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Electricians tools

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biggziff

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Since I'm wiring my new garage myself I decided to treat myself to some new tools (Honey, I'm saving sooooo much money and I need the right tools for the job, right?) My electrician's tools are ancient and pretty beat up so...

Klein seems to come up the most as the brand to buy. South Wire looks about the same and I'm sure there are others. I was thinking to buy the following. Anything I've missed that I should toss in the cart?

Klein stripper K1412

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F9HIEC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Side cutters

Lineman's pliers (might not be needed)

Any other "must haves" for wiring up the shop?

thanks
 
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biggziff

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Michael_in_DE said:
I hope you have the opportunity to wire for 220.
Click to expand...

Yep. I'll have 2 - 240 volt receptacles in the new shop. I'm leaving the compressor in the old garage (the new garage is attached to the old one), but welders will likely move to the new spot.
 
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Gmonkee

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Don't go nuts. I wired up a new breaker box and feeds with old junk and got fancy tools to do interior lighting. Haven't used any since that was finished.

Good thing I didn't spend a lot really getting set up. The one tool I found most useful was the insulated screwdriver for quick forays into a hot breaker box. All the rest could have been done with any basic general use tools.
 
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tonyciambrone

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I personally dislike the Klein tools stripper. Maybe I just need to grind or drill out the rivet for the locking "feature".

In reality is goes like this, strip once, open the lock, strip another wire, open the lock.

Unless I am stripping 18awg or 20awg, then you can just use continuously. No experience with the NM Cable version
 
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ssdave

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You don't need a lot of tools to wire; unless you're really just into tool collecting, all you need are:

Flat screwdriver that fits the screws in receptacles. Needle nose klein electrician pliers with cutter, wire stripper groove. Utility knife to strip romex shield. Phillips #2 screwdriver to fit some screws.

That stripping tool will work fine for cutting and stripping wires, but will not bend the end loops for screwing onto receptacles very well. You only need to be able to strip 12 ga and maybe 14 for wiring a garage, and the needlenose will do that, as well as cut the wire. This tool is what you need: https://www.zoro.com/klein-tools-needle-nose-plier-6-58-in-serrated-d203-6h2/i/G2718116/

Side cutters are totally extra; linemans pliers are nice to have but not needed except for heavier wire. If you buy them, these are the ones to get: https://www.zoro.com/klein-tools-linemans-pliers-9-38-in-1-1932-in-jaw-d213-9neth/i/G3639002/feature-product?gclid=CjwKCAjwhOvPBRBxEiwAx2nhLnqouFuDGkZR_cqpE-aJwmixvOOn4MmyttUefXqk7JVNwzi4KIcHNhoCg1UQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
 
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biggziff

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Gmonkee said:
Don't go nuts. I wired up a new breaker box and feeds with old junk and got fancy tools to do interior lighting. Haven't used any since that was finished.

Good thing I didn't spend a lot really getting set up. The one tool I found most useful was the insulated screwdriver for quick forays into a hot breaker box. All the rest could have been done with any basic general use tools.
Click to expand...

Thanks for answering my question! :bounce:
 
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biggziff

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ssdave said:
You don't need a lot of tools to wire; unless you're really just into tool collecting, all you need are:

Flat screwdriver that fits the screws in receptacles. Needle nose klein electrician pliers with cutter, wire stripper groove. Utility knife to strip romex shield. Phillips #2 screwdriver to fit some screws.

That stripping tool will work fine for cutting and stripping wires, but will not bend the end loops for screwing onto receptacles very well. You only need to be able to strip 12 ga and maybe 14 for wiring a garage, and the needlenose will do that, as well as cut the wire. This tool is what you need: https://www.zoro.com/klein-tools-needle-nose-plier-6-58-in-serrated-d203-6h2/i/G2718116/

Side cutters are totally extra; linemans pliers are nice to have but not needed except for heavier wire. If you buy them, these are the ones to get: https://www.zoro.com/klein-tools-linemans-pliers-9-38-in-1-1932-in-jaw-d213-9neth/i/G3639002/feature-product?gclid=CjwKCAjwhOvPBRBxEiwAx2nhLnqouFuDGkZR_cqpE-aJwmixvOOn4MmyttUefXqk7JVNwzi4KIcHNhoCg1UQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Click to expand...

