have that Kobalt wrench set, they are definitely worth the money. I use them everyday while fixing heavy equipment
Stanley 25' fatmax is the goated tape measure, available at your local home depot.
Dude mine are all locked up because people keep stealing them lmao
@@bebop-lj7yv this man knows!
I'm 36 started as a plumber when I was 19, I first got Stanley Fat Max 25ft tape measure and still using it to this day
Thank you for this video! Very helpful! :)
Hey man,great video,loved watching it. I think you got a lot of things right,and is more oriented as a plumber 🪠 tool bag. Me,more mechanically/electrical inclined,I would definitely add some kind of wire cutters, wire strippers, definitely a multimeter, a small 1/4 inch ratchet+socket+bits like the wear ones in a pouch for 60$...with all that,a homeowner could take care many stuff around the house. Appreciate your videos,from a fellow tradesman.
I’d love to see this done at harbor freight
Too bad every plumbing tool Harbor Freight sells is literally junk. All of them from the the basin wrench to the tubing cutters to the pipe wrenches. All garbage
I would get some name brands and some non name brands. For example, I have a dewalt vise grips and bit sets (name brand) but I have a Jobsmart hammer I got from tractor supply. I believe that a combination of both is a great way to get started
I like that! Tools you use quite often it would be best to go name brand
I just bought that exact tape measure! I knew I made a good choice lol
I’ve had a 35ft Stanley power lock tape since 2014 and it’s taken it’s licks. Been replaced once when the tape itself tore (it was my fault got it in a bind) there warranty and replacement policy is pretty good. I’ve also tried the lufkin tapes and they don’t survive long in the elements especially with milk work.
2014! That's impressive, I've got to the point at our yard (timber milling) we write the date of purchase on the tapes with a Sharpie and if they go longer than a month without being smashed or lost we're shocked haha
My old tape measure is a Standley 8m/ 26' by Tylon, when I was a glazer. I use it as a home tool now just because a starting employee kept bending the measure back and forth and really warpped my blade from 0-5in/ 0-12.6cm and it has a lot of chips on the side too. I rarely give someone my tape now and expect others to have the bare minum or I watch them use it and give it back right away. So far my Toughbuilt 26' (Main) and Milwaukee 16ft (spare) are my go to and haven't yet lost it.
You can always upgrade as you go along 👍 good for starting out
Mainly a Milwaukee man myself but when it comes specifically to tape measures, Stanley FatMax is what i always go for.
im a welder. i have had my stanly fatmax 25’ tape for about 5 years now. still running strong
Do one for home Depot and harbor flight if you have one.
In the metal fab/ welder trade if I first started again I’d suggest ,
Tape measure
Tri square
C clamps
Torpedo level
Some wrenches
And good peening hammer
Should set u up for your first couple months and save your money and spend it on a nice set of power tools , never go cheap on your first buy because they’ll last u a lifetime if u get a good set
Don't be afraid to shop at Harbor Freight either.. not ideal but a lot of our tools just get ruined by spatter.
Cold chisels are one of my favorite hand tools. Super handy in all trades.
For sure!
PRO TIP
I can not stress how helpful the auto cutters are for plumbing with copper. Sometimes you just need that tight fit to cleanly cut the pipe.
Great point!
I have the Bauer modular storage system, great for beginner mechanics
Used to work at Lowes. If it hasnt changed, the hassel free is just that. You literally grab the new one off the shelf, go to returns with your broken one, and your new one.. sign some stuff.. then walk out the door. I love Kobalt stuff
Stably fat max served my dad doing carpentry for 6-7 years and now serves me now that he’s gone. Thanks dad…I miss you
Great video. Greetings from Dundalk, Ireland.
Thanks for watching!
I found that Irwin brand hand tools are pretty good despite the low price. They're priced similarly to Husky and Kobalt but are a lot sturdier.
I have some irwin clamps and vice grips. They are serious quality. They’ve survived my fab shop for 15 years so far with no signs of slowing down.
Really enjoyed this video man
I appreciate it!
