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Becoming Electrician - Tool Recommendations

ecotec

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1st. Screwdrivers... metric flat blade screwdrivers are not the right sizes for electrical fittings. I would suggest Klein, but stay away from metric. Obviously, any brand of Phillips is fine.

2nd. Linemen’s and diagonals... D-2000 Klein’s seem expensive, but they are designed to cut through thicker hardened metal. They are absolutely worth the extra cost.

3rd. Level... do not even look at torpedo levels without Neodymium magnets.

4th. Hammer... rip claw with fiberglass handle.

Wire strippers, razor knife, and tape measures are very personal. Just make sure that you have a modern tape measure with a decent amount of standout.

Every electrician should have a half round file with a handle.

Bring a Sharpie and a pencil.

Beyond all of this, you will eventually need 2 pairs Channellocks, an adjustable wrench, nut drivers, ratchet and sockets, Allen keys, tick tracer, voltage tester with continuity, framing square (a trim square is better, because it is smaller, needle nose pliers, ratcheting wrenches (at least 7/16”, 9/16”, and 3/4”), and a no-dog for bending offsets in pipe.

As far as a tool pouch goes... find out what the other guys in your company are using. Top of the line is Occidental Leather and livable is the Carharrt canvas one. The Carharrt one doubles as a perfect tool holder in a boom lift.

A small magnetic bowl will make sure any hardware you remove from anything does not get misplaced.

A canvas zipper bag for consumables (drill bits, hole saws, unibit , taps...) is good to have. It keeps all your consumables in one place. Always keep your taps taped to the corresponding drill bit.

Farther along, you will want a machinist square for layout, tin snips, a tap handle, drywall saw, folding inside measuring ruler, and Sta-con crimpers.
 
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ecotec

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Boots... you will be on your feet all day. Buy good boots.

Layers... you need to be able to stay warm in the winter. Most residential roughs are unheated. Bibs, a coat, sweatshirts...

You may never have to wear a hard hat. If and when you have to wear a hard hat, you should buy a rechargeable headlamp for it. The brightest that you can afford is ideal. Figure out the highest setting that lasts all day. Obviously, that is not going to be the highest setting.
 

redwrench60

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I think ecotec pretty well just nailed this thread down. Lots of great experience and advice there, even covering clothing, footwear and Safety gear.
 

ChevyEFI

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When I did HVAC work, a drill and a Malco magnetic driver were used a whole lot more than nut drivers. A two pack Dewalt for $10 gets you 1/4 through 7/16 sizes, and Malco has different lengths. Good luck w the career change.
 
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Cypress

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You guys have been tremendously helpful. I greatly appreciate all the thoughtful advice. Thank you very much.
 

Crazyjake8493

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Looks like most stuff has been covered so far.

My big suggestion would be if you haven't bought your level yet (or if you want to get a better one) look at Swanson's 9" Savage lighted and magnetic level. I carry one in all my tool bags and wouldn't be without it, especially for electrical work. Infinitely better than the cheaper $10 levels, and they're only around $22.
 

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Cypress

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Looks like most stuff has been covered so far.

My big suggestion would be if you haven't bought your level yet (or if you want to get a better one) look at Swanson's 9" Savage lighted and magnetic level. I carry one in all my tool bags and wouldn't be without it, especially for electrical work. Infinitely better than the cheaper $10 levels, and they're only around $22.

I ordered the empire level listed in the OP.

Thx man
 

ecotec

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Looks like most stuff has been covered so far.

My big suggestion would be if you haven't bought your level yet (or if you want to get a better one) look at Swanson's 9" Savage lighted and magnetic level. I carry one in all my tool bags and wouldn't be without it, especially for electrical work. Infinitely better than the cheaper $10 levels, and they're only around $22.

Does this level turn itself off if you forget to?
 
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Cypress

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Did you order all of the tools you listed?

That level is not ideal for electrical conduit work.

No, i changed up a bunch of stuff because of this thread.

