Makita insulated tools

[dan-in-kingston]

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Anyone got any experience with this insulated tool kit? Going to start work as a trainee next couple of weeks and want to make sure i don't get duff tools.

Makita 96 Piece Electricians Tool Kit

Cheers

DC

 

[KevinS]

For £40 you can't go wrong, you may find some bits are excellent, others a waste of space, but for the price it seems like a fair starting point.
one thing u will learn being a spark, you will be constantly buying tools.
personally I like to buy the one item that I need, and buy a decent one. Buying sets you buy stuff you will never need.
but on the other hand if I were in your position, I would go for it

 

[Brightspark2]

personally I like to buy the one item that I need, and buy a decent one. Buying sets you buy stuff you will never need.

Agreed..

Theres no side cutters in that set...what type of work you doing? industrial? commercial? domestic?...

 

[VoltzElectrical]

You will only use 10% of that kit. As a 'trainee', you will not be expected to have ALL the gear, as you still have 'no idea'! My opinion is to get a decent terminal driver, and a good PZ2 driver, and a decent pair of snips. You will keep these for a good while, while the rest of that kit are 'consumables, which the contractor should provide. (Consumables are drill bits, hole saws, blades, cutters etc that get used up.)

Others may disagree, thats why this is a forum. We all contribute our opinions.

 

[dan-in-kingston]

I will mainly be doing Domestic at the moment, I'm a Electrical Trainee but going to be working with a fully qualified spark whilst going for my full diploma on the side. I've seen on other posts Knipex is the recommended sidecutter, which size should i get?

Thanks again

 

[VoltzElectrical]

I will post the gear that I use, in a minute.

 

[telectrix]

for side cutters, knipex, CK, Bahco. call in you local wholesaler and get hold of 1 or 2 different makes. see which feels bast.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Knipex High Leverage Diagonal Cutters Comfort Grip 74 02 160
WIHA 16 Piece VDE SlimVario Pz/Ph/Slot Screwdriver Set | eBay


Okay, maybe a little pricey, but the BEST, and you'll never regret it. Just watch the prying eyes! That Wiha set is just the nuts! or these,

Wera Kraftform Kompakt 18 Piece VDE Screwdriver Set NEW | eBay

I went for the Wiha set as they were slim and went into the RCBOs I was doing at the time.

The stanley stuff is good too, but don't get to sidetracked with these 'electricians sets' in my opinion. As others have said, buy what you need, and buy good, but a few good tools will see you through a lot as a trainee.

In my opinion, you will need a battery drill and bit holder at some point, way before you'll need needle nose pliers in that other kit.

Crappy tapes measures are also another false economy. But a decent metal stanley one, 5 or 8 metres with a good standout and you'll be sorted.

Hope this helps, but also read this in the light of others comments.


Cheers.

 

[telectrix]

for domestic work, these are going to be your most used tools.

 

[Strima]

I tend not to bother with the kits full of bits etc due to the fact half go missing or break easily and the rest of them gather dust.

I've become partial to Bahco tools mainly due to the feel of the grips etc and they are pretty hard wearing. Got a good set of CK screwdrivers and they are also good. Stanley Fatmax totes and a tool belt, can't go wrong. If you want to look really good get a technicians vest, they're the dogs danglies...

Also a decent claw hammer for banging in the numerous clips. Decent head-torch and a decent voltage tester.

CK technicians tool bag is good for carrying my test meter, all its gubbins and basic tools for inspection work.

One of the forum sponsors, Test Meter also give a forum discount which is very nice.

Start of with some basic tools and buy as you need them, also it gives you a chance to try before you buy.

Admittedly I'm a bit of a tool whore and have really had to restrain myself in the last few months... :lol:

 

[Lucas]

I wouldn't bother with that makita kit, looks rubbish tbh Buy decent CK stuff, buy it once and that's it

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Can the OP please tell us a bit about this position he has been able to secure! Very lucky indeed and well done. Let's have some details please.

