Hi all, I have been looking at a job as an electricians mate, but the employer says that we must have our own tools. I have the basics, Screwdrivers, hammer, tape measure, side cutters, wire strippers, and pliers. Now do I need anymore tools and if so which please, I want to be as ready as possible and don't want anything to stand in my way of a job. Thanks In advance
- Thread starter FoxySparky
- Start date
Small spirit level
cordless drill/driver
More screwdrivers!
Worth asking what tools they expect you to have so that you know if they expect you to have chasing tools and multifunction testers!
cordless drill/driver
More screwdrivers!
Worth asking what tools they expect you to have so that you know if they expect you to have chasing tools and multifunction testers!
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G
GLENNSPARK
they wont need multi-function-testers richard...
if they show a bit of brain as well as brawn then give em a multimeter to play with....then they can learn about volts, resistance and ohms law...
That's a good one, tell the electrician's mate to provide their own tools. Can we do that with the apprentice? Maybe they will look after them better than they normally do!
also I thought it was the employers legal responsibility to provide and maintain any necessary equipment needed to do the Job as if something went wrong with said screwdriver and electricians mate was killed the employer is still liable.
also I thought it was the employers legal responsibility to provide and maintain any necessary equipment needed to do the Job as if something went wrong with said screwdriver and electricians mate was killed the employer is still liable.
i buy own gear as the stuff they would supply you with is crap.
nearly all the others treat there own tools and others like **** but mine they look after cause they would get a mouthful of boss as ill replace all my gear at wholesalers if they damage it.
_________________________________________________
edit.
i would like to add not all employers supply crap gear but a lot do and makesure to buy some decent kneepads as well, have a look around and you will see a lot of trades in there 40's/50's with knee problems because they didn't look after them
seriously they are one of the most important things, as well as a decent pair of boots. you can't walk you can't work
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I have learnt all about ohms law and resistance, I have completed my Level 2 and my 17th Edition. Does this however make your point any different, or would you still say that a clamp meter/malfunction tester is not my responsibility to provide.
So far from what I can fathom. I need Screwdrivers pliers and such, hammer, dry wall knife, junior hacksaw, own drill, level, and chisels. oh and most importantly Mug For Tea, anything else please tell me. Thanks everyone for your input.
mate you havent got 2391 or equivilent so there is no point having an mft.
most insurers require this.
all you need is a multimeter, clamp meter if you want but not really needed.
multimeter because you can get things like dodgy breakers that a simple continuity test with multimeter will solve.
I would not say it is your responsibility to provide a MFT as your an electricians mate. Your not the sparky! If the sparky trusts you with testing then they should be supervising you as its their name on the certificate and not yours. How do they know you know what your doing and your doing it correctly unless they are watching u. I agree that employers provide crap tools to mates and apprentices.
dont forget if you buy an MFT for £600+ you then have to calibrate it at a cost of over £50!
G
GLENNSPARK
if you are going in as an electricians mate then you will hardly be asked to start taking values will you....and being expected to interpret those values into something meaningful....hmm..
theres a young lad (17) who comes out with us and just because he thinks he`s connected the odd load or three...and has pulled a bit of cable...well, he thinks he`s arrived doesn`t he...and is getting gobby and truculent when asked to do something for a specific reason....
i wont have it...
not saying thats got owt to do with you but learn to sink boxes first and observe whats going on....
this is the way forward mark my words...
S
Silly Sausage
I foresee, 'I'm getting 43 volts on a dead cable, what's occurring?!?!' :smilielol5:
Don't get me wrong mate, just responding to a previous reply. and the less I have to do at this present time the better. I want to learn things slowly and properly. And your unfortunate with that 17 year old "know it all". Im 24 and glad im not some prepubescent slacker.
G
GLENNSPARK
its not a case of being unfortunate....he`s a good lad really but he gets mouthy and refuses to do as he`s told (probably caus he`s the boss`s kid brother)....but i have brought this up with the boss and he`s in agreement that robert is there to learn...
i have said i will teach him to the best of my ability and with a bit of luck he will make it ...but anyway, that dont matter here does it...
just basic tools are required here....and as far as drivers are concerned...well i popped into CEF for something the other day, grabbed a flyer they had on the counter and i think it was £12 or something like that for a set of 5 Bahco VDE1000V drivers.....so i would suggest you tootle down there with your 12 quid.....dont you
I have found a 2 pairs of adjustable pliers. 1 just a basic standard, and the second ones are a pair of vde rated. whih ones do people think are better for a newbie. do I splash the cash on a nice £14 pair of vde's or just basic for now. Many thanks.
