Hey Everyone! With all the fancy tools available these days, I get a lot of DM's from apprentices asking what they should buy... Lineman tools aren't cheap and many of them are provided by your employer. If you're starting a new job, starting with a new company or an apprenticeship, don't worry too much about what to buy until you have a better idea of what the company will provide. If you're told to show up with your hooks, belt and tools; the tools shown in the video are pretty much the bare minimum of what you want to have on your belt!

one thing the new guys need to be taught is keeping their tools maintained. That means cleaning and lubricating moving parts as necessary. I worked outside for 25+ years and it doesn't take long for your pliers (etc) to get rusty when it's soaked in rain for a week.... and the nearest hardware store is 15 miles away or closed on a weekend. Also... mark your personal tools so you can spot who else might be using them.

Thanks for your support and for helping keeping the Lights ON and getting our Valuable Service Restored. 👍👍

Kline 9 in plyers , 12 in adj wrench , big hammer, skinning knife, good pair or two ..gloves , channel lock plyers , safety glasses.....

Great video! Have fun over there!

Nice video Aaron and I'm sure the new Linemen will appreciate it. Stay safe!

Great idea to do a video on the tools that you are going to have when you are becoming a lineman

Enjoy the show, Aaron! Hope you have a great time.

Wow - I like the realistic metallic look of the insulation on those adjustable wrenches! Morse with a continuity tester. Hard core!

Great knowledge. thank you!

I love to watch your videos sir❤ .. keep safe always👊

I like that you mention the screwdriver as a tool. I seem to use mine pretty hard also. I think they would last longer if we used them for the intended use lol. It is better to buy a good tool. Some tools are disposable. I know I will just destroy them. It is nice to be able to get a new replacement if you can with a tool warranty. I ripped the head of a craftsman at a house in a door jam. Well, I did recover both pieces. The customer was very glad to see. When I was traveling, and stores were not so close. I kept some new replacement tools in the truck in a special bag than had new tools only. These were things that really helped to move the jobs along. I did have some things I burnt up and broke. These were varying cone bits, special hole saw bits, screwdrivers, and Philip bits. At that time some of the stores were 45 minutes away. It really can affect the job if something breaks or gets lost. Now that I work near my home. I don t really do this as much. But over the years I try to keep a small stash and a budget. If makes things go faster, it really is worth the money. I am surprised that you don't support your tools with shoulder straps. I found out later it really helped my back pain to use a pair of suspenders to balance the weight on my tool belt. Especially a heavy belt like worn for line work. Hopefully it helps someone. Marking your tools helps in many ways. Sometimes you might even get them back if lost. Reflective tape for finding them at night. I try to keep stock of things being used. Make sure they get back in their place at the end of each job. It gets expensive losing them. I have for gotten a company tool. I hated explaining that. I had no idea where it was. This was a special too. We did get another. Now I watch it like a hawk. Along with all my other tools. So be safe out there and really enjoy your content.

Klein & channel lock make very durable tools also

Klein tools scene 1850 I like the red, but the logo of Klein stamped on your lineman players, a linemen on pole servicing open wire lines. Klein supplied tools to Western Union constructing the first telegraph line across the US next to the Union Pacific R&R. I Like a little history in my tool pouch.

Tools I have on me on a daily basis for the ground are fairly simple; Lineman pliers(Kleins), slip groove pliers(channel locks), a skinning knife, a 4 in 1 ratchet(click click), measuring stick, and tape. Bucket and climbing tools on the other hand are quite vast and expensive, hammers, ratchets, various sockets and adapters, different drills and other battery operated tools like crimpers and grinders. Great video!

Awesome Videos

👍👊 Local 1 retired and loving it‼️

Thanks Aaron 👊

Nice! A good video for me would also include FR cold weather gear. The stuff we get issued is crap.

