Tool Lists (What do I need?)

[SteveB]

Here's what I suggest to my freelancers working electrics calls:

- 8" Crescent wrench
- Litespeed wrench
- Leatherman Wave or (my preference) Victorinox Champ Swiss Army knife
- Maglite - 2AA LED version highly recommended
- Gloves
- 4 Way combo screwdriver
- 25ft. tape measure
- Sharpies ad mechanical pencils
- Pouch to carry it in

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by SteveB

Here's what I suggest to my freelancers working electrics calls:

- 8" Crescent wrench
- Litespeed wrench
- Leatherman Wave or (my preference) Victorinox Champ Swiss Army knife
- Maglite - 2AA LED version highly recommended
- Gloves
- 4 Way combo screwdriver
- 25ft. tape measure
- Sharpies ad mechanical pencils
- Pouch to carry it in

SteveB, my toolbag meets or exceeds all your requirements except:

- I use a 6" WideJaw (for cheeseboroughs) Crescent™ wrench.
- I use a 5/8" x 3/4" Craftsman™ ratcheting box wrench, Lightspeed and Putz wrenches are too expensive.
- I'm a Gerber Multi-tool man.

So I bombed on the first three items, would you send me home if I showed up on a call?

[Charc]

So it seems that a lot of people are calling a speed wrench a necessity for electrics calls. What specifically is so great about them? Do they really save that much time, over a traditional c-wrench?

[derekleffew]

Well, Charc, when hanging any fixture with a C-Clamp, how many times do you have to remove your adjustable wrench and reposition it to further tighten the 1/2" square bolt head? Have you ever had that bolt get rusty/gummed up so that you can't turn it by hand? A speed wrench is not an absolute necessity, but the Craftsman 5/8 x 3/4 in. Wrench, Ratcheting Box is $7.99, and if it breaks take it to any Sears store for an immediate replacement. Also seems to me to separate those who are serious from those who just want to meet the minimum. YMMV.

[soundman]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Also seems to me to separate those who are serious from those who just want to meet the minimum. YMMV.

How does a speed wrench deal with old f-bolts that are not square but rather the 'finger tight' variety? Give me an open end adjustable wrench any day.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Well, Charc, when hanging any fixture with a C-Clamp, how many times do you have to remove your adjustable wrench and reposition it to further tighten the 1/2" square bolt head? Have you ever had that bolt get rusty/gummed up so that you can't turn it by hand? A speed wrench is not an absolute necessity, but the Craftsman 5/8 x 3/4 in. Wrench, Ratcheting Box is $7.99, and if it breaks take it to any Sears store for an immediate replacement. Also seems to me to separate those who are serious from those who just want to meet the minimum. YMMV.

I have to disagree with you here.

I've yet to find the need for a speed wrench. I don't own one. Once a clamp is finger tight, it usually only takes one or two "positions" to clamp the light. To loosen, it only takes one.

And, you're still going to need a wrench. Scaff clamps (Cheesboroughs), stuck wing nuts, and the occasional "other" pieces of hardware all need something adjustable. If you feel the need to carry 12lbs of tools on you, more power to you. But, I've yet to see any electrician work faster, or be "more serious" because of a "speed" wrench.

Charc, an 8" adjustable ("Crescent") wrench will serve you very well.


--Sean

[derekleffew]

Okay, to each his own. I admit to not always carrying my speed wrench on my person, unless I know I'll be hanging many conventionals. I've hung entire shows where there hasn't been a C-Clamp in sight. Even the S4s had MegaClaws on them.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Here's a list from IATSE local 33.

So many IA guys, so many hammers and pry bars (SCARY)... I expect everyone who shows up to a call to have a crescent wrench and a multi tool, as well as gloves. A tape measure it also a good bonus. I have two different sides to this whole thing. If you are working in a scene shop, you need all marking tools and some measuring tools, the smaller variety of them :Speed square, 25' tape, etc. You should not have to bring in your own framing square etc. PPE should be REPLACED by the shop, buy you have to buy your first ones. Same thing goes for anything you use in the shop, if you bring in your own chalk line, they should provide you chalk, same thing for dikes etc. If you wear it out at the job, they should replace it.

When working calls on the other hand, I usually bring in most of my own tools, however same rules apply. I bring in my own stuff to do most things, but I do not bring in specialty tools.

My major rule is, if it does not fit into one of my bucket boss bags, I don't take it in. It should not be your personal responsibility to buy everything you need to do the job, you need the basics but the rest should be provided for you.

[Charc]

I was told to report to work with a c-wrench and a measuring tape. Seems like an odd combo, because certain days I'll be in the shop, and other days I'll be working electrics.

Edit:
And of course, closed-toed shows, for all tech work.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

And of course, closed-toed shows, for all tech work.

Steel or composite toe, end of story.