Electricians tools

[cheechi]

This style stripper, from Klein or Ideal, will go far for you.

 

[Rarified27]

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

How do you like them for Romex?

 

[Lt1cobra]

I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DK88MXG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
And it’s amazing, but if it’s not you’re trade, a bit expensive? It’s about half the price here (~$100).

 

[ishiboo]

How do you like them for Romex?

Don't use those for Romex. That'd be a pain in the ***. Get a Klein Kurve or the Southwire equivalent.

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

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwire-Wire-Cutter-Stripper/50081544

I have both, and while I'm a Klein fan... I have to say the Southwire cutters are basically as good and they're stainless so they look a lot better. I have not used the screw cutters on the Southwires though, but I imagine they work the same.

 

[biggziff]

This style stripper, from Klein or Ideal, will go far for you.

That's what I bought. They're fantastic. I found an old pair of Linesman's Pliers in my big tool box and bought one of those Ideal ratcheting screwdrivers with the wire nut socket on the end. Should be all I need.

Thanks

 

[DeltaWye]

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

Yeah, it's annoying that they haven't fixed this yet. I give the rivet a quick crush using the corner of my bench vise to tighten it up. Then it stays open until you close it.

 

[kctyphoon]

Milwaukee makes some nice strippers.. the other pliers aren't really "professional grade" when you compare em to Klein or Knipex, but the strippers work really well.

 

[rick carpenter]

I would suggest getting the Milwaukee 3 pc insulated screwdriver set. Not primarily because you need insulated drivers, but because the insulation makes it easier to spin the shank with your fingertips than slick chrome. I really like mine. They're around $20 at HD so you can use and abuse them for not too much. You can't touch even a Klein 2 pc insulated set for that price.

 

[ssdave]

Okay, I try to learn new things occasionally. It's been about 14 years since I worked extensively in electrical, so my tools might be out of date. I own one of the Klein strippers that everybody has been recommending and the OP was proposing to buy. Picked it up a couple of years ago at a yard sale, but didn't like it enough to really try it out.

I'm curently wiring a house; and the task right now is to wire in switches, lights and outlets. So, I've been making myself use the tool instead of the Klein needle nose pliers I usually use. I've used it for two days, long enough to see if it's an improvement over my previous habits.

The Klein tool works okay. Of course, it strips the wire easily and well. So do the needlenose. It bends the loops okay, using the holes. Okay, so does the needlenose. It cuts the wire okay, so does the needlenose. What it doesn't do well is assist in wrapping loops around the terminal screws and clinching them closed more. The grippers on the end work for that, but nowhere near as well as the needlenose. So, I found that I'm carrying a pair of needlenose also, and picking them up when the going gets tough.

So, I'm back to my original preference; utility knife, klein needlenose with stripping groove in the cutter, flat screwdriver for plates, and Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver with #2 phillips for terminal screws and mounting screws.

I also have a few other things in the mix that get used as appropriate: non-contact tester, longer thin needlenose for fishing and manipulating wires, 9" Kleins for heavier cutting and bending and hammering, an offset speed flat screwdriver for speeding up plates and outlets installation, standard pliers for gripping conduit and flex and bolts/screws/nuts, and a wide blade Klein driver for punching out knockouts and heavier terminals.

 

[Alchymist]

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.

Guess you haven't seen a lot of electricians - worked several industrial electrical jobs, some use needle nose, some don.t

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.

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.

And the twist/don't twist debate in 3..2...1....

If one takes the time to read the whole thread, the only conclusion is - individual tastes determine what the "right tool" is for the particular job.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Klein is my tool of choice. I borrowed my buddies Channelock lineman’s pliers to cut a screw off, didn’t work very well. He is actually a electrician says he buys them because the are cheap. Well if the tool doesn’t do the job, it is useless to me. Here are my latest purchases.

 

[vaultdweller]

Industrial (textile electronics), automotive electronics, and general home use here.

My employer pays for my work tools (though I get to pick and buy as needed), the auto/home consists of stuff I’ve picked up on a budget.

My work (industrial kit includes GB insulated drivers, Ideal strippers and crimpers, Klein fish tape, southwire electrician scissors, and Fluke meter, Crescent large flush cutters, and CHP (Italy) mini flush cutters and some various devices for troubleshooting CanBus and RS-485 systems.

Home/auto electrical set consists of a Blue-point meter I picked up for a song, Ideal 12/2,14/2 strippers, craftsman pro stripper crimper combo, older Thomas and Betts Sta-con crimpers (similar to ideal listed above), ideal 6 in 1 multi tap, gearwrench insulated drivers from Cripe, Klein standard drivers, KD 6/12v circuit tester, klein and xcelite flush cutters, and no-name lineman’s pliers.

