Basic Industrial Maintenance Tool List

Basic Industrial Maintenance Tool List: Every work environment is unique. Each will require specific and specialized tools beyond the scope of this entry. This post is centered on a foundational set of suitable tools for many electrical and industrial maintenance applications. This “Basic Industrial Maintenance Tool List” is a thorough starting point to build upon. As I have written elsewhere, providing tools to your maintenance team is critical to getting quality results in their work.

I have frequently heard that many employers require maintenance technicians and mechanics to provide their own core tools. The thought process is “If they are a well-qualified individual, the tools will be evidence of their commitment.” I disagree completely with that logic. Quality tools are expensive, and it can take years to build a decent maintenance tool set. Don’t make the potential job candidates fill a toolbox. Let them feed their families. If tool loss becomes an issue, deal with that on its own. In my experience, mechanics and technicians who take care of the tools they are provided will typically take care of the manufacturing equipment with the same care.

Not only do I prefer to select the tools, but I also dictate additional items to be in the mechanic, technician, and electricians’ toolbox. Remember, our goal is to maintain and repair the equipment properly and efficiently. Unnecessary trips away from the job can be reduced or possibly eliminated by keeping additional items such as hose fittings, fuses, fasteners, tapes, and anything relevant to your equipment.

If you allow an employee to bring their own tools, inspect them for quality and make sure it’s a tool that belongs on your factory floor.

Don’t Carry What You Don’t Need.

I believe it’s important to not include unnecessary tools in a toolbox. We are somewhat programmed to buy tools in sets such as socket sets, screwdriver sets, wrench sets, etc. The reality is many of those sets include unnecessary tools that take up space that can be better occupied by more essential items; they also make the toolbox heavier and more challenging to move. Today we have the option of cleverly designed tools and even specialized sets of tools that can do a lot with only a few tools, and there’s no loss in quality or effectiveness. German companies such as Wera, Wiha, and Knipex are great in this respect.

As you scroll down this page, you will notice I mention tool “sets,” which might appear contrary to what I stated in the previous paragraph. There are two points to this. The first point is I never said not to buy tools in sets; I said the unnecessary tools may not need to be in the toolbox. The second point to this is simple economics. It’s almost always more cost-effective to buy tools in sets rather than individually.

A simple test is to look at your wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers and see if any look brand new. If you have owned the tools for a reasonable amount of time and look brand new, you don’t need them in your toolbox.

Don’t Include Tools that Facilitate Poor Results.

I have often seen maintenance personnel make Vise Grip Pliers, Channel Locks, and Adjustable Wrenches their primary tools. Unless there is a job requirement, the first two examples should probably be left out of the toolbox. While they have their time and place, keep them in the shop or tool crib and make them inconvenient to use. There are quality adjustable wrenches like the Proto model listed below. Unfortunately, most mechanics and technicians are unaware of the option.

Something else to consider today, German tool manufacturers Knipex and Wera are changing the tool landscape with designs not seen before or improved versions of the old standbys. Look at the Knipex Pliers Wrench and the Wera Self Adjusting Joker Spanner Wrench to see examples. Both of these tools can eliminate several other tools.

You might be interested in what’s in My Maintenance Toolbox.

Toolbox & Tool Storage

The Toolbox: U.S General 26 In. X 22 In. Single Bank Roller Cabinet

Harbor Freight 26-Inch Toolbox

I’m not typically an advocate for Harbor Freight Tools, but they have managed to hit a home run with their U.S General Toolboxes. The U.S General line represents a perfect compromise of cost versus quality. The U.S General 26-Inch Toolbox features eight 22″ deep drawers, and that’s important to me from a storage space and organizational standpoint. Most inexpensive toolboxes have five to seven drawers. I also like that U.S General has matching add-on cabinets and drawer organization, making the U.S General Toolboxes a complete tool storage solution. These toolboxes do not compete with Snap-On or the Icon brand that Harbor Freight carries, and they aren’t meant to.

