Tools for student electrician

[Outlander]

My son has expressed interest in becoming an electrician. He took the entrance exam, and missed by a few points (they accepted 60 out of 600 applicants). He went back to take some classes and will try again. He is also getting his drivers license as any job will probably require it.

So - in anticipation of his acceptance into the program, I would like to be his 'go to' guy for tools. Perhaps even start him out with his first basic set. I would like him to enjoy selecting the right tools going forward as much as doing the work!

I know the school will have a list, I would just like to know what he is getting into tool wise and if some sort of starter kit like this is appropriate?



I'm also hoping to see a used ($60) Snap On tool box today on Kijiji so he has a suitable place for his tools at home.

Thanks for any advice, and here's to hoping he is one of the 60 this time around!

 

[kiatech]

This is for an apprenticeship? If it is they will probably provide a tool list.

 

[zoomieport]

http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=35-809&div=3&l1=hand_tool_kits

They offer a 25% discount to apprentices through Electrical Distribution... Good luck!

 

[Outlander]

This is for an apprenticeship? If it is they will probably provide a tool list.

Yes - I was hoping to get a head start. Maybe I should call them and see if they would send me the list in advance.

 

[KSB]

What is he thinking, Industrial Electrician or Construction and Maintenance? Tool sets for either could vary.

I had a set of these screwdrivers that I used when I was working on motion picture projection equipment, now that I have gone the truck mechanic route I passed them over to my father (semi retired lineman). I loved these screwdrivers for any "hot" work, he speaks highly of them as well.

http://www.wihatools.com/300seri/321serie.htm

 

[Outlander]

http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=35-809&div=3&l1=hand_tool_kits

They offer a 25% discount to apprentices through Electrical Distribution... Good luck!

Cool - they have a ton of local suppliers (Montreal) as well!

 

[kiatech]

This is what i'm required.

 

[Outlander]

This is what i'm required.

Cool - thanks very much!

 

[Burgerkong]

Nothing too specialized apparently, just the basics then. A pair of GOOD wire strippers is a must. And needle noses. And a plastic spatula for (c)ramming wires into a small junction box. Hacksaw is presumably for sawing conduit (EMT/PVC).

 

[Ohmthis]

Here's what I have in my pouch and bag and can do about any type of electrical work. A 6 in 1 screw driver (they make an eleven in one if you get swanky), 2 pairs of 430 channel lock pliers, long handled linesman pliers, diagnal cutters, needle nose pliers, a magnetic torpedo level, yellow handled wire strippers, a razor knife, a multiple use set of strippers (bolt cutters, crimper, and stripper), a high tension hack saw, and a board saw (drywall, keyhole). I almost forgot a 25' tape measure. These will let him do 90% of the work and he can get what he needs as he needs them. I suggest good quality tools as some of my pliers are more than 15 years old and are just getting broken in.

 

[jfcasey]

This thread really makes me wonder what the hell I am doing fixing cars for a living

Anybody want to add some more info for a student electrician? Like how can you tell a hack from a real pro when you are looking for a company to apprentice with?

 

[Ohmthis]

I went through the IBEW (union electricians) apprenticeship and we rotated to several companies while there. It keeps you from learning from a bad journeyman. You will definitly see the good from the bad, and it's not hard to figure out after awhile. My major advice is to really try and learn all the facets of the trade (high voltage, low voltage, controls, data, telcom, fiber optics, not just running pipe and pulling wire. You will be much more employable and you can pick the job/s you want.

 

[Outlander]

I suggest good quality tools as some of my pliers are more than 15 years old and are just getting broken in.

As he will be earning a living doing this, I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[rusty65]

I'm not a electrical guy but a good set of hallow nut drivers and thin blade screwdrivers with nice solid handles and decently long shafts would be a great addition to the bag or box or what ever you choose to use. And a volt sniffer would probably be handy as well.


Sent From Snap On Head Quarters deep in China.

 

[CWP1616L]

Craftsman Item# 00973573000 | Model# 73573

I highly recommend those.

 

[zer0cell]

The items pictured above would be a good starter set but I would go with Klein or Channellock brands instead. Channellock would be less expensive if price is a concern and northerntool has good prices on them. You could use a coupon readily available on google to save more. I would also add a hacksaw - Dewalt at home depot or Klein heavy duty (blue colored one) would be a good choice. A good flashlight. Estwing or vaughan smooth faced, straight claw 20 oz hammer (for mounting boxes) and electrical tester. I could think of more things but that would be a good starting point.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein and Channellock all the way.

 

[mrjaw14]

Klein and Channellock all the way.

+1

All the electricians I know are Klein only for linemans pliers, strippers, cutters, screwdrivers, etc. Channellock is acceptable for slip-groove pliers. The reason is simple: klien doesn't say it, but many people say they've been hit with normal voltage and the rubber grips kept them safe. The same trust factor isn't there with greenlee and other brands like it is with klein. A lot of electricians won't respect another electrician if they don't see klein. As a student you'll want him to be credible. Klein isn't much more expensive than greenlee. It's also what most electrical supply house's have...which makes it easy to warranty.

