For those that have worked in engineering for a long time.

[Benbay001]

Im coming to the last few weeks of full time college as part of my apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship is in electrical maintainance but will include some mechanical maintainance too.

Has any one got any tips for me?

EG

Who should i get to know well?
Should i do every task i can because you dont know what door it may open or would doing that make me an easy target for all the tasks no one else likes to do?
How long should i take getting myself a coffee when im asked for a long weight?

Cheers
Ben

[buggalugs]

Don't try to turn down tasks as a newbie it'll not give a good impression, don't claim to be able to do stuff you can't but be willing to find out and get stuck in.

[DrDeAtH]

Never be afraid to ask questions or for assistance if unsure of something.
Do take time to read through the diagrams if needed
Most importantly, enjoy doing your job, finding that elusive fault can sometimes be very satisfying.

[55palfers]

Measure twice - cut once.

Be pleasant, helpful & friendly.

[Gorilla Boy]

If you know you have a task the next day on a certain bit of new equipment or have a scheduled task on said equipment make sure to jog your memory with the manual/system drawing the night before and come to the task armed with an overview. Dont just approach it blind.

If in doubt or you have a seemingly impossible fault, have a brew/rest and think about it.

[steveatesh]

Look at problems with your eyes first, only touch when you have done so.
Eg my mother called a heating engineer as the central heating had stopped working.

He came along and stood back looking at the boiler and associated switch. After about 20 seconds he leaned forward and switched the switch back on. Job sorted.

[fflyingdog]

I've been fixing aircraft for over 35 years and as my old airforce instructor used to say 'simplest things first' e.g. Is switched it on? Even after all these years the old adage still holds true.

[98elise]

fflyingdog said:

I've been fixing aircraft for over 35 years and as my old airforce instructor used to say 'simplest things first' e.g. Is switched it on? Even after all these years the old adage still holds true.

I used to be a Weapons Engineer and you make a good point. Obvious things like a remote system won't seem to start, check the running indicator lamp actually works.

[RCBRG]

never jump in to a job blind. read the manual, look at the schematic, understand the system first. no one will complain about you taking a bit longer if you're thorough and you only start a job after you understand what you're doing completely

[Benbay001]

Some good advice! Thank you!

Any one else? All advice greatly received!

[twibs]

don't put your finger where you wouldn't put your willy.

seriously, get involved, ask questions ,show an interest in what the other engineers are doing ask if you can do stuff

[Benbay001]

Ive started and its going really well! Couldnt be happier, huge variation in interesting work day to day and i work within a great team.

I have to order some tools tomorrow to top up what i initially thought was a very comprehensive tool kit from the guy before me.
My manager wants me to send him order codes for tools i need.

Having looked online at the company that my company usually orders from (RS) it would seem that im going to have a very pricy list of tools i need.

Obviously the list will go through my manager before it gets paid for, but i dont want to come accross as unnessesarily costly and needy, but at the same time i dont want to have to ask to borrow tools from others constantly.
Things like die sets, tap sets, socket sets could quickly mount up to £500 or more (ive got a large list on my bench, which i cant rememeber right now).

Is this going to go down like a lead balloon? Or is this generally the accepted cost of a new employee (even though im just an apprentice).
Should i be looking to get expensive quality tools? Mid range tools? Or cheap tools?
The company works in state of the art electronics (and i work in equipment maintainance)

Im inclined to believe that there wont be the slightest hesitation at paying big numbers for my tools. But as ive been living on an apprentices wage for the last 6 months, spending £3 daily on all my food, my view of expensive and cheap has become rather destorted.

Cheers

[robinessex]

Ask the other guys what tools are most needed. Just buy what I would call the basics. Anything specialised, the company should have those in the tool store. As for £500. Well considering garage mechanics have tool sets in the £1,000s, that's not a lot. Don't look at a Snap On catalogue, you'll have a heart attack!!!

[Benbay001]

robinessex said:

Ask the other guys what tools are most needed. Just buy what I would call the basics. Anything specialised, the company should have those in the tool store. As for £500. Well considering garage mechanics have tool sets in the £1,000s, that's not a lot. Don't look at a Snap On catalogue, you'll have a heart attack!!!

Thats the thing though. Everyone has their own tools.
Everytime i borrow something its suggested (in a kind way) that i add it to my list. The list is fairly large already.

There is no "basic" tool set as my job role is going to be unbelieveably varied.

[kev b]

One thing I learned too late, may seem a bit cynical but always cover your back, there are guys who will be friendly to your face but will not hesitate to try and drop you in it if it will save their ass.

