Claw Hammer
Generic · Claw Hammer
DAY ONE
A 16-20oz smooth-face claw hammer covers most work. Swing a few - balance matters more than brand.
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OnlyTools.ca / General Labourer
LABR · Red Seal: Construction Craft Worker · Apprentice wage $18–23 / hr
General Labourer apprentice tool list
The site's utility player — demolition, material handling, concrete and traffic. The fastest way onto a site; many tradespeople start here.
Tools on this list95
Required by most employers16
Day one27
▶ BUILD THIS LOADOUT Pick brands, tick off what you own, print or share the checklist.
General construction labourer: PPE and site tools first, since most everything else on a labour crew is supplied.
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Before you buy Owning a tool isn't the same as being allowed to use it. Get trained first, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and ask your employer - they often supply the gear, and this site is not safety advice.
01 Day One - 27 tools
What you need in your hands the first morning. Nothing here is optional.
Coated Gloves
Coated · Gloves
DAY ONE
Nitrile-coated palms give grip without losing dexterity. Buy a multi-pack — they wear out fast.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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CSA Safety Boots
CSA · Safety Boots
DAY ONE
CSA-approved is mandatory on site. Fit matters more than brand — you'll wear these 10 hours a day.
Heads-up Best bought in person for fit. Save the receipt and check if your employer reimburses — your feet are important.
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Ear Plugs
Generic · Ear Plugs
DAY ONE
Keep a pair in the pouch for when the muffs are in the truck. Hearing loss is cumulative and permanent.
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Hard Hat — Type 2 Class E
Type 2 Class E · Hard Hat
DAY ONE
Type 2 protects from side impact, Class E from electrical. Many sites require exactly this rating.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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Hi-Vis Class 2 Safety Vest
Hi-Vis Class 2 · Safety Vest
DAY ONE
Class 2 is the site standard. Get one with pockets — you'll thank yourself.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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Knitted Gloves
Knitted · Gloves
DAY ONE
Breathable general-purpose gloves. Good backup pair to keep in your kit.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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Leather Gloves
Leather · Gloves
DAY ONE
Best for handling rough lumber, steel and demo work. They break in — snug at first is fine.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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Measuring Tape
Generic · Measuring Tape
DAY ONE
25ft is the trade standard. A wide blade stands out further for one-person measuring.
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Multi-Bit Screwdriver
Generic · Multi-Bit Screwdriver
DAY ONE
One handle, ten tips, fits the pouch. Replaces four loose drivers on your belt.
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Round Point Shovel
Generic · Round Point Shovel
DAY ONE
Digging and moving loose material. Fibreglass handle survives being left in the rain.
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Safety Glasses
Generic · Safety Glasses
DAY ONE
Buy several - they scratch and vanish. Anti-fog coating is worth it in winter.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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Site Broom
Generic · Site Broom
DAY ONE
You will sweep more than you cut in year one. A stiff-bristle push broom moves debris, not dust.
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Square Shovel
Generic · Square Shovel
DAY ONE
Scooping off a flat surface and squaring a trench bottom.
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Tool Belt
Generic · Tool Belt
DAY ONE
Start simple - a basic rig with two pouches. You'll know what layout you want after a month on site.
Heads-up Wait until you know what you actually carry — most apprentices over-buy their first belt.
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Utility Knife
Generic · Utility Knife
DAY ONE
The most-used tool in your pouch. A quick-change blade mechanism is worth paying for.
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Carpenters Pencil
Carpenters · Pencil
DAY ONE
Flat body won't roll off joists. Buy a box — you will lose them constantly.
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Earmuffs
Generic · Earmuffs
DAY ONE
Easier to keep on your hard hat than foam plugs are to keep in your ears. Look for 24dB+ noise reduction.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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Generic Notebook
Generic · Notebook
DAY ONE
Write down everything your journeyperson tells you. A wet-resistant notebook survives the site.
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Headlamp
Generic · Headlamp
DAY ONE
Frees both hands in a crawlspace, attic or panel. Rechargeable beats swapping AAAs.
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Lumber Crayon
Generic · Lumber Crayon
DAY ONE
Marks wet, rough or dirty stock where pencil won't take. Keep one in the vest.
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Marker
Generic · Marker
DAY ONE
Marks on wet lumber, concrete and steel where pencil won't. Fine tip for layout, chisel for labeling.
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N95 Mask
Generic · N95 Mask
DAY ONE
Disposable dust protection for sanding and sweep-up. Buy a box — swap it when breathing gets harder.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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Pen
Generic · Pen
DAY ONE
For paperwork and timesheets. A clicky pen beats a cap you'll lose.
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Screwdriver Set
Generic · Screwdrivers
DAY ONE
Pick the drive types below — each shows the screw head it fits. A multi-bit driver covers most of these in one handle.
