Electricians! what is your favorite brand of tools, and why?
Electricians only please!
NO ELECTRONICS!
I preffer Klein or Ideal, but I have owned many brands, I am just getting started in the industry, and would appreciate advice from somone more expirienced than myself.
Specificly:
What brand makes the best:
Wiggy (low impeadance tester)?
Multimeter (preferably non automated)?
Wire strippers?
Please list reasons why you like them, and any practical features.
Pictures/websites welcome!
Thank you.
Fluke for meters
Klein for electrical tool
Craftman, Blackhawk, or Snap-on for wrenches and drivers
It depends on the tool. I prefer Snap-on most of all for all my hand-tools. Except for Channel-Locks. I always buy Channel Lock Brand. I also prefer the Fluke meter, but specifically the T5-600 model (600V) There’s also the same model for 1000 V (T5-1000 of course). It’s been the most durable, it’s simple, and it has an easy, no contact ampprobe. It works great for low impedence and as a basic multimeter, but it does everything in whole integers, not decimal. I don’t find much use for that anyway. It also beeps loudly when you test for closed circuit. Jensen sells the best wire cutters/strippers/crimper tools (not cable cutters, that would be klein). Jensen also sells these alan wrenches by Eklind. It’s a 13 piece long handle ball-end set. Inexpensive and really handy. Heat guns and tape fish I buy from Klein. Klein makes good tool belts and bolt bags too.
After a while, you’ll have your own preference for comfort, which tools break easy, etc.
Another great thing to have is the Fluke VoltAlert. I just found out about these little guys 2 years ago. You can put it close to a wire and it will light up if there’s voltage. No contact! It’s shaped like a pen, so you can put it on your shirt.
These are all the things that are my favorite, best for the money, and all the hand tools have life-time guarantees.
Klein. durable and electricians love them… my husband works with lots of contrators and subs.
fieldpiece for the meter, easy small and does cap test and temp 140$
klien nut driver, the only ones i could find magnatic
menards has new strippers out, its an off brand but i like them
the rest, cheap tools because dirty beggers likes to steal tools