Basic Tools an Electrician needs?

[George.]

My name is George im 15 and im planning on being an Electrician when i leave college. But during College im going to try and get an Apprenteship for the extra Experience.

Can someone please leave a short list of the basic tools an electrician requires

P.S. The list you leave, please dont post cheap rubbish im looking for tools that will last.

Thanks
George.

 

[silva.foxx]

Welcome George - quality tools are a sound investment in your future and many here will agree that cheap tools are rubbish. You get what you pay for.

Multimeter - Fluke and Megger are two quality makes
Screwdivers - CK, Wiha, Bahco, Facom
Sidecutters/pliers - Knipex, NWS, bahco, Facom

The list is endless but a quality multimeter is paramount.

 

[DeanoZX7R]

Hi George,
Without a doubt the best value for money QUALITY gear you can buy would be the CK Premium Electricians Tool Kit Part no. 595003 costing around £120 mark (tools bought separately would cost £208! A cracking piece of kit, bought for my apprentice last year....

 

[Jono Pashley]

Most important is a good mug for your tea/coffee!

 

[scotsparky]

Hi George,
Without a doubt the best value for money QUALITY gear you can buy would be the CK Premium Electricians Tool Kit Part no. 595003 costing around £120 mark (tools bought separately would cost £208! A cracking piece of kit, bought for my apprentice last year....

You bought your apprentice tools? what happened to buying your own so your carefull with them?

 

[Adam W]

A decent non-contact voltage detecter eg Fluke VoltAlert 1AC-E can easily save your life so is well worth the investment (about £14).
Cable shears eg Cable Cutter Up To 32mm make an excellent sidecutter/wire stripper combo
I bought some insulated screwdrivers for 99p each a few years ago and all except the terminal driver still work perfectly well. I replaced the terminal driver with a CK one.
Professional quality pliers and sidecutters (I use stanley which are fine)
Decent quality (knipex) grips, eg alligator or cobra
Stanley (type) knife
LED head torch
Hammer!

IMO better to start with a few decent tools then buy more (eg crimps, plastic tube cutter, test meters etc) as and when you need them rather than to go out and buy hundreds of cheap tools you'll never use.

 

[DeanoZX7R]

You bought your apprentice tools? what happened to buying your own so your carefull with them?

Cor Blimey! Best make it absolutely clear.... only subbed him to buy his gear! And the only reason I subbed him was to stop him helping himself to my gear!

 

[chocolate]

Hey George,

Don't be forced into that corner where buying expensive means buying best. Even expensive tools don't last a slong as some cheaper ones. As long as you stay away from any tools that hint at 'VALUE', then you'll be ok.

A range of screwdrivers, pliers, side cutters, ( wire strippers ), knife, hacksaw, pencils, ruler, level, voltage tester.


Makes like DRAPER and STANLEY make hand tools which are more than suitable for just about every electrical job. And they've been around a long time.

Some are tested to withstand 10,000V. But as an apprentice, you shouldn't be working on anything live anyway. Infact, if you abide by EWR89, then you shouldn't be working LIVE on any job.

Power tools ( like cordless drills, etc ) is a different ball game. Go for well known, professional brands. You pay more, but they are better value for money in the long run.

 

[scotsparky]

all is clear nowe deano thought you were being generous.

 

[Modernelectric]

make sure youve got a hammer and chisel! i spent the best part of my first year chopping red bricks out of manchester council houses! Hercules make a chisel which is the same size as a backbox, great tool in my opinion.