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

 

[trev]

The brother in law (the diabetic one) is on the recycling squad round our way and is a proper skip rat. Got me a brand spanking new set of De Walt hole saws that someone had chucked out. £150 off the shelf. To me, nowt

 

[john25]

The brother in law (the diabetic one) is one the recycling squad round our way and is a proper skip rat. Got me a brand spanking new set of De Walt hole saws that someone had chucked out. £150 off the shelf. To me, nowt

Nice!!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

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.

and this is where decent stuff will always hold out...in the end...
get the 5 piece driver set from Bahco...decent gear....after all..its an extention of your hand...isn`t it..

 

[GLENNSPARK]

20mm holesaw
combination square

oh rite...
so he is going to start making off SWAs now is he?...

 

[shanky887614]

for waterpump pliers

you cant beat knipex alligator. mechanism to get gunked up so take a fair bit of abuse

knipex 180mm vde sidecutters (one with thin read handles)

are £20 or so on amazon, there very good but i prefer ck. i used wiha for over a year and there my backup pair


pick things up as you need them. ask the guys you get put with what you will need, they will tell you priorities.


most places specilise or many deal with only a handful of different types of jobs

by cheap buy twice

 

[DNS1]

Surely, as a "mate" the sparks should be providing the kit! Afterall, they're the one taking the money!

 

[FoxySparky]

It's just how trusting the Sparkys are. and whether they can afford to lend you their tools I suppose.

 

[Farmelectrics]

There was a time when mates didn't need tools at all but times are changing

 

[FoxySparky]

I've been told that these days, (not all places I must stress) Mates are given the same amount of duties as the electricians. to make the sparkys day easier, and so they can get more jobs on.

 

[trev]

This guy is going to end up with more tools than screwfix if this carries on much longer

 

[Farmelectrics]

Generally foxy and its nothing against you or other mates were all trying to earn a living but employers are hiring more and more mates on jobs cos they don't want to pay sparks rates which tends to **** a lot of spaks off as I'm sure you understand but good look working in the industry

 

[KAS1]

When something goes wrong and the foreman or God forbid the HSE says "who did that" it's no good the Electrician pointing to a Labourer/Mate and saying "He did it" I'm afraid it will be a case of you're the electrician he should only be labouring for you as in sweeping up, digging trenches, chases that sort of thing IMO

I've been told that these days, (not all places I must stress) Mates are given the same amount of duties as the electricians. to make the sparkys day easier, and so they can get more jobs on.

 

[Farmelectrics]

It's not to make the sparks day easier its to make more money for the greedy employers

 

[KAS1]

I usually tell the labourers to take home any tools they've brought in , they can use the stocks and dies, hold the end of a tape measure, fetch the steps, get stuff from the stores, carry my tools, have a good sweep up, lock the site box and unlock it, run the leads out, fetch the drill and drill where I tell them and if they're a good worker come back the next day and not to ask too many questions as I do all the thinking lol

 

[Mark1985]

oh rite...
so he is going to start making off SWAs now is he?...

No, i wouldn't expect the mate to be making off SWA! But from experience if doing conduit or drilling holes for stuffing glands a 20mm holwsaw is pretty usefull. Thats all..