Apprentice/Trainee Starter Tools - A Guide!

[Richard Burns]

Can we clarify what is generally expected when regards to PPE please? Thanks!

By law an employer must provide PPE for employees (if it is required).
In practice if you are an agency worker it is best to have hard hat, safety glasses, safety boots/shoes and hi-vis vest. Certainly safety boots would be unlikely to be supplied. All approved safety equipment is suitable, so go for the cheapest as it will provide the same protection (so long as it meets the required BS), unless you have a personal preference.
You may also need gloves (as appropriate to your type of work), and possibly ear protection if your work is usually in noisy locations.

 

[happysteve]

Not strictly PPE, but trousers with padded knees are highly recommended!

 

[Paul.M]

Not strictly PPE, but trousers with padded knees are highly recommended!

Top recommendation Steve, never leave home without them.

A sparky friend got me these for an Xmas present, fit inside of your knee pad holders without the use of the straps, great to work in.



Another good bit of kit to have is flex cable strippers. Ok they cost a lot for what they are but saves so much time and work really well on F.P.200 fire cable.

 

[Knobhead]

On the subject of knives, I like a Stanley knife as long as the blade is fresh. You don’t have the problem of a blunt knife or having to sharpen them.

A blunt knife is the most dangerous thing possible. Once you use too much force it’s bound to slip or break. At best you’ll bruise your knuckles, at worse……. you cut your hand open as I did. I’d climbed inside a panel and asked my mate to pass me my knife, he gave me his!

A word of warning if you have a retractable Stanley knife. With use the lock ratchet wears or gets gunged up with crap, let it go too far and it will slip.

Stripping SWA:
For 40 years I’ve used a hacksaw and the Stanley knife. Once you get the feel of the saw and knife it becomes 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] nature no matter what size the cable. Sorry, practice is the only way to get it right.

I do have one other knife but it’s designed for PILC-SWA cables. A hack knife, the back of the blade is about ¼” wide. You use a hammer to run it down the outer serving and lead sheath.

 

[Simonslimline]

This is what my kit consists of. Everything gets used, Still plenty more things on the list though.

 

[pennychew]

This is what my kit consists of. Everything gets used, Still plenty more things on the list though.

View attachment 28711

Thats a very decent kit mate, you've got some quality gear there...

I have the small bosch drill as well and its absolutely brilliant, i use mine for nearly everything!

 

[Marvo]

Wow, you guys are big on your tools, I think I was a 2nd year or maybe even 3rd year apprentice before I started buying my own tools and even then just the very basics like a couple of screwdrivers, side cutters, snipe nose pliers and a few other small items that fitted into a small zip-up leather pouch. Good tools were extortionately expensive in those days, a decent tool kit would have cost 2 or 3 months wages.

 

[Plonker 3]

Tools are not that expensive here Marvo, I was always told and tell any apprentice this. Buy the basic connecting up tools first and a good tool box, then build it up from there every payday. That way it doesnt get too expensive buying them all in one go.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I brought my apprentice this kit when he started, and he has expanded on that.

CK 595003 Electricians Premium Tool Kit FREE Phone Holder | ProToolsDirect

 

[Richard Burns]

I brought my apprentice this kit when he started, and he has expanded on that.

CK 595003 Electricians Premium Tool Kit FREE Phone Holder | ProToolsDirect

Lucky apprentice!

 

[Resu]

I've added to mine in the last few months: 160mm Teng snips, Teng VDE screwdriver set, another set of Knipex grips, a new pair of Knipex shears (ones in pic belonged to boss and were already passed it), Wera allen key set, ratchet crimpers, CK ferrule crimpers (non-ratchet type, still waiting for these to be delivered), new spirit level as mine wasn't level!, twin 10.8v Makita set, new hammer as someone robbed mine, new measuring tape as dropped mine into a stud wall! And just ordered one of these too:

 

[Resu]

Will get another pic in the next few weeks when i come to sort it all out again. Will upgrade the list too as I've got a few small ideas.

 

[Resu]

Can't help myself. Another few bits and pieces recently but most chuffed with this. Not a Facom or anything too fancy but had it a week now and it's definitely an upgrade on my old one. Was about forty quid

 

[Leesparkykent]

Swiftnut | Electricians Direct online shop

latest edition to my toolbox

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kheqjPd2bLQ

 

[Marc Lajevardi]

Neilsen Professional 9pc Scraper Pick Hook Gasket Scraping Hose Removal Tool Set | eBay

also useful