Why isnt it good for conduit? I can return it i think after i get it. I was told empire made quality stuff but obviously im a rookie with electrical tools.
 

sberry

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I doubt it's a big deal especially in residential. I really rarely use one, can see most stuff quite close. Really, should get minimum stuff, get on a powerhouse and steal most of it.
 

matt_i

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When do you get a voltmeter?

I feel like that's the main tool keeping me from an early grave.

Caveat: not an electrician by trade but have dabbled in many repairs and troubleshooting over the years in automotive factories.

I'm very partial to the Fluke 177.
 

redwrench60

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That exact Empire torpedo is a General purpose unit. Nothing wrong with it but they make torpedos tailored towards electricians. They have curiously strong magnets, clamp onto the end of pipe/EMT for making bends and offsets, leveling runs as well as having additional commonly used angles for such applications. I have both and they each have their place.

As far as a multimeter goes, I can’t imagine any journeyman or supervisor would put any FNG (no offense op) anywhere near a hot panel, box or feeder where live circuits and voltage measurements are needed.
 

redwrench60

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Oh and don’t forget this tool. Required by apprentice and journeyman alike. Says right in the description :lol_hitti
 

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Cypress

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That exact Empire torpedo is a General purpose unit. Nothing wrong with it but they make torpedos tailored towards electricians. They have curiously strong magnets, clamp onto the end of pipe/EMT for making bends and offsets, leveling runs as well as having additional commonly used angles for such applications. I have both and they each have their place.

As far as a multimeter goes, I can’t imagine any journeyman or supervisor would put any FNG (no offense op) anywhere near a hot panel, box or feeder where live circuits and voltage measurements are needed.

Good to know. I need to do a bit more research then. The one i ordered will prob get delegated to the garage tool wall then. It was only $20 or so... maybe less.

Thanks,
 

AA/FC

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I did not read the entire thread but I just wanted to make a quick post and wish you luck on your career change! :)

I ALWAYS wanted to be an electrician but it never happened for various reasons.

Congrats on having the balls to make a bold career move. :beer:

Just pay attention.... and when you're doing the ****** apprentice work, just know that someday you'll be the journeyman and you can have YOUR apprentice do the ****** work.

Good luck, sir! :)
 
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Cypress

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I did not read the entire thread but I just wanted to make a quick post and wish you luck on your career change! :)

I ALWAYS wanted to be an electrician but it never happened for various reasons.

Congrats on having the balls to make a bold career move. :beer:

Just pay attention.... and when you're doing the ****** apprentice work, just know that someday you'll be the journeyman and you can have YOUR apprentice do the ****** work.

Good luck, sir! :)

That means alot. Thank you for taking the time to post that. This is a big decision for me, obviously, and reading posts like yours lessens the stress.

Thank you,
 

matt_i

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Right after you get a live line/inductive detector to use as a safety pre-check and indicator.

No offense to you but I don't trust those things. If I rub it on my forearm it starts sensing voltage. Even name brand testers. Maybe they've gotten better but that experience with them didn't make me want to trust it to verify zero energy before I start working on something.
 
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Cypress

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Wanted to post an update on tools Ive bought based on your input. Thx fellas. See below for current setup
 

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bobg03

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Congrats on a good career change, you have been given some good advice.

Hopefully they will tell you what to bring on your first day but if they don't you certainly don't want to show up looking like "Bob the Builder" I would bring a tape measure, a knife and that multi-bit screwdriver and wait to see what they tell me to bring if anything the next day..those three items will fit in your pocket, out of sight unless needed.

You seem to have a good positive attitude but I would follow whatever directions you are given to bring on day one, otherwise those are the things that create nick names on the jobsite forever...LOL
 
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Cypress

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Congrats on a good career change, you have been given some good advice.

Hopefully they will tell you what to bring on your first day but if they don't you certainly don't want to show up looking like "Bob the Builder" I would bring a tape measure, a knife and that multi-bit screwdriver and wait to see what they tell me to bring if anything the next day..those three items will fit in your pocket, out of sight unless needed.

