Engineering as a field requires skilled application of a variety of tools. Engineers are tasked with building, fixing, planning. They are always looking for a way to make something better or more efficient. To do that, they need the right tools on hand because so often, the right tool can make all the difference. For those engineers who are hands-on in their job, the right tools can mean the difference between struggling and succeeding in their careers. Here’s a list of the tools you need to be familiar with to work successfully as an engineer.
-
Eyeglasses or goggles
Engineers who do a lot of drilling, hammering, cutting, and sawing want to make sure to protect their eyes from flying shrapnel. If you don’t want to permanently damage your eyesight, you should get yourself a decent pair of safety goggles. They come in a wide variety of styles but generally fall into the categories of full-face visors, safety glasses, goggles, or foam line/sealed safety glasses. The choice is up to you.
-
Pliers
Pliers are essential tools for any engineer to have in their kit. They are very simple tools by design, and you’ll want a selection of different types depending on the task at hand. They are ideally suited for manipulating materials, such as bending or gripping things, “crimp” wires, squeezing something, or holding something that is small, sharp, hot, corrosive, or anything that your fingers are too weak, too big, or awkward to hold in place.
-
A flashlight
Flashlights are critical tools for engineers who need to see well in dark places. They come in many shapes, sizes, and powers, but a good hardwearing metal-cased one is always a good investment.
-
A saw
A good saw is essential whether you need to cut wood, stone, or anything else. They come in a variety of forms but generally fall into either the toothed blade or disk types. Saws tend to come in specific sizes and shapes and can either be hand-powered or motorized for maximum cutting power. A good old-fashioned hand saw is the most common and often the simplest to use. They are ideal for small tasks and woodcutting.
-
A rugged bag or toolbox
With all these awesome tools at your disposal, you are going to need something to carry them all in. Just make sure it’s nice and rugged to take all the punishment it’s bound to receive throughout its lifetime. Whether it’s a bag or box is a completely personal choice and will depend on the number of tools you intend to carry around.
-
A jack for lifting
Depending on your needs, a good jack will go a long way. They are great for anyone who likes to tinker with their car but has many other applications, including hydraulic floor jacks for big objects, scissor jacks for lifting cars, bottle or piston jacks for lifting when a small footprint is needed.
-
A level
If you want to make sure something is perfectly level, or vertical for that matter, you’ll want to get yourself a decent spirit level. Although there are a plethora of smartphone apps out there, you might not want to get your phone dirty or risk damaging it. A physical leveling tool is a valuable addition to your tool kit.
-
A good hammer
The hammer an age-old tool with many, many uses. If you are going to be hitting something, breaking something, or assembling things with nails, a hammer is the way to go. It’s always advisable to buy a good quality one as they will tend to last a lifetime and are usually an excellent investment.
-
A chisel
A chisel is a relatively simple yet indispensable tool. They consist of a chunk of metal, usually with a wooden, plastic, or rubber handle, that has a beveled cutting edge designed for cutting and shaping stone, wood, or even metal. Chisels, like other tools, are ancient in origin and have stood the test of time.
-
WD-40
Does it move? Should it? Then you’ll need some WD-40. This amazing all-purpose lubricant is great for getting rid of squeaks to, loosening stubborn but and bolts, and many more applications too.
For more support on growing your engineering career, connect with the team at ESGI today.
