Tool kit 1956

BOD


The requirement to inspect and test appeared first in the First Edition of the Wiring Regulations in 1872. It said,


"The difficulties that beset the electrical engineer are chiefly internal and invisible, and

they can only be effectually guarded against by "testing" or probing with electric currents.

They depend chiefly on leakage, undue resistance in the conductor, and bad joints, which

lead to waste of energy and the production of heat. These defects can only be detected by

measuring, by means of special apparatus, the currents that are either ordinarily or for the

purpose of testing, passed through the circuit. Bare or exposed conductors should always be

within visual inspection, since the accidental falling on to, or the thoughtless placing of

other conducting bodies upon such conductors might lead to "short circuiting" or the sudden

generation of heat due to a powerful current of electricity in conductors too small to carry

it."

I know some "Electricians" these days that only have one electrical test equipment = a lump hammer

My professional electrical career started off as an electrician's mate in a very large Victorian hospital whilst I waited to start my technician apprenticeship with the Post Office.


I was very keen to learn but continually prevented from doing so by the class system operated by the ETU (Electrical Trade Union) who at the time operated very restrictive practices. I was given a little green book of rules issued by the ETU. It had a very restricted list of what tools I was able to own, probably about 5 or 6 tools. I still have my Elliot Lucas side cutters I purchased at the local tool shop in my lunch hour after receiving my first week's pay. On returning to the electrician's workshop I was solemnly reminded what I was permitted to use them for. I was allowed to cut long surplus singles after pulling them through conduit whilst assisting an electrician but under no circumstances allowed to cut them to length or terminate them. 


My main activities were carrying a bending machine and tool bag over long distances behind an electrician like some native bearer. I could put a thread on the end of a piece of conduit under the direct supervision of an electrician. Rawl plugging holes with a No. 8 Rawl Plug tool and 2LB hammer could for hours was a mind numbing activity, we had an early hammer drill in the stores but there was only one and could only be used by an electrician. 


I used to make the tea for the electricians in the workshop whilst they waited on to be served except on days when I was told to collect a patient from a ward and take them to the workshop to make the tea for therapy. I was not allowed to join in technical arguments during break times as I was "only a mate".


I did learn a lot from working and some secret teaching from a couple of the more enlightened electricians who would let me have a go at tasks I was not allowed to do. One taught me how to strip and terminate Pyro. I watched every activity I could to learn whatever I could, a practice  that I have maintained to this day.


It was a year after joining the Post Office before I was issued with a tool kit in my leather "Wallet No.3". A milestone in my career as I had scraped through my first years training without getting sacked or requested to leave and had passed my first years exams and assessments. When I left the PO many years later as a Director I passed it on to an new apprentice with my Meter Multi-range 12 C with the words "here you are son look after them". 

The last trainees or apprentices that I supervised, in about 2010, were initially expected to provide at their own expense, a VERY LIMITED selection of hand tools, probably less than £50 worth. Many people would already have most of the items, or could obtain them cheaply on line or from car boot sales.

As training progressed, the employee was expected to provide a better selection of better quality hand tools, up to perhaps £200 in retail price.


Test instruments and power tools were issued by the employer, sometimes for a particular job, and sometimes on permanent issue to that employee.


Initial list, required from first day of employment.

"voltstick" or similar non-contact voltage tester.

Insulated terminal screwdrivers in two sizes.

Ratchet screwdriver with good selection of bits.

Adjustable spanner.

Mole grips.

Linesman's pliers.

Junior hacksaw.

Plastic torch.

Safety boots or shoes (these will be issued, but bring your own for the first few week or so.)

Overalls or old clothes (overalls will be supplied, but this can take a few days.)


Enhanced list, required to be obtained gradually, with the employee having the full set by the end of the first year.

At least 10 different sized insulated screwdrivers.

Two sizes adjustable spanners.

Two mole grips

Full size hacksaw

Multi blade pocket knife. (swiss army preferably)

Conduit lock nut spanner.

Carpenters hammer, about 800gram.

Crimping tool. must be from RS components.

LED headlight. Must be one piece.

Sidecutters in addition to the linesman pliers.

Drummond test lamp.

M4 tap.

Any other small hand tools that are needed to work safely and effectively.


Test instruments, power tools, and workwear all provided.

SJIB tool list 2008 there was still no requirement for an apprentice to have wire strippers or pliers in the first of the apprenticeship, only screwdrivers and tools for first fixing.


Andy B.

Any one else use two BC lamp holders and a 13A plug, one wired L-N and one L-E with a couple of 60W lamps (1970s) pre-wide spread RCD use. Good check for polarity at sockets and a sort of earth check, prior to Martindale's or similar?

Does anyone else still use a proper cordless drill and black japaned round head screws?




Best regards


Roger

This is all very disappointing,  these tool kits are very small.


In my first job, the employer provided everything, and of first class quality too. I was however not an electrician, so perhaps they had some idea of wanting the maximum work out of me! I was given a space in a lab, shared with two cages (screened rooms) and enough test equipment to pay for a whole street of houses! It made the university look extremely poor by comparison, but made getting results so much quicker than otherwise, and my job was to produce complex electronics against the clock, wrapped in tin plated boxes to prevent their detection. Fun times!


I have always collected tools and techniques, from a very young age, and now have so many tools that my partner gives be endless pain about the space they take up. However I still find the same thing, having all the right kit at hand makes things so much quicker and more pleasant, and is always money well spent. Certainly a chasing machine and a Henry are popular with customers too. 2 screwdrivers? No I might well have 200, all head forms, sizes etc, but then life has become rather more complex.


I never understand the keenness that is shown for tool hire shops, one pays about 10% of the cost of a tool per week at least, and that is a stupid investment return, unless one never needs something again. Still I suppose the 3 year Guarantee offered for some power tools is not good enough for many tradesmen, and accidental damage is still chargeable on hires too.

Drill: v. occasionally, usually when I want to be accurate and using a small bit.


Japanned screws rarely for me - much more often slotted steel countersunk; or brass countersunk, raised, or round headed.


It seems amazing that when that was all that we had, we managed perfectly well.

No I find this one much better if slightly more expensive.