Basic tools and which are best

[Gary Lee]

Hi,

Ive just started my level 2 Guilds, already signed up for level 3 and then I'm hoping to do the gas. I want to build my basic tools up over this period. Can you recommend what tools i should get as a basic kit, which ill use at college instead of their rusty old rubbish. And which make/brand do you guys recommend

Many thanks in advance

gaz

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Bahco adjustable spanners are very good.

 

[lame plumber]

just buy the best you can afford for now, try avoiding the really cheap stuff or you'll just be replacing it shortly there after. so if ou can afford draper kit fine for now, avoid britool or snapon its only an expensive name. siverline will do, but yoll be asking for replacements if your kack handed.

 

[Deleted member 64964]

The following are ones I find handy:

Bahco 4"
Bahco 6" Wide Jaw
Bahco 8" Wide Jaw
Bahco Micro Socket Set
Elecky Screwdriver
Set of Allen Keys
PH1 and PH2 Screwdrivers
PZ1 and PZ2 Screwdrivers
T15 Torx for Glowworms
T30 Torx for Viessmanns
A couple of sizes of flat Screwdrivers
Pump Allen Keys Long Reach x 2
Large Pump Screwdriver
Head Torch
A digital pressure gauge
Expansion Vessel Pump
Multimeter
A selection of hoses

Those I use on a daily basis, I have lots more stuff but that's the most used.

I do servicing, gas safety certificates and breakdowns, depending on the work you do the tools might vary.

 

[GrahamM]

Bahco adjustable spanners (small, medium, large)
Knipex pump pliers (small, medium)
Wera Kraftform screwdrivers (full electrical set)
Britool medium socket set & Teng mini socket set.

Other various bits/pieces ie. allen keys, stanley knife etc etc.

If you buy decent quality from the start you may never need buy again. (unless lost/stolen)
My large bacho is 40 years old and was parts of my fathers first tool kit as a new apprentice. Still very little play in jaws.

 

[Nostrum]

You forgot the hammer, fixes a lot of things.

 

[Deleted member 64964]

Not forgetting 3 sets of pump pliers small, medium and large.

 

[Rickster123]

A sharp pencil, tape measure and a quality level.

 

[Deleted member 64964]

You forgot the hammer, fixes a lot of things.

Oh yes and a very large and heavy hammer preferably a sledge hammer when it's still not playing ball after a pcb, gas valve, fan and pump to mention a few lol

 

[Gary Lee]

Thanks guys.... I think i have an hammer already btw LOL

 

[kris]

Your main tools like already suggested, bahco shifters , grips , pliers hammer , basin wrench , pipe cutters , junior hacksaw , flat head n pozi screwdriver ,ruler, pencil , stanley knife ,,, thats just the basic ones youd use as starting off, and as you progress so will your tools, just remember when it comes to tools the cheap ones break lol

 

[plumben]

I would NOT take your own tools to college, everyone will want to lend them and they will go missing

 

[newcastle phill]

As above dont take your own tools...

Take an empty bag and take their's 😀

 

[drip-dry]

A pack of matches,small pot of fairy liquid and screwdriver,chisel,crowbar,hole making, scrapper,scouring devise maybe........

 

[tony_b]

Everything but the kitchen sink. 😉

 

[Ermintrude]

Boat level VDE snips 8" Bacho and knipex Cobras that's it

 

[tony_b]

Auto ranging multimeter.

 

[Kelwyn Perkins]

I have a use it every day open tote bag with the following.

8 inch Bahco wide jaw, 6 inch Bahco wide jaw, 2 x 12 inch you will come off adjustable Spanners.
Wera assorted screwdrivers, pozi 2,3 plus small slotted and large slotted.
hammer and adjustable basin wrench. Small Bahco hacksaw/padsaw.
drill bits kit x 4. Bahco small wrench/bit set. Stanley knife. Snap rings with radiator keys, small adjustable wrench and mult function four way key. Cranked screwdrivers and tape measure.

Then I have another eight bags of stuff overflowing with kit I use on a less frequent basis and don't get me started on what's in the garage.....

 

[AWheating]

just nick the colleges tools.

 

[Best]

Footprints 7" and 10" for most of the brass nuts where slight grip marks won't matter on day to day plumbing. You can get the type with different bolt positions (thumbscrew bolt needs removed each time to adjust them) or a thumbwheel version.

 

[Millsy 82]

I use

15/22/28 pipeslice (not rothenberger as I got through 1 of each size in about 6 weeks)
Mini pipe cutter
Bahco wide jawed adjustable spanner (2 is ideal)
Bahco grips (10" as the grips are quite small so easier to get into tight spaces)
Crescent 12" grips
Wera screwdriver set
Voltage tester
Monument tap wrench (without a spring, you will hate it when you first get it after 7-8 years you will spend hours trying to find out what make they are so you can replace them.

Then cheap
Long nose pliers
Wire cutters
Stanley knife
Junior hacksaw
Wood chisel (a couple of sizes, I only buy cheap due to the amount of nails I hit)
Hammer
Cold chisel

If you do a lot of taps you need mono bloc spanners.

 

[CXR100]

my tip would be to always have a pencil, tape measure and a Stanley knife on you, if you get some work experience on you it will show willing if you have these on you nothing worse than an apprentice asks you to borrow these all time!! I don't really like it when a beginner turns up with a new tool box with all new tools in first day. use somebody elses wrench etc first and see how you like it

 

[E4gas]

I be lucky if my apprentice bring a vent key ,, winds me up when I give them mime , then they lose that one ,

 

[Gary Lee]

what about teabags and sugar lol

 

[tony_b]

A bottle of vodka and coke 🙂 that's a must.