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Wool Work Socks
Generic · Wool Work Socks
DAY ONE
Merino wool over cotton — it keeps working when it gets wet. Cheapest comfort upgrade you can buy on day one.
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Work Pants
Generic · Work Pants
DAY ONE
Duck canvas or ripstop with a knee-pad pocket. Two pair minimum — one is always in the wash.
Heads-up Nothing loose or frayed near a rotating tool. Cuffs and drawstrings are how people lose fingers.
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02 First Month - 38 tools
Bought once you know the trade sticks - layout, cordless, the rest of the pouch.
2.0Ah Battery
Dewalt · 2.0Ah 20V
FIRST MONTH
Light and cheap - great on a driver. Keep one charging while you work.
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5.0Ah Battery
Dewalt · 5.0Ah 20V
FIRST MONTH
Bigger capacity for hungry tools like hammer drills and saws.
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Adjustable Wrench
Generic · Adjustable Wrench
FIRST MONTH
Covers the odd bolt when you don't have the right socket. Keep the jaws tight to avoid rounding heads.
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Allen Keys
Generic · Allen Keys
FIRST MONTH
Set screws, blade guards and tool adjustments. Get metric and imperial — you'll meet both.
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Aviation Snips
Generic · Aviation Snips
FIRST MONTH
Cuts sheet metal, strapping and flashing. Red cuts left, green right, yellow straight.
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Backpack
Generic · Backpack
FIRST MONTH
For lunch, layers and paperwork. A separate hard pocket saves your safety glasses.
Heads-up Wait until you know what you actually carry — most apprentices over-buy their first bag.
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Battery Charger
Dewalt · Battery Charger
FIRST MONTH
Comes in most combo kits — buy separately only if you bought your tools bare.
Heads-up Usually comes with a combo kit — check before buying one separately.
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Bucket Organizer
Generic · Bucket Organizer
FIRST MONTH
Turns a 5-gallon pail into a tool caddy. Cheapest storage upgrade there is.
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Center Punch
Generic · Center Punch
FIRST MONTH
Dimples metal so the drill bit starts where you meant it to. The automatic spring type needs no hammer.
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Construction Adhesive
Generic · Construction Adhesive
FIRST MONTH
Subfloor, treads and panel work. Runs through the same caulking gun.
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Drywall Saw
Generic · Drywall Saw
FIRST MONTH
Plunges through board for boxes and openings. Cheap and treated as consumable.
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Extension Cord
Generic · Extension Cord
FIRST MONTH
12-gauge minimum for power tools. Thin cords drop voltage and cook motors.
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Face Respirator
Generic · Face Respirator
FIRST MONTH
Reusable half-mask for silica, concrete dust and fumes. Do a seal check every time you put it on.
Heads-up Check if your employer supplies PPE before buying your own.
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First Aid Kit
Generic · First Aid Kit
FIRST MONTH
A pouch-size kit for cuts and splinters. The site kit is always three floors away.
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Folding Rule
Generic · Folding Rule
FIRST MONTH
A wooden folding rule stays rigid overhead where a tape flops. Electricians still carry one for box heights.
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Hammer Drill
Dewalt · Hammer Drill
FIRST MONTH
Drills and drives, with a hammer mode for masonry. The workhorse of the platform.
Heads-up Pick one battery platform and stay on it — batteries and chargers don't cross brands.
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Hard Hat Winter Liner
Generic · Hard Hat Winter Liner
FIRST MONTH
Fleece liner that goes under the shell. Most heat you lose outside goes out your head and neck.
Heads-up Must be a liner made to fit under a hard hat. A regular toque changes the suspension fit and can void the hat’s rating.
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Impact Driver
Dewalt · Impact Driver
FIRST MONTH
For driving screws and lags all day. Paired with a hammer drill it covers most site work.
Heads-up Pick one battery platform and stay on it — batteries and chargers don't cross brands.
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Insulated Work Jacket
Generic · Insulated Work Jacket
FIRST MONTH
Hi-vis insulated bomber or parka rated for your winter. Buy one size up so a hoodie fits under it.
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Knee Pads
Generic · Knee Pads
FIRST MONTH
Buy them before your knees tell you to. Gel caps with a hard shell survive kneeling on offcuts.
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Level
Generic · Level
FIRST MONTH
Buy a 4 ft for walls and doors. Check it against a known flat surface before you leave the store.
Heads-up Check it against a known flat surface before you buy. A level that's out of true costs more than it saves.
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Locking Pliers
Generic · Locking Pliers
FIRST MONTH
Clamps and holds so your hands are free. Doubles as a clamp, wrench and third hand.
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Magnetic Bit Holder
Generic · Magnetic Bit Holder
FIRST MONTH
Holds the screw so your other hand stays clear. The first accessory you will lose — buy two.
