What's in your electrical tool bag?

[indestrolover]

I was just wondering what everyone has in their tool bag

 

[gonefirefighting]

everything......and its not a bag, its a box.......I own harleys

 

[Rogue1987]

Automotive Electrical, or Industrial Electrical?

 

[frankush]

A better question is what isn't. The bag isn't light but i usually have what I need.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Also, you have to define bag.

If you mean pouches, I used to carry everything. My whole belt system weighed literally 18 pounds. Now I carry only a few hand tools in a Carhartt canvas apron and have a Veto bag to bring in when I need more. My back is MUCH happier for it.
This is aside from two tool boxes and two drawers in the truck. Pretty much, if an electrical tool exists, I have it.

 

[Alchymist]

Electrical tools?

 

[Gooch]

Professional Electrician Here:

9" Linesman pliers
9" torpedo level
needle nose pliers
conduit reamer
wire stripper
romex stripper
9-in-1 screwdriver
Large straight blade screwdriver
small cabinet screwdriver
2-430 channellocks
nut runner set
wrench set
allen wrench set
25' tape measure
plus a few others that I don't use enough to remember i have lol

 

[SiGmA_X]

Things sparkies use, Alchymist.

 

[71flh]

War nuts

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just a DIYer, but "above average" when it comes to electrical (too much time working in IT).

What scares me is all of the "specialty" crimpers and connectors I have acquired. Luckily I never bought any crimpers and pins for RS232 connectors (but I made dozens and dozens at works). Even though I am retired, I have a pair of Ideal Crimpmaster pass-thru crimpers with RJ-45 dies, Anderson PowerPole pass-thru crimpers, Snap-n-Seal it1000 RG6 stripper/crimpers in addition to my trusty Ideal 30-428 crimper/stripers.

For AC work I have a pair of Ideal T5 T-strippers, Craftsman linesmen pliers and Craftsman needle nose. I have a voltage detector (actually I think it is at my son's house).

I could use a good Romex splitter/stripper.

 

[buzz4041]

Let's see here goes :
Klein Linemans pliers
T&B Stakon tool
Klein Dykes
Klein Cable cutter
Klein Needle nose
Knife
9" torpedo level
1 pair 460 channel locks
1 pair 430 channel locks
1 - 10" cresent wrench
1 - 3/8" nut driver
1 - 7/16" nut driver
1 - Holding screwdriver
1 - 10" straight blade klein screwdriver
1 - 6" straight blade klein screwdriver
1 - 4" straight blade klein screwdriver
1 - 6" phillips klein screwdriver
1 - 4" phillips klein screwdriver
1 - Weidmuller termination screwdriver
1 - Scratch awl
Fluke multimeter 1060A
Wiggy
Amprobe
25' tape measure

And yes it weighs alot but you don't have to be going up and down on ladders cause you don't have a tool. Still stocked just like when I used to use it every day.

 

[matt151617]

I bought one of those clip-on electrician belt pouches. I have electrical tape (black, red, white, and green), needle nose and linesman pliers, tape measure, spade bit, romex stripper, outlet tester, non contact voltage tester, multimeter, wire stripper, level, insulated Phillips and straight screwdrivers, a headlamp, and various wire nuts.

I also have a bigger box (in the area but not on me) with a pull tape, staples, hammer, scraps of wire, lots of junction boxes, and plenty of romex bushings.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Pretty much the same...but I do voice and data work, the only electrical I do is at home.
Primarily Klein for wire strippers, pliers, and screwdrivers. I've got a lot of specialty stuff for cat 5 and coax, too.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Let's see here goes :
Klein Linemans pliers
T&B Stakon tool
Klein Dykes
Klein Cable cutter
Klein Needle nose
Knife
9" torpedo level
1 pair 460 channel locks
1 pair 430 channel locks
1 - 10" cresent wrench
1 - 3/8" nut driver
1 - 7/16" nut driver
1 - Holding screwdriver
1 - 10" straight blade klein screwdriver
1 - 6" straight blade klein screwdriver
1 - 4" straight blade klein screwdriver
1 - 6" phillips klein screwdriver
1 - 4" phillips klein screwdriver
1 - Weidmuller termination screwdriver
1 - Scratch awl
Fluke multimeter 1060A
Wiggy
Amprobe
25' tape measure

And yes it weighs alot but you don't have to be going up and down on ladders cause you don't have a tool. Still stocked just like when I used to use it every day.