So those strippers I linked to won't work for loops? They have holes for that and a few videos I watched showed people doing that.

Thanks
 
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ez-duzit

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This is the style I use. Very efficient and fast.

CHT181_AutomaticL.jpg
 
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signcrafter

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ssdave said:
That stripping tool will work fine for cutting and stripping wires, but will not bend the end loops for screwing onto receptacles very well. You only need to be able to strip 12 ga and maybe 14 for wiring a garage, and the needlenose will do that, as well as cut the wire. This tool is what you need: https://www.zoro.com/klein-tools-needle-nose-plier-6-58-in-serrated-d203-6h2/i/G2718116/
Click to expand...

The strippers he linked to will loop wires and it's how every electrician loops wires. Have never seen an electrician use needle nose to loop a wire. Strip wire sheathing, strip individual wires, cover hole with finger and insert wire till hits finger and twist wrist. Done. No grabbing two tools to do a simple job.

Michael_in_DE said:
I have these and love them:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CXKOEQ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Click to expand...

I have those and like them but in my opinion they are not for romex wires. I use them on auto electrical.

biggziff said:
So those strippers I linked to won't work for loops? They have holes for that and a few videos I watched showed people doing that.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes they will work just fine and sounds like you already know how to do it like a pro.


Some other tools I would suggest is a few testers, a non contact(good one since you're trusting your life to it usually) and a plug in one with gfi tester will cover most of what you need. Insulated screw drivers are nice for panel work and some other things and can be found for a decent price at menards or depot(milwaukee brand by the tool section, not electrical). A combo tip screwdriver is nice for all the screws on outlets and switches, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJQWWFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20. They have a square tip with a blade and fit the screws great. Buy a nice 7/8" or so ship auger bit for drilling holes in studs and make sure you have a good drill to use it in.

It all depends on your situation what tools you will need. If you have wood studs, plastic or metal boxes, romex or flex and conduit, etc will determine what tools you will need. But a wood framed garage with romex is fairly simple to do.
 
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stercorarius

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My two cents is to not go Klein and go Channellock instead. Little cheaper and just as good if not better. Grab a 6 in one screwdriver, needle nose pliers, strippers, and a ncv tester or dmm. A smaller claw hammer is nice too.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk
 
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johno

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jgromada said:
Yikes i see that is newegg.ca so those are Canadian pesos correct? Head below the border and i think i paid like $2 or $3 at a Home Depot.
Click to expand...


Ya, like I said I can't believe the price.
I never paid more than about $3 either.

Maybe they're on crack??
 
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biggziff

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signcrafter said:
The strippers he linked to will loop wires and it's how every electrician loops wires. Have never seen an electrician use needle nose to loop a wire. Strip wire sheathing, strip individual wires, cover hole with finger and insert wire till hits finger and twist wrist. Done. No grabbing two tools to do a simple job.



I have those and like them but in my opinion they are not for romex wires. I use them on auto electrical.



Yes they will work just fine and sounds like you already know how to do it like a pro.


Some other tools I would suggest is a few testers, a non contact(good one since you're trusting your life to it usually) and a plug in one with gfi tester will cover most of what you need. Insulated screw drivers are nice for panel work and some other things and can be found for a decent price at menards or depot(milwaukee brand by the tool section, not electrical). A combo tip screwdriver is nice for all the screws on outlets and switches, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJQWWFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20. They have a square tip with a blade and fit the screws great. Buy a nice 7/8" or so ship auger bit for drilling holes in studs and make sure you have a good drill to use it in.