I highly suggest the Jameson Hawkbill skinning knife, and a Bell Tools style line hammer with the pole step removing hole in it. That hole also works great with the GMP 06796 Anchor Extractor - which is basically a small round handle pry bar. The GMP pry bar fits right inside the hole on a Bell tools style line hammer, which easily allows you to slide the hammer head on the end of the pry bar, and instantly double your leverage when trying to rip stuff out of a pole. Those 2 tools were made for each other. The Milwaukee stuff is nice, esp the ratcheting line wrench - but there are some things that have been used for decades cause they already work well. My only complaint on the milwaukee line wrench is it doesnt have a "lock" feature like the old Lowell wrenchs do - which is great for when you have to hold the head of a bolt on the back side of the pole, while using an impact to remove nuts on the front. Theres no fiddling around making sure the ratchet is set in the right direction. On the old Lowells you just push the selector to the center postion and you can tighten/losen whatever you want using the impact and wrench without ever having check what direction the wrench is set to cause it can just lock into a non ratcheting position with a flip of switch. I personally prefer having a couple sperate ratchets and deep sockets in the bucket truck. The deep sockets push the ratchet handle away from and off the cables so nothing above or below it can interfere with trying to tighten or loosen hardware.

Milwaukee makes reliable tools indeed. Thanks.

As an employer(electrician, not line worker), I now have a tool list for new hires so that the expectations are set early on.

Thanks for sharing hope you guys got through the storm you had come through not too long ago

Milwaukee has really taken the lead in the tool arena

When I started out?? They had the tools and you were only allowed to to use “ their” purchased tools 😮😢 you couldn’t have or use anything that was not provided… Not sure how it works now days I am no longer in the trade. This old man at heart still has it in him but these old legs and arms are just plum wore out… But love all the SWEET tools available to linesmen/lineswoman now days…. Definitely labor an body saving…. Miss the feeling of being in the air and my hair standing up😊

Although not a tool per se, I'd think recommendations on boots would be in this list :)

I swear by Milwaukee tools, " Nothing but heavy duty"!

Can you do a video on climbing gear and boots as well? I’m looking to start my apprenticeship and I have no idea on climbing gear 😂

I’d love to go to the utility expo but I don’t think it’s wise to take off work this week.

good pair or two climbing boots .......

Stay safe!

Hey bob, could you do a POV of hanging conductors with a belt hoist? Sorry if that’s dumb

I’ve been collecting since I was 9 and have just about every tool used by a lineman, believe it or not the only things I don’t have is a foldable ruler and a wire skinner Lol, when i become a lineman I won’t need anything.

a review on volt meters would be nice😊😊

Kline 9 in side cutters ....

To bad I will be in Kentucky a week after you are there lol

Not even a mentions of Klein.

👊👊👊

please follow up with gloves, goggles, mask, jacket, other PPE

I am surprised that the adjustable wrench and the heavy ratchet wrench don't have insulated handles.

@Bobsdecline Hi Bob, I am going to be making my first pole climb today in Austin TX and I wanted to record it so that I can compare how well I will have improved from my first climb to the last climb of my training course. I may also want to post it to youtube eventually.I was wondering do you had any advice on the best way to film line work? I have a gopro I can use but I have no idea on placement or angles and you seem like the perfect person to ask. Also would you be comfortable sharing an email with me that I can contact you for these kind of questions?

Any chance you’ll make it to the international lineman’s rodeo?

Why is it so hard to become a lineman !? What do you recommend someone like me to get into the trade? Thanks keep this good videos coming…

How is work going, Aaron

Kline tools has entered the chat.

Milwaukee rocks, Dewalt stinks. The rest are all in middle. Never had a single issue with Milwaukee. I also like Klein a ton. Some items are made near me.

They're pretty ridged 😂

Kleins and Channel Locks 😅

Am I as a European the only one confounded by the thought that you have to show up to work with your own equipment and tools? Surely the employer have to provide you with everything you might need to both be safe and be able to perform the tasks you are set to do. Even as an apprentice. I would show up in my normal everyday clothes and two empty hands, and expect them to provide the rest.

What ever you do, DO NOT buy your tools as Horrible Freight.

Srsly? NONE! As your Employer should provide you with all the tools and protective gear you'd need for the Job. This Video is well meant but sending the wrongest message.