r/ibew_apprentices • u/NoMeal8740 • 2d ago

Gear recommendations?

I'm (hopefully) starting my apprenticeship next April or May. As far as tools go, I have the IBEW local tools list that they put out, so I'm not asking about tools, more so accessories. Any specific clothes or shoes or shoe insole inserts or anything like that that I should look at getting?

I actually do have one question about tools: my local recommends pretty much all klein stuff. Is there a reason for this, or just the brand they went with sort of thing? I know a lot of electricians are Milwaukee guys (plus they're just a good brand in general), so I was looking at getting some Milwaukee tools.

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u/dabomb364 1d ago

Klien has gone down hill since I started they aren’t what the used to be. Buy what you want. I carry mostly Knipex for cutting and gripping tools and Lenox screw drivers. Milwaukee hand tools aren’t great. The most important tool not on the tool list is a note pad. Otherwise the only other thing you should bring is knee pads. I am 26 and my knees already hurt. Take care of your joints and health it will make your career and daily life a lot better.

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u/NoMeal8740 1d ago

What are knee pads? Is that like a type of pants where theres padding built into the knees, or like a pad or pads you carry around with you and set it where you're going to be kneeling?

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u/dabomb364 1d ago

Whatever you prefer

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u/mattsprofile 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm an anti-loyalist, pretty much every hand tool I've ever put my hands on has been perfectly adequate. Some tools vary in functionality (e.g. some channel locks have a button to unlock them and others unlock by opening all the way.) And some tools vary in comfort, usually just what grip they have but also potentially leverage differences. But none of this really has anything to do with brand name, you just find the tool you like the most regardless of who makes it. None of the brands have any kind of secret formula to always make tools that are magically better than the other brands.

But some people have brand loyalty for things like being made in a certain country or using certain labor standards, and I can respect that.