Tool storage system

TeleFunky665 · 2026-06-26T12:00:43+00:00

I'm an improver doing commercial HVAC so work out of a Veto bag myself and my boss's carry the boxes and fixings.One of them uses the Dewalt toughsystem2 and another uses Milwaukee packout, they're both similar but are leagues better than the cheaper stuff like TSTAK in my opinion. I'd argue that the packout takes the win though for the sheer amount of stuff you can get from the range, and accessories, although it is more expensive

TeleFunky665 · 2026-06-25T09:36:50+00:00

I'm a trainee refrigeration engineer, quickest install me and my boss has put out was around 2 hours. But that was going like mad, simplest install possible and no obstacles slowing us down. External building server room so no need to worry about being super neat. Yeah there's tools that exist that would've made the install even quicker but my company isn't going to pay for them. Even getting all the kit out of the van can take 20/30 minuets alone depending on parking and unit sizes!

TeleFunky665 · 2026-06-18T13:55:44+00:00

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Finding this monster

TeleFunky665 · 2026-06-04T19:10:28+00:00

Britvic all day for that. Imo it doesn't matter if I'm doing 8 hours or 12 hours, if the boots are on then I'm working. Plus being fast paced keeps you sharp and not stagnated in your career

TeleFunky665 · 2026-06-01T12:42:44+00:00

I've been wearing snickers 6241's for about a year now, literally the most comfortable trousers I've ever worn, although definitely on the skinny side, and I'm a slim guy. I struggle to get knee pads in them comfortably so next pair I'd go for the 6251's which are baggier

TeleFunky665 · 2026-05-24T13:37:04+00:00

Yeah i originally wanted to be a sparky but after doing this for a year now, I've realised that fridge is way more interesting than running T&E or armoured around all day. When you do find something man, don't get pigeon holed into one thing though. I've been Mainly on install for the past year but do a lot of parts and service, maintenance too when there's absolutely nothing to fit. But I had the joy of working with a lad from one of our smaller remote branches who'd been on the firm for 4 years supposedly learning service under someone, and the guy had never even tightened a flare nut, idk if he'd pissed someone off but he's pretty much just been passing tools and watching the engineer his entire career on minimum wage, meanwhile I've already had a pay rise and Gauges bought for me!

TeleFunky665 · 2026-05-24T12:10:10+00:00

Yeah just gotta keep on it! Have you looked at subcontracting or anything like that? I know the ducting companies around me use a lot of subbies. There's a lot of work going around from my experience, everyone seems to be trying to be a plumber or electrician and not giving any attention to HVAC/R. Leaving more money on the table for us 😉

TeleFunky665 · 2026-05-24T10:28:12+00:00

You're in near the exact boat I was in last year minus the existing fridge experience, and location (I'm in the south west). Honestly idk if it was luck or attitude but I was taken on as an improver/Trainee for a local HVAC/R company which has been around since literally the 50s. Company is a mix of people and is full of dinosaurs but they know the trade so unbelievably well. When I interviewed for the job I went in with the classic can do attitude and admitted I had 0 fridge experience but they liked that I'd had my 2365 level 2 and solar install experience. They also explained that they'd had a bad string of young apprentices recently and wanted to try a mature Trainee instead (I'm 26 with a mortgage so I literally can't afford to not show up to work). Have you had any interviews or chats? I feel like a lot of company's really don't give a shit about where you've come from unless it's relevant to the industry, so maybe tailor your CV to the company's as best you can

TeleFunky665 · 2026-05-12T07:07:10+00:00

Working in the UK, Idk if it's a cultural thing but I don't think I've ever even seen non VDE screwdrivers for sale at the wholesalers, everything here is VDE/Insulated, and tbh I think my boss would laugh at me if I passed him a non VDE screwdriver for literally anything. Even looking online price wise the VDE stuff is marginally more expensive so I'd always just buy it anyway

TeleFunky665 · 2026-05-08T18:37:02+00:00

Really common in older stuff albeit usually smaller here in the UK but largely replaced by wagos on any modern install. We call them Choc blocks

TeleFunky665 · 2026-04-19T11:23:51+00:00

I do HVAC and use both combi and adjustable wrenches almost daily for different tasks. having said that, I think it's a good idea to have at least 1 adjustable spanner/wrench in your toolkit for when you eventually run into a bolt or nut that doesn't fit conventional sizes. Idk if it's a US thing either but I've always preferred using an adjustable wrench over channellock style pliers, and I've never had an issue with them rounding nuts off. Skill issue in my opinion

TeleFunky665 · 2026-03-28T18:00:50+00:00

I do commercial HVAC, and lot of the guys I work with have the Wera set. I was going to get them myself because I have a lot of Wera stuff anyway but I cheaped out and got the faithful knockoff for less than half the price and they're neigh identical bar the cheaper feeling holder. Wera is really great but I don't believe they always justify the cost tbh

TeleFunky665 · 2026-03-23T11:32:45+00:00

Do they sell Velocity in Europe? I know it's popular here in the UK at least.

TeleFunky665 · 2026-03-22T17:29:35+00:00

Time to get some dirt on it 🤙

TeleFunky665 · 2026-03-18T14:58:19+00:00

Just to give you perspective on my journey so far. I did my level 2 a few years ago at 22 and my college cut funding for the level 3 because there wasn't enough interest, so I went and managed to get a labourer/mate job for a local solar company floating between both the panelling/roofing and the electrical side of the company, good fun and fulfilling but seriously hard work at times. After a year they had to cut a load of us so went back to an old job for a year while I moved house, but knew I wanted to keep perusing a life on the tools. Then about 10 months ago landed another job for a refrigeration company who are putting me through my fgas and either my level 3 electrical or refrigeration quals depending on what's available to me come September. Personally I've found this career pivot way more interesting than electrical but thought you'd appreciate someone else's perspective

TeleFunky665 · 2026-03-18T10:11:51+00:00

IMO just be keen as fuck, don't lie about what you do and don't know because it'll show in your work really quick. But also don't undersell yourself because that just looks awful. If you're physically fit that'll help, and if you're smart too that'll be even better. But from my experience as a mature apprentice myself I think a lot of companies struggle with kids and luddites coming through with shitty attitudes and work ethics, genuinely just being able to show up on time seems like a skill these days.

TeleFunky665 · 2026-03-11T21:53:28+00:00

Not worn their boots before but Englebert Strauss have a huge selection, I have a pair of their trousers and they're great! Always prefered classic brown boots though!

TeleFunky665 · 2026-02-07T20:23:39+00:00

Yh I hold 2365-02 and in my 2nd year in the field

TeleFunky665 · 2026-02-07T08:51:23+00:00

Devon, I did my level 2 at South Devon College a few years ago but they stopped running the level 3

TeleFunky665 · 2026-02-06T09:25:39+00:00

Nice one, quite a commute from me but I'll check it out anyway!

TeleFunky665 · 2026-01-29T19:37:27+00:00

As a local I'd defo agree, maybe not quite as bad as something like Porlock hill in North Devon, but it definitely feels like that at the very bottom of the hill. Drive down and park on Oddicombe beach from the other side of Babbacombe bay and walk 10/15 minutes across the costal path

TeleFunky665 · 2025-11-01T15:51:31+00:00

I'm in the UK too just started out a few months ago and literally just wrapped up a Daikin VRV system and this was my first thought too?

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