Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Klein
Knipex
Ideal
Greenlee
Gardner-Bender
Channellock
Milwaukee
Southwire
Stanley/Craftsman/Irwin
Klein is generally considered the industry standard for most electrical tools, and are among the best. Ideal, Greenlee, Gardner-Bender, and Milwaukee also make good products. Most of these are used by professional electricians.
Channellock, Southwire, and Stanley/Craftsman/Irwin offer pretty good electrical pliers/cutters/strippers, though I suspect many of those are all from the same OEM, but with different handles. I would stick to USA-made strippers since the cost difference isn't that big, but quality is something you don't want to skip. Stay away from strippers made in China, especially.
Most of the brands above also make good linesman pliers, but Klein is generally considered the best, though they are expensive and require a bit of break-in unless you go with the Journeyman series. Channellock also makes good linesman pliers. Knipex makes great combination pliers, though I use them more as a general purpose tool. Knipex also makes excellent cutters, but they can get pricey.
For screwdrivers, you can't go wrong with Klein, but if you are not able to find Klein tools locally, consider Ideal, Greenlee, Milwaukee, and Channellock. All offer high quality screwdrivers. I would also get a good tester kit. Klein, Ideal, and Greenlee have lots of good options, but most people consider Fluke to be the best, but very expensive.
Some of these tools may give you sticker shock...but that's always better than an electrical shock.
Knipex
Ideal
Greenlee
Gardner-Bender
Channellock
Milwaukee
Southwire
Stanley/Craftsman/Irwin
Klein is generally considered the industry standard for most electrical tools, and are among the best. Ideal, Greenlee, Gardner-Bender, and Milwaukee also make good products. Most of these are used by professional electricians.
Channellock, Southwire, and Stanley/Craftsman/Irwin offer pretty good electrical pliers/cutters/strippers, though I suspect many of those are all from the same OEM, but with different handles. I would stick to USA-made strippers since the cost difference isn't that big, but quality is something you don't want to skip. Stay away from strippers made in China, especially.
Most of the brands above also make good linesman pliers, but Klein is generally considered the best, though they are expensive and require a bit of break-in unless you go with the Journeyman series. Channellock also makes good linesman pliers. Knipex makes great combination pliers, though I use them more as a general purpose tool. Knipex also makes excellent cutters, but they can get pricey.
For screwdrivers, you can't go wrong with Klein, but if you are not able to find Klein tools locally, consider Ideal, Greenlee, Milwaukee, and Channellock. All offer high quality screwdrivers. I would also get a good tester kit. Klein, Ideal, and Greenlee have lots of good options, but most people consider Fluke to be the best, but very expensive.
Some of these tools may give you sticker shock...but that's always better than an electrical shock.
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