Looking for tool recommendations for.... daughter starting electrical apprenticeship!!

[Chukster]

So, big news in my house. Grown daughter will be starting an electrical apprenticeship on Aug. 1, thru local IBEW. Work for a local company, and do classes mostly Fridays & Saturdays. She's been working in manufacturing, but the company got bought up, new management came in, and the factory culture has changed, very much for the worse. As she was thinking about what to do next this opportunity came along; she's great with her hands, very detail oriented, likes a wide variety of work opportunities, this might be just the thing for her. Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, intellectually engaging, yadda, yadda. She's not a slacker by any stretch.


She got her list of required tools, and I'd like input on brands & such.

Here it is:
- 12" Hacksaw frame
- Pocket knife
- Large Screwdriver - 6" square shank flathead is common
- Small screwdriver - 3" Phillips head, 10 in 1, etc
- (2) Channellock pliers -
- 6 ft wood rule
- Side cutters
- 10 inch Crescent wrench
- Torpedo level
- Tool bag/Tool box
- Wire Strippers
- Tape measure - 25 ft.
- Pencil & marker.

Here's the question:

What brands does the GJ commentariat recommend? I always known Klein is at the top, I've used lots of Ideal, Kobalt, etc. Not much ever used in the Husky brand, and I've gotten an ick about what is called Craftsman these days. And I've generally never had great feelings about Stanley.

Any brands you would never recommend? (& why, if possible)
I'm of the opinion that life is too short to bust your knuckles with cheap-*** tools, but I also know even good tools wear out or get lost and need to be replaced, eventually. So bottom dollar and absolute top dollar are generally out of consideration.

We've got both of the BigBox stores nearby, so it might be just as easy, to hit one or both & load up. Might set her up a CC account, and get that opening discount too.


Comments?

Thanks!

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Home Depot sells Klein. Set her up with a CC from them. Should be able to pick up that list in one trip. Also provides a place to return items for warranty.

 

[alien]

I am a retired IBEW commercial and industrial electrician.

Klein HD 2000 linesman pliers, Klein screwdrivers including an 11 in one, Klein or channel lock pliers. I like any 25 foot tape measure with a magnet on the tip. Some people don’t like them because they do pick up metal shavings. But they have many useful uses for that magnets.
I like the Klein wire strippers also. And any torpedo level you get make sure it has the strong rare earth magnets.

 

[The Cobbler]

Kudos to her for taking that on! things are so different now than they were 50 yrs ago . alot of sparky's seem to like klein for screw drivers and the likes

 

[NoahG]

Klein is the default electrician brand, and I absolutely would recommend their Linesman pliers HD213-9NE and diagonal cutters D238-8. While the J2000 stuff has a harder cutting edge I find it chips easier.

I think the guys like the Lenox hack saws best, but like the wooden folding rule, its more a traditional holdover than something I see used daily.

I like Ideal wire strippers best, and anything in their T stripper line is great, I'd probably grab a 45-415

For Channellocks, make sure they're 440's

 

[mitusa]

Congratulations to you and your daughter.

My son was a lineman for a while....and he liked Klein tools. Just so happened I had some linesman pliers and I bought him a Klein holster for it.

I also recommend the tape with the magnet end....I found one by Kobalt on sale lately and I like it. And the magnetized torpedo levels are the only way to go.

I don't know much about which tools are the best....but she will probably want a battery powered drill and impact driver soon enough.

HTHs

 

[Stobal]

I vote Knipex for diagonal cutters and linesman Pliers. I believe that a pair Of knipex cobras and a pair plier wrenches are superior to other “Chanellock” type pliers. Plier Wrenches are also superior to crescent type adjustable s. Would absolutely recommend the Stabila torpedo levels. Incredibly well built, have a great magnet, are easy to read and come with a useful carry case. I think the Kershaw Leek is a great all around pocket knife. The only con is the tip can be a bit fragile, but on the pro side: it’s affordable, made in USA, very easy to deploy, the steel is easy to sharpen as is the blade profile. I would also include an Olfa snap blade knife. M12 mini recip instead of a hack saw. Bosch laser measure instead of the folding rule. Klein is fine for drivers and wire strippers, although handle shape and material is a personal thing. A Klein Catapult might be a nice time saver. I wish her the best if luck and hope you have fun buying tools. Who doesn’t line buying tools even if for someone else.

