I know this has probably been discussed many times but as we are nearing our time to head to Brisbane I was looking at the best way to ship out tools and equipment.

I am a Joiner and have just about 2 of everything and all in great condition. The thing is that we had hoped to ship our things out in advance of us arriving but the other side of the coin is the small matter of keeping enough here to earn/ work with up until we leave which will be when our house sale settles.

What did you all do with respect to tools and equipment?

Did you sell off in the UK and buy new in Oz?

Did you keep enough/ basics in UK to tide you over and then ship them over when you're leaving?

I've thought about selling some in the UK but I am loathe to do so as they are all top quality tools and plant but would never get what they are worth on the second hand market and the cost to replace / replenish does not equate! Tools and equipment are different to furniture etc and as all tradesmen know there is nothing better than doing work with your own tools and ones that you are used to.

I am quite sure we have all been faced with this dilemma and it would be interesting to know how everyone tackled this problem.

Looking forward to hearing how you did it!

Lone Ranger

hi,
i'd be interested in hearing peoples views on this one aswell..i'm a fabricator/welder and am looking to send out at least one large tool chest with the basics i'll need, to arrive just after we do in (hopefully) august.

cheers trev

Dont know if taking a basic kit by air freight is worth it or not or maybe taking one suitcase with tools in it but would guess that the weight would be too much and would probably only run to one or two items then into excess baggage.

Don't even know if tools are allowed as luggage as they could be construed as security risks?

Help please!

Hi

My OH A CHIPPIE and shipped all his tools a week before we left UK. Had to wait for them to arrive in Oz and bought a few to tide him over when he arrived here and worked for a great bunch who helped him out and lent him tools to work with.

Jane

My OH is a Diesel fitter, Plant machinery mechanic for those that don't know. Luckily for him he had a fabulous employer who allowed him to borrow tools for 6 weeks prior to leaving, whilst his tools were on their way to Oz. He was then lucky enough to find an employer here who was willing to lend tools for another 6 weeks. We spent 3 weeks holidaying in between, so it kinda made things a bit easier. But I know a lot of you chippies are self employed and may not be able to do this, but for those that aren't just ask, it doesn't hurt to ask and they might just surprise you.

i would take ur 240 tools and sell ur 110 stuff when i was over there at xmas i priced buyin new hand tools but they are not cheap so i will b takin mine havent got price for shipping them yet but its around 140 quid for a t chest size box by sea hope this helps

send most of your tools with your main shipping , keep a set of basic tools on till your are leaving . make contact with somebody on this sight that will be kind enough to let you use there address to ship the remaining tools when you leave . most shipping companies use Kent removals on the brissy side you be able to pick your tools up at there warehouse in ipswich as you will be here long before they arrive . i hope all this makes sense

Thanks great info, just the sort of response I was looking for.

Lone Ranger

Yes it does make sense and once again thanks.

Lone Ranger

Ah the Chippies Union! The salt of the Building Trade always willing to help one another out!

Cheers LR

Hi,
I am also a chippie living on the Sunshine Coast, I boxed up as much as I could to come over with the shipment, the tools I was still using I sent ahead with other essential items by air freight. We had six boxes that weighed 140kg and it cost £670.00 door to door ( you cant buy a drill and set of chisels for that) so I think it is worth it.(we did ours through Transglobal Express) Now for the bad news!!!! 1) sell any 110v items in the UK as they are not used over here, 2) be prepared to not work at all for 4-8 weeks as it will take you at least this long to get your blue card, skills re-assest, and then if all that was not enough you will then have to do a 2 day course on management skills before you can even apply for your licence to work on site as a contractor and also at a cost of around $2000.00. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I think you are better off knowing what is required from someone who is going through it as the info I was given was not wht actually happens and it does wind you up when you find out the truth. If you want any more info and I can help I will be more than happy to.

I was a beliver that if its in good nick take it, as selling second hand won't put the cash in your pocket to buy new over here. Also you still get dumb apprentices who enjoy borrowing your tools and loosing em, so bringing double worked for me (Plumber).

Dale

Cheers mate for the info. I was thinking of keeping my 110v stuff for use around my own home as I would grudge selling them for a pittance, I would rather give them away to a good home if you know what I mean than be insulted by fly by night offers!

I am a little confused regarding the blue card set up and will send you a pm if thats okay? My understanding of it was that to start in business / become a contractor you needed to get licenced (Blue Card)? To start working for a contractor you could do this under his card (for less money) until your own licence is granted?

I know about the management course and the re-assessment of skills and also the costs involved to get licenced, however, as the thread goes I am more concerned about getting my tools and plant over to the other side in the best way possible.

Lone Ranger

Tools over here are of good value, I bought over chisels, hand tools fav pistol drill etc but it wasnt long till I bought new as the ranges over here (Makita) are very good and I'm a sucker for new gadgets. As for plant anything with a current running through it will need to be tagged by a regi sparks, work wise depends what you wanna do...I set up and carried on with what I was doing in the UK (www.tjs.com.au) within days, If your going down the new build route then be prepared for major b******t, my bit of advice is to get in with as many trade types as poss, its not the case of what you know over here its who's doing what.If you're heading down Brizzy way I can push you a couple of numbers.Hope this helps?

Hi SBOZ,
Read your reply with interest regarding setting up within a few days and also looked at your web site link. I see that you have an ABN but no licence number and looking at the scope of work you are doing the amount would be over the allowed $1100.00 per job ( handyman jobs) including labour and materials. If this is the case you you should have a licence and the number displayed, if you dont have a licence and are earning over the $1100.00 per job you are in fact breaking the LAW and trading illegally unless you own the company and are using the services of a licenced tradesman. The fines for this activity in Queensland are $600.00 per offence if caught and your business name revoked. I think it would be wise to indicate if you are licenced on your site and also if you are not, get licenced ASAP, I also think you should not be giving other people the wrong information of what to expect when they arrive regarding getting work as a contractor in the construction industry.