Westward tools?

[Socsmm6]

Got a new job with the maintenance department at work. They give us a one time tool allowance through grainger. The higher line tools will eat up the allowance pretty quick. Westward line of tools are prices ok but not sure about the quality. Anybody familiar with them?
Going to check with a few of the guys to see what the basic tools are. Work provides impacts and high dollar specialty tools. Pretty sure ill get a 1/2” socket set and wrenches. 7/8-1 1/4 seems to be to be common size thats needed.

 

[WESTOF7]

Got a new job with the maintenance department at work. They give us a one time tool allowance through grainger. The higher line tools will eat up the allowance pretty quick. Westward line of tools are prices ok but not sure about the quality. Anybody familiar with them?
Going to check with a few of the guys to see what the basic tools are. Work provides impacts and high dollar specialty tools. Pretty sure ill get a 1/2” socket set and wrenches. 7/8-1 1/4 seems to be to be common size thats needed.

Westward tools are chinese/Taiwanese junk at ridiculously inflated prices.

Get proto

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

Westward tools are trash.

Another + for Proto.

 

[cj3a]

The sets at work are all missing the 1/2 and 9/16 wrenches and sockets. Not sure if that’s a sign of quality or idiots not putting tools back.

 

[ANGRYBLACK]

Well if your MRO only comes from grainger, and your boss has the power to generate the purchase order for procurement. I only see you obtaining Westwards tools. They aren't the best but if you break one during a task then transcribe the breakage onto the work order, notify a supervisor and let them figure it out. Its maintenance not rocket science. And i assume you get paid by the hour, so the extra time is maintenance reliability engineers problem not yours.

If you can pick what you wasn't then buy what you can from harbor freight then get some proto stuff for anything that breaks and will hurt your hand while doing it.

 

[speed bump]

Westward isn't the best bang for the buck or best anything they just happen to be available at your MRO. For bigger wrenches and sockets they will work fine. Get impact sockets (I quit buying our guys chrome sockets because they eventually all see an impact) and get an 1-5/16 wrench instead of stopping at 1-1/4 unless all you do is hydraulics.

 

[Socsmm6]

Well thats about what I thought on the westward tool line. Over priced chinese stuff. Get to work with the day shift crew for a few weeks. Im sure ill get a few suggestions from them.

 

[ANGRYBLACK]

Be a sponge brother! It's a great career! The more you know and the more you can do gets you places

 

[rdr99]

Did they have a tool list you have to supply with the job description? What kind of plant maintenance? I have worked mostly mining/milling/aggregate. Millwright would have to have up to 2" in both wrenches and sockets.

 

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

I know lots of guys that get the cheaper tool sets and replace broken with higher quality when the time comes
It is surprising how long the so-called cheap tools will last sometimes

 

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

and Grainger has nothing cheap

 

[Socsmm6]

Did they have a tool list you have to supply with the job description? What kind of plant maintenance? I have worked mostly mining/milling/aggregate. Millwright would have to have up to 2" in both wrenches and sockets.

I have not seen a tool list yet. I will go through 4-6 weeks of training starting monday. Im sure I already have about any tool ill need other than a good multimeter. Just dont want to bring all my home tools to work.
I believe a few wrenches, screwdriver, allen wrenches, and a decent pair of channel locks will fix 70% of the common problems.
We have several hydraulic machines that I have not seen yet.
Looking forward to this job. I come from high speed production. At 58 its starting to hurt. Lol
Be nice to slow down to a normal work pace.

 

[cj3a]

The listed price in Grainger is probably not what the company pays. My company pays well below list and sometimes if you have the grainger rep quote an order the discount is even greater.

 

[Socsmm6]

The listed price in Grainger is probably not what the company pays. My company pays well below list and sometimes if you have the grainger rep quote an order the discount is even greater.

Thats what my supervisor told me. Of course we turn in our order to the office and they order it for us. From what i understand we never see the discount. Nearest grainger store is about 100 miles from us. I doubt the would quote me the work place price.

 

[cj3a]

If you get your companies account number that’s all you need. It’s on all the receipts.

 

[Ummduh]

I have not seen a tool list yet. I will go through 4-6 weeks of training starting monday. Im sure I already have about any tool ill need other than a good multimeter. Just dont want to bring all my home tools to work.
I believe a few wrenches, screwdriver, allen wrenches, and a decent pair of channel locks will fix 70% of the common problems.
We have several hydraulic machines that I have not seen yet.
Looking forward to this job. I come from high speed production. At 58 its starting to hurt. Lol
Be nice to slow down to a normal work pace.

Dude I do 99.8% of all my work with a 6-in-1 screw driver, like 4 different sizes of Allen wrenches, a 6" crescent wrench, the small channy, and a standard and Phillips precision screwdriver. And a decent flashlight.

But that's very dependent on what you're working on.
I do have an actual tool box full of actual tools though when those all fail (company provided).

 

[IowaOffRoad]

I have not seen a tool list yet. I will go through 4-6 weeks of training starting monday. Im sure I already have about any tool ill need other than a good multimeter. Just dont want to bring all my home tools to work.
I believe a few wrenches, screwdriver, allen wrenches, and a decent pair of channel locks will fix 70% of the common problems.
We have several hydraulic machines that I have not seen yet.
Looking forward to this job. I come from high speed production. At 58 its starting to hurt. Lol
Be nice to slow down to a normal work pace.

If you need a good DVOM look at Klein. As I’m sure you know they built tools geared towards electchickens. They are sourced in Asia but they are decent nonetheless. I’ve got a Snap On at work but a couple of different Klein’s at home (a DVOM and a multi-function Amp meter, 600a AC and DC). Both Klein’s cost less than 1/2 snappy new (I think I paid a bit over a Franklin for both) and are more versatile. I’m happy with them.

 

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

Dude I do 99.8% of all my work with a 6-in-1 screw driver, like 4 different sizes of Allen wrenches, a 6" crescent wrench, the small channy, and a standard and Phillips precision screwdriver. And a decent flashlight.

But that's very dependent on what you're working on.
I do have an actual tool box full of actual tools though when those all fail (company provided).

you work on instruments?

we had that trade on sit at my last job, when I would call them to come in and work on a system, I always made sure that they will need to bring their tool purses

 

[Socsmm6]

Dude I do 99.8% of all my work with a 6-in-1 screw driver, like 4 different sizes of Allen wrenches, a 6" crescent wrench, the small channy, and a standard and Phillips precision screwdriver. And a decent flashlight.

But that's very dependent on what you're working on.
I do have an actual tool box full of actual tools though when those all fail (company provided).

That is pretty much the everyday carry for the maintenance guys I have talked to. I already that with me. Just need the bugger tools when replacing parts.

 

[PoBoy84]

That is pretty much the everyday carry for the maintenance guys I have talked to. I already that with me. Just need the bugger tools when replacing parts.

I worked industrial maintenance for years before I got into specialty ****. Fixed multi million dollar machines with a 10 in 1, 6" adjustable, small knipex, and a couple tech screwdrivers most days. If those cant fix it, its a welding job Always keep a good fluke meter on hand.

 

[PoBoy84]

Back on track, buy proto wrenches and sockets instead.