Source of electrical wiring tools

When I sold the sailboat, I foolishly left a large toolbox with all of my electrical wiring tools on it. I did this because (a) I have the intelligence of an oyster, and (b) I thought that I was going to be out of the boating business forever. (Also psychological issues with the sale of the sailboat, since my ex and I cruised the NW Caribbean on it for 5 years and so probably the breakup of my marriage made me want to get rid of everything -- I don't know.)

Well, it took all of two weeks to realize that without a boat I would most likely wither up and die and be blown across the landscape like one of those tumbling tumbleweeds. (We do not have such things in the South, but I saw them in New Mexico one time. Mournful, they were).

So of course I got another boat, and since it is an older boat it has wiring which makes one think of ancient civilizations. Dead wires, wires which are untraceable by mere mortals, wires with questionable pedigrees, and wires which can only be traced by crawling in places where, frankly, I do not care to crawl.

So I need to do some work on my wiring. And need some tools. Normally, I buy things on Amazon. But I need a lot of little things, and so what I need (and am asking for) is a source to buy some tools. We have a Radio Shack locally, but I do not trust their tools any longer. All of my old tools were from Heathkit, by the way.

I need some small dykes, some small needlenose pliers, a good wire stripper, some heatshrink tubing, some marine-type wire, and a good portable multimeter. If anyone (including, especially including in fact, any of our Commercial Members) can help me with a source I would be eternally grateful.

The stuff I got at Lowes seems to be working OK...for non-professional level use...they work fine but longevity and absolute use I haven't been able to judge yet.

Genuinedealz.com for the wire, shrink and connectors. What features do you want from the multimeter? Heavy user? I have this one (under the NewMar label but the same thing) that I have used and abused heavily for the last 7 years, does it all and takes a real beating:

http://www.amazon.com/CEM-Digital-C...ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1406238024&sr=1-5

Ideal brand ratchet crimper and stripper from Amazon or wherever. Sounds like you are a heavy user so buy quality!

Other stuff at Sears or Lowes.

I've head great luck with these crimpers/ strippers. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-wire-cutter-stripper-and-crimper-pliers-up/p-00973575000P

And for terminals and wire I use pacer group. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-wire-cutter-stripper-and-crimper-pliers-up/p-00973575000P. Factory direct and cheap!

The best stuff will come from an electrical supply house (where electricians get their supplies). Next down the line would be Home Depot or Lowes. Sears (Craftsman) sells some decent tools and the hand tools have a lifetime guarantee.

The other end of the quality scale is Harbor Freight. That's way at the other end of the scale. A cheap tool is no bargain if it breaks when you try to use it.

The best stuff will come from an electrical supply house (where electricians get their supplies)

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Usually not much marine wire and things like heat shrink connectors at those places. And you won't find better versions of those than genuinedealz, which is where a lot of pros get their stuff. The closest thing I can think of to a top grade all around electrical supply house in the marine world is Ward's Marine Electric in ft. Lauderdale.

Pliers and screw drivers can be had anywhere, but a good crimper is beyond all value. I can vouch for this one because I have used one (at work) for over 25 years.

WP26940 Crimping Plier - Grainger Industrial Supply


I have chewed through or cut huge wire, crimped medium large nickel lugs and basically made a lot of money with these. You can't wear them out and they will not break. The handles are insulated and the tooth that crimps is on the orange handle, for targeting your 'bite' on the right part of a terminal.
Good crimps are crucial.
Grainger has a wide selection of tools, but the prices are a little steep.

Get an auto-ranging, digital multimeter and some quality leads. I'd feel naked without one.

I've got a double of everything when I found another box aboard a.blowboat I worked on for a new owner. All good Heathkit stuff too, so I'd make you a deal ln all my Harbor Freight stuff and throw in the box!

healhustler said:

I've got a double of everything when I found another box aboard a.blowboat I worked on for a new owner. All good Heathkit stuff too, so I'd make you a deal ln all my Harbor Freight stuff and throw in the box!

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Sounds good. PM to follow.

I am fond of Klein tools for electrical work. These are professional quality and available from Grainger, Fastenal, Ace and quite a few other sources.

LarryM said:

I am fond of Klein tools for electrical work. These are professional quality and available from Grainger, Fastenal, Ace and quite a few other sources.

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I like the Klein tools I got from Home Depot....wire strippers, a good AC/DC clamp multimeter, a few others...I would continue with that line as I need them for projects and wander through that isle.

Check Sears, HD (they carry Klein tools), West Marine (especially if you have access to a Port Supply account) they carry Anchor tools and Pacer for some things. I'm fond of Fluke meters myself. Which Sears and HD carry.

caltexflanc said:

Usually not much marine wire and things like heat shrink connectors at those places. And you won't find better versions of those than genuinedealz, which is where a lot of pros get their stuff. The closest thing I can think of to a top grade all around electrical supply house in the marine world is Ward's Marine Electric in ft. Lauderdale.

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I'm talking about the tools. genuinedealz is good for supplies.

