Apprentice/Trainee Starter Tools - A Guide!

[Birdieapple]

Started college in September where we were advised to purchase a CK 'core kit' here > C.K Tools Electrician's Core Tool Kit (10 Piece Kit)

Not being a fan of following the crowd and the fact It was £79.99 I bought separately and started with CK combi cutter 3 180 mm, long nose pliers, CK 6 piece screwdriver kit and have just progressed on with better and more tools as I've needed them/broke them. Currently work 2 days a week as an apprentice but not on an apprenticeship.

For carting around all my tools I use a Stanley Fatmax tool backpack. (My review on another forum here > https://goo.gl/KneuwW ) A couple of the other lads in college have copied the idea but with the CK ruck sacks.

The attached photo contains all my day to day tools etc. Only a few changes since that photo was taken in the form of a m12 Milwaukee driver I bought now travels with me, radio was ditched for the Milwaukee M12JSSP Bluetooth speaker, 18 V Stanley fatmax drill with 2 batteries and fatmax 18 V torch. I also store all my hand tools in a CK zipped technicians case so if a job only needs to change a socket or switch then I don't need the whole bag! Also bought my own voltage tester ( Fluke t90) which is kept with me. Another very hand thig to have is a small pot of different screws and plugs, as explained below.

Another example of having all my tools with me is this morning infact. Boss told me to meet him at the job and crack on with the smaller jobs whilst he was at suppliers. In 30/45 mins I got patress mounted and terminated, cooker hood patress fitted, cooker feed - fed through cupboard. All that was left afterwards was kitchen light and connect to cooker!

Cheers,
Sam

P.S non contact voltage indicator is a brilliant piece of kit!

 

[Simonslimline]

I have a little separate kit for doing EICR's with, keeps it nice and easy rather than lugging the whole big bag about i find. Head torch, drivers, long nose & combi pliers, sidecutters, continuity & voltage tester, VDE knife & stanley. Test kits plus Proving unit and AVI & lock off kit.

 

[Alessandro]

Birdieapple how do you carry all that with you? Do you use something else with your backpack?
I have the same backpack but I was considering getting something with wheels.

 

[Birdieapple]

:tongue3:

Birdieapple how do you carry all that with you? Do you use something else with your backpack?
I have the same backpack but I was considering getting something with wheels.

How do I carry it?....


On my back!

Fully loaded with my usual tools etc it weighs around 12kg. I wear it from my house, 3 minute walk to the bus then off the bus to the Boss' house. Then from van to site. It's great for the amount of stuff it holds, and that's all I use. No there bag or box etc, until I start driving

 

[Alessandro]

:tongue3:

How do I carry it?.... 


On my back!

Fully loaded with my usual tools etc it weighs around 12kg. I wear it from my house, 3 minute walk to the bus then off the bus to the Boss' house. Then from van to site. It's great for the amount of stuff it holds, and that's all I use. No there bag or box etc, until I start driving 

Omg all that in the bag?? Maybe I'm not using mine right then!

 

[gazdkw82]

so on the subject of knives, what would you suggest? retractable ideally