DON'T USE THESE TOOLS!!! Use These Tools Instead If You're an Electrician
Tools Electricians Should Avoid
Tape Measures
Avoid thin tape measures like the Craftsman 16; they are difficult to retract and cumbersome to use.
Preference for compact, form-fitting tape measures that are easy to handle; a 25 ft measure is often sufficient for most tasks.
Magnetic tips on tape measures are beneficial for hands-free measurements, especially when working overhead.
Recommended brands include Fat Max and Milwaukee for their sturdiness and usability in various environments.
Hammers
Do not bring lightweight or wooden hammers (often referred to as "mom's hammer") to job sites; they lack durability and balance.
Steel hammers with rubber handles provide better insulation against vibrations and improved leverage during use.
Look for hammers with a flat claw design for better prying capabilities compared to traditional designs.
Screwdrivers
Avoid poorly insulated screwdrivers that feel loose in hand; opt for high-quality brands like Klein which offer solid grip and comfort.
The radius of the screwdriver affects turning efficiency; wider handles allow more torque with less effort.
Lineman's Pliers
Short lineman's pliers can hinder cutting ability due to lack of leverage; longer handles provide better performance.
Multi-use lineman’s pliers should have features like strippers and crimpers but prioritize length for effective use.
Levels
Always use a level when installing fixtures; it ensures craftsmanship over mere aesthetics.
Avoid levels made from plastic or those without strong magnets, as they tend to break easily in rough environments.
Invest in durable metal levels with strong magnets, such as Klein’s torpedo level, which withstand drops without damage.
Power Tools
Non-magnetic tipped bits are frustrating when working overhead; always choose magnetic options for convenience.
Magnetic extensions help keep bits secure during work, reducing the risk of dropping them while maneuvering in tight spaces.
This summary encapsulates key insights from the transcript regarding tools electricians should avoid or consider upgrading. Each section highlights specific tools along with recommendations based on personal experiences shared by the speaker.
Video description
Most of us who have been in the trades for any length of time, will come up with a list of tools that we really don’t like. That list varies widely from individual to individual, but generally center around the same types. In todays episode of Electrician U, Dustin shows off the tools he really hates in the hopes that it will save someone the time and grief of trying these tools out.
🤘⚡️EU Learning System⚡️🤘
For Individuals --- https://electricianu.com/learning-system-for-individuals/
For Businesses --- https://electricianu.com/learning-system-for-businesses/
-Video courses on every side of the electrical trade (theory, code, safety, wiring, install, troubleshooting, leadership, and more)
-Practice exams for 2017, 2020, 2023 code
-YouTube videos categorized and searchable
-Audio lessons
-Forum
-Business version has admin portal and ability to assign learning to technicians and monitor progress
-Any business size from 2 techs to 2,000!
🎓💡CONTINUING EDUCATION💡🎓
Sign up here --- https://electricianu.com/continuing-education/
-State Approved
-Video Based
✍📝PRACTICE EXAMS📝✍
Get them here --- https://www.electricianu.com/electrician-u-membership/
-2017, 2020, and 2023 NEC versions
-Online Residential Wireman Exam
-Online Journeyman Exam
-Online Master Exam
-300 Question Online Code Cannon (not license specific, all code)
-Take as many times as you want
-All of the above come with printable PDFs
🎤🎧PODCAST🎧🎤
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7ldCwdxhWnT0R3nne96XjC?si=a42a98b83c3549fc&nd=1
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/electrician-u/id1583270265
📱👍SOCIALS👍📱
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@electricianu
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/electrician_u/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheElectricianU/
Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricianU/
Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ElectricianU
Discord - https://www.discord.gg/electricianu
🎧🎹Music, Editing, and Videography by Drake Descant and Rob LeBlanc🎹🎧
#electrician #electrical #electricity
Before we get into specific tools, the agony of owning/using tools that are awful can almost be summed up in one word. CHEAP!! Do yourself a favor and buy something made by a reputable manufacturer that will perform and will last. Klein tools are the most preferred by our trade and are definitely the pinnacle of electrical tools. They are manufactured here in the US, are made with quality materials, and are geared towards the electrician! Whatever your trade is, use the tools that are made for your trade. See what everyone else is using, ask the guys at the supply houses, or do your research.
First up of tools Dustin hates are cheap tape measures. Ones with cheap plastic cases, skinny/flimsy retractable tape blades, or blades that automatically stay extended. You are going to drop your tape measure. Its gonna happen, trust me! Flimsy cases just won’t stand up to any abuse. Skinny blades also are a scourge. When measuring out in the field, many times we are trying to measure distance TO something and need a tape that will stay extended and not flop down at 3’! Magnetic tips are helpful when measuring for electrical items, and having something stick to that metallic object comes in handy. Milwaukee and DeWalt make some of the best tape measures around and seem to be the ones most tradesmen (and women) prefer.
Hammers are another item that you shouldn't skimp on. Leave a non-claw hammer out of your tool bag. If it looks like the hammer your mom had in the kitchen drawer while you were growing up, leave it there! Instead grab a hammer with a straight blade, one that has a little heft to it (between 22-24 oz. seems about standard) and a metal handle (it will last a lot longer and helps to balance the hammer). Estwing makes quality hammers and are readily available, but other brands like Stiletto make phenomenal products using light materials and are ergonomic in nature.
Screwdrivers should be of superior quality and made with the electrician in mind as it is one of the tools you will have in your hands most frequently. Again, the trade standard seems to be Klein Tools as they manufacture the best hand tools in the electrical industry. Use screwdrivers that have a large cushioned handle and preferably a magnetic tip- at times if feels like we are installing a screw like we would thread a needle and a magnetic tip comes in very handy. Same can be said for your screw gun tips and bit holders. Don’t use the non-magnetic ones. Even though you will spend less, the aggravation you will experience will severely outweigh the dollars you spend.
When it comes to the most common tool for an electrician- the Linesman Pliers- again consider looking towards Klein Tools. Choose a 9” with some type of cushion grip. This is the tool that you will grab most often. Pliers less than 9” have less leverage to assist you cut things and inevitably use it as a hammer. Choose the pliers with the options you want on it (crimpers, fish tape pullers, etc.).
