Top products from r/BlueCollarWomen

Guy here, My wife just journeyed out as an inside wireman 6 months ago. She and I have scoured the land for good pants for her to wear, and here is what we have discovered in the past 5.5 years:

1. Red-Ant pants are great, but super $$$, and last time we checked, didn't offer a double knee. She has one pair, and they have lasted longer than other brands.
   
2. Whatever you end up getting, get double-knee pants. You can buy pads that slip into the space in the double knee, and they are way more comfortable than using regular knee pads. She does a lot of kneeling (she's been working in a freeway tunnel's air ducts for the past 9 months, because most of the guys on her crew are either too whiney, or too fat to do the work)
   
3. My wife has hips, so men's carhartts don't fit. Carhartt DOES make pants in women's sizes, and any work clothing store should be able to order them in for you. One thing we found though, is that the pants made in the US factory fit differently than the pants made in the Mexico factory, so make sure if you special order, you can return without penalty if the ones sent to you don't fit quite right.
   
4. High-vis shirts: My wife, being that she is a woman, has curves that men don't have, so practically NO high-vis shirts actually fit. They are either balloons, or they are too tight. She was also working road crew for a few years, and wanted long-sleeved high-vis, so she wouldn't get super sunburned. Finding long-sleeved, ANSI IIV shirts that fit was basically impossible. There is a high-vis clothing manufacturer here in Seattle. They did make "Augmented visibility" long-sleeved shirts in women's fit, but not class 2 or 3 high vis. We contacted them, through a distributor, and had them custom-run 15 shirts that conformed to class 3 standards... They have lasted her for the past few years, and are still in good shape, so that was a good decision.
   
5. Shoes: She has wide feet. Wide enough that no steel-toe, in-stock Redwing shoe fits. We found that KEEN shoes are the most comfortable for her, and there are models she can get that are EE, steel toe, full-shank, and electrically insulative. The only thing with keens is that the hook-eyes for the laces are cast out of shitty pot metal, and tend to break quickly, so we generally just take them down to a local shoe repair place, and have them rivet in better hook eyes.
   
6. Shoe Laces: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JWWIF2C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Buy one pair, you will never buy shoe laces again. In fact, they will outlast your boots by years.

Take a look at:

• Foley-Belsaw
  
  
• The Lockmasters Institute
  
  
• Complete book of Locksmithing
  
  Your friend will have to answer what she wants to do specifically:
  
  
• Residential
  
  
• Automotive
  
  
• Electronic Key Access
  
  Each of these are unique in & of themselves. She should check out /r/Locksmith & /r/lockpicking -- there is quite a bit of overlap, people are friendly & helpful. If there is a TOOOL or Locksport chapter in that area, I'd suggest checking it out to interface with other locksmiths & see about gaining an apprenticeship.
  
  My understanding is that you can either get the apprenticeship & show that you have skills/some experience, or you at least start with the book & Foley-Belsaw & then try to get an apprenticeship. Myself, I've yet to take it that far -- I'm just a hobbyist. Just be aware that it is a male dominated industry by & large as with most things. I've heard women are more adept to a lot of things in the locksmithing industry, however.
  
  I hope your friend pursues this! :)

"Dikes". Believe it or not, those are diagonal cutters.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagonal_pliers

Look under "jargon".

Also, as an aside, if you want high quality "channel locks" look no further than a German brand called Knipex (pronounced Kinnepex). I'm partial to the push button Cobra plier, but the more traditional "water pump plier" is also excellent. They cost a lot more than Channel Lock, but they have excellent leverage and really tough jaws that are narrow enough to fit into spaces other brands can't reach.

They also make a tool called the Pliers Wrench that replaces your adjustable crescent wrench and doesn't slip, need constant adjustment or round off corners.

Finally, their high leverage "dikes" get extremely high ratings.

Sorry to sidetrack you with a sales pitch, but I got excited when I read that you were starting to shop for better tools. If I had known about this brand ten years ago, I would have bought them first instead of wasting my money on cheaper tools.

Agree with Phishmcz, your muscles will grow. I just started my apprenticeship a month ago and I can already see a difference in my upper body strength.

I am working through a training/apprenticeship program so I started two weeks after getting accepted into the program.

I work in commercial construction so my recommendations are based on the commercial side of things.

Invest in some really good channel locks. I currently have two pairs of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-440-12-Inch-Tongue-Groove/dp/B00004SBCU

I had originally bought a cheap brand and immediately regretted it. You will also need two pairs of the same size, not just one.

Invest in a good tape measure with a wide tape. This one is really good.

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-FMHT33865S-FATMAX-Magnetic-Tape/dp/B00AGYYQW8/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1518750296&sr=1-3&keywords=fatmax+tape+measure

The wider the tape the less likely it will twist and bend when it's extended.

