What tools do I require as an apprentice Lineman??
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Hey Everyone!
With all the fancy tools available these days, I get a lot of DM's from apprentices asking what they should buy... Lineman tools aren't cheap and many of them are provided by your employer.
If you're starting a new job, starting with a new company or an apprenticeship, don't worry too much about what to buy until you have a better idea of what the company will provide. If you're told to show up with your hooks, belt and tools; the tools shown in the video are pretty much the bare minimum of what you want to have on your belt!
There are many variations of each Milwaukee (Made in USA) hand tools but these links should get ya started!
➡️These are NOT affiliate links. Just some great tools that I personally recommend!🔥👊
Lineman pliers 💪 www.milwaukeetool.com/Search#...
High leverage ratchet 💪
www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...
Lineman's 32 oz hammer 💪
www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...
2 in 1 insulated ratchet 💪
www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...
Lineman's hawkbill knife 💪
www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...
Adjustable wrench 💪
www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...
See y'all in Kentucky!
👊🍻
#bobsdecline #nothingbutheavyduty #milwaukeetools
Hey Everyone!
With all the fancy tools available these days, I get a lot of DM's from apprentices asking what they should buy... Lineman tools aren't cheap and many of them are provided by your employer.
If you're starting a new job, starting with a new company or an apprenticeship, don't worry too much about what to buy until you have a better idea of what the company will provide. If you're told to show up with your hooks, belt and tools; the tools shown in the video are pretty much the bare minimum of what you want to have on your belt!
one thing the new guys need to be taught is keeping their tools maintained. That means cleaning and lubricating moving parts as necessary. I worked outside for 25+ years and it doesn't take long for your pliers (etc) to get rusty when it's soaked in rain for a week.... and the nearest hardware store is 15 miles away or closed on a weekend. Also... mark your personal tools so you can spot who else might be using them.
Thanks for your support and for helping keeping the Lights ON and getting our Valuable Service Restored. 👍👍
I wish people would give me the respect I deserve. As an inside electrician most people want me to do hack work for free.
Great video! Have fun over there!
Nice video Aaron and I'm sure the new Linemen will appreciate it. Stay safe!
Kline 9 in plyers , 12 in adj wrench , big hammer, skinning knife, good pair or two ..gloves , channel lock plyers , safety glasses.....
Great idea to do a video on the tools that you are going to have when you are becoming a lineman
Wow - I like the realistic metallic look of the insulation on those adjustable wrenches!
Morse with a continuity tester. Hard core!
Enjoy the show, Aaron! Hope you have a great time.
Great knowledge. thank you!
I love to watch your videos sir❤ .. keep safe always👊
I like that you mention the screwdriver as a tool. I seem to use mine pretty hard also. I think they would last longer if we used them for the intended use lol. It is better to buy a good tool. Some tools are disposable. I know I will just destroy them. It is nice to be able to get a new replacement if you can with a tool warranty. I ripped the head of a craftsman at a house in a door jam. Well, I did recover both pieces. The customer was very glad to see. When I was traveling, and stores were not so close. I kept some new replacement tools in the truck in a special bag than had new tools only. These were things that really helped to move the jobs along. I did have some things I burnt up and broke. These were varying cone bits, special hole saw bits, screwdrivers, and Philip bits. At that time some of the stores were 45 minutes away. It really can affect the job if something breaks or gets lost. Now that I work near my home. I don t really do this as much. But over the years I try to keep a small stash and a budget. If makes things go faster, it really is worth the money. I am surprised that you don't support your tools with shoulder straps. I found out later it really helped my back pain to use a pair of suspenders to balance the weight on my tool belt. Especially a heavy belt like worn for line work. Hopefully it helps someone. Marking your tools helps in many ways. Sometimes you might even get them back if lost. Reflective tape for finding them at night. I try to keep stock of things being used. Make sure they get back in their place at the end of each job. It gets expensive losing them. I have for gotten a company tool. I hated explaining that. I had no idea where it was. This was a special too. We did get another. Now I watch it like a hawk. Along with all my other tools. So be safe out there and really enjoy your content.
Nice! A good video for me would also include FR cold weather gear. The stuff we get issued is crap.
I highly suggest the Jameson Hawkbill skinning knife, and a Bell Tools style line hammer with the pole step removing hole in it. That hole also works great with the GMP 06796 Anchor Extractor - which is basically a small round handle pry bar. The GMP pry bar fits right inside the hole on a Bell tools style line hammer, which easily allows you to slide the hammer head on the end of the pry bar, and instantly double your leverage when trying to rip stuff out of a pole. Those 2 tools were made for each other. The Milwaukee stuff is nice, esp the ratcheting line wrench - but there are some things that have been used for decades cause they already work well. My only complaint on the milwaukee line wrench is it doesnt have a "lock" feature like the old Lowell wrenchs do - which is great for when you have to hold the head of a bolt on the back side of the pole, while using an impact to remove nuts on the front. Theres no fiddling around making sure the ratchet is set in the right direction. On the old Lowells you just push the selector to the center postion and you can tighten/losen whatever you want using the impact and wrench without ever having check what direction the wrench is set to cause it can just lock into a non ratcheting position with a flip of switch.
