Small home electrical kit; Tools

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

So i've been getting comfortable with doing household electrical and i think i want to get some dedicated tools now. I've been working with phillips/flathead drivers, milwaukee 6 in 1 pliers and also needlenose pliers. I'd like to get a set of dedicated klein wire strippers with the screw cutter on them as well as a klein 11 in 1 driver (32505) unless you have a better recommendation such as single drivers, etc. I've noticed screwing in the screws to hold down wire on outlets a phillips cams out and a flathead is a pain... but you can't use the same flathead on those type of screws as you do the faceplate screws because it also cams out or you don't get the torque you need. What would you all recommend for quality (not crazy expensive) tools but on the basic level (no coaxial crimpers, etc.) I already have a good DMM, a plug tester with GFI function as well as a non contact voltage tester. I also just bought myself a set of channellock linesman pliers. Go!

 

[Gmonkee]

I rewired about 70% of the house using junk drawer tools, including new breaker box install. The last bits I had purchased the better dedicated stuff but no huge difference.

Used carefully its all about the same. I played with a few Robertson drive screws along the way using the proper drivers and that was the night to day improvement. Those stay put until you remove it.

Unless you live in Canada its only in new breakers and bus bars. But I found it better.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I rewired about 70% of the house using junk drawer tools, including new breaker box install. The last bits I had purchased the better dedicated stuff but no huge difference.

Used carefully its all about the same. I played with a few Robertson drive screws along the way using the proper drivers and that was the night to day improvement. Those stay put until you remove it.

Unless you live in Canada its only in new breakers and bus bars. But I found it better.

I like the idea behind the Klein and Milwaukee bits which contact the flat head flats as well as the Phillips portion.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Only dedicated tools are wire strippers, linesmans pliers, BX sheath cutter (Roto-Split), and various circuit testers (plug in, DMM, non-contact).

Otherwise any handy razor and screwdrivers I have. If phillips cams out, I grab the largest flat-head to finish off the side terminal. Newer breaker boxes and breakers incorporate a No.1 square drive, IIRC (standalone or in-combination with flat-head).

 

[LB-1911]

I like the idea behind the Klein and Milwaukee bits which contact the flat head flats as well as the Phillips portion.

4'' Combo Tip Driver Set
#1 and #2 Combination tips.
Precision machined tip designed for combination head screws.
http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/combo-tip/4-combo-tip-driver-set

Klein Tools
4 in. (102 mm) Combo Tip Driver Set (#1 and #2)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-4-in-102-mm-Combo-Tip-Driver-Set-1-and-2-32378/205503851

 

[Infinia]

My BIL uses a butterknife, so anything purpose made between that and a Wiha insulated will work. Quality isn't needed for replacing breakers and wall outlets. Any Stanley home-grade flat blade that fits will last a lifetime*, personally I use a med cabinet type kept in the kitchen drawer.

*around a couple of hundred uses. A quality one may last 2-3 times as long if not abused.

 

[IUEC Medic]

I've run into quite a few terminals that look like they are both Philips and flathead... But the best bit actually turns out to be a #1 or #2 square.

 

[KnurledNut]

A circuit breaker finder can be very useful.
When doing a lot of repetitive connections, the Ideal 30-902 Spin-Twist Wire Connector Socket is great.
I would also encourage a few insulated screwdrivers.
Might want to check out that new Klein 5/16 and 1/4 reversible magnetic nut driver as well.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Thanks guys. Keep the ideas coming. I may pick up a few individual drivers, the ones linked above and a few others.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Which wire strippers are you considering? I just broke mine, a simple and cheap pair, and need to replace. Looked at the Klein 11061 and 11063, which are overkill for automotive, but would work.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Which wire strippers are you considering? I just broke mine, a simple and cheap pair, and need to replace. Looked at the Klein 11061 and 11063, which are overkill for automotive, but would work.

