Tips and tricks?

Sintra · Nov 30, 2015

Keep a roll of insulation tape in your pocket and not in a cold tool box.

Paul.M · Nov 30, 2015

At a customers house, always wipe the toilet seat after you have had a wee wee!!! lol

When cutting and glanding SWA, always double check the length you need internally. My own tip would have saved me 20 minuets today :rolleyes4: (aka = FAIL)

happysteve · Nov 30, 2015

Never fill your tool box/bag/tote, or your bits box, to absolute capacity. At the end of the day, when you're in a hurry to leave, it won't all fit back in again, and you'll end up carrying stuff under your armpits, looking like a... well, you won't look professional.

D00DY_T00DY · Dec 1, 2015

happysteve said:
Never fill your tool box/bag/tote, or your bits box, to absolute capacity. At the end of the day, when you're in a hurry to leave, it won't all fit back in again, and you'll end up carrying stuff under your armpits, looking like a... well, you won't look professional.

Tell my boss this. Absolute nightmare trying to get all his tools in and the lid shut on it :lol:

Paul.M · Dec 1, 2015

Find an unused tool tray from a tool box. Use it for the tools you need for repetitive jobs/tasks. eg 2nd fixing a dozen sockets.

Load it up with the tools you need and the materials (materials may have to be carried in a box, you have two hands and two things to carry!!). Everything is in one place and easily transportable for the next socket (etc/whatever). Saves time, saves looking for tools/parts and gets the job done easier. Try it.

happysteve · Dec 1, 2015

When the customer says, "Yes, everything's been unplugged, but it's still tripping," nod and smile politely, but don't believe a word they say. Go round and check yourself. That under-counter dishwasher? Plug's behind it.

"Well, I switched it off at the socket, that's the same thing, isn't it?" Not for a N-E fault, no.*

* Unless the socket-outlet uses DP switches. You can't usually tell by looking at them whether they're SP or DP.

Paul.M · Dec 2, 2015

When working outside at winter, always nice to be wearing a Goretex jacket. Get some waterproof clothing lads. Soaked down to your underpants whilst driving home is not fun.

Dont mention the lack of a hard hat lads, I took it off once up on the roof.

telectrix · Dec 2, 2015

Paul.M said:
When working outside at winter, always nice to be wearing a Goretex jacket. Get some waterproof clothing lads. Soaked down to your underpants whilst driving home is not fun.

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Dont mention the lack of a hard hat lads, I took it off once up on the roof.

well. i never figured you for a muslim, paul. btw, the mecca bingo hall is not the right direction.

Paul.M · Dec 2, 2015

telectrix said:
well. i never figured you for a muslim, paul. btw, the mecca bingo hall is not the right direction.

Think I was in a Southward position at the time

Praying to the Polar Bears mate!

Jacket is brilliant!!! Work pants on the radiator atm..... Bought a waterproof jacket and pants set on the way back home

That will do for tomorrow and the next few months.

D00DY_T00DY · Dec 2, 2015

Paul.M said:
Think I was in a Southward position at the time Praying to the Polar Bears mate!

Jacket is brilliant!!! Work pants on the radiator atm..... Bought a waterproof jacket and pants set on the way back home That will do for tomorrow and the next few months.

I got given a work jacket... Absolutely brilliant. it's XL so i look like Michelin Man with it on but it's so warm and dry... comes in handy when most of the work you're doing is installing outside lights -.-

Simonslimline · Dec 3, 2015

Regarding hand tools, if you need to borrow something more than twice, you should invest in one for yourself.

Plus blowing loads of money on nice shiny tools is a great feeling and a worthy investment in yourself.

Dobes_88 · Dec 3, 2015

If you're struggling hammering cable clips into a solid wall, drill a hole and bang in a red wall plug. Your cable clip will have a good fixing between the outer plug and wall itself and will cover the hole you've just drilled!

Can save a lot of time and clips!