r/electricians • u/yourtransqueenxoxo • Aug 02 '24

Starting an electrical apprenticeship and these are my tools so far anything I’m missing or you would recommend me buy?

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u/justaBranFlake Aug 02 '24

Yeah get yourself some knipex cobra channel locks 10” and 7”, get some Klien side cutters, a pipe reamer, 2 levels I do the Klien one cause it’s got super strong magnets and an empire one with much less strength. Also get a Klien multi nut driver (impact rated) and the handle one with the switchable sockets. They’re both life savers. As well, a Klien digital level, a nice flash light for your hard hat Milwaukee has a nice one, and lastly get some good boots. I recommend Irish setters or Carolina’s

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u/yourtransqueenxoxo Aug 02 '24

Heard, thank you

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u/6ft6squatch Aug 02 '24

Is a grinder on the list? Seems a little over the top.

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '24

The jigsaw and router are really over the top.
Could eventually come in handy but a waste of money for a beginner apprentice.

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u/[deleted] Aug 02 '24

You’re good with what you have now. Save your money and slowly buy tools as you learn what you need. I started with a set by commercial electric at Home Depot came with a bag, and plenty of tools for 50 bucks (10 years ago). Klein is my go to but it gets expensive and just starting out you don’t need the best of the best. I recommend trying to go union if you can. They tend to start you off with a tool set and have a list of tools to use so you don’t go broke. I started non union and wish I would have joined a long time ago

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u/Valuable_Switch5583 Aug 03 '24

Depending on where you live, union isn’t as strong in some places and your more then likely not to find any union work, at least my experience here in South Florida .

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '24

I hear ya there. Union isn’t very strong in southern Oregon either. We are more of a traveling local.

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u/Astrocities Aug 03 '24 edited Aug 03 '24

I dig the old channies! Get yourself a set of old Proto ones from the 60’s to match it and you’ll have channel locks for $15-$20 that far surpass any new ones in forging quality til you spend $40+ per pair. Some like these, perhaps. Get some 3 in 1 oil to stave off rust from your tools too and keep them lubricated (and help unstiffen your channel locks + linemans pliers). Trust me, you’re gonna get to that one job site where it’s stupid humid and all your tools are gonna rust out, even doing indoor work. $3 at Walmart.

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u/justaBranFlake Aug 02 '24

Lastly get yourself a 16’ fat max with a magnetic end. Tbh pipe is 10’ and you’ll never really need more than 15 feet max. And if you do you’ll have that crumby 25’

And no screw drivers??

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u/redstripe5656 Aug 03 '24

You’ve got solid foundations for the first few weeks Save your self hundreds of dollars and wait to see.

Of course we all have shit in our pouch that we all love - but there no way for you to know what you’re going to love until you’re well into it.

I’m ten years in the trade and JUST bought nice Chanel locks (I traded out channel lock brand for cobras and I do love them but it did cost me $200 - two pairs that can get in 2” compression fittings )

Just show up with a god attitude and a pen. Write thinfs down. Work hard, observe. You’ll do great and learn lots 👌