breach

I just got myself a plumbing apprenticeship after a LONG, long search. I already had a few things, and know that I'll need to pick stuff up as I go, but to start off with, do you think this is ok? The guys Im working with all have massive kits, and then even more in their cars and at home. Ive found good use for all of this stuff so far, and I know I'll need to add some tin snips and pipe wrenches and adjustable wrenches. Anyone think of anything else though? Also, how many different sizes do you get for your adjustable and pipe wrenches? One site I was on seems to suggest having 3 sets of adjustables in 6/10/12" sizes, and pipe wrenches in 10/14/18" sizes. The company Im working for provides all the power tools I require

Tongue & Groove Pliers x2
Multi head screwdriver
Measuring Tape
Hack Saw
Utility Knife
Flashlight
Level

Mushybees

A similar question arose recently.
http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/pl...-tool-kit.html (Tool Kit)
I'm a first year apprentice and I use all my kit on a regular basis.

mehera

x2 300mm adjustable spanners
Water pump pliers
mini Power screwdriver
x2 short screwdrivers (for hard to get at things)
15mm pipe slice

You can do most things with this set of tools - mind you dont forget the other hundred you get to use once or twice a decade!


Dont fok around with the full spanner set it probably aint worth it !

razal

The thread mentioned is a good starting point, with Mushybees kit being a good one to get.

As for having a kit without tapemeasure, hacksaw, basin wrench, blowtorch, Mehera are you sure you do plumbing ?

When asking for advice Breach make sure it comes from a reliable source, but then having gained an apprenticeship,(congratulations by the way), I am certain you have sufficient brain power to work that one out

mehera

Yeah by the way I recommend that you dont waste your time on an apprentiship like razal. Go go fast track, thats the way to do it today!!!

Unless you want to spend 4 years making tea for a clapped out fossil like 'BJ'!

Or become a doctor in the same time!

breach

Cheers, thank you for the advice. I talked to one of the guys at work, and he said the key is to buy stuff gradually. Apparently a lot of apprentices go out and buy a bunch of stuff right away when they cant really afford it, and they end up using some of the stuff once a year. He said that for now, what Ive got is all I'll need, but to add a 5/16" ratchet to my kit. Im going to get a pair of adjustable spanners too, since I know I'll need those in the future.

razal

As I say, reliable info is required, sort out the wheat from the chaff.

Mehera only makes tea for himself.........all day cos he aint got anything else to do .

Mushybees

It makes good sense.
I used my employer's tools for a while but go tired of having to leave what I was doing to go get a tool only for him to call out for it minutes later.
I'm glad I got my own kit together though because I was soon given more responsibility and doing work while he wasn't on site.

The best advice is to get good quality tools when you need them. Buying cheap stuff is just a false economy as you'll invariably have to replace them much sooner.
That said don't break the bank on things like screwdrivers because you will loose a couple no matter how dilligent you are.