ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Non-electrical tools

What's your favorite tool that is best known for it's use in another trade?

For example, my favorite non-electricians tool is the C-grip which is usually used by welders. It uses the vise grip action but instead of a pleirs end, it forms a big C. They're great for holding a panelboard in place while you reach for the screws & your cordless screwdriver. Also handy for holding conduit to beams & girts while you dig around for a strap. I refer to my pair as my third hand.

Tom

I have a cheap 4x4 remote control toy monster truck. It was the result of a brainstorm when I was pulling several runs of Cat5 cable in a drop ceiling in a large office. Just tie the cable to the roll bar, stand on a ladder with my head above the grid ceiling and drive the truck to the desired location. It climbs right over lay-in fixtures and other cables. Once you get to where you're going, just move the ladder to retrieve the truck and fish the cable down the wall. The truck even has headlights!
I had a hard time convincing my kids it wasn't a toy!

RC... That's very cool!

I fly RC, but I've never actually used it for work in any way. I've got a truck too, and I'll keep that idea in mind if the situation ever occurs for me. The slower Radio Shack 4x4 models would work great!
www.kellyelectric.electrical-contractor.net/Planes/Plane.htm shows some of my aviation exploits including some aerial photography via RC.


[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 05-07-2001).]

Fred,
Cat-5 cable is to be kept 12" away from light fixtures.
Don(resqcapt19)

[This message has been edited by resqcapt19 (edited 05-07-2001).]

Don,
I know and I do. I was just saying that the truck can over-come most obstacles found in a grid ceiling. The network engineer at these offices provides the Cat5 cable and it is usually shielded/plenum cable wether it is required or not. None of these ceilings have been plenums so far. We stay away from the lights anyway.

i have an AM/FM circuit tracer, the other trades simply call it a 'radio'

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fred:
[B]I have a cheap 4x4 remote control toy monster truck. It was the result of a brainstorm when I was pulling several runs of Cat5 cable in a drop ceiling in a large office.

Best idea that I've heard in a long time......

I like the little "A" clamps that most carpenters use on their "plumb bobs". I do keep a plumb bob in my bag. I can't tell you the number of times that I have laid out fixtures on the ground, and used a plumb bob to transpose the locations up to the ceiling.

Yeah, I'm a plumb-bob user too. Especially when installing vertical runs of pipe, masts etc.

I have a 'rasp', a heavy file i use for pvc