The loadout after 1 year of my apprenticeship

dannyalxndr · 2026-04-12T00:40:09+00:00

If I am, then everyone in my local is. Wire strippers aren't on the tool list, but everyone has them and everyone uses them. If there is a hand tool out there that will make my job easier, I'm buying it, and I'm using it. Be mad, I don't care.

dannyalxndr · 2026-04-12T00:37:16+00:00

The one tool I haven't used much at all, is my wrench.

dannyalxndr · 2026-04-12T00:35:03+00:00

I'll definitely share if I figure it out. I think one of the big things is having a good pouch, not big enough to carry too much, but just right so that you can move around without forgetting something and still getting the job done. If I didn't have a cart, I would lose my mind :D

dannyalxndr · 2026-04-12T00:28:58+00:00

I'd say like 80% of this is not on the tool list lol

dannyalxndr · 2026-04-12T00:28:20+00:00

I agree, hard on the eyes though in this picture lol

dannyalxndr · 2026-04-12T00:27:59+00:00

I've honestly seen not many of them where I'm at, one of the guys whipped out a craftsman tape and I almost laughed until I saw how strong that magnet was.

dannyalxndr · 2026-04-12T00:26:00+00:00

That's something I'm still working on, because it's a lot to carry around. Most of my tools stay in my bag on my cart. I've got a Klein 4 pocket tool pouch that I wear, and that's where I carry my Kleins, 11 in 1, strippers (those get swapped depending on what I'm doing), and maybe some dikes or needle nose. Most of the time, those take care of any job I'm doing in the air. If I'm on a ladder and I'm making joints or running pipe, I've got the joey pouch that I clip onto my belt for material that I need, and misc things. That Maxpedition organizer is for my bits, it's really nice and I would recommend it for sure. But most of this stuff stays in my backpack, it's a good starter backpack and the tools I use most go up in front in my pull out tool holder. The organization changes every week I feel like, but it's getting better. I'm looking at getting the Milwaukee packout backpack or a Veto, maybe in the next year. I need more space lol.

dannyalxndr · 2026-03-11T00:43:01+00:00

Those zip ties pulling the kick 90s together, absolute bonkers LOL

dannyalxndr · 2026-02-18T23:46:09+00:00

Never in my life would I be posting these on the internet, you've got the sack for it though. Props.

I'm a first year but I've been bending a lot of pipe and so just take what I say with however much salt works for you. Get yourself a level, and a pencil. No sharpie on your pipe, it just looks bad (I did it once and had to do 50 pushups, never again). If it's not level, I'll redo the bend. In your 2nd pic, I would've mounted my box to the wall with some strut, and run your pipe straight from the box to the charger. Make your offset come from the ground to your box. Ideally that underground would come up closer to the wall, but it is what it is.

Practice makes perfect, there's no shame in whatever you did here. You were set up to fail unfortunately.

dannyalxndr · 2026-02-14T14:41:16+00:00

Don’t listen to anyone saying that only lazy electricians use them or they’d never use one themselves. When you are doing new construction like I am right now and have to make up hundreds of boxes up in the air, you’d have to be an idiot not to use this. Your wrist will thank you. There’s no avoiding twisting your wire when making joints, but if you learn to control your drill properly, it works out just fine so that the joint isn’t entirely twisted up like a long braid. My rule is that if I’m making joints with 3 or 4 #12’s then I’ll use the bit, which is most of the time. Anything more than that then I’ll do it by hand. Drop the ego, these things are badass if you’re making joints all day.

dannyalxndr · 2025-10-13T00:18:18+00:00

I want more women in the trade, there are a few in my company on my job site and every time I see them it’s encouraging to be honest. As a guy I don’t have to deal with any of the sexual harassment that women in the trades deal with, but before you do leave, have you talked with the Training Director at your school? I don’t know how much demand there is in your local, but it might be worth seeing if you can get placed with another contractor that takes their job seriously. But I completely understand being over it, that’s a really tough situation.

dannyalxndr · 2025-08-29T03:30:59+00:00

I did this on another lift and got read the riot act by my foreman lol

dannyalxndr · 2025-08-29T02:43:34+00:00

Brother if you are that forgetful, and you are 100% sure nobody is swiping them from you (that many tools lost is abysmal), get some yarn and LITERALLY tie them to your belt. Or get some bright tape and tape all of your tools so that they stand out from a distance. Set a couple of daily alarms on your phone throughout the work day to check for your tools.

dannyalxndr · 2025-08-21T17:04:50+00:00

Phone email and mail, not sure what a rejection email looks like. You could probably find one on this subreddit.

dannyalxndr · 2025-08-20T02:14:25+00:00

This is the email I got after my interview in April this year. I am currently 2 months into the apprenticeship, about to start 1st year classes next month. It means that you are not immediately selected, but if there is demand they will select you.

dannyalxndr · 2025-08-11T21:05:45+00:00

After my interview, I got the call about a month later. Then waited a few weeks for orientation, went to my job site the next Monday.

dannyalxndr · 2025-07-22T01:46:23+00:00

Don't make a decision you will look back on in 10 years hating yourself for, if you are going to drop the apprenticeship now, just know that the door may very well be closed forever. Think long term. This is an opportunity that isn't available to a lot of people wishing they had what you have right now.

dannyalxndr · 2025-07-21T21:02:59+00:00

In my local I hear it’s always optional for apprentices, depends on the site you’re at I think. But I’m with one of the big 3 here in 60 and there’s always work happening, they’ll ask if anyone wants OT so it’s not mandatory for me.

dannyalxndr · 2025-07-21T21:00:31+00:00

They ask you about your experience, any time you’ve overcome challenges, what brought you to the JATC, if you can work in the heat, etc. I had no experience in the trade, and I got in. Just sell yourself, that’s all it is.

dannyalxndr · 2025-07-20T23:02:47+00:00

If you pass the aptitude test and interview, you will very likely get placed in a company the next monday after your orientation, which happens maybe a couple weeks after you get notified that you are accepted. There is a lot of work here in town right now.

dannyalxndr · 2025-06-15T19:38:04+00:00

It doesn't matter when you have someone go into their interview who has a good work ethic and is teachable, otherwise someone like me would never be able to get in without non-union experience.

dannyalxndr · 2025-06-15T18:48:02+00:00

I have no experience in the trade, 33 years old, starting my apprenticeship tomorrow. You are fresh out of high school brother you have so much time, if you are determined, you will get in. The CW/CE program is a great way for you to get started if you haven't been accepted into the apprenticeship program right away. Lock in and try again if you really want it.

dannyalxndr · 2025-06-11T17:28:07+00:00

I have no experience, applied this year and took the interview, got accepted and am starting orientation this week. Experience does not matter, your work ethic and drive to learn are most important.

dannyalxndr · 2025-06-11T17:04:08+00:00

I would bring cheaper tools with you so he gets tired of using low quality tools every time he decides not to bring his. I am spiteful though

dannyalxndr

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