New Sparks - First Bit's Of Kit

[CenterSparks]

Hi,

I've had a job for a few months as a commercial apprentice sparks mainly shopfitting etc. Finally I have started building my Tool collection, are these good choices to get started and what would you by next?

Also any of you got any pictures to post of your kit?



I also have some CK 180mm Snips and a little level that i forgot to put in the second picture.

 

[SJD]

I presume what looks like a voltage tester screwdriver is just for stiring the tea?

As well as the pliers, I'd suggest a decent pair of cutters, maybe also long nose pliers, and wire strippers.
Also a hammer is fairly erssential (cable clips, etc), and a couple of adjustable spanners (SWA glands etc).

 

[Octopus]

A small first aid kit in your wheels!

 

[telectrix]

A small first aid kit in your wheels![/QUOT

got one of them.. contents........ pkt of sticking plasters, 1/4 scotch, 3 condoms, and 10 smokes. any emergency is covered.

 

[kingeri]

Save up and get some torque screwdrivers.....if you want! And have you got any power tools?

 

[rmc86uk]

I would throw the volt stick in the bin if I was you and get hold of a voltage and continuity tester. Also once you get that bag full of tools you will want to throw that in the bin as well. I have the same bag but preferred the open tote one I had before. A good thing I was taught of building tools up is that if you have to borrow a tool off someone then go out and buy that tool at the weekend. Also if I'm struggling with something then buy the correct tool!

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[Adam W]

If you're doing commercial work you'll probably need an adjustable square and hacksaw before long.
Also an adjustable spanner and alligator-type grips.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Apart from the tape measure you don't appear to have any first fix kit, what you have is good quality and this should be continued for your whole kit, always buy the best you can afford at the time and concentrate on the hand tools first.
I would suggest adding any or all of the following items, >=3ft level, torpedo level, cold chisel, scutch chisel, electricians bolster, brick bolster, >=2.5lb lump hammer, >=24" wrecking bar, plumb line, chalk line, 2x 12" Monkey wrenches, pump pliers, >= 16oz claw hammer, combination square set, engineering files (flat, round & 1/2 round), 12" hacksaw, junior hacksaw, e.t.c.

 

[oldAL]

get some Knipex pliers, the high leverage ones if you can only afford one pair,
you will wonder how you ever worked with the ones you have now,
as for a hammer, go for a 20oz one, light enough to swing all day, but enough weight to drive anything you hit in and not bounce without needing too much effort,
pipe pliers/plumbers pliers/slip pliers, whatever you want to call them, a decent set of those, you will probably actually need 2 pair, so if money is tight buy a cheaper 2nd set,
a good shifting spanner, 10 or 12" ,

oh, final tip, buy good quality stuff. buy cheap and buy twice and its still tat in your bag,
save an extra week and buy the good one you really want, not the cheap one you can afford now.

 

[Adam W]

Depends where you're working and what you're like with tools - if you're the sort of person who leaves tools above ceilings you'll end up buying twice anyway, but if you get expensive stuff you'll be buying that twice. Better to have a cheap tool in your bag than nothing.

 

[kingeri]

I get all my tools from the pound shop and I manage quite well

 

[CenterSparks]

Thanks for all the replies, rmc, isn't a voltage and continuity tester used for a different purpose to a volt stick. For an example can a volt stick not be used to trace a cable behind a wall? And what exactly would I use the voltage and continuity tester for, apart from checking if a circuit is live? Fault finding?

 

[moospark]

Thanks for all the replies, rmc, isn't a voltage and continuity tester used for a different purpose to a volt stick. For an example can a volt stick not be used to trace a cable behind a wall? And what exactly would I use the voltage and continuity tester for, apart from checking if a circuit is live? Fault finding?

checking voltage and continuity

 

[rmc86uk]

Thanks for all the replies, rmc, isn't a voltage and continuity tester used for a different purpose to a volt stick. For an example can a volt stick not be used to trace a cable behind a wall? And what exactly would I use the voltage and continuity tester for, apart from checking if a circuit is live? Fault finding?

The don't think the volt stick would pick up a cable behind a wall. Also they pick up a lot of interference, I would never use a volt stick to test if a circuit is dead and hope that you wouldn't either.

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