An Apprentice's Tool Kit

[steven c newman]

Ok...say you were an apprentice Carpenter....between 1880, and 1920.....What tools would you be having in your tool kit? (remember the date span..)

What would the Journeyman tell you to pack in your tool kit?

[steven c newman]

Maybe I should have asked Roy Underhill, instead?

Simple...make up a list of what an apprentice from back then would have had in his tool kit. After all, they had to start with some tools, didn't they?

( I know what was in mine, just asking everyone else..)

Fill it up...
439150

[steven c newman]

Hmmm...guess I'll start...
439159
Full sized handsaw....would have been either a rip, or a crosscut...and maybe both....

[Josh Robinson]

A jack plane and a safe bet would be a marking gauge?

[Bill Yacey]

A rule, and or tape measure, a square, pencil, chisels, a mallet, hammer, marking gauge, perhaps a plane, cross and rip cut saw, sharpening stone, a gimlet, flat blade screwdriver, a level, perhaps a compass, nail puller, brace and bits. There are many other possible tools, depending on what the apprentice is put to work on.

[Stew Denton]

Hi All,

After I got the list below completed, I realized that it was probably the list a master carpenter would have had. I put down what I use and used doing my own carpentry over the years (had to leave things out that require electricity and replace those with the hand tool equivalent, for example I can't imagine carpentrying without a 1/2" electric drill. The list of all the carpentry tools I use from time to time now for various projects would fatten the list up a ton with things like a combination square, bevel square, etc., that said I don't need all of those more specialized tools, and can more than adequately make do with the lists below.)

Having carpentered a little back in the day, and having done almost all of our carpentry since for building and remodeling, my list for an apprentice would be pretty pricey for back in the day, but he would not have to start out with the complete list. He would add things as he went along through the journeyman process, and could pay for them. To start out with he would probably only need 8 to 10 of these items on my "basic" list. My list is not in any particular order, but would include, and I am sure that I am leaving things out, the following:

The basic list: would include many of these but probably not all initially, for example he probably would not have the 12 point crosscut saw, the bow saw, the stones, and probably not the planes either:

1. Three hand saws, 8 & 12 point cross cuts and a 4 1/2 point rip
2. 16 ounce claw hammer
3. Plumb bob/line
4. String line/chalk block
5. Jack plane, draw knife, and spoke shave
6. Nail sets
7. Framing square and try square
8. A small finish size bow saw (I don't know when the coping saw came along)
9. Push drill, small set of bits, and a couple of flat bladed screw drivers.
10. Tape measure and pencils
11. Marking gauge
12. A carpenters knife
13. A plastering trowel
14. Oil stones, course and fine, for sharpening, and small can of sharpening oil
15. A couple chisels and mallet
16. A shingling hammer for cedar shingles

After a year or two add:

17. 30" level
18. More chisels to have 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1", and one somewhat larger, socket chisels
19. Brace and basic set of bits (1/4" to 1" by quarter inches)

Later on he should add:

1. Three small back saws, a 10" 15 point rip, a 14" or 16" 10 point rip, and a 14" 12 point crosscut
2. A Stanley 45 combination plane and maybe a couple of molding planes
3. Eventually a miter box and saw
4. Carpenters hatchet/ax

I noticed that my basic list is a whole lot like Bill's above. You could do a great deal of carpentry with this list, and it could be shorter....I probably only had 10 or 12 of the items on my list, but did have the saws, a drill, brace and bits, a skill saw, a jack plane, the miter box, and a 20 oz framing hammer when I started out doing all of my own carpentry work, remodeled our first house, etc. Some of those were inherited from my grandfather.

At first, when I started working for a carpenter, I used his tools that were the more expensive ones on the list, for example the miter box. I was more trusted than a young apprentice would have been because I was older than an apprentice would have been, being: college age, very careful, and had worked with tools prior to working for him, had worked in a lumber yard, etc.

