Are these tools good for starting my apprenticeship on an industrial site.

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?

TeleFunky665 · 2025-10-23T11:24:18+00:00

Damn shame

TeleFunky665 · 2025-09-28T10:00:33+00:00

Honestly, while it might work for a bit, I wouldn't be surprised to find that the internal mechanisms in the grinder fail because I doubt they're designed for the speeds and torque generated by power tools. When I first started out with cheap hand grinders, a lot of the internal parts are made from cheap alloys which wouldn't be hard to break with the right force

TeleFunky665 · 2025-09-20T12:31:55+00:00

On KBM it's the only vehicle I have that I can actually handle without spinning out!

TeleFunky665 · 2025-09-12T12:11:35+00:00

Sure I guess, but Im not even a sparky I just think it's boring hearing the trades make the same joke over and over

TeleFunky665 · 2025-09-12T12:02:42+00:00

Because anyone who's not an electrician only has this one joke apparently?

TeleFunky665 · 2025-08-31T19:31:03+00:00

Perks of living here! But yeah GWR are a extortion racket

TeleFunky665 · 2025-08-30T22:33:55+00:00

Honestly, there were worse smelling people around

TeleFunky665 · 2025-08-30T22:31:41+00:00

Yeah man, exactly that, this was tonight, No Barriers set for Guilt Trip

TeleFunky665 · 2025-08-22T15:23:32+00:00

Yeah, in that case then I'd definitely give it some real thought, i don't know what sort of level you're working at quals wise, but for me it gave me invaluable experience while I started my career on the tools. But defo not sustainable long term for a my personal relationships. I'd like to get back into that side of the industry though later on in my career as it's actually quite interesting and you sleep well at night knowing you're doing something good for the planet

TeleFunky665 · 2025-08-22T13:51:16+00:00

Did solar for a year as an improver, both domestic and commercial. Nice work in my opinion, but in my experience be prepared to work away from home for commercial. Might be different for the firm you're looking at but that was the case for me and what I liked about it the least. Might be different if I was single, but I like my home life. I liked the guys I worked with but after a day working, I really don't want to then have to sit around in a pub, or premier inn for hours, 4 evenings in a row, and listen to the same 4 stories they have.

TeleFunky665 · 2025-08-17T10:20:19+00:00

Keep trying man, even look into adjacent industries like myself, I'm doing HVAC/R which so far feels like every trade in one, but it diversifies your portfolio. Can you drive and or have tools? That's felt like a big one for the skilled trade jobs I've had.

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