Keep in mind my team does not use heavy-duty air tools, hydraulic pullers, etc. They carry the tools listed throughout this page, and heavy tools require heavy-duty storage solutions.

From Harbor Freight:

Get up to 9,800 cubic inches of accessible tool storage with this compact, heavy-duty roller cabinet. This tool cabinet has top-quality features like ball-bearing drawer slides, rolled drawer edges, and glossy powder coat paint. The roller cabinet features 8 drawers of various heights to accommodate large and small tools. With heavy-duty 5-inch metal casters, this unit can securely hold 1000 Lb. of tools. The powder coat finish is durable and easy to clean.

Tool Bags, Tool Backpacks, Tool Pouches, and Tool Carriers.

Milwaukee Tool Bag

Not every job requires the maintenance technician or mechanic to well his toolbox to the repair. There are fantastic backpacks and tool carriers available. I use two models from a company called Custom Leathercraft, aka CLC. Milwaukee Tool and Klein Tool offer really nice ones too. Update 02/02/2022, a contractor/friend was helping out at the day job; he showed up with a Veto Pro Pac and Veto Tool Pouch. Both products are new to me, and I must admit the Veto brand gear might be the best I have ever handled.

Additional Toolbox Small Part Storage.

As mentioned above, I like to have my team equip their toolboxes and tool carts with supplies to save them time walking or searching for parts. Below are brands I like. Be warned, there are a lot of junk knockoffs on Amazon. You need storage containers that will hold up and not have you on your knees picking up small parts off the floor.

Electrical Tools

Maintenance Tool List – Wire and Cable Strippers

Wire Strippers & Cable Strippers

Several wire and cable strippers are listed below to choose from; your environment may not require all of them. Pick and choose what makes the best sense for your maintenance team.

Crimpers & Crimping Tools

Crimpers and Crimping Pliers

Maintenance Test Tools & Test Equipment

Industrial Maintenance Test Tools

Hand Tools

Wrenches

Hex Key Wrenches

Pliers

Ratchets, Socket & Socket Sets

Note: The maintained equipment dictates the quality level of ratchets and sockets. The GearWrench tools listed below are mid-grade and relatively low cost. If your environment often experiences maintenance mechanics putting pipes on wrenches, you probably need premium quality from Proto, Snap-On, and Matco brands. The premium brands use better construction and materials. The sockets are typically thinner-walled and more robust than their less expensive counterparts. You get what you pay for.

Screwdrivers & Miscellaneous Drivers and Minature Tool Sets

Cutting Tools

Precision Measurement, Setup and Alignment Tools

Miscellaneous & Specialty Tools

Handheld and Portable Power Tools

I include power tools in the Basic Industrial Maintenance Tool List because cordless drills, cordless drivers, and cordless impact wrenches and ratchets have become commonplace, replacing corded and pneumatic versions of the past. Today cordless tools rule, and the following comments apply to them.

I’m generally not a brand person, but I have strong opinions and preferences about power tools. Simply put, I prefer to buy and use the best tool for the job. That said, it makes sense to select one brand and standardize on it in an industrial environment, as long as the tools are of industrial quality. My brands of choice are Bosch, Milwaukee, and to some degree Ingersoll Rand. My current company has standardized Milwaukee M18 Fuel power tools. The tools below are what we use presently.

Update: I have begun the transition to Hilti Tools away from Milwaukee Electric Power Tools. Follow this link to learn why.

Note: I prefer my personal Bosch cordless drills because I find their clutches are superior when driving screws and fasteners into delicate materials such as drywall and thin plastic.

PPE (Safety Gear)

Proper PPE equipment should be supplied by the employer and what’s needed is different for every business. The list below is some universal PPEs that belong in just about any toolbox.

Buy quality; there’s a lot of sub-par PPE & safety equipment available online. To put it bluntly, 3M is my go-to for most PPEs. 3M has acquired some of the best PPE equipment manufacturers. Visit 3M