Having said this, I do have some greenlee stuff, but it's mostly backup tools.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Also the Greenlee hand tools are all imported. They make decent fish tapes, benders, knockout sets etc.

 

[Farmall450]

What is he thinking, Industrial Electrician or Construction and Maintenance? Tool sets for either could vary.

I had a set of these screwdrivers that I used when I was working on motion picture projection equipment, now that I have gone the truck mechanic route I passed them over to my father (semi retired lineman). I loved these screwdrivers for any "hot" work, he speaks highly of them as well.

http://www.wihatools.com/300seri/321serie.htm

Did they make those Menards rebate ones?

I have a set (2) and I think they were free w/ rebate?
They're identical in every aspect...1000 V & all

 

[scaron]

a little background about me, i'm a degreed electrical engineer and I work in the IT business, i spend most of my time behind the keyboard but often my job or hobbies will take me to the data center floor, the wiring closet, the switch room or the lab bench. i concentrate solely on low voltage work, phone and data wiring, computer repair, microelectronics, etc. fwiw i am not a journeyman electrician and i do not do high voltage or industrial work. i always love show and tell with good tools so i took a quick pic of the contents of my electrical bag:

my suggestions for the guy starting out:

* a good pair of screwdrivers (or multi-bit drivers, which i prefer because they are real space savers in the bag). if you plan to work high voltage/industrial you will probably want to shell out for the insulated shank drivers but i don't think you need them for low voltage and residential work.

* a good pair of needlenose pliers

* a good pair of lineman's pliers

* a good pair of diagonal cutters (aka dikes)

* two good quality cutters/strippers, one for low-gauge wire and one for high-gauge wire

* a good fish tape, i suggest at least 50 ft, you kind of have to size it to the sorts of jobs you plan to do... if you are trying to run cable across a huge factory floor you will want a longer one.

* a good multimeter ( how did this not get mentioned yet?! you will get dissed at least as much for rocking a generic multimeter as you will for not using klein hand tools )

for hand tools, klein is great, ideal is great, xcelite (which i believe is now owned by crescent) is great, knipex is great for cutters and pliers, channel-lock is pretty good for pliers and rough (not precision) cutters. husky actually makes some decent pliers and dikes, from my experience (and i love their little multi-bit offset screwdriver, made in USA!). there are more exotic brands if you want to go to a specialty retailer like techni-tool (wiha, wera, erem, plato, etc) that are great too but you will be shelling out more $$. most of that is aimed at the microelectronics repair and assembly market, though.

for meters, i think fluke is king, get a good fluke meter and it will last you your entire career if you take care of it. if you can find tektronix or agilent those are great too but less likely to see outside of a lab environment. if you plan on doing a lot of telecom work, a good **** set is probably second to your multimeter, harris was always the best (now sold by fluke). there are some niche vendors like DPL that are excellent as well.

try to avoid the cheap stuff from greenlee, southwire, harbor freight and the like. i'm with a lot of folks here, buy the good stuff, take care of it and it will last you a lifetime.

happy to answer any follow up questions, just ask.

 

[Outlander]

What a great collection of information! I'm going to have shopping for the lad

 

[Outlawmws]

IMO the best inside de-burring tool for cut conduit is a step drill. works like a charm!

Klien, Channellock are both good,


I'm surprised to see side cutters on the list, but not lineman's

A well made tool belt will serve him well, and get him a Bucket Boss as well as most in that trade seem to shun tool boxes, on site.

Another nice to have is a stepped tap/chaser that has the std 10-24, 8-32 & 6-32 box threads... all on one screwdriver handle. Craftsman has them, as do many other companies.

 

[kiatech]

I'm surprised to see side cutters on the list, but not lineman's
.

They call them "9 inch side cutting pliers"

 

[Outlawmws]

They call them "9 inch side cutting pliers"

Well I guess it gets them close, but Google that for images you also get a ton of diagonals, side cutting needle nose. and the like. Linemann's is SPECIFIC.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I've got most of the same tools as pictured above (plus a lot more)

 

[cnc-me]

What is he thinking, Industrial Electrician or Construction and Maintenance? Tool sets for either could vary.

I had a set of these screwdrivers that I used when I was working on motion picture projection equipment, now that I have gone the truck mechanic route I passed them over to my father (semi retired lineman). I loved these screwdrivers for any "hot" work, he speaks highly of them as well.

http://www.wihatools.com/300seri/321serie.htm

+1 another vote for anything Wiha, good stuff.

 

[willf650]

This kit will be all he needs to get him started with decent quality tools that will be around until he loses them. Unfortunately when you are moving around a construction site loss and theft is more of an issue than breaakage. The only additional items he will need will be one additional pair of pump pliers(channel locks), a tool belt and a hack saw.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100647881?productId=100647881&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100647881&ci_src=17588969&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-100647881&ci_gpa=pla#.UggHv5JO-uo

I don't care for Klein pump pliers and have a matching set of the ones pictured above. PM me and pay for a flat rate shipping box and consider it a gift from a fellow electrician if you need them to get him started.