For automotive i usually use those milwaukee ones. I had a pair of automatic wire strippers but i'm actually not too crazy about them. If the insulation is stretchy or hard, they don't strip it or you have to turn the tension up and it pulls out the conductors. For household, i'd like the kind with the two screw snippers and a cutter, stripper and pliers tips on them. Then my linesman would take care of everything else? The reason i said i wanted to buy quality is because for the few tools i would need to replace outlets, switches, strip wires and loop them, install fans, lights, etc. i just want to keep a small bag with what i need. I enjoy multi purpose tools but we all know dedicated tools do their job better. an 11 in 1 screwdriver is nice to carry around but if i could find a handful of screwdrivers which are quality i'd be more apt to keep them in my pocket and grab what i need rather than flipping multiple bits around. Same with strippers. The milwaukee 6 in 1 are nice but when i need to twist wires, they fall short. The needlenose are a bit too thick to pinch wires on an outlet and the strippers are tolerable but not the best. Wire cutters on them are mediocre as well. So with a quality stripper with less plier and thinner tips, i think i would benefit more. Grab my bag and go. I don't buy multi purpose automotive tools and the tools i've been using while doing electrical have just been random junk bin pieces besides my milwaukee pliers. I haven't even used the lineman pliers yet, i just got them.

 

[drink]

I know they always say to turn off the power before you begin working on electrical stuff but some insulated tools are nice to do electrical work with. Cordless power tools are a big help also. I also like the magnetic nut drivers.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I know they always say to turn off the power before you begin working on electrical stuff but some insulated tools are nice to do electrical work with. Cordless power tools are a big help also. I also like the magnetic nut drivers.

I haven't ran into anything hexagonal so i don't have nut drivers, but i do use a small electric driver for some longer screws or tedious work.

 

[Infinia]

A circuit breaker finder can be very useful.
.

indeed

I never work on live circuits so insulated drivers are a loss for me and my kind.
YMMV

 

[Gmonkee]

I took a half day and cut all household power to connect circuits into a new panel, then made the final connection to the feed hot.
There was no options.

Now any circuit can be cut and the rest work because of my fixes. You do what you gotta do sometimes.

 

[Gummi Bear]

Basic tools I tell apprentice that they need:

9" lineman pliers. You'll need these to twist wires
8" Needlenose pliers
8" dikes. I buy the curved ones, rather than the straight ones
Strippers - i like the Klein Curve model. They feel good in hand
3/16" straight blade screwdriver - this is your trim driver
¼" straight screwdriver - this is your medium workhorse
" straight screwdriver - this is your bull driver
#2 Phillips screwdriver
Good utility knife
Tape measure
Torpedo level with rare earth magnets
Quality voltage tester
Comfy tool pouch with accessory bag for parts



I don't like multi tool screwdriver for men in the field. Too many parts to lose, and they spend most of the day farting around with them.

Same with pliers that have too many features. They aren't real good at anything, and only pretty good at some


Klein tools are what I have carried for over 20 years. Now Ideal, Greenlee, Southwire, and Milwaukee are making some decent tools, and then of course there are those budget priced offered by the home improvement stores for the occasional user.

2000 series pliers are hardened steel, and cost more, but last longer for daily use. If you want to spend the money on the Journeyman series, they have the comfy handles, or you can buy the old school red handles and boil them and slip them onto your pliers. The plastidip handles just don't last long by themselves.

Screwdriver are comfort grip, and all are 6-7" long. The shorter ones fall out of your pouch easier than the long ones.

Once a hand is working, then I suggest they add to their tool kit

Channel Locks - 430 and 440
Hacksaw heavy duty
Cordless drill
Nut driver set
10" Crescent wrench
A set of SAE hex keys
#2 Robertson screwdriver
Offset screwdriver
Magnetizer for screwdrivers



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[ecotec]

offset screwdrivers ****, as do Journeyman grips. D-2000 lineman and diagonal pliers are a must. Well worth the price difference. The Tenite grips are really nice. They are a nice upgrade to a pair of pliers... if they are installed well.

 

[Gmonkee]

I thought my kit was inadequate going in but it got the job done. Solidly if not to code wherever you live.

But as it is one house and a good installation needs little fixing even in decades a thought struck me.

Why invest heavy into something that is not my profession? Get a few good things and grab the bling at bargain prices but no overkill.

I went from zero to seven Robbie drivers because no one knew what they were. Sold at half a buck for unused goods. Never got a good multimeter knowing it will never be used much. I can fake it with the hot/ground detector doohickey thing Harry Potter invented. Only 110 VAC here and thats all I need to know.

Flat drivers, I have dozens. One is insulated at the factory and four by myself. Still not sure why. I can shut sections off now.

Slight overkill but not in money spent. If I find a kid looking to get into it as a trade he has a gift waiting at my house. I should have gone that way myself. But it was so unglamorous when I had the chance. Doh!

