ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Need to buy a wiggy. Any Suggestions?

I'm going to buy a wiggy on e-bay. It would prove to be useful and can be had for anywhere from $10-$20+ (seems the best way to go)
I've seen some Square D's on there, but there is something about them that just doesn't look right to me. (I just don't like the all black look. Am I a tool snob?)

Anyway, should I just suck it up and buy the SD or should I hold out for a nicer, better model?

Not sure who else makes wiggies. I didn't know that wiggy would pull up the search it did on Yahoo, but that is alot.

Thanks for the read.

Philip

The old Wiggys are classics.

However, I recommend the Ideal Vol-Con Elite w/shaker (Ideal P/N 61-092):
http://www.idealindustries.com/IDEAL-EZ/products.nsf/ItemMasterLookup/p61-092?OpenDo cument

In addition to Voltage determination up to 600VAC (with shaker feature), it'll test for up to 200VDC, continuity (with audible sounder and LED), AND it'll act as a ticker (Non contact voltage indicator). It lists anywhere from $58-$90, depending on where you go.

(If you want to check out Ideals other testers, click here: http://www.idealindustries.com/tm/ElectricalTesters.nsf/ElectricalTesters?OpenFrameSet )

I had the 61-090 which was the same thing, but w/o the shaker... got it on clearance @ Grainger for $38. I got it as a "too good to pass up" toy a few months back, but fell in love with it. It replaced three separate tools I had (differentiating neon circuit tester, ticker, and continuity tester).

Unfortunately, it got stolen with the other stuff from my truck. But I guarantee you, I'm buying another one within the month!

[This message has been edited by DougW (edited 04-28-2004).]

The only difference I can tell between the 090 and the 092 is the "Vibration mode".

What does that do exactly?

www.knoppinc.com/Specifications/K-60%20Bulletin%20No%20472.pdf [no batteries]

Buy one with a continuity tester. The Ideal VolCons are the one that I use and recommend. I have an old Wiggy too, but since it does not measure continuity, it is practically useless.

I have both of the VolCons, the old-fashioned solenoidal type and the newer digital VolCon Elite that Doug mentioned.

A few things to remember. The VolCon Elite is high-impedance, so it will not trip a GFCI, if you happen to try to use it for that purpose. The old fashioned solenoidal type "Wiggies" are low impedance, and will trip a GFCI, and also are not as susceptible to ghost/induced voltages.

Peter

ideal volcon absolutly, the contiuity feature is automatic there is nothing to switch,

I wore out my share of square D wiggys (wiggies?) in my time: however, all of them I've got now are gathering dust since I got my fluke T5-1000. Essentially the same size and shape (at least in your pocket or tool belt) as a wiggy, but it's got an ohmmeter, an ammeter, and digital ac/dc voltmeter. Not only that, the digital is a whole lot easier to read voltage than the scale they put on that wiggy: When I was a green helper, I burned up my share of equipment misreading 277v as 120 just because I felt it buzz and assumed the wrong thing. It's twice the money, but a whole lot more versatile. Seems to be just as durable as my wiggys ever were, too.

The new wiggys are made across the border, when I started they were still made in the good old USA. I have a "Vol Con" which is nice but for all out ruggedness I am partial to my "Knopp", plus its a little smaller. I did just buy a new toy though, its called a "HotRod" "Safety Screwdriver" made by "Tasco", its perdy. http://www.jensentools.com/product/group.asp?parent_id=3120

I like the Fluke, and I did some research on the Knopp - I still like the Vol-Con because of the Non Contact feature.