Essentials?

[Rayner]

Hi all, haven't posted in a while, but have been reading frequently! Ive been plumbing now for about 2 years and built up a small collection on my own tools. Ive been saving for a while in order to buy some new gear, nothing special or flamboyant, just a few bits and bobs that will make my life easier. I don't need any powertools as they're all provided, I have the obvious spanner/grips, slices and blowlamp so was just wondering if theres anything anyone thinks everyone should have in their toolbag....

I know lots of people will think "use what you've got" and "there's no need to buy expensive tools" but I'm doing more and more each day and hate waiting around to crack on with something because the lad I work with is using the tool I need, plus I'm doing a few small jobs at weekends and its not fair to keep using my mates tools (I get the blame when anything goes missing).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Barry98]

When your borrow a tool , remember it then next time you go suppliers buy one so you have one.

 

[Destroyer2813]

Keep an eye on who your learning from and see what is the most commom tools they use, and remember dont scrimp buy quality once instead of cheap 2/3 times

 

[secret squirrel]

I agree with not buying cheap, I'd also add look after them as well, I frequently wipe down the jaws of my Bahco spanners with wd40, the price they cost there worth looking after.

 

[Bernie2]

Depends on the sort of work your doing as to the tools you require. I have many tools that have been bought specifically for one off jobs and have hardly been used again. The thing is you can't do much but store them in case you get a similar job and have to buy them again. So get a good basic set as a base and then just add as you meet new jobs that requires more specific tools. And buy quality as has been said. Tools tend to wear into the way you use them and you become accustomed to their little foibles in use. A hacksaw usually cuts the way you bias it, and you get accustomed to how it cuts as you bias it. Pick up your mates and try using it and you usually get all wobbly cuts as he or she probably bias their hacksaw slightly differently than you do yours.

 

[Rayner]

Cheers all!

 

[Howsie]

A core drill. World of difference to a general purpose SDS.

 

[mike-c]

What is the main wet/dry vacuum of choice for most people?

 

[Barry98]

Got the dewalts

 

[Howsie]

Wickes stood me in good stead for almost a year but it's not up to being used all the time.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i've got an einhell one which is very good although it leaked the other day(luckily on a tiled floor) just sealed the seams inside the drum all good now.

 

[glenno1]

Have a look on car boot sales i got some great bargains on bahco,rothenberger and knipex gear

 

[woodytheplumber]

clarke adjustable's from machinemart lifetime warenty on the jaws and can get a 10" and 12" for just over 20 notes also have a nice feel on the handle

 

[danielp]

Bahco stubby but wide jaw adjustable spanner, couldn't live with out it.

 

[barronbathrooms]

My bacho 8" wide jaw adjustable spanner is the one true love of my life ( apart from mrs and kids) I could not go to work without her! It wouldn't seem right!

 

[LegionellaSlave]

My chrome 18" Bahco 8075c is called Serena.

And I love her

 

[stevetheplumber]

ive got three sizes of taptaria shifters ive had for years there black finish and are great and a lot cheaper than bahco although if got the wide jaws as well

 

[James Bathrooms]

I find my drop forged crome spanner made by todays tools essential, it has 1/2 inch one end for a quick turn on 15mm iso's etc and 3/4 the other end for 22mm gate valves etc. great leverage to. Its one of those tools you dont think you need till you get it!

 

[Plum Bob 66]

Wet n dry from Wickes with reusable filter at £35 been an absolute godsend.

 

[LegionellaSlave]

Anyone got these- Armeg fast grip pump pliers

Armeg Grip Fast - YouTube

 

[Carl86]

These bad boys....



On a more serious note, my bacho spanners. Might invest in a wide jaw, judging by the posts on here its criminal I don't have one.

 

[mike-c]

Angle Screwdriver Set 12Pc | NoLinkingToThis

This could be the best £7 you might ever spend. It will dismantle and go in your drill also. It has got me out of numerous tight spaces. A real "don't know how I ever managed without it" tool.

 

[stevetheplumber]

I find my drop forged crome spanner made by todays tools essential, it has 1/2 inch one end for a quick turn on 15mm iso's etc and 3/4 the other end for 22mm gate valves etc. great leverage to. Its one of those tools you dont think you need till you get it!

ive actually got two of these realy handy once you get used to it

 

[Barry98]

picking one up tomorrow 🙂

 

[LegionellaSlave]

I find my drop forged crome spanner made by todays tools essential, it has 1/2 inch one end for a quick turn on 15mm iso's etc and 3/4 the other end for 22mm gate valves etc. great leverage to. Its one of those tools you dont think you need till you get it!

Link anyone....? 🙂

 

[southcoastboile]

Angle Screwdriver Set 12Pc | NoLinkingToThis

This could be the best £7 you might ever spend. It will dismantle and go in your drill also. It has got me out of numerous tight spaces. A real "don't know how I ever managed without it" tool.

Get the bahco one of these its much smaller, you wont fit that one in some boilers when changing parts. Use mine all the time, well worth the money
BAHCO 2058 / S26 RATCHET SOCKET BIT SET 26 PIECE - 1/4" DRIVE | eBay

 

[mike-c]

Looks ok but it does not look like it works sideyways like the Screwfix one.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

it looks like you can put a bit in the handle without the holder

 

[stevetheplumber]

Get the bahco one of these its much smaller, you wont fit that one in some boilers when changing parts. Use mine all the time, well worth the money
BAHCO 2058 / S26 RATCHET SOCKET BIT SET 26 PIECE - 1/4" DRIVE | eBay

i hate it when they do that with a socket set 6,7,8,10and 13mm sockets guaranteed the first one youl need is 11mm which doubles up as a 7/16th for older boilers
strange you never see 9mm anything

 

[Howsie]

it looks like you can put a bit in the handle without the holder

Spot on. Great bit of kit.

 

[Howsie]

Link anyone....? 🙂

Yes. Link please.

 

[Barry98]

Got my bacho set,just what I'd expect from them

 

[Dannypipe]

Yes. Link please.

Pretty sure he meant this:

Toolstation > Hand Tools > Plumbers Tools > Split Ring Compression Fitting Spanner

Very handy, but I find it too long to be really useful.

 

[Phil]

I've got that spanner, used in once and didn't really get on with it but I still slogged it round in the toolbox for a few months until I was sick of the weight.

I have medium and large Bacho widejaws and they are all I need.

 

[LegionellaSlave]

Thanks for the link :love:

Not for me though, toolbox weight.

Just a fancy "conex spanner" which we all had two of, ages ago.