Basic Tools

[Hannah]

Which is the best place to get good quality basic tools from e.g. Hammers, Pipe cutter etc?

I'm getting myself a tool box together

Hannah x

 

[Ermintrude]

If you have any spare cash for a small extravagance then try to get a 28mm pipe slice. It will probably only be used once in a blue moon but by heck when you need one you will be really glad you do have it in your kit.

28mm will come into its own when removing old gravity primaries to DHW cylinder. Never leave behind that which can be loot (11th commandment )

 

[plumb_know]

I have found that it is worth waiting a bit longer to get better tools, in the long run it is cost effective as usually last a lot longer and also saves time on jobs as they usually are more robust and don't fall apart half way through a job. Also it is worth keeping a eye out on ebay and amazon for good tools, as I have picked up monument pipe bender new off amazon for £17 as some stores clear there stock.

Hope this helps
good luck

 

[iiplumbing]

Havn't read the full thread but......

I can do 50% of my simples jobs with the tools on my tool belt

Dumpy adjustable spanner, pump grips, posi and flat 4/5mm blade screw driver, 2mm electricians screwdriver, snap off blade knife, 5m tape measure (lol) total cost £20 tool belt £15 I kid you not

then I can do 80% of my jobs with a tool box, the number of items I hold in that box are too numerous to mention but if you want to take an inventory of the tools I carry then will be happy to help

The other 30% of jobs take a car load of stuff that's the nature of the beast

Russ

PS welcome to the world of the building trade I love it and am a bit of an anorak but don't let that you hold anything against me, I hope you find the work varied and interesting, I do and I've been doing it for most of my life

 

[tamz]

I have banned snap off knives after one of the lads nearly lost a finger cutting a sheet of plasterboard when the blade extended. They are all junk and too dangerous as the blades never lock into position securely.

No problem with a stanley.

 

[iiplumbing]

I have banned snap off knives after one of the lads nearly lost a finger cutting a sheet of plasterboard when the blade extended. They are all junk and too dangerous as the blades never lock into position securely.

No problem with a stanley.

Hi Tamz

Yeah know what you mean but Stanley blades are too short to get into silicone sometimes and as the tip keeps getting blunt too expensive to keep changing

Also the cheap snap off blades have a real thin body whereas Stanley are real fat, alright for cutting plasterboard, but as a plumber I don't get to cut plaster board real often.

As a plasterer I cut plasterboard all the time and have never cut myself (erm..........) careful with that axe Ugene as the Pink Floyd lyric once advised us

Russ

 

[kay-jay]

Hi Tamz

Yeah know what you mean but Stanley blades are too short to get into silicone sometimes and as the tip keeps getting blunt too expensive to keep changing

Also the cheap snap off blades have a real thin body whereas Stanley are real fat, alright for cutting plasterboard, but as a plumber I don't get to cut plaster board real often.

As a plasterer I cut plasterboard all the time and have never cut myself (erm..........) careful with that axe Ugene as the Pink Floyd lyric once advised us

Russ

Must be some real rough silicone job if a stanley blade is too short. .......

I agree with tamz them snap off blade jobbies scream art class to me, certainly not something a pro should be using

 

[SimonG]

Stanley for me, them snap offs are a bit femmer

but then I use silicone on wastes

 

[iiplumbing]

A pro can handle a snap off blade

whereas an apprentice..................apparently not

 

[iiplumbing]

Oh and them snap offs retract back into the tool so they have no sharp bit when not in use

Do the Stanley have a blade cover, and if they have a retractable blade the blade be not able to be locked as it contravenes the law on blades and knives (I think)

So how do the retractable stanleys keep in the "out" position?

 

[tamz]

I feel so strongly against them it is actually a sacking offence to have one at work. Its me who has to deal with the paperwork and mop up the blood so it is not happening.

Snap offs are the weapon of choice for the blade man at the dancing. Easier to conceal and the 4" blade will hit something :shock:

 

[tamz]

The problem with snapp offs is't the retracting it is they extend too far too easily.
Stanley titan retractables can be locked in position open or shut.

 

[iiplumbing]

I feel so strongly against them it is actually a sacking offence to have one at work. Its me who has to deal with the paperwork and mop up the blood so it is not happening.

Snap offs are the weapon of choice for the blade man at the dancing. Easier to conceal and the 4" blade will hit something :shock:

That's fairs enough Tamz, and yes they are dangerous, in fact most of the tools we carry can be dangerous if not used correctly (a flat blade screwdriver used to scrape off paint from a pipe pulled towards yourself instead of away?)

Soooo dangerous but I work on my own and find the snap off to be more useful than stanley

 

[tamz]

Everyone to their own.
Btw i'm not risk averse. I wouldn't think twice about running up a roof with no roof ladder but if i catch anyone else doing it i'd probably kick the shyt out of them :smile:

 

[iiplumbing]

We tend to not take our own safety too seriously that's true

But I have too many experiences and anecdotes of dangerous situations that have scared me and always take safety as a first priority.

My dad has shattered both his knee caps, ladder on roof, ladder slips he falls bangs knees on rungs, he was lucky to actually survive the fall!

When working with engineering appliances (expansion bellows and spirotvent) was told of a man walking down a service tunnel unbeknownst to him the steam main was leaking superheated steam he walked right into the path was blown back onto an exposed bus bar electric, got vaporised, So we were told, so many dangers, so many ways to hurt yourself

To the OP, make sure you work safely, your life and health depends upon it

 

[lame plumber]

escaping superheated steam is awful noisy and warm and 440 tends to melt your innards and outside bits not vapourise one, but the tales dont sound that good otherwise do they

 

[iiplumbing]

Yep bloke must have heard steam but not seen it (superheated you can't see) but when he felt it jumped back onto the electrics HV basically body exploded when HV went through it

my dad also (when working on hawker hunters, black arrows as they were then also witnessed plane getting sucked into slip stream went straight into ground, he found a bit of helmet with what looked like tomato soup in it

you tell me about dangerous occupations

 

[Macca2009]

Hi Hannah, Are you not with a company at the moment? If so they should provide you with some basic tools to get you started. Where you doing your training? I studied at Leeds College of Building. Really good tutors there, I wish you all the best and good look with your career.

Which is the best place to get good quality basic tools from e.g. Hammers, Pipe cutter etc?

I'm getting myself a tool box together

Hannah x

 

[Hannah]

Hi Hannah, Are you not with a company at the moment? If so they should provide you with some basic tools to get you started. Where you doing your training? I studied at Leeds College of Building. Really good tutors there, I wish you all the best and good look with your career.

Hey, No am not with a company atm trying to look for someone local as I can't go too far because am only a student. I'm doing it at Barnsley College they have some amazing tutors down here too & thankyou very much

 

[plumb_know]

I would try and get some hands one experience if you can, even working weekend for free here and there. Will help you pick things up in college quicker and give you a insight into plumbing in the real world. It is nothing like college