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

[Benbay001]

Some good advice! Thank you!

Any one else? All advice greatly received!

[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

[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.

[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

[Benbay001]

My tools arrived! Shiny they are too!
No questions were asked. Been told to start compiling another list of things i find that i need.