Electrician apprentice tools

Imagine what that would have done to my eyes. Get yourself a pair of goggles and use them! Return to Tools List. A good pair of cut resistant gloves will protect you from most of those nasty nicks and slashes you get from razor knifes, jagged sheet metal edges, broken lamps, etc. The worst cut I got was from a cut-off piece of corner bead for drywall , which was hanging over my head vertically, just out of my line of sight.

I reached up to grab something and drove the flippin' thing right into the back of my hand. A pair of gloves would have prevented that. A typical Journeyman Electrician will add additional tools to his stash.

Be aware that there is not a clear line between these two lists. Some tools can go on either. Add these tools to those you accumulated as an apprentice electrician. Shutting off a particular circuit breaker will need to happen many times. Rarely are panels labeled correctly, if at all. So what now? Enter the circuit breaker finder. This thing puts a signal on the circuit in question and allows you to identify it in the panel with a receiver. Clever little gadget! This tool has but one purpose; bending conduit!

EMT electrical metallic tubing is the most common grade of pipe used. When you need to cut larger sized single conductor wire or SE cable, this thing goes right through it. You need to invest a bit on this one. Every now and then you need to cut apart at around the pipe. You just set the cutting wheel where you want the cut, and tighten as you spin it around the pipe. Eventually it scores all the way around and you can snap it apart.

This tool has but one purpose. Make that two! It enables you to easily open and close links on light fixture chains. This chain pliers allows you to open and close links without damaging the finish. A holding screwdriver physically grabs the screw allowing you to get those first few threads engaged.

The magnetic tip prevents the nuts from hitting the floor and running away. Taking things apart to get to what you need to fix happens quite a bit.

When a piece of equipiment is de-energized for service. Also called Slug Busters, this is an invaluable tool for cutting trade-sized holes in panels or other equipment. This creates a perfect, clean hole ready for conduit. Check hydraulic price on Amazon.

Sometimes you just need to make a hole. Threaded holes often become stripped out from repeated wear and tear. This ool provies a quick way to re-tap those problems.

The non-conductive material of this fish tape allows me to push into an energized panel without worry — which is why I prefer fiberglass or nylon over steel.

One hundred feet is almost always plenty, but you can get a footer if you like. Sounds like the worst lunch ever, right? These guys are indispensable when getting cables down walls or through attics. They thread together to make one long rod, or can be used individually. The little hook attachment will save your bacon more than once — until you lose it. I use this when installing light fixtures. That said, you definitely need a set of these on your truck.

Word to the wise: take care of the case. Plastic hinges will only take so much wear and tear until they break. From ground rod lugs to hard to reach bolts — a ratcheting box end wrench can really make the difference. I keep a set of these with me at all times. Some guys say they use this for cuttiing conduit. I prefer a band saw or chop saw for all that. This is the guy to have when you need to drill out more than a few studs.

The primary task of my impact drill is driving the cutting die on my hole punch tool the non-hydraulic one. Without it, I would have to use a ratchet and socket. Another very useful cutting tool is this step drill. This is ideal for cutting specific sized holes into metal to run wire and cable, or to terminate conduits. Simply continue drilling through until the desired opening size is reached.

This set of taps is used in your drill driver. Keep this book right in your toolbox. Copyright Text by asktheelectricalguy. Learn more Accept X. As an apprentice electrician, you will use a claw hammer to remove nails on a regular basis. Frayed conduit edges are dangerous and unsightly. Smooth yours down by using a dependable pipe reamer. It is best to keep a reamer on you at all times. A tape measure will ensure that you get all your wiring and construction correct, allowing you to become the most professional and dependable electrician possible.

Never forget to bring your tape measure with you to your job site. Torpedo levels help to establish whether or not a surface is level, but they are designed with small places in mind.

