Apprentice tool kit help

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

Hi all starting apprenticeship soon and just need some brand recommendations and anything else that will come in handy when I first start! I haven't really got a price limit because I'd rather buy quality that lasts and not cheap and cheerful! Post useful information not kettle, sweeping brush etc

Already have:
screwdrivers - Bahco
Stanley knife - Stanley
claw hammer - Screwfix
toolbag -Stanley
tape measure - Stanley

Need tools:
combination/long nose pliers and side cutters (preferably a three piece set)
level
Non contact tester
junior hacksaw

anything else I've missed? Can people recommended some brands please.

 

[davesparks]

You can't go far wrong with knipex for cutters and pliers etc.

A junior hacksaw is really just a bent bit of metal so don't worry about a brand, just don't get a plastic one. Decent blades are what you need there.

 

[Andy78]

In addition to your kettle and sweeping brush you will also need a good pair of boots to walk to the sandwich shop with, and a good toolbag to carry the sandwiches back with.


Seriously though, Knipex are great for any tool with moving parts. CK make some good robust screwdrivers for apprentice first fix work, although I use Wiha myself.

Search on the site as there have been loads of threads for lists of tools for apprentices. What is the main area of work your apprenticeship will focus on. You will use different sets of tools for commercial/industrial work than for domestic for example.

 

[Pete999]

Don't start please, when I started as an Apprentice back in the 60s, the 1960s all I had was a pair of Elliot Lucas Pliers and Snips some Stanley screwdrivers with wooden handles ( yes for all you doubters Stanley tools were available in those days) a hammer rawlplug jumper, (there wont be many out there who can boast about that bit of kit) all carried in an ex Army gas mask bag, no Veto Pro Packs or whatever they are called, sorry got to go and get some tissues talking about it brings tears to my eyes, 3 jam doughnuts and a daily paper 1 shilling 10p to the youngsters. Oh neon tester, lamp holder with a pigmy lamp for a test lamp (no non contact pens in them days)

 

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

In addition to your kettle and sweeping brush you will also need a good pair of boots to walk to the sandwich shop with, and a good toolbag to carry the sandwiches back with.


Seriously though, Knipex are great for any tool with moving parts. CK make some good robust screwdrivers for apprentice first fix work, although I use Wiha myself.

Search on the site as there have been loads of threads for lists of tools for apprentices. What is the main area of work your apprenticeship will focus on. You will use different sets of tools for commercial/industrial work than for domestic for example.

The company mainly do domestic work.

 

[7029 dave]

Don't start please, when I started as an Apprentice back in the 60s, the 1960s all I had was a pair of Elliot Lucas Pliers and Snips some Stanley screwdrivers with wooden handles ( yes for all you doubters Stanley tools were available in those days) a hammer rawlplug jumper, (there wont be many out there who can boast about that bit of kit) all carried in an ex Army gas mask bag, no Veto Pro Packs or whatever they are called, sorry got to go and get some tissues talking about it brings tears to my eyes, 3 jam doughnuts and a daily paper 1 shilling 10p to the youngsters. Oh neon tester, lamp holder with a pigmy lamp for a test lamp (no non contact pens in them days)

Yes, Pete we never forget our first years into the trade, 1979 for me.!!!! time has passed by quickly.

 

[telectrix]

1960's pete, or was it 1860's? :lipsrsealed2::lipsrsealed2:

 

[Pete999]

1960's pete, or was it 1860's? :lipsrsealed2::lipsrsealed2:

I find that comment most offensive Tel you cheeky nerk lol :30:

 

[telectrix]

in these days of political correctness, one has to keep practising offensiveness, otherwise the pc brigade will inherit the earth. so to all the pc loonies who read the forum, i say " knickers, knackers, knockers".

 

[Andy78]

The company mainly do domestic work.

Lump hammer, bolster, and scutch chisel then.

Do not use your non contact voltage tester for isolation/proving for dead at any time!
A decent approved voltage indicator is what you should be using if you are asked to. You shouldn't really be proving for dead at first as an apprentice anyway so maybe not buy one right now.

 

[shanky887614]

You can't go far wrong with knipex for cutters and pliers etc.

A junior hacksaw is really just a bent bit of metal so don't worry about a brand, just don't get a plastic one. Decent blades are what you need there.

ive made off quite a few swa cables with my tesco special junior.

knipex side cutters are good.

personally I prefer wiha though.

stanley fatmax boat levels are good (the all metal yellow ones)

lost count how many times ive knocked them off and still working fine.

dont buy a plastic level, there false economy

 

[telectrix]

nothing wrong with using a voltstick as a first indication, but, as you say, always prove with an approved tester, and don't forget to test L-E as well as L-N.

 

[shanky887614]

ive made off quite a few swa cables with my tesco special junior.

knipex side cutters are good.

personally I prefer wiha though.

stanley fatmax boat levels are good (the all metal yellow ones)

lost count how many times ive knocked them off and still working fine.

dont buy a plastic level, there false economy

wiha snips, pliers and long nose here for £31

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/290633932898


bahco 1/4 socketset is something you will need at somepoint as well (does upto 8mm bolts)

usually £20 but the bidding is at under 15 on ebay atm (I bought mine for 20 from a local shop)

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/221460427105?nav=SEARCH

 

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

ive made off quite a few swa cables with my tesco special junior.

knipex side cutters are good.

personally I prefer wiha though.

stanley fatmax boat levels are good (the all metal yellow ones)

lost count how many times ive knocked them off and still working fine.

dont buy a plastic level, there false economy

Wiha 39096 VDE Plier Set - 3pc from Tool Venture would this set be okay to start with?

 

[shanky887614]

Wiha 39096 VDE Plier Set - 3pc from Tool Venture would this set be okay to start with?

yeah, they will be fine.

 

[Lukeewilkinsonn]

yeah, they will be fine.

what about these? HoldOn HN00153 10pc VDE FLIPiT Screwdriver & Plier Set - Hand Tools & Storage, Assorted Tool Kits, HoldOn Tool Kits

 

[shanky887614]

what about these? HoldOn HN00153 10pc VDE FLIPiT Screwdriver & Plier Set - Hand Tools & Storage, Assorted Tool Kits, HoldOn Tool Kits

I wouldn't personally but if you want to try them.

they sound a little cheap to me so quality might not be very high because of the price it will probably be against manufacturing fault's.

(I doubt you will use those wire strippers very much)

 

[telectrix]

if you are doing mainly domestic, get the cutters with the 2 stripping holes and the 3.5mm &4mm socket pin shears.

C.K Tools RedLine VDE Wire Stripping Side Cutters (160mm)

these don't have the shears for socket pins, but are similar.

 

[Andy78]

if you are doing mainly domestic, get the cutters with the 2 stripping holes and the 3.5mm &4mm socket pin shears.

C.K Tools RedLine VDE Wire Stripping Side Cutters (160mm)

these don't have the shears for socket pins, but are similar.

Cheaper to use ordinary cutters and a volt stick for proving dead... stripping holes will appear in the cutters in no time at all...

 

[uksparks]

nothing wrong with using a voltstick as a first indication, but, as you say, always prove with an approved tester, and don't forget to test L-E as well as L-N.

Just a question for you, you need to cut into the ring under the floor for example, how do YOU go about proving its dead before taking the cutters to it? I know its bad but I use a volt stick and just make sure the circuit is off, but its not really conclusive is it.