What’s In My Toolbox? A Pro Electrician’s Essential Tools
Updated: Aug. 19, 2022An apprentice electrician shares a look at some of her favorite tools.
Maggie Rogosienski started her career as an electrician looking to get her life back on track after a few setbacks. Now she’s in her third year of an electrical apprenticeship and already making waves, sharing her journey into the trades on social media.
Here are the tools Rogosienski finds indispensable on her path to becoming an electrician.
Klein Tools Side-Cutter Lineman’s Pliers
Every electrician needs a quality pair of lineman’s pliers. Rogosienski likes this pair from Klein Tools because they pull and cut as well as crimp terminals onto wires. Plus, she says their “heavy-duty grip is perfect for non-slip jobs, especially when your hands start to sweat.”
Multimeter Electrical Test Kit
Knowing which wires carry an electrical charge and which don’t is a huge safety concern for electricians. Rogosienski puts her faith in this multimeter electrical test kit. It features a built-in flashlight so she can accurately see which wires are hot even in the most dimly-lit junction boxes.
Channellock Pliers
Rogosienski’s favorite pair of pliers is this 9-1/2-in. set from Channellock. It’s not the flashiest thing in a toolbox, but its comfortable grip and non-slip teeth make it a reliable choice for many applications.
Cougar Paws Performer
Even electricians work on roofs sometimes. When Rogosienski has to climb shingles, she wears Cougar Paws Performer boots. They’re made with a patent pending grip technology that keeps you firm-footed while absorbing the heat from asphalt rooftops.
Company Cam
Modern electricians require modern tools. For Rogosienski, that includes the smartphone app Company Cam. The app lets her document jobsites, make reports and keep her work organized. She also finds her iPhone a go-to tool to communicate more effectively with clients.
“My iPhone13 ProMax camera has such a great zoom lens that I can use it to show cracks in shingles to homeowners, without them having to go on the roof,” said Rogosienski.
