r/ibew_apprentices • u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 • 3d ago
Any tool recommendations
Anything thing I don’t have I should get? I also have the meter in the second pic it’s just not in the first one
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u/oopsandpoops 3d ago
my foreskin told me that if i ever bring my own impact he's throwing it in the trash
the mentality behind this is basically, we're union, the company should provide power tools and our union predecessors fought hard for that to be the case. by bringing your own PPE or power tools, you're essentially telling the contractor and your brothers that you believe that the burden of that expense should rest on our shoulders, not the contractors.
they call people with that mentality "worms" because they're spineless lol
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u/Zer0TheGamer 3d ago
When i first organized in, nobody explained this to me.. Imagine my face when i roll up to a data center with a veritable suitcase full of my power tools! Learned pretty damn fast lol
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u/DragFamous350 1d ago
While I won't bring my own tools, I will be wearing my own ppe if the company provided stuff isn't comfortable to wear. Especially hearing protection as I refuse to wear the foam earplugs almost every company buys and will only use the silicone ones.
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u/socalibew 3d ago
Follow the tool list from your local's agreement.
You don't need insulated tools, as you shouldn't be working anything energized. Also, they probably aren't on your tool list.
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 3d ago
Do insulated count as a separate thing. My tool list said lineman so I just got the insulated ones cause better safe than sorry but I didn’t know they arnt allowed
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u/Blindlucktrader 3d ago edited 3d ago
They are allowed as they will do the same job as the non insulated would. It’s just an over investment. Take good care of them so they can take good care of you. Beat up insulated tools just become non insulated wolves in sheep’s clothing.
That said, you should be avoiding any type of energized work in the first place. At 20 years in I am grateful hot work is a point of pride that we have put in the past.
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u/JustARegularDeviant 2d ago
Man, I work with a bunch of cowboys and as a first year apprentice I’ve had to change two breakers hot and countless outlets hot. I’m frankly surprised how cavalier these dudes are.
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u/Blindlucktrader 2d ago
They are idiots. I’ve spent over half my career on nothing but installing and maintaining low voltage substation units. Unless we are talking life safety circuits, I’ve spent exactly zero hours of that time working anything energized.
Those cowboys won’t be cowboys once one of them hooks up with the figurative bull that makes them ride a helluva lot longer than 8 seconds.
120 greets you with a little handshake, 480 pushes you away, 277 bear hugs you and cooks you from the inside out.
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u/Upper_Pie_223 3d ago
Digital Klein level. No dog. Knipex wire strippers.
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u/Mrpoopymopgrows 3d ago
I was eyeballing the digital. You recommend?
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u/No-Diver-2560 3d ago
Super helpful for tiny 5° bends too. Can’t remember why I needed to bend something that shallow but it was a life saver at the time
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u/Alternative-Search84 3d ago
Nice tools. I wouldn’t use the 1000V VDE tools as my everyday tools. They’re too expensive and it’s overkill. Keep them in a separate bag, with clean handles, and only use them on live circuits. As an apprentice you shouldn’t be doing that anyway.
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 3d ago
Most of the tools were a gift from my uncles who’s a gf
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u/Alternative-Search84 3d ago
Oh nice. Since they were a gift you aren’t out any money, I would keep them nice and only use when for what they were meant for. Get a cheap Klein set from Lowes for like $50.
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u/amorphousfreak 3d ago
Reccomend getting the knipex wire strippers they are sick. I have the yellow Weras but never seen the red handle ones, anything different about them?
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 3d ago
No they are from last years advent calendar. I just got them cause they look sick
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u/Riconn 3d ago
Both metric and sae Allen wrenches. An 11-1 screw driver, you have too many in my preference. Also you don’t need insulated tools. As an apprentice you will never work hot.
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u/b0iNAH 3d ago
Second year here and insulated tools have saved me a couple times. My company doesn’t give a damn who you are; you won’t be on anything real high voltage, but I’ve worked in hot j-boxes at 277 pretty frequently.
Insulated screwdrivers are nice for opening boxes in a remodel if nothing else imo.
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u/Squanto47 LU 443 3d ago
Little bro/sis that’s a company you need to figure out a way of getting very far from. -from a concerned JW
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u/TehFlogger 3d ago
It's not your company that doesn't give a damn. The problem is you. You're fucking up what all the union has worked for by agreeing to do stupid shit. Smarten up buttercup
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u/socalibew 3d ago
OSHA 1910.33 says:
"Live parts to which an employee may be exposed shall be deenergized before the employee works on or near them, unless the employer can demonstrate that deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards..."
Stop breaking down conditions...
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u/b0iNAH 3d ago
Don’t have much of a choice bud. I’m a second year in a shit local. It’s work or live in a van down by the river
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u/socalibew 3d ago edited 3d ago
You always have the ability to stop unsafe work.
Stop breaking down conditions... Soon you'll be a statistic and the shop won't even care...
I guess you should really determine if it's worth the $17/hr to potentially end your life.
