Tool list

[Russ79]

Hi I'm new to plumbing, have been in building for 20 years so I have a log of tools, but what trade specific tools would you recommend?
thanks

 

[Riley]

Wet vac
Spanners various sizes
Grips various sizes
Stilsons
Pipe slices
Drain down hoses
To start

 

[Russ79]

Thanks Riley, got all that..
I've put a couple more posts up just waiting fir them to be approved.
Thanks for your reply

 

[jtsplumbing]

It depends what you have already, and what type of work you will be doing, some things your employer will provide, there is no standard set of tools the list is endless and expensive from a 10p pencil to thousands of £ of specialist tools and don't for get the transport to carry them, you never stop buying tools in this job.

 

[Riley]

As JTs says what are you specialising in?

 

[Russ79]

Hi, just starting out, I'm retraining haven't decided which rote I'm going down yet,
I've been in the building industry from 16 years old and worked my up to site agent, on large scale developments. We had a plumbing sub contractor we used and he has offers be work as and when I need it as I will need time to train and I'm also a fire fighter which takes up a good amount of the week.

I eventually want to go self employed and go houses and contracting. But as i am 37 and got a family it's hard to make everything work!!

I have most tools (general building) it stuff like pipe benders and more specialised gear, don't need everything just any obvious stuff that I might be over looking.
I have my own van etc

It's just a massive step. If something I've all ways wanted to do, as I'm 37 now! To old!!!

 

[rpm]

Just don`t become a tool junkie, buy what you need not what you want.

 

[Russ79]

Hi RPM, that ship has sailed many years ago I love new tools, my wife doesn't
No I wouldn't be buying everything I will come in time

 

[Russ79]

Hi RPM, that ship has sailed many years ago I love new tools, my wife doesn't
No I wouldn't be buying everything It will come in time

 

[rpm]

Hi RPM, that ship has sailed many years ago�� I love new tools

I`ve brought stuff thinking "that will come in useful" and they are still unused taking up room in the van.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I`ve brought stuff thinking "that will come in useful" and they are still unused taking up room in the van.

But they will do for that job that comes up once in a lifetime

 

[rpm]

DP edit.

 

[rpm]

But they will do for that job that comes up once in a lifetime

After 16yrs I`ve yet to come across that job. :thinking:
Also much cheaper to run and easier to park a Caddy than a LWB monster van.

Edit; In general I`m talking about power tools v hand tools and the decision on what is needed whilst doing the survey & quote before starting the job.

 

[Russ79]

Thanks, yeah some good advice there..

Power tools ok with, it was more that little life saver of a tool. Couldn't think of any thing I needed other than pipe benders, but then I'm not a plumber so thought i would ask the professionals...
Lots more newbie questions to follow

 

[Russ79]

Thanks, yeah some good advice there..

Power tools ok with, it was more that little life saver of a tool. Couldn't think of any thing I needed other than pipe benders, but then I'm not a plumber so thought i would ask the professionals...
Lots more newbie questions to follow

 

[Russ79]

Any recommendations for a hot kit?

 

[Headrush]

One of these:

ebay.co.uk/itm/Rothenberger-Super-Fire-2-Blow-Brazing-Torch-Mapp-Gas-Welding-Plumbing-/172242135947?hash=item281a6e6b8b:g:6XEAAOSw5cNYLDDU

 

[jtsplumbing]

I see reading though your reply's that you are a fire man ! is this a full time position ? are you thinking of taking up plumbing as a second job, like a lot of fire personnel seem to do, because you get a lot of free days ! then use your second job to undercut the prices of local trades, Note , I know this goes on ! my kid brother is a fireman !!! and he seems to have more time off than spends on duty, 3/4 days a week, cash in hand jobs, don't pay any tax,

 

[lame plumber]

when you do your training you will find out what tools you will need

 

[Russ79]

No I want to do plumbing as a full time job when my daughter goes to high school, I'm on call for the fire service I'm not a whole time fire fighter, and even if I was I would not work for peanuts just to get a job.

I have loads of tools but just wanted to know if there was any tools that I've overlooked, I am starting part time for a plumber in a few weeks and wanted to be prepared