LOVE IT - how about a great DIY tool load for us home owner, wanna be's out here. Like what would you buy if you were just getting into your first home (which is NOT new and will likely have some issues) but you want a good a diverse set of tools so you can address various things. Like ladders, power tools, and all the other trade tools we might want to invest in. Maybe give 3 ranges of prices - under $500, under $2,000 and unlimited amount to spend?
Pretty good. i would definitely swap out the chisels for a set of Allen keys.
Thats a good substitute
I still have a old stanley with the pop out tab and you manually reel it in
I’ve never had a tape measure last very long, but I’m great at dropping everything.
this was the absolute last place i expected to see filthy frank but i am overjoyed that i did.
I've had a 25' Stanley MaxSteel for over 10 years (probably 12?). I have a fancy tape now, but this beast just would not die.
I am a hobbyist - I use my tape maybe 3 times a week, and almost never extend it fully.
I've dropped it maybe twice in 10 years, and it was from less than 3' height.
I try to slow it down before it slams the stopper into the case, so I still have the factory play of 1/16" on the lip.
P.S.: My "Fancy" tape is Klein 9225 - I am very happy with it (esp the magnet) but, if it broke, I would be just as happy continuing to use my Stanley.
A great tape measure I will always recommend is the Stanley FATMAX.
Wish I would have had this when I started. great video for the start, Now thats not enough tools 😂
Stanley fatmax 25'. Only tape measure i buy. Covers all my bases. Rough-ins. Slabs. Renovations
As a fellow guy, I started seriously building up my tool roster about 3 or 4 years ago. Need a bigger toolbox now😬
If you are a veteran, knock $40 off that order!
Yes I love tools 🔧 and Lowe's has great tools
So the best screwdriver as a plumber is the 4-in-1 with 2 nut drivers, because I used that nut driver for a lot, especially Fernco bands.
The last thing you want as a finish Carpenter is a waffle head hammer smooth for finish work waffle for framing
Another thing framing hammers are good for is just smashing electrical wires. They love it when you do that.
Great point!
you'd also need something to cut straps like a side cutter or sheetmetal clippers
is adding a light clear coat to the commonly used portion of a tape measure to protect the numbers from wearing out a thing?
I was told when I started when it comes to channel locks get channel lock crescent wrenches go with crescent and always buy ridgid
Thank you for your videos, I just got hired on as a fire sprinkler apprentice first days Monday..
Best of luck!
@@RogerWakefield Thank you sir
I really wish those mounting tabs were universal across all of the major manufacturers...we all know the big dog in that battle, but there are a few things that I have that are Ridgid, Craftsman or Dewalt that make more sense, but then I have to tote around several different pakout sets since they don't work with each other...
I usually buy a new tape every couple months , I like to have a small 12ft and then a 25 foot auto lock and I usually lose one of them every 2 months
Any recommendations on a good board stretcher??
It should be illegal to be this wholesome
Ime the quick change blade knifes are invaluable in the trades and worth the extra money
This dude is such a boss.
Local 690 here all we need is channels (I got the 430s cause I like ‘em more than the 20s) a torpedo level a tape but I brought a little notepad too which I use a lot. I got a little harbor freight pouch for all my shit too like markers pencils and paint markers and a knife.
When I started my carpentry apprenticeship, they gave me a fibreglass hammer, a set of screwdrivers and a level. Not even a saw. The carpenter they put me with spent the whole day complaining that the company was cheap lol
I haven't even got to the one year mark but man do I love buying tools, have no end of power tools and nearly all the hand tools I could ever need
Carpenter here I love the Stanley fatmax
Dangggg I started my plumbing bag with only 90, $400 would have been a dream.
Well tune into the stream on June 10th and you might be able to win this bag and all the tools inside!
Is their a video of what we will do in our first year of apprenticeship as a pipefitter/plumber or what is expected of us?
I have multiple videos on that topic th-cam.com/play/PLSpTuwsLqh7vwDE3X6d7k7gR7lgYKCT2-.html
Don’t forget the 3ft long pipe wrench for little 1/4-20 nuts on toilets 😂
If your starting out look for harbor freight save a bunch of money if you buy right but somethings like the screwdriver set and hammer ya stick to trusted names
Is this for rough plumbing or service plumbing? Some of the tools may be different. You'll probably be doing quite a few faucets in service so you'll need a basin wrench and faucet wrench. For half the price of the tool bag, you could get a bucket with the pouch to go inside to hold tools.
