Most important tools

[jono1987]

Due to start training as a plumber and want to start building my tools up now to save me spending in bulk at a later date. I appreciate it does take a long time to build up all of the tools needed but what tools are essential kit like pipe cutters and basin wrench etc 😕

 

[alder]

Don't know if an angled screwdriver has been mentioned 😀

[DLMURL="http://www.NoLinkingToThis/search.do;jsessionid=1KCULYJK4EHNECSTHZOSFFY?_dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=angled+screwdriver"]Angle Screwdriver Set 12Pc - NoLinkingToThis, Where the Trade Buys[/DLMURL]

 

[Dannypipe]

Another tool of mine that I use fairly often, is my Dremel. It comes out every 3 weeks or so, for some akward job, that would take twice as long without it.

I got so much stick from the guys I work with when I bought it, but now they borrow it. Diamond blade on it...double handy. I used it on Friday to grind down a horseshoe from a monoblock tap. The bidet had a fault in the porceline and the horseshoe didn't fit. 5 mins later, job done.

The other thing I love is the wet vac. I also use a tool called a Rad Wrench. Which is a powder coated tool, for supporting rad valves, as you loosen the unions. When I picked it up from the merchants, another plumber snorted 'that's what grips are for'.

True, but in posh houses, valves on a ladder rail easily cost £100, and I don't wanna risk scratching them.

 

[boabgti]

You need a good 10"er 😱(spanner that is) buy just one a bahco iv had the same one for 15 years a little spray of wd40 every 5 years or so and no problems

 

[grahamgas]

Danny

You got a link for that Rad Wrench thingy?

Graham

Get one of those cheap head torches.Very handy in lofts when your hands are full, and there is no light and you have just blown the last bulb that fits your lead lamp.

Also good for seeing in to CWSC's instead of using the light of your mobile phone and dropping the fecker in the water😡

 

[Dannypipe]

Danny

You got a link for that Rad Wrench thingy?

Graham

I don't have a link for the one I've got, but a quick check of google bought up something very similar.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-pVDIzpptE]YouTube - IsoRad Rad Wrench Radiator Remover Tool - How to Remove a Radiator[/ame]

The one in this video is made of nylon, which I suppose makes sense....but mine's made of powdercoated steel. So it's stronger but still doesn't scratch rad valves. One end is sized for standard valve, other is for thermostatic. Handy tool!

 

[macplumb]

Look on eBay for plumbers job lot tools come up now and then you can keep the good replace the rubbish

 

[mutley racers]

Hi guys, can you tell me what kind of wet vac you use. I need to get myself one of these.

Cheers

Mutley

 

[Dannypipe]

Hi guys, can you tell me what kind of wet vac you use. I need to get myself one of these.

Cheers

Mutley

Mine is from Wickes... £50. Pretty good. If you check the Wickes website and search for it, there are a few reviews. Very simple machine, basically a bucket, and a blower! LOL.

It could do with a carry handle though. I don't know what I did before I had it, and it's one of those few tools, that when it starts to play up, I'll bin it and buy new immediatley.

 

[Bernie2]

Depends what your going to be doing really.

I bought a tap box spanner, good buy. Most modern washbasins have inset taps and tightening them up is difficult. The problem being getting the head of the tool your using to tighten the back nut with into the recess.

Even the jaws on a bear hug look too big for some washbasin recesses, so do crows foots and swinging arm crowfoot's can be awkward if its a deep recess. The box spanner acts as an extension to the back nut so you can at least get at it easier.

I also had a washbasin gizmo that fitted in the waste grating to hold it as you tightened the back nut up, but it seems to have gone a walk about. Anyway apparently you can now get a waste mate washer which is said to be okay, have not tried one yet.

I would also advise a good Conex spanner, they fit virtually anything and are very compact so handy for getting into confined spaces. Pump gland pliers or grips are good as well. So are footies and adjustable spanners.

