Lineman Tools

[Askme42]

Been awhile since I’ve been around this place but I have a question.


A good friend of mine is headed to lineman school soon. Any recommendations on types of tools? Brands? Where to look for them?

 

[Ilikeike]

He'll probably get some decent discounts through the school for the tools of the trade.

 

[Askme42]

He'll probably get some decent discounts through the school for the tools of the trade.

Headed to ALBAT. I guess climbing school not really lineman school. So not sure if they offer discounts there.

 

[sberry]

Number 9 pliers. Stanley 99e , 4 pound hammer, couple Klein screwdrivers and 12 inch Proto or Diamond adjustable, 440 Channelocks. 25 ft tape, glasses and a hardhat, pair of gloves and if you wanna really make an impression a heavy duty round point shovel.

 

[sberry]

Toss it in Klein tool bag. Throw a couple# of dirt in shake the **** out of it.

 

[Rinspeed]

Toss it in Klein tool bag. Throw a couple# of dirt in shake the **** out of it.

That reminds me of the story when a friend of mine showed up for the start of his apprenticeship with a shiny new tool belt with shiny new tools. The foreman said "Oh you won't be needing that for a while" and hands him a shovel.

 

[sberry]

My buds son started when things were really flying and he lands a gravy job bending some pipe inside. Figured to be a genius,,, I tried to tell him, get a shovel. Well come layoff they keep the dummy can shovel and send him down the road. I know several guys said the best Jobs they ever had was shovel. Lots of times had to work part of a day, got to sit or ride around the rest.

 

[shawhite]

For climbing school all he will need is a good set of climbing boots (Wesco or Hoffman’s would be my choice)

 

[OHMS LAW]

I service a lot of bucket trucks and digger Derrick trucks used by linemen. Tools left behind are often klein screwdrivers, channellock brand multi groove pliers, hammers of all types, crescent wrenches and lots and lots of grizzley dip

 

[bmwrd0]

Farwest line specialties is the place to shop, and they will cover all the tools that you could need.
https://www.fwlsp.com

As for what he should buy, depends on who he ends up working for. I was with ATT, and they supplied EVERYTHING. Union would freak out if you brought your own stuff. Not safety rated! But whatever you needed was provided so it was cool. I think the power companies usually work a similar contract, as it saves them liability.

But, in general, stick to Klein and you can't go wrong. For gaffs, Bashlin is also good and for a belt, Buckingham with a bucksqueeze. As for boots, Carolina's were my favorite (though ATT didn't supply them, so you had to be careful)

 

[Askme42]

For climbing school all he will need is a good set of climbing boots (Wesco or Hoffman’s would be my choice)

Yeah. He’s a ground man now. Just trying to acquire some stuff along the way. Figured I’d help him out and grab him a few things. Wasn’t sure if there was known brands that are high quality high value for the field or what.

 

[shawhite]

Most companies will provide what is needed. But usually a ground guy will need good set of gloves, Kleins, and a knife. As he moves up he will get more task but until he graduates from climbing school probably won’t door much more than dig and frame poles and any other grunt work the senior lineman don’t want to do.

https://amp.jharlen.com/p-11239-klein-lineman-pliers-thread-restorer-acsr.aspx
https://amp.jharlen.com/p-10855-buckingham-ergoblade-skinning-knife.aspx
https://amp.jharlen.com/p-13258-klein-pocket-knife-with-clip.aspx

 

[tonyciambrone]

I had a friend who said he wanted to be a tradesman- maybe electrician.

I said great choice, just know the first year or so you're gonna dig holes and carry ladders. Last we ever talked about that.

So like others have said, I would say hold off on tool until they tell you what to buy. A great pair of boots, a good pair of gloves, a strong cheap knife and a water bottle will be a good start.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... if you wanna really make an impression a heavy duty round point shovel.

A couple of years ago, when the oil patch in the Dakotas was in full bore, my friend's son went out there with his clothes and a beat up Honda looking for summer work between college semesters. Got a job the first day there (pay included an apartment !) that he thought was a "shovel" job (the company was doing underground cabling and needed some areas hand dug).

Within a week or two he was operating a Vactor and driving a small dump truck part "between" shoveling. By the end of about a month he was running a backhoe and mini-excavator. That kid got some great experience that summer !

 

[toplessHO]

Yeah. He’s a ground man now. Just trying to acquire some stuff along the way. Figured I’d help him out and grab him a few things. Wasn’t sure if there was known brands that are high quality high value for the field or what.

aka"grunt"

tell him not to smart off and talk back,if he can befriend one of the older guys they may take him under wing and teach him some things that the schools wont.

And Klien is what 99% of the pros will use.
Also tell him to get a Klein nosebag.
He needs to learn quickly the proper way to roll(serve) up a rope.
Ive seen many a rope thrown down on a grunt because it couldnt be held with one hand and drop the other end to ground. Climbing will kill your knees ,no need to be a rodeo star,those knees need to last a lifetime.
Above all practice safety.
I lost a good friend when at a dumb moment he barehanded a 169 line.

 

[sberry]

They had this package at HD for Grandparents to gift to the apprentice. It's kind of good, cant miss.