Best tools?

[Newbyspark]

I bought the ck starter kit for about 140 quid. Found it very good quality, and like the wire cutters with the 1.5 and 2.5 holes for stripping.

 

[telectrix]

Only reason I got rid of the ck bag was because I just couldn't get along with it. (and it never suited me :wink_smile: )

I killed two pairs of those snips cutting the armour off SWA.

serves you right for using them on steel. score half way through with hacksaw, then snap off.

 

[Adam W]

You need to find the tools which YOU like and can use best. As has been demonstrated with this CK kit people keep going on about - some like it, some don't, so you don't want to find you don't get on with CK stuff and have to replace the lot, or find you've got a load of tools you never use.
I would suggest buying basic mid range tools (pliers, hammer, sidecutters etc) such as Stanley or Draper, and as already suggested talk to the other guys you're working with and try their tools to see what you get on with and what you don't.

I could even say the same about screwdrivers - I mainly use a medium CK terminal driver which I think I borrowed off the caretaker when I was at school (so I've had it a while) and a medium pozi which I bought for 99p from Robert Dyas. Other drivers I have are a large slotted driver I bought from the local clearance shop for a quid, a small pozi and small terminal which I bought in a CK set which i rarely use the rest of.
I'm not suggesting these are the best or 'right' drivers, but they're what I use and like. It's down to you to find what tools you like.

 

[Resu]

serves you right for using them on steel. score half way through with hacksaw, then snap off.

You telling me that when you started off you managed an even score all the way round and didn't have to trim one or two with your snips?

 

[axel132132]

I once bought a hacksaw I think was from the pound shop.. Started to hacksaw it first use! AND the hacksaw snapped in two.. Thats right the HACKSAW the blade was still in full tact how crazy is that, that the blade out lasted the actual hacksaw its self ;D!

 

[telectrix]

You telling me that when you started off you managed an even score all the way round and didn't have to trim one or two with your snips?

does happen occasionally. in that situation i use the old CK snips that the apprentice once cut through a live 6mm T/E with.

 

[Resu]

Exactly. And that's exactly what I use mine for too now. I found the handles to be too short anyway as I have quite large hands.

 

[shanky887614]

serves you right for using them on steel. score half way through with hacksaw, then snap off.

my £15 pair of wiha snips can easily cut through swa.


don't buy wiha screwdrivers they are not strong enough, was doing a conservatory a while ago and could feel them flexing as i was tightening a self tapping screw into steel (they wouldnt tighten them all the way either, had to grab a bahco i picked up on offer at wholesalers a couple days before).

bahco are a cheap set which seem quite good value for money.

try to find a place near you to try the tools out before you buy though as some are right crap. including 2 pairs off grips that i bought last year that are a waste of time and money.


you will find that with screwdrivers that you might use different brands for different sizes. if you get a stanley, knipex cutters and a set of bahco,irazola screwdrivers that will do you till you start aprentaship


ask the guy's you are with what they recommend, usually you can try what they recommend because the tool is generally in there tool bag.

(sorry for my bad grammar)

 

[mayfair]

Tools that last a lifetime ? with people offering to do CU changes at 150 quid the industry will be on its knees in a couple of years.

 

[RJT_94]

Stanley FatMax 28" Waterproof Tool Box | Screwfix.com

Proberly the best tool box ive had, it will take a right beating and just laugh at you! it also makes a good hop up and has a v grove right down the lid great for cutting conduit on!

 

[Mark1985]

This is what i've started off with an can recommend:

Draper expert vde screwdriver set
Ck 210mm croppers
NWS 180mm vde pliers
Knipex alliagtor grips
Stabila boat level
Cheap claw hammer
Cheap tape measure
Stanley knife
Draper junior hacksaw
Fluke t100 voltage indicator

I would check ebay as you can get some good deals on there if you search about....

 

[vjsmarwick]

I have found you get good and bad in every make best to look and try for yourself the only thing I couldn't be without is my baco snips but even them I am on my third set first set joiner used to cut cable out of the way when I was out on the phone and cable was still live and second set I snapped the jaw on them trying to cut a screw so my fault but I find them great.

 

[shanky887614]

I have found you get good and bad in every make best to look and try for yourself the only thing I couldn't be without is my baco snips but even them I am on my third set first set joiner used to cut cable out of the way when I was out on the phone and cable was still live and second set I snapped the jaw on them trying to cut a screw so my fault but I find them great.

i agree with that. i quite like my wiha snips there profesinal ones. coat £20 and can cut screws and all with them.

knipex are better but cost more.

had a set of wiha screwdrivers and frankly there good for diy but if you have a tighy screw they are useless.

knipex alligator grips are really good, cant buy tools over the internet or you will be wasting a lot of money

 

[cogsey133]

Stanley FatMax 28" Waterproof Tool Box | Screwfix.com

Proberly the best tool box ive had, it will take a right beating and just laugh at you! it also makes a good hop up and has a v grove right down the lid great for cutting conduit on!

Agreed they are a great piece of kit. You can store vast amounts in them too. I liked them so much i bought the 23" one too

 

[vjsmarwick]

Fien multimeter is a great tool too but I can only afford the cheaper boch one lol