I'm changing careers(after 12 years 
) and getting myself into an apprenticeship. I'm trying to figure out the most efficient set up as far as which tools and how to carry them. I know some guys have no problem wearing the entirety of home depots tool section on suspenders all day lol. That's not gonna work for me. I'm thinking more along the lines of a small pouch like 4-5 pockets for the absolute essentials that I'll be using all day every day and then a bag/tote to keep backups and lesser used items. I just dont know what I can get away with, whats common/expected, and I certainly dont want to get myself into a situation where I'm slowing down jobs because I gotta keep running back to my tool bag every 5 minutes.
I'm looking around online to find out what the must haves are. I have a lot of tools, as is. In fact I have everything except a set of linemans, a pouch, and a decent bag. But I'm going to buy some good quality USA, Germany, or Japan stuff to replace some lower quality tools I have just to make sure I'm not gonna be hindered, fatigued, or stressed in any way by lesser quality tools failing to perform as well as they should.
Anyways, as far as I can tell the essentials are:
linemans pliers
diagonal cutters
NCVT
Receptacle Tester with GFCI Test
wire strippers
screwdrivers
needle nose pliers
slipjoint pliers
maybe an adjustable wrench
Channellock "Water Pump" type pliers Such as the 440's or Knipex Cobras
Tape measure.
And something to keep consumables like wire nuts in.
I came across these Klein Hybrid pliers(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YSR1M8G/?tag=atomicindus08-20), they have a lineman type head, wire strippers, crimper, cutter, screw shears, and a fish tape puller. How viable would it be to buy this in place of say wire strippers, and an actual pair of linemans, etc? If I dont go with these, I'll be getting the Channellock 369 Lineman's over a pair of Kleins, as after watching Project Farm put them all to the test, they out performed Kleins, Knipex, and others in pretty much every way across the board. And they're only $30.
This is a pouch I have my eye on: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JASH72/?tag=atomicindus08-20
While I have a couple pairs of good Slip Joints, some vintage Craftsman USA and some Proto's, I'm gonna pick up a new set anyways just because why I kinda want to check out these Japanese Tsunoda's that put the competition to shame on Project Farm and they're only $12: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RDDLHM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
As far as screwdrivers I'm looking at the Klein Multibit ones. The 11 in 1 magnetic along with the Stubby multibit.
Tape measure, I'll prob go with a 25ft Fat Max as I doubt my 12ft Stanley's I use for woodworking will be the most viable thing lol.
I know the the bag/tote doesnt much matter, except for perhaps being able to keep it organized so you can quickly find what you need. But I've got my eye on this leather CLC tote: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXRZNK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Anyways for those of you that have done or been doing this kind of work, and if you had the same concerns, what kind of a set up would you have bought to get started?
As far as the setting I dont know yet. I'm taking my time, doing my homework, and trying to make sure I get in with a good company as I'm fairly comfortable as of now and not in such a hurry I need to jump into anything I may regret. But ideally, I'd get in with a place that does both residential and commercial service and/or construction that way I'm getting plenty of hours in both to go towards a Journeyman and eventually a contractor/master license as that is the end goal here. I'd like to get in with my local JATC/IBEW as they seem a little more equipped to train apprentices than non-union gigs though I get the impression work may be less steady with a union.
) and getting myself into an apprenticeship. I'm trying to figure out the most efficient set up as far as which tools and how to carry them. I know some guys have no problem wearing the entirety of home depots tool section on suspenders all day lol. That's not gonna work for me. I'm thinking more along the lines of a small pouch like 4-5 pockets for the absolute essentials that I'll be using all day every day and then a bag/tote to keep backups and lesser used items. I just dont know what I can get away with, whats common/expected, and I certainly dont want to get myself into a situation where I'm slowing down jobs because I gotta keep running back to my tool bag every 5 minutes.I'm looking around online to find out what the must haves are. I have a lot of tools, as is. In fact I have everything except a set of linemans, a pouch, and a decent bag. But I'm going to buy some good quality USA, Germany, or Japan stuff to replace some lower quality tools I have just to make sure I'm not gonna be hindered, fatigued, or stressed in any way by lesser quality tools failing to perform as well as they should.
Anyways, as far as I can tell the essentials are:
linemans pliers
diagonal cutters
NCVT
Receptacle Tester with GFCI Test
wire strippers
screwdrivers
needle nose pliers
slipjoint pliers
maybe an adjustable wrench
Channellock "Water Pump" type pliers Such as the 440's or Knipex Cobras
Tape measure.
And something to keep consumables like wire nuts in.
I came across these Klein Hybrid pliers(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YSR1M8G/?tag=atomicindus08-20), they have a lineman type head, wire strippers, crimper, cutter, screw shears, and a fish tape puller. How viable would it be to buy this in place of say wire strippers, and an actual pair of linemans, etc? If I dont go with these, I'll be getting the Channellock 369 Lineman's over a pair of Kleins, as after watching Project Farm put them all to the test, they out performed Kleins, Knipex, and others in pretty much every way across the board. And they're only $30.
This is a pouch I have my eye on: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JASH72/?tag=atomicindus08-20
While I have a couple pairs of good Slip Joints, some vintage Craftsman USA and some Proto's, I'm gonna pick up a new set anyways just because why I kinda want to check out these Japanese Tsunoda's that put the competition to shame on Project Farm and they're only $12: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RDDLHM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
As far as screwdrivers I'm looking at the Klein Multibit ones. The 11 in 1 magnetic along with the Stubby multibit.
Tape measure, I'll prob go with a 25ft Fat Max as I doubt my 12ft Stanley's I use for woodworking will be the most viable thing lol.
I know the the bag/tote doesnt much matter, except for perhaps being able to keep it organized so you can quickly find what you need. But I've got my eye on this leather CLC tote: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXRZNK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Anyways for those of you that have done or been doing this kind of work, and if you had the same concerns, what kind of a set up would you have bought to get started?
As far as the setting I dont know yet. I'm taking my time, doing my homework, and trying to make sure I get in with a good company as I'm fairly comfortable as of now and not in such a hurry I need to jump into anything I may regret. But ideally, I'd get in with a place that does both residential and commercial service and/or construction that way I'm getting plenty of hours in both to go towards a Journeyman and eventually a contractor/master license as that is the end goal here. I'd like to get in with my local JATC/IBEW as they seem a little more equipped to train apprentices than non-union gigs though I get the impression work may be less steady with a union.
