Hand Tools

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I gave up on Channel Lock a long time ago.

I have been using the Knipex Cobra pliers for about 10 years now.

These never slip and stay on the size you pick. They are also designed to not pinch your fingers.

They used to have a display in the supply house with these pliers and a piece of pipe. You only have to push on one handle to grip a pipe.

http://www.knipex.de/index.php?id=783&L=1&grpID=17&ukat=rohr11

Has anyone tried locknut pliers?
 
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My advice would be stay light! After 15 + years I gave up on overly heavy klien tools several years ago.... Knipex makes some good, and light tools that out last klien, and often for the same or less. Linemans, ETC. Thier Channel style pliers are top-notch. Wiha, makes lightwieght screwdrivers made out of a simular hardened alloy, that also out last klien. They stay sharper longer and are more ergonomic to work with.

As far as bags, forget 'em. A small pouch and an apron. Better yet, a Skillers vest.

And forget that 18+ volt hammer drill as a screw driver too, Get a 14.4 impact wrench....
 
e57 said:
And forget that 18+ volt hammer drill as a screw driver too, Get a 14.4 impact wrench....
Click to expand...

Just got a 14.4 impact with a 1/4" hex drive last Friday.

So far I am very impressed, I have been trying it on everything.

Light, fast and powerful how can you beat that?
 
iwire said:
Just got a 14.4 impact with a 1/4" hex drive last Friday.

So far I am very impressed, I have been trying it on everything.

Light, fast and powerful how can you beat that?
Click to expand...

I love my little ryobi impact I use it for EVERYTHING, debating on getting the makita litium ion set though.
 
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I didn't even realize some of the brands you all suggested even existed. I don't really know which direction I plan on going in. I guess I am kind of leaning toward residential mainly because thats what I have the most experience with already. I just got to commercial in my classes though and it is really interesting. Well, back to good old transformer overcurrent protection calculations. Thanks all,
Jason
 
Thanks George for the link. I already have a good deal of those tools. Do the Twisty screwdrives make a big difference?
Jason
 
jhrper said:
Thanks George for the link. Do the Twisty screwdrives make a big difference?
Jason
Click to expand...


Just remember to oil your elbows before you do a large residential finish or break out that 12V drill driver and save your arm. I love my "speedie's" but I only use them on small jobs and service calls.
 
Hand Tools

One of the odd ball tools that you might want is a drywall compass.
When cutting ceiling tile for recessed fixtures, oct boxes, or scoring drywall for old work fixtures it will give you an accurate circle.
 
dezwitinc said:
One of the odd ball tools that you might want is a drywall compass.
When cutting ceiling tile for recessed fixtures, oct boxes, or scoring drywall for old work fixtures it will give you an accurate circle.
Click to expand...

I prefer having a wide assortment of hole saws, more expencive but much faster and much better.
 
I prefer my rotozip, circle cutter, dust extractor and vacuum.....and I'm still not a damn plumber!
:D
 
Tkb,


"Has anyone tried locknut pliers?"

When I was an apprentice I borrowed a pair from the Journeyman?s I was helping. I feel they worked great on ? and ? lock nuts. I have not used them since.
I like to have the MC connectors parallel with the front of the enclosure or the screws, of the Set Screw connectors, perpendicular to the front of the enclosure. I usually use my Linesman Pliers or Pump Pliers to do this, ensuring a tight connection. I know that is kind of ?above and beyond? but I have developed a technique that I feel is relatively fast and efficient. Plus I think it looks great.


Justin J. Walecka
 
"And forget that 18+ volt hammer drill as a screw driver too, Get a 14.4 impact wrench"


Iwire

"Just got a 14.4 impact with a 1/4" hex drive last Friday.
So far I am very impressed, I have been trying it on everything.
Light, fast and powerful how can you beat that?"


I love my 18V Dewalt impact gun. I use the 3/8 ratchet tip and put various sized Craftsman sockets on it. It is unbelievably fast when installing bolts and such. Be careful not to cross thread. I also use it to install Hex Head self tapping screws into steel columns, just try not to snap the head off.


Justin J. Walecka
 
celtic said:
I prefer my rotozip, circle cutter, dust extractor and vacuum.....and I'm still not a damn plumber!
:D
Click to expand...
Not that I get to see a lot of my competition.
But You gotta be the only EC carrying a cordless vacuum.
Your van must be emaculatly clean? & bins labeled?
Breakers Alphabetically, SP low to DP High?


Am I getting close???? LOL
 
One of the coolest things I have seen is the Panasonic (EY6535GQW) combo driver, 1/2" impact with 1/4" adaptor, and a removable chuck for drilling. Used to be so pricey, (~$475) about the same as the rest now (~$275). Dewalt also has a impact/hammer drill combo kit (DC984IA)
at a good price from time to time, if you can locate it. Two tools for the price of one. ($220 - Toolup.com every once in a while...) They also make a 18v one, but why drag around more battery than you need with an impact, a 12v will crank out just as much, and the point is to stay light if just doing screws all day. All these people with giant batteries have size issues of thier own. :cool:
 
77401 said:
Not that I get to see a lot of my competition.
But You gotta be the only EC carrying a cordless vacuum.
Your van must be emaculatly clean? & bins labeled?
Breakers Alphabetically, SP low to DP High?


Am I getting close???? LOL
Click to expand...
I'll admit...I am anal....when ever my neighbor needs something and wants to avoid a trip to the hardware store he'll ask me...."you have a ...." ...and I know exactly where it is.

Vehicle immaculate...no
Bins labeled...no
Breakers alpabetized...no

I'm anal, but I'm not insane
banana.gif



:D
 
e57 said:
One of the coolest things I have seen is the Panasonic (EY6535GQW) combo driver, 1/2" impact with 1/4" adaptor, and a removable chuck for drilling.
Click to expand...

I checked it out and it has no more torque in impact than my 1/4" 14.4 Dewalt.

Looks heavy for little gain.

I will try the spade bit trick. :)
 
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