Best Tools For a Startup Electrician

[elsparko]

If not already mentioned/apart from the obvious;-

A cone/step drill

A 3.5mm and 4mm tap driver.

Good quality electrical scissors come in very useful.

Step up.

Long nosed pliers.

electrical scissors?

 

[sparksfly]

All of the above is good advice and I too advocate buying good quality stuff that will last. However, you don't need to start expensive and hopefully you'll get the opportunity to try out different tools as you gain experience and build on that. I actually use
1) Very cheap (my preference) small (150-160mm) & larger cable cutters.
2) LED Lenser AAA battery head torch (not the brightest model, but the batteries last longer) invaluable.
3) Quality VDE Screwdrivers (Bahco etc...mid-range are fine).
4)12v, 18v, 240v Bosch blue...others are also good but I have experience of dropping these on occasions and leaving out in the rain (not 240v)...they take it everytime.
5) "Large" folding plastic step 390-400mm (H) from hobbycraft (small footprint for domestic ceiling work) + 5 tread fibreglass steps
6) Quality drill bits if used everyday (forget cheap large sets).
7) 10mm2 G/Y single cable 200mm long. 90 deg bend To check for obstructions for D/Light positioning or location of joists/pipes.
8) Knee pads
9) Duck tape.
10) vaseline
...I think i need to stop now....need fud

 

[Marti]

Screwfix Titan brand LED distance measure is a god-send for plotting down lights. A chalk line is cheaper than laser and almost as good for the task. Rolling tool boxes are handy depending if you're in a car or on the tube; with a small soft bag of the basic (second fix) tools. What else? Spirit pens and pencils, OH and a volt stick. A non contact voltage detector - OR use your tongue. A combi-drill and impact driver pair is useful but costly when you start.

 

[GBDamo]

electrical scissors?

I knew that would raise an eyebrow. There is very little chance of changing some ones choice of tool without practical demonstration but I know of two sparks that went from ---- taking to wanting some in a morning.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TPP2...=9046601&hvtargid=pla-451189240484&th=1&psc=1

 

[elsparko]

I knew that would raise an eyebrow. There is very little chance of changing some ones choice of tool without practical demonstration but I know of two sparks that went from **** taking to wanting some in a morning.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TPP2...=9046601&hvtargid=pla-451189240484&th=1&psc=1

ive got a "7 in 1" set of snips, cant see myself using scissors for stripping cable

and £32 for scissors

Draper Expert Ergo Plus 7 in 1 VDE Pliers 185mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p50196?r=googleshopping&rr=marin&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4s6zwpep2wIVDt0bCh099gPCEAQYASABEgJGifD_BwE

 

[telectrix]

ive got a "7 in 1" set of snips, cant see myself using scissors for stripping cable

and £32 for scissors

Draper Expert Ergo Plus 7 in 1 VDE Pliers 185mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p50196?r=googleshopping&rr=marin&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4s6zwpep2wIVDt0bCh099gPCEAQYASABEgJGifD_BwE

had that draper 7 in 1. could not get used to it. took 2 cuts to get through 2.5mm T/E. horrible thing.

 

[Toneyz]

I knew that would raise an eyebrow. There is very little chance of changing some ones choice of tool without practical demonstration but I know of two sparks that went from **** taking to wanting some in a morning.
Never had the need for electrical scissors and never known any other electricians to use them out of interest what do you use them for?

 

[Toneyz]

I knew that would raise an eyebrow. There is very little chance of changing some ones choice of tool without practical demonstration but I know of two sparks that went from **** taking to wanting some in a morning.
Never had the need for electrical scissors and never known any other electricians to use them out of interest what do you use them for?

 

[elsparko]

had that draper 7 in 1. could not get used to it. took 2 cuts to get through 2.5mm T/E. horrible thing.

were you catching it in the crimping part? do take a bit of getting used to

 

[telectrix]

it's the sidecutter bit that's too short to cut 2.5mm.

