Hi guys tool tips for new electrician

[Damion Evans]

Hi Guys

Am leaving the army and retaining to become an electrician. Have you guys got any advice on tools ?

 

[Dannyg8810]

CK are good value ,all I use tbh

 

[Pete999]

Hi Guys

Am leaving the army and retaining to become an electrician. Have you guys got any advice on tools ?

Pliers, cutters etc = knipex
Screwdrivers = WERA or WIHA
Voltage Indicator and Proving unit = Martindale
Electricians Knife = CK
Toll bag = Stanley Fat Max / Klein again whatever suits your budget
MFT = your budget
Earth Leakage clamp meter = DiLog
Hammer= Estwing my choice
Hole cutters =Armeg
Basically don't buy cheap, and look after them, there are plenty more you will need, Battery drill Driver, Hammer drill etc, drill bits, wood chisels, , (don't get expensive ones), 4" Bolster, 2 ld lump hammer, auger drills, Tape Measure, laser level, good torch, I recommend the Klein tools one, but whatever suits you, spirit level (2ft and a 9" one, pointing trowel, Too many to say and my mind has gone blank, as well as the cold sweats, talking of tools upsets me cu I'm a Tool Tart, hope that lots gives you some ida, I'm sure others will add thing I have forgotten, Good luck Damion.

 

[Dave Rudderham]

I'm retraining at the minute at college (i'm 38) my tool bag consists of

5x insulated screwdriver
Side cutters
Pliers
Needle nose pliers
Wire Strippers (although I tend to use the side cutters)
small spirit level
lock knife
stanley knife
junior hack saw
insul tape (red, black and g/y)
non-contact voltage indicator
several terminal screwdrivers
socket tester (great for ID'ing circuits)
Martindale Insul tester, RCD tester and Earth loop tester (not essential to start with, but they were a bargain so I wasn't turning them down)
Voltage indicator & proving unit (again not essential but present)
IDC Punchdown tool*
RJ11/45 crimping tool*
Data cable tester*
Signal generator and probe*
Multimeter (fluke) (useful for continuity testing on dead circuits)
crimps and tool
Hammer
2x Adjustable spanners
Cable ties
Sleeving
choc blocks
and of course the On Site Guide, Guidance Note 3 and a copy of BS7671

* not essential but I'm a data/telecoms tech so I had them anyway.

 

[Damion Evans]

CK are good value ,all I use tbh

 

[Damion Evans]

Thanks I shall take a look at the Ck range.

 

[Damion Evans]

Thanks lads that’s a big help I shall take a look at them.

 

[HandySparks]

insul tape (red, black and g/y)

Is this very old tape?

 

[Dave Rudderham]

Is this very old tape?

oddly enough, no lol. I do have blue and brown but I keep the red and black to wind the staff up at college lol

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Hi Guys

Am leaving the army and retaining to become an electrician. Have you guys got any advice on tools ?

@Damion Evans Contact Royal British Legion and there is a good chance they or your regimental fund will buy you a lot of the tools you need to work and get experience whilst retraining at college. When i left the forces the various funds were lining up to support me in a career change and tools etc but it was the hottest ticket in town at the time and since Ops Telic and Herrick are now over its sort of fallen off the agenda.
If on a tight budget then look at some of the Titan and Forge Steel stuff in screwfix, I bought some forge steel cable cutters this week to replace some much more expensive ones and they do just as good if not better job for half the price. Some of the titan and erbauer power tools are okay for price when starting out and on a budget,Where funds allow buy the best you can afford.

 

[PEG]

Hi bud,welcome and thank you for your service

It may not be a bad idea,to have a think about what work you will initially be tackling,and let your tool choice be guided by that.

Just the difference between domestic,commercial and industrial,can be a very large cost gap,tool wise.

Do not be swayed with sales talk and fashion,regarding items like tool bags...
I have got some very expensive plant and machinery,back functioning,using items carried in builders bucket

Spend any money saved,avoiding fancy goods,on items likely to be under the most stress,such as screwdrivers,allen and torx bits,etc

Items such as hammers,tape measures,pry-bars,etc,will all function,from the cheapest to the most expensive,and can be up-graded whenever means allow.

Above all,never ever forget,the golden rule of tool purchase. There will always be two tools,that are vital.

The one you need,and the one you want! Happy hunting

 

[einstein]

cable access rods
draw wire
head torch
gloves cut 3

 

[Damion Evans]

@Damion Evans
Thanks I shall look at them. I wasn’t aware the legion could help. Thanks

 

[Phil Thompson]

Pliers, cutters etc = knipex, hellermann tyton, Klein
Screwdrivers = WERA & Klein
Voltage Indicator = Kewtech
Stanley Knife = Stanley Fatmax
Toll tote and box = Dewalt and Fatmax
MFT = Dilog
Clamp meter = DiLog
Hammer= Estwing 20oz straight claw
Hole cutters =Morse
Cordless range = Dewalt
Wall Chaser = Metabo
Vacuum = Dewalt M Class
240v sds = Makita

 

[Pete999]

Pliers, cutters etc = knipex, hellermann tyton, Klein
Screwdrivers = WERA & Klein
Voltage Indicator = Kewtech
Stanley Knife = Stanley Fatmax
Toll tote and box = Dewalt and Fatmax
MFT = Dilog
Clamp meter = DiLog
Hammer= Estwing 20oz straight claw
Hole cutters =Morse
Cordless range = Dewalt
Wall Chaser = Metabo
Vacuum = Dewalt M Class
240v sds = Makita

Just a point, not aimed at anyone, but I think stripping cable using the cpc is naff, and the reason people complain about damaging the L and N conductors when using a knife, is the use of a Stanley type knife, the blade is far too thin, using a fixed blade cable knife or a decent folding knife is the best way I think. That's not to say a Stanley type knife is not a good addition for a tool kit.

 

[einstein]

Just a point, not aimed at anyone, but I think stripping cable using the cpc is naff, and the reason people complain about damaging the L and N conductors when using a knife, is the use of a Stanley type knife, the blade is far too thin, using a fixed blade cable knife or a decent folding knife is the best way I think. That's not to say a Stanley type knife is not a good addition for a tool kit.

I agree, you either learned to correctly strip cable in the goldern era of city & guilds or you learned the cheap & nasty stretching the cpc way

 

[einstein]

while not wanting to ramble on, how many new Installations are going to last 30-40 years through poor workmanship?