With the torpedo level, you will be able to fit it anywhere that is 6 to 12 inches in size. As an electrician, you will work in small places. So, make sure your level fits into them by purchasing a torpedo level. You often find that you need to drill holes, requiring the need for a drill. Instead of worrying about where your drill can plug into, get a cordless drill instead. A cordless drill will provide enough power for the job, but it will be much more portable and lightweight.

Channel locks can make installing conduit much easier. A crimp connector is normally used to terminate stranded wire. This will allow you to create gas-tight products that are safer and more professional. Arguably one of the most important tools to keep on hand is a pair of high dexterity gloves.

Since you will be working with your hands, protect them when you can. Wear gloves if you are working with dangerous or sharp materials, which is often for an electrician. Get a tool belt so all of your needed materials are on hand. The last thing you want is to interrupt your work by having to go to or from a tool box for your needed items. After you spend the time and money to purchase the best tools for your career, you need to take care of them. This prevents you from wasting money on rebuying them down the line.

Here are some key tips to take care of your electrician tools. The number one rule to caring for your tools is to keep them clean. This will allow them to decay or rust. Always wipe off dirt, dust, or any other debris that may be covering them on the outside. Tools are tough, but they are not indestructible. Place all tools, whether they be hand tools or power tools, in a dry storage area.

You might want to consider a tool chest, safety box, or any other device that will keep your tools dry and safe from the elements. Never leave your tools in an environment that is humid or wet. Moisture is the number one way to damage your tools. After every use, inspect your tools for any damage received during the job. Make sure to be safe and careful when doing this since inspecting a tool up close can potentially harm you.

After you inspect your tools, either store them or fix them if you saw a problem. With power tools, follow the first three steps, but you will need to go a step further. Lubricate any moving parts on a regular basis to keep everything functioning properly.

Also, check up on the batteries to make sure they are constantly working. Finding the right tools is the first step to becoming an apprentice electrician. Once you get your tools, make sure to properly maintain them so they can last you a lifetime. Dented furniture, scratched floors, and rotting window frames are some of the most common problems homeowners face when it comes to wooden fixtures.

If you. Pete Ortiz Last updated: Jan 11 It slices through conduit quickly as long as the blade is replaced when needed. Everyone has their own opinion about which hammer is the best. Hammers are designed for specific uses so make sure you buy one that suits the job.

When working in construction the hammer has many uses. I wrap the fiberglass shaft a few times with colored tape for easy identification; which is important on large construction sites.

Some electrical shops or apprenticeships require you to have a razor knife as part of your tools. Always have two. They break and people ask to borrow them constantly. Sharpies are great but, the Milwaukee Inkzall is definitely your best choice as an electrician. Consider buying a new tool after each paycheck.

Klein Tools have been the default electrician tools for decades. Doing proper research on which tools to buy will help ensure your success in the trade. Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest. My first and only hacksaw. Remember that electricians who succeed in the trade do two things well:.

Heavy Duty Work Belt Medium If there is a problem with the bags such as a rivet or stitching, contact us, we will replace the defective piece on your belt free of charge! The product must be purchased from us to be protected under our warranty. The best tool for this is either a sawzall or a keyhole saw.

Once you gain some experience with a sawzall — then try precision cuts in drywall. This Stanley is stout and does an amazing job at doing the majority of the work for you. I abuse them purposefully — these are usually pocket knives however. Some people prefer a fixed utility knife with a retractable blade and storage for extra blades. These are great. Other people want a foldable blade, which sacrifices blade storage but is handy so you can keep it clipped in your pocket.

Again, personal preference will dictate what you roll with. I like these fold-up knives. What makes this level unique is that it shows you 0, 30, 45, and 90 degree level. This is helpful when bending conduit, so for an electrician this level is designed for the work we do.

Making sure that you have a good hammer is essential. Also, pay attention to how flat the claw end of this hammer is. I prefer a 22 or 24 ounce hammer, as the weight distribution allows you to get extreme force behind your swing. It also ends up being longer, so the leverage and pivot you have are great. Go with your body type on this one. Work with what feels comfortable.