 

[F-22]

Over here in Europe, Knipex is the go-to brand for most electricians, followed by Wiha.

As for wire strippers, there are many designs. These are the usual over here for electricians, they work very universally... A simpler but good design are these, the front opening means you also squeeze them together as you pull on them, and they work well for all normal wire thicknesses. However, this design is my favourite - it's a bit old and not as common, but it's what I always use, cause I got some old Vessel branded ones that I think my father or even grandpa must have bought. They make some satisfying clacks as you use them.

For cables, something like this is very useful. Now, I know I'm just posting Knipex links cause they have everything, but most electrician brands should have all of these tools. Knipex does make a really nice utility knife too now, metal housing and some sort of an extra spine support for the blade.


But I'd avoid this design. Side pulling is odd, and they're meant as an universal tool that's not particularly good at anything by itself. Some high end ones are okay, but I'd still want strippers with a good mechanism for professional work...

Wiha makes nice screwdrivers, but if you want to go really fancy, PB Swiss has a really wonderful set of insulated screwdrivers.

 

[Kscardsfan]

My go to electricians tools are Klein, especially my 11 in 1 screwdriver. That thing is a godsend. I buy every new homeowner one as a house warming gift because it’s so dang handy. Knipex is nice, but tools on big job sites can grow legs real easy over lunch breaks, and Klein and channelock are cheap and easily replaced at a big box store. One thing I’d recommend by name, Milwaukee Inkzall markers. They are just the best in dirty, greasy environments. Get several in black and then others in different colors. She can use them to personalize and ID her tools and they don’t wear off as easily as other brands.

 

[dnschmidt]

I vote Knipex for diagonal cutters and linesman Pliers. I believe that a pair Of knipex cobras and a pair plier wrenches are superior to other “Chanellock” type pliers. Plier Wrenches are also superior to crescent type adjustable s. Would absolutely recommend the Stabila torpedo levels. Incredibly well built, have a great magnet, are easy to read and come with a useful carry case. I think the Kershaw Leek is a great all around pocket knife. The only con is the tip can be a bit fragile, but on the pro side: it’s affordable, made in USA, very easy to deploy, the steel is easy to sharpen as is the blade profile. I would also include an Olfa snap blade knife. M12 mini recip instead of a hack saw. Bosch laser measure instead of the folding rule. Klein is fine for drivers and wire strippers, although handle shape and material is a personal thing. A Klein Catapult might be a nice time saver. I wish her the best if luck and hope you have fun buying tools. Who doesn’t line buying tools even if for someone else.

This guys got it right. Could not agree more with his recommendations.

 

[Xcursion88]

Knipex pliers and cutters
IMO the very best. Everyone knows I loathe Asian tools especially Chinese mfg tools.
Knipex is German !!!
The cobra pliers are better than "channelocks IMO...

https://www.knipex-tools.com/en/products/tool-kits/knipex-cobra-set/knipex-cobra-set/001955S8?v=&sku=

25' tape measure...
DeWalt is tops IMO
Made in USA !!!!

25 ft XP™ Tape Measure | DEWALT

Tougher Case. Tougher Blade Coating. Tougher Hook Connection. The DEWALT® Extended Performance (XP™) Tape Measure is our toughest ever. The XP™ Tape Measure is built around our Dual-Core™ Technology - a patented spring system that utilizes two retracting springs in a impact-resistant, heavy-duty...

www.dewalt.com

Video for reference...

Best strippers hands down to me...
Ideal Stripmaster 45-092
10-22 awg
Made in USA !!!

The rest...not as important as what I listed above.

Get good Knipex pliers
Cobra's in place of channelocks
Cutters, etc...

The best tape...

Excellent strippers from Ideal...

She'll be off and running.


P.s.

Buy online...
You won't need to warranty any of the three I listed if used properly

Good luck

 

[ZRX61]

6ft wood rule?? When was the last time that list was updated?
No volt pen?
Pocket knife: Klein still sell TL-29's

 

[d.mcfarland]

6ft wood rule?? When was the last time that list was updated? 1968?
No volt pen?

