Basic Hand Tools:

You probably already have most of the hand tools that you’ll need. 

Here is my basic selections.  Some of these I've had before I got my first torch in 1967.

As I mention in the video "Getting Started with Metal Sculpture", some tools you can get by with just buying the cheapest.  But there are some tools you'll want to get the best available.

Needle Nose Pliers:  I unusually have two or three pairs lying on the table.  A couple are good pairs and one is of the cheap variety.  I use the cheap one when I have the needle nose close to the torch flame.  These take a lot of abuse so it not a big expenditure to buy another inexpensive pair.

(need nose are often called "long nosed " pliers).

The assorted tools are a pair of pliers, adjustable wrench, ball pein hammer, file, sheet metal shears and some allen wrenches.

More particularly are the aviation snips, the diagonal cutters and the end cutters.

These three get a lot of use so for the diagonal and end cutters I use either Channel Lock or Klein tools.

Aviation snips get a tremendous of use and I make sure that I buy the best available.  I prefer Wiss aviations snips but Pro Tools aviations sips are also good.

Aviation snips come in three colors; red, green and yellow.  The colors signify that one color cuts to the right, one to the left and the other is for straight cuts.  I use this red pair and cut whichever direction I want to cut.  They take a bit of getting use to but I've never found it necessary to have all three colors.

Years ago I had all three colors but could never remember which one cut which way.  This is the reason I decided to learn how to use just one pair.

I like to make things as simple as possible.

One tool that isn't in the photo above is a hack saw.  I find that I need one every once in awhile but you probably already have one of those.

For basic hand tools I will usually check at Harbor Freight and Grizzly tools.  They are both online.

Harbor Freight has many locations, so check to see if they have one in your area.

Both Harbor Freight and Grizzly have the cheap imported tools and higher quality tools also.

Today there are many options of where to buy online.  Often I will browse Amazon.com and check for reviews on tools that they sell.  Amazingly, Amazon sell a lot of tools and their prices a very competitive.

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