Best 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.

I have similar length hair I'm growing out from a deathawk (now a short mom-type bob, lol) and do sloppy low pigtails under a bandana. My work is super dirty though and I'd rather not have my hair get involved, but leaving the ends stick out has been working fine. But, when it was somewhat longer I would put it in dual buns with the bandana. I don't pay attention to my middle part in the back at all since its only the 3rd thing I do after I wake up in the morning. I have a growing collection of bandanas and coordinate them to my shirts. Occasionally I have to re-tie it if I've been crawling underneath a lot of stuff but I think its currently my best option. It looks mostly like this picture: (random google image)
https://www.justtiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMAG0305-1.jpg


Some women I work with wear those thicker headbands like so:
https://www.amazon.com/Headwear-Headband-Sweatband-VANCROWN-12PCS-Solid/dp/B073GY6H6R/ref=sr_1_20_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1537390316&sr=8-20&keywords=thick+headbands


I don't really care about looking juvenile, though. I think demeanor is more important in terms of how you are received than a hairdo.

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.

Start doing exercises to strengthen your core. It should help out a lot.

There are also some products designed for lifting drywall.

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Gripper-ROU32630-Advantage/dp/B01F738PCE/ref=asc_df_B01F738PCE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241899084459&hvpos=1o19&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2977423245274776366&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004729&hvtargid=pla-379474389359&psc=1

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Panel-Carry-Orange-93-300K/202262083?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CVF%7CD25T%7C25-9_Hand_Tools%7CNA%7CStanley_Tools%7CLIA|71700000056159736|58700005250830958|92700046420532258&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_OzrBRDmARIsAAIdQ_Jrwl02aWztaBM1mz56EhahP4t48ma44jxtDdawL_tkhOGvXIyEDSAaAhoeEALw_wcB

I don't know how much these will help with what you're doing though, and I've never actually used them lol.

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’m a small woman 5’1 90lbs and my company bought these for us and it’s nice and warm. The small fits perfectly.

I just bought these and they're pretty great:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J28LQPI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I love my Keen steel toes. I think the model is called Detroit. I’m on my 3rd pair. They come in women’s sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/Utility-Detroit-Waterproof-Industrial-Gargoyle/dp/B078KN67V5/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?adgrpid=55624219603&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvo_qBRDQARIsAE-bsH_hKIr4cDo8DiGoWsrz8zqc0HjLkRXR8pyNRLE4xOjsECuScil6P8IaAruIEALw_wcB&hvadid=274708409648&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9016919&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=b&hvrand=3532255841778277160&hvtargid=kwd-296544416104&hydadcr=5369_9609022&keywords=keen%2Bdetroit%2Bmid%2Bsteel%2Btoe%2Bboots&qid=1564803268&s=gateway&sr=8-5&th=1&psc=1

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

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

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.