^^ Agree. Plus no hammer seems really odd too. Drywall saw too.

 

[tamaraw]

Congrats to your daughter, that sounds like a great opportunity!


If you are only buying from generic box stores, you will be fairly limited in terms of selection and quality, so I'm setting up this list with the assumption that you could also order some things online. Hope that makes sense.

For screwdrivers, beside the recommendations you have already gotten, you could take a look at Vessel. They are the best screwdrivers out of Japan and use JIS styled crossheads which extremely resistant to camming out or stripping. They have VDE options in both their Megadora and ball grip line. The Megadoras have a more traditional chunky grip while the ball grip are good for precision work and have a very thin shaft with insulation that sits flush with the head for access in tight spaces.

For pliers and cutters, I would go with Knipex, Tsunoda, and/or Wiha.

For wire strippers, I can't really give a brand recommendation since my stuff is all vintage inherited but be aware that there are several different types. The basic pliers type stripper with alligator like jaws, long handle crimper/stripper combos (ex: super champ), and multi-stage automatic stripping ones (ex: stripmaster) to name a few. It depends upon what type of work she will be doing but it's probably a good bet to have a few in different styles for different situations. I still use the Ideal K-1853 my great grandfather used in the 60's if that means anything. The 45-092 that Xcursion88 mentioned above appears to be the nearly identical modern version.

For traditional crescent style adjustable wrenches, TOP tools (The Japanese TOP KOGYO, not the Taiwanese Toptul) have some innovative designs with a two piece worm gear that nearly eliminates jaw slop. There is also Bahco with their extensive adjustable wrench history as well as the Knipex pliers wrench if you want an alternative adjustable design.

Olfa make fantastic utility knives and cutting instruments in general.

For hacksaws, I think a lot of stuff could work since it's the blade that puts in most of the work. That said, the frame on my Ridgid 212 is uh, quite rigid compared to others I have used in the past, haha

I'm kind of surprised that there aren't any multimeters, voltage testers, non-contact testers, etc. on that list but maybe those come later? If you need them, I would invest in Fluke for the main meter but Ideal, Klein, and Wiha are probably all decent options for the other stuff.

 

[eejack]

Mazeltov!

Go with a razor knife instead of the pocket knife. Most of what she will start out doing is ******* material around, opening boxes and fetching.

Get the barest minimum and let her figure out what the folks she will be working with actually use. Every area has its own quirks and most journeymen will happily talk about favorite tools on the job. While really good tools are important, more important is figuring out for yourself what those might be.

What I recommend to my apprentices is to purchase one and only one tool per paycheck. The tool list that was provided exists to protect young journeymen from overspending and to provide a leveling mechanism amongst the workforce. As tempting as it might be to load up on power tools and lasers etc. we don't carry those, they have to be provided by the contractor; otherwise the old journeymen who can afford all those things would never get laid off.

That said, a good basic set of tools based around klein works nicely - have her pick the pliers not based on quality but more on hand fit. I use crappy southwire pliers mostly because they are comfortable for me. Screwdrivers are consumable. She will want a #1 and #2 robertson ( #1 receptacles and switches, #2 conduit and fittings ) at some point. A good small standard wrench set and nutdriver set...at some point. Spend the money on a good torpedo level with good magnets, something with a 30 and 45 degree vial.

The most important tool she will need immediately is a small notepad and a pencil.

It should be an incredible journey, hope she enjoys it as much as I have.

 

[MAD]

6ft wood rule?? When was the last time that list was updated?

They are non-conductive (nearly), there are places you don't want to measure with a metal tape. You can use a folding rule to make an angle pattern for bending conduit, as a straight edge for marking out where to punch out holes, back scratch-er, etc... Most importantly, If it is on the apprentice tool list you need to have the stick with you!

Make sure you get an "inside reading" folding rule. The electricians I see that still actually use the folding rule prefer the inside reading style.

 

[Firebrick43]

The best hacksaw frame is the sandvik 225. It was also sold by snap-on for many years. Only 38 bucks on Amazon.

