the most important tools for starting off!

[Marc Lajevardi]

Hello! im in the middle of building my tool kit and was wondering what are the most important tools yous would recommend to get first?
I have things such as a cordless drill, drill bits, the VDE screw drivers and snips etc, stapler, tape, hammer and of course a box to keep them in! Thanks

 

[malcolmsanford]

Set of screwdrivers, pair of good pliers, pair of good snips and a tape measure.

If you are an apprentice that is all I would expect a lad to have.

 

[Marvo]

Lock-off kit. Master Lock Lockout Kit For Isolating Electrical Circuits Safely

Safe isolation tester.

 

[shanky887614]

Lock-off kit. Master Lock Lockout Kit For Isolating Electrical Circuits Safely

Safe isolation tester.

should be supplied marvo, would you trust a first year to lock off and verify its dead?

i know there are very few i would trust for that, voltage tester yes but lockoff kit no.

vde screwdriver set (throw the neon away)
vde diaganal cutters (side cutters or snips)

vde pliers and long nose
tape measure
2 x pair of alligator knipex waterpump pliers (£15 each)

hacksaw and set square.

disston hacksaws are cheap and good quality i picked one up for £12 from eddies.


a rule of thumb is,if you need to borrow it a couple times in the week consider if you will need one, something like a lockoff kit can be specific to one manufacturer

 

[Paul.M]

A good voltage indicator, a volt pen (dont moan lads, I use one all the time and never had a belt when used lol), good pair of work boots and pants, knee pads, comfortable hard hat with chin strap, head torch, rechargeable LED work light, crimp set to start you off, an OSG in your nice new toolbox!

Keep a knife, fork and spoon in the glove box along with a pot noddle in reserve for whenever you get caught short and miles away from a cafe (most sites have a kettle ). Builders wet wipes always come in handy. First aid kit in the van is always a good idea, you'll be happy you got one when the blood starts gushing.

 

[Mark1985]

should be supplied marvo, would you trust a first year to lock off and verify its dead?

i know there are very few i would trust for that, voltage tester yes but lockoff kit no.

vde screwdriver set (throw the neon away)
vde diaganal cutters (side cutters or snips)

vde pliers and long nose
tape measure
2 x pair of alligator knipex waterpump pliers (£15 each)

hacksaw and set square.

disston hacksaws are cheap and good quality i picked one up for £12 from eddies.


a rule of thumb is,if you need to borrow it a couple times in the week consider if you will need one, something like a lockoff kit can be specific to one manufacturer

This is a good list if doing commercial/industrial, maybe add a small magnetic level and a file

 

[Swcfisher]

Vde screwdrivers, vde cutters, spirit level, tape measure, hammer, pencil, hacksaw, pad saw,Voltage and continuity tester.

 

[telectrix]

and a decent spoon for stirring tea.

 

[Black Dog]

Hello! im in the middle of building my tool kit and was wondering what are the most important tools yous would recommend to get first?
I have things such as a cordless drill, drill bits, the VDE screw drivers and snips etc, stapler, tape, hammer and of course a box to keep them in! Thanks

A good tool belt to keep your hand tools handy...:smile5:

 

[Dave OCD]

I find my m3.5 tap/re threader gets plenty of use too. :smile5:

 

[RyanCheetham]

A decent boat level and small level to fit inside a pattress. No one likes a wonky socket or switch

 

[7029 dave]

As said, good set of vde hand tools, that's all I would expect if Apprentice/mate.

 

[david1]

Insulated screwdrivers, water pump pliers, cutters, Stanley knife, hacksaw, tape measure, boat level, hammer, file and last but not least a set of voltage testers are a must in my eyes and the item I'd say spend some money on its your safety at the end of the day. Voltage sticks are alright but don't test dc voltages and can be tempermental. Oh and if your anything like me 1000s of pencils.

 

[shanky887614]

Insulated screwdrivers, water pump pliers, cutters, Stanley knife, hacksaw, tape measure, boat level, hammer, file and last but not least a set of voltage testers are a must in my eyes and the item I'd say spend some money on its your safety at the end of the day. Voltage sticks are alright but don't test dc voltages and can be tempermental. Oh and if your anything like me 1000s of pencils.

this is the only stanley worth having

ive got stanley, haulfators etc but always go back to these

 

[aces4al]

A scutch chisel, club hammer and a bolster chisel

 

[Marc Lajevardi]

thanks for the useful replies everybody, there are some things i would have never thought of! EG a pot noodle ha! I appreciate all the help!!

 

[Megavolt]

this is the only stanley worth having

ive got stanley, haulfators etc but always go back to these

Link doesn't work. What is it.

 

[Richard Burns]

Presumably this one

 

[shanky887614]

Presumably this one
View attachment 29274

yeah that one, strange you cant see the image

 

[stefan442]

Wouldn't expect a first year to be isolating anything, best thing to bring is a bit of enthusiasm! If an apprentice is keen i don't mind picking them up and lending them some of my kit! Pair of cutters, some screwdrivers, hacksaw, set square, pliers and a tape measure.

 

[davesparks]

Wouldn't expect a first year to be isolating anything, best thing to bring is a bit of enthusiasm! If an apprentice is keen i don't mind picking them up and lending them some of my kit! Pair of cutters, some screwdrivers, hacksaw, set square, pliers and a tape measure.

