ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Basic Tool Kit?

what about this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3158661691&category=20598

good stuff? or just duct tape? or snake oil?

I agree with you Doug. We all have an infatuation with tools so we all have more than the basic. I recently switched to a LARGE electrical comapany.(In the top 50 in the US) I was taken aback when they have 1/2,3/4 and 1 inch benders as part of the tools list. They also are adimant that NO tools will be locked up and they take no responsibility for any tools. The electricians look like sherpas carrying in their tools in the morning and lugging them out at night. Otherwise a fantastic company.

Elektrikguy - will the let you team up with another wire monkey and leave a gang box on site? It might be worth it if your insurance'll cover it... if only in sweat equity.

(Of course, if they're worried about maintaining a "clean" work site, you're shot...)

For commercial, not 1 but 2 pairs of channellocks.
There's nothing much worse than a compression type fitting, or a piece of rigid that's been tightened with 1 wrench.
I'll bet I can take apart more than 50% of the ones I find in the field with my bare hands...S

I think we got off track... he was asking for tools to be used by NEW apprentices.

An honest list of tools used by new apprentices would list picks, shovels, sledge hammer (for ground rods), broom, wire pulling gloves, and pipe benders.

(Only after a couple years do you get to actually connect anything!)

One small and one large set of fold up allen wrenches. Threade reamer like the multi size Klein one.

I think the Bucket Boss is a great idea.

Along with a $3.97 Homer Bucket from the Home Depot. LOL

a fluorescent bulb repair kit and conduit stretcher.....thats what they told me when i first started, Great bunch of guys that i had to work with!

There's no way an aprentice needs to have his own; power tool of any kind, any benders, fish tape, and black tape??!!

These are ALL contractor items. Most everything else mentioned I agree with including a battery drill if HE chooses. Any power tool is the responsibility of the boss.

A volt tick?

John,
I agree with your comment.
When I first started as an Electrician's Apprentice I was handed a Broom and a cleaning cloth.
I never even saw a roll of cable for the first 3-6 months of my apprenticeship, let alone install any.
And when I started my "time" as a Line Mechanic, I was handed a Can of White Paint and a 4" Paint-brush to paint the lower 5 foot of every power pole, on the corner of the roads in town here.
BTW, I'm just talking the bare minimum of tools here.
Things like power drills and so forth are usually company supplied, over here, unless you work for a real mean person.
I mentioned the Robertson Square Drive, because these screwdrivers have become a necessity here, Builders use these screws for everything and it also saves homeowners from tampering with your work, to a small extent, where they would not normally own one of these screwdrivers and it's only Trade outlets over here that sell them, as far as I'm aware.
I'd also add the following tools:

• Hacksaw
• Conduit/Capping Cutters
• Good Calculator(You know the kiddies can't work things out in thier heads anymore)
• Decent Torch