It all depends on your situation what tools you will need. If you have wood studs, plastic or metal boxes, romex or flex and conduit, etc will determine what tools you will need. But a wood framed garage with romex is fairly simple to do.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I'm a home inspector in my free time so I have testers (too many...I like gadgets)
 
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DadsTools

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biggziff said:
Since I'm wiring my new garage myself I decided to treat myself to some new tools (Honey, I'm saving sooooo much money and I need the right tools for the job, right?) My electrician's tools are ancient and pretty beat up so...

Klein seems to come up the most as the brand to buy. South Wire looks about the same and I'm sure there are others. I was thinking to buy the following. Anything I've missed that I should toss in the cart?

Klein stripper K1412

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F9HIEC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Side cutters

Lineman's pliers (might not be needed)

Any other "must haves" for wiring up the shop?

thanks
Click to expand...
Where I come from, you have to use conduit if walls are open, you can use romex if they're going to be drywalled or similarly covered. Worked as an entry level electrician for about 6 months. Idea was to carry the least number of tools to do the most work quickly. Here's the basics we used for wiring:

First word = Klein. Last word = Klein.

High leverage diagonal cutters or dykes with the short jaws like the D228. Guys would actually strip the wires with these too. Also used for tightening those fluted wire nuts as tight as they required you to do them--trust me, you'll have nice blisters after winding on these things with your thumbs all day.

Do not neglect the lineman's pliers. I like the big 9". Loop your wires with them near the tip of the jaws. Knocks out and grabs those wafers in the metal boxes. General use as a persuader when needed.

Two sizes slotted screwdrivers, one for the fittings that go into the box and on the conduit and screws on receptacles/switches, and a smaller one for the cover plates. Also used to catch the nubs on the fitting nuts (whatever they're called) and hit screwdriver with the big lineman's pliers to get those bears tight.

Need a cutter if you're working with BX conduit.

Your mileage may vary depending on the kind of wiring system you'll use.
 
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PCustoms

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I just removed and re wired a 1300 sqft ranch. Here's what I used:

-Ratcheting driver with square bit for all recepticles and switches
-larger square bit for above, used in the panel
-Flat blade driver, mini breakers and retro boxes
-linesman pliers, general cutting and twisting
-klein strippers, bought to replace my cheap kobalt pair that were dull
-Milwaukee side cutters, used to get in tight spots to cut old wiring out, removing old boxes without destroyin drywall
-outlet tester
-utility knife for stripping romex

That's it. Everything fits in a nice little tool pouch hanging on a hook by my panel, ready when I need it.
 
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Gmonkee

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Well then.... As a gadget freak you need the good forged strippers and insulated screwdrivers.

I got the flat blade Facom version. The testers you are set on and I resist ( mostly by sticker shock) every time I visit HD.

Even in full -do it over- mode I didn't need linesman pliers for anything at all.
 
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MANelson85

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Indiana
Get the lineman's pliers and get kleins. You'll want to pre-twist wires when making joints and nothing works better. Best non-contact tester i've ever had (and i've had several) is a fluke and it's not even close.
 
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Milton Shaw

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Ideal makes screwdrivers that the end of the handle has a multi size socket for wire nuts.. They fit just about all sizes of Ideal and really can get some leverage on twisting them. They come Phillips, straight, and multi-tool. Great they have good tips on them so they are hard to find when I need to twist wire nuts.(used for other than electrical) Non contact voltage tester is a must for just about any job working on everything from wiring to appliances. I can't count how many times I have run into dryers,stoves miss-wires so all metal parts have 120 on them. Saw one where the washer and dryer were welded together and burned the wires off the washer and still had 120 volts on all metal parts of the washer. Lucky the owner had not been electrocuted as grounded stainless sink was within reach..
 
