Help buying tools?

[kate21]

Hi,
my boyfriend is starting up for himself and as its his birthday in a few weeks so i would like to kit him out with new tools, But what sort of tools do plumbers use? a list of the basics would be ideal.

Thanks all,
K

 

[simon m]

might be worth looking under the thread Most important tools
but coyped this list from there but there are lots more ideas in that thread hope this helps

Originally Posted by puddle

The basic stuff we need are

3 pairs of good quality grips,standard pipe grips

A cheap set of screw drivers with various philips,posy and sloted in

One slotted average size screw driver that you can abuse for many purposes,may get one in set

1 good long philips screw driver

Tape measure

Boat level

Standard Hammer and brick+ wood chisel

Allen keys and maybe security key set

Tap spanner as said

stanly/craft knife

junior axe saw,pipe slices,normal axe saw,do not forget blades

adjustable spanner (I have never used mine,corrodes up first)

Foot prints(again I never use as log as you get good quality pipe grips)

Immersion heater spanner

plier set,with pliers,lond nose pliers and wire cutters

Then you want your jointing compounds,ptfe tape,standard washers for taps,ball valves,silicon greese

 

[Paulplumb]

The Rothenberger Plasticuts are fab for cutting plastic pipe. Not too expensive either. I bought myself the new improved (black plastic) waste pipe cutters the other day and I would recommend them to anyone. I wish they had made them years ago.

Watch this video
[video=youtube;A6L874tuLmA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6L874tuLmA[/video]

 

[WHPES]

Don't buy the junk off the stalls in the local market - will probably break just by looking at it! Better to get a few really good quality tools than loads of cheap junk ones.

look at Cromwell Industrial Tools UK: Discount Prices For Power Tools, Hand Tools and Cutting Tools - Free Next Day Delivery Their own Kennedy branded stuff is actually pretty good and good value. Also Screwfix if there is one near you.

 

[tamz]

I'll give you links to the manu's find the cheapest retailer yourself. As they say........Beware of cheap imitations....they can cause severe bodily damage.

Just about anything made by these people [DLMURL="http://www.monument-tools.com/monument.htm"]Drain Clearing Tools, Plumbing Tools, Pipe Cutters, Sheet Metal Tools, Drain Clearing, Rohrwerkzeuge, Wrenches, Plumbing Equipment[/DLMURL]
Pump pliers and pliers made by this lot KNIPEX - The Pliers Company. - Home
Another quality tool maker Bahco – True professionals’ love for increasing their performance by its ergonomics and design
As are these [DLMURL="http://www.ck-tools.com/construction-catalogue.htm"]Construction Catalogue C.K Tools[/DLMURL].
This lot (they re-brand them but they are good) [DLMURL="http://www.rothenberger.com/en/products/product-groups/pipe-and-installation-tools.html"]Pipe and Installation Tools: ROTHENBERGER[/DLMURL]
Some quality yank stuff (mostly big stuff but excellent hand tools) Products - RIDGID Professional Tools

Speaking about Yanks: i still have, and have used ever week since i started working, a 131 yankee. No other screwdriver can match it for slotted screws IMO. Think they have stopped making them now though

There are a few others but it is too late and my brain is nodding off.

Buy the best you/he can afford (even second hand off flea bay) and they will last a lifetime. Good tools are worth their weight in gold.