Gift ideas for electrician

tsue921i8wljb3 · 14-11-2016 11:43pm #1

Bit of an odd one but I have to buy a Christmas gift for someone who is a third year apprentice with the ESB. I was just wondering if there is any tool or equipment that I could perhaps purchase that would be useful to him.

I believe he was provided with a basic enough set of equipment when he started, screwdrivers, relatively cheap multimeter etc. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Budget is €300. Thanks.

meath4sam · 14-11-2016 11:55pm

ESB are well looked after when it comes to tools and clothing so doubt there is much you could get him for work.

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 12:05am

meath4sam wrote: »

ESB are well looked after when it comes to tools and clothing so doubt there is much you could get him for work.

Thanks. I thought there might be something he may be missing but obviously I can't ask him.

Gen.Zhukov · 15-11-2016 12:14am

Greta Angry Roughneck wrote: »

Thanks. I thought there might be something he may be missing but obviously I can't ask him.

I can understand the dilemma but as said, the ESB aren't short of a few quid for their staff. Maybe get something useful in the tool dept that they can use outside of work. €300 is a nice budget.

Rackstar · 15-11-2016 12:34am

Does it have to be work related? I know if it was me I'd prefer a non work related gift.

Richmond Ultra · 15-11-2016 12:37am

Look at the Facebook page 'On the tools'. It is the joe.ie/lad Bible equivalent for trades people and they have some quirky stuff on their site shop. Could be worth a try?

Richmond Ultra · 15-11-2016 12:37am

Look at the Facebook page 'On the tools'. It is the joe.ie/lad Bible equivalent for trades people and they have some quirky stuff on their site shop. Could be worth a try?

Luckysasha · 15-11-2016 12:37am

ESB NTs are only supposed to use tools and equipment that are obtained through ESB stores. This is because the tools and equipment have to be approved for use by ESB staff. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is maybe a good socket set or spanners(standard non-insulated). Most lads use teng tools so you should get a decent enough set for your budget

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 12:45am

Rackstar wrote: »

Does it have to be work related? I know if it was me I'd prefer a non work related gift.

No it doesn't have to be. I'm just thinking about it. I'd like to get him something that would be actually useful to him rather than a gift that he'll never use.

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 12:46am

Richmond Ultra wrote: »

Look at the Facebook page 'On the tools'. It is the joe.ie/lad Bible equivalent for trades people and they have some quirky stuff on their site shop. Could be worth a try?

Thanks. I'll have a look at it.

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 12:48am

Luckysasha wrote: »

ESB NTs are only supposed to use tools and equipment that are obtained through ESB stores. This is because the tools and equipment have to be approved for use by ESB staff. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is maybe a good socket set or spanners(standard non-insulated). Most lads use teng tools so you should get a decent enough set for your budget

Ah I wasn't aware of that. Thanks. I'll have a look at the socket sets.

foxy farmer · 15-11-2016 12:53am

Wish i had someone like you 20yrs ago!! Speaking as a former ESB apprentice i still have most of my original toolkit. Some of the tools were cheap and i got a more resilient version. Found it hard to get supervisors to approve extra tools at the time. Certain tools mostly insulated would have to be ESB approved and issued.
A set of spanners and socket set 1/4 and 1/2 inch drive would be a good bet and would be needed in the future. A few long pattern screwdrivers (9-12 inch shaft )are fierce handy i find. A good hammer is nice too. Estwing are good but dear. €50 for a standard claw hammer. No doubt tools and requirements have moved on since my time but might give you an idea.

SpannerMonkey · 15-11-2016 12:54am

if you want to go tools then maybe a nice Fluke Multimeter . or a good socket set . insulated Nut drivers are really useful tools aswell make life a lot easier .
other than that insulated screwdrivers . brands like FLUKE and WERA and KNIPEX are top tier id be delighted to get them .or even Bahco are very good and reasonably priced

or maybe a nice Snickers jacket if he doesnt already have a good jacket . snikers is a very popular clothing brand in the trades . they make great gear and are easily got in ireland
http://www.snickersworkwear.ie/

a good pair of boots maybe . too many tradesmen buy cheap and its a mistake as your on your feet most of the day and cheap boots will wreck your feet in the long run . Brands like Haix are very good . have a pair on me at the moment and they are like slippers and they offer a 2 year guarantee that they back up (ive used it in the past no problems) https://www.haix.co.uk/ but check and see what standard of boot he needs it may need to be insulated if he works in esb

as a trade myself i can ay id be well happy to receive any of the above

EDIT : looks like the esb already supply Haix boots so probably no point in getting them http://bondsafety.com/esb/ .

shopper2011 · 15-11-2016 1:02am

Assuming he has a standard car licience, then driving lessons for C class (3500kg+). Think you need to be 21. Guessing it would be very handy for someone at his stage in his career to learn to drive some of the bigger vehicles and trucks, while hes younger. It might open doors for him better than a hammer or socket set.