A little bit of both, but mostly service
I have a husky bag that's like that I've literally never zippered it closed and it's harder to look in it and find what your looking for
do a harbor freight one now😊
I have a milwakee tape measurer that I’ve had for about 3 years now and a ryobi one that has lasted me 1 year and a half. Hold on to these things with my life!!!
I still have my Stanley from 1987.
I just carry a bucket with the pouch accessory
I appreciate your video I wish there was something like this when I started unfortunately it was on PBS or somebody didn't tell you that rent one from the library you didn't know I'm a whatever tools I had and what was given to me by a family & work get me in trades win for me lucky not every one has that same experience
pulling out the filthy frank 😂 love the recommendations!
I have 15 years experience working for water municipality. The last year I have gotten into plumbing, does that experience allow me to take journey man’s test ?
Depends on where you're located. Talk with plumbing companies in your area and see. Lots of states and cities have different laws and regulations.
I started off with harbor freight gand tools and they lasted 2 years of commercial experience and are still going. Save another $200 and buy from harbor freight.
Harbor freight does have good tools, Lowe’s is closer to me and has quality tools as well
6:56 nice 😂
Lufkin makes a nice tape, just be sure it has a stiff tape to it
Two of my favorites are a basin wrench, I have big and small and they solve so many problems I can't bear to be without one. My all time favorite is my corded sawzall. I used to use cordless sawzall for awhile, maybe 3 years, but I'd much rather string a cord down a crappy crawlspace and have power for everything and never, guaranteed never run out of power, no matter how rusty and shitty you let your sawzall get. A rusty shitty DeWalt will use up 3 full batteries in 20 minutes when you really need 40 minutes to get the work done. I forgot my most important tool, a cheap shit headlight that's bright. I go through my headlights every 3 years, so walmart ones are great. No fancy Lithium ion.
Just curious, at what point are you using a sawzall for 40 solid minutes? I'm a Milwaukee man myself but the DeWalt max isn't running through 3 batteries in 20 minutes. Not once not never
I will agree though, every tools corded version has a great application that goes by the wayside with all the battery powered tools that are the norm
@@serpentinefire921 Cast iron drains, especially old 4" and 5". A lot of it was installed in brick chases. It's not uncommon to go through a whole 5 pack of blades. I'd prefer to use a snapper but we often don't have clearance. I use a Milwaukee also. In fact I'm just about to get a new one, the old one is just about used up. It made 3 years I think.
When I started as an apprentice with the Plumbers Union all I needed was a pair of work boots, Channel Locks, and a tape. The most important part of starting off in the trade is to show-up on time and working the shovel! Kids these days don't want to work!
False. I think these young guys just don't want to be overworked and in return get crap pay. The promise of eventual experience/pay doesn't matter when you're starting off in life just trying to survive and on top of that have to accumulate tools making barely over minimum wage. There are 18 and 19 year olds at my shop who work like dogs and catch on quickly. These dudes never complain either. I feel bad for them having to break their backs, drive their personal vehicles, and essentially be a laborer rather than an apprentice for older guys who just want a load off their back. Whenever they ride with me we split the work evenly and I try and get them coffee or lunch as appreciation.
@@CarlosMendoza-xi9tv lolol bro we all had to go through it. Today yesterday or tomorrow it shouldn't ever change. If you're not willing to pay dues you aren't cut out for skilled labor.
Oh so you were soldering and running sewer and irrigation with channel locks eh? Plumbing used to be crazy
@@serpentinefire921 No, more like carrying cast iron pipe, digging trenches, breaking concrete, and holding the dummy end of a tape!
@@serpentinefire921 Soldering and running sewer? That's the Plumbers job.
I know the text 'begginer' was a typo, but that's a great nickname for a greenhorn that shows up to their first day without a bag like this lol. The beg-ginner will beg a square here, a hammer there, a pen from Joe, a chalkline from Hank.. before you knowing they got their beg-ginning set of tools off mooching
Ha that’s a great way of looking at it
I wanna see him run a job with this
Used to cut pipe in a fab shop all day and would kill a tape measure every 5 weeks