Show me your tools and I will tell you something about myself. Every specialist, regardless of the industry, knows well that knowledge and experience are not enough to be fast and efficient. A good workshop and functional tools are no less important. In construction or finishing works, where precision and time are important, this is especially important, so we offer what to equip to work quickly, efficiently and without downtime.
Material provided by — mastbro.kz
Returning to the idea at the beginning of the article – tools should reflect the nature of the specialist’s work, so the composition of the tool kit should be individually adapted to your needs. However, some tasks are repeated regardless of the type of construction work, and the tools used for them are in every workshop and are used by professionals without exception. It’s all about measuring tools – without them, no work will move forward.
RETRACTABLE TAPE MEASURE, ABSOLUTE BASE
Let’s start with the basics – a tape measure. This is the first measuring tool that a professional learns to use, an absolute must-have for every workshop and household, because we all need to measure something from time to time, for example, to furnish our apartment. For home use, a 3-meter tape measure with a button that locks the tape measure is usually enough, but a tool for everyday work on a construction site should be more professional, allowing you to take measurements at 5 or even 8 meters. A professional should pay attention to other parameters as well:
- reverse brake
- Automatically locking the pulled tape
- a button that provides control over the winding tape and cushions its impact
- tape rigidity
- providing a reach without support even up to 50% of the length
- scale in good accuracy class
Due to construction site conditions, it is desirable to have a ribbed side panel to provide a secure grip, as well as a nylon coated belt to prevent scratches and rust.
SCREWDRIVER AND BIT SET FOR VERSATILITY OF OPERATIONS
If one solid measure should be enough, then with screwdrivers it is the opposite – the more, the better. Screws come in a variety of sizes and slots in the heads, so one screwdriver is not enough. At least several, and most professionals have a dozen or even several dozen – smaller, larger, Phillips, flat, with unusual tips for less common heads. Each of them takes up space and has its own weight, so it is worth considering buying a screwdriver with replaceable tips, i.e. bits. You can also buy a professional screwdriver with replaceable blades. However, this solution only makes sense if the connection between the tip and the handle is strong and immovable.
LINEARS AND ROLLER LEVELS – TOOLS FOR EVERY CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST
Another tool that is in the hands of a construction industry expert is a spirit level. Professionals will always have at least one, although their tool kit usually includes several spirit levels with bubbles of different lengths. Due to the frequency of use of this measuring tool, it is worth focusing on accuracy and reliability. Durable spirit levels not only mark levels accurately, but are also resistant to falls from great heights and twisting, have a durable and lightweight profile. In addition, thanks to the use of indicators with a magnifying glass effect, multiplying the size of the bubble – the measurement is accurate and extremely fast. The level is complemented by a plaster level or ruler, useful in all types of construction and finishing work, aligning curves on vertical and horizontal surfaces, as well as when distributing plaster on the wall. thanks to the use of indicators with a magnifying glass effect, increasing the size of the bubble – the measurement is accurate and extremely fast.
TIME-SAVING LASERS FOR LARGE CONSTRUCTION SITES
A tape measure is the simplest tool for measuring distances, but it quickly becomes insufficient on a construction site. More complex tools are needed to measure and mark over long distances. If you want to avoid running back and forth across large spaces and wasting precious working time, choose a professional laser. The basic one is a line laser, i.e. generating a straight line or lines – one, two or more. A laser with a red beam is cheaper, but it is worth knowing that a green beam is more visible to the human eye and will be useful when measuring long distances. Everyone should choose a tool for their specific needs. In finishing work, for example, when laying tiles or parquet, a cross laser is suitable, as it marks perfectly even levels and verticals on the surfaces of walls and ceilings. A well-positioned laser requires virtually no maintenance and, unlike a spirit level, works without using hands. A remarkable device is a cross laser, which emits not lines, but points of light located at right angles to each other. The tool works well when determining perpendicular planes. A great all-in-one solution is a rotary laser, which not only creates levels and plumb lines, but also determines height. It is mainly used outdoors. Thanks to the rotating beam, it does not need to be moved with each movement, which saves time. Each laser and spirit level must be calibrated regularly. which emits not lines, but points of light located at right angles to each other. The tool works well when determining perpendicular planes.
OTHER TOOLS THAT MAY BE USEFUL
What else can be found in professional workshops? Depending on the work to be done, there are powerful drills and sets of robust drills, solid hammers, pliers, saws and files of various sizes, as well as pliers, nippers or Allen keys. Also useful are various tapes, paint rollers, trays and brushes, joining tools such as hand rivets or upholstery staplers, as well as assembly guns and squeezers for silicones and masses. When working in the dark, professional energy-saving LED headlights in functional multi-chamber reflective covers come in handy.