Carry a pencil and sharpie with you at all times.

Work hard, be on time, watch and learn, and ask questions.

Don't forget to take water and lunch.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000XR6Q2Q/

I've been in industrial safety and a paramedic for a few years now. So, I've been through a few pair of boots. Wolverine and some walmart brands were probably the worst. I've had Bates but was not happy with the quality. Heavy soles, too. I bought the Timberland Pro Titan Boots for women about 3-4 years ago, based on the reviews. They are great! I hope they keep making them since I would buy them again. I've been through about 3 pair since I walk a lot. They have small and large sizes. I wear a 5.5 wide and was able to find the right size for me.

I should also mention I like this one best because the Klein ones can be sensitive to bumping and give off false positives: Fluke 1AC-A1-II VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EJ332O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5HP2Db6VTSXP3

They're not cheap but I finally found some work pants that fit well AND last:
5.11 Tactical Women's Stryke Pant, Black, 4 R https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D077L7U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xP2.BbD3VADQ6

Are you talking about ones like this?

Dickies Women's Denim Bib Overall, Medium Stonewash, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IJ9GU2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_t0xIyb71QD257

I'm really tempted since it's about half the price of the ones that I usually get. If you say that they're good and not "fashion overalls" I'll pick up a pair. :D

Maybe something like this? Paper Junkie 500-Piece Round Feminist Encouragement Stickers, Feminism Girl Power Quotes, 8 Designs, 2 x 2 Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BC9M39S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_x2yGDb7DTK38C

You should use a longer lever on the bender. If the company doesn't want you messing with theirs, buy your own, it is only $20 for the head and $10 for the gas black pipe for the handle. Cut to your preferred length.

That's pretty cheap for you to own your own tool, definitely will help you overcome the problem. Also, practice a lot, nobody does it correctly for the first 50 bends.

I had a long response written, but my browser crashed and ate it.

Write down all the times this has happened, THEN go to your union rep.

Read this book: https://www.amazon.com/Verbal-Judo-Gentle-Art-Persuasion-ebook/dp/B003YCOOJY

It's geared for law enforcement, but it is a great resource for how to handle conflict communication and maintain a level of unflappibility.

MaxiFlex Ultimate ATG 34-874 - MEDIUM 34-874/Seamless Knit Nylon/Lycra Glove with Nitrile Coated icro-Foam Grip on Palm and Fingers, Gray/Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017DJJLG4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_iiBmj8ncQWIyz

Those are what I use. They do wear out but I can use my iPhone with them on, and they’re fitted well enough I can do little things with my fingers and not worry about fumbling things.

I wear men’s adidas boxer briefs. There’s no extra space for men’s parts, so they fit well. I’m 5’1” and SUPER thick, so I get the chub rub fight.

adidas Men's Sport Performance Climalite Boxer Briefs Underwear (2-Pack), Night Indigo/Light Onyx, X-Large/Waist Size 40-42 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QG7XGP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RYuzDbM4JXP42

Seriously. I wear these on the weekend now too. So damn comfortable.

I put a thick coat of epoxy glue on my boots, works fine on boots with worn out toes too. My currant boots have shiny steel holes with a layer of epoxy to keep them from getting worse. Lasts a long time. I once had a shoe repair shop put a leather cover on a pair. My boots usually wear out on the tops long before the sole does. On boots with holes, put lots of epoxy under the loose leather as well as on top.

These work too.

https://www.amazon.com/Boots-Saver-Guards-Pair-Brown/dp/B00B6RTYGC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543374193&sr=8-3&keywords=steel+toe+boot+cover

Come in black too


https://www.amazon.com/Boots-Saver-Guards-Pair-Brown/dp/B00B6RTYGC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543374193&sr=8-3&keywords=steel+toe+boot+cover

I did a bit of reading about who Barbara Res is- she's an engineer- and she has a book:
https://www.amazon.com/All-Alone-68th-Floor-Construction/dp/1523712562

Here's a New York Daily News editorial by her a year ago talking about her experiences working with Trump:
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/barbara-res-donald-trump-boss-article-1.2525669

If you're thinking about nomax/fr coveralls, be aware that they shrink a LOT and will do so over multiple washes. If they're new I wear a different size than if they're older and have been washed a few times and for some brands there is a difference of multiple sizes lol.

That being said, most brands will come in short/regular/tall varieties, so it mostly depends on your inseam. You also won't get a nice fit from men's coveralls, especially if you have a decently sized booty: they seem to be sized with a flat ass and wide shoulders in mind. I also get to wear these religiously, fashion statement be damned as the 'proper size' won't fit over my butt.

I can't really recommend brands as mine are supplied for me (and I take what I get).