Newbie needs advice

Dazed&confused · Feb 29, 2012

Afternoon

I start as apprenticeship/trainee on Monday (I've got to be one of the oldest at the age of 30!), I was wondering could any give any advice as to which make of tools that would be a worth while investment?

Cheers

tuckermot · Feb 29, 2012

Hi dazed your not the oldest by far mate i did not get into this job untill i was 37 i was unable to get a apprentiship so i worked with my brother in law to build confidence up and then took my own jobs on and got my brother in law to check my work just build it up slowely i still scratch my head and i only do domestic .go the proper route and do the long coureses but good luck mate !!

Dazed&confused · Feb 29, 2012

Cheers Tucker

I'm already doing a course in college, doing the Level 2 EAL in electronic and electrical engineering. I'm very lucky as my mates dad runs his own electrical firm and was willing to take me on, it helped that I was already doing the course in college and I had already paid my college fees for this year.

Lofty · Feb 29, 2012

Hi Dazed,

WRT tools. It has been mentioned on here before; C.K. tools do a premium kit (CK part No 595003 which now comes with their 'Dextro' screwdrivers) aimed at electricians including toolbag. C.K. are good quality it would be a case of budget this one retails around the £180 mark. Or they do a starter kit (C.K. part No 595001) for a bit less.

Hope you do well with the apprenticeship.

Kind regards,
Lofty.

SirKit Breaker · Feb 29, 2012

Stick with a good brand, look after them, use them only for their intended purpose, and they will repay themselves over and over again. My preference is CK for hand tools such as cutter, strippers, pliers and the like. I do buy VDE screwdrivers, but i tend to loose too many to warrant paying a fortune, so i used draper expert, i found them to be well made, comfortable to use, and not expensive enough to worry about if i lost one. Spend a few quid on a good toolbag / box but get a lockable one.

Cheers............Howard

PS I have a 44 year old apprentice doing a self funded NVQ L3 diploma in Engineering Maintenance electrical path B, so you are still a youngster yet.
Good luck and enjoy.

Dazed&confused · Feb 29, 2012

cheers guys

just moved into my first house on the weekend, looks like i'm going to have to save for a bit, see if i can get a bargin somewhere

thanks again

Richard Burns · Feb 29, 2012

Don't spend a fortune on tools in the first instance, but similarly do not buy very cheap stuff as it has to last.
Try examples of brands and get a feeling for what works for you.
CK are good and will do OK but do not buy anything more expensive until you are sure you have enough money.

MarkieSparkie · Mar 1, 2012

The best advice anyone can give you, is to buy the best quality that you can afford. Cheap tools are rarely suitable for professional work. However, when you are starting out that maybe the best you can afford, just don't expect them to last very long and plan their replacement as you business grows.

Andy78 · Mar 1, 2012

When i started my course at 26 i was one of the youngest in the group. They actually created a group of just mature lads so we didnt have to sit in with the school leavers.
As for tools, just get a few essentials initially and add to them when you can. As already said, buy the best you can afford at the time.
You will soon find out what specific tools you need to buy. This will be indicated by the phrase "For f***s sake, can't you buy your own ___________ and stop borrowing mine?" The tool that fills in the blank is the one you need to buy.
Depends on what type of work you are doing too. If you are house bashing you wont need socket sets, ring spanners and oversize gland pliers very often but if you are doing industrial you may need them every day.

AP Electrical · Mar 1, 2012

For gods sake avoid any left handed screwdrivers and glass hammers. also try looking on gumtree I've had some right bargains of there. good look with placement.