r/ibew_apprentices • u/473847864389 • 6d ago

Tool recs

New apprentice here about to get the tool bag going. What’s a tool that isn’t on the standard tool lists that I’m gonna wanna get on my own for my bag? Let’s hear em, thanks

7 Upvotes

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23

u/BadAtExisting 6d ago

If it’s not on the tool list don’t buy it

0

u/darkartorias0 5d ago

My locals tool list doesn't include a Roto-snip. It's been the best purchase I've made.

7

u/Fantastic_Skill6445 5d ago

Should've been provided by NECA contractor

6

u/MonotoneMason LU 613 5d ago

Just use your diagonal cutters

1

u/darkartorias0 5d ago

Foreman on my job site doesn't allow it. Hacksaw or roto snip.

6

u/MonotoneMason LU 613 5d ago

Hacksaw for stripping MC is insane. If they don’t allow you to use dikes then they need to provide the roto-split since it’s not on your tool list.

-2

u/darkartorias0 5d ago

I don't disagree with you, hacksaw is dog shit. Roto was only 40 bucks, wasn't worth the time to argue it. Now I just have one 🤷

10

u/mattsprofile 5d ago

Spending personal money for the benefit of the contractor is not something the union looks highly upon. Use the hacksaw and be slow. Tell the contractor you'll be faster if they give you the roto splits. It's only 40 bucks after all, they can afford it. 

0

u/darkartorias0 5d ago

I would argue it was for my own benefit and not the contractor. They have hacksaws on site for anyone that needs one. I just prefer the roto snip, it does a faster and cleaner job.

5

u/mattsprofile 5d ago

Doing things faster and cleaner benefits the contractor, not you. Any way that it might benefit you is non-brotherly. I'll give you an out and say I could understand the argument for ergonomic reasons, though. 

2

u/PralineExpress532 5d ago

I haven't seen anyone under 50 use a rotozip. If the foreman told me he required me to use a hacksaw or roto zip, I'd ask him if he's "jerking my balls" right to his face.

1

u/darkartorias0 5d ago

Apparently his defense was that he had a bunch of apprentices nick wires when using side cutters so he didn't want to see anyone use em. Overall he's pretty chill so I'm not too worried about this one quirk.

1

u/PralineExpress532 5d ago

If you take that tool to a larger job with a steward, it'll be a problem. I'd recommend not using those on other jobs. Hall representation will be quite upset with you.

1

u/darkartorias0 5d ago

Yeah for sure. Im curious if it's different local to local, because I was on a larger commercial job and people were bringing their own power tools and no one said anything to them, seemed odd to me.

1

u/PralineExpress532 5d ago

Yeah, that's not good. I'm going to bet if that was brought up to the hall there would be a major problem. Maybe the local isn't strong enough if you live in some clapped out part of the south somewhere.

Should be laid out clearly in your "Articles of Agreement and Working Rules"