WRT tools, always lock your toolbox when leaving it unattended as your shiny new tools will be very attractive to the unscrupulous.

When returning to a job after a break, check nobody has switched the power/air/fuel etc back on, never assume things are how you left them.

If you are told it is OK to take something home, be sure to double check as you may fall into a trap, same goes for changing procedures/methods without authorisation.

[mike9009]

Benbay001 said:

Ive started and its going really well! Couldnt be happier, huge variation in interesting work day to day and i work within a great team.

I have to order some tools tomorrow to top up what i initially thought was a very comprehensive tool kit from the guy before me.
My manager wants me to send him order codes for tools i need.

Having looked online at the company that my company usually orders from (RS) it would seem that im going to have a very pricy list of tools i need.

Obviously the list will go through my manager before it gets paid for, but i dont want to come accross as unnessesarily costly and needy, but at the same time i dont want to have to ask to borrow tools from others constantly.
Things like die sets, tap sets, socket sets could quickly mount up to £500 or more (ive got a large list on my bench, which i cant rememeber right now).

Is this going to go down like a lead balloon? Or is this generally the accepted cost of a new employee (even though im just an apprentice).
Should i be looking to get expensive quality tools? Mid range tools? Or cheap tools?
The company works in state of the art electronics (and i work in equipment maintainance)

Im inclined to believe that there wont be the slightest hesitation at paying big numbers for my tools. But as ive been living on an apprentices wage for the last 6 months, spending £3 daily on all my food, my view of expensive and cheap has become rather destorted.

Cheers

Glad you are enjoying your new role. With regards to the tools, I would ask your manager in advance before presenting a huge 'expensive' list. It will show a level of maturity/ professionalism. Cutting corners on tools can be a false economy, so they should support you to perform your role. Or you could ask a trusted colleague for their take on it.

I have been in various engineering roles for the past 20 years (varying from Development Engineer, Quality Engineer, Engineering Manager and Quality Manager mainly in the automotive foundry industry). I changed role (within the same company) every four years or so and really enjoyed the experiences that engineering can offer.

Last year I changed company (aerospace electronics industry now) and I am loving learning again. It has been excellent to be able to transfer skills from one industry to another. Engineering offers some great opportunities, but if you don't move it can become tedious and boring dealing with the same product or job role over and over again.....

Mike

[Evanivitch]

As someone who supports grads and provides an opinion on their non-work related growth, I would say being dependable and eager are the best things you could do.

Re: Cost of tools. You have to look at the big picture. If you haven't got the tool it either a) doesn't happen or b) takes longer. Both of these cause delays which cost money. Delay enough means you miss your deadline. Miss your deadline and it's going to cost a lot more than a professional socket set.

Apart from that, enjoy what you do. That includes your day to day and your industry.

[010101]

If you work on rusty stuff you need really rigid jaws on your spanners. Definitely worth buying a few Bluepoint or Snap On, but not necessarily a whole set.

[mike9009]

kev b said:

One thing I learned too late, may seem a bit cynical but always cover your back, there are guys who will be friendly to your face but will not hesitate to try and drop you in it if it will save their ass.

WRT tools, always lock your toolbox when leaving it unattended as your shiny new tools will be very attractive to the unscrupulous.

When returning to a job after a break, check nobody has switched the power/air/fuel etc back on, never assume things are how you left them.

If you are told it is OK to take something home, be sure to double check as you may fall into a trap, same goes for changing procedures/methods without authorisation.

Some good advice there. The last two companies I have worked at use a lock out/ tag out system to prevent services being switched back on, prior to a maintenance job being completed. Mind you with large presses and forges being used, the Health and Safety was quite tight, but necessary to prevent limbs and lives being lost.

Mike

[Benbay001]

kev b said:

One thing I learned too late, may seem a bit cynical but always cover your back, there are guys who will be friendly to your face but will not hesitate to try and drop you in it if it will save their ass.

WRT tools, always lock your toolbox when leaving it unattended as your shiny new tools will be very attractive to the unscrupulous.

When returning to a job after a break, check nobody has switched the power/air/fuel etc back on, never assume things are how you left them.

If you are told it is OK to take something home, be sure to double check as you may fall into a trap, same goes for changing procedures/methods without authorisation.

Those are all very good points and i will try my utmost to get into that habbit.

Mike- sounds like you have had an interesting and varied career. You are right, i will check with my manager before i compile the list.
Thanks again