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Nut Driver Set
Generic · Nut Driver Set
FIRST MONTH
Hex nuts, sheet metal screws and hose clamps. Faster and safer than pliers.
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Pry Bar
Generic · Pry Bar
FIRST MONTH
Demo, pulling nails, persuading framing. A flat bar lives in the truck; a small one in the bag.
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Putty Knife
Generic · Putty Knife
FIRST MONTH
Scraping, filling and opening pails. Stiff blade for scraping, flexible for filling.
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Rain Gear
Generic · Rain Gear
FIRST MONTH
Jacket and bib in a bag you leave in the truck. Look for taped seams — coated nylon without them wets through in an hour.
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Ratchet and Socket Set
Generic · Ratchet and Socket Set
FIRST MONTH
Anchors, bolts and equipment work all need sockets. A 3/8 in. drive set covers most site work.
Heads-up Buy one set covering both metric and SAE rather than two partial sets.
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Softshell Windbreaker
Generic · Softshell Windbreaker
FIRST MONTH
The layer you will wear most. Wind on a deck or a scissor lift is brutal at any temperature, and a shell cuts it without the bulk of a coat.
Heads-up Check whether your site requires hi-vis rated outerwear — a plain jacket over your vest may not count.
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Stud Finder
Generic · Stud Finder
FIRST MONTH
Finds framing behind board before you drill into a pipe or a wire. Calibrate it on a known-empty spot.
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Thermal Base Layer
Generic · Thermal Base Layer
FIRST MONTH
Layers beat one thick coat — you can shed them as you warm up instead of sweating through everything.
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Tongue and Groove Pliers
Generic · Tongue and Groove Pliers
FIRST MONTH
Adjustable jaw grips anything round. Two sizes, small and large, handle almost everything.
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Tool Bag
Generic · Tool Bag
FIRST MONTH
An open-top bag beats a box for daily carry. A hard bottom keeps it standing in the mud.
Heads-up Wait until you know what you actually carry — most apprentices over-buy their first bag.
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Torpedo Level
Generic · Torpedo Level
FIRST MONTH
Fits in a pouch for quick checks on blocking, boxes and pipe. Magnetic backs stick to steel.
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Wheelbarrow
Generic · Wheelbarrow
FIRST MONTH
6 cu. ft. steel tray for concrete and debris. A flat-free tire saves the day it matters.
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Wire Brush
Generic · Wire Brush
FIRST MONTH
Cleans rust, weld spatter and dried mortar. Brass bristles for softer metals.
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Wood Glue
Generic · Wood Glue
FIRST MONTH
Type II is water-resistant and covers interior trim and casework. Clamp it, don't just hold it.
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Work Light
Generic · Work Light
FIRST MONTH
Site lighting is never where you need it. A cordless flood on a tripod or hook covers a whole room.
Heads-up Check the battery platform before buying — a cordless light only makes sense on the system you already own.
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03 First Year - 20 tools
Saws, chisels and the tools you buy after you have used someone else's.
Angle Grinder
Generic · Angle Grinder
FIRST YEAR
Cuts rebar, tile and steel, grinds welds, removes rust. Always use the guard and a face shield.
Heads-up Corded models cost far less and never run flat — worth it for a tool used in bursts.
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Caulking Gun
Generic · Caulking Gun
FIRST YEAR
Seals joints and gaps. A dripless model with a smooth rod is worth the few extra dollars.
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Dead Blow Hammer
Generic · Dead Blow Hammer
FIRST YEAR
Shot-filled head does not rebound. Moves assembled work without marking it.
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Digital Caliper
Generic · Digital Caliper
FIRST YEAR
Reads to a thousandth for stock thickness, bolt diameter and bit sizing.
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Fall Arrest Harness
Generic · Fall Arrest Harness
FIRST YEAR
Full-body harness to CSA Z259.10. Required above roughly 3 m on most Canadian sites — the exact trigger height is set by your province.
Heads-up Never wear fall protection you have not been trained on. Working at Heights (or your province’s equivalent) is required before you go up, and it is usually employer-paid. Employers normally supply and inspect the gear, and a harness is scrap after any fall.
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Heated Jacket
Generic · Heated Jacket
FIRST YEAR
Genuinely changes outdoor winter work. Buy it in the brand your cordless tools already use so the batteries and charger are shared.
Heads-up Heated jackets run off tool batteries and each brand fits only its own — another reason to settle your platform first.
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Hole Saw Kit
Generic · Hole Saw Kit
FIRST YEAR
Large clean holes for pipe, cable and pot lights. Back the cut to stop the tearout.
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Jigsaw
Generic · Jigsaw
FIRST YEAR
The only saw that cuts curves and inside cutouts. Blade choice matters more than the tool.
Heads-up Cordless models lock you to a battery platform — match the one your drill already uses.
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Laser Distance Measure
Generic · Laser Distance Measure
FIRST YEAR
One-person measuring across a room. Not a replacement for a tape at close range.
