My SIL just got outta federal pen, for an OLD infraction..he kinda robbed a bank.
Anyway, in his spare time there he got his masters license as a commercial ele.
Currently working as a grunt in NC, while he finishes his halfway time..( be free in Sept.)
My question is ..what kinda stuff does one REALLY covet when one is an Ele.
I know my collage has Kliens of various flavors, drivers, cutters, etc. I have a Fluke V/ohm meter, I have a slew of colored tape.
If you had nothing ( even a pouch) what would you salivate for?
I need to keep the cost to about 300 max. for the first gift…but all ideas are welcome.
BTW, Dean is great guy, he just FUBAR’d his life early on..he is making great progress. I hope some day he logs on here.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
” Do not add to the world’s confusion, by speaking in unclear terms”
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Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Edited 4/19/2005 8:10 pm ET by Jeff J. Buck
snork!
Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. ~ Rumi
LOL...roger that..cepting he has to hit AA meetings 2x a week.
Funny, he never was a drinker..just a bank robber..(G)
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
How about a gift certificate to some place that sells tools. That way he can pick out what he wants or thinks he needs. If the tool comes to more the the certificate then he kicks in the extra.
The two of you could make it an outing together. You have been in a place were you have seen the latest in tool tech. Where he has been they more then likely bought or had given to them the cheapest and out of date stuff.
Just a couple of ideas.
DaneI will always be a beginner as I am always learning.
recip saw, and heavy duty 1/2" right angle drill. milwaukee seems to be the standard from most subs i work with
Thank you, a sawzall was mentioned by him.
I have a Mil. supersawzall in need of repair ( the worm got squirelly) mebbe fix it and donate.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
oh yeah, if he needs a pouch check out Occidental Leather, I bought my carpenters rig from http://www.contractorstools.com the stuffs not cheap but top quality, and lasts forever, mines 6 years old inside and outside use, and i wouldn't trade it for anything.
Does he have a Hacksaw? Could come in handy for cutting conduit,and other types of pipe!
Pair of Kleins. NE pattern lineman's pliers. 9" 2000 series, induction hardened cutters. I like the ones with the orange-red heavy-duty plastic, looks like plastic dip, on the handles. Tough stuff. About $30.
My preference is for a 4 or 5 way screwdriver. Saves room and weight. Klein makes a good one. Enderes tools makes one I like but can't find any more. About $9 to $15. I prefer the ones with a subdued handle colors, good balance, grip and bits that stay in the shaft.
A Robertson screwdriver, Klein is good, with a 4" shaft and a good grip. About $10.
Bent handle dykes. Ideal is the brand I like. The bent handle lets you get in close and is great for lifting staples. About $14.
Ideal brand long nose pliers. Model 35-039 is my favorite. Solid built, made in the USA, basic design with a good cutter and both #12 and #14 stripping holes. IMHO these are worth special ordering. They get used a lot so when I find what I like I stick with it.
A multi-use tool is nice for trim-outs. Mostly for the screw shear function. I like Channellock model no 908. Strippers, cutters, crimpers, screw shear. Everyone has seen the cheap ones. These are a quality version. Good grips, clean cuts on screws and strippers to #8.
A genuine SquareD Wiggy solenoid voltage checker. Simply the single best instrument for 90% of all work. Every electrician should have, and carry, one.
I like crank-handled screwdrivers. I carry a Philips and a 3/16" for trim and light work. These units save a lot of wear on the wrists. The long thin shaft of the flat blade model is handy for feeling around in walls and probing in tight spots. It will drill a small hole in drywall that's perfect for probing a wall or starting a drywall saw. It wears the bit but the flat bit can be easily reground.
Channellocks. You need a pair each of 430s, 440s and 460s. Covers everything from 1/2" fittings on up to 3". Carry a pair of 430s in the pouch.
Klein makes a nice small leather pouch. Good for service work. A simple woven belt is adequate. You only need about eight or nine tools and a Wiggy in your back pocket and your set.