You seem to have a good positive attitude but I would follow whatever directions you are given to bring on day one, otherwise those are the things that create nick names on the jobsite forever...LOL

Thanks,

For sure lol... and that is certainly my plan. After my last meeting with the company owner, he told me to get the Klein tool belt / bags, so I did and he also mentioned a list of tools for day 1, which I also have now (thanks to this thread).
 

bobg03

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Thanks,

For sure lol... and that is certainly my plan. After my last meeting with the company owner, he told me to get the Klein tool belt / bags, so I did and he also mentioned a list of tools for day 1, which I also have now (thanks to this thread).

Perfect here's one for you...My son is the Facility Manager for a large worldwide engine facility. He doesn't normally get involved with hourly employees, they report to managers that report to him.

So the R&D manager tells him at luch the other day they hired a new millwright to be a troubleshooter in the warehouse amongst other duties. So his first task was to layout a new jig that had been built by other employees before his arrival. Some measurements were needed. it appears the new guy (are you ready) couldn't read a tape measure. :lol_hitti

his new nickname quickly became terminated
 
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Cypress

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Perfect here's one for you...My son is the Facility Manager for a large worldwide engine facility. He doesn't normally get involved with hourly employees, they report to managers that report to him.

So the R&D manager tells him at luch the other day they hired a new millwright to be a troubleshooter in the warehouse amongnst other duties. So his first task was to layout a new jig that had been built by other employees before his arrival. Some measurements were needed. it appears the new guy (are you ready) couldn't read a tape measure. :lol_hitti

Yikes!!

I can, with 100% certainty, say that I will NOT be showing up without the ability to read a tape!

;)
 

captain14

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:dunno:
Perfect here's one for you...My son is the Facility Manager for a large worldwide engine facility. He doesn't normally get involved with hourly employees, they report to managers that report to him.

So the R&D manager tells him at luch the other day they hired a new millwright to be a troubleshooter in the warehouse amongst other duties. So his first task was to layout a new jig that had been built by other employees before his arrival. Some measurements were needed. it appears the new guy (are you ready) couldn't read a tape measure. :lol_hitti

his new nickname quickly became terminated

You mean 2 black lines past the 3 is not an official measurement?

Yes I heard that measuring brake travel Distance on air brakes.
 

electroman187

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No offense to you but I don't trust those things. If I rub it on my forearm it starts sensing voltage. Even name brand testers. Maybe they've gotten better but that experience with them didn't make me want to trust it to verify zero energy before I start working on something.

I'm gonna guess you're not an electrician. You're always supposed to test these on a known live circuit and ensure it properly detects before using on a dead or unknown circuit.

Would you rather have a false detection or miss a detection? I know which one I'd pick.

I literally rub these non-contact detectors on my shirt as a means to ensure they are working (when there is no live circuit near). I very much trust the Fluke and Klein ones I have. The more you use them and understand the principle of operation, the more you'll trust them. Well, at least that was case for me.
 

bmwrd0

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I did commercial HVAC and later worked for the phone company as a tech, and I preferred a tote to bags. I found it easier to set it down and be able to see everything in it at a glance over the bags constantly dragging at my waist. But, that is one of those things that you can only learn through trial and error.

Good luck man. You made a good choice.
 

jrbpit1

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And write your name on everything. Etch your tools with your initials. Nobody steals...they are just getting their stuff back. My dad was a stickler for that. When I was a kid I thought it was weird until I went through boot camp.

As you buy more expensive tools and your collection grow, save the receipts, take pics of your stuff, and record serial numbers of any power tools you buy.

Good luck with your career change. Too late for me, wish I would have went Into the HVAC trade.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 

aggiegrads

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I haven’t seen a recommendation yet, but I loved my Klein rapi-drive flathead for taking off and installing faceplates.

Also, a dedicated square drive (#2) was useful for breakers and some GFI/AFCI devices. That may have changed after fifteen years though.
 

Holt

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Day 1 as of an electrician apprentice.... forget the tools. Your going to be holding a shovel and a broom for a while.
 
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