Depending on the exact situation they may need to add their own lock to the lockout. But the employer is responsible for providing all of that, the same as ppe

 

[edexlab]

I think it's a good idea to get an apprentice locking off and testing circuits, "supervised" from the early stages, always did it with the lads working with me, it breeds good habits and also shows a bit about the apprentice ie if their first thought is to get the lock off kit out ,then Imo it's no bad thing!

The majority of installation electricians I've worked alongside, never owned locks and would tape over a mcb, these lads always had tales to tell about the shocks they'd received!
Whereas I know for a fact the lads who were brought up in a culture of safe isolation very rarely get caught out!

As for tools for a first year ,domestic a good club hammer wickes do a good one which doesn't have an anvil on the end of a short stick,
Industrial a good 1/2" socket set for the smaller stuff.

 

[shanky887614]

I think it's a good idea to get an apprentice locking off and testing circuits, "supervised" from the early stages, always did it with the lads working with me, it breeds good habits and also shows a bit about the apprentice ie if their first thought is to get the lock off kit out ,then Imo it's no bad thing!

The majority of installation electricians I've worked alongside, never owned locks and would tape over a mcb, these lads always had tales to tell about the shocks they'd received!
Whereas I know for a fact the lads who were brought up in a culture of safe isolation very rarely get caught out!

As for tools for a first year ,domestic a good club hammer wickes do a good one which doesn't have an anvil on the end of a short stick,
Industrial a good 1/2" socket set for the smaller stuff.

3/8 is better, you can get the 17mm in unistrut then for doing framworks

i use a 1/4 set for everything upto 8mm bolts

 

[edexlab]

Just saw your reply shanky it was meant to be 1/4" not 1/2"

 

[Carlosfandango]

Don't forget to get your self a thick skin too! It'll help for getting a ribbing on site[emoji1]

 

[Paul.M]

Presumably this one
View attachment 29274

Is the above better than the Stanley FaxMax? The blades on mine keep on slipping out :shout:

 

[shanky887614]

Is the above better than the Stanley FaxMax? The blades on mine keep on slipping out :shout:

yes, the blade is locked till you press the button at the back to unlock it (so its at 45o) then hold the little one near the blade.

i prefer folding to sliding blades because your less likely to stab yourself

 

[Paul.M]

yes, the blade is locked till you press the button at the back to unlock it (so its at 45o) then hold the little one near the blade.

i prefer folding to sliding blades because your less likely to stab yourself

Cheers, never stabbed myself though? A few old scars on the left hand from being young and stupid! I have drilled my left leg with a 4mm drill bit down to the bone once, but that is another story.


If anyone has a FatMax Stanley knife may I ask, dose the blade fall out whilst doing a long cut, eg floor board tongue & grove/plaster board? The quick change over of blades is a great idea but when using the knife the mechanical parts inside that should hold the blade in place fails? May try an Irwin next.

 

[shanky887614]

Cheers, never stabbed myself though? A few old scars on the left hand from being young and stupid! I have drilled my left leg with a 4mm drill bit down to the bone once, but that is another story.


If anyone has a FatMax Stanley knife may I ask, dose the blade fall out whilst doing a long cut, eg floor board tongue & grove/plaster board? The quick change over of blades is a great idea but when using the knife the mechanical parts inside that should hold the blade in place fails? May try an Irwin next.

if you have the knife straight as to cut something you cant get the blade out on the irwin

 

[Paul.M]

if you have the knife straight as to cut something you cant get the blade out on the irwin

I'll get an Irwin at the wholesalers on Monday, the FatMax ones are rubbish. Thanks.

 

[shanky887614]

I'll get an Irwin at the wholesalers on Monday, the FatMax ones are rubbish. Thanks.

don't pay more than £15 inc vat

(12.95 on amazon for example)

 

[Mike Blair]

Presumably this one
View attachment 29274

i cut my hand open with something similar to this blade holder opened and in went the blade

 

[shanky887614]

i cut my hand open with something similar to this blade holder opened and in went the blade

how? are you the reasons Stanleys are banned on some sites?

 

[Mike Blair]

hahaha! just to heavy handed or unlucky haha

 

[rick]

I would add a pair of safety glasses and wear them whenever anything could potentially fly, pop, or spring off. Expect some people to take the mick, but you only get one pair of eyes.

 

[RyanCheetham]

yes, the blade is locked till you press the button at the back to unlock it (so its at 45o) then hold the little one near the blade.

i prefer folding to sliding blades because your less likely to stab yourself

Cheers, never stabbed myself though? A few old scars on the left hand from being young and stupid! I have drilled my left leg with a 4mm drill bit down to the bone once, but that is another story.


If anyone has a FatMax Stanley knife may I ask, dose the blade fall out whilst doing a long cut, eg floor board tongue & grove/plaster board? The quick change over of blades is a great idea but when using the knife the mechanical parts inside that should hold the blade in place fails? May try an Irwin next.

I have the both Fatmax knives, the twin blade and the single. The single has no issues but the twin blade often lets go of of the left side blade which is very annoying

 

[Marc Lajevardi]

we are doing safe isolation at college at the minute so doing it on site would actually be pretty useful, as we all know doing it on paper and doing it in real life is completely different, i wish most of you were my gaffs, literally had to buy everything myself, including a van! I'm also 25 and ive been an apprentice before so skin is more than capable of handling banter ha

 

[Marc Lajevardi]

I would add a pair of safety glasses and wear them whenever anything could potentially fly, pop, or spring off. Expect some people to take the mick, but you only get one pair of eyes.

good shout thanks

 

[Phil L]

Irwin knife £8.50 +vat in travis Perkins