How to Use a Tool Belt to Your Advantage on Your First Residential Carpentry Job
Coming straight out of residential carpentry school and going into your first placement job can be a bit intimidating. There is always a lot going on in a project, as seasoned residential carpenters in the group seem to perform their duties off the cuff. As a novice, it might be hard to go about your first professional job without making a few mistakes. Such a feeling is normal, but there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of making a carpentry mistake. For example, your tool belt is the first line of defense towards confidence on your first job. This article provides you with information on using your tool belt to your advantage on your first project.
Have the Right Tools in the Tool Belt -- Picture this scenario, your project leader asks you to pass him your LED flashlight, but as you reach for it, you realize you did not pack it on your tool belt. Having the right tool for the right job is critical on your first day, and your tool belt is meant to help you with that. Therefore, before leaving for the project, ensure that you ask your project leader exactly what you will be doing on your first day. Based on the information provided, fit your belt with spec tools that will be required for that role. For instance, if your project leader tells you that you will be punching nails on a frame, you should have at least two sets of nails in your tool belt.
Put Tools Back in the Tool Belt -- Your tool belt is your pass to efficiency. As such, you must always try as much as possible to put your tools back into your tool belt. Since you are new on the job, you may find it hard to do so and place tools you are done with on the ground. A device that has been put on the ground is more likely to get lost in the rubble of wood and other tools. As such, you will spend a lot of time looking for it when you need to use the tool again. Additionally, you risk putting yourself and your colleagues in danger of getting hurt by tools lying dangerously on the floor.
Make Sure Your Tool Belt Fits -- Just like you trousers belt, your tool belt should fit right if you want to walk around doing your duties comfortably. You should be spending most of your time punching nails, drilling screws, sawing, as opposed to adjusting the tool belt. If you have a loose tool belt, it will keep turning on your waist thereby changing the position of your tools every time. For example, if you keep your tape measure in the right-hand side pocket and your loosely fitting tool belt turns, you may find the pocket resting on your bum. Consequently, you risk spending more time adjusting it, thereby losing efficacy.