You actually CARRY all that???

WHY a Sta-Kon tool, two Channellocks and three testers?? My Fluke T-5 does what all three of those do.

Don't get me wrong, I like having whatever tool I need, but I'd rather walk a few feet than carry 20# any more.
To each his own I guess.

 

[Alchymist]

Things sparkies use, Alchymist.

So what did anyone expect to find in an "electrical tool bag"? Kind of sarcasm if you will.....you know - electrical tools in an electrical tool bag?

Which brings up another point - "electrical too bag" - is yours plug in or battery operated. And why would a tool bag be electrified anyway? Ah, the wonders of the English language.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I forgot one of my "specialty" crimpers ! Many years ago I bought a cheap, plastic RJ11 crimper that came with a pack of 50 plugs. Those crimpers work amazingly well !!

 

[jeffmoss26]

I carry a lot of stuff...25 pounds when weighed on the scale at work...but I need it all!

 

[Socophreak]

Tons, My bag weighs around 30Lbs, will probably weigh more once I get a few more tools added. Mostly electrical, but quite a bit of other stuff as well.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I could use a good Romex splitter/stripper.

Any opinions on the Ideal Lil' Ripper Stripper ?

 

[Socophreak]

Any opinions on the Ideal Lil' Ripper Stripper ?

Good for taking the sheathing off. I wouldn't strip the insulation off wire though.

 

[awdblazer]

Any opinions on the Ideal Lil' Ripper Stripper ?

useless if you have a decent utility knife

 

[PRH44]

Too Much normally

 

[buzz4041]

You actually CARRY all that???

WHY a Sta-Kon tool, two Channellocks and three testers?? My Fluke T-5 does what all three of those do.

Don't get me wrong, I like having whatever tool I need, but I'd rather walk a few feet than carry 20# any more.
To each his own I guess.

Well Speedy I was an industrial electrician and a stakon tool was for doing small motor hookups. One pair of channellocks wont cut it if your running rigid conduit. And to do motor controls is why I carry the meters. As far as your T5 doing all that I don't think so as it wouldn't go around half the wire sizes I was used to dealing with. Looks like a nice meter for romex jerker though. I don't care to climb up a structure or vessel and come to find out I needed another tool cause I was worried about a few extra pounds in my bag. Like you said each to his own. Oh and my pouch is still this way today after 30 years.

 

[housey]

I also tend to be someone who loads their toolbag up to avoid multiple trips, as usually once I'm at a job I wont have to move it round much. I generally organise my toolbag at the beginning of each day depending on what sort of work I'll be doing (been working on jumbo and solo drills lately).

Tape measure
Utility knife
Metric hex keys
Fluke 179 multimeter + 1507 insulation tester
Small compartment box with cable numbering kit and various bootlace pins and lugs
1/4" socket set
Spanner set from 7-19mm + 24mm
16" Knipex multigrips
12" Knipex plier wrench
PH1/2 screwdrivers and 3mm, 5mm, 6.5mm flat blade screwdrivers
Electrical tape + scotch 23
Bootlace crimpers
Lug crimpers
Fishtape
Needlenose pliers
Linesmans pliers
6" knipex cable cutters (this is probably my favourite tool)
Small gas torch
12" striking prybar
Hammer
Cold chisel
Hacksaw

I'm sure theres some other stuff as well that I have forgot about

 

[Speedy Petey]

Well Speedy I was an industrial electrician and a stakon tool was for doing small motor hookups. One pair of channellocks wont cut it if your running rigid conduit. And to do motor controls is why I carry the meters. As far as your T5 doing all that I don't think so as it wouldn't go around half the wire sizes I was used to dealing with. Looks like a nice meter for romex jerker though. I don't care to climb up a structure or vessel and come to find out I needed another tool cause I was worried about a few extra pounds in my bag. Like you said each to his own. Oh and my pouch is still this way today after 30 years.

Well I'm sorry then. I just figured one would tool up for the job at hand. If you needed all that day-to-day then that was the most efficient method for you.

As to the (rather disparaging) "romex jerker" comment, like I said, I leave all my other larger testers and tools behind until I need them. I am not a plant electrician, so I am in a different environment every day. I have all the testers I need to do any job presented to me, but the thought of carrying around my 1000A amprobe and my megger is pretty silly in my case.

The times when I do have to climb a tower or go deep into a facility where the truck is only a memory I'm sure to have what I need.