Recommended Plumbing Tools & Gear

Tools I Actually Use on the Job — For Apprentices & Working Plumbers

View All Tools

If you’re a plumbing apprentice or early-career plumber, buying tools can be overwhelming. There are thousands of options, wildly different price points, and a lot of bad advice online.
This page exists to solve that.

Why This Page Exists?

Every tool listed here falls into one of three categories:
• A tool I personally use on real jobs.
• A tool I’ve used for years and trust.
• A tool I recommend to apprentices I’m mentoring.
No gimmicks. No random “top 10” lists. Just tools that make plumbing work easier, faster, and safer.

Who This Page Is For?

  1. This page is for plumbing apprentices and early-career plumbers who want to build their tool kit the right way.
  2. If you’re tired of buying tools twice and want equipment that will still be useful years into your career, you’re in the right place.
  3. Whether you’re in Level 1 or preparing for your C of Q, this list will save you time and money.

How to Use This Page

  • You don’t need to buy everything at once.
  • Start with the Apprentice Starter Kit, then add tools as you level up and your responsibilities
    grow.
  • If you’re brand new, begin at the top. If you’re already working, jump to the section that
    matches your day-to-day work.

Recommended Plumbing Tools & Gear
Tools I Actually Use on the Job — For Apprentices & Working Plumbers
These are the core tools every apprentice should own early on. They’re affordable, durable, and used constantly on residential and commercial jobs.

  1. Milwaukee Ratcheting Screwdriver
  2. Milwaukee Groove Joint Pliers (Channel-Lock Style)
  3. Milwaukee Tape Measure
  4. Husky Utility Knives
  5. Milwaukee Permanent Markers
  6. Empire Torpedo Level
  7. Klein Tools 5/16” Chuck Bit
  8. 1/4” Hex Chuck Bit
  9. Reusable Ear Plugs
  10. Milwaukee Safety Glasses
  11. Husky Bucket Jockey Tool Organizer
  12. Allen Key Set (Imperial & Metric)
  13. RIDGID 6” Pipe Wrench
  14. RIDGID 12” Pipe Wrench
  15. RIDGID 18” Pipe Wrench
  16. DEWALT 12” Adjustable Wrench
  17.  DEWALT 6” Adjustable Wrench
  18.  Milwaukee Extension Driver Bit
  19. RIDGID Basin Wrench
  20. DEWALT Security Screwdriver Set
  21. Estwing Framing Hammer
  22. DEWALT 12” Claw Bar
  23. DEWALT 13” Flat Pry Bar
  24. Basin Buddy (For Vanity Faucets & Supply Lines)
  25. Milwaukee M18 Impact Driver
  26. Milwaukee M18 Drill/Driver

Recommended Plumbing Tools & Gear
Tools I Actually Use on the Job — For Apprentices & Working Plumbers
These are the core tools every apprentice should own early on. They’re affordable, durable, and used constantly on residential and commercial jobs.

  1. Milwaukee Ratcheting Screwdriver
  2. Milwaukee Groove Joint Pliers (Channel-Lock Style)
  3. Milwaukee Tape Measure
  4. Milwaukee Permanent Markers
  5. Empire Torpedo Level
  6. Klein Tools 5/16” Chuck Bit
  7. 1/4” Hex Chuck Bit
  8. Reusable Ear Plugs
  9. Milwaukee Safety Glasses
  10. Husky Bucket Jockey Tool Organizer
  11. Allen Key Set (Imperial & Metric)
  12. RIDGID 6” Pipe Wrench
  13. RIDGID 12” Pipe Wrench
  14. RIDGID 18” Pipe Wrench
  15. DEWALT 12” Adjustable Wrench
  16.  DEWALT 6” Adjustable Wrench
  17.  Milwaukee Extension Driver Bit
  18. RIDGID Basin Wrench
  19. DEWALT Security Screwdriver Set
  20. Estwing Framing Hammer
  21. DEWALT 12” Claw Bar
  22. DEWALT 13” Flat Pry Bar
  23. Basin Buddy (For Vanity Faucets & Supply Lines)
  24. Milwaukee M18 Impact Driver
  25. Milwaukee M18 Drill/Driver

Recommended Plumbing Tools & Gear
Tools I Actually Use on the Job — For Apprentices & Working Plumbers
These are the core tools every apprentice should own early on. They’re affordable, durable, and used constantly on residential and commercial jobs.

