Greg

I have about 10 of those clamps in my garage for wood working, might just have to put a couple in my work van.

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MechanicalDVR

I had a couple of the larger ones maybe 36" long in the van for mounting panels and that type of thing but I never have seen those small ones, they look handy as hell. I have used vise grips but most times they have been too small of an opening.

Greg

I have them from 12" to 48". Quickgrip makes mine, you can get them at Home Cheapo.

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BP_redbear

After switching from the Veto Pro Pac XL (pics on page 2 -post #29-) to the CLC 18" double-sided zippered bag with the center compartment, and carrying that around for a while, I decided that I would give this McGuire-Nicholas square tote a try that I had kicking around for home jobs, and see if it would do.

It seemed like it was just going to be too crowded from the start, but I fit everything in it that I was carrying in the CLC bag.

After two weeks... Yeah, it's too crowded, too difficult to find things. Too difficult to return tools to the same place where they were originally, easily and quickly without fumbling around. Not a bad bag for at home, though.

I am going back to the CLC bag! ... And, I'll post pics of that bag soon, which I didn't when I switched to it originally.

I'm still searching for something different...

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Richard Rowe

Nice set of tools. I see you have a folding wooden ruler, do you use it mostly or just for certian jobs?

76nemo

Nice tools redbear. What are the two things on the immediate right of your plumb bob?

BP_redbear

Thank you for the nice comment.
Mostly, I use the folding ruler for when running smaller EMT (1/2, 3/4, 1). Still being an apprentice, I try to learn from everyone that I work with. One JW used the folding ruler for all his small EMT work, so that's what I used when I worked with him. Next guy I worked with saw me with it and said "What are you doing with that? Throw that thing in the trash." (And he is an older guy.) He said "What are you going to do if you have to measure something longer than 6 feet?" ..."Um, how about this 10 foot piece of pipe?"."Piss off, it's on our tool list!" So, I used the folding ruler for a couple of days with this guy just to erk him, then I went to my tape measure.

Secondly, another JW asked to use my folder to take a measurement near some switchgear that had some covers removed. (He is a younger guy also -30's-, and owns one too, my tool bag was just handier. Maybe that other guy would have just used his steel tape...

Thanks nemo. A Fluke hat light (2 AAA), and a Wiha X-Selector bit set for the magnetic tip 1/4" Wiha Insulated screwdriver. http://www.wihatools.com/700seri/794serie.htm
The Wiha stores 6 bits in its magazine under its rotating cap (6+1... 6 in the mag and 1 in the tube, autoloader
-style) . The X-Selector case has extras, like Torx, Robertson, large straight blade, whatever 1/4" hex drive, plus a magnetic quick-release driver attachment. You can order sets in different configurations, as you may already know.

BP

App.Electrician

I was a job one day and I have a few WiHa screwdrivers. I'm sure you know they're made in Germany. I was workin with a guy that just got his 35 yr pin and he saw me tightening a coupling with a WiHa flathead. He walked over to me and grabbed that screwdriver outta my hand and said, "This isn't made in the USA you can't use this on a union job." I told him to try it out and he kinda snuffed the idea, and threw back in my lap. I pestered the hell out of him the next few days about using it and he finally tried it out.

He bought a whole set the next week. They're certainly worth the money and cheaper than Klein.

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BP_redbear

That's both Ironic...

"I don't want to see you using that -high quality- imported tool on a union job to tighten that cheap India-, Pakistan-, or Chinese-manufactued fitting."

... and sad.

I am not claiming that all union jobs use imported fittings. I have seen a lot of packaging for connectors and couplings for EMT, and most I see lately seem to be made elsewhere... Maybe it's just the box... that's made... over there...

76nemo

That is sad. Wiha makes damn good product!!!!

BP_redbear

At least the 'old guy' realized that, and actually bought some Wiha screwdrivers for himself. His initial comment would have gotten a less-than-pleasant reply from me, no doubt.

It's just sad, IMHO, that more and more fittings, and such, that we use to build our own country, aren't made here. I wouldn't mind if some of them said Made in Canada...

cguillas

I wouldn't mind if any of them said made in Canada either. That being said, the closest thing I can find is Klein.

crazyboy

Crappy pics

220/221

No. One of your "brothers" could report you and you would be written up and disiplined.

I remember (1976) a guy getting chastised in front of the entire union meeting (maybe 150 guys) for putting 2 bucks worth of gas in the company truck so he could make it back to the shop. That's when I realized I wasn't cut out to be a union guy.

The theory is to not give an advantage to someone who has more/better tools. It is designed to limit the playing field. I have always seen this as a valid point but if things like tin snips are not on the tool list, that's just a waste of resources.

If I were in charge, there would be a minimum and a maximum tool list.

j johnson

I us a mubbermaid Tough when working with asbestous removel team.
It is ezy to clean or throw a way!

BP_redbear

Quote:
is it all right for a union guy to have more tools than what is required on the tool list?

It must be different in each local, as far as how strict enforcement of the list is. As has been mentioned here before on different threads, my local's list doesn't include wire strippers. Most guys have them, One guy even has the Ideal automatic stripper. Conduit reamer and files are not on the list, either. Many guys have them. Some guys use their pliers. I have a Klein reamer, a flat file and a half round file. The mini bar clamp is certainly not on our list, but as MechhanicalDVR said, it just might find its way onto my list and into my tool bag.

Maybe some local contracts specifically say 'shall have all tools on the tool list, and nothing more'. Our contract reads 'shall have... but not limited to... contractor to supply all other tools necessary'.

There are other examples, and certainly I have been told that bringing other personal tools such as cordless drills, power tools would be frowned upon. I am sure the brothers would make it clear to someone who brought those tools from home that it is unacceptable. The BA would probably agree. I am not sure, given the wording of the contract... '...not limited to...' that you could actually be formally disciplined.

Just my observations...

Frasbee

I don't always carry my hammerdrill onto the site, but I keep it in my car, just in case.

I don't like using company tools, they tend to suck. Craftsman and Ryobi drills?

Bah, gimme my Bosch.

SideWorker

That's not completely true. It depends on the bylaws of that particular local.

My local has a tool list as a minimum. If you'd like to bring extra tools, you are welcome to. Tools such as spin tights (nut drivers), ratcheting combination wrenchs, tin snips, squares, multimeters, files, etc. are all examples of tools that are not on our tool list. However, it would be hard to find a member without most of those tools in their bag.

If you're brining your own hammer drill and ladder to the job, then you might be called to the hall for a little talk.

Things are different today, or at least in my local. We understand that the contractor needs to make money for us to keep working. We understand that the customer has to be happy for us to keep working.

Grogan14

Getting back into the trade after doing something else for a bit, I found this new Husky bag they're carrying at Home Depot.

I do primarily residential service work, and was looking for a neater appearance than my old CLC bag. Also, something with a wider stance, that would be less prone to tipping.

The bag is made of a very heavy water-resistant material. It claims over 140 ways to store your tools (72 internal and 68 external). Other features are a fold-down steel handle, padded shoulder strap, 4 electrical tape straps, 2 tape measure clips. It has a hard bottom, with 5 heavy-duty rubber feet. Was just shy of $90.

Haven't loaded it up as yet, but I did note that it seems almost as heavy empty as my old bag is full. Being that I am less than giant, that is something of a concern.

Richard Rowe

Thats a nice looking bag. I belive you could even get lunch in there. Be sure and post some more pixs when you get everything in it.... Ya just may have to buy some more stuff.