A word of caution on the infrared thermometers. They give erroneous readings on reflective surfaces such as aluminum, stainless, and nickel alloys. I've had readings off by 150 degrees.

I use a thermocouple attachment and multimeter purchased from RadioShack. Good enough for most work.

My collection of inspection tools are kept in a tool box. I have a tool box that I constructed for the back of my Grand Caravan and a carpenters tool belt with heavy suspenders that I use to carry just the tools that I need to perform the inspection. Everyday requires different tools, so why carry about more weight and tooling than is necessary. They are expensive and too easily misplaced.

Other than the fillet gages, most tooling can be purchased at the local hardware store or through a catalog.

I freely admit that I'm a cheap son of a bitcX. I don't believe in using high quality precision instruments in the field. Precision tools need to be treated with care and best left in the laboratory. For the field work I use tools that won't break the bank or my heart if they are damaged or lost. A micrometer or caliper from "General" is good enough for field work. A plastic magnifying lens is fine for the field and shop. Save the high priced magnifiers for the lab. My magnifying lens for the field is perfect because it has a compass in the handle so that I won't get lost. When it gets scratched, and it will, I toss it and spend another $11 for a new one.  My multimeter is a RadioShack. Leave the Fluke in the lab. I usually go through a couple of multimeters a year. It never fails that some welder will flip the high frequency to "continuous" when I'm not looking, poof! There goes another multimeter. It is easy enough to check the field instrument against the calibrated lab instrument.

Flashlights; you can never have enough flashlights and spare batteries. I have several different flashlights. Big ones, small ones, Zenon bulbs, LEDs, you name it, I have one of each. I also have a radiometer to verify the intensity of the flashlight is sufficient to meet the lighting requirements of the code (ASME Section V).

"Mirrors on a stick" are indispensable when working in hard to reach areas.

Torpedo levels, combination squares, regular framing squares with the outside corner clipped, four foot levels, six foot levels, a bazooka bob, and the list goes on and on. The hardware store is often my first stop on my way to a new job to pick up a fresh can of red and green spray paint to mark those welds inspected. Tags with strings, adhesive labels, rubber stamps and ink pads, you name it, I have it, every job has different requirements for identifying what was inspected and accepted or rejected.

A small collection of tools is best when you get started and then buy the tools you need as you find out what is needed for the work you are doing. Why buy a high priced specialty tool that is only going to be used once every five years. You're going to misplace it and won't be able to find it the next time you need it anyway. I make my "special" gages using heavy banding strap a pair of tin snips, a scribe, and a six inch machinists ruler. The standard fillet gages come in 1/16 inch increments. I bet most of us can use tin snips and get the "size" within 0.01 inch of being perfect. Good enough for most work. If you get a job that needs "calibrated" gages, use a set of "Jo blocks" to verify the sizes of your "special" gages.  

If you're new to the inspection field, find out what tools are necessary before spending a lot of money on tools you won't need. The specifics of your job will dictate what types of gages, meters, and tools are necessary.

Spend your extra time and money on something useful like a course in magnetic particle testing or penetrant testing so you can expand your capabilities and prospects for future employment. Try to take at least one seminar or training course that is beyond your present level of training or expertise every year so you'll be prepared to take on added responsibilities or a new job that offers better pay or opportunities for advancement. Don't think for  minute that the job you have today is the job you'll have when you retire unless you are two days away from retirement. Get ready for your next job today so you'll be ready tomorrow.

Best regards - Al