Could anyone give me some ideas on tools

[Ash_Goring]

Hi I’ve just started working with industrial work and looking to stay in this type of work for as long as I can. Because I’m new to this my tools are mostly for domestic and commercial.
Could someone please give me some ideas of what tools I should get that will help me working in this field. The ‘must haves’
Thanks

 

[Silly Sausage]

I have quite a bit of Bahco stuff, cutters, pliers, adjustable wrenches etc.

 

[Ash_Goring]

So I’ve got pliers and cutters anyway and got a file, grips already. But it’s more things like ratchet spanners and socket sets I’ve not got which I know I’ll need. I’m just not sure what else there is that will help me

 

[ferg]

One file?

I guess if you need to borrow something more than once buy it.

Other than that I have no useful advice.

The last time I worked in industrial we had to book the one cordless drill out of stores and straight back in again once done with it.

 

[Tes369]

*Two swivel head 17"mm spanners.
*Bacho deburring tool.
*Centre punch spring loaded.
*Rat tail file.
*Fatherless File (flat/half round)
*Box spanner.
*Nylon draw wire.
*Cable rods.
*Ridgid (octaganol spanner for swa glands)
*Big flat head screwdriver for roofing bolts,driving home gland locknuts and levering over swa cables to line up cable ties.

 

[Baddegg]

Industrial?..........you’ll need a bigger hammer then..,

 

[Deleted member 26818]

2 slim jaw adjustable wrenches, junior hacksaw and Stanley knife for SWA glands.
17mm box spanner or channel sockets for Unistrut.
Full size hacksaw and square for cutting Unistrut, trunking and tray.
Flat, half round and round bas.tard files for cleaning up cut ends of Unistrut, trunking, tray and conduit.
10mm, 11mm, 13mm and 17mm combination spanners.
A couple of Podgers for knock in anchors.
Straight cut tin snips.
Draw wire for conduit.
Padsaw for cutting holes in plasterboard.
20mm, 25mm and 32mm holesaws (other sizes should be provided by your employer).
Chalk line, Laser, torpedo level and 5m tape measure.

Drill, impact driver, metal circular saw and small angle grinder.

 

[Marvo]

A decent CAT IV 1000V multimeter with CAT IV 1000V leads.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

A decent CAT IV 1000V multimeter with CAT IV 1000V leads.

If we’re talking industrial installation, then I doubt it would see any use.
I have very occasionally used a voltage indicator, and usually have to replace the batteries before use.

 

[LeeH]

Cordless grinder. Especially if you’re doing a lot of tray and ladder.

 

[Michael Sands]

Like any new job I wait till I get a feel for what I will be doing your colleges will give you a better idea as they are already established
Don’t go buying willy nilly as some of your most expensive tools, testers might walk before you get a chance to use them

 

[Pete999]

2 slim jaw adjustable wrenches, junior hacksaw and Stanley knife for SWA glands.
17mm box spanner or channel sockets for Unistrut.
Full size hacksaw and square for cutting Unistrut, trunking and tray.
Flat, half round and round bas.tard files for cleaning up cut ends of Unistrut, trunking, tray and conduit.
10mm, 11mm, 13mm and 17mm combination spanners.
A couple of Podgers for knock in anchors.
Straight cut tin snips.
Draw wire for conduit.
Padsaw for cutting holes in plasterboard.
20mm, 25mm and 32mm holesaws (other sizes should be provided by your employer).
Chalk line, Laser, torpedo level and 5m tape measure.

Drill, impact driver, metal circular saw and small angle grinder.

