I'm a first year electrical apprentice who has family members also in the trade. With their helpful advice and my short time in the trade these are some of my absolute must haves! As I get further in my career I'll make updated lists. Many journeyman...
Sections
3
Hand tools
Misc essentials
Apparel
Hand tools
Sharp, easy to use and cuts quick
Klein Tools - Cutting Pliers - The Home Depot
I also have these, aren't as good as my Klein's but still like and use them!
Milwaukee - Cutting Pliers - The Home Depot
Heavy duty, cuts smoothly, a bit heavy
Klein Tools - Linesman - The Home Depot
My wife gave these to me, I like them and use them as much as my klein pliers
Pliers - Greenlee
Love these and the bits come out easy
Klein Tools 15-in-1 Multi Bit Screwdriver, Ratcheting 32305
I also have this one but I find the bits hard to get in and out quickly
Klein Tools - Flat - Screwdrivers - The Home Depot
I have multiple flat head Mastercraft insulated screwdrivers. They're good to use if you need to hammer them to loosen stuff so you're not ruining your other ones
Mastercraft Maximum 3/8" x 10" Flathead Screwdriver - eBay
These are good to have for tiny screws
Screwdrivers - The Home Depot
Nothing fancy but she works [insert joke about electricians and their hammers]
Stanley - Hammers - The Home Depot
I have a couple of these. I seem to have multiple pairs of every tool
Klein Tools - Needle Nose Pliers - The Home Depot
Don't ask me why I have three types but I do
Shop Wire Strippers - The Home Depot
My wife and I both have this one and love it. Strips wire jackets good
Klein Tools - Utility Knives - The Home Depot
Misc essentials
Love this tape. It has measurements on both sides and it doesn't bend when you measure long lengths
Milwaukee - Tape Measures - The Home Depot
Magnetic and heavy duty
Torpedo - Levels - The Home Depot
Gonna need a variety of these
Electrical Testers
Check those connections quickly
Klein Tools - Voltage Testers - The Home Depot
Holds my screws, staples, etc. Bring it up on my ladder or stick it on plug boxes during rough ins
Husky Magnetic Bowl HMBOWLN - The Home Depot
No words necessary
Electrical Tapes
You're gonna need lots of markers, pencils and pens for many different reasons
Milwaukee - Pens, Pencils & Markers - The Home Depot
Careful what you're breathing in, especially in attics and Reno's!
Face Masks
I have these in my main bag and my extra bag and my personal bag. Can't always wash your hands and you get into some nasty stuff
Hand Sanitizer
I have a Ziploc bag with some of these. Always grateful when the need arises
Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes
I also have a Ziploc bag of baby wipes. They're gentle but effective for getting dirty finger prints off stuff, especially a home owners house (pot lights, white switches, etc)
Baby Wipes & Warmers - Target
I have two kinds. Journal size, write an entry everyday, short description of what I did, what the weather was, good or bad day. A small one that stays in my bag because you never know when you need to make a list or write stuff down
notebooks office supplies - The Home Depot
I keep a small one in my extra bag in case I'm at a home owners house and don't have access to a broom or there's not one in the truck. You can get Milwaukee vacuums for to keep in your work truck though!
Small Broom And Dustpan
You're gonna want a good and bright headlamp. So much easier than holding a flashlight when you need your hands to for tasks or crawling around an attic or under a mini home
Headlamps
Let's normalize taking care of our body. We don't need bum knees in the future if we can help it
Gel - Knee Pads - The Home Depot
Apparel
I get all my carhartt apparel from here. Even with duty it's cheaper... Although the shenanigans south of the Borden will likely change that....
Dungarees | Carhartt
Have and use both these pictured
Women's - Milwaukee - Work Gloves - The Home Depot
My wife has these and uses them daily
Women's Work Gloves - Carhartt
My hand got pulled into a hole saw and this glove got shredded vs the skin on my finger
Women's - Work Gloves - The Home Depot
I have work boots from keen that I really like. Good fit, holding up good after 7 months of use, supportive, didn't hurt breaking them in
Women's Work Shoes & Safety Boots
You're gonna need lots of layers in the winter. You need to be warm but also need the sweat to be wicked away so check the material. Merino wool is always best. Get shirts, pants, socks. Tight fit and/or loose fit
Women's Thermal Wear | Marks
My second winter using this and love it. Very warm and good pockets
Caterpillar - CAT Women's Insulated Work Parka Jacket | Marks
My main tool bag is a back pack. It's heavy but fits a lot of my tools and hands free
Tool Backpack - Tool Bags - The Home Depot
I have a smaller bag that can be carried and this is where I put a lot of the misc stuff. It usually still comes with me but is easy to set down out of the way.
