gettin called out soon, what kind of equip do i need to get started?

[mtvigilante]

i am going to get called out in a couple weeks, and am wondering what i need to have when i show up. i aquired through aquanitinces 2 pairs of spurs and two belts. one belt fits me, the other is way too big (this belt and one set of spurs is for sale to anyone who is interested) i've been told by the people that interviewed me that these are the most expensive items out of your basic tools. my old carolinas are hailed out, steel showing and stitching pulled out. i have coveralls and warm clothes for winter, except boots. i'm wondering what kind of boots i can get for cheap that will get me through the winter and spring. also i need some kind of a list of hand tools etc that i will need to start out. Cheap is the name of the game, as i only make 10 bucks an hour right now, and only get like 30 hours a week for this penny pinchin bastard. any help will be greatly appreciated

[oldokie]

I would think the guys you got your belt and spurs/hooks from would have
told you what you needed or the company your going to work for should have
that being said you should have been around this kind of work before you start climbing and know what you need sorry your post does not seem on
the up an up

[mtvigilante]

throughout my application process, NOBODY has been helpful in tellin me what i will need. i have worked all kinds of construction jobs and have a good understanding of electronics, etc. i am not going to hire on as a grunt when i can be hired as an apprentice. i've already worked my share of grunt jobs and don't desire to be shit upon by anyone ever again. i don't underestimate the challenge of being a lineman, but i'm going to try to advance as fast and as completely as possible. i started to get into tree work, but i have no life insurance, and the bucket truck i bought for 800 bucks had a large crack in the fiberglass boom, so i abandoned that project after only a few jobs working from the ground and ladders. i dont have anybody to ask about equipment, the interviewers said that i would be expected to buy all of my tools and stuff as soon as i was hired. i want to know what i need to start as an apprentice, not to be told that i don't have the experience to start as an apprentice. i know that i won't just start out climbing my first day, as this is a learning program. i was ranked by the program at #12 of approx 100, so i think i at least have a chance to do good, so if anyone has a list of tools that a starting apprentice needs, please share with me.

[nitro]

Most hand tools are usually on the trucks like wire brushes, md-6, socket sets, wiggins or greenlee voltage indicators/meters ect. in your belt keep a hammer , a big screwdriver, a pair of klines, a pair of channelock pliers, a 12 " cresent wrench, a 1/2" /9/16" speed wrench, and a 5/8"/ 3/4" speed wrench, (wiggler) you need a tool pouch and a ditty bag attached to your body belt. You need good rain gear, good rubber boots, a harness for bucket work, and a bag to carry low and high voltage rubber gloves and keepers,( class zero low voltage 0v to 600 v, class 2 high voltage 15kv) hard hat, dark safety glasses, clear safety glasses, climbing gloves, groundman gloves, carhart coveralls, and a good drag bag to stuff it all into. Most of the stuff will be provided by the company just make sure you stock it onto the trucks you will be workin off of. apprentices have to be able to move from truck to truck in a moments notice and you cannot put your tool in the linemans bin so that means they will be riding in the bed of the truck that is why a bag is handy. you will also have to cycle the bucket trucks, do the vehicle inspections, water up all the water jugs, get ice, get all the hardware that is normally stocked on the trucks and then make sure all of the material is loaded on the trucks for the days job. you will also need a good bank card so you can buy beer/ or lunch for the crew when you screw up ( and you will screw up) I usually get to work an hour early and take care of bussiness. Also you will need to make sure that if you are takin a truck out that has a linemans tools on that truck and he is not on your crew you better not leave the yard with his stuff on the truck. Good luck after a few days you will get the hang of it. Just be ready to work.

[Patriot]

First off, they are reffered to as hooks. Belt and hooks. You will need a bag to hold them in. Most outfits, rat or not, won't let you on the wood for a while. They are not going to just throw you on a pole and let you go until you are proficient at climbing and know the do's and don'ts. Most start you as a grunt, but in our trade a grunt makes more than most other jobs. As a grunt you need to learn to be attentive, run don't walk, if your not busy, make yourself busy, when a man comes off the pole he shouldn't have to pick up a thing, his grunt should have it cleaned up.

Some grunts work into equipement operators. It is all a process, that is why it is called an apprenticeship. It will and should take from 3 to 4 years to get the required hours and experience to pass a journeymans test. Once you achieve that, and you are a hard worker, doors will open!