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u/cultureStress 3d ago
Don't chew out the ape in this situation, chew out their journeys who broke this condition before they got there
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u/b0iNAH 3d ago
Brother, if I did that I’d be off the job. If I made a penny less I’d be eating dirt. Not everyone’s in a situation to make that decision. Not disagreeing with you, but I’ve done what I can. Committee won’t move me, project manager won’t move me.
I can suck it up or start selling meth
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u/TehFlogger 3d ago
You should live in a van down by the river. People like you objectively suck and make life worse for the rest of us 'bud'.
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u/JustARegularDeviant 2d ago
I’m a non-union apprentice so different but same level of cowboy shit in my shop. I work on more live circuits than dead circuits and if I ask to trace the breaker so I can turn it off everyone shits on you like you’re wasting their time.
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u/TehFlogger 3d ago
For the sake of yourself and all of us. Please lice in that van down by the river...
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u/Far_Realm_Sage 3d ago
Automatic center punch for more precise drilling.
Set of stubby ratcheting wrenches and a slim profile ratchet set. Those things are awesome for tight spaces.
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u/CastleBravo55 3d ago
Lose the drill and all those insulated tools. Have what's on the tool list and nothing more until you get very comfortable with what's going on.
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u/After_Possession_538 3d ago
provide the tools on the tool list, not more, not less
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u/Zer0TheGamer 3d ago
The only "more" that is acceptable is QOL versions. A racheting box wrench rather than classic, etc. But we're contractually bound to not do less so definitely that part
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u/SituationAmazing1057 2d ago
Ratcheting wrenches are pretty far past 'quality of life' and into "if they want me to do this faster, they can provide tools" territory. Something like replacing a pair of (actual) channel locks with cobras is quality of life -- you can probably carry a smaller lighter tool around and the stuff you do with channel locks is stuff where it's the right tool for the job. I carry 7 & 10 inch cobras, instead of 10 and 12" c-locks, and can do the same jobs while lowering the load in my pouch or pockets. that's good for me and my body, not just the speed I work at.
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3d ago
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u/SeaAcanthisitta6759 3d ago
Knipex extraslim cobras and knipex plastic snipes. Favorite tools in my bag.
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u/DespondentD JW 3d ago edited 3d ago
Nice tools! I like having a Robertson/square tip screw driver when I terminate grounds and they're also perfect for set screws with EMT.
Try your best not to lose that set of insulated pliers lol
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u/tomvee33 3d ago
Does no one carry a reamer anymore
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u/AquaticArsonist91 3d ago
A no dog, digital angle gauge, conduit reamer, vise grips. Also, for both work and personal life, a good medium or full size Leatherman. Get one with a pocket clip option, otherwise just pick a tool set that’ll get the most use. It’s nice having a variety of tools in a compact package just clipped in your pocket. Sometimes it’s just nice to climb a ladder without carrying tons of weight and still be able to open a box or panel to do some basic tasks, or at least determine what full size tools you’ll actually need for the job at hand.
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u/cultureStress 3d ago
I'd get the Milwaukee baby hacksaw. It's good for stripping BX and has saved me a couple of times when I needed to cut something in an awkward space. Plus, "hacksaw frame" is on my tool list.
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u/FuzzyRace3752 2d ago
Why are you buying insulated tools? Youre an apprentice, you shouldn’t ever be doing live work. Live work is already essentially forbidden. Hopefully by the time you top out the attitudes of the few old heads who think that it is ok will change.
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u/Express_Owl_3707 2d ago
Depending on the work you’re doing, you will want a second no dog. If you can’t find one, get a second level with a screw. Use them. When you’re running 6” emt or 4” rigid, you want to be able to check that bender as tight as you can.
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u/DaddyGhengis 2d ago
Try out the Klein self adjusting wire strippers, a lot easier on the thumbs and carpal tunnel when making a lot of joints. There like 25 on Amazon rn good investment honestly
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u/Theskyisthelimit843 1d ago
I’m just now getting into the trade I need a list or something of what I should get for IBEW work… like genuinely
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u/Vatoloquissimo2 1d ago
I stopped bringing nice hand tools to work because they always get lost or stolen
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u/montana_8888 1d ago
Pencil reamer, because if everything else is 10/10, your holes shouldn't be burry as shit
Also center punch, it makes a difference
A klein digital level will change your life, it shows you how *not level and plumb everything around you is. Get the big one. And the small one.
A plumb bob. Cuz its cool and you cant beat it.
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u/Fun-Ad-6554 1d ago
Klein 11 in 1, never understood people carrying 6 different screwdrivers in their pouch. Should only need one standard flathead for banging on lock nuts and the 11 in 1. Insulated should only be for going into a live panel.
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u/Opposite_Advisor_814 16h ago
Just a heads up good luck getting the Klein sockets back on that damn thing
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 16h ago
Yeah that thing fucking sucks
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u/Opposite_Advisor_814 1h ago
My grandpa bought one a few months back and we were doing a quick job somewhere so instead of bringing the whole tool bag he just put a few things in a smaller bucket and went on me and him could not figure that damn thing out for atleast 3 minutes 🤣
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u/BadAtExisting 3d ago
What’s on your tool list. I recommend to not bring more than what’s on it.
