Are Klien tools worth buying ?

[DTE]

I am needing to put some electrical tools together to do some maintenance work, changing a lot of light ballast, lamp holders , wall receptacles. I have been looking at Klien tools. 10 inch tote, wire strippers long nut drivers etc. Are they any better/worse than other brands ? If your an electrician what do you use ?

 

[kd3pc]

Klein has been around for decades and has a great reputation amongst people who work with their tools and use their hands to do so.

I have some of my original tools from JATC LU #26 (Wash DC) and they still work like new. I also have some metric nut drivers that I bought in the last year or two and they are as nice as the old stuff....now will they hold up for 45 years like the old stuff....

 

[Negen]

I have proto wire strippers and would use Kline if I had some. I only repair 15" ac lights and small electronic. Kline is good if they have what you need.

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[onarant]

I still have some of my dads Kleins from the 60's and 70's. Still work great. Use them almost daily.

 

[Stuey]

Most of their tools, yes, they're good.

Not the best, but decent.

(Not an electrician.)

 

[5ktq]

I've never really cared for their soft grip screwdrivers that everyone clones. I guess mostly because I work with dirty oily stuff and they get ugly in a hurry.

Side cutters, etc seem decent quality. I think I read they don't make them here anymore.. forged in china, ground and dipped in america? maybe I'm making that up.

 

[plinker]

Wire cutters, strippers and crimpers (pliers in general) are all good quality, I like the "5 in 1" screwdriver I have for doing electrical work. The adjustable wrenches are also very good, older ones US made, newer Spain (like everyone else).

Last I knew the screwdrivers aren't what they used to be (soft tips), YMMV.

 

[JBradley500]

IMO I’ve liked anything they make for pliers. The pivots of the ones I own feel perfect.

 

[Wamsutta]

Most of their tools, yes, they're good.

Not the best, but decent.

(Not an electrician.)

Ah, so that's why Stuey left Klein out of his recommendation in the screwdriver thread. He's not a big fan of Klein. Interesting.

Like the others said, PB Swiss, Proto, Wera are all great.

 

[rkevins]

strippers are worth the money, for diagonals and linesman's I like the D2000 series have pair of each that are over 20 years old. the multiple tip screwdrivers are good also.

 

[DTE]

Thanks. I appreciate the input. I try to buy local and there is a local supply house that carries Klien and their prices are about the same as online so that is where I will go.

 

[jeffmoss26]

In a word, YES!

 

[Professional Tool User]

Klein tools are generally good though if you're not an electrician like myself, some say the metal they use for their pliers and screwdriver tips is a bit on the soft side. If you're not looking for an automatic wire stripper, from my personal experiences, their wire strippers are excellent. I can't vouch for anything else other than their side cutters - especially the angled ones. For some reason I keep going to that pair of flea market angled Klein side cutters after trying out the Knipex and Channellock ones.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I like the stuff I have from them, wire strippers and pliers.
I don't think I'd go out of my way to get them over USA made channellocks but I like them.

 

[Tynee]

Funny that the screwdrivers aren’t getting any love. I bought a set in ‘99 or so, recently warrantied one (I spent 5 grand at the supply house that day, and it was the same house that sold me the screwdrivers in the first place. I didn’t feel too guilty about warrantying a 20 year old tool.) I’ve found the tip on the new one to be much tougher than the 20 year old ones.

 

[Eric29]

I like most of their tools, but unlike many people, I’m not a fan of their wire strippers. I find that their wire strippers nick 12 and 14 gauge wire. This is also true when I’ve used Klein strippers to strip back romex insulation. I find nicks on the wires.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Klein tools are generally good though if you're not an electrician like myself, some say the metal they use for their pliers and screwdriver tips is a bit on the soft side. If you're not looking for an automatic wire stripper, from my personal experiences, their wire strippers are excellent. I can't vouch for anything else other than their side cutters - especially the angled ones. For some reason I keep going to that pair of flea market angled Klein side cutters after trying out the Knipex and Channellock ones.

What exactly is a GOOD automatic wire stripper? I remember buying a irwin that had pretty good reviews a few years back and it was absolute garbage. Would be nice to sped things up when messing with new plugs if there is an auto one that isn't too spendy.

 

[dpv4276]

Electrical work is how I put food on the table. Klein tools dominate my tool bag.

The only real exceptions being a Fluke dmm, and pump pliers made by channellock of course

 

[Kaizen]

I don’t do electrical work with anything else. Especially on live stuff or possibly hot. All you need for most is flat and Phillips screwdrivers, wire strippers, and lineman pliers.


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[Coach James]

strippers are worth the money,.....

I tried to get my wife to believe this, but it didn't go too well.

Coach

 

[Gummi Bear]

Klein tools have put food on my table for 24 years.

I will continue to buy them, and recommend them for electrical work.

There are other companies making electrical hand tools, but none better.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[lincwelder225]

I tried to get my wife to believe this, but it didn't go too well.

Coach

 

[Negen]

FYI it probably isn't safe to use the Kline 8in1 around possible live wires. The nickle holders do make for some great sparks and will weld itself in the driver.

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[Bubba Fett]

New here, but I'll chime in. Klein screwdrivers are designed for electrical work. They spin in the hand easily, and the tips are strong. They are not designed for automotive work since grease, etc doesn't clean up well from the rubber handles. However, electricians use screwdrivers more than most other tradesmen, imo. Mechanics, for example tend to gravitate towards wrenches and sockets.

Their pliers are excellent. They take a while to break in, but they last a long time. The Journeyman side cutters will cut chain link fencing, and ceiling grid wire with no problem.