My list is for the carpenters in a small town like I grew up in, where the carpenter did everything to do with the carpentry....there were none of the specialized carpentry trades in those types of small towns. A carpenter I knew when I was young and he was quite old then, described how they did much of their own mill work, built the windows for a house using a Stanley 45, etc., going back into the 20s and 30s.

When the apprentice started out he would have to use some of the tools of the master carpenter once he got to the stage of being trusted with them, that is until he could afford to buy his own. Again, his starter set would have been maybe 8 or 10 of the items from the initial list.

Regards,

Stew

[Erich Weidner]

FWIW, Lost Art Press's "Anarchist's Tool Chest" book has lists derived from several periods/sources for just this question.

[Tony Wilkins]

FWIW, Lost Art Press's "Anarchist's Tool Chest" book has lists derived from several periods/sources for just this question.
IIRC There is an appendix with a chart that has a comparison of lists of tools from period sources — Moxon, Roubo, Nicholson, etc.

[Wayne Cannon]

FWIW, Lost Art Press's "Anarchist's Tool Chest" book has lists derived from several periods/sources for just this question.

As does their "Joiner and Cabinetmaker", albeit from an earlier time -- though the list would likely be similar.

[Tony Zaffuto]

First, Swartz's list is not a house carpenter's list, but more of a list for an aspiring cabinetmaker.

I served a four year carpenter/joiner apprenticeship in the mid 70's, and I was given a comprehensive list of tools needed before I began. Though similar in several regards, a house carpenter is not a cabinetmaker, or vice versa. It would be my opinion that Roy Underhill could give a well qualified response, but since Roy isn't here, I add a few items to those already mentioned.

I don't see a saw vice, saw set or files, though in the union, once a week, the general contractor was to have gathered all handsaws for sharpening. But, if the apprentice is not working for a large contractor, who will mind his saws (I had to have a Stanley 42X sawset, but didn't have a teacher that knew saw sharpening)? As far as a hammer goes, the type will depend upon what type of contractor the apprentice is working: In the mud (form work), you better have a 20 oz. rip hammer, or the journeymen will put the boot to you. You also better not have a "wonderbar", but a wrecking bar, as well as a 90 degree angle nail pulling bar (stripping forms!). Also, remember that many times you'll be working on top of scaffolding, or sometimes up a ladder, so scale the tools to be easily carried in your coverall apron or nail apron (oh yeah, you need one of those!). You'll need a tool tote (Steve pictured a dandy, and I made one of those decades ago, but also have a long metal tool box). The GC will frown on goomers that carry their tools in an empty drywall bucket (specialized tools, but might be needed sooner than later, as GC's like to get first year apprentices to hang board (young & foolish, with strong back & weak minds-I was one once). Don't forget to add a horsehair bench brush!

Anyhow, I left the trade in 1989, but in the final 3 or 4 years I was still a journeyman, I was running fairly large commercial & industrial jobs. Though I was the boss, I still carried my toolbox on the job. I was given an apprentice on one of the final jobs I ran and whenever I would give him a task, he would dash out to his truck to retrieve whatever tool he needed. I let this go for a day or two, as I and a few of the other journeymen were humored by him. I finally told the kid he was not to go out to his vehicle to retrieve tools. So the next time I gave him something to do, he just went over to my toolbox (without asking) and took what he needed. Before I canned him, I asked why he thought he could just take what he wanted from my tools, and not bring his toolbox in. He replied that he was scared that someone would steal his tools!

[mike stenson]

He replied that he was scared that someone would steal his tools!

Ironic, funny, and yet sadly true.. all at the same time :) Some of my tools are still painted bright pink.

It's funny, because you do end up with a completely different set of tools for different jobs. Even totally different bags, but all of that is moving further down the line.. and some of it is learning what works best for you.

[Tony Zaffuto]

Ironic, funny, and yet sadly true.. all at the same time :) Some of my tools are still painted bright pink.

It's funny, because you do end up with a completely different set of tools for different jobs. Even totally different bags, but all of that is moving further down the line.. and some of it is learning what works best for you.

