Buying Wire Strippers. What Other Meters, Other Equipment Should I Get?

[Kisatchie]

I'm going to buy a pair of wire strippers. What else should I order... voltage meters, anything else electrical for my layout that I hope to start building in the next month or two?

Thanks for any recommendations.


Hmm... Kiz lives in a
perpetual fog...

[eric220]

Off hand, you'd want a decent multimeter, soldering supplies, suitcase connectors or other types of electrical connectors (if you plan on using them), needle nose pliers, terminal strips (if you plan on using them), and some kind of wire management clips. Again, that's just off the top of my head.

[Kisatchie]

Thanks, Eric. I didn't know about suitcase connectors... that should make wiring the layout a lot easier.

As for meters, are you (or anyone else) familiar with this one:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Electrical-Test-Kit-69149/204367271

Is it suitable for a layout, or is it overkill?


Hmm... I'm betting Kiz
electrocutes himself...

[peteski]

Klein Tools are tools for professional electricians.  So, yes, that would be good enough. But a $10 digital multimeter Might also be good enough for what you need.   

[Kisatchie]

Klein Tools are tools for professional electricians.  So, yes, that would be good enough. But a $10 digital multimeter Might also be good enough for what you need.   

Hmm... Kiz is building
this layout, so expect
electrical problems for
years to come. He better
get the Klein one...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Speaking of wire strippers... mine died the other day.

Any good recommendations for replacing it, beyond these, http://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-2-half-inch-wire-strippers-with-pressure-adjustment-66690.html?

[woodone]

You are better off using the Klein 11047 stripper. It is for smaller wire size. JMO

[mmyers]

I use the Klein 11047 for small wire. 11045 for larger bus wire. Home Depot has both.

Martin Myers

[Iain]

I used Klein Tools strippers when I was a professional electrician, and still use them.  I find my pair of Linesmans plyers handy from time to time, even for non electrical tasks.  Just having a pair of big plyers can be useful.  Note that some tools (screwdrivers, plyers, etc) are useful beyond electronics.  I generally don't see much point in spending a lot of money on screwdrivers, and will typically go cheap.  I do spend a bit more on strippers.

I have two multimeters, a nice workbench one, and a cheapo for field work.  I had  a nice one for field work as well, until it fell out of my tool pouch an hit the concrete three stories later.

[crrcoal]

We use these at work; http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Industrial-Tools-2078300-Self-Adjusting/dp/B000OQ21CA
Liked em so much I bought a pair for myself at home.

Speaking of wire strippers... mine died the other day.

Any good recommendations for replacing it, beyond these, http://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-2-half-inch-wire-strippers-with-pressure-adjustment-66690.html?