Electricians mate tools

[FoxySparky]

Hi all, I have been looking at a job as an electricians mate, but the employer says that we must have our own tools. I have the basics, Screwdrivers, hammer, tape measure, side cutters, wire strippers, and pliers. Now do I need anymore tools and if so which please, I want to be as ready as possible and don't want anything to stand in my way of a job. Thanks In advance

 

[LED Lighting]

I have learnt all about ohms law and resistance, I have completed my Level 2 and my 17th Edition. Does this however make your point any different, or would you still say that a clamp meter/malfunction tester is not my responsibility to provide.

I would not say it is your responsibility to provide a MFT as your an electricians mate. Your not the sparky! If the sparky trusts you with testing then they should be supervising you as its their name on the certificate and not yours. How do they know you know what your doing and your doing it correctly unless they are watching u. I agree that employers provide crap tools to mates and apprentices.

dont forget if you buy an MFT for £600+ you then have to calibrate it at a cost of over £50!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I have learnt all about ohms law and resistance, I have completed my Level 2 and my 17th Edition. Does this however make your point any different, or would you still say that a clamp meter/malfunction tester is not my responsibility to provide.

if you are going in as an electricians mate then you will hardly be asked to start taking values will you....and being expected to interpret those values into something meaningful....hmm..

theres a young lad (17) who comes out with us and just because he thinks he`s connected the odd load or three...and has pulled a bit of cable...well, he thinks he`s arrived doesn`t he...and is getting gobby and truculent when asked to do something for a specific reason....
i wont have it...
not saying thats got owt to do with you but learn to sink boxes first and observe whats going on....
this is the way forward mark my words...

 

[Silly Sausage]

all you need is a multimeter....

I foresee, 'I'm getting 43 volts on a dead cable, what's occurring?!?!' :smilielol5:

 

[shanky887614]

I foresee, 'I'm getting 43 volts on a dead cable, what's occurring?!?!' :smilielol5:

backfeed?

for a mate they will only really need a multimeter

 

[FoxySparky]

if you are going in as an electricians mate then you will hardly be asked to start taking values will you....and being expected to interpret those values into something meaningful....hmm..

theres a young lad (17) who comes out with us and just because he thinks he`s connected the odd load or three...and has pulled a bit of cable...well, he thinks he`s arrived doesn`t he...and is getting gobby and truculent when asked to do something for a specific reason....
i wont have it...
not saying thats got owt to do with you but learn to sink boxes first and observe whats going on....
this is the way forward mark my words...

Don't get me wrong mate, just responding to a previous reply. and the less I have to do at this present time the better. I want to learn things slowly and properly. And your unfortunate with that 17 year old "know it all". Im 24 and glad im not some prepubescent slacker.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Don't get me wrong mate, just responding to a previous reply. and the less I have to do at this present time the better. I want to learn things slowly and properly. And your unfortunate with that 17 year old "know it all". Im 24 and glad im not some prepubescent slacker.

its not a case of being unfortunate....he`s a good lad really but he gets mouthy and refuses to do as he`s told (probably caus he`s the boss`s kid brother)....but i have brought this up with the boss and he`s in agreement that robert is there to learn...
i have said i will teach him to the best of my ability and with a bit of luck he will make it ...but anyway, that dont matter here does it...
just basic tools are required here....and as far as drivers are concerned...well i popped into CEF for something the other day, grabbed a flyer they had on the counter and i think it was £12 or something like that for a set of 5 Bahco VDE1000V drivers.....so i would suggest you tootle down there with your 12 quid.....dont you

 

[FoxySparky]

I have found a 2 pairs of adjustable pliers. 1 just a basic standard, and the second ones are a pair of vde rated. whih ones do people think are better for a newbie. do I splash the cash on a nice £14 pair of vde's or just basic for now. Many thanks.

 

[trev]

well i popped into CEF for something the other day, grabbed a flyer they had on the counter and i think it was £12 or something like that for a set of 5 Bahco VDE1000V drivers.....so i would suggest you tootle down there with your 12 quid.....dont you

Was Aldi the other day, they have a set for about a fiver, auto cable strippers for £7.99 and a load of other stuff that's cheap and serviceable. Obviously the quality isn't going to be great but for someone just starting out it'll get them going

 

[amlu]

depends what kind of job you will be doing. different tools for domestic, different for industrial.
your basic set looks enough, in first couple of days you will know if you need something more. treat buying tools as an investment, if you look after them they should last you years.

 

[john25]

Basic Mate gear

Decent set of drivers if you can you can get WERA VDE's for about 20 quid but Cheap ones will suffice as you won't be anywhere near LIVE work

A decent drill & drill bits

Decent small magnetic Spirit level.

Tape Measure.

Hammer.

Hack saw & Junior Hacksaw & some blades.

Stanley knife.

Pad saw I picked up a decent IRWIN padsaw which came with a sheath for only 8 quid delivered from Ebay

Snips (Get decent Snips that won't Blunt after 5 mins)

Combi-Pliers

Long nose pliers for pulling cables through small holes.

Spanner set you can get a 11 piece spanner set on Amazon for like 5 quid Delivered

Rachet Set if you can spare the Money as it will help you tighten nuts & Bolts better & with less effort therefore saving time plus if you get a drill & can get & square bar from a drill driver you can use the Hex nut fixings from the Rachet set on your drill for drilling in Self Tappers/ and screwing in Hilti rod fixings in the Concrete ceilings etc.

Chisels if you can & a lump Hammer & Bolster chisel

Some water pliers if you can to tighten up things that are too big for your pliers

some files for filing down any Cuts you make in containment etc

also Markers & pencils

 

[ExArmy]

notepad, pen and marker pen are most important i reckon!

 

[KAS1]

you shouldn't need any tools you're only there to assist the tradesmen lol

 

[Mark1985]

20mm holesaw
combination square

 

[72-van]

Was Aldi the other day, they have a set for about a fiver, auto cable strippers for £7.99 and a load of other stuff that's cheap and serviceable. Obviously the quality isn't going to be great but for someone just starting out it'll get them going

I have had two sets of these cheap vde drivers from aldi and havent had any trouble with them other than them disappearing mysteriously from my tool bags.

I will take your tip and head down for another set as a standby .. cheers

 

[john25]

20mm holesaw
combination square

If it was my first time on a new Job I wouldn't buy any Hole saws right away, I would just use the Sparks, but if you need a set you can Buy them Cheap on Ebay , I have 2 sets of Makitas in my bag 1 with 20/25/32/35mm saws & Arbor/Pilot they where only 10 Quid and my other set has 2 Arbours/Pilots 20/25/35/51mm saws they where 15 quid apart from snapping the pilot on my first set from applying too much pressure on it I can't fault the saws as I have used the 32mm a lot & it has only lost 1 tooth so far