I am not a tool tart just a practical person!

telectrix · Jun 27, 2017

strangely enough, i limited myself to 2 cases of 12 bottles ( beer that is ) per week. if it was gone by wednesday, i suffered without till sunday. there's only so much the tax and VAT gestapo will allow for spillage/breakage/shoplifting.

edit

nly ever had 1 shoplifting attempt. a rottweiler's teeth clamped on a scally's arse was a brilliant deterrent.

ashg285 · Jun 28, 2017

SparkyChick said:
Knipex Installation Pliers

Love them. Had mine for about 12 months, used them on every job. Can't fault them.

are these the ratchet ones ? I've been looking at buying some but it seems like theres is 2 different types

thanks

SparkyChick · Jun 28, 2017

ashg285 said:
are these the ratchet ones ? I've been looking at buying some but it seems like theres is 2 different types

thanks

There is no ratchet on mine, wasn't aware that was an option and if I'm honest, I can't see why you would need a ratchet on them.

nunthe wiser · Jun 28, 2017

I can't get on with mine, but there too shiny to give away. The model I have was spring opening with a tab to hold it half closed, tab fell of very quickly and found spring a pain in the bum so removed it. There okay but still prefer pliers and croppers.

SparkyChick · Jul 2, 2017

So, I decided to listen to the 'use a knife' advice and I gave it a whirl this last week during some install work.

I started off by putting a decent branded blade in my crappy Stanley clone and that work great, until I discovered it had escape from my tool bag somewhere due to me being a clutz and putting an open (non-adjustable) knife in the pocket which subsequently cut a hole in it. So I've had to buy a new one and I decided I'd give a decent Stanley a try first. Not a fan of pen knife style knives as I've had a few near misses with them in the past.

It's quicker (or it will be once I master splitting the cable at the end), much neater than peeling out the CPC and snipping off the sheath and there was much less tool swapping going on, so much so, it was really only knife and installation pliers in my pockets.

Thanks for the advice chaps

Specialist · Jul 2, 2017

I try not to use a Stanley knife for stripping wire. Last time I did that, I only realised I'd cut myself when the customer asked me what the Red was, on his shop wall.

It's strange, people get really bitchy when you paint they're walls with claret

.

SparkyChick · Jul 2, 2017

Well, it's a stop gap solution for now. I needed a new one anyway. My longer term plan is one of the fixed blade electricians knives. I'm looking at several that have been suggested in this thread.

telectrix · Jul 2, 2017

and one of these is a "must have" for stripping sheath off flex.

Round Cable Stripper with Hook Blade | CPC UK - http://cpc.farnell.com/miller-abeco/mk02/round-cable-stripping-tool/dp/TLAB063

Specialist · Jul 2, 2017

Excellent bit of kit Tel, especially for Armoured.

For t & email, I definitely prefer the Clasp knife though. The hooked end makes for easier control.

telectrix · Jul 2, 2017

but only for the bedding. for the outer i use my CK armourslice, both for the armour and to score the outer sheath.

Pete999 · Jul 2, 2017

Specialist said:
Excellent bit of kit Tel, especially for Armoured.

Best tools for making a decent job of string SWA :
Knife
Junior Hacksaw
Terry clip (this last one may cause a few questions for some of the Younger guys) Sorry not Terry clip, Should read Jubilee Clip

Specialist · Jul 2, 2017

telectrix said:
but only for the bedding. for the outer i use my CK armourslice, both for the armour and to score the outer sheath.

New toys, not got one of those, still use my junior hacksaw.

static zap · Jul 2, 2017

Round Cable stripper..

telectrix said:
and one of these is a "must have" for stripping sheath off flex.

Love seeing them in action , esp the bit where blade turns to slit along the length,
but
a) I'm naff at using them ( even when set right )
b) I'm naff at setting them up ..

ashg285 · Sep 3, 2017

Received my knipex installation pliers from amazon last week cost £40 but more than happy with them (went for the ones without the spring opening) only used them for a week but as mentioned in previous posts saves you carrying more tools in you're pocket, quality look decent as a lot of knipex tools are and I'm sure they will last me a long time if I'm careful