T
trev
Was Aldi the other day, they have a set for about a fiver, auto cable strippers for £7.99 and a load of other stuff that's cheap and serviceable. Obviously the quality isn't going to be great but for someone just starting out it'll get them going
amlu
-
depends what kind of job you will be doing. different tools for domestic, different for industrial.
your basic set looks enough, in first couple of days you will know if you need something more. treat buying tools as an investment, if you look after them they should last you years.
your basic set looks enough, in first couple of days you will know if you need something more. treat buying tools as an investment, if you look after them they should last you years.
Basic Mate gear
Decent set of drivers if you can you can get WERA VDE's for about 20 quid but Cheap ones will suffice as you won't be anywhere near LIVE work
A decent drill & drill bits
Decent small magnetic Spirit level.
Tape Measure.
Hammer.
Hack saw & Junior Hacksaw & some blades.
Stanley knife.
Pad saw I picked up a decent IRWIN padsaw which came with a sheath for only 8 quid delivered from Ebay
Snips (Get decent Snips that won't Blunt after 5 mins)
Combi-Pliers
Long nose pliers for pulling cables through small holes.
Spanner set you can get a 11 piece spanner set on Amazon for like 5 quid Delivered
Rachet Set if you can spare the Money as it will help you tighten nuts & Bolts better & with less effort therefore saving time plus if you get a drill & can get & square bar from a drill driver you can use the Hex nut fixings from the Rachet set on your drill for drilling in Self Tappers/ and screwing in Hilti rod fixings in the Concrete ceilings etc.
Chisels if you can & a lump Hammer & Bolster chisel
Some water pliers if you can to tighten up things that are too big for your pliers
some files for filing down any Cuts you make in containment etc
also Markers & pencils
Decent set of drivers if you can you can get WERA VDE's for about 20 quid but Cheap ones will suffice as you won't be anywhere near LIVE work
A decent drill & drill bits
Decent small magnetic Spirit level.
Tape Measure.
Hammer.
Hack saw & Junior Hacksaw & some blades.
Stanley knife.
Pad saw I picked up a decent IRWIN padsaw which came with a sheath for only 8 quid delivered from Ebay
Snips (Get decent Snips that won't Blunt after 5 mins)
Combi-Pliers
Long nose pliers for pulling cables through small holes.
Spanner set you can get a 11 piece spanner set on Amazon for like 5 quid Delivered
Rachet Set if you can spare the Money as it will help you tighten nuts & Bolts better & with less effort therefore saving time plus if you get a drill & can get & square bar from a drill driver you can use the Hex nut fixings from the Rachet set on your drill for drilling in Self Tappers/ and screwing in Hilti rod fixings in the Concrete ceilings etc.
Chisels if you can & a lump Hammer & Bolster chisel
Some water pliers if you can to tighten up things that are too big for your pliers
some files for filing down any Cuts you make in containment etc
also Markers & pencils
If it was my first time on a new Job I wouldn't buy any Hole saws right away, I would just use the Sparks, but if you need a set you can Buy them Cheap on Ebay , I have 2 sets of Makitas in my bag 1 with 20/25/32/35mm saws & Arbor/Pilot they where only 10 Quid and my other set has 2 Arbours/Pilots 20/25/35/51mm saws they where 15 quid apart from snapping the pilot on my first set from applying too much pressure on it I can't fault the saws as I have used the 32mm a lot & it has only lost 1 tooth so far
G
GLENNSPARK
and this is where decent stuff will always hold out...in the end...
get the 5 piece driver set from Bahco...decent gear....after all..its an extention of your hand...isn`t it..
G
GLENNSPARK
oh rite...
so he is going to start making off SWAs now is he?...
for waterpump pliers
you cant beat knipex alligator. mechanism to get gunked up so take a fair bit of abuse
knipex 180mm vde sidecutters (one with thin read handles)
are £20 or so on amazon, there very good but i prefer ck. i used wiha for over a year and there my backup pair
pick things up as you need them. ask the guys you get put with what you will need, they will tell you priorities.
most places specilise or many deal with only a handful of different types of jobs
by cheap buy twice
you cant beat knipex alligator. mechanism to get gunked up so take a fair bit of abuse
knipex 180mm vde sidecutters (one with thin read handles)
are £20 or so on amazon, there very good but i prefer ck. i used wiha for over a year and there my backup pair
pick things up as you need them. ask the guys you get put with what you will need, they will tell you priorities.
most places specilise or many deal with only a handful of different types of jobs
by cheap buy twice
It's just how trusting the Sparkys are. and whether they can afford to lend you their tools I suppose.
There was a time when mates didn't need tools at all but times are changing
I've been told that these days, (not all places I must stress) Mates are given the same amount of duties as the electricians. to make the sparkys day easier, and so they can get more jobs on.
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