Apprentice , looking for tools.

[Andy78]

Apprentice eh ? All you'll be needing is a lump hammer, a bolster, and a sturdy pair of boots for all those walks to the sandwich shop.

Only joking (sort of). Resu's post was pretty comprehensive as a starting kit. Start with that and build as you need/can afford it.
Do you have a voltage tester ? A cheap fluke one for £25 will do. Look after it though and make sure it doesn't live with your hammers and hacksaws.

 

[shanky887614]

wouldn't be without my bahco grips. tried knipex and had more torn skin than a cow in a slaugtherhouse. the bahco ones stay where you set them, no slipping shut on your skin.

how the hell are you using them?

never buy the auto adjusting grips they are rubbish ive binned 2 pairs and tried a couple from different mates.


grips can take a lot of abuse and still work fine (we use ours as a reemer here when doing conduit)



get a good solid pair of boots.


remember you will be wearing them all day so its a good idea to spend £30+ on a decent pair.

go for a walking boot version if possible, there a lot better because you wont be standing around a lot

 

[sjhall]

Get the best you can afford and it will last you years, yes it may get nicked, but you just need to keep an eye on your stuff... Buy cheap buy twice ... Or 3 times

 

[telectrix]

how the hell are you using them?

never buy the auto adjusting grips they are rubbish ive binned 2 pairs and tried a couple from different mates.


grips can take a lot of abuse and still work fine (we use ours as a reemer here when doing conduit)



get a good solid pair of boots.


remember you will be wearing them all day so its a good idea to spend £30+ on a decent pair.

go for a walking boot version if possible, there a lot better because you wont be standing around a lot

had a few pairs of the cheaper grips where, once under pressure, the jaws slide and pinch whatever part of your body is in the firing line. the sliding adjustment on the bahco grips needs a lever release when not under pressure before it will move.

 

[Guest111]

had a few pairs of the cheaper grips where, once under pressure, the jaws slide and pinch whatever part of your body is in the firing line. the sliding adjustment on the bahco grips needs a lever release when not under pressure before it will move.

knipex make something similar but you have to look for them,i have 2 knipex and a bahco.

 

[stranded]

Apprentice eh ? All you'll be needing is a lump hammer, a bolster, and a sturdy pair of boots for all those walks to the sandwich shop.

Only joking (sort of). Resu's post was pretty comprehensive as a starting kit. Start with that and build as you need/can afford it.
Do you have a voltage tester ? A cheap fluke one for £25 will do. Look after it though and make sure it doesn't live with your hammers and hacksaws.

lol, im sure ill be sent for a few sky hooks or jars of sparks for the grinder, although, id like to think my employer would be willing to help me through it..but thats another matter...i have Completely forgot about a voltage tester, thanks for the reminder, should i grab a volt-stick/non contact tester to go with it so i have two ways of checking, or is it sufficient to have a voltage tester?

 

[stranded]

wouldn't be without my bahco grips. tried knipex and had more torn skin than a cow in a slaugtherhouse. the bahco ones stay where you set them, no slipping shut on your skin.

alright :lol:

 

[Andy78]

lol, im sure ill be sent for a few sky hooks or jars of sparks for the grinder, although, id like to think my employer would be willing to help me through it..but thats another matter...i have Completely forgot about a voltage tester, thanks for the reminder, should i grab a volt-stick/non contact tester to go with it so i have two ways of checking, or is it sufficient to have a voltage tester?

Get a cheap volt stick if you must for seeing if a cable is live, but NEVER use one to test for dead. You should always use a proper voltage tester. You might not even need one at first. As you say, see what tools the boss will stand to buy you

 

[shanky887614]

you might get lucky.

here all they supply you with, 1 company shirt, 1
jumper and 1 fleece.

no tools at all

 

[telectrix]

a fleece???? you lucky sod. all we ever got from the company was a bin bag if it was peeing down.

 

[linfield-sparky]

Knifex pliers, square head screwdriver, insulated to 1000v screwdrivers, phase tester should get u started

 

[partypest]

Like the other guys said, but things as you need them and remember that if you buy cheap, you tend to buy twice. See what your mentor/s use, ask to try them, ask them why they chose them and learn from others experience. I use a FatMax rucksack style tool bag which always keeps my hands free and I never have to put it down till I'm on the tools. We all have tales of woe and loss, only lend to people you know and trust. Good luck.

 

[telectrix]

Like the other guys said, but things as you need them and remember that if you buy cheap, you tend to buy twice. See what your mentor/s use, ask to try them, ask them why they chose them and learn from others experience. I use a FatMax rucksack style tool bag which always keeps my hands free and I never have to put it down till I'm on the tools. We all have tales of woe and loss, only lend to people you know and trust. Good luck.

so that leaves plumbers out then? :ciappa:

 

[vernam616]

Nice to see an apprentice taking a interest and wanting the right and decent gear to do the job, most now are just not interested and refuse to buy any tools because they need credit for their mobiles or boxes of smokes

I think others have covered most of what you need, most important tool is common sense !

Good luck with your apprenticship

 

[shanky887614]

a fleece???? you lucky sod. all we ever got from the company was a bin bag if it was peeing down.

you joking? thats only cause hd gets them free. all he has to pay for is to have them re engraved with company name on again.