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Masonry Bit Set
Generic · Masonry Bit Set
FIRST YEAR
Carbide tips for concrete and brick. Use them in hammer mode only.
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Oscillating Multi-Tool
Generic · Oscillating Multi-Tool
FIRST YEAR
Undercuts door jambs, plunge-cuts drywall, scrapes adhesive. The tool for cuts nothing else can make.
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Random Orbital Sander
Generic · Random Orbital Sander
FIRST YEAR
Leaves no swirl marks. Hook it to a vacuum or you will breathe the entire job.
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Reciprocating Saw
Dewalt · Reciprocating Saw
FIRST YEAR
Demo saw — cuts whatever's in the way: wood, nails, pipe. Blade choice matters more than the tool.
Heads-up Often a crew tool — ask before buying your own.
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Sawhorses
Generic · Sawhorses
FIRST YEAR
A pair of folding horses gives you a bench anywhere. Cut into them; that is what they are for.
Heads-up Buy in pairs — one sawhorse holds nothing.
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Screw Organizer Case
Generic · Screw Organizer Case
FIRST YEAR
Sorted fasteners save more time per day than any power tool.
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Sharpening Stone
Generic · Sharpening Stone
FIRST YEAR
Chisels and planes are consumables until you can sharpen. A dull edge is more dangerous than a sharp one.
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Shock Absorbing Lanyard
Generic · Shock Absorbing Lanyard
FIRST YEAR
Energy-absorbing lanyard to CSA Z259.11. Double-leg lets you stay tied off while you move.
Heads-up A harness alone stops nothing — the lanyard, the anchor and the clearance below you are one system. Get trained on all of it, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for every piece.
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Shop Vacuum
Generic · Shop Vacuum
FIRST YEAR
Silica dust is a lung hazard, not a housekeeping issue. A vac with a HEPA filter is worth the extra cost.
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Staple Gun
Generic · Staple Gun
FIRST YEAR
Fastens house wrap, insulation and underlay. Manual is fine until you're doing it all day.
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Step Bit
Generic · Step Bit
FIRST YEAR
Drills clean stepped holes in sheet metal and panel boxes without grabbing.
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04 Specialty - 10 tools
Trade-specific and job-specific. Buy when the work calls for it, not before.
Air Compressor
Generic · Air Compressor
SPECIALTY
Pancake compressors run trim and framing guns. CFM rating matters more than tank size.
Heads-up Only worth buying if you own pneumatic tools. Check what your employer already supplies.
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Anchor Strap
Generic · Anchor Strap
SPECIALTY
Cross-arm strap that gives you a rated tie-off point where there is no engineered anchor. Only ever used as part of a system you have been trained on.
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Bolt Cutters
Generic · Bolt Cutters
SPECIALTY
Padlocks, rebar tie wire and threaded rod. Length of handle sets what it will cut.
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Cross Line Laser Level
Generic · Cross Line Laser Level
SPECIALTY
Projects level and plumb lines across a room for layout. Self-levelling models save the setup time.
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Finish Nailer
Generic · Finish Nailer
SPECIALTY
16-gauge for casing and baseboard, 18-gauge brad for delicate trim.
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Framing Nailer
Generic · Framing Nailer
SPECIALTY
Drives framing nails as fast as you can place them. Sequential trigger only until you are experienced.
Heads-up Cordless nailers are expensive; most crews supply pneumatic ones. Confirm before you buy.
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Honing Guide
Generic · Honing Guide
SPECIALTY
Holds a chisel at a repeatable angle so your edge stays square.
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Pipe Wrench
Generic · Pipe Wrench
SPECIALTY
Grips round stock. Serious bite, so keep it off anything with a finish.
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Router
Generic · Router
SPECIALTY
Edges, dados and hinge mortises with a template. Learn feed direction before you switch it on.
Heads-up Bench and jig work — not a tool you carry in the pouch.
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Sledge Hammer
Generic · Sledge Hammer
SPECIALTY
Demo and driving stakes. A 6 lb short-handled one is more useful on site than a 12 lb.
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How to register as a General Labourer apprentice
Apprenticeship is run by each province and territory. Registration, schooling schedules and the Red Seal exam all go through the authority below - start there.
- Albertatradesecrets.alberta.ca
- British Columbiaskilledtradesbc.ca
- Manitobagov.mb.ca/aesi
- New Brunswickgnb.ca
- Newfoundland and Labradorgov.nl.ca
- Northwest Territoriesece.gov.nt.ca
- Nova Scotiansapprenticeship.ca
- Nunavutgov.nu.ca
- Ontarioskilledtradesontario.ca
- Prince Edward Islandprinceedwardisland.ca
- Quebecccq.org
- Saskatchewansaskapprenticeship.ca
- Yukonyukon.ca