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 1:02am

foxy farmer wrote: »

Wish i had someone like you 20yrs ago!! Speaking as a former ESB apprentice i still have most of my original toolkit. Some of the tools were cheap and i got a more resilient version. Found it hard to get supervisors to approve extra tools at the time. Certain tools mostly insulated would have to be ESB approved and issued.
A set of spanners and socket set 1/4 and 1/2 inch drive would be a good bet and would be needed in the future. A few long pattern screwdrivers (9-12 inch shaft )are fierce handy i find. A good hammer is nice too. Estwing are good but dear. €50 for a standard claw hammer. No doubt tools and requirements have moved on since my time but might give you an idea.

Some good ideas there. Thanks very much.

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 1:05am

SpannerMonkey wrote: »

if you want to go tools then maybe a nice Fluke Multimeter . or a good socket set . insulated Nut drivers are really useful tools aswell make life a lot easier .
other than that insulated screwdrivers . brands like FLUKE and WERA and KNIPEX are top tier id be delighted to get them .or even Bahco are very good and reasonably priced

or maybe a nice Snickers jacket if he doesnt already have a good jacket . snikers is a very popular clothing brand in the trades . they make great gear and are easily got in ireland
http://www.snickersworkwear.ie/

a good pair of boots maybe . too many tradesmen buy cheap and its a mistake as your on your feet most of the day and cheap boots will wreck your feet in the long run . Brands like Haix are very good . have a pair on me at the moment and they are like slippers and they offer a 2 year guarantee that they back up (ive used it in the past no problems) https://www.haix.co.uk/ but check and see what standard of boot he needs it may need to be insulated if he works in esb

as a trade myself i can ay id be well happy to receive any of the above

EDIT : looks like the esb already supply Haix boots so probably no point in getting them http://bondsafety.com/esb/ .

Yeah he has Haix boots already. Massive sturdy yokes! He has Snickers trousers but I'll look at the jackets. Thanks. The Fluke stuff looks good too.

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 1:07am

shopper2011 wrote: »

Assuming he has a standard car licience, then driving lessons for C class (3500kg+). Think you need to be 21. Guessing it would be very handy for someone at his stage in his career to learn to drive some of the bigger vehicles and trucks, while hes younger. It might open doors for him better than a hammer or socket set.

He actually did his C test already. I think they need it for some of the larger ESB vehicles. Thanks.

foxy farmer · 15-11-2016 1:20am

A good sturdy toolbox /carrier would be a good addition. In my day all we got was a metal cantilever mechanics toolbox. An awful thing.
This is what i have now. Tools all visible and accessible and has some nice storage as well.

Luckysasha · 15-11-2016 1:27pm

Just a heads up. No point buying clothing. ESB are introducing a policy where all clothing worn at work must be arc protective. There are new long sleeve polo shirts being trailed at the moment and soon it will be compulsory to wear all arc protective clothing issued by ESB. Footwear is supplied on a yearly basis or whenever required and must be of an approved type and in date. Same with fluke meters. To be honest buying tools for ESB lads is not a great idea. I know of Some supervisors who would actually confiscate tools if they weren't ESB issued. One thing about ESB when it comes to tools and equipment is if you need it you will get it, ok it might take you a few years to build up a collection of stuff but I have never seen a lad being refused stuff

tsue921i8wljb3 · 15-11-2016 4:54pm

Luckysasha wrote: »

Just a heads up. No point buying clothing. ESB are introducing a policy where all clothing worn at work must be arc protective. There are new long sleeve polo shirts being trailed at the moment and soon it will be compulsory to wear all arc protective clothing issued by ESB. Footwear is supplied on a yearly basis or whenever required and must be of an approved type and in date. Same with fluke meters. To be honest buying tools for ESB lads is not a great idea. I know of Some supervisors who would actually confiscate tools if they weren't ESB issued. One thing about ESB when it comes to tools and equipment is if you need it you will get it, ok it might take you a few years to build up a collection of stuff but I have never seen a lad being refused stuff

Thanks for the advice. It's looking like a change of plan may be needed for me!