 

[Guest55]

for domestic work, these are going to be your most used tools.

what the hell are you doing with a carpet fitters bolster ? lol ;-)
agree with lucas tho , the screwdrivers in that kit look pants , get ck dextro set for £20 , much better.

 

[dan-in-kingston]

Knipex High Leverage Diagonal Cutters Comfort Grip 74 02 160
WIHA 16 Piece VDE SlimVario Pz/Ph/Slot Screwdriver Set | eBay
.

Cheers Voltz

I ended up getting the two you mentioned above, I'm determined to work in the Electrical field, so i thought i could treat myself this once!
About the position, I'm just finishing up with Tradeskills4u and decided that I wanted to get the full diploma, so I went through the yellow pages and emailed every local sparky I could find, until I got a reply! I wont be working for much money, but as long as I get experience and I can get through the diploma then I'm fine with it!

 

[gazzamikes]

Mate had this kit, seen better in Xmas crackers, your only paying cos of the name, I wouldn't give it bin space

 

[sparks1973]

for side cutters, knipex, CK, Bahco. call in you local wholesaler and get hold of 1 or 2 different makes. see which feels bast.

i`v got CK sidecutters...and some NWS ones n all....also got some NWS pliers....all good....various bahco drivers...and others n all......Makita are best for drills...stick to the likes of CK, Bahco, NWS, Knipex, Lindstrom..etc for snips, cutters n snipe nosed/engineers/longnosed/bentnosed pliers.....

 

[telectrix]

i notice that it doesn't say that the drivers are VDE. if they are not ( and they don't look it) then give it a miss

 

[sparks1973]

for domestic work, these are going to be your most used tools.

aye...and dont forget these n all....

or this...

 

[Brightspark2]

Id recommend NWS snips...had mine for 5 or 6 years and they where brilliant, cut all sorts with them only demoted them to the garage toolbox because I got some new NWS ones at a bargin price...ill revert back to them when an apprentice cuts through a live cable with them or they go missing...lol...

Go the pliers set in them too...

Sent from my Xperia S using next doors WIFI.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Cheers Voltz

I ended up getting the two you mentioned above, I'm determined to work in the Electrical field, so i thought i could treat myself this once!
About the position, I'm just finishing up with Tradeskills4u and decided that I wanted to get the full diploma, so I went through the yellow pages and emailed every local sparky I could find, until I got a reply! I wont be working for much money, but as long as I get experience and I can get through the diploma then I'm fine with it!

i am deeply honoured and pleased to help. When you get these delivered, you will NOT be disappointed! I am extremely pleased to hear of your success to the dedication you have shown to gaining experience and employment. I wish you all the luck in the world. Don't try to get ahead of yourself, it takes years to learn even just the basics. What field are you in, domestic, commercial, bit of everything?

I remember the first time I was stood in front of a 3 gang switch and a guy came in and said, ' f me, what a mess!, this is how you do it..first start by separating all the earths....'

He wasn't taking the p, or trying to belittle me, just showing the best way. I've listened to everything he had to say, and then I went on to terminating panel boards and swapping best practice with him for years. I've moved on, but still in regular contact with him. We are both tool junkeys which helps.

Point I'm trying to make here is that this is the start of a long but potentially rewarding journey for you, and taking pleasure from your tools and with your dedication to quality, the satisfaction of a job well done is something that is so rewarding that it helps you sleep well at night picturing that install you have completed with your own hands with your own tools.

I truly hope you get to complete your training, and please keep on here and become a regular poster.

Regards.

 

[dan-in-kingston]

Hahah i'll bring my 12v kettle so I can make a brew in the van just in case I really f*** things up!

Thanks for all the tips.. I couldn't even find that Makita insulated tool kit on their own website! So I guess it probably isn't up to the same standards as their powertools.

 

[Newbyspark]

The ck starter kit is good. More expensive but it is good quality.