You also need a tape measure. I like having two. A 3/4" wide 16', handy, and a 1" wide 32', a little bulkier. I also keep a 50' tape for layout.
A decent claw hammer. I use an 16 oz Eswing, used to use a 16 oz wood handle but electricians don't use a hammer much so I'm not picky.
Need a good hacksaw. Ideal makes a good aluminum one I used, still use. Stanley makes a 16-113 that is a bit bulkier but it feels good. Good blades make a big difference.
A good cordless drill is handy but most employers furnish their own power tools. I like a 12v Porter Cable but my latest is a Rigid. Electricians don't need anywhere as many power tools as other trades. An angle-drill, I like the Miwaukee, and Sawsall, also Milwaukee, and 1/2" hammerdrill will do most of it.
You can throw in a decent multimeter. Make sure it is CAT IV, 600 or 1000v, safety rated because any electrician is likely to deal with power at the meter. You don't need anything fancy. Computer interfaces, frequency counters, diode checkers and capacitance meters just don't get used much. True RMS is good. Greenlee makes a rounded and handy version but I don't have the model number. About $80.
Should he get into industrial process control, VFDs, outside just feeding power, power quality or any other specialized arena the contractor will likely provide calibrated units. If need be, rare indeed, he can get his own but I know a few folks who do this all the time, I only touch on it as needed, and they tell me the high-end calibrated stuff is owned, maintained and recalibrated by the employer.
A clamp-on ammeter is a good addition. Sometimes a decent substitute, backup, for the multimeter. Simple is good. CAT III 1000v is OK but CAT IV, 600 or 1000v, is better.
A good toolbox. Raintight is good. Simple is best.
Edited for clarity.
Edited 4/19/2005 10:27 pm ET by 4LORN1
Excellent wish list!
I left out a lot of smaller tools.Files, Allan keys, a torpedo level, awl, center punch, plumb bob, chisels for wood and metal, a beater screwdriver, etcetera, etc.I wasn't trying for a complete list.If he has most of the hand tools and a Wiggy he is pretty much set to go to work. I wouldn't worry too much about elaborate tool belts. I have a set but most electricians don't wear a full rig. Many don't have a small tool pouch making do with pockets and a tool bag, ammo can or tote tray. One guy I knew worked out of a set of saddle bags he toted to work on his Harley. And they weren't very big bags either and one side was mostly lunch. He was quite nomadic. Had worked every state. He bummed rooms with friends, rented hotel rooms in the cold and camped under a semi trailer on the site for weeks. A hell of a guy and quite a character. Good electrician. He would work until the work no longer suited him, the weather changed or the boss ticked him off. Then it was off he went. Stopping just long enough to hit the union hall and make a few calls.
What about a power screw driver? I think CAP likes the Milwaukee.Big Macs - 99 cents
I've got a Panasonic. It's great for plugging and switching.
Who Dares Wins!
Dave,
Yea, I like the Milwaukee but I like the PAnasonic 3.6v better. A must have for those 4-gang switchboxes!
One more suggestion, to the original poster--get the SIL an Ugly's. That's a little book that's a ready reference for electrical info.
See this link:
http://www.electrical-contractor.net/The_Store/Cr/Uglys_Intro.htm
One more thing, a little thing that I've found makes a difference twenty times a day: a magic marker that clicks open like a ball point pen.
http://www002.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/SKU.asp?BCFlag=False&PageType=1&SKU=502805&&
Sure makes it easy to label cables, panels, all that stuff, not having to pull a cap off of a marker and put it back on.
Best of luck to your son-in-law.
Cliff
Some electricians I know use power screwdrivers. Not many. And most that do stop after a time. Personally I prefer a crank-handled screwdriver. User defined torque, no batteries to run down or fail and a lot less bulk and weight.Some, including myself, will use a cordless drill/driver for when there is a lot of screws in one location but mostly the hand tools get it. Impact drivers are showing up more but who knows if this is a long-term trend or just the latest fad.
A cordless 12 volt impact driver - great for installing cement screws (el boxes to concrete, etc). It would be looked at as a luxury until you use one.
