UK Gift ideas for my boyfriend

[Lost Girlfriend]

Hi All,

My boyfriend is about to start training soon and I'd really like to get him a gift to show how proud I am of him. I'd like the gift to be useful and something he can use throughout his future career. However, I am totally clueless with this kinda thing and the more I look the more lost I am.
So I thought I'd come ask directly from people in the know.
What would you recommend? What is a must have for an electrician?
Thanks in advance.
Lost Girlfriend.

 

[Lost Girlfriend]

The big-ticket items above £200 are probably best left until he has decided on features, etc, and needs it.

For £200 or so you are probably better with a couple of smaller but useful items. @marconi suggestion of the C.K Automatic Wire Stripper is a good call for much domestic work as it does a really nest job of stripping twin-and-earth cable, only down-side is tends to bit your palms if not careful - I took an angle grinder to mine to remove the bits that bits and otherwise are pretty useless.

Obviously you should check what he as so as not to duplicate stuff! The Wera insulated screwdriver sets are also a really good call.

I would add that a proper crimp tool for common terminals is worth considering. While you can get better ones (e.g. Knipex at around x10 cost), this is a good minimum choice:

Minotaur Ratchet Crimping Tool

Tightly join two electrical wires using this latching crimping tool from Minotaur. It works by heavily compressing the materials to create a permanent bond. You can take your pick from three different settings, each designed for use with cables ranging from 0.5 mm² to 6 mm² in diameter. This...

www.toolstation.com

If you want to get something safety-related then this is an essential for professional work where you can prove your voltage tester is working before using it to check if something is live or not:

4299 Proving Unit

Intelligent voltage ramp testing for voltage indicators and multimeters

www.cef.co.uk

As for voltage testers, you get all sorts of options and folks here will have plenty of suggestions. I have this one and it is reasonably priced, simple (so little change of errors) and so far i have not destroyed it:

VT12 Voltage / Continuity Tester

Excellent value LED voltage and continuity tester

www.cef.co.uk

Amazing thank you.

 

[nicebutdim]

Bl..dy brilliant humour. You have missed your true vocation as a live comedian.

PS: My sister runs a comedy club in South London. If/when they have a debut comedian night do you want an invite?

Not sure if something has been misinterpreted or something has gone right over my head.

The big-ticket items above £200 are probably best left until he has decided on features, etc, and needs it.

For £200 or so you are probably better with a couple of smaller but useful items. @marconi suggestion of the C.K Automatic Wire Stripper is a good call for much domestic work as it does a really nest job of stripping twin-and-earth cable, only down-side is tends to bite your palms if not careful - I took an angle grinder to mine to remove the bits that bite and otherwise are pretty useless.

Obviously you should check what he as so as not to duplicate stuff! The Wera insulated screwdriver sets are also a really good call.

I would add that a proper crimp tool for common terminals is worth considering. While you can get better ones (e.g. Knipex at around x10 cost), this is a good minimum choice:

Minotaur Ratchet Crimping Tool

Tightly join two electrical wires using this latching crimping tool from Minotaur. It works by heavily compressing the materials to create a permanent bond. You can take your pick from three different settings, each designed for use with cables ranging from 0.5 mm² to 6 mm² in diameter. This...

www.toolstation.com

If you want to get something safety-related then this is an essential for professional work where you can prove your voltage tester is working before using it to check if something is live or not:

4299 Proving Unit

Intelligent voltage ramp testing for voltage indicators and multimeters

www.cef.co.uk

As for voltage testers, you get all sorts of options and folks here will have plenty of suggestions. I have this one and it is reasonably priced, simple (so little change of errors) and so far i have not destroyed it:

VT12 Voltage / Continuity Tester

Excellent value LED voltage and continuity tester

www.cef.co.uk

A proving unit should last a long time - the very sort of thing the OP seemed to be looking for. Would be a nice starting point alongside a 2 pole tester. While most tools are important, good practices which help to avoid injury or death might be encouraged with this combination.

 

[littlespark]

Maybe a dirt cheap pair of pliers…. Because everyone starting out has cut through a live cable at some point…..




Just me then ??

 

[ferg]

Good knee pads.. and pester him in to wearing them.

 

[pc1966]

Good knee pads.. and pester him in to wearing them.

Also he should wear them to work.

 

[Lost Girlfriend]

Also he should wear them to work.

And I get to wear them when he comes home?

 

[pc1966]

And I get to wear them when he comes home?

Whatever works

 

[Lost Girlfriend]

Whatever works

They'll go well with my t-shirt James helped me design

 

[OnlQQker]

This could stop a lot of hassle with customers, and increase the chances of tea/coffee all day long!

 

[Mike Johnson]

There was a T shirt that had various explanation across the back and the cost, but can't seem to find it now, anyone?

 

[baldelectrician]

I bought my son (who is also an electrician) a Fluke handheld meter

He got the one below this

T6-1000 PRO Electrical Tester

Simultaneous voltage and current display–save time by seeing voltage and current measurements at the same time when trouble shooting motors, pumps or other equipment.

www.fluke.com

I like this Fluke meter as it does AC and DC as well as current

The voltage range is auto selecting as well

 

[OnlQQker]

There was a T shirt that had various explanation across the back and the cost, but can't seem to find it now, anyone?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrician-Hourly-Rate-Price-List/dp/B07VNYZZQ5/ref=asc_df_B07VNYZZQ5?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920843907442&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520388839015&psc=1

 

[pirate]

Very amusing thread, this! 2 prong voltage tester and proving unit...invaluable. Keep your man safe at all times. The most important thing is to be able to prove a circuit is dead, thus keeping him alive.

 

[pc1966]

The most important thing is to be able to prove a circuit is dead, thus keeping him alive.

<= This!

That is why I like a simple voltage tester: it has one key job to do which is to show voltage present, and you don't want any confusion over that.

I have a handful of fancy multi-meters and a MFT as well, but the simple tester is the first thing to try.