Tools for the AME-E?

PlaneCrazy · Post by **PlaneCrazy** » Sat May 19, 2007 3:55 pm

So I'm well on my way to getting my first AME-E job and now it's time to turn my head towards tools.

Right now the three big things on my wishlist are:

-A good pair of flush cutters
-A solid socket set that isn't gonna fall apart and isn't overlly expensive (What should I look for? how does one know the quality difference?)
-And a personal set of automatic wire strippers (is there a problem here with calibration?)

I'm not looking at wanting to buy the most expensive brands but I want to buy mastercraft/craftsman/"brand x" that has a lifetime no-questions-asked type warrenty....

Any suggestions are welcome on anything related to the subject,
thanks,
-David

Firebird · Post by **Firebird** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:02 pm

Buy a Snap-on ratchiting screwdriver, and thats all from Snap-on.
Get a SK 72 tooth 1/4 ratchet ( I just replaced mine from E-bay) lost it.
A set of 1/4 " 12 point sockets, again SK. 12 point are hard to find but if you do any brand would be OK. Deep 12 point are also helpfull.
Wire strippers, if calibrated, are usually company supplied.

Thats just a start, nothing wrong with buying Canadian Tire wrenches either.

Good Luck

gli77 · Post by **gli77** » Sat May 19, 2007 7:16 pm

Snap on for the flush cutters. Don't bother with anything else, especially if you are in a shop doing installs.

SK is a great brand, especially the ratchets.

I have yet to come across a shop that supplies strippers. Maybe the blades but not the strippers. Ideal industries is the way to go. The "custom stripmaster lite" is a great set of strippers. Check them out here:

http://www.idealindustries.com/IDEAL-EZ ... enDocument

You can do a search in google to find a distributor.

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Sat May 19, 2007 9:25 pm

My Lindstrom flush cutters are fantastic.........if you can get a set, I highly recommend. They are great for cutting small gauge wire and also string ties. People I work with bum mine all the time. They're around 40 bucks and worth every penny.

My 1/4" ratchet is snap-on and I love it. Fantastic ratchet..........MAC also makes a deadly 1/4" ratchet. My Snapon screwdriver & 1/4" ratchet are among my favorite tools.

Auto strippers.......well you can't beat the Ideal ones. Great set. All these tools can be found on Ebay for a decent price.

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:41 am

Forgot about the sockets.......

I have a 12pt deep set from UltraPro that I got from NAPA. They haven't let me down yet.

My 12pt shallow came from Craftsman in the USA. They are the laser etched ones and they are very nice. I couldn't find them here in Canada so I got them off of Ebay for about 15 bucks. The smallest one in the set is 3/16 and the largest is 1/2.

Where I work I also needed 5/32" and 1/8" sockets which I got from Snap on.

conehead · Post by **conehead** » Sun May 20, 2007 9:46 pm

I just use my pen.

PlaneCrazy · Post by **PlaneCrazy** » Tue May 22, 2007 7:25 am

Well thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll take a look at some of those and look at purchasing.

I guess what I'm a little confused about is what to looki for when assesing a tools quality...beyond the obvius (bad materials loose, rachet). I guess that goes back to the old adage about teaching a man to fish, eh?

Anyways any advice on that point would be appreciated and then I'll stop bother ing you all

-David

gli77 · Post by **gli77** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:01 am

You'll figure it out as you go. Everyone tends to have slightly different tastes in what quality is.

log sheet · Post by **log sheet** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:41 am

Tylenol