 

[Chukster]

All good suggestions, thanks to all. Esp. nice about the 'feel' of pliers. Her hands are smaller, as befits a height-challenged woman, but she's always been strong. (In HS marching band when the director called for 'a couple of big strong guys' to move things, DD & her best friend, same size, were always 1st in line. In front of the tuba players. )

I've become partial to the squeeze action strippers instead of the hardware store dollar bin things. Hardware store dollar bin stuff is for 'loaning out' and never getting back. Torpedo level with strong magnet; check. Perhaps the biggest personalization will be the tool bag or box; I haven't found the perfect one yet, but I keep trying. It'll probably be the same for her.

There are other tools on the more advanced lists, and heck, I bought her a decent DMM (think it was a Fluke) several months ago.

What I really wish I could be able to see is when some low-life tries to harass her about being 'a girl'. It's not gonna be pretty for him.

 

[kngelv]

Don't overcomplicate this. Buy tools you can easily get locally. Vessel and Knipex are great but not necessary for now. Knipex Pliers wrenches are great but she is just starting out so follow that list to a "T" and don't buy expensive extras right now. No Husky, Kobalt or Harbor Freight stuff either. Some instructors/journeypersons will give her a lot of flack for those and anyway they are not as good of a tool for the most part. Suggestions below. I currently oversee two apprentices and have different ones rotating through every four months. I'm an electrical leader/coordinator at a major automotive manufacturer. She will get a feel on what else to buy once she is going through training and working on the job.

- 12" Hacksaw frame - Greenlee
- Pocket knife - personal preference
- Large Screwdriver - 6" square shank flathead is common - Klein
- Small screwdriver - 3" Phillips head, 10 in 1, etc - Klein
- (2) Channellock pliers - Channellock 420, 426 and 440's
- 6 ft wood rule - Lufkin
- Side cutters - Klein
- 10 inch Crescent wrench - Channellock - they are made by Irega
- Torpedo level - Klein with rare earth magnets and a built in no-dog
- Tool bag/Tool box - Klein or personal preference
- Wire Strippers - Klein or Ideal
- Tape measure - 25 ft. DeWalt Stanley or Klein
- Pencil & marker. Sharpie's or the new Milwaukee ones.

I know it seems like I'm a Klein slappy but they are good tools and easy to obtain. Plus they are sort of the standard as far as electrical tools. My personal bag has Knipex, Wiha, Wera, Klein, Proto, Channellock and many others. As a beginner she can get everything on that list at Home Depot and as she gains experience and earns, she can then modify her tool setup accordingly. I'm sure her instructors/journeypersons will let her know what else she needs. I could make a list but it is better for her to get it from them. For example I'm sure insulated screwdrivers and a meter will be added almost immediately. Good Journeypersons will let her use and try out some of their tools. Don't be shocked if she is using tools on day one. The days of apprentices doing a couple of months of grunt work only are long gone. I am constantly surprised at how many adults can't use basic hand tools. A recent apprentice was 42 years old and had never worked on a car or his home. He always paid somebody to do it. I watched him tightening a screw by holding/using the screwdriver shaft instead of the handle. You can't make this stuff up. We have a motor test stand made out of unistrut with a PLC Rack and HMI attached. The very first thing I have an apprentice do is to disassemble and reassemble the stand just so I can see if they know how to use hand tools.

James

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

All good suggestions, thanks to all. Esp. nice about the 'feel' of pliers. Her hands are smaller, as befits a height-challenged woman, but she's always been strong. (In HS marching band when the director called for 'a couple of big strong guys' to move things, DD & her best friend, same size, were always 1st in line. In front of the tuba players. )

I've become partial to the squeeze action strippers instead of the hardware store dollar bin things. Hardware store dollar bin stuff is for 'loaning out' and never getting back. Torpedo level with strong magnet; check. Perhaps the biggest personalization will be the tool bag or box; I haven't found the perfect one yet, but I keep trying. It'll probably be the same for her.

There are other tools on the more advanced lists, and heck, I bought her a decent DMM (think it was a Fluke) several months ago.

What I really wish I could be able to see is when some low-life tries to harass her about being 'a girl'. It's not gonna be pretty for him.

I have this Klein bag and I couldn't be happier with it! It's a bit bigger than the photo makes it look.

