Tools for Apprentice

[DanielGemmell]

i am an going to be starting an Electrical Apprenticeship at the end of this month (January), and i need to know what tools i need. i have came across lists but some of the tools seem unnecessary.

can anyone give me a personal list of tools they used, the best make of tools to get and any other information that might be helpful.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

welcome to the forum mate...

 

[GLENNSPARK]

good snips...good pliers...good snipe nosed....all VDE of course.....a good set of VDE drivers n all.....mini hacksaw for prepping armoured`s.....

 

[Knobhead]

Post the list of what you’ve been told you’ll need. The lads on here will advise you. Please don’t go spending money on something that you’ll use once in a blue moon.

You don’t say whether it will be house bashing or industrial so it would be helpful to know.

To have every tool you could ever need you would need a 32 wheel pantechnicon to carry them. You have to be practical.

Just to give you some idea, I’ve spent all my life in heavy engineering. When I finished I took 75KG of tools home with me. What in the name of god I’m going to do with some of them I don’t know! I left lots of the heavy stuff for anyone that could use them.

 

[DanielGemmell]

thanks, i haven't bought anything yet but i have got the money, i will be going to buy tools on Wednesday 11th

i will try and find the list again and i will post it shortly

i will be working on the New South Glasgow Hospital (large construction site) - i will be able to finish my apprenticeship there - still another 5 or 6 years to build

 

[GLENNSPARK]

get some decent snips at least wont you mate.....as you dont want to be trying to "lever" your way through cable do you..lol...

 

[Knobhead]

There’s some silly things that help in an environment where you will be working with trunking. I had wooden blocks that fitted exactly in to trunking to make drilling and cutting easy.

Over the years you will accumulate loads of “junk” but you'll never get rid of it, “it could be useful one day”! I’ve got to be the worlds worst at that!

Welcome to the board and the electrical industry.

 

[Knobhead]

get some decent snips at least wont you mate.....as you dont want to be trying to "lever" your way through cable do you..lol...

Gilbow cable shears, cut 120mm in one go. (Definitely not required for an apprentice)!

 

[Hawk81]

Good pliers and snips, my personal preference is knipex. Good VDE screwdriver set. Junior hacksaw. Hammer. Tape measure. Small level. Bolster, chisel.

 

[needasparks]

Starting out all you need is to be able to make tea and get the bacon rolls in, simples.

All the rest come later.

 

[Knobhead]

Starting out all you need is to be able to make tea and get the bacon rolls in, simples.

All the rest come later.

To be honest not bad advice.

Get on the job with a few basic bits and bobs and talk to the guys your going to be working with.

BUT a word of warning, there will be the one that wants you to buy the tools he wants to borrow!

MARK YOUR TOOLS!

 

[Simlec]

Arr bet me to it, I was going to say all you will need is a good tea spoon to start with.
O and some good walking boots

 

[needasparks]

Prob not the answer he was looking for as it was partly a joke but its pointless spending money on tools until he knows what he will be doing. The overseeing sparks will be showing how to do a job with their tools to start with so learn that first and you will know whats best to have. In saying that you could end up doing all the PAT, I worked out all you need is a pen and a long nail to peel the labels, I hated the first year.

 

[Knobhead]

I’ve been lucky, in that all the companies I’ve worked for from being an apprentice have provided / replaced all tools. OK just how you managed to bend 36” Stilsons took some explaining, but they were replaced.

Try working on one of these!

View attachment 9571

 

[needasparks]

Thats a bit over kill Tony to do a few socket chases but saves ya knuckles ehh.