Ive been beating on el tools for longer then I care to remember. I use nothing but Klein or German made Wiha tools for my hand tools and nothing but Fluke for my Multi meters.. I work on 6KV+ systems so I only trust the best......
Always wear voltage appropriate gloves
And remember my favorite acronym
D.I.E.
Disconnect. Isolate. Earth

Electro said:

Ive been beating on el tools for longer then I care to remember. I use nothing but Klein or German made Wiha tools for my hand tools and nothing but Fluke for my Multi meters.. I work on 6KV+ systems so I only trust the best......
Always wear voltage appropriate gloves
And remember my favorite acronym
D.I.E.
Disconnect. Isolate. Earth

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+1 Wiha and Fluke

LarryM said:

I am fond of Klein tools for electrical work. These are professional quality and available from Grainger, Fastenal, Ace and quite a few other sources.

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Professional electricians favor Klein tools. They often refer to their lineman's pliers as "Kleins" as in "Hand me my Kleins."

rwidman said:

Professional electricians favor Klein tools. They often refer to their lineman's pliers as "Kleins" as in "Hand me my Kleins."

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Truth

Bluto said:

Pliers and screw drivers can be had anywhere, but a good crimper is beyond all value. I can vouch for this one because I have used one (at work) for over 25 years.

WP26940 Crimping Plier - Grainger Industrial Supply

I have chewed through or cut huge wire, crimped medium large nickel lugs and basically made a lot of money with these. You can't wear them out and they will not break. The handles are insulated and the tooth that crimps is on the orange handle, for targeting your 'bite' on the right part of a terminal.
Good crimps are crucial.
Grainger has a wide selection of tools, but the prices are a little steep.

Get an auto-ranging, digital multimeter and some quality leads. I'd feel naked without one.

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i disagree about that dimple type crimper for use on insulated, especially heat shrink type, terminals for marine use. Those things are prone to breaking through or cracking the insulation.

Greetings,
For what it's worth and for the small amount of wiring I'm currently doing, Harbor Freight again.
Ratcheting for $13. That being said, one of life's little pleasures is using a high quality tool(s). Maybe when I'm in a better tax bracket Klein would be fine....

Klein++++
Fluke meters

caltexflanc said:

i disagree about that dimple type crimper for use on insulated, especially heat shrink type, terminals for marine use. Those things are prone to breaking through or cracking the insulation.

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Oh yes, that little plastic insulator can get cracked, that's where technique comes in. The crimps shown are not for any use on battery cables and the like, but for the common smaller wiring used for controls and so forth.
I used to tell the newbs that they should be able to swing like Tarzan on a proper crimp without the terminal coming loose.
Those plastic insulators are no reason to be careless around a high voltage strip, and sometimes we left them off deliberately for a neater appearance. (A half inch from the insulator is a hot terminal anyway)
Other applications we slide the insulator back, crimp and slide it back up in place.
Use what you think is best, of course.

caltexflanc said:

Genuinedealz.com for the wire, shrink and connectors.

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Agree - have been using bestboatwire for years - highly recommended.

I've actually bought some great tools on EBay, like my Thomas & Betts TNM8 crimper, a Fluke meter, and an industrial ratcheting crimper.

Klein Tools The high leverage diagonal cutters have been in my tool pouch since 1975. Also love their new 11 in 1 screwdriver. My T&B (STA-KON)crimper is my fav crimper for non-insulated terminals. Home Depot carries Klein Tools.

I use Klein and Fluke pretty exclusively myself however for occasional personal use on small projects I recommend you save your money. Buy a Klein crimp tool and whatever your budget feels comfortable for the rest. The crimp quality is really most important IMO.

I've also compared many cheap digital multimeters purchased by friends against my Fluke and though I have no need of a cheapie, they've all been acceptable so far.

I also use Snap-On hand tools but do not recommend my friends go out and buy a set.

High Wire said:

Klein Tools The high leverage diagonal cutters have been in my tool pouch since 1975. Also love their new 11 in 1 screwdriver. My T&B (STA-KON)crimper is my fav crimper for non-insulated terminals. Home Depot carries Klein Tools.

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Never seen a pro use Kleins and I know a quite a few marine and land; but they are widely distributed so easy to buy, so can't dismiss them and a few people here like them, so there you go. As for Harbor Freight, I dunno, I regard wiring as a mission critical activity. I wouldn't get much solace suffering from a failed connection while out at sea by consoling myself with "hey at least I saved 50 bucks on that crimper!".

Read the article on the HF battery crimper by Compass marine... a sobering tale.

Making Your Own Battery Cables Photo Gallery by Compass Marine How To at pbase.com

Also, I just love good tools. Any excuse to buy a tool is good enough for me!

I confess to having a few HF tools - things I think are disposable, like grinders and compressors (though I have one HF compressor that's over 10 years old and still no problems!).

Fluke meters. Crimpers and cutters I use random brands, some inexpensive ones work very well, you find out quick whether to put the tool in the kit or chuck it.

I do need to explore good sources for crimp terminals.

Harbor freight has about 75% crap. But some of the stuff is very good.

Quality Tools

I've had very good results with the Klein tools available at Home Depot or a good local hardware store. They're about as good as you're going to get for a reasonable price and availability. The next step up gets you into full pro mode, with the associated expense and having to go to a professional supply house. Sounds like the Kleins would last for a good long time given the nature of the work, and give you great performance, way better than Harbor Freight or Northern Tool, which are passable if absolutely nothing else is available.

Thanks, guys. All good advice. I've decided, based upon all the feedback, that I'll populate a new toolbox with Klein tools and a Fluke multimeter. The wire and wiring accessories (heatshrink tubing, terminals, butt connectors, etc., etc.) will all be ordered from GenuineDealz.com.