Most of their tools are made in America. Some of their meters, testers, etc are not. Fluke is generally the go-to brand for that, but you do pay more for it. I also like their snips and strippers a lot.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I work mostly on cars, and my screw tips have mostly rounded over before the handles got real shabby.

stripper crimper crimps well, better than most half the time, but the other half the time the hinge binds. open and close a few times, and its perfect again. Visually it's fine. A litle disapointing for a tool that was over $30, but still better than the cheap ones.

Angle cutter, bought new when my old one had a plasma incident. Love it, weather resistance isn't as good as some would be my only complaint, but service trucks don't get to be choosy about the environment.

I also have a 1944 lineman pliers that's still mint. Must be some good steel, too nice for teh service truck duty.

 

[unslow1]

When I was an electrician the whole crew pretty much used Ideal and Channellock. I also have some Klein and a few other brands. As long as it's a decent brand I never really noticed much of a difference.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I tried to get my wife to believe this, but it didn't go too well.

Coach

Hilarious. Good one!

As for Klein tools why would you even have anything else.

 

[yamaha0343]

My background is more telecom than electrical, but Klein is well represented in my toolbox. Great tools for the price, even if they’re not the prettiest.

 

[rijndael]

Does all of this Klien love extend to their multimeters too?

 

[FigureItOut]

Does all of this Klien love extend to their multimeters too?

Not especially. The meters are okay, one of the DMM geeks around here probably knows the OEM on them. I have one for home use, but would certainly never grab it if one of my Flukes was nearby.

Klein tools in general are excellent, if I'm doing AC electrical work I load up a bag with pretty much only Klein. That tools I have do tend to get surface rust more quickly than other stuff I own. My complaint about their diagonal cutters, or at least the ones I own, is the precision of the knives. If I'm cutting back bare stranded wire because I stripped it too far, they won't cut all the strands. Then again, I can say the same about my Knipex and my NWS, only my Channellock and Orbis cutters cut stranded, insulated wire cleanly without insulation.

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[Stuey]

Ah, so that's why Stuey left Klein out of his recommendation in the screwdriver thread. He's not a big fan of Klein. Interesting.

The Torx thread? I had never used Klein Torx drivers. Didn't even come to mind.

Although, their P-handle hex drivers are nice.

Klein strippers are great. Their pliers are good, but I tend to prefer other brands. My Channellock lineman pliers have a smoother pivot (my Klein's never really broke in). NWS has better hard wire cutters, and I like their other pliers too. So people like spending a little more for Knipex.

Screwdrivers? I like my Klein multi-bit drivers, but Milwaukee's is good too.

Some Klein tools I really like. But there are sometimes better options if you're willing to order from different places, and spend time researching or trying different things out.

They sent me a press release the other day, about new cutting snips. I asked if they're made in the USA, but haven't heard back. I suspect that they aren't. Klein has been licensing more tools these days, and expanding into non-traditional territory, such as coolers, speakers, and tape measures.

A lot of electricians use Klein because of the reputation and tradition, but they're still good tools. Klein is a good "I don't have to think about it" brand. But for users willing to spend more time and effort in their purchasing decisions, they can often find better tools without spending a whole lot more money.

"Not the best, but decent" is the simplest way I could put things.

 

[redwrench60]

Klein makes some really great pliers and screwdrivers along with other core tools for electrical, HVAC and ironworker trades. The Golden Standard for legions of tradesmen. I really like their 2000 series lineman’s pliers, needle nose pliers and their 5-in-1 and 11-in-1 multi drivers.

 

[fasteddie]

I have carried these shears in my tool bag for about 30 years now. Still as sharp as the day I bought it. It is my goto for wire cutting, small trimming on sheet metal. Especially good for trimming BX, bend the jacket til it breaks, untwist the coils a bit and trim the armor clean with no jagged sharp edges. One of my prized posessions, I never leave this tool unattended.

 

[cheechi]

My background is more telecom than electrical, but Klein is well represented in my toolbox. Great tools for the price, even if they’re not the prettiest.

I'm the same. I wish I had bought into Klein much sooner than I did. Would have saved a lot of time and money early on.

I have done electrical work on my and other homes, some industrial sites, but mostly retail or office commercial spaces. I'm on a couple guys' speed dial if they need an extra hand on a job, but I'm far from a master electrician. All the electricians I have worked with or for, or been around have mostly Klein, probably 2/3 or more for their hand tools.

I have been looking at Klien tools. 10 inch tote, wire strippers long nut drivers etc. Are they any better/worse than other brands ? If your an electrician what do you use ?

I have a Klein bag though not the 10" tote you are looking at. I bought the Husky though that was before Veto made an open top tote. Comparing the 3, I would probably still buy the Husky if I needed another open top.

Klein's nut drivers I think are the best I have used. I really like the long non magnetic ones. That's compared to Craftsman & Bondhus, both USA made.

As far as them being better or worse than other brands, it really depends on the other brands. Compared to Channellock, Wiha, Felo, Knipex, or Witte, all of which I have used for electrical work, you can find some things you may like better or worse than others. Compared to pretty much anything else you would buy at Lowes, HD, Sears, etc, they are head and shoulders above whatever you would be comparing them against.

The black & gold Craftsman Pro electrical tools as well as nearly all their VDV tools used to be Klein rebrands.

I’m not a fan of their wire strippers.

I prefer the Ideal automatic strippers and 'T Strippers' over the Kleins, but for individual conductors the Klein Kurve are hard to beat. I bet I own 10 Klein strippers in various piles, bags, and drawers.

This is a Veto XL. These photos are different ages but you get the idea, although I probably have 10 sets of screwdrivers I use Klein or Wiha for electrical work.

 

[23ford]

Do electrical comm work use mainly Klien they last for ever have to keep people from taking......