Would you buy pliers that arent 1000v insulated?

[piratebillybob]

Hi,

Im slowly replacing my tool kit with better spec kit.

I know Bahco stuff is supposed to be good but their combo pliers, side cutters and long nose pliers dont say whether theyre 1000v insulated.

E.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001IX99A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Would you buy stuff that isnt 1000v insulated?

 

[telectrix]

i would've taken them back for replacement. then again, if we knew what made them stiff we could make a fortune, like ------ have done.

 

[Flyingsparks]

A guy who I used to work with had a pair of uninsulated Lindstrom pliers. He must have had them for about ten years and they would still cut through a 6mm t&e in one go.

 

[Silly Sausage]

I must say, insulated cutters are quite handy.
Switched off, what I thought was the right circuit off then cut through a piece of T&E...BANG, cutters fly out of my hand (no shock to me) and landed, pointy side down, of top of the plasterer's boy. He wanders around, scratching his head, 'Why am I bleeding'

 

[Dcf]

i think my pliers are elliot lucas not rated at 1000v i might add.the 1000v vde thing is quite recent and probably a marketing ploy more than anything.tho i had my hand in an old square D tp board today trying to remove an old swa gland and would have loved an insulated spanner in that one...live parts ahoy!

 

[Marvo]

A guy who I used to work with had a pair of uninsulated Lindstrom pliers. He must have had them for about ten years and they would still cut through a 6mm t&e in one go.

Lindstrom are great tools. I have some small electronics cutters, tweezers and pliers made by them but I've never seen bigger tools for general electrical installation. They cost a fortune where I am but they last a lifetime or until some other thug gets hold of them...whichever comes first.

 

[Flyingsparks]

This was over 30 years ago, so perhaps they no longer make tools for electrical installation.

If they do you would probably need to take out a second mortgage to pay for them !

 

[mackers]

I must say, insulated cutters are quite handy.
Switched off, what I thought was the right circuit off then cut through a piece of T&E...BANG, cutters fly out of my hand (no shock to me) and landed, pointy side down, of top of the plasterer's boy. He wanders around, scratching his head, 'Why am I bleeding'

should have a nice little notch in em now for stripping cables! cheaper than those ck ones

 

[fancypantsyeah]

any electrician worth his salt doesn’t need them! If you cut through a live cable i’ve no sympathy at all.
my big cable shears have no insulation at all, i’ve extended the handles with 2’ of conduit.

i didn't mean to start a debait on the moral , safety and technical implications of working live....thats just silly taking those kind of risks.... " i just ment i use the best kit i can afford ,that will offer the best protection for me..........

 

[fancypantsyeah]

should have a nice little notch in em now for stripping cables! Cheaper than those ck ones

exactly my point ....lol...

 

[fancypantsyeah]

any electrician worth his salt doesn’t need them! If you cut through a live cable i’ve no sympathy at all.
my big cable shears have no insulation at all, i’ve extended the handles with 2’ of conduit.

like the bit about the extended handles ,,, lol,,,, mind massive cable cutters are very expensive lol...

 

[Amp David]

In reply to the OP then, regard buying non VDE gear, yes I do.

The vast majority of the time the tools i use are standard items without the VDE rating. Always find the VDE rated tools more bulky and a pain when they're not needed.

 

[fancypantsyeah]

Any electrician worth his salt doesn’t need them! If you cut through a live cable I’ve no sympathy at all.
My big cable shears have no insulation at all, I’ve extended the handles with 2’ of conduit.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO START a debate on the moral , technical and safety implications of workin live or not,,, as we all should gnow the score with that one.... I just ment that i buy and use the best kit i can afford that will protect me if faults weather human or accidental should occure.. thankfully it never has....

 

[imago]

It's a bit like air bags in cars this one. Does the knowledge of extra protection make a person less careful?

Personally I buy the stuff I need and like to use best. The cable strippers I use are 6" BluePoint automotive ones as they work best for me. Same as these except mine are about 25 years old. PWC6, Wire Stripper/Cutter, (AWG 10 to 20), 6"

I do own VDE tools, but it doesn't mean I would only buy them.

 

[Robinson]

Depends on what you use em on and how? ie. Generally im stripping cable when its dead too. But i dont use pliers to do that. I have a Set of Elliott Lucas pliers, had them when i was apprentice and all the old boys had em. BUT barely got insulation on em.
Managed to find a new set of the origin ones recent so well chuffed. Again wouldnt use em in any potentially live situation. But to use as a general tool in my kit ive never beaten them.

 

[Guest111]

There is actually a piece of H&S legislation somewhere that states anyone working on or near live equipment should use suitably insulated equipment.but it does not say how close.