I tend to look at Klein and Ideal first when adding new or replacing worn or lost items. Have not been impressed with Southwire products. Cheap Klein imitation IMO. With all of that said, everything above has handled all jobs I’ve thrown at it. Brand cohesiveness isn’t important to me. I just look for quality. Harbor freight or northern just doesn’t cut it for me. Maybe in a pinch if I need something in a small town with no other alternative, but that’s about it.

 

[vaultdweller]

Industrial (textile electronics), automotive electronics, and general home use here.

My employer pays for my work tools (though I get to pick and buy as needed), the auto/home consists of stuff I’ve picked up on a budget.

My work (industrial kit includes GB insulated drivers, Ideal strippers and crimpers, Klein fish tape, southwire electrician scissors, and Fluke meter, Crescent large flush cutters, and CHP (Italy) mini flush cutters and some various devices for troubleshooting CanBus and RS-485 systems.

Home/auto electrical set consists of a Blue-point meter I picked up for a song, Ideal 12/2,14/2 strippers, craftsman pro stripper crimper combo, older Thomas and Betts Sta-con crimpers (similar to ideal listed above), ideal 6 in 1 multi tap, gearwrench insulated drivers from Cripe, Klein standard drivers, KD 6/12v circuit tester, klein and xcelite flush cutters, and no-name lineman’s pliers.

I tend to look at Klein and Ideal first when adding new or replacing worn or lost items. Have not been impressed with Southwire products. Cheap Klein imitation IMO. With all of that said, everything above has handled all jobs I’ve thrown at it. Brand cohesiveness isn’t important to me. I just look for quality. Harbor freight or northern just doesn’t cut it for me. Maybe in a pinch if I need something in a small town with no other alternative, but that’s about it.

 

[MikeF2316]

This style stripper, from Klein or Ideal, will go far for you.

Thanks to this thread, I am now the proud owner of these, I just tried them out.. As someone said, one tool to do it all. Until now, I've been using a knife (carefully) to slice the sheath, then peel it back, cut it off, leaving a ragged end. Then the strippers for the black and white wires. When putting the fixture on, needle nose to loop the wire with needle nose. Then tighten the screws with a screwdriver. Now just this tool and the screwdriver.

 

[Hutchinsonkw]

I used an ancient pair of klein lineman pliers and used to use an equally old needle nose screw driver. I replaced 20+ outlets, installed many lights, etc with those in my house.
I also have some klein basic strippers and electricians scissors to cut the cable sheath.
Klein 5 in 1 screw drivers are awesome but I use a long bell electric slotted screw driver for outlet covers.

I have now settled on knipex needle nose pliers with 12g stripping grove. The less tools you are trying to keep track of while climbing on rafters in an attic the better! I pair those with a klein 5 in 1 screw drivers and I’m fine for 90% of my wiring needs.
You can’t forget a. On contact tester though. I like the klein with the flashlight. You give up the audible beep but it’s worth it.

 

[Eric29]

I have a pair of those. I find that they nick the wire when I try to use them to cut insulation or strip wires. Maybe it's just the pair I have, but since I don't see how I could adjust them, I don't use them anymore.

Thanks to this thread, I am now the proud owner of these, I just tried them out.. As someone said, one tool to do it all. Until now, I've been using a knife (carefully) to slice the sheath, then peel it back, cut it off, leaving a ragged end. Then the strippers for the black and white wires. When putting the fixture on, needle nose to loop the wire with needle nose. Then tighten the screws with a screwdriver. Now just this tool and the screwdriver.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Lineman's pliers (might not be needed)

Trust me, you need these, especially if you are splicing 10 or 12 gauge wire. Simply placing a wire nut on top and twisting it down does not always produce a good result.

Strip a little extra off of each wire. Laying them side by side, use the electrician pliers to start twist the end together. You will be surprised how difficult this is if you have 3 wires that have to be put together. The linesman pliers "teeth" are specially cut to slide over the bare wire but still grip enough to twist it.

After you get the wires twisted together, trim any excess off the end and install the wire nut.


Every homeowner should have a polarity/ground test plug AND a non-contacting voltage detector.

 

[jal395]

Originally Posted by jfleisher
220, 221, whatever it takes...

This was told to me as a true story. Knowing the family I believe it: a family friend held a b-day party for his wife, who turned 40. He thought he was funny to suggest turning her in for two twenty's.
Her reply was "honey you're not wired for 220"