 

[sparks1973]

i am deeply honoured and pleased to help. When you get these delivered, you will NOT be disappointed! I am extremely pleased to hear of your success to the dedication you have shown to gaining experience and employment. I wish you all the luck in the world. Don't try to get ahead of yourself, it takes years to learn even just the basics. What field are you in, domestic, commercial, bit of everything?

I remember the first time I was stood in front of a 3 gang switch and a guy came in and said, ' f me, what a mess!, this is how you do it..first start by separating all the earths....'

He wasn't taking the p, or trying to belittle me, just showing the best way. I've listened to everything he had to say, and then I went on to terminating panel boards and swapping best practice with him for years. I've moved on, but still in regular contact with him. We are both tool junkeys which helps.

Point I'm trying to make here is that this is the start of a long but potentially rewarding journey for you, and taking pleasure from your tools and with your dedication to quality, the satisfaction of a job well done is something that is so rewarding that it helps you sleep well at night picturing that install you have completed with your own hands with your own tools.

I truly hope you get to complete your training, and please keep on here and become a regular poster.

Regards.

uke:

 

[VoltzElectrical]

uke:

cheers then

 

[Swicade]

I was given a Makita set like that by a sales rep afew years back......totaly useless, screwdrivers broke far to easily, multibit driver fell apart and even the drillbits/woodbits didn't stay sharp for long.

You've done the right thing staying well clear of it....the bag thing did make a handy pencil case for one of my boys though for school tbh.

 

[sparks1973]

cheers then

my pleasure.

 

[Geordie Spark]

what the hell are you doing with a carpet fitters bolster ? lol ;-)
agree with lucas tho , the screwdrivers in that kit look pants , get ck dextro set for £20 , much better.

That's what I was wondering !!!

 

[telectrix]

what the hell are you doing with a carpet fitters bolster?
. don't we all refit the carpets after having the floors up? anyway, it wasa the 1st pic . i found on tinternet.

 

[imago]

I've got the Makita kit, and it's fine for the purpose IMHO. I bought it so that I'd have a few tools which are easily packed and transported on the quote bike in the top box. I can ride out to quote on a job and take that and the Fluke for basic checks and the odd quick fix. It means that I can leave all my 'real' kit in the van and not have to keep transferring stuff.

Horses for courses, and in the main you get what you pay for with tools.

 

[dan-in-kingston]

i am deeply honoured and pleased to help. When you get these delivered, you will NOT be disappointed! I am extremely pleased to hear of your success to the dedication you have shown to gaining experience and employment. I wish you all the luck in the world. Don't try to get ahead of yourself, it takes years to learn even just the basics. What field are you in, domestic, commercial, bit of everything?

I remember the first time I was stood in front of a 3 gang switch and a guy came in and said, ' f me, what a mess!, this is how you do it..first start by separating all the earths....'

He wasn't taking the p, or trying to belittle me, just showing the best way. I've listened to everything he had to say, and then I went on to terminating panel boards and swapping best practice with him for years. I've moved on, but still in regular contact with him. We are both tool junkeys which helps.

Point I'm trying to make here is that this is the start of a long but potentially rewarding journey for you, and taking pleasure from your tools and with your dedication to quality, the satisfaction of a job well done is something that is so rewarding that it helps you sleep well at night picturing that install you have completed with your own hands with your own tools.

I truly hope you get to complete your training, and please keep on here and become a regular poster.

Regards.

Cheers!

The only thing i'm worried about with the full diploma is the maths side of things, I got a C at gcse but that was years ago and my algebra isn't that great... better at trigonometry though.
Does anyone have any advice on how in depth it goes in that field? :dunce2::dunce2:

 

[telectrix]

the maths ain't all that hard these days. just by pressing a few keys on my super dooper scientific calculator, i can do the adiabatic calculations without using beer mats. progress, EH?