My SIL just got outta federal pen, for an OLD infraction..he .....
this dosen't read uite right or did more happen in the pen than is being let on...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Yeah, I caught that to, maybe he meant sil husband or maybe like you said so
"did more happen in the pen than is being let on...
SIL = son-in-law or sister-in-law or maybe even Somebody I Like ?
son-in-law, well duh on mewho woulda thunk, I had sister-in-law on the brain(if youcan call it that)
me too..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Son- in - law...sorry for cornfusin you
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
Great Ideas!
I have a week before I need to act on anything...but I know he'll be happy with just about anything.
Thank you all.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
Does he have any training? Is he qualified as a journeyman? To make decent money in electrical work you need training. Ditch help and fetch the tools types don't make much.If he is a bookish sort there are some decent self-taught programs that might give him a leg up. Don't overlook the unions. I recommend contacting any IBEW local and asking about apprenticeships. Most will work him hard but keep him employed, typical for this area is 40 to 50 hours a week with time and a half overtime after 8 and double time Sundays and holidays, while sending him to night classes. Usually three or four hours twice a week with homework and study. Between work and school he would be busy. The pay rates climb steadily and the benefits are good: medical, dental, glasses, retirement, representation. Of course you pay dues. Typical 6%. Not too bad when your making 50% more than the non-union counterpart.There are also community colleges that do a decent job on the academic side. I have seen a few guys come out of these programs thinking they know electrical work. Most quit after a day or two. They didn't know the tools and terminology or have the manual skills and mental toughness necessary to work in the field.
He has 4 yrs exp. and a License from working in prison. They rewired a 100 yr old dormitory and laundry/kitchen facilities at the hoose-gow. He knows what he is doing, he just ain't tooled up fully.
Funny, most of what you listed, I have in my collection LOL.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
somebody figured that out...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
He just got out???
A hooker or two would be just what I would need!!We always get it right!!!
the third time....
<!----><!---->
"Almost certain death, small chance of success.... What are we waiting for???"
Duane,
Not that Klein isn't great stuff of course, but someone gave me a few of these and they are gorgeous (pricey I suspect but...)
http://www.knipex.de/language/en/header_front.php
Gosh, I might have to do a testing in my field lab to see if they are any good, before I get HIM some!
I like.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
I've been using Knipex Alligators, Cobras and diagonal cutters for 15 years or more. Love 'em. For my work, they're so good that the Channellocks sit in the toolboxes and rust.
Dave
He got my 25 YO step daughter, believe me, he wouldn't even look at a ho. She is dangerous pretty.
And besides, if I did that , a field test would be in order, to ascertain the quality. )G(
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
A ski mask and an Uzi????
DOH!!!
Oh god pleaseorgive me for that one!!
We always get it right!!!
the third time....
"Almost certain death, small chance of success.... What are we waiting for???"
if hes just starting out then get him what he cannot easily afford. small tools are easy to buy. expensive ones take time, espesially when the checks are small. because of his background, you may suggest he keeps his reciepts for his tools. there will most likely be some fellow workers that dont trust him and he can use the reciepts to show his honesty if its ever in doubt.
best of luck to him
Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
I think what G80104 suggested - A hacksaw - Would make a great gag gift. Maybe a metal file, too. (-:
If he's mentioned a sawzall, I'd say that's a good one to start with.
Instead of the sawzall, consider the PC articulated recip saw. As an electrician, he's likely to need to work in tight and awkward places. I have both, and I'd definitely keep the PC if I could only have one.
-- J.S.
Sphere could bake a cake, & put the hacksaw in the cake!
Works fer me. Maybe a hacksaw-shaped cake, with a file inside it ???
Morality is not properly the doctrine of how we make ourselves happy, but how we make ourselves worthy of happiness [Immanual Kant]
You're suggesting a carpenter willing places a recip saw in the hands of an electrician?
same goes for plumbers.
Yup. Kinda like handing a loaded shotgun to a four-year-old.And Boss Hog is a truss man. I would think he would know better.Of course suggesting that I could just hack those bottom webs out of the way to make the high-hat fixtures match the lighting plan sure does cause the GC to get a funny look on his face.