 

[tdkkart]

Don't forget to balance price/quality with the fact that she WILL lose tool son occasion, and losing a $20 is gonna hurt a lot less than losing a $50+ tool.

 

[nadogail]

She can get those tools at Home Depot. Their prices are very competitive.

Good Gloves and a Volt Pen seem to be missing from the list.

 

[MongoTA]

Don't overcomplicate this. Buy tools you can easily get locally.

- 12" Hacksaw frame - Greenlee
- Pocket knife - personal preference
- Large Screwdriver - 6" square shank flathead is common - Klein
- Small screwdriver - 3" Phillips head, 10 in 1, etc - Klein
- (2) Channellock pliers - Channellock 420, 426 and 440's
- 6 ft wood rule - Lufkin
- Side cutters - Klein
- 10 inch Crescent wrench - Channellock - they are made by Irega
- Torpedo level - Klein with rare earth magnets and a built in no-dog
- Tool bag/Tool box - Klein or personal preference
- Wire Strippers - Klein or Ideal
- Tape measure - 25 ft. DeWalt Stanley or Klein
- Pencil & marker. Sharpie's or the new Milwaukee ones.

I know it seems like I'm a Klein slappy but they are good tools and easy to obtain. Plus they are sort of the standard as far as electrical tools.

^^This^^
Basic yet quality tools.
When starting out you don't want to stand out for carrying **** tools or overly expensive tools.
Just carry good quality, sensible tools.
Sometimes it's good to be noticed by not being noticed.
A bag full of pricey stuff could be fine if they are well worn hand-me-downs from a parent/grandparent/mentor. There's a story there. But showing up with a bag of bright and shiny cha-ching? That's another story.

Good luck to her.

 

[dscheidt]

6ft wood rule?? When was the last time that list was updated?
No volt pen?
Pocket knife: Klein still sell TL-29's

I see commercial electricians using folding rules all the time. It's a lot handier to use to make the marks for a saddle in the middle of a piece of conduit than a tape measure is, no chance of flopping or retracting. It's a better straight edge, it takes better inside measurements. Plus it's better for poking the ceiling with or flipping the light switch that someone decided should be 10' off the floor.

 

[dnschmidt]

Oddly, I prefer folding rules myself. This is likely due to my German father who always believed they were more accurate and easier to use. In Europe in general this seems to be a prevailing attitude.

 

[Davefr]

I'm surprised a DMM isn't on the list. Go with Fluke.

Needle nose pliers are incredibly useful and I'd get SO 196ACF. Klein Journeyman would be a close second. (don't get Knipex!!)

The Klein 11 in 1 screwdriver would be nice to have but get her individual screwdrivers also.

Get her a pair of wire strippers. Automatic and a pair made for Romex. (Klein or Ideal)

She'll probably need a tie wrap gun. Panduit is good but I like Hellermann Tyton better.

She should also have a good LED headlamp and flashlight with magnetic base. (Ledlenser, Nitecore, Coast)

 

[Chukster]

Thanks, again, to everyone!

Great comments and recommendations

We're heading out in a few minutes to drop some bucks. :-D

Yes, I'm also kinda surprised at some of the items that are not on this first list, but there are two more levels. MC/BX roto-strippers, nutdrivers, non-contact voltage tester, are some of the things on the 2nd level list, and then up to a range of SAE wrenches, meter, tri-square, etc are up in the 3rd level.

It's all very exciting. Christmas in July.

 

[ttpete]

If she's going with construction jobs, she'll need a decent toolbox. They stay in the gang box. I always preferred a large quality leather pouch and a GI web pistol belt. She'll also want a Wiggy tester. They are rugged and will survive.

She'll be working with a journeyman who will teach her on the job. My first job was bending and hanging 3" rigid conduit, and I learned a lot.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

M12 mini recip instead of a hack saw. Bosch laser measure instead of the folding rule.

Bad idea. If you want to buy the M12 in addition to the hack saw, and the laser in addition to the folder … that would works. But since they gave a written specific list ... don’t deviate on the first day. That would make her look bad.

 

[Rinspeed]

I'm also very surprised at some of the things not on the list such as a DMM and speed square. Both of those would be a must before half of the others on the list. Also harder to do anything without a hammer and an old crappy flat blade to knock out insert rings.

