Starting out tools list

[telectrix]

that CK kit is a good starter kit.i have to disagree with pete. the beauty of kits like this are that youhave a place for every tool and know thatyougot them allback in.

 

[Andy78]

As above, that kit is well overpriced for what it is.
If you are after a good solid box, the Stanley waterproof structural foam ones are top notch, and are at silly money at the big orange shed right now Stanley Toolbox (W)305mm (D)267mm | Departments | DIY at B&Q

Fill that with a half decent plier set, a half decent driver set, all the other bits that make up the CK set and I reckon you'll be at half the price that CK are asking.

I have used that toolbox for about 7 years and only just lately demoted it to tester carrying duties. It got so full of tools that every tool retrieval became a rummage. It should be more than fine for an apprentice with a small tool set though.

 

[Adam W]

Apart from grips, cable cutters, and at some point in the future a voltage indicator, cheap and cheerful is fine. I'm still using the same VDE pliers and sidecutters I've been using for the last 10 years, got my insulated screwdrivers from Aldi and most of the rest of my tools from B&Q or the local clearance shop. Because I've built up my tool collection from scratch and bought what I need, I know exactly what I've got and have a good idea of what tool to use in any situation.
My tools might not be much to look at - they're not all the same colour or brand, but they look a lot better next to me in my bag than they would if some toe-rag pinched them.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Hi I am about to begin an apprenticeship with a local company. I need to build up a basic tool collection but will need to start from scratch. ive found one overall CK set and wondered if anyone had any experience or advice on the kit.
many thanks

Junior hacksaw, 7.5m (25') ST tape measure, electricians knife, automatic wire stripper, 210mm (8¼") pocket level, VDE 125-250V AC mains tester, 16oz claw hammer, M3.5 x 6" rethreading tool, Redline VDE 185mm combination pliers, 175mm snipe nose pliers, 160mm combi-cutter, 7 x Dextro VDE screwdrivers (2 x Slotted (2.5 x 75 and 4 x 100mm), 2 x Phillips (#1 x 80 and #2 x 100mm), 2 x Pozi (#1 x 80 and #2 x 100) and 2 x 100mm Modulo) and tool bag.

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-tools-products/109212-apprentice-tools.html

post 8&9 on the above link.

 

[shanky887614]

As a side note don't buy a veto till you have the tools to fill it. 160 pound hand bag to carry 40 pounds worth of tools. Spend your penny's wisely.

listen to this nugget of advice, the veto will break you back if you overload it as well.

a set of screwdrivers
hacksaw
setsquare
file
side cutters
pliers
long nose pliers
tape measure
tote bag
insulated crimpers (red,blue,yellow crimps)
water pump pliers x2
allen keys
hammer

(im sure im missed essential tools off this list)

cable shears are nice to have but not essential, concentrate on getting the other tools first, i was much like yourself
and had a better toolkit than a lot of electrcians when i was on my apprentaship


dont buy too much now depending on the kit you use you will need different tools, for example i carry torx drivers,security bits, square drives etc and loads of other bits.

had an electrician that has been in the game 10 years ask me what some of the tools in my bag are i used them daily for a couple years and he had never seen them before

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[nunthe wiser]

A lot of electricians make do with the minimum, these are usually the ones that are the first to take the mick on how much you spend on tools, and the first to ask to borrow them. Invest in them and don't lend out I've lost count on the amount of shifters I've had returned yet I haven't seen them again.

 

[PEG]

that CK kit is a good starter kit.i have to disagree with pete. the beauty of kits like this are that youhave a place for every tool and know thatyougot them allback in.

Give pete a break...he comes from an era,where whipping a tool out from a zipped enclosure,was nothing to do with work...:yesnod:

 

[Pete999]

Give pete a break...he comes from an era,where whipping a tool out from a zipped enclosure,was nothing to do with work...:yesnod:

Thanks for that PEG took me a while, but got there in the end, nice one.

 

[ruston]

One thing in defence of the zip type bags is that you can see at a glance if your gear has been returned, leaving an expensive piece of kit for some lucky bug*** to find is heart breaking.
I have a similar CK kit illustrated, I bought it from a chap on here a few years ago, at a very good price.
I must admit I would not of paid the retail price for it , but with the exception of the hacksaw I an generally pleased with it.
The auto 'missing' alarm is the best feature of this type of bag.

 

[HandySparks]

Give pete a break...he comes from an era,where whipping a tool out from a zipped enclosure,was nothing to do with work...:yesnod:

Don't think they'd invented zips then. Most likely buttons only. :wheelchair: :smile5:


I agree that the CK bag is good to work out of. I have my regularly used tools in one and it's easy to find a specific tool and better than a toolbox for spotting whether tools are missing when packing up.