That all being said, a 12" crescent, a good screw driver(flat),a pair of lineman pliers, a pair of channel locks, a good (at least 28oc. cleated, stragiht claw hammer,) and a plastic folding rule. That should get you going. Very basic and as you go you will see what everyone else has and what works. After a paycheck you can start buying more. As for boots, don't scrimp when you start climbing, wescoe, white, and as a grunt you will have to have steel toe boots. Some guys have steel toe lineman boots and that covers both air and gruond work. For winter, I buy the best steel toe pacs 12" or higher, and have a pair of ankle high two buckles for my climbing boots. Get a decent rain coat to.,

[Sno10]

One of the most important things is a good pocket knife. And be sure to have a decent edge on it too. A lineman without a knife is like a whore with out a P*ssy. I can't speak of how contractors work but most utilities provide almost everything. I would mostly buy the hand tools that people have stated then you have something a least if it is not provided. Kleins, channel locks, several sizes of crescent wrench, hammer and so on and so forth. See what the lineman you work with carry and use; and go get it. As far as boots a pair of pacs for the winter if you are in the cold. For a climbing boot it is personally preference. It kind of sucks because they are pricey. Sometimes if a company requires you to have a certain type or pair of boots they may or should have some sort of reimbursement plan. A pair of steel toes if required are a safety item. Just like head, eye, and hearing protection it should be provided for you. So if they are required do some investigating to see if there is a reimbursement plan. But don't count on it with alot of shady companies out there. In the fine print of the apprenticeship contract it may say all this stuff you are required to have on your first day. So you may want to get a hard hat, and safety glasses. That way at least you will have them if they don't provide it. There was one comment that was disturbing a little to me in here and that was show up to work early. Personally I wouldn't do it unless you are getting paid and then if it is fine and dandy. I don't like or endorse working for free. Slavery was abolished ages ago in the USA. But if you have to or it is expected of you to keep your job well than I guess you are in between a rock or a hard place. Kind of like Walmart. 10 hours or more of work but we are only going to pay you for 8.

[nitro]

I know the hour early for free does suck but most foremen that I work for dont have a problem paying me because they see that I am doing a good job

[mtvigilante]

THANKS A MILLION! this is exactly the type of stuff i need to know. i have most of the tools you mentioned, except the crescent wrenches, i take it they should be vinyl coated? i dont work without safety glasses, no matter what i do, i usually don't leave the house without dark safetys on. i am aware that i will probably be on the ground most of the time, and i am very versed in keepin busy and keeping things in order. the concrete company i work for is a small operation, and he expects you to NEVER stop working, no breaks, no bs'n, i cant smoke a cig unless it's hangin from my mug. tools are always to be clean and set out or picked up. all this, and he doesn't do time cards or let you train to finish (wonder why i need out). we work very hard for the little bit of money we get.
i have my own full body fall arrest harness with an advancing lock for 5/8 rope. i have had excellent training in osha safety issues, and have dealt with osha investigations. i am no stranger to working for shady employers, and always look out for safety issues that could pose problems.
i need boots immediately, pacs can wait for a little while. my dad is really supportive of my choice to become an apprentice, as he has been a mechanic/welder for IBEW 1638 for 22 years at colstrip, mt. so, he is insisting and financing a pair of Whites to be made for me. i am going to be measured on monday, and am wondering what kind of cut, style, and what type of toe is best for all around. my great uncle was a lineman for like 25 or 30 years, he always wore Whites, but i am not in contact with him right now to find out what worked best.
how big of a grip will i need? like a regular duffel bag or like a tool bag? i imagine you need to take all of your rain gear, coats, etc every day to every jobsite. also, will i need to pack a water jug with me? most jobs i've worked, the employer doesn't provide water on the jobsite. it sounds like i will have a lot to carry with me every day, no big deal.
are the little bags and stuff that hang on my belt expensive? where are the best places to shop for this stuff? i live in montana, so there isn't a whole lot of these types of stores, so i will probably have to get it online.
i am excited to start this job! i am mildly afraid of heights, but mostly when i'm not tied to anything. i don't even like walking on 8" foundation walls, too much stuff to fall on and nothing to hold onto. i am prepared to conquer this fear and prove to myself that i can do another very dangerous job safely. i've been nearly taken out countless times working on the highway, and i believe more people are killed in montana in road construction than almost any other profession.

[mtvigilante]

ps. i don't show up an hour early unless i am gettin paid for it. i usually show up 10-15 minutes early, but i expect to be paid for that too, unless i'm just bs'n.