  1. Milwaukee Ratcheting Screwdriver
  2. Milwaukee Groove Joint Pliers (Channel-Lock Style)
  3. Milwaukee Tape Measure
  4. Milwaukee Permanent Markers
  5. Empire Torpedo Level
  6. Klein Tools 5/16” Chuck Bit
  7. 1/4” Hex Chuck Bit
  8. Reusable Ear Plugs
  9. Milwaukee Safety Glasses
  10. Husky Bucket Jockey Tool Organizer
  11. Allen Key Set (Imperial & Metric)
  12. RIDGID 6” Pipe Wrench
  13. RIDGID 12” Pipe Wrench
  14. RIDGID 18” Pipe Wrench
  15. DEWALT 12” Adjustable Wrench
  16.  DEWALT 6” Adjustable Wrench
  17.  Milwaukee Extension Driver Bit
  18. RIDGID Basin Wrench
  19. DEWALT Security Screwdriver Set
  20. Estwing Framing Hammer
  21. DEWALT 12” Claw Bar
  22. DEWALT 13” Flat Pry Bar
  23. Basin Buddy (For Vanity Faucets & Supply Lines)
  24. Milwaukee M18 Impact Driver
  25. Milwaukee M18 Drill/Driver

Tools for ABS work, rough-ins, service calls, and small drain issues.
If you work in residential plumbing, you’ll use these regularly.

  1. RIDGID ABS / Plastic Tubing Cutter
  2. RIDGID Ratcheting Tubing Cutter
  3. Plastic Pipe Deburring Tool
  4. ABN Hub Cleaner Set
  5. Milwaukee Pipe Shears

Tools for PEX systems, copper cutting and soldering, and press systems.

You don’t need everything here on day one, but these tools separate beginners from confident plumbers.

  1. RIDGID Copper Tubing Cutter (1/4” – 2-5/8”)
  2. Milwaukee Pipe Slice Cutter Set
  3. Milwaukee Mini Copper Tubing Cutter
  4. Milwaukee M12 Tubing Cutter (3/8” – 1”)
  5. Milwaukee PEX Cutters
  6. RIDGID PEX Cutters
  7. MAP‑Pro Gas Torch Head
  8. MAP‑Pro Gas Fuel Cylinders
  9. SharkBite PEX Removal Tool
  10. Plumbing Grit Cloth
  11. Oatey Plumbing Solder Kit
  12. Jet Swet Pipe Freezing Kit
  13. DEWALT Tool Organizer (for MAP Gas & Cutters)
  14. RIDGID 1/2” PEX Crimp Tool
  15. RIDGID 3/4” PEX Crimp Tool

Career-level tools you’ll add later in your trade.

When you do buy these, buying the right one matters.

  1. Bosch Rotary Hammer Drill
  2. Milwaukee ProPress Tool Kit
  3. Milwaukee ProPress Close‑Quarter Jaws
  4. Milwaukee Drum Drain Machine
  5. Milwaukee Handheld Drain Cleaning Machine
  6. Milwaukee Compact Hammer Drill

Tools are only half the equation.

Understanding code, math, and theory is what moves you forward in this trade.

This section includes code books, study resources, and training I personally recommend — including my Plumbing Math course.

Plumbing Math Course: https://molotovplumbingacademy.com/plumbing-math-info

Plumbing Resume Course: https://molotovplumbingacademy.com/plumbing-resume-course

Plumbing YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/kennymolotov

Transparency

Some of the links associated with this page are affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This helps support the channel and the Plumbing Academy.

I only recommend tools I stand behind.

Final Note

You don’t need to rush.

Plumbing is a long career. The goal is to build a tool kit that grows with you, makes your work easier, and helps you earn more over time.

— Kenny Molotov

Current State Of Affairs

13500+

Subscribers

580 458+

Views

460+

Videos

youtube channel molotov plumbing
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Take the Plumbing Math Course