Tools for apprentice?

gooner99

Hi.

Our son recently started his plumbing apprenticeship with a plumbing contractor via the ETB. We were thinking of getting him some tools for Christmas, assuming this is the way apprentices assemble a tool set. Not sure what the norm is. Do the ETB or plumber usually supply a fixed set of tools and take a deduction from his training wage over a period of time or do apprentices buy their own fixed set of tools, or indeed do apprentices just put together a set piece by piece as they go?

Thanks.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Some places will supply, but he’d probably have been informed/issued with some by now. Otherwise, it’s up to the apprentice to get his own. It’s a good idea to get them ASAP, because then he can actually carry out a plumbing task. A first year apprentice with no tools is just going to be fetching & cleaning.

gooner99

Thanks for the the reply.

Is it an off the shelf set or individual pieces we are after?

Any recommendations for tools and brands?

monseiur

I doubt there's a standard kit available off the shelf, most plumbers/tradesmen accumulate their kit as they go along and as finances allow....until they have a van full....and can never find the tool they're looking for!!
Rothenberger do a good selection of gas torches ranging in price from €10 to €60
they also do a good selection of plastic pipe cutters and copper pipe cutters etc.
Consider a mains or cordless drill (preferably cordless) with a selection of hole saws, bits, drills etc.
Ridgid do a range of pipe wrenches from 6'' at roughly €25 to 24'' at €95
Also consider PPE - safety glasses, goggles, welding helmet, gloves etc. + toolbox
Aldi / Lidl occasionally do a selection of tools, the quality may not be great but would keep an apprentice going until he can afford the professional brands

Dtp1979

Ok what he’ll need first is a toolbox. Preferably a metal one.
If he’s doing domestic plumbing then you’ll need :

1/2”, 3/4” pipe slices
Adjustable copper pipe cutter
3/4 x 1/2 instantor spanner
1” instantor spanner
Pex cutter
14” stilson
Adjustable spanner
Pipe grip pliers
Hammer.
Screwdriver set.

These would prob set you back the guts of 250 euro snd are the basic essentials.

the_pen_turner

sounds very recent. a few months maybe. i wouldnt get anything major just yet. leave that till next christmass. he wont use most of the basic stuff. they wont let him near anything for a while. it will be pulling pipes and stuff that you cant really screw up to bad.

i would get a good measuring tape
stanley knife
ear muffs
snickers trousers with knee pads
adjustable pipe cutter
pex cutter
torpedo level
scewdriver set
hammer
pipe grips and adjustable spanner
double ended spanner for the 1/2" / 3/4" nuts

a tools box or tote bag to keep it in



all the rest can be got over time or future presents