[Sno10]

Good to hear nitro. Sounds like you have had you honest foreman. When I did my app. I got threatened grievance or I should say warned from a journeyman for filling up the trucks water jugs 5 minutes before start time. Going in early is for bsing and getting a couple cups of coffee in you. On your custom Whites there Mtv they are great boots. Just took me about 6 weeks I believe to get mine a while back. But they probably won't have you in the air by the time you get them anyhow. You are going to get some shit for a few because your new but just take it for awhile. I think the old school is disappearing or I hope it is. You will probably find that you learn the best from the teacher and not the old yellers. I get a kick out of and laugh my ass off when something is sent up wrong on a handline to a screamer from an app. Its like the app screwed his wife or something. Rather comical. Once you get father along do it on purpose and watch the fireworks. Its hilarious. You get called by every name in the book. But sounds like your past has you ready to take a little of verbal beating. Before I started linework 6 years back I worked concrete and mud as a laborer for a bricklayer. He would make most old school lineman look like nuns. How would you like your mud today sir. Piss me off and it would come extra wet and wouldn't hold up a cotton ball much less a brick. Same for line work. Your an A--hole your x-arm comes up backwards. I had my skid stapled to the pole when I was an app. So did the journeyman that was up there with me. Now that was an ass chewing. But it was so damn funny. Made an agreement to pull staples at the same time. Needless to say my staple stayed in as I pulled one out. Thought about taking a hammer to a hardhat but figured that would get me fired. So just took the handline around the pole and a couple of bowlines into the d rings circled and freed my skid. Laughed my ass off the whole way down along with the foreman and everybody else there. Morale of the story is just be ready to take a little crap until you get some time under your belt.

[igloo64]

I Am Union And Currentley A Foreman . We Have Start Stop Times. This Means If Time Starts At 5:30 You Start At 5:30 And If You Quit At 3:30 You Leave At 3:3o. You Work Between Your Stop Start Times And If You Stay Late You Get Paid.tools You Will Need To Get You Started Boots Hooks Belt These Are The Most Important Tools So Make Sure They Fit Purfect And Use Your Credit Card If You Have To To Buy Them. Next You Will Need A Hammer 28 To 30 Oz, A Big Flat Screwdriver ,9 Inch Kleins Make Sure They Are Kleins Not Some Imatations. Next ,430 Channellocks And A 12" Cresent Wrench And Inside Read Folding Rule And A Skinning Knife. I Will Do Any Thing To Help You Guys But Dont Come In Here Thinkn You Will Change Everything And Start Calling Us Names And Shi# . There Isnt A Lineman Here That Wouldnt Do Anything To Help You Guys Including Saving Your Life Sometime. John Olmstead

[oldokie]

All the tools everyone that is telling you to buy is right but as for a hammer
a good framing hammer is what you need as for weight I used those 28/30 oz
but know my elbow tells me it was to much. try a smaller oz.with a good
shock handle bigger is not always the best you have alot of year in this field
you must take care of your body because no one will do it for you

[mtvigilante]

i'm goin in tomorrow to get measured and decide what type of whites i need, is Mtv the model? i don't know if i need the composite toes or the steel toes and i don't know how tall i need them, my old man got 14s i think, and he said they go right to the top of his socks and rub like crazy. i plan on keepin them for years and years, so they need to be the right ones, thanks

[nitro]

I got 16 " wescos and they are nice. I had a pair of 10 " wescos and my gaffs were wearing a hole thru my shin with the 16" boot I have no problems They are what I should have got in the first place but when I bought the 10" boots I was doing substation work and I did not climb every day,

[mtvigilante]

i just went in today to be fitted for my whites. i picked out the 10" loggers, hoping to avoid the boots going up past my socks. my hooks have pretty good pads on them, the t-shaped ones, and i don't imagine i will be doing a whole lot of climbing my first year. they are already gonna cost $446 with the triple sole and steel toes. that's one of my other questions, can you climb or work with wires etc. with steel toes? i've been told that you need them to work on the ground. whites don't have composite toes, they offer a plastic toe, but it doesnt qualify as a safety toe. i figured that i could use them for all around my first year, but that's a lot of money for boots that i would only wear for the little bit of climbing i would do to start with. if it would be totally undesireable to have 10" boots, i guess i will have to get taller ones, but i don't treasure the thought of wearing boots up to my knees all day every day. i am going to call my uncle tonight and ask him what kind of whites he wore. i also picked out the mini vibram soles, is this a mistake? they don't have much traction, and i heard that they only last about a year and a half. should i get the deep lugs? i know it's just a pair of boots, but i want to do it smart because i intend to keep them for like 15-20 years as i will buy another pair to switch off with in a year or so, and i'm going to buy some white pacs too, damn, 1300 bucks for boots is a lot of money! but if you spent the majority of your waking hours in your boots, you need to be completely comfortable.. thanks for any advice you can give me about this.
stace rosman

[igloo64]

12" Wescos Are A Good Boot And Dont Make You Broke. Hoffman Also Make A Good Line Boot That You Can Wear. The Whites I Ve Had Could Only Be Worn While Climbing So I Just Wore My Wescos All The Time.

