THIS IS A TWO PART QUESTION; #1- WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED FOR AN APPRENTICE & JOURNEYMAN MILLWRIGHT? #2- I HEARD A PHRASE "CHECK THE THRUST". ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE VERYMUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU VER MUCH!!

-- LINDA K. MCCEARY (LWMCCREARY@AOL.COM), October 03, 2001

Answers

Question #1, Apprentice millwright tool list. This is a list compiled by our training center...

1/2" socket set, 3/8" to 1-1/4" sockets 3/8" socket set, 5/16" - 3/4" sockets box end wrenches & open end wrenches - 5/16" through 1-1/4" 10" Channel lock pliers 1" cold chisel 24 oz. ball pein hammer torpedo level with magnetic base center punch chalk line 10" vice grip 25' tape measure standard pliers 4 screw drivers, assorted sizes 2 phillips head screw drivers scriber allen wrench set, 5/64 - 3/8" folding hex key set drift pin 12" adjustable wrench welding hood chipping hammer burning goggles striker and flints welding gloves leather work gloves combination square needle nose pliers utility knife pry bar

Kindly note that this would be an abbsolute minimum for a beginner. Experienced millwrights pack SAE and Metric wrenches. I used to have three tool-boxes and a bucket to haul my assortment. The Bucket held my welding hood, leathers, gloves, burning gear, etc. I have a seperate machinist box with shaft levels, indicators, micrometers, calipers, etc. The other two boxes contain mechanics tools of various descriptions. (just picked up a set of Torx sockets and a three jaw puller, and I'm an agent!) For a 'rail job' (overhead power and free conveyor) you might just need the bucket and soket set. On a power house install you might use every tool described by the time you're done.

Question #2 - 'check the thrust' This is often done in an electric power house and a description of the procedure can be found at http://www.lovejoycontrols.com/lib/thrust.htm As a spindle or shaft rotates it will move along the shaft centerline as well as in the direction of rotation. (axial movement) Controlling and limiting the linear movement of the shaft is usually done with a thrust bearing. Measurements are required so that the loading of the bearing is within tolerance. The measurements are usaully taken using the dial indicator to determine in thousanths of an inch the end play of a spindle.

I hope this information addresses your needs and wish you great success in your choosen profession. Regards, Rocky

-- John Rockefeller (oragent@CarpenterCraft.com), October 04, 2001.