Apprentice/Trainee Starter Tools - A Guide!

[Leo_chaos]

Anyone know much about these ?

Someone in my course mentioned he uses one, when I look online I mainly find initial conversations about them, or 1 person seemingly selling them, I was wondering if they're any good?

 

[Richard Burns]

Anyone know much about these ?

Someone in my course mentioned he uses one, when I look online I mainly find initial conversations about them, or 1 person seemingly selling them, I was wondering if they're any good?

They do work, once you have got used to them, and they are fairly easy to use.
I did not buy one because of the exorbitant cost (since you can get a similar device for pipes (with a different blade and no spring) for about £10)
However they would probably be worth it for the time saving.
The blades need to be in good condition.

 

[Leo_chaos]

They do work, once you have got used to them, and they are fairly easy to use.
I did not buy one because of the exorbitant cost (since you can get a similar device for pipes (with a different blade and no spring) for about £10)
However they would probably be worth it for the time saving.
The blades need to be in good condition.

CK ones on ebay for about £30 I think and blades seem about normal saw blade prices

 

[GMES]

Don't think that will help me with the 2 x 185mm 4 core's I'm doing next week but if you do find one let me know mate:biggrin5:

 

[Pete999]

https://www.gogle.com/search?q=swa+termination+guide&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 Here are a selection that may help the T/S if I have stepped on anyones toes please accept my apologies

 

[Leo_chaos]

I've had to do it in class a couple of times with the saw, I only ask about these because some omg in class mentioned them and they seemed less hassle

 

[Simonslimline]

CK make one as well, to be honest i have both the CK one and the bladerunner and still prefer using a hacksaw.

Each to there own though i guess.

 

[Paul.M]

The CK ones are good, biggest I've done is 25mm 4 core with them. Any bigger and the hack saw comes out.

 

[Alessandro]

I'm just a trainee but I already started to buy tools, hoping to use them soon.
I keep this file that I update regularly that will eventually contain everything I need as an electrician. If I liked a brand over any other for personal reasons I included it.

----------------

LEGALESE:
BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (HSR 25)
Approved document P
IET On-Site Guide
Electricians Guide to the Building Regulations

FASHION:
Cofra Eindhoven Water Resistant Work Trousers or Cofra Bricklayer Kneepad Trousers
Kneepads
Cofra new electrical safety boots, merino wool/wool/bamboo socks
normal and thermal gloves, neck warmer
safety glasses, Bolle BLEPSI safety goggles
hi-vis vest
head torch
Casio F-91W watch
Centurion safety helmet (white), bump cap
insulating gloves (IEC 60903 gloves) for live work
disposable filtering face-piece, half-mask respirator
ear defenders, ear plugs

CARRYING TOOLS:
backpack, wheeled toolbag, pocket pack
padded belt, tool pouch, padsaw holder, drill holster

STATIONARY:
A5 writing pad, eraser
BiC 4-Color pen, golf pencils, Sharpie permanent marker
Casio fx-991ES PLUS scientific calculator

KNICK-KNACKS:
cable ties
dust cloth
lube (cutting oil, wd-40 or something)
masking tape
insulating tape (brown, blue, yellow/green)
hand wipes, tissues, contact lenses

TESTING ETC:
voltage indicator to GS38, voltage proving unit
multifunction meter, multimeter
clamp-on ammeter, non-contact voltage detector, socket tester

VERY BASIC:
screwdrivers set, offset screwdriver
C.K lambfoot knife, stanley knife
combination pliers, snipe nose pliers
C.K T3963 cable cutters 160mm and 210mm
cheap cable cutters for screws
pincers
waterpump pliers, adjustable spanners
allen keys

IMPACT, PENETRATION, FRICTION AND STUFF:
needle files 150mm, engineer's files 250mm
bradawl, gimlet
bolster, cold chisel, wood chisel
claw hammer 8oz and 16oz, rubber hammer
square wood log for trunking (substitutes rubber hammer)
junior hacksaw 150mm, hacksaw 300mm
Eclipse hacksaw blades 150/300mm 18/24/32tpi
padsaw, coping saw