 

[PBCampbell]

Since you're in the U.S., going Klein makes it simple. It's pretty much their specialty.

 

[dscheidt]

I'm surprised a DMM isn't on the list. Go with Fluke.

Needle nose pliers are incredibly useful and I'd get SO 196ACF. Klein Journeyman would be a close second. (don't get Knipex!!)

The Klein 11 in 1 screwdriver would be nice to have but get her individual screwdrivers also.

Get her a pair of wire strippers. Automatic and a pair made for Romex. (Klein or Ideal)

She'll probably need a tie wrap gun. Panduit is good but I like Hellermann Tyton better.

She should also have a good LED headlamp and flashlight with magnetic base. (Ledlenser, Nitecore, Coast)

cAn first year apprentice isn't going to have much use for a meter, outside the classroom. In a union shop, if she does require one, it should be supplied by the employer. I wouldn't get anything not on the list to start with. she will doubtless discover the need for other stuff, but a first year is going to do **** work. That can be interesting, and teach you lots, or it can just be ****. Either way, she's not going to need a ton of tools for it.

 

[Xcursion88]

Q

Bad idea. If you want to buy the M12 in addition to the hack saw, and the laser in addition to the folder … that would works. But since they gave a written specific list ... don’t deviate on the first day. That would make her look bad.

This^^^^

You don't piss on a specified list of required tools. Shows arrogance and ignorance.
Moreover you don't go from not using a regular hacksaw and a wooden rule to using a powered reciprocating saw which would be extremely less forgiving than a manual hacksaw.

It won't take long to find out what some items might make life easier from the coworkers and such but showing up with "her list" instead of fulfilling the "required list" looks arrogantly ignorant

 

[bobg03]

I am sure as she advances in classes there will be more to buy, Klien and Channel Locks are good quality tools and available locally. I would buy no more for her to bring than what the list entails now. She's gonna be learning the basics and I am sure some thought went into what is needed to start.
If you listen to the addicts here she'll show up as a newbie hauling a full size snap on box..They gave a list follow it and come prepared ro learn. Best of luck to her that is a stupendous opportunity.

 

[GaryM909]

My future son in law started his electrical apprenticeship a few years ago. He had a small list of required tools so I helped him out when he first started by giving him a bunch of tools. Although I am not an electrician I had lots of Klein and Channel Locks to get him started. Once he got on the job he asked around and started buying the best tools for his work. He spent a couple years working industrial and then spent a year working commercial. Now he is working up north doing a maintenance gig 7 on-7 off. He is doing his fourth year schooling in Sept. He is still buying tools because last week he had a couple Knipex tools delivered to my house. He also uses Veto tool bags.

 

[MAD]

Also harder to do anything without a hammer and an old crappy flat blade to knock out insert rings.

Apprentices are first required to learn to hammer with 9-inch side cutters without "knocking the lineman off the pole" before the lesson on when to consider using an actual hammer /S

 

[captain14]

Don’t forget spare blades for the hacksaw. Get a couple of different teeth count. (Fine and course blades)

 

[MAD]

I see commercial electricians using folding rules all the time. It's a lot handier to use to make the marks for a saddle in the middle of a piece of conduit than a tape measure is, no chance of flopping or retracting. It's a better straight edge, it takes better inside measurements. Plus it's better for poking the ceiling with or flipping the light switch that someone decided should be 10' off the floor.

Watching this guy measure to make a 4-point saddle you can see why

And here is how to use a folding rule to match an angle

 

[Wheelingit]

I have Klein items from HD. I think they are the best.

 

[Meursault74]

I am constantly surprised at how many adults can't use basic hand tools. A recent apprentice was 42 years old and had never worked on a car or his home. He always paid somebody to do it. I watched him tightening a screw by holding/using the screwdriver shaft instead of the handle. You can't make this stuff up. We have a motor test stand made out of unistrut with a PLC Rack and HMI attached. The very first thing I have an apprentice do is to disassemble and reassemble the stand just so I can see if they know how to use hand tools.

It struck me as odd that someone having no experience with tools or the inclination to perform repairs in general would go into this vocation at that age. Is there something I'm missing?

The not knowing how to use tools doesn't surprise me though.