My dad had safety yellow as his color - all of his handtools! After he passed in 2004, I gathered up what he had left, which amounted to a #5 Bailey, a couple of handsaws and some smaller items. Like an idiot, I cleaned the yellow paint off those tools.

For me, it was different tote bags/boxes. I still have most, if not all of them. I hope I never, ever have to hang another sheet of drywall, let alone finish it. It is well over 35 years since I worked setting forms for a footer, in an 5' trench in below freezing weather, and, I really don't miss that!

[steven c newman]

439184
What I was wearing, last year, building the deck onto the front porch.

By the time one gets one of these loaded up for the day....they weigh over 50 pounds.

Could not keep a cat's paw...someone always wanted more than me...

I worked both on stick-builts ( but, I wasn't a roofer) and factory builds....both from the footers up.....

Carried a 24oz, wood handled rip claw hammer. One item not mentioned...as I also ran the "steel crew" (rebar).....was supplied with a "twister" to tie the bag-ties.....others used a reel & pliers method....

Yes, I carried 2 five gallon buckets.....one for the usual tools, the other carried my concrete tools. Tool bucket had a bunch of "drain holes"... the concrete one did not, as it was also the wash-up station for the trowels and such.......

May dig out a few of my tools, and lay them out for a photo shoot....

BTW, the nail bag rig? I gave it to my grandson...as he will need it more than me....

[Tony Zaffuto]

439184
What I was wearing, last year, building the deck onto the front porch.

By the time one gets one of these loaded up for the day....they weigh over 50 pounds.

Could not keep a cat's paw...someone always wanted more than me...

I worked both on stick-builts ( but, I wasn't a roofer) and factory builds....both from the footers up.....

Carried a 24oz, wood handled rip claw hammer. One item not mentioned...as I also ran the "steel crew" (rebar).....was supplied with a "twister" to tie the bag-ties.....others used a reel & pliers method....

Yes, I carried 2 five gallon buckets.....one for the usual tools, the other carried my concrete tools. Tool bucket had a bunch of "drain holes"... the concrete one did not, as it was also the wash-up station for the trowels and such.......

May dig out a few of my tools, and lay them out for a photo shoot....

BTW, the nail bag rig? I gave it to my grandson...as he will need it more than me....

My apprenticeship was house building based, but the contractors I worked for, were commercial/industrial! I was on a few house projects, different methods, same frenzied pace. I still have most of my tools, though most will never be used again. My oldest daughter is an architect, and is quite handy with tools. She has been slowly sneaking tools out of my shop. I pretend I don't know!

[steven c newman]

Threw together a small Kit....
439203
A few larger items. 24" level, 16oz claw hammer..block plane, 6' folding ruler..and a small square...Then..
439204
Figure a few chisels, a scratch awl, something to pull nails with( with a tack puller and screwdriver tip) a Yankee screwdriver, and a small hand drill...
439205
A 10" sweep brace, and a few bits...along with a countersink and screwdriver bits...
439206
Would need a Rip saw....the is a 7ppi No.7 (with a nib) and..
439207
A cross cut saw..maybe a D-8..10 or 11ppi...
Maybe a larger square, like a framer square...
439208
maybe a box with 1/2 sheres of chalk and a string line? Or just all in one..?
439209
Maybe just a jack plane..for now?
439210

maybe build a box to hold all of this, the ones with the long round handle and maybe a webbed strap to sling on your shoulder...leave enough room for any new tools, along with a place to stash the rolled up nail apron....

[Tony Zaffuto]

In my tool kit, I needed a brace & bit right off (a cross-cut handsaw was also a must). Why? Working on concrete forms on a large site, often times you didn't have power, except for your muscles, for setting forms. On the houses (have never worked on a house that had vinyl or aluminum siding, or soffit/fascia), we would be hanging on ladder jacks, fitting cedar trim. The tool I used most? My Stanley 60-1/2! Lap siding, etc., if you were by yourself, you learned to fit pieces when you were on the scaffold, ladder jacks, etc., without going up or down. If lucky, you had a buddy on the ground.