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mikebaker1129

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Klein for cutters or strippers for me . Channellock are okay but not even on the same planet as Klein. I have some Klein stuff I have been using for over 20 years and it is still working well. My Channellock lines mans and dikes are dull. Channellock tongue and groove pliers are awesome !
 
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Bert_

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I would stick with the klein wire strippers. Also another vote for the Fluke if you want a NC voltage tester.
The side cutters and linesman's are about the same between quite a few different brands. Aside from the color of the handles I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between klein and say channel lock. The screw drivers are about the same, just get any decent set.
 
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DadsTools

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Milton Shaw said:
Ideal makes screwdrivers that the end of the handle has a multi size socket for wire nuts.. They fit just about all sizes of Ideal and really can get some leverage on twisting them. They come Phillips, straight, and multi-tool. Great they have good tips on them so they are hard to find when I need to twist wire nuts.(used for other than electrical) Non contact voltage tester is a must for just about any job working on everything from wiring to appliances. I can't count how many times I have run into dryers,stoves miss-wires so all metal parts have 120 on them. Saw one where the washer and dryer were welded together and burned the wires off the washer and still had 120 volts on all metal parts of the washer. Lucky the owner had not been electrocuted as grounded stainless sink was within reach..
Click to expand...
Don't remember seeing screwdrivers with wire-nut sockets back in my day. They sound REALLY handy! If I had to rough a whole shop or garage, I'd certainly be looking for those! Doing it with dykes does take some finesse, the sockets sound a lot better. Anything's better than wearing your fingers out.
 
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biggziff

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DadsTools said:
Don't remember seeing screwdrivers with wire-nut sockets back in my day. They sound REALLY handy! If I had to rough a whole shop or garage, I'd certainly be looking for those! Doing it with dykes does take some finesse, the sockets sound a lot better. Anything's better than wearing your fingers out.
Click to expand...

Just ordered the Ideal 21 in 1 screwdriver. The wire nut driver is worth the $20 by itself!
 
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NUTTSGT

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stercorarius said:
My two cents is to not go Klein and go Channellock instead. Little cheaper and just as good if not better. Grab a 6 in one screwdriver, needle nose pliers, strippers, and a ncv tester or dmm. A smaller claw hammer is nice too.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I picked up a Lenox 9-in-1 screwdriver when I saw it had square drive bits in it.

Includes: Phillips #1, #2; slotted 3/16", 1/4"; hex 1/4", 5/16", 3/8"; square #2, #3
 
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Crazyjake8493

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NUTTSGT said:
I picked up a Lenox 9-in-1 screwdriver when I saw it had square drive bits in it.
Click to expand...

That's my go-to multi screwdriver for everything but electrical. Love the handle on that.

For most wiring around the house/garage, I only use:
-any decent pair of strippers that does 10/12/14 solid (usually Klein)
-Ideal 11-in-1 Twist A Nut screwdriver (or any Ideal with the Wire Nut end)
-Klein NCV tester
-NWS Ergo Needlenose pliers
-Klein Rapi-Driv screwdriver (for cover plates)
-Klein AC/DC clamp meter


Linemans and dykes are good, but really not necessary for most homeowner-type stuff. Most strippers cut Romex just fine, and you don't need to pre-twist wires before using wire nuts. The Klein NCV tester is passable, but I'd recommend Fluke. Klein needlenose are great, the NWS are just more ergonomic. And a clamp meter really isn't necessary, any decent multimeter would be good, preferably one with LoZ.
 
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gregpack

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Home depot has a couple of Klein tool kits on display with their Christmas stuff. one was 19.95 and the other 29.95. IIIRC the 29.95 has the linesman pliers, 11 in one screwdriver, and wire strippers.

If they're in your pouch, you'll use the linesmans pliers a lot while wiring for a little bit of everything.


Just bought these a few months ago and love them. I work with a lot of jacketed multi conductor cable and these strip off the outer jacket without messing up the internal conductors.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXKOEQ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
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