MEASUREMENT:
calc sheet (formulae, blades' tpi, etc)
steel rule, tape measure (self-retracting)
combination square
spirit level

POWER TOOLS AND BITS:
18V combi drill 2x5Ah batteries, impact driver
(idealmente: 18/20V, 2x5Ah, high Nm, regulable torque (Nm) and speed (rpm), 13mm or greater chuck and single keyless, 2 gears)
drill bits
Makita ottima marca costosa, DeWalt, Bosch blue

MCB LOCKS/HASPS FOR LOCKOUT:
padlocks: ABUS 64TI/35, ABUS 64TI/30, 64TI/25, 64TI/20 [lock ID format: 4B; significa: 4mm di diametro, lock B]
warning signs large (A5) and small (tag on MCB, about A7): "WARNING - Electrician Working" "Do Not Switch On"
clear sign holder
barriers

FIRST-AID KIT:
tweezers
distilled water, eye wash
antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream
plasters, dressings and bandages

 

[Leo_chaos]

Just a follow up since I bought the CK SWA strippers, They're not massively quicker since it's not a long job in the first place, but they did tend to leave a more uniform tidy cut and I can see how it would be useful in spaces/angles where a hacksaw might be awkward

 

[Birdieapple]

Started college in September where we were advised to purchase a CK 'core kit' here > C.K Tools Electrician's Core Tool Kit (10 Piece Kit)

Not being a fan of following the crowd and the fact It was £79.99 I bought separately and started with CK combi cutter 3 180 mm, long nose pliers, CK 6 piece screwdriver kit and have just progressed on with better and more tools as I've needed them/broke them. Currently work 2 days a week as an apprentice but not on an apprenticeship.

For carting around all my tools I use a Stanley Fatmax tool backpack. (My review on another forum here > https://goo.gl/KneuwW ) A couple of the other lads in college have copied the idea but with the CK ruck sacks.

The attached photo contains all my day to day tools etc. Only a few changes since that photo was taken in the form of a m12 Milwaukee driver I bought now travels with me, radio was ditched for the Milwaukee M12JSSP Bluetooth speaker, 18 V Stanley fatmax drill with 2 batteries and fatmax 18 V torch. I also store all my hand tools in a CK zipped technicians case so if a job only needs to change a socket or switch then I don't need the whole bag! Also bought my own voltage tester ( Fluke t90) which is kept with me. Another very hand thig to have is a small pot of different screws and plugs, as explained below.

Another example of having all my tools with me is this morning infact. Boss told me to meet him at the job and crack on with the smaller jobs whilst he was at suppliers. In 30/45 mins I got patress mounted and terminated, cooker hood patress fitted, cooker feed - fed through cupboard. All that was left afterwards was kitchen light and connect to cooker!

Cheers,
Sam

P.S non contact voltage indicator is a brilliant piece of kit!

 

[Simonslimline]

I have a little separate kit for doing EICR's with, keeps it nice and easy rather than lugging the whole big bag about i find. Head torch, drivers, long nose & combi pliers, sidecutters, continuity & voltage tester, VDE knife & stanley. Test kits plus Proving unit and AVI & lock off kit.

 

[Alessandro]

Birdieapple how do you carry all that with you? Do you use something else with your backpack?
I have the same backpack but I was considering getting something with wheels.

 

[Birdieapple]

:tongue3:

Birdieapple how do you carry all that with you? Do you use something else with your backpack?
I have the same backpack but I was considering getting something with wheels.

How do I carry it?....


On my back!

Fully loaded with my usual tools etc it weighs around 12kg. I wear it from my house, 3 minute walk to the bus then off the bus to the Boss' house. Then from van to site. It's great for the amount of stuff it holds, and that's all I use. No there bag or box etc, until I start driving

 

[Alessandro]

:tongue3:

How do I carry it?.... 


On my back!

Fully loaded with my usual tools etc it weighs around 12kg. I wear it from my house, 3 minute walk to the bus then off the bus to the Boss' house. Then from van to site. It's great for the amount of stuff it holds, and that's all I use. No there bag or box etc, until I start driving 

Omg all that in the bag?? Maybe I'm not using mine right then!