Best tools you own

[snoranger]

So... I’ve been looking at the Power Probes. Any particular reason why I should get the 3 or the 4? I had been looking at the 3 master kit but then I saw the 4 in a master kit…

The 4 is more advanced. It can test AC voltage, and some other stuff I don’t recall (google it, you’ll see)... I’ve found that if I’m that far into an electrical issue, I already have my multimeter out. I tend to only use the powerProbe for basic stuff.

 

[Ranger850]

DEWALT 8 in. Diagonal Pliers DWHT74274

The DEWALT(R) 8 in. Diagonal Pliers have a low profile head perfect for prying nails and staples. They also have a low cutting edge for a near flush cut. The pliers stays sharper longer due to their induction

www.google.com

This guy right here ^^^^^
8" DeWalt angle cutters. AKA "dykes", "side cutters", "snips", ...
Until I was 27 years old, these were simply "wire cutters". Until I got a job installing Awnings. I thought a hammer drill or ladder would be the most important thing I needed on a job site, but it turns out NO. You need a good pair of "dykes". Not sure how they came to be called that, but that's what we call them. I can't explain all the different ways we use them ( auger, nail/staple puller, scissors ect...) but all I can say is, NOW, I can't even start a job until I locate these. If I get into a bind that a traditional tool isn't working, I grab these and they rarely let me down. Home, auto, JY runs, it doesn't matter, they are coming with me.

 

[Roert42]

Dykes - short for Diagonal Cutting Pliers

I prefer the curved Klien ones, nice for pulling nails or staples out of wood.

 

[Ranger850]

Dykes - short for Diagonal Cutting Pliers

I prefer the curved Klien ones, nice for pulling nails or staples out of wood.

View attachment 69369

Klein's are great, that was my first pair, blue handle though. The DeWalts have a "prying tip" and are a little less expensive to replace.

 

[Ranger850]

If you cut about 1" of the plastic covering off of the lower end of the handle, they make an excellent prybar.
This part

 

[ericbphoto]

View attachment 69368

DEWALT 8 in. Diagonal Pliers DWHT74274

The DEWALT(R) 8 in. Diagonal Pliers have a low profile head perfect for prying nails and staples. They also have a low cutting edge for a near flush cut. The pliers stays sharper longer due to their induction

www.google.com

This guy right here ^^^^^
8" DeWalt angle cutters. AKA "dykes", "side cutters", "snips", ...
Until I was 27 years old, these were simply "wire cutters". Until I got a job installing Awnings. I thought a hammer drill or ladder would be the most important thing I needed on a job site, but it turns out NO. You need a good pair of "dykes". Not sure how they came to be called that, but that's what we call them. I can't explain all the different ways we use them ( auger, nail/staple puller, scissors ect...) but all I can say is, NOW, I can't even start a job until I locate these. If I get into a bind that a traditional tool isn't working, I grab these and they rarely let me down. Home, auto, JY runs, it doesn't matter, they are coming with me.

Make sure you get them with hardened cutting edges, like the ones you mentioned, or the Kliens shown above. Cheaper versions will get dull or damaged quickly if you are using them on anything harder than copper wire, such as nails, screws, steel wire, etc. I always buy Klien "2000" series dykes or side cutters. Well worth the price.

Dykes = diagonal cutters

 

[Ranger850]

Make sure you get them with hardened cutting edges, like the ones you mentioned, or the Kliens shown above. Cheaper versions will get dull or damaged quickly if you are using them on anything harder than copper wire, such as nails, screws, steel wire, etc. I always buy Klien "2000" series dykes or side cutters. Well worth the price.

Dykes = diagonal cutters

I've only had to replace them, because they got lost, not worn out.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The 4 is more advanced. It can test AC voltage, and some other stuff I don’t recall (google it, you’ll see)... I’ve found that if I’m that far into an electrical issue, I already have my multimeter out. I tend to only use the powerProbe for basic stuff.

I do a fair ish bit of electrical, both auto related and home related. Never had a power probe and been thinking it may be good to have one. Got a few electrical gremlins that need tracked down but I’ve been putting it off. Always used test lights and multimeters to track stuff down but especially in a vehicle it can be difficult sometime.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I usually buy Channel Lock dykes and such, made just a little North of me in PA

 

[Ranger850]

In my experience, I've learned to avoid anything "Channel Lock". No offense to you @lil_Blue_Ford, I would probably feel the same IF a company produced them right up the road.

 

[Uncle Gump]

So... I’ve been looking at the Power Probes. Any particular reason why I should get the 3 or the 4? I had been looking at the 3 master kit but then I saw the 4 in a master kit…

I honestly think the III is all you need. The IV just has more to go wrong.

@snoranger is correct... if you're that far into diagnosis... you already have your DMM out.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I do a fair ish bit of electrical, both auto related and home related. Never had a power probe and been thinking it may be good to have one. Got a few electrical gremlins that need tracked down but I’ve been putting it off. Always used test lights and multimeters to track stuff down but especially in a vehicle it can be difficult sometime.

You aren't gonna test 120V with it... strictly 12V stuff.

Just buy the III... you will wonder why you have waited so long.

I also have the 20 foot extension.... super handy when doing trailer wiring.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

In my experience, I've learned to avoid anything "Channel Lock". No offense to you @lil_Blue_Ford, I would probably feel the same IF a company produced them right up the road.

I’ve had pretty good luck with Channel Lock. Crescent, well, not so much, their stuff went cheap in recent years. My one pair of channel lock dykes is rapidly closing on 30 years old and I still use them regular. My entire electrical kit is all channel lock cutters, pliers, crimper s, etc. Love the needle nose pliers with 14 and 12 gauge wire strippers plus a cutter when I’m doing house wiring.

 

[Roert42]

I recently bought a PP3 kit, big fan. save a lot of effort making jumpers and different stuff like that. Take me 10minutes to make a jumper to test something, test takes 30seconds.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You aren't gonna test 120V with it... strictly 12V stuff.

Just buy the III... you will wonder why you have waited so long.

I also have the 20 foot extension.... super handy when doing trailer wiring.

Ahh, well, there’s that then. What good is being able to test AC if it won’t do 120v. Apparently the 4 does test injectors, not sure how helpful that would be though.