what's your essential kit/gadgets for working?

tomdempsey200

for me its ;

led headlamp

non-contact voltage tester

PITA doing anything without them

meercat

Battery drill.

tomdempsey200

meercat wrote: »

Battery drill.

ya definitely 3rd on my list

Bruthal

A hammer

Sir Arthur Daley

If i had to do a call out and just carry what i think would be essentials would be headtorch, 4 step ladder, test meters, my tengtools screwdriver/pliers set and a box that i have that contains mcbs, fuses, switch/socket/sfo plates, a shower pull cord etc and has a one person first aid kit.

solargain

tool belt & ladder

tomdempsey200

WikiHow wrote: »

If i had to do a call out and just carry what i think would be essentials would be headtorch, 4 step ladder, test meters, my tengtools screwdriver/pliers set and a box that i have that contains mcbs, fuses, switch/socket/sfo plates, a shower pull cord etc and has a one person first aid kit.

would you go out without a non-contact tester?

Sir Arthur Daley

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

would you go out without a non-contact tester?

I don't have one, i don't trust them any more, the last time i used one it nearly killed me, i was working on an oil cooker i used the tester to check that the power was off, it never lit but i got lit of the cooker when i starting pulling off a spade terminal on a stat. I stuck to the cooker for a few seconds worst shock i ever experienced.

markad1

Fluke meter, fluke meter, fluke meter, knipex pliers, screwdrivers and allenkeys.

tomdempsey200

WikiHow wrote: »

I don't have one, i don't trust them any more, the last time i used one it nearly killed me, i was working on an oil cooker i used the tester to check that the power was off, it never lit but i got lit of the cooker when i starting pulling off a spade terminal on a stat. I stuck to the cooker for a few seconds worst shock i ever experienced.

well ok

but they're great for troubleshooting imo

not for proving power is dead...

Sir Arthur Daley

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

not for proving power is dead...

Not much good proving for power present either, only one way to check for power and that is with a volt meter.

liveandnetural

fluke t5 600 i wound be lost without it
knipex tool set
little giant ladder

i got a new wiha screwdriver set its a great job
http://www.wiha.com/england/Onlineshop/Screwdrivers4/Wiha-SoftFinish-R-electric-slimVario-Sets/2831T702-SoftFinish-R-electric-slimVario-starter-pack-slotted-Phillips-7-pcs

KERSPLAT!

Snips
Pliers
Terminal
Driver
Fluke meter
Volt tick
Insulating tape
Connectors

They'd be the first things in my pocket on every job but obviously you'd add to it depending on what has to be done

tomdempsey200

WikiHow wrote: »

Not much good proving for power present either, only one way to check for power and that is with a volt meter.

they're a troubleshooting aid

they don't prove anything either way

Sir Arthur Daley

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

they don't prove anything either way

If they don't prove anything either way as you say that renders them useless no?

tomdempsey200

WikiHow wrote: »

If they don't prove anything either way as you say that renders them useless no?

no
there's a difference between 'proving dead' and troubleshooting/fault-finding
using a handy gadget

Bruthal

WikiHow wrote: »

If they don't prove anything either way as you say that renders them useless no?

A certain level of intuition is required when testing, not just test and grab. Multi meters are not perfect either.

Non contact testers I find very handy for indicating what mcb does a particular socket for example. It's a volt tick one I use. Has audible beeps to indicate power is present.

.G.

An apprentice.Great for getting into all those hard to reach places and going the shop

2011

An iPhone/smartphone for so many reasons including but not limited to:

• Torch
• Camera (handy for jogging your memory about any aspect of a job)
• Internet access, providing a wealth of information
• Can be used for taking notes
• Calculator
• Can also be used to "call a friend"

tomdempsey200

smartphone camera

yes that's definitely another one that's useful

maxamillius

liveandnetural wrote: »

fluke t5 600 i wound be lost without it
knipex tool set
little giant ladder

i got a new wiha screwdriver set its a great job
http://www.wiha.com/england/Onlineshop/Screwdrivers4/Wiha-SoftFinish-R-electric-slimVario-Sets/2831T702-SoftFinish-R-electric-slimVario-starter-pack-slotted-Phillips-7-pcs

Where did ya pick up that driver looks great,do you have to carry the bits around separately or is there some sort of holder?

2011

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

smartphone camera

yes that's definitely another one that's useful

Yeah, it also has the very handy (and free) "MultiConvert" app which converts from one unit to another, such as hp to kW.

KERSPLAT!

I find the camera handy for shoving up a downlight hole when I can't find the cable. Stick the LED light on, rotate till cable is found and Bob's your uncle... unless the cable isn't there

liveandnetural

maxamillius wrote: »

Where did ya pick up that driver looks great,do you have to carry the bits around separately or is there some sort of holder?

a sales rep gave it to me as a sample
the bits fit in the handel it pops up when you press the two tabs on the sides

its not the one in the link but looks kinda the same(bigger handel)

Seafox

Duct tape, Duct tape and more Duct tape.

If you can't fix it with Duct tape then you are not using enough of the stuff........

dolittle

Seafox wrote: »

Duct tape, Duct tape and more Duct tape.

If you can't fix it with Duct tape then you are not using enough of the stuff........

brilliant

bassey

When I'm walking around site I've always got 10 spanner, 17 spanner, flat head, Philips, measuring tape, insulation tape and a pen!

Sir Arthur Daley

Seafox wrote: »

Duct tape, Duct tape and more Duct tape.

If you can't fix it with Duct tape then you are not using enough of the stuff........

Wait till you get introduced to cable ties.