Hi all, I am new to the forum here, and I have a feeling that this question has already been asked but I am going off to shoeing school this saturday for a 10 week program. I have a tool list they provided but I would like some good input on what brand of tools to get. I plan on going to the school for the summer and then I will finish my college education this fall as well as starting up my shoeing business and riding with an experienced farrier once a week. With my goal to get into this on a large scale I want good quality tools. What brands and sizes would you all recomend?


2 Rasp Handles
6 inch File
Hoof Nipper
Shoeing Apron
Shoe Puller
Fire Tongs
1 Hoof Knife
Hoof Rasp
Clinch Cutter
Hoof Gauge
Driving Hammer
Dividers
Bob Punch
Hot Rasp
Pritchel
Fore Punch
Turning Hammer
Fitting Hammer

P.S. If you have any other items that would be useful within cost reason please tell me!

Thank you all! I really Appreciate it!

a pair of steel-toe cap shoes
a pair of eye- protective glases
a brass ruler would come in handy

you dont need top of the range stuff
cause your goin to reck them any way

3 pair of tongs should cover you
5/16, 3/8, 1/2

i dont think your going to be doing a hole pile in
10 weeks
but thats another days work

I was wanting to buy some nippers and asked about GE branding. The sales guy said he also had reconditioned GE nippers for $110 (instead of $300ish). Just wondered if anyone has tried these and will they last? Are GEs really that good as to be worth $300? or are nippers just nippers?

GE does the finishing on the new nippers, who has done the reconditioning on the used ones?????

Buy the New GE nippers, mine are as good as new, at 8 years old.

And they have cut through the odd nail.

I am a little concerned that the school did not suggest quality or brands because cheap tools or the wrong size tools will greatly hinder your learning experience.But here is a starter tool list :any kindIf this is for sharpening knives,NO. I cant believe the school would suggest using a file for that. Sharpening a knife with a file is for hacks. Buy a "diamond" type hone made for hoof knives instead.GE , 14" TRACK size. The Smaller blade makes for much easier nipping. Also the *new* Nordic $100 buck nippers are surprisingly good quality, NOT at ALL the same as the old orange handle thick clunky nordics)Whatever fits you ,for a starter apron. be sure the knife pockets (two) are wide enough to drop a knife in easily.'Diamond' brand is adequate and works well3 pairs,1/4", 5/16" and 3/8" You need the right size for the thickness of shoe or stock you are holding .The school should have told you that.The school should have specified that you need a GOOD knife....figure any of the knives that run about 30 bucks or up. (The Knife, DoubleS, and you need to get either rightr or left handed I recommed one regular knife and one "loop" knife. Do NOT get a double edged knife!Save Edge, or Belotta. Do NOt get a "finish" type rasp if you are only going to start with one rasp.Any brand .I dont use them, and dont recomend using them so I cant recoommend a brand. But if your instrutor does use them them :(then one of those brass ones should be fine.A starter hammer should be not too heavy and not too light, figure an 8 ounce one.Any.
Bob Punchthat is just an Old,very used rasp.Your going to destroy it anyway, and have to rework it in the forge frequently while you learn, so get an inexpensive one.Ask the instrictor what style, design and brand because That depends on what nail holes and what thickness of metal you are punching. And you are going to ruin it frequently, too. I would begin school with a regular long , (not handled) one because of having to rework the tip a lot in the forge. .DiamondThat should be the same hammr as your turning hammer.

Brand new GE are about $200,( not $300,) but the reconditioned are usually very good, just like new and well worth it. Nippers and knife are probably the most important two tools in your box. No place to scrimp on quality just because you are just starting out.

Calshoer........The school does have its own farrier supply shop on site so I haven't really worried about communicating with them about the specifics because they said they would help me pick everything out if I bought it there. I did how ever want some outside input and I appreciate all I have gotten! Now when you said the tourning and fitting hammers should be the same are you saying the same brand or actually the same hammer itself?

also the advise about the puller is great, knowing I can go with diamond and still have a good tool is awsome. Plus It saves about 50-100 dollars from what I am seeing online! Thanks

calshoer wrote:Oh come on now Patty, What kind of attitude is that? Nice thing about wore out files is that they can be made into new hoof knives:DYou mean you dont teach your students how to make them either?!

Oh just what IS the world coming to?
George

why is there not a 5/16 pair of tongs mentioned
it seems to me its the only section you use over ther

if there were going to get it right from the start
show them how to make them

then they would appreciate the tools

i woudent be telling them to get a GE snips are you off your head
or an 8 oz hammer

Huskerfan23 what school is it? No one has recomended a brand of clincher, I really like my curved jaw Lopez ones. After useing those nothing else feels that good.

Its the minnesota school of horse shoeing. Yeah I was looking at websites trying to get a cost esimate for my tools and I saw the clincher on there but for some reason it isn't on my list. I was somewhat confused by that too.

You might need a set and a clinch block as well.

alright, I will call them about that. is the clincher and block something like the nippers that should really not be skimped on or can it be a cheaper brand?

smitty88 wrote:I'd tend to agree. Get diamond basic standard issue tongs. 2 or 3 pair. Learn to adjust them for different stock dimensions.

As proficiency is developed in the fire a competent instructor should be able to teach how to make your own:cool:
George