[nitro]

Can you get the vibram sole changed out to lugs when they wear out or do you have to stay with the original?

[mtvigilante]

i think i can get them changed out, but i would almost rather just get the lugs if they don't cause any problem. are 10's tall enough to climb with? i don't see any huge problem with them, and they should be more comfortable. i've never heard of wesco's, what brand would they compare with? i think that the reason my dad wants to buy me the whites it that he's worn them for like 30 years, and worn the same pair for like 20 years. i guess its like buying fords over chevys, my family has always worn them, starting with my great uncle, who was a lineman for many, many years. i like the idea of havin a pair of boots that can be resoled countless times and can be rebuilt for 75 bucks and be just like brand new. the only other thing i need a definite answer for is the steel toe issue, i'm going to assume that you have to have them regardless.

[-Slim-]

i think i can get them changed out, but i would almost rather just get the lugs if they don't cause any problem. are 10's tall enough to climb with? i don't see any huge problem with them, and they should be more comfortable. i've never heard of wesco's, what brand would they compare with? i think that the reason my dad wants to buy me the whites it that he's worn them for like 30 years, and worn the same pair for like 20 years. i guess its like buying fords over chevys, my family has always worn them, starting with my great uncle, who was a lineman for many, many years. i like the idea of havin a pair of boots that can be resoled countless times and can be rebuilt for 75 bucks and be just like brand new. the only other thing i need a definite answer for is the steel toe issue, i'm going to assume that you have to have them regardless.

I wear 16" Whites and had to buy the steel toe, the height is perfect for me because my climber pad is just at the top of my boot, they would seem uncomfortable but after a while you dont even notice them. and whites charges a little more that 75 bucks to rebuild boots because the only thing they dont replace is the leather on the leg, everything else is new

[sunrise]

If anyone is just starting out & looking for some good solid used utility equipment you can shop online and look over a large extensive inventory. We look to build a relationship, not just try to get a one time sale.

our website is: SunriseEquipment.com (http://www.sunriseequipment.com/)

[Bull Dog]

Son the main thing you'll need with you when out on ot, as green as you seem, is a Dam good journyman otherwise I fear for your safety. Good luck and dont work above your abilities. For shure dont be afraid to ask for help if you think you need it. Some one whos been there. The Dog!

[BigClive]

OK this Scotsman needs a bit of translation done... What are whites and pac's? Are they just abbreviations of brand names or particular types of boots?

(Like "Doc's", riggers and "Cat's")

The type of boot I wear myself for general work is the standard steel toe cap rigger boot. This would be singularly useless for use with gaffs/spikes/hooks, but then I'm a bucket kinda guy.

I've noticed a bit of a size thing going on with the climbing boots. I take it there's a wide range of opinions in the perfect length? I've got huge feet even by American standards, a UK 15 (USA 16) so it's hard enough even to get any footwear. (Thanks ebay!)

Given that many of you work in a hot climate, do you experience problems with the tall well strapped boots causing excessive foot perspiration and the resultant problems?

[LINETRASH]

I believe the kid was referring to White's brand line boots and snow pac insulated line boot.

'Far as work boots, I wear the tennis shoe style shoes that are ansi7 with steel toe and EH.

These are getting very popular around here, and getting more reasonable, the pair I sport cost a mere 39.00 bucks. At wallmart!! Yep, wallyworld now sells EH steel toe shoes!

I keep a pair of west coast boots in the bin just for climbing. I am a big guy too and would soon wear the heels down on an expensive pair of line boots, so I keep them stored for climbing only.

Ebay huh? I confess I am a bit of an ebay freak myself.

[Bear_Boomer]

go to McDonalds or walmart, get a job application and tape it to the inside of the bin door where you keep your tools, look at it EVERY day, and remember that if you don't make it , well go cut french fry's kid. Bear

[sunrise]

just thought i'd let you guys know we opened an accessories equipment store where we carry a full line of bucket truck accessories like liners, tool boards, tool trays, bucket covers, and steps... I know there weren't too many places you can order online - so we wanted to get that available to all our utility & forestry customers.

http://store.sunriseequipment.com