Tool List
 

What tools do you have in your arsenal? What tools have you found that make installs easier? My list so far:

• trim clip removal tool, no more busted clips or panels
• quality crimpers, the proper crush everytime
• the usual side cutters, wire strippers, soldering iron
• router
• flush cut, roundover and rabbeting bits
• digital multimeter
• oscilloscope
• laptop running spectrum analyzer software
• power sander
• air compressor
• HVLP paint gun

I recently added a router circle cutting jig to my collection. For those who live in Ottawa its the Milescraft one and Busy Bee has it on sale right now.

Klein Crimpers
ScewDriver Pro Set
CA Glue
Snap-On Ratcheting screwdriver (optional)


With these I can do about 95% of all of my regular install work.

snap-on swivel head 1/4" ratchet
soundgate frequency generator
panel removal tools

ice cold fridge with refreshments(im sure most of you can imagine), black tape, screwdrivers, ratchet set, and a big effin hammer when things really dont go well :D

This is an odd thread...

However, the list is too large to list. I'm an Industrial Mechanic by trade and own all my own tools. Eventually I would like to buy a welder Mig/Tig/Stick setup and somemore metal working tools possibly even a Lathe. I would also, like to get more large wood working tools, table saw, band saw, that type of thing.

The other small hand/electrical tools for installing, I pretty much have everything.

I firmly believe tools are a very good investment and having the right tool for the job is extremely important.

However, spending money on Snap On, Mac and the like is foolish. 99% of the tools they sell, can be bought with the exact same quality, and warranty for a fraction of the price. You just have to know how to identify quality and where to look and what to look for. You also have to be open to multiple brands, there is no single manufacture that makes every tool perfectly no matter what the price.

Lyle

coat hanger wire!!!!!!

Agreed!!

electricians fish also works very well.
small flat head screw driver
a pick set
magnetic sockets
a good drill or two.
box cutter with them fancy black olfa blades
"skew" driver
2" da sander
rotory tool with multiple bits
"fart" saw
and one that i have just recently started using silicon spray lube makes getting thing through factory gromets easy.

Having been a mechanic in a previous life I am somewhat careful about what I buy. Tools are cool, but how many times do you get something in a set that you never use? For instance a 1/4 drive, 3/8 drive and 1/2 drive 13mm socket in the same set (shallow and deep of the 1/4 and 3/8 for a total of 5 13mm sockets). Maybe the deal was good, but sockets and wrenches are heavy and take up space...

Get what you need (and be smart, i.e if you buy a 13mm you don't need 1/2, if you buy 9/16, you don't need 14mm etc.)

Dropout

Add a broken fishing pole to your collection as well. Strong, flexible and hollow in the center makes it very easy to run wires....