ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (gfretwell), 32 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#570 02/10/01 04:06 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
I'm the kind of guy that could probably spend all day in a tool store. I'm always interested in hearing about great time-saving tools, especially the ones that don't cost alot. One of my favorites is a pen-shaped voltage proximity tester that has a tip that glows red and the tip (plastic) is shaped so it can be inserted into a receptacle slot. This is a HUGE timesaver. I don't know what I'd do without it.

Anyone else got something?

Bill


Bill
#571 02/10/01 07:07 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
My volt-tic is #1 too... i've grown particularly fond of the phone like sound's ability to get people to answer a dead phone.

#572 02/10/01 09:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18
A
Member
My favorite is the EMT reamer that slips over the shaft of a screwdriver and held in place by a set screw, it reams 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch EMT. I love it.

#573 02/10/01 09:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
My cordless drill has got to be it for me. i use hex head screws with a nut driver bit, beats putting them in by hand. I've also figured out the correct clutch settings to tighten the wires on the switches & plugs I use. I also use the wirenut installer that comes in bulk packs of Buchannon wirenuts, you really appreciate this when doing connections that are overhead.


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
#574 02/10/01 09:49 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
Tom,

If you can use your cordless (I mean a "real" cordless) to tighten screws on standard grade switches with out breaking them, you've got one up on me!
In that dept. I have this screw holder tip thing that slides down over the screw and keeps it on the tip. That is a must for anyone that works off an Extension ladder and often has to reach over to screw in something. That thing is Great!

Bill


Bill
#575 02/10/01 01:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
Bill,

I have a Dewalt drill & a clutch setting of 3 on the high speed works for me. I use Hubbell CR series receptacles & CS series switches. These devices are made with a plastic that is not real brittle like some other manufacturers use. The receps run about $1 each when purchased by the case.

By "real" do you mean the type of cordless drill that doesn't use batteries but has a hand crank?

Tom

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited 02-10-2001).]


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
#576 02/10/01 03:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
Tom,

No, I meant "real" as opposed to the light duty cordless screwdrivers that many people seem to buy. [Linked Image] Those things are quite useless except for putting the covers on.
I have a Dewalt myself too. When using standard grade switches they seem to crack whenever I tried using my cordless. I guess that's a good reason to buy spec grade stuff.

Bill


Bill
#577 02/10/01 09:02 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
Hey, gotta pound those ground rods right? , well if your aim is as bad as mine, you probably have a few broken off sledgehammer heads .

Figure it out yet?? [Linked Image]

Weld them on a 4' pipe, and you've got a sliding hammer.

#578 02/10/01 11:53 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
Sparky,

Sounds good for the first 4 feet, how does the last 4 feet go in?

Bill


Bill
#579 02/11/01 12:58 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2
J
Junior Member
Bill,
I guess one of my favorites is a cable stripper made by Ideal that strips the outer insulation from circular rubber cable. I worked on a a production line at one time that was having all of the cables to its limit switches renewed, the stripper cut the job in half. It has a guide that holds the cable against an adjustable blade, once the depth is set away you go.

Jeff

PS what about the worst tool you ever bought.
I have several in mind and they all have one thing in common..........they were cheap.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5