Tools for service changes ...
Here the PoCo recently changed their protocol, and now do NOT want the EC to disconnect from or connect to the service drop. They'll send a troubleman for that task.
Nevertheless, I got in the habit of keeping a few 'service' parts in my kit, including Polaris connectors. Price? As I see it, the increased safety and convenience was worth it. I also kept a bail (the thing that holds the ACSR to the mast) and the mast anchor bracket. For most service changes, you're increasing the size of the pipe.
So the service kit had a 2-1/2" hole saw (for 2" RMC), a 12" x 1/4"dia drill (as a pilot for the hole saw), and a 2" pipe die for cleaning excess zinc off the threads. Other tools include a 24" aluminum pipe wrench, a Vise-Grip brand chain wrench, pipe cutter large enough for 2", half-round file for bur removal,ground rod driver(s), ratchet cutter, ACSR cutters (or bolt cutters), a caulking gun, and various puttty knives.
Materials used, and kept with the 'service change kit,' include white phase tape, Scotch 88 tape, linerless splicing tape, splicing putty, Simpson Stron-Tie brand lag bolts, 2"RMC strut clamps, short pieces of strut, fender washers, roofing tar (both can and caulk-tube), roof jack, rope (for tying off the service conductors), and a plastic insert for the meter opening.
You mentioned crimpers. Be wary here; Greenlee has almost too many models- and it's very possible that the parts house will lend you a powered one. If you buy one, a model that looks like bolt cutters and will crimp everything from #3 to 2/0. You might also want one to crimp connectors onto #6 and #4 stranded wire.
"Specialty" tools you'll use, that ought to be in your general kit, include spade-shaped tile/glass bits (for cement siding), impact driver (for the lag bolts), cordless saws-it-all, demolition hammer (for the ground rod), ladder, Fein multimaster (removing old panel, trimming siding, etc.), Porta-band (primary tool for cutting strut and RMC), SDS roto-hammer (masonry work), assorted types of anchors, tin snips, and various wrenches and sockets.
Long list? Yup. Expensive? Yup. Gone are the days of $20 tools; now the stuff you need will cost hundreds of dollars each. Even my "Harbor Freight" rotohammer ($75) is in a $40 box, with over $300 in various bits. So here's what my real advice is: DON'T BUY ANYTHING. Instead, 'buy' the stuff in a 'virtual' way, and place the money in a dedicated savings account. Lees to guard/store/lose ... and you can always get it later.