 

[elsparko]

hmm, i havent had that problem, just sometimes it gets stuck in the crimping part and doesnt cut

 

[Rigpig]

electrical scissors...........
A few of the lads use them for ships braided cable and to be honest they do a neat job. I prefer small lindstroms or bah cos but it really is horses for courses

 

[elsparko]

A few of the lads use them for ships braided cable and to be honest they do a neat job. I prefer small lindstroms or bah cos but it really is horses for courses

i like the 7 in 1 tool i have mainly for the 5mm or so of "flush cut" snips, no more jabby tiewraps

 

[telectrix]

i use these for flush cutting, pcb components and cable ties.
Xuron 170-II Micro-Shear Flush Cutter | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/263621575212?chn=ps&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=aud-295856144804%3Apla-142405561506&abcId=&adtype=pla&merchantid=6995734&poi=&googleloc=1007242&device=c&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0

 

[elsparko]

i use these for flush cutting, pcb components and cable ties.
Xuron 170-II Micro-Shear Flush Cutter | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/263621575212?chn=ps&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=aud-295856144804%3Apla-142405561506&abcId=&adtype=pla&merchantid=6995734&poi=&googleloc=1007242&device=c&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0

think ive got a set of them in my warhammer stuff from days gone by LOL

 

[telectrix]

and this for flex and coax sheath stripping. sod using a knife and cutting into the inner core insulation.
MILLER (ABECO) - MK02 - CABLE SHEATH STRIPPER | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MILLER-ABECO-MK02-CABLE-SHEATH-STRIPPER/171948257593?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49138%26meid%3D39f7689506144e75be9e92d7b2a62328%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D253679615609%26itm%3D171948257593&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[Lister1987]

I'd recommend multimaterial pipeslice is you're going to be working with pvc/steel conduit. I use the Rothenberg No. 35 myself and love it, especially as I can't cut conduit straight for toffee ?

 

[rapparee]

I'd recommend multimaterial pipeslice is you're going to be working with pvc/steel conduit. I use the Rothenberg No. 35 myself and love it, especially as I can't cut conduit straight for toffee ?

This thread is nearly two years old.

He's not a start up electrician anymore.

 

[123]

I'd recommend multimaterial pipeslice is you're going to be working with pvc/steel conduit. I use the Rothenberg No. 35 myself and love it, especially as I can't cut conduit straight for toffee ?

Curious to know, how long do the blades last on that when used on steel conduit?

 

[Lister1987]

Been using mine since September with no issues yet, according to the manufacturer it shouldn't be any issue with conduit, as for how long the blades will last; I'll let you know when mine get changed ?

Yea that thread is old but the subject is a common one - Do we have adticky in the tools and products section with this type of content on, if not might not be a bad idea to have one, users then can add little gems they find useful (and of course talk about basic kit and brands etc)

 

[telectrix]

Been using mine since September with no issues yet, according to the manufacturer it shouldn't be any issue with conduit, as for how long the blades will last; I'll let you know when mine get changed ?

Yea that thread is old but the subject is a common one - Do we have adticky in the tools and products section with this type of content on, if not might not be a bad idea to have one, users then can add little gems they find useful (and of course talk about basic kit and brands etc)

look at post #56. I would not be without this for flex and coax. can be got from cpc at about half that price.

 

[Lister1987]

look at post #56. I would not be without this for flex and coax. can be got from cpc at about half that price.

Ordered one last night ?

 

[Marti]

The bag of hand tools you build up will be more valuable and less easily replaced than the headline pieces such as battery drills. This is one, simple lightweight piece I would not second fix without C.K Re-threading Tool M3.5 x 0.6mm - https://www.screwfix.com/p/c-k-re-threading-tool-m3-5-x-0-6mm/59312?kpid=59312&ds_kid=92700048793290430&ds_rl=1244066&gclid=CjwKCAiA3uDwBRBFEiwA1VsajCJkIYWo4YmbQf7-nr_O4BwhAi-MfqbPI_QmE51m7eWyPCBdQocQrxoC5xkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

3.5mm Hand tap to rethread cross threadded back boxes.