 

[nelstomlinson]

The 11-in-1, a pair of strippers that feels right in your hand, a 12 inch pair of channel-locks and what you already have will do everything you are likely to run into in residential wiring.

I also have Klein wobble drivers in Phillips (682-6) and straight (670-6). If you use a cordless impact driver, you might not want these.

 

[Gummi Bear]

offset screwdrivers ****, as do Journeyman grips. D-2000 lineman and diagonal pliers are a must. Well worth the price difference. The Tenite grips are really nice. They are a nice upgrade to a pair of pliers... if they are installed well.

I disagree on the offset screwdriver ***** comment.

They **** for someone who doesn't know how to use them. They are a productivity tool for someone who does.

Using a battery tool for trim work is asking for trouble. I don't let my apprentices use them for trim, many other companies have adopted a similar policy. They are simply too powerful for trim work, and ruin more boxes and devices than they are worth.

There's nothing wrong with the Journeyman grips, they are a personal preference. I have them in my pouch now, but won't buy another when I wear these out. I prefer the feel of the Tenite grips.


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[theoldwizard1]

I rewired about 70% of the house using junk drawer tools, including new breaker box install.

Same here ! You need straight and Phillips screwdrivers, wire cutters/linesman pliers, needle nose pliers and a decent knife. A decent wire stripper is nice to have but not mandatory.

For safety sake, your should have a non-contacting voltage detector and one of those hot, neutral, ground test plugs.

 

[bwringer]

Thanks for the list -- that's great info!

I totally agree on carrying regular screwdrivers instead of bits or "multi" screwdrivers. Hate those wobbly things, and futzing with them makes any project (not just electrical stuff) drag on a lot longer. Plus, you inevitably lose a bit in your engine or in a wall somewhere.


What about one of those little widgets for stripping Romex? I'm not an electrician, but this little guy seems to save a lot of time. Do the pros use these?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-Lil-Ripper-Stripper-45-025/202276237

Basic tools I tell apprentice that they need:

9" lineman pliers. You'll need these to twist wires
8" Needlenose pliers
8" dikes. I buy the curved ones, rather than the straight ones
Strippers - i like the Klein Curve model. They feel good in hand
3/16" straight blade screwdriver - this is your trim driver
¼" straight screwdriver - this is your medium workhorse
" straight screwdriver - this is your bull driver
#2 Phillips screwdriver
Good utility knife
Tape measure
Torpedo level with rare earth magnets
Quality voltage tester
Comfy tool pouch with accessory bag for parts



I don't like multi tool screwdriver for men in the field. Too many parts to lose, and they spend most of the day farting around with them.

Same with pliers that have too many features. They aren't real good at anything, and only pretty good at some


Klein tools are what I have carried for over 20 years. Now Ideal, Greenlee, Southwire, and Milwaukee are making some decent tools, and then of course there are those budget priced offered by the home improvement stores for the occasional user.

2000 series pliers are hardened steel, and cost more, but last longer for daily use. If you want to spend the money on the Journeyman series, they have the comfy handles, or you can buy the old school red handles and boil them and slip them onto your pliers. The plastidip handles just don't last long by themselves.

Screwdriver are comfort grip, and all are 6-7" long. The shorter ones fall out of your pouch easier than the long ones.

Once a hand is working, then I suggest they add to their tool kit

Channel Locks - 430 and 440
Hacksaw heavy duty
Cordless drill
Nut driver set
10" Crescent wrench
A set of SAE hex keys
#2 Robertson screwdriver
Offset screwdriver
Magnetizer for screwdrivers



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I'm no pro... I just use my utility knife to strip the jacket. Try to keep the # of widgets to a minimum.

 

[jahn]

I personally love the Klein 11-1 screwdriver. Also a fan of the Klein Kurves as they fit nicely in my hand.

 

[Gummi Bear]

I've never owned a romex stripper. Just use your utility knife to lightly score the jacket, and split it with your fingers. Easy to do, and you never damage the conductor insulation.

11-1 screwdriver are fine to keep in the glovebox or junk drawer for small tasks. It has no business in a professional pouch. I keep one in my truck. No worries about losing parts. If I really need it, chances are that I'm already cussing up a storm. LOL

As to the offset screwdriver, I've never owned one with interchangeable tips. I have one in #2 philips, and one with 3/16" straight tip.


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[KnurledNut]

I like these for stripping the romex insulation. Quick and easy.