I personally prefer having a couple sperate ratchets and deep sockets in the bucket truck. The deep sockets push the ratchet handle away from and off the cables so nothing above or below it can interfere with trying to tighten or loosen hardware.
Tools I have on me on a daily basis for the ground are fairly simple; Lineman pliers(Kleins), slip groove pliers(channel locks), a skinning knife, a 4 in 1 ratchet(click click), measuring stick, and tape. Bucket and climbing tools on the other hand are quite vast and expensive, hammers, ratchets, various sockets and adapters, different drills and other battery operated tools like crimpers and grinders. Great video!
Thanks Aaron 👊
Awesome Videos
Klein tools scene 1850 I like the red, but the logo of Klein stamped on your lineman players, a linemen on pole servicing open wire lines. Klein supplied tools to Western Union constructing the first telegraph line across the US next to the Union Pacific R&R. I Like a little history in my tool pouch.
There's always New history to be made. #milwuakee
Thanks for sharing hope you guys got through the storm you had come through not too long ago
Huh I keep seeing your comments on the various Canadian channels I watch, must be similar tastes
Hah that's pretty cool
Few outages here Scrotie, nothing too crazy. The first 6 hours or so there was a ton of 911/fire calls
👍👊 Local 1 retired and loving it‼️
Although not a tool per se, I'd think recommendations on boots would be in this list :)
Milwaukee makes reliable tools indeed.
Thanks.
I’d love to go to the utility expo but I don’t think it’s wise to take off work this week.
As an employer(electrician, not line worker), I now have a tool list for new hires so that the expectations are set early on.
When I started out?? They had the tools and you were only allowed to to use “ their” purchased tools 😮😢 you couldn’t have or use anything that was not provided… Not sure how it works now days I am no longer in the trade. This old man at heart still has it in him but these old legs and arms are just plum wore out… But love all the SWEET tools available to linesmen/lineswoman now days…. Definitely labor an body saving…. Miss the feeling of being in the air and my hair standing up😊
Hey bob, could you do a POV of hanging conductors with a belt hoist? Sorry if that’s dumb
Milwaukee has really taken the lead in the tool arena
Can you do a video on climbing gear and boots as well? I’m looking to start my apprenticeship and I have no idea on climbing gear 😂
Klein & channel lock make very durable tools also
Agreed!
I’ve been collecting since I was 9 and have just about every tool used by a lineman, believe it or not the only things I don’t have is a foldable ruler and a wire skinner Lol, when i become a lineman I won’t need anything.
Stay safe!
a review on volt meters would be nice😊😊
Fluke hands down unless you have a ton of cash and can buy even better stuff.
I am surprised that the adjustable wrench and the heavy ratchet wrench don't have insulated handles.
I swear by Milwaukee tools, " Nothing but heavy duty"!
Why is it so hard to become a lineman !? What do you recommend someone like me to get into the trade? Thanks keep this good videos coming…
If you really wanna do it get in however you can weather that be going to line school or signing the books with a union both have their pros but both get your foot in the door once your in learn as much as you take ask all the questions and you will go far
@Bobsdecline Hi Bob, I am going to be making my first pole climb today in Austin TX and I wanted to record it so that I can compare how well I will have improved from my first climb to the last climb of my training course. I may also want to post it to youtube eventually.I was wondering do you had any advice on the best way to film line work? I have a gopro I can use but I have no idea on placement or angles and you seem like the perfect person to ask. Also would you be comfortable sharing an email with me that I can contact you for these kind of questions?
Any chance you’ll make it to the international lineman’s rodeo?
To bad I will be in Kentucky a week after you are there lol
How is work going, Aaron
👊👊👊
please follow up with gloves, goggles, mask, jacket, other PPE
Not even a mentions of Klein.
Kline tools has entered the chat.
Milwaukee rocks, Dewalt stinks. The rest are all in middle. Never had a single issue with Milwaukee. I also like Klein a ton. Some items are made near me.
Am I as a European the only one confounded by the thought that you have to show up to work with your own equipment and tools? Surely the employer have to provide you with everything you might need to both be safe and be able to perform the tasks you are set to do. Even as an apprentice. I would show up in my normal everyday clothes and two empty hands, and expect them to provide the rest.
Depends who you work for, many companies do. There are some private companies that don't provide everything.
@@Bobsdecline It might be a North American thing? I have seen car mechanics here on CZcams too that bring all their own tools to work, and take them with them if/when they quit their job.