Socket set, I have a spare one

 

[Wilko]

Learned something new from this thread - thanks to @Tes369 - the polite name for that file

 

[derek]

You might find a hellermann sleeve tool will come in handy.
link
Also a good quality crimp tool for lugs (some sites may require ones that can be calibrated) and bootlace ferrules.
Ident applicator tool maybe, though I don't often use them myself. link

 

[Chris1234]

Bahco 9031P with reversible jaw for pipe fittings.
Soft hammer (most used tool except screwdrivers)
Wera Allen keys
1/4” socket set
7mm Wera flexible driver for jubilee clips
750g Facom hammer
Cold chisel (bearings, locknuts, everything else)
Tape measure
Knifed water pump pliers
Internet access for technical documents etc, and for taking pictures of things before you work on them.
Vernier callipers
Every size of spanner, pneumatic fittings can be funny sizes.
Safety glasses
Drill taps (spiral point are best in a drill I find)
WD40 - Tao lubricant, cleaning etc

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I think it needs to be established first, whether the OP is doing installation, maintenance or fitting.
Whilst I left off my list, Allen wrenches (also Torx wrenches), I have never needed to use a Vernier calliper, cold chisel or flexible screwdriver for installation work.
Jubilee clips are probably the only thing I do use my 1/4 inch drive sockets for, though I don’t include 1/4 inch sockets in with my tool kit.
Taps and associated drill bits should to my mind, be provided by the employer.
Not certain what knifed water pump pliers are, or why they would be necessary?

 

[Chris1234]

True, I do everything!

“Knipex water pump pliers”

Callipers I use everyday, checking unmarked cable sizes, bolt sizes (lots of different pitches etc), checking parts that I’ve got the tool room to make for me. Although installation it’s unlikely you’d need them!

 

[Chris1234]

Also, 22mm holesaw or step drill for buttons/switches/pilots etc.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Most of my work is via agencies, so my tool bag has general tools that will allow me to work in just about any area.
Specialist tools such as vernier callipers, multimeters, etc I keep at home and only bring to work if I think they’ll assist me.

 

[telectrix]

You might find a hellermann sleeve tool will come in handy.
link
Also a good quality crimp tool for lugs (some sites may require ones that can be calibrated) and bootlace ferrules.
Ident applicator tool maybe, though I don't often use them myself. link

you seen the price of those hellerman fanny stretchers. jeez.

 

[satori]

If we’re talking industrial installation, then I doubt it would see any use.
I have very occasionally used a voltage indicator, and usually have to replace the batteries before use.

I use mine daily to diagnose faults/problems in MCC panels, E-stop circuits, and PLC wiring. Funnily, I've never needed it for any of the power or lighting work, faults have always been more obvious there.

 

[naylorpd]

I'm not an electrician but...I do a lot of DIY. I wouldn't buy anything from someone else's list. Over many years I have had a policy to buy the right tools for whatever job I'm doing. After a few jobs you will find that you are buying less and less because you already have it.

If you see a need for a new and expensive tool, consider whether the job you are doing is one that you could do frequently. Buy better quality tools for this. If you think it's a one-off or once in a blue moon, buy something that's good enough to do the job, but not Rolls-Royce grade. But if you need a tool that requires calibration to be able/allowed to use it on site then make sure that someone can calibrate it - that usually means buying more expensive.

 

[Blissof89]

The draper expert 'go through' socket sets are an absolute god send if you are going to be working with threaded rod a lot.

I've had my eyes on a set for months after seeing some refrigeration engineers using them but I can't justify the cost for the 2 times a year I will drag it out of the van.

 

[telectrix]

The draper expert 'go through' socket sets are an absolute god send if you are going to be working with threaded rod a lot.

I've had my eyes on a set for months after seeing some refrigeration engineers using them but I can't justify the cost for the 2 times a year I will drag it out of the van.

i bought that draper set 15 years agoo. was then about £44. so far it's been great and only 1 1/4" socket lost and replaced. secret is never, ever, ever lend out to anyone, especially plumbers.

 

[Silly Sausage]

i bought that draper set 15 years agoo. was then about £44. so far it's been great and only 1 1/4" socket lost and replaced. secret is never, ever, ever lend out to anyone, especially plumbers.

Tools are like the Mrs, you may swear and curse at them, but you wouldn't lend her to your mate for a while.