Electricians might be worse tool critics than the people on this board.

If he makes it tell him to always keep a bunch of pencils in his bag.

 

[Frickr]

a good conduit cutter is also a must. i have a ridgid that i got when i first started my electrician program and still is sharp. i would say a good fluke clamp meter over a regular multimeter for an apprentice, for what you do in school, the clamp meter will be better for troubleshooting especially motors. spend the little bit extra and get 2 sets of the klein kurve strippers they are alot easier to use then the standard small flat handled ones, one with the yellow plastic and the one with the red plastic for smaller wires. anything larger than what those can cut can be cut with a utility blade.

 

[ZRX61]

This thread really makes me wonder what the hell I am doing fixing cars for a living

No kidding,

.......if only electrical work wasn't based on some weird voodoo.

 

[kiatech]

This thread really makes me wonder what the hell I am doing fixing cars for a living

I got out of it while I still could

 

[Outlawmws]

No kidding,

.......if only electrical work wasn't based on some weird voodoo.

AC electrical is dead *** simple. You want to get into black magic, get into Microwave RF circuit design, followed closly by DC Analog PS design...

 

[zkling]

No kidding,

.......if only electrical work wasn't based on some weird voodoo.

Fuel flowing through and injector or filter. Sure I can actually SEE that. Current "flowing" in a circuit. Let me grab my x ray goggles.

* a good multimeter ( how did this not get mentioned yet?! you will get dissed at least as much for rocking a generic multimeter as you will for not using klein hand tools )

Since it hasn't been brought up much, I will try and chime in. I'm sure the class will specify what meter he needs. But for general stuff I would grab an older Fluke 27fm off of ebay for <$60 complete leads case and all. They are a basic meter and should do almost all an electrician would need. Their benefit being they are SUPER rugged and will tolerate being dropped, submerged, jarred, etc as they were designed for the military. Beyond that a 87 is probably going to be the ultimate for him. I feel like fluke multimeters are to electricians like kennedy tool boxes are to machinists or truck brand tools are to a pro mechanic. If you own any other brand, you will get taunted by your peers.

 

[ZRX61]

AC electrical is dead *** simple. You want to get into black magic, get into Microwave RF circuit design, followed closly by DC Analog PS design...

or avionics.....

 

[kiatech]

I doubt they will require a dmm for an apprentice. A quick call to the training director could take the guess work out of it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Fuel flowing through and injector or filter. Sure I can actually SEE that. Current "flowing" in a circuit. Let me grab my x ray goggles.

SNIP

Sure you can! And you do so often! Light bulbs, florecent tubes, LED's, that is current flowing that you can see!

 

[Evan(CA)]

I've worked as an electrician for the past 5+ years. If you are new starting out don't go buy the best of the best. Electricity will melt your expensive pretty tools like butter every time you **** up, and you will **** up. Electrical tools are really very basic but of course depends on the work you are doing and what the company provides. I work residential and some commercial, generally an apprentice can get buy with

10 in 1 screwdriver
Wire strippers
Channel locks
Lineman pliers
Needle nose
Diagonal cutters
Razor Knife
Hammer
Allen Key Set
Wiggy and/or DMM
Your own cordless set is a plus but not required
Comfortable double bags + underhouse/attic drag bag.

Generally whoever you are working for will have everything else and you can upgrade and expand over time.

 

[scarney1988]

AC voltage detector - to keep him safe(r)

Redwing/wolverine/quality boots

Tools mentioned above other users.

A willingness to learn and work under his mentors.

Above all, knowledge of general safety in that industry (I am a automotive mechanic by trade so I cannot help you there) so that he can make educated decisions while on the job.

I wish your son the best.

 

[Frickr]

http://www.mitchelltech.edu/media/mti//ECM_Price_List.xls

this is the list of tools that my school required along with prices for a basic idea. for what we learned we used 80% of the tools in the kit, and after getting out into the field i have put to use all the tools and added more.

if you pay attention in school you learn to never work on live circuits and if you follow those rules you will never burn up a tool. in 4 years ive only burnt up 1 screwdriver and but a small mark on my needlenose plyers that dont affect them in the least. and thats because i was trying to save time and did not shut the breaker off.

the nice thing about kleins too is if they are wore out, take them to a supplier and they will be replaced as long as if they are not abused.

 

[CWP1616L]

IMO the best inside de-burring tool for cut conduit is a step drill. works like a charm!

Klien, Channellock are both good,


I'm surprised to see side cutters on the list, but not lineman's

A well made tool belt will serve him well, and get him a Bucket Boss as well as most in that trade seem to shun tool boxes, on site.

Another nice to have is a stepped tap/chaser that has the std 10-24, 8-32 & 6-32 box threads... all on one screwdriver handle. Craftsman has them, as do many other companies.

I'm always amazed at how many people misspell that word when it's only 5 letters...