When I started in the mid 70's, trades were deep into power tools, though this was dependent upon te area where you worked. A few of us got pretty good at running trim, etc., so we would be favored for those jobs. One old gent I worked with was the stair guy, and I got to work with him a couple of times, but learned just enough to be dangerous.

[Stew Denton]

Tony,

You mentioned that the lists in Schwarz book were for cabinet making, and I also think furniture making, so also do not think those lists apply to the tools for an apprentice carpenter. I had that exact thought also, and believe you are completely correct on that point.

Stew

[Michael J Evans]

Hmm I just bought two incomplete tool chests (pics later)
Big rip saw,
Cross cut saw
Back saw
Badger / really big rabbet plane
Some type of moulding plane (two half moon shaped irons)
Brace, bits
Egg beater
Push drill
Gouges
Couple chisels
some type of dikes
Cold chisels
Two saw vices
Card Scrapers / scraper plane
Big try square
Framing square
Small speed type square
Wood joiner hammer
Regular hammer
Little tiny hammer
Few plumb Bob's
Folding rule
Level
Various punches
Various bits for brace (chamfering, etc)
Saw sets
Transitional plane parts (no body)
Marking guage
Ice pick
Awl
Clamp (w teeth on it?)
Big knife
Big China type crayons

Some other odds and ends

[Michael J Evans]

Keyhole saw
Pipe wrenches
Nail / tack pullers
Whetstone
Some type of giant sewing needle thing

[mike stenson]

Look like this?

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-jRn2CPQ/0/62a77665/O/i-jRn2CPQ.jpg

and yes, this should be in everyones toolbox :)

[Michael J Evans]

Oh and that apprentice to carry around the big ass tool chests.

[Michael J Evans]

More like this - 439230

[Michael J Evans]

Also what would you sew with this,Leather?
I think it's called a sewing awl, but not really sure

[Tony Zaffuto]

What would you sew? Well, in the 70's was when leather tool pouches became common, and them of course (I didn't).

In that time frame, we also had the fiddly tools that still attract us today - thise thungs that look so handy, but are never really used. For me? Adjustable brace bit, or the "screwball" (ratcheting screwdriver, though today's iteration are better).

I hope Warren Mickley joins in with his early training, etc., and also tell us how he got started in the mostly handtool part of home building. How about you Bandit?

[Michael J Evans]

Thanks Tony
And FYI my Milwaukee ratcheting screwdriver is the best thing since sliced bread.

[mike stenson]

I've used a speedy stitcher has fixed bags/pouches etc a bunch... that big one looks like it's nice for stitching with rawhide though. My best watching is a yankee... a little bit further than you've gone before.

[steven c newman]

From the US Forestry Service....
439293
IF it will load...

[Stew Denton]

Hi Steven,

It looks like 7 versions of the Anarchists Tool Chest.

Stew

[steven c newman]

See how many mitre box and saws you can pick out

Note the hand planes? Every lid is filled with handsaws, too....Beam drills?

Just imagine having to carry one of these to the next job site?

[bill epstein]

Reminds me of an article long ago, 1990's?, in FWW about a Swiss attaining an ages old appellation of "Master Carpenter' status. He had to travel around for a number of years, offering his services carrying nothing but a saw blade, a hammer, and, if I remember correctly, a chisel. Once on site, he made a bow for the saw blade before getting to work.

Anyone else recall that?

[steven c newman]

Any relation to the French "Journeyman"?

[Goodwin Heil]

My tool belt was "sewed" with ty wire because I did not have any thing else handy. Just the other day I was telling my wife how we would signal the cranes to pull material out of "Crib House" at a nuclear power plant with one man down on the floor by the load, another 100 feet up on the wall of forms and rebar where he could see the operator out on the beach. We made a nailer with a piece of pencil rod approx 1/4 to 5/16 inside a 3/8 piece of pipe with a nut welded on the pencil rod. You could load a nail and nail inside of a rebar wall 2 to 3 feet thick from outside the wall rather than trying to climb down into it.