But try second hand tool shops as well as buying new. I have had plenty of good stuff from them. And you get the bonus of looking like somebody who has used the tools.

As I said though a lot depends on what sort of work your going to do.

 

[mike_s]

Where do you get a good conex spanner these days? we have one of the old ones that you're talking about, bloody great it is, found it years ago. Fits all kinds, comfortable to use and compact, good weight to it too.

 

[Spudhater]

Small tubs of margarine (empty) to fit inside joist to catch the water and plenty of towels.

 

[tracygg]

In my opinion, Electrical Drill and Electric Grinder also are the important tools in my tool bag🙂

 

[MatthewHurt]

As an apprentice, I just asked my Boss which tools he thought I should look to buy and in which order.. I ended up with;

• Large open tote tool bag (Not realy a tool, but quite an important peice of kit i find
  
  .
• Silicoln Swivel Knee pads - Do not underestimate their importance
  
• Tape Measure, Penciles (with sharpener and 2 Sharpie pens (One Blue and one Red)
• Boat Level
• Stanley blade (Get an irwin one)
• Set of adjustable spanners (Spend as much as you can afford, because cheap ones are
  
  )
• Cheap set of sloted and philips Screwdrivers you dont mind abusing
• Hammer and large sloted screwdriver for lifting floorboards
• Filtered dust mask (you never know and they are fairly cheap)
• Pipe slices 15mm and 22mm (Preferably Rothernburger ones or the forge steel set from screwfix if you dont have much money)
• A set of bahco or rothernburger grips (One big and one small set if you have the money)
• Junior hacksaw and possibly a toolbox saw for waste pipes
• Sponge
• Handfull of 15mm and 22mm pushfit stop ends

That will be enough to get you going for first few weeks/Months as an apprentice, you will obviously add more specialist tool such as Blow torch and pipe benders and accumilate things like radiator keys and decorators caps etc. as time goes by. (but you should definetly aim to get a good cordless combi drill (Dewalt or makita) as soon as you get enough money)

If you are working with another guy and will be borrowing his tools, make sure you get some WD40 and a load of sandpaper, to clean his metal stuff with. This will hopefully allow you to spend a little less time sweeping up, cleaning the van out or messing around in the lofts (because he wont hate you so bad)

http://www.*********.com/jpgs/365drills_pack.jpg

£49.99 - The pack contains seven drills in five popular plumbing sizes
Toolbox essential !

And if you would like Jenny and Chelsea to show you how they work then they are on standby !

Do you think she realises that there isnt a battery in her drill?
I Know im missing the point slightly, but just made me laugh 😀

 

[billybongo]

One of the best things i ever purchased was a drill pump from a car spares shop , two bits of rubber tube and away you go , great for getting dregs out of heating systems , hot and cold water systems invaluable with pipeing under the floor
Mark

 

[student plumber]

As an apprentice, I just asked my Boss which tools he thought I should look to buy and in which order..
http://www.*********.com/jpgs/365drills_pack.jpg

£49.99 - The pack contains seven drills in five popular plumbing sizes
Toolbox essential !

And if you would like Jenny and Chelsea to show you how they work then they are on standby !

Do you think she realises that there isnt a battery in her drill?
I Know im missing the point slightly, but just made me laugh 😀

Of course she realises that's why she's asking the photographer to put one in😀.

 

[harrisp]

Just off the top of my head,

Decent trousers.
A decent stanley knife, probably my most used tool 😀.
Medium pair of grips and a small pair which live in my pocket.
Pencil, in my pocket
Tape measure again in my pockets,
decent cutters for plastic, hep20/speedfit and waste pipe (quicker and neater than using a hacksaw).
15mm, 22mm pipe slices and an adjustable cutter.
Screwdrivers
Hammer and chisels
Hacksaw and junior hacksaw.

Plus much more but they are my most used.

 

[billybongo]

harrisp , what is the ultimate stanley knife or are they much of a muchness

 

[stevetheplumber]

biro to write the bill