Needing some tools - please advise...

Post by **Code3Response** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 6:58 pm

Ive got relatives asking for what to get for Christmas! Ive already got a lot of tools standard stuff (drivers, socket sets, screwdriver sets, hex sets, dremel, sawzall, 24v drill, etc) But what are some more specialized hand tools that are used in this industry. Things like Torx sets, NMO mount saw, crimpers, etc. What brands would you consider a good value? Thanks!

EKLB · Post by **EKLB** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 7:08 pm

RF coaxial cable crimper for the crimp on mini uhf connector with changeable dies for other rf ends.

Desoldering station.

Good volt ohm meter with capacitance tester built in.

Bird watt meter and slugs.

Freqeuncy counter (the auto find kind).

Boy could i get carried away with things in this line=i do have these and a fair oscilscope with plenty of ideas and better than average success at using them.

EKLB

Post by **Code3Response** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 7:20 pm

Thanks for the reply! What brands would you recommend and models, etc?

n8uhn · Post by **n8uhn** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 9:10 pm

Good idea!

i cannot count the number of times my Amphenol Ratcheting crimp tool has saved an install job.

mine has the ctl-3 dies in it - it will crimp .213 (bnc,tnc and mini uhf) as well as .429 (n,pl259 and rg-11 f's) connectors it even has the pin crimp section of the die - but i never use them (i solder the center pin).

i thought i'd never use the .429 for anythnig other the type "n" connectors but i was helping a mmds wireless internet co. doing installs of the downconverter and grid dish when we had a large
run of rg11 that had to be used and I was the only person with a tool that could crimp the type "f" connectors for rg-11.

don't forget a metal ratchet or standard tool for the rj 11,14,16 and 45 "modular phone" type of plugs - the rj 45 is used for mic's on alot of moto radios and also computer networks.

rat shack sells one that even has a built in stripper.

Bill

EKLB wrote:RF coaxial cable crimper for the crimp on mini uhf connector with changeable dies for other rf ends.

Desoldering station.

Good volt ohm meter with capacitance tester built in.

Bird watt meter and slugs.

Freqeuncy counter (the auto find kind).

Boy could i get carried away with things in this line=i do have these and a fair oscilscope with plenty of ideas and better than average success at using them.

EKLB

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Sat Dec 14, 2002 10:37 pm

HI:

If you want a good list of tools to have:

I would suggest the following:

T-8, T10, T15 Torque bits ! ( Or Handle Driver )

A suitable Torque Screwdriver.

What that will alow you to do is remove / reinstall the
Maxtrac / Radius Screws, and with the T-10 torque Driver, will
help in the Prevention of [ Braking the Plastic Housings ]
on the Radio.

Also, the Saber 7017 Bottom Removal tool is nice
if you work on Sabers alot.

A nice small Ungar Heat gun is a nice addition

Good Weller Soldering Station with a 800 degree tip

Good Selection of Program Cables & a Factory Rib Box

Good FLUKE ( Pencil type ) DVM good for measuring the
9.6 Volts ( average ) on Pin 1 of the Maxtrac Logic Boards

Suitable 6 ~ 12 Station Battery Analizer with appropriate
Charging cups of the radios you service.

Good HP / Lambda 0-20 Volt / 0-15 Amp Current Limited Power
Supply.

Good Bird 43 Wattmeter with 50 Watt Elements in VHF / UHF
and a good 5 Watt Element in the same range.

Good assortment of WELL MADE adaptor Cables BNC/BNC, BNC to
MINI UHF ( Male & Female ) Makes antenna measurements easy
in Mobiles.

GOOD STABLE portable Toshiba Computer for Programming, and
a SUPER STABLE Toshiba Desk TOP for bench / Lab work

Solder with 3% Silver Content for doing Premium Soldering
jobs.

Good set of of Commerical Crimp Tools for working with the
RF Industries RF Connectors ( and a good Crimp tool ) for
the Maxtrac / Radius Acc'y Plugs

Good assortment of Shrink Tubbing

ISLES Industries Work Bench / Service Station

A good Portable Freq Counter ( with Signal Bar graph ) and
a Bird RF Field indicator is not a bad idae either

So, if you have a good assortment of well made US hand tools
from Snap-On, Hunter, Vaco, and the like, you can be on the
starting line to detailing radios just like the Pro's.

Just add 5~10~15 years of experience, and you will be all set.

Monty

jnglmassiv · Post by **jnglmassiv** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 1:34 pm

If you don't already have a set of these, it can come in handy.:

"33 pc Tamper Res Bits Security Bits &CaseLS"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... =747764481

Not bad for a $10ish stocking stuffer. And in the link above the bit on the lower right is pretty much made for sabers.

Found this one too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2900290723
Check the shipping scam.

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 12:05 am

Snap On Tools torx bits and drivers seem to be better and last longer.

Paliden Tools crimper for coax cable. RF Industries' second choice.

Post by **Code3Response** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 7:31 am

Thanks for everyone's help! Will, please return my PM. Thanks!

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 8:37 am

As for a Crimper for Butt or ring terms i swear by my kleins as well as there dikes and strippers

or 2 dike strippers

USPSS · Post by **USPSS** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 11:53 am

How about an Astron 50 amp, adjustable power supply, I have one for my bench, couldn't do a thing without it.

EngineerZ · Post by **EngineerZ** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 9:57 am

A few brand names have been mentioned, but I thought I'd reiterate and toss in a few new ones. IMHO, spend a few extra bucks and get the name brands. One of the many things I learned from my dad was that it never pays to buy cheap tools. They either don't work properly from the outset or break after you use them a (short) while... Here are some of my favorites brands:

Wiha - Specialty screwdrivers (tiny, security, ESD, non-magentic material, etc.) Ever needed a T3, T4, or T5 torx to get those knobs off a radio?

Xcelite - Coax Crimpers and strippers

AMP - Modular crimpers

Klein - general handtools and knives

Harris Dracon - Telecom tools - punch down tools, butt sets, banjo adaptors, etc.

Milwaukee - Power tools - Their 0375 close quarters drill is great for mobile installs and everything they make is tough and reliable.

Greenlee - Fish tapes, punches, BIG (i.e. > #8 AWG) lug crimpers, and other electrician specialty tools

Fluke - Portable test equipment

Weller - Soldering Irons

OK Industries - Wirewrapping tools and bits (for telecom work)

One other thing... Someone mentioned heat shrink tubing... If you don't use a good heat gun for shrinking it, you don't know what you're missing. I used a lighter for years until I got a heat gun (mine's a Milwaukee of course

). The improvement in ease and quality is worth the cost of the gun... And no more scortch marks!

--z