Professional Grade Electricians Tools

[plowjockey]

I have been doing some wiring installation and have noticed that good tools are much more enjoyable to use, than junk ones and usually do a better job.

One is a pair of "GB" brand of needlenose pliers, that are supposed to be commercial grade, but are wasted after two days use.

Another is a pair of Thomas Betts cutter/crimper pliers ( I found them along the road), that probably sturdy enough to be used to chisel My. Rushmore.

There is also a romex stripper from Menards, that works, but is already bending out ow qack.

My goal is to ditch the junk and get all quality electrician's tools.

Needlenose
wire strippers
romex sheath cutter
other stuff.

Any ideas welcome.

[Danaus29]

Dh buys his from Grainger and a few other local tool places. Get the good electrician's or linemans tools, if you can find some with a lifetime guarantee it would be better.

Pawnshops are good places to look too. He did buy some stuff at a pawnshop in Richmond.

[deaconjim]

I've been an industrial electrician for nearly 30 years now, and I've never found anything that beats Klein.

[clovis]

Originally Posted by deaconjim

I've never found anything that beats Klein.

I totally agree.

If I only had 10 tools to last the rest of my life, my Klein side cuts would top the list.

Klein is the choice for electric linemen, and is my top choice too.

Clove

[sammyd]

I will not use a Klein screwdriver. They do not hold up well at all. They do have a nice replacement policy that I have taken advantage of but if I'm constantly swapping out bad for good I figure it's not worth it. I bought a set from Proto 6 years ago and they have held up the best of any I have tried, the phillips tip is actually still usable vs the Kleins that seem to wear out within 2 months.
Klein makes nice pliers. Have pair of linemans that have stood up to many years of use and abuse. I like their sidecutter/crimper pliers. But I really like Channel Locks when I'm looking at slip joints.
Last 2 strippers were Ideal. Kid lost one so I had to buy another. Work well and seem to hold up as good as anything.
Only romex stripper I ever had was a GB I think. Still around somewhere.
Been a construction electrician/equipment installer/industrial electro-mechanical guy for a number of years so my tools get a workout.

[Old Vet]

most people look at tools and get the cheaper ones. They are going to pay for several sets before they will wear out true professional grade. That goes for electricial, Mechanics and every thing else.

[Auric]

The Klein wire cutter/stripper/crimper is the best of the three I own. My favorite needle nose pliers I bought while in Germany. Sorry, don't know the brand name off-hand. I am still happy with the Fluke voltmeter I bought at Menard's 10 years ago.

[deaconjim]

Fluke is definitely the best choice in meters, although I am partial to Biddle meggers.

[Ozarka]

I have been using Kliens since 1970 whem my first pouch and tools cost me $ 38...
Klien seems to have been overcome by the "MBA Effect" to the degree that they no longer fully warrant their products and this is so bad that several of the local houses have stopped stocking them and have put up Greenlee displays. Greenlee should stick to Knockout punches, though. Their screwdrivers ain't solidly forged with a bolster on the shank like Klien's were in the old days, the (Greenlee) drivers simply have blades inserted into the handles, just like all the other cheap screwdrivers. Of course, the main reason that we needed solid handled screwdrivers was to solidly seat locknuts, now obsoleted by the plastic crap that passes for electrical material...gee, I sound like an old geezer...
Channelock makes superb lineman's pliers, look for the pair with a box joint. I swear by a pair of Proto duckbill pliers with a Klien insulated handle installed hot. Since the screwdrivers are just about generic anymore, Craftsman probably carries the best warranty.

[deaconjim]

I do use Craftsman screwdrivers, mainly because it's easier to return them to Sears when they break.

[scott]

Stick with Klein ...

[Oxankle]

Fifty five or fifty six years ago my sweetheart stopped and picked up a pair of Klein lineman pliers that bounced off someone's truck. I used them all that time, carefully because I valued them, and they were still in excellent condition when I gave them to her grandson last month.
Ox

[sammyd]

Flukes are the bomb.
Had a wiggy for years, my dad still has a couple and I think he's had them since he started in 62(he's a thrifty guy). A good voltmeter will get you through most stuff as a construction electrician.
Never used any brand of megger other than Biddle.
Tried a variety of tic tracers. Latest one is from Sperry and it has stood up to some hard knocks.

[kbshorts]

Klein, no question. 30 years as a commercial/industrial electrician and I have tried most brands at one time or another.

KB