Ah yes, especially mechanics! Everyone I know I'm that trade purchases all their own tools 😟
They're pretty ridged 😂
Kleins and Channel Locks 😅
Lol!
It's funny;
Klein pliers have dominated the market for so long, that Lineman pliers in general have adopted the name "Kleins"!
Definitely an excellent product and highly recommend! Where our company switched over almost exclusively to Milwaukee tools, it's nice to see they finally released some great hand tools! So far zero complaints with the switch 💪
Gotta get them glow in the dark kleins for them late night days if you were to put them down you can find them😂
Have dropped about 4 pairs working trouble and wished I had them up in the air everytime
""Klein pliers have dominated the market for so long, that Lineman pliers in general have adopted the name "Kleins"! @@Bobsdecline ""
Kleins were old when this was written, WWII battlefield radio repair:
""....The tools used for practically all the repair jobs here consisted of an 8" screw driver, a G.I. knife, a small 10c screw driver, a pair of lineman's kleins and last, but not least, .....ultra-modern ..soldering iron.. two carbon electrodes mounted firmly in 50 caliber cartridge cases and two leads with battery clips attached.... "" Radio News, May 1944
Klein did a lineman plier repair in 1857 and had a line of (telegraph) line tools in the 1860s.
The Chicago Grip (wire grab) is very old. Klein has been making them for well over a century. In the 1910 ads, it "knows when to stay shut and just when to open up", also "the loop never drops below the horizontal". I handled one in 2018 and little has changed because it Does The Job.
@@Bobsdecline Milwaukee, because it was cheaper, not necessarily better.Mil-sucky entered the hand tool market years back will an entire line of cheap crap from china. I remember their rep touting the linesman pliers as better than anything on the market and only $12.
Hard to beat Klein, I remember a long time ago a snap on sales man tried to get our foreman to buy their 9” pliers, he broke them right in front of him doing something routine.
What ever you do, DO NOT buy your tools as Horrible Freight.
Most Harbor Freight hand tools are decent enough, especially if you're just starting off in any trade.
Every master tech I've ever meet kept a set of Harbor Freight wrenchs and sockets as a backup
I had heard a lot from what turned out to be cheap people telling me they were good tools? I spent about $100 on some tools & an inexpensive bench grinder. I used the bench grinder from Horrible Tools & it couldn’t keep up with cleaning rust off a lawn mower blade. After about 15 minutes I drove my 12 pound sledge hammer through the top & the cast aluminum exploded. The case was 10 times the size of the armature. A real piece of crap. I used the diagonal pliers to cut string trimmer line. It couldn’t cut through that? A few other things. Each one as disappointing as the last. Instead of bringing it all back. I just tossed everything in the garbage. Lesson learned! Never buy cheap tools. Especially Horrible Freights!
I think this is too broad a statement, as HF carries several lines of hand tools. The Pittsburgh stuff is pure garbage. The Quinn line is fairly decent, and the Icon line is VERY good.
@@JCWren I was in HF only once 10 years ago. I only saw Pittsburgh Tools there. There were no other distinctions of tools while there.
Once was enough for me. I’ll never go back unless I’m required to be there as per work.
Harbor freight doesn't really carry any lineman specific tools. Some of their newer stuff specifically the Icon branded line is pretty nice and I would say is up near tool truck quality (Snap on, matco etc) but none of it is geared towards lineman work and is mostly for auto repair.
Srsly? NONE! As your Employer should provide you with all the tools and protective gear you'd need for the Job. This Video is well meant but sending the wrongest message.
Unfortunately that's just not how it works in a lot of the real world. Plus the employers that do provide tools may not provide the best tools
Depends who you work for? If your an apprentice who works through a union hall? You’ll be required to buy your own tools.
I work for a very large utility in New England. They just don’t have enough tools to outfit every truck with hand tools let alone battery tools. I lost a voltmeter & a Burndy crimping tool in one afternoon. The apprentices were reaching into my tool till without my knowledge & took those items out & never put them back. I notified my direct supervisor that they went missing. That was 8 weeks ago & I’m still waiting for replacement tools. Imagine not having a voltmeter on a power company truck?
@@lordgman1 in this case, employer tools will be approved or listed for utility work. There's just too much liability to screw around.
@@PRR1954 Yes, in a perfect world the employer should provide all the tools necessary to do the job. However that is not the case.
Case in point. I’m now a trainer. I was lucky to bring my truck of tools with me to my new job. However some tools are just not available from the company I work for. I took our apprentice’s out to my locker & I took my private tools out to show them which tools the compact provided in one pile & another pile of my own tools. My tool pile was three times larger than the company tool pile. They were blown away! They think like you do that the company should provide ALL the tools. I told them that specialty tools to make our job easier are not provided. To fill that hole it’s up to the employee to buy them.