 

[telectrix]

Knipex High Leverage Diagonal Cutters Comfort Grip 74 02 160
WIHA 16 Piece VDE SlimVario Pz/Ph/Slot Screwdriver Set | eBay


Okay, maybe a little pricey, but the BEST, and you'll never regret it. Just watch the prying eyes! That Wiha set is just the nuts! or these,

Wera Kraftform Kompakt 18 Piece VDE Screwdriver Set NEW | eBay

I went for the Wiha set as they were slim and went into the RCBOs I was doing at the time.

The stanley stuff is good too, but don't get to sidetracked with these 'electricians sets' in my opinion. As others have said, buy what you need, and buy good, but a few good tools will see you through a lot as a trainee.

In my opinion, you will need a battery drill and bit holder at some point, way before you'll need needle nose pliers in that other kit.

Crappy tapes measures are also another false economy. But a decent metal stanley one, 5 or 8 metres with a good standout and you'll be sorted.

Hope this helps, but also read this in the light of others comments.


Cheers.

you sod, you just cost me £42. i just ordered the wiha set you posted the link to. :angry_smile:

 

[Strima]

Cheers!

The only thing i'm worried about with the full diploma is the maths side of things, I got a C at gcse but that was years ago and my algebra isn't that great... better at trigonometry though.
Does anyone have any advice on how in depth it goes in that field? :dunce2::dunce2:

I think I got a D in maths but it hasn't stopped me. All the calculations and more you'll ever need are in the BGB, I have the most common used one's copied into the front of my OSG with a couple of examples for quick reference. Also got a cheap scientific calculator from Asda for a couple of quid as it lists the formula as you enter it and is easier to check.

Just remember Zs=Ze+(R1+R2)... :lol:

Volt drop is not as complicated as it looks, just remember to extract the correct information for each cable type etc and you won't go far wrong.

And never forget Ohms law, it's the LAW!!!

 

[telectrix]

most calculations, when you break them down, are really quite simple .... add, takeaway, times, and oh shot, what's the last one.... into/over/summat. and there was another thing. square root. never seen anything with a square root. parsnips are round and long, beetroot are round and short. potatoes are funny shapes but never square, never seen cannabis roots, only leaves.

 

[Strima]

S=sqrt(Ia²t)/k ... Is that the vegetable you're thinking about?

 

[Will_D]

A simple analysis:

1. Whats wrong here?: Tools required; Screwdrivers, Volt Stick, Ameter/Voltmeter/Megger etc

2. Modify/Fix it please: Side cutters/ Stripping pliers

3. New installs ( Domestic ) Small power tools: drills/hole cutters/angle grinders

4. Commercial install/mods; Hole saws, ability to form ducting/cable trays, any one use screwed conduit still?, Big tools/things for big cables etc

Will

 

[dan-in-kingston]

I think I got a D in maths but it hasn't stopped me. All the calculations and more you'll ever need are in the BGB, I have the most common used one's copied into the front of my OSG with a couple of examples for quick reference. Also got a cheap scientific calculator from Asda for a couple of quid as it lists the formula as you enter it and is easier to check.

Just remember Zs=Ze+(R1+R2)... :lol:

Volt drop is not as complicated as it looks, just remember to extract the correct information for each cable type etc and you won't go far wrong.

And never forget Ohms law, it's the LAW!!!

I'm ok with calculating Zs, I had more trouble with the calculations for resistivity and a bit concerened about three phase stuff!

 

[telectrix]

you mean like calculating the neutral current for an unbalanced 3 phase load? that one makes me sweat!!!

 

[dan-in-kingston]

yep, i haven't covered the maths part of that yet.. luckily I understand the priniciple behind it, i.e. if it was perfectly balance the neutral would be 0v

 

[imago]

As an aide memoire (I can't be cluttering up my mind with calculations, I'm an artist you know!) I bought a copy of this Electrical Installation Calculations: Advanced: For technical certificate and NVQ Level 3: For Technical Certificate and NVQ Level 3 Advanced: Amazon.co.uk: A.J. Watkins, Christopher Kitcher: Books

It has everything you need in it, with usage examples and explanations. I can highly recommend it.