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

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.

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.

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.

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,

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).]

Tom,

No, I meant "real" as opposed to the light duty cordless screwdrivers that many people seem to buy. 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

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??

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

Sparky,

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

Bill

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.

One thing I would like to get is a laser level. That looks like it could be a very useful thing. One of these days...

Bill

Bill;
the last 4' gotta get out the sledge....i'm still in the R&D process with this one.

The code says "straight " in first, so one day , up on my ladder , i take a swing and miss, and hit the ladder.


Luckily, no one was watching, or i would have had to explain that doing a faceplant in the mud was part of my special technique.

Take an old spline bit, cut it off and weld a cup on the end. Put it in the ol' Hilti and presto... no more busted knuckles...

I've heard stories of guys driving ground rods here in the limestone region, start out driving them straight in and have the other end pop up out of the ground several feet away!

66'
That Hilti is the best deal...i think they have a bit for rods, either that or there is something meant for another application that can do the job..

I just need to choke up the scratch....i got a little porter cable for now..

How about meggers? i have this funky little CEU one and would like to upgrade....
any suggestions?

Bill,
i don't have a laser level, but a friend of mine does.

Many useful applications, and fun too, he drives the cat nuts with it!

Sparky,

Try this for installing rods- a gallon jug of water. Start your rod in a couple of inches, pull it out, fill hole with water, re-insert rod & jack it up & down by hand. When it starts to move with difficulty, pull it out, fill hole with water & repeat.

I never thought this method would work here in WV, but I've gotten them in up to 7 feet. Of course, soon as you hit a rock, out comes the sledge.

thanks Tom;
I'll try just about anything for driving rods......

I guess we're a bit spoiled here (LI - big ol' sand bar) sometimes can get it it 4 feet just by pushing down, I got a 5 lb Hammer and tap it, sometimes worry about losing it before I can get the wire on it. We do have rocky areas or clay, but mostly it's not a chore getting it in.

Bill

I have used the water method driving method but it only seems to work where the ground is soft. I use my hammer drill with a ground rod adapter