01-02-2005, 06:37 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Tilted
Location: McDuffie Co, GA
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ATTN: Electricians
What tools will I need to be a residential electrician? What are the basic tools? In other words, what tools would a prospective employer expect me to have?
As you can see by my résumé, I have a great amount of experience doing electrical work, but no experience working in buildings. I used to own a boat repair shop and I had a tremendous amount of tools. Then I got a job on a ship and while I was out at sea, my cunt-in-law stole most of my tools. I know it was her, but I cannot prove it. In a way, it was 'ok' because the ship I work on provides the tools I need to do my job. But now that I am getting out of the maritime industry, I need to buy more tools and I specifically need to buy tools geared towards, not yachts and other watercrft, but houses. I already know I will need a Klein Linesman's pliers (something no marine electrician has much use for). What else will I need? I was looking in the T&B catalog and they have Romex strippers. Are those a necessity, or is that sort of a luxury tool? (No Romex on boats either) I still own a business on paper, so I suppose I could see if Grainger has an electrician kit, but I thought if you guys (and gals) won't mind helping a brother out, I would be open to any suggestions. Thanks McD |
01-02-2005, 06:48 PM | #2 (permalink) |
PIKE!
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You don't need romex strippers... but their nice to have.
Make sure you've got a pair of dikes (diagonal (cutting) pilers). Also, be sure to remove those crappy handel grips that come on your kliens and replace them with the hardened, red, plastic ones klien sells. That's about all I remember from my Electrician class in high school. |
01-03-2005, 06:31 AM | #4 (permalink) | |
Tilted
Location: McDuffie Co, GA
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Thanks for the input above, ibis but I know the basic tools. I mean, I have been doing electrical and electronics for nearly 2 decades. The problem is that I have never worked on a house or in a building, only boats.
What I am getting at here is: obviously, I will need a P1 and P2 screwdriver as well as a small assortment of straight blade screwdrivers. I know I will need wire strippers. I know I will need linesman's pliers. Will I need a multimeter? For me now, this is a tool I use daily. Is this something that a residential electrician only needs occassionally, for instance, when the job is done to make sure there are no shorts or opens? And I was thinking to myself that I will not need crimpers... or will I? Do residential electricians use them? I use them almost daily at this job. The reason this is an issue for me is because I want to buy the tools that my future boss will expect me to have. I just bought a house and a new car, so I don't have much disposable money right now. I want to buy just what I need, and maybe a few things that are not necessary, but nice to have. If that fat cunt sister-in-law of mine hadn't pawned my tools off to support her jelly donut habit, I wouldn't have to post this at all. I had enough tools to keep a carpenter, two electricians, an electronics tech and a mechanic busy. Quote:
Wait a minute... Last edited by McDuffie; 01-03-2005 at 09:03 AM.. |
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01-03-2005, 01:12 PM | #5 (permalink) |
Crazy
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I've done some electrical work before.
From my experience, these tools proved very helpful: Corless drill for installing outlets and cover plates and drilling holes for wire Multimeter - it's a must Pen-sized charge detector (detects a hot wire even if it's not on a closed circuit) Utility knife and/or sheetrock saw for cutting holes for new boxes Hammer Optional: wire snake ..and remember that for resedential wiring, (at least in the US) black means hot, white common, green ground. That doesn't mean that each house you visit will be wired correctly, though (thus the pen-sized charge detector). I'll add more tools if they come to mind. |
01-03-2005, 01:49 PM | #7 (permalink) |
I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot!
Location: Upper Michigan
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A Stud finder and battery operated hacksaw for cutting holes for fixtures and receptacles and of course a measuring tape.
You mentioned that you're new boss would expect you to have certain tools. My Dad is an electrical and construction contractor. He subcontracts as well as employs other guys. Most of the time they have their own screwdrivers, utility knives and hammers but beyond that they don't supply much of their own. Each new guy has his own personal assortment of favorite tools that he might bring. My Dad does this for his livelihood and has for years so he's got all he will need for a job. If you are looking to be in the employ of an electrical contractor then ask HIM what you need. Don't buy anything until you do. Everything else will most likely be extras that you wouldn't necessarily need.
__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma. Last edited by raeanna74; 01-03-2005 at 01:52 PM.. |
01-03-2005, 07:07 PM | #8 (permalink) |
Insane
Location: Pacific NW
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drill motor
universal bit good fish tape crimpers for stranded wire voltage pick diagonal dykes linesman pliers wire strippers; 10, 12, 14 gauge torpedo level drywall saw multimeter small hammer conduit reamer/bender small hacksaw klein 10 in 1 screwdriver 8/10 gauge machine screw tap driver assorted hex drivers hex key set (standard) That oughta cover you.
__________________
"The gift of liberty is like that of a horse, handsome, strong, and high-spirited. In some it arouses a wish to ride; in many others, on the contrary, it increases the desire to walk." -- Massimo d'Azeglio |
01-03-2005, 10:50 PM | #9 (permalink) |
Hello, good evening, and bollocks.
Location: near DC
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(I'm not a professional electrician)
How about one of these outlet testers http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/AE...esters/OT2.htm to see whether an existing installation is wired correctly before starting a job? Also do electricians have use for a tone generator for locating wires? We data and voice guys often do... |
01-04-2005, 04:36 AM | #10 (permalink) |
Army of Me
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Can we tone down the "fat cunt" talk please?
I know you're pissed, but children read these boards! *giggles* and when they pop up.. they get banned Have you thought of joining the Sparky Union? I work with electricians daily, but they all do convention work, so I dunno if the toolset is the same. |
01-04-2005, 05:24 PM | #11 (permalink) | |
I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot!
Location: Upper Michigan
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Quote:
As for the GFI plug. An Ohm Meter will often tell you most of what you need to know. That does look like a handy gadget though.
__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma. |
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01-04-2005, 05:31 PM | #12 (permalink) |
<Insert wise statement here>
Location: Hell if I know
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Some burn ointment and bandages, come somewhere, someone is going to have the circuit breakers in their house mislabeled, or they'll have done a do-it-yourself repair job wrong and your going to have the shit shocked out of you.
__________________
Apathy: The best outlook this side of I don't give a damn. |
01-05-2005, 07:01 PM | #13 (permalink) | |
Tilted
Location: McDuffie Co, GA
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Quote:
Thanks for the excellent answers. I have a good idea what tools to get now. I am going to have a rough time at this, going from being a journeyman marine electrician to an apprentice residential electrician (mostly because of the pay cut I am going to take). Damn. I just literally shuddered because the job hunt starts on Monday. |
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01-07-2005, 12:24 PM | #14 (permalink) |
I aim to misbehave!
Location: SW Oklahoma
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Nutdrivers. I didn't see anyone list nutdrivers. Maybe not a lot of use in a house but you'll want em in a commercial building. And no matter how many strippers, or what kind, you still can't beat having a good electricians knife.
__________________
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom |
01-08-2005, 07:13 AM | #15 (permalink) | |
Mulletproof
Location: Some nucking fut house.
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Quote:
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Don't always trust the opinions of experts. |
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01-08-2005, 08:09 AM | #16 (permalink) |
A Storm Is Coming
Location: The Great White North
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One thing not mentioned is a continuity tester. It's an inexpensive pen light device you use to complete a circuit and tell from one end to the other if you are trying to trace a run. More for post contruction work.
I was a residential electrician until 25 tears ago. My must have tools were the lineman pliers, a large screwdriver that double as a wood chisel on occasion, a small philips and a pocketknife....the kind with a blunt tip, which I use for all wire stripping. All that would fit in my pockets and I could always grab a hammer if needed.
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If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy. |
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