Cordless metal cutting saw might be a nice treat
Sears had the 15.6volt Panasonic combo kit on clearance a week or so ago, not sure if they still do or not
The couple electricians I know that have them love them
Zip right through conduit - smooth, easy, clean cut
Was amazed when my cousin took his to the 2 or 3 inch main pipe out of the box with 3 runs of 2 0 cable in it and cut right though without bogging down.
Know DeWalt and some of the others make them as well.
As someone else mentioned, one of those things that would be harder to justify buying yourself right off.
Price might be a bit more than you posted though
Good luck,
Shoe
Might want to get him a few replacements ahead of time.
You know how easy it can happen...
View Image
sobriety is the root cause of dementia.
We're electrical contractors and often get feedback from our guys as to what their tool-of-the-day is. They things we hear most often:
1. Cordless drill. They all want 18V. They argue as to whether DeWalt, Makita or Milwaukie is better.
2. The new favorite is a cordless, Milwaukie, metal cutoff saw. It looks like a 6" skilsaw, but is made for ferrous metals. They ALL prefer that for cutting EMT than a sawzall, hacksaw or porta-band.
3. Every 'trician has to have a Sawzall and a Hole-hawg whether the company provides them or not.
4. They all need a good meter, usually a Fluke with RMS.
5. Of course, Klein is the handtool company of choice.
RD
tell 'em Bosch and be done with it..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
4Lorn has a real good list. Right off the top of my head I can add something that I'm never without when handeling MC cable and there's tons of it in commercial work. Is a Roto Splitter. I have one made by Greenlee, but I couldn't find it at their web site. Anyway it's the best way to cut the jacket on MC cable. Here's a link to another company that makes them. You can pick them up at Home Depot. http://www.tooldudes.com/seatrs-101al.html
One thing that he may enjoy alot is a real good pair of work boots. Especialy if he's going to be on concrete all day. That stuff saps the life right out of you if you don't have good comfortable boots.
I'll think of more in a little bit.
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after low pricing is forgotten.
Roger that on the splitter, I had one when I rewired a barn. I had it get legs yrs ago and forgot all about it till now. I think it was a Greenlee too.
Thanks.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
I had the same thought as CAG about giving an ele. a sawzall. The best thing you can do for him is give him the tool AND an inservice on PROPER use!
Did it!...A DW, pawn shop deal, 50 bucks.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
Wait a minute...
Your giving a reformed ex-con a tool you purchased from a hock shop???!!!
Am I the only one who sees the Irony here???
:)
We always get it right!!!
the third time....
<!----><!---->
"Almost certain death, small chance of success.... What are we waiting for???"
heh heh
I was just getting ready to post 'you bought a tool at a pawn shop?'
be an iron
sobriety is the root cause of dementia.
It is time the preconcieved notion of "stolen tools" at a hock shop, is dispelled.
I know for a fact, the saw is from a deceased person.
Barry ( the owner of the shop) gave the widow the $ for the cremation of Lloyd..his tools were the only thing she had.
christ I hope I dont go thataway.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
christ I hope I dont go thataway.
Waddya mean!!??
Sounds like he had the perfect plan..
Spend every last cent on tools,
probably died with a smile on his face at the checkout of the local Hardware store!
;)
We always get it right!!!
the third time....
<!----><!---->
"Almost certain death, small chance of success.... What are we waiting for???"
Ya, but know Sphere's graduated to dozers for toys so a cherrypicker or a manlift should be along shortly.
be ya by the way, maybe he could move that old piano with it
sobriety is the root cause of dementia.
Edited 4/23/2005 3:00 pm ET by the razzman
yup
View Image
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Do not add to the world's confusion, by speaking in unclear terms"
Dang, you don't fool around! Here I'm thinking a little ole D2 or D3 of appropriate age to look OK sittn' next to the log home. Looks like you are thinking more along the lines of what will look right parked by the new shop - LOL!