Apprentice tools

[ericmark]

One some times wonder what is an electrician, plumber, pipe fitter, or gas fitter? In my early years most cables I used were steel wire armoured, the odd item was single phase, but most were three phase, a plumber was a worker of lead, a pipe fitter main tool was angle grinder and heavy wall 32" pipes take a lot of skill to ensure fits. And the gas pipes I worked with were 42" and snaked across Algeria.

House bashing as we called it was for young men, as speed was everything, and very little skill required, the central heating wiring was likely the most complex he would find.

New and bulk rewire was mainly following a set plan, some times rather annoying where good equipment was thrown into the skip, but it was boring repeat work, but for an apprentice it allowed them to learn the basics rather well, and because it is repeat work, you will quickly work out what is required. And in the first week you will work with a skilled guy, so can use his tools, and then you can get exactly what is required.

40 years ago chisels and hammers were supplied by the firm, there was a case it seems of a splinter of metal flying off and injuring a fellow worker, tool of low quality injuring the owner is one thing, but some one else was a real problem.

 

[JohnD]

Congratulations and best wishes for the future.

 

[chivers67]

When/ If You're terminating Armour I like CK SWA Armour Slice. Though the Yellow knob often detaches so I have drilled a small hole and pinned it on mine. Along with some small insulated 10mm spanners.
Some Good 20/25mm Holesaw Drill Bits - These can be used with an impact driver > https://www.screwfix.com/p/armeg-acceler8-sheet-steel-holesaw-set-2-piece-set/264hf

Good Side Cutters - I have CK Combi Cutters for Domestic stuff the ones with 2.5 mm & 1.5 mm https://www.screwfix.com/p/c-k-vde-combicutter-3-160mm/31773 They help cut pattress screws to length too
Long Nose Pliers
Hellerman Tyton Chomp Cutters for General Cutting of Cable
A Good pair of Tin Snips
Some Flush Cutters if you use zip ties.
A good hammer
Fingerless gloves.
I used a CK magma Tote Bag initially but I now have a Veto Pro Pac HVAC Tool Bag very pricey but very well made - one for the future!

Good Luck

 

[SimonH2]

...
Claw hammer ...
Lump hammer and bolster ...

Shouldn't those be top of the list ...

closely followed by the impact driver for doing up terminals

 

[ericmark]

One some times wonder what is an electrician, plumber, pipe fitter, or gas fitter? In my early years most cables I used were steel wire armoured, the odd item was single phase, but most were three phase, a plumber was a worker of lead, a pipe fitter main tool was angle grinder and heavy wall 32" pipes take a lot of skill to ensure fits. And the gas pipes I worked with were 42" and snaked across Algeria.

House bashing as we called it was for young men, as speed was everything, and very little skill required, the central heating wiring was likely the most complex he would find.

New and bulk rewire was mainly following a set plan, some times rather annoying where good equipment was thrown into the skip, but it was boring repeat work, but for an apprentice it allowed them to learn the basics rather well, and because it is repeat work, you will quickly work out what is required. And in the first week you will work with a skilled guy, so can use his tools, and then you can get exactly what is required.

40 years ago chisels and hammers were supplied by the firm, there was a case it seems of a splinter of metal flying off and injuring a fellow worker, tool of low quality injuring the owner is one thing, but some one else was a real problem.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

A good torch and/or battery operated floodlight. Working in a consumer unit in the dark with just a torch is not easy.

A good head-lamp is better, light exactly where you need it.

 

[bernardgreen]

For Christmas my daughter bought me a pair of flashlight gloves. Better than my head torch

 

[martygturner]

I would check with an accountant,loads do free advice, buying tools can be expensive and need to be bought with a mind to reclaiming any tax possible, golden rule of any trade, you are here to make money.....

If you are starting out as an apprentice get a tool list from the education provider to see if they are required, many want you to use their own not yours...and talk to your employer...they should really be doing the tools for you if you are not self employed, they are responsible for ensuring everything has the right calibration and is fit for purpose ie safe, use your own and you could easily end up with no insurance.

If you want to buy stuff for yourself then I would argue that at decent electric screwdriver and drill (bosch is my favorite), torqued screwdriver and good meter are mandatory . Spending tons on porno screwdriver sets can be a waste if the money is coming out of your pocket, three sizes are all that is commonly used, buy these decently and just skimp on the odd sizes that will sit in a toolbag and unsurprisingly there is no honour amongst trades...ooh how did that bit of kit get in my toolbox must have picked it up by mistake....see a sparky think thieving c....

If it's going to be in your hand all day every day then just buying expensive might not be wise, have a set of wiha torque screwdrivers which I bought at horrific cost when they first came out...but day to day I use c.k set and the wiha for torque down as the wiha ones are make my fat old fingers hurt as the grip just feels odd, puts pressure on the carpel tunnel.

Try before you buy, screwfix can be good for that, no quibble return.

 

[chivers67]

Why did this get bumped it's over two years ago!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Why did this get bumped it's over two years ago!

Sorry, somebody did a 'like'.

 

[ebee]

A universal key.

There are two types and are known by other names.

1/ A crowbar (or Wrecking Bar).

2/ A sledgehammer.

Seriously though you have had some good advice on here.
Yes your employer should provide all for the liability issue (or approve yours).
In reality, should you choose to go self employed after a while then you will have built up a decent set.
Good luck and happy wedding

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Good luck and happy wedding

Maybe divorced by now.

 

[Adam_151]

Why did this get bumped it's over two years ago!

Over 3 and a half in fact! Anyone heard from Steve, how is he doing?

 

[blup]

I got fed up trying to guess which wera was the pz or ph or slotted , so I bought wiha and klein so as to tell the difference. All in slimline where practical.

Blup

 

[plugwash]

I remember spending ages looking for a screwdriver set (not insulated) for my parents after getting more and more frustrated trying to find usable screwdrivers when at their house. My criteria were.

1. Comes with a nice box where every screwdriver has it's place.
2. Includes phillips, pozi and slotted (way too many sets include philips or pozi but not both) in the common sizes
3. Screwdrivers of the same size but different types were visually distinctive.

I found one eventually but it took a fair bit of searching.