One for the plumbers amongst us.

[Blknight.aus]

What are your most common, most used tools. The kind of tool that you always carry.

We have a budding plumber in the family who's going for his apprenticeship and I'm looking at getting him some tools for his birthday.

I was thinking along the lines of pipe cutter/flaring kit, spanner set, bender.

[Ranga]

How about a pair of Stubbies so when he bends over it shows his plumbers ...

Never mind.

:p

[UncleHo]

A couple of sizes of Stilsons, they can be used on metal and PVC pipes

[Bigbjorn]

A level. All plumbers need to know is that water won't run uphill and they get that wrong.

[pop058]

A Ute :p

[bee utey]

A box of assorted tap washers and tools to suit. I was in charge of tap washers at home after dad left. I was about 10.

[Snail Bait]

I'm a plumber and my favorite tools are my Bahco shifter (must have) and anything made by Ridgid ( tube cutters, multigrips, level) Ridgid tools also have a lifetime (25 years) warranty.


95' 110 Defender
58' 109 Ex NSWFB SerII
50' 80"
Sent from my iPhone using AULRO mobile app

[jimr1]

Hi Dave , I'm now retired after 40 plus years , and also have a grandson who wants to go into the trade , He has just done some work experience , so I gave him some basic hand tools . They were Hacksaw , Claw hammer ,300mm Shifter , 6OOmm level , set of multi grips , strait snips , Phillips and flat screw drivers , square , vice grips , Plus a 8mt tape , and a pencil . He will need a bag to put them in , better than a box . Always buy good quality tools . He will loose then , and have them stole . I have never met a trade'y that likes loosing tools , he will learn to look after them , His kit will build with time , and he will never stop buying tools , but he will learn to minimize , by that I mean not carrying around tools he will not use , leaving what he does not mead at home . I hope this will give a bit of an idea . I would like to wish him all the very best for the future .:):)

[amtravic1]

A good shovel. As an apprentice he will get to dig all the holes!

[scarry]

Full set of good quality shifters,two of each would be a good start.
Six,eight,ten,twelve and one 15' set.

or a couple of different sizes of stilsens.Maybe full set of allen keys.

The problem is if you get good quality he will probably lose them.Just a fact of life,when you are young and silly,things seem to get lost:(


Just my 2cents worth.

[d@rk51d3]

I'm a plumber and my favorite tools are my Bahco shifter (must have) and anything made by Ridgid ( tube cutters, multigrips, level) Ridgid tools also have a lifetime (25 years) warranty.




Bahco shifters with reversible jaws are popular (shifter jaw one side / pipe wrench jaw on the reverse),
and also a bahco "big mouth" I think they were called. Short handle, thin jaws that opened really wide. Could get you into some really tight spots....... and out of them. :D

[Snail Bait]

Yes I have two Bahco 9031 shifters (8" long 40mm jaw opening) the only spanner I ever use. 70546


95' 110 Defender
58' 109 Ex NSWFB SerII
50' 80"
Sent from my iPhone using AULRO mobile app

[John H]

A clip board.Any tradie knows not to mess with the dude with a clip board.(wish I learnt that)Or an EPA certificate-Sorry boss,cant dig that trench by hand,I might hurt the environment.My synicism aside its good to see that youngers still are prepared to do something physical and not computer orientated.

[Ralph1Malph]

The problem is if you get good quality he will probably lose them.Just a fact of life,when you are young and silly,things seem to get lost:(.

About 20 odd years ago, I borrowed my dads 16 Oz American Hickory handled curved claw hammer - given to him by his father in the 60's. I had it for quite a few months then returned it.
For almost 19 years after that he accused me of still having it, then losing it, then breaking it then losing it again etc. It actually became the reference by which he gauged every tool I borrowed - 'look after this better than my hammer' was a common retort.
Anyway, early this year he was clearing out his shed in anticipation of a long non working recovery from prostate and heart troubles. Well blow me down, if he didn't find it!:mad:

Not one word of apology or contrition.:mad:

So old folks lose stuff too :D:D

Cheers
Ralph

[phill 130]

Hi Dave,

The best tool he can have is a bucketfull of good attitude, get that and he will be set for life.

We have a list of tools for our 1st year Plumbers at our TAFE which we require the lads to have with them each day they attend college, so it may be worthwhile finding out if his TAFE has a similar policy, I'm sure they would be happy to discuss this with you if you call.

Some of my favorite's;
Rothenberger multi grips 10" ones
45 degree offset footprints
6",10" & 12" shifters
Rigid tube cutters
Best quality you can get.
More good attitude, and he will never loose them!

Best of luck to him, it is a fantastic trade, if he puts his mind to it he will never look back.
Cheers, Phill.

[wrinklearthur]

Three things, a hacksaw, a paintbrush and a bank account with plenty of capacity. :p

Seriously though, the suggestion of the others to go and have a talk with the plumbing department of his trades school may be the way to go.

Stick to a known brand of quality tools and get fussy about where your tools are all the time.
When I was working as an installer of radio and satellite equipment, I used to pack up everything before leaving the job site and take them all home with me, no matter if I was going to be back early in the morning or not.
.

[V8Ian]

I'm surprised no one's suggested a snorkle. ;)

[slug_burner]

A lot more plastic used these days. Don't know how much flaring gets done but copper must be getting too expensive, aluminium and plastic appear to be the thing in plumbing now days. I guess there is still plenty of old stuff around.

[ramblingboy42]

a blue heeler to go in the ute.

[uninformed]

A lot more plastic used these days. Don't know how much flaring gets done but copper must be getting too expensive, aluminium and plastic appear to be the thing in plumbing now days. I guess there is still plenty of old stuff around.

for water, plastic gained popularity because of speed and cheap. No welding etc. Now copper has crimped fittings. Hell you can get push fittings even. Copper will always be the better product.

[d@rk51d3]

A pack of "100 mile an hour" tape never goes astray either.

[bob10]

Just spoke to Mick, a mate of mine who runs a successful plumbing company. First up he said Apprentices get an allowance, a bit into their apprenticeship, he thinks any special tools should be left for then, when the lad knows what he might need. However, he said as a Boss, if an Apprentice fronted up with a tool bag [ Bunnings?] with a couple of shifters up to 1/2 inch, multigrips, copper pipe cutters, 8m tape, & a Stanley screw driver set, it would be big brownie points. Bob