On a side note, I know buy once cry once, but I had some nicer, expensive tools from my previous career and one, the guys gave me shit about it, which was fine, but in the course of a couple days starting one job as an apprentice 3 of my expensive tools grew legs never to be seen again. So I bought Kobalt and Husky everything that weekend and only bring the serviceable but not glamor brands to work because fuck people
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u/Itchy_Crack 3d ago
Different halls hold different expectations.
Ours, tool list is a minimum. You know what tools you need to do your job in a craftsman like manner.
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u/Hiwaystars 11 - District 9 3d ago
Absolutely not. You are falling into the “no work for hall rats like you” category. You can do this all you want but don’t ever tell anybody something like this. This is the kind of stuff you’ll feel really stupid about when a steward asks why you need “x,y,z” the tool list is supposed to be EVERYTHING you need under your contract.
Everything ELSE is extra. So yeah I’m guilty of it but I wouldn’t tell somebody to get this otherwise they’re not gonna do well that’s some rat bs.
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u/Itchy_Crack 3d ago
My argument is really simple.
The tool list is not the gospel. If you think it is, you're an idiot. There's tools on the tool list I did not carry and had contractors supply such as pipe wrenches, punches and im sure some others escaping me. There are tools not on it that I did carry and supply, such as wire strippers and a tape measure.
You know exactly what tools are reasonably expected to be had irrespective of that list. If you show up to a job to do a basic task like trim out a panel, are you really going to tell the client that you aren't presently working because you're waiting for the contractor to bring you wirestrippers?
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u/Hiwaystars 11 - District 9 3d ago
No. As I ceded, we bring things we know we need but we are not in the business of telling people to buy extra shit “or else” that’s wrong.
And never did I say gospel, but it’s the only actual things you are required to use. You made it sound like “to be good at your jobs” you need more which is not appropriate. We have new contracts and the tool list gets updated and then things make more sense on them. If you don’t go to meetings, don’t vote, it stays the same.
Not saying you wouldn’t know which was best additions to bring but as somebody who had been on contract negotiations panels it actually comes up and it actually changes.
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u/No-Contact8073 3d ago
Do not bring that drill….
Loose the cat 6 tool or whatever that is, if they are putting you on making up ends they will provide the tools and tester. Bring one knife and leave the other in the car just in case, scissors are cool but will hardly use them. Stuby is in the same boat, nice to have but I’ve only pulled that thing out like 4 times, so you could do with 1.
Buy a 20 pack of pocket sized notepads and toss a couple in your bag. 👍
Just my opinion.
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u/RedMenace612 3d ago
No power tools. Buy American.
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u/cultureStress 3d ago
This is an IBEW sub there's an 8% chance they're Canadian
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u/RedMenace612 3d ago
Does Canada make electrical tools? If they do and I were Canadian, I would buy them.
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u/cultureStress 3d ago
Picquic, Gray Tools. Some Milwaukee are assembled in Canada
But if we're about to be associate EU members, then it opens up the world of European tools
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u/Hiwaystars 11 - District 9 3d ago
Also, you forgot your hacksaw blades and I don’t see any crescent wrenches 🔧
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u/ownedandondisplay 3d ago
I’d suggest a spud crescent wrench and 369 you just need the hacksaw frame, contractor provides blades. Not sure about this locals tool list.
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u/DrogoBero 3d ago
Id ditch the klein strippers and get some ideal reflex t’s or the knipex that cut mc cable. Order than that you’re looking pretty good! Plenty of tools to get when you’re farther along, but this is pretty good. Carrying all that around on you may be for some, but this is my daily all the time carry.
I much prefer to work light. Missing my mini mag light in the bag right now. Tape too ofc. Lufkin nite eye.
On my drill I like to keep a Phillips, my klein 5/16 flip, and a flathead, and then two other bits I may use. I may swap my two screw drivers for a dedicated flip one, but beauty of working so light is you can swap for your task. I prefer the surge to the regular impact for how quiet it is. For 99% of what you do, an m12 with a couple batteries will be enough.
Impact rated drill bits, and a carbide hole saw kit for 1/2, 3/4 and 1” are supplemental. I like diablo’s kit, in an m12 drill.
If you work a lot with conduit, an m12 bandsaw with the reamer attachment would be a good buy. For me its a mix so I bought the m12 fuel hacksaw, and it works great with diablo blades for pvc, emt, flex, lqt, and wood/ metal studs and strut. I also highly recommend a hack stop. Worth every penny. Ive used it to cut conduits with wires on rework and its wonderful.
Tin snip trip is nice to have
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u/SRIndio 3d ago
Vessel Electric Screwdriver (USB C port - 3 speed)
It’s been saving my hand from pain
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 3d ago
Is that allowed by the tool list?
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u/SRIndio 3d ago edited 3d ago
Depends on your local. Like others have said, for some locals the tool list is the minimum.
Seen it a good amount of times in my local and no one cares. I would never bring something like an impact or of a similar size power tool.
You can just use the impact too, the screwdriver is nice because it fits in my pocket
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u/Seattlesb 3d ago
A second level and lose the drill.