Favorite tool [RE-wrenches]
Jeff Clearwater
clrwater at earthlink.net
Mon May 8 21:39:58 PDT 2006
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Hey Folks,
Fun topic. I went out a bought some "parachute organizer bags" - Thanks Ray!
My favorite tools:
My Calibrated Pace - i.e. once you know the distance of your stride,
it's a great pre-measure tool for conduit runs, etc. If you use it
alot you hardly need a tape measure for along the ground measuring -
great for microhydro or other long pipe runs over several hundred
feet. I'm usually within 3' every100 - often better. Try it - the
more you use it the more accurate it gets!
My Eyes - amazing what a level and square they are! Eye protection
is a close second!
My Hands - Combined with the brain, it's amazing how one can start a
thread blind upside down and backwards in a tight space. Patience
and a meditative presence will make sure the screw starts before the
frustration does!
And on the inanimate side - did no one mention the Amp Clamp? Love
my Fluke 337 - up to a 1000 Amps DC (I've been know to build an
electric car or two)- great for watching battery charging rates and
changes, etc. etc. etc., effect of shading on PV modules, etc etc.
And Vise-Grips? Be lost without them!
And my swivel-head 16" Craftsman 3/8" Ratchet drive - nothing like it
for reaching a top clip bolt across a panel on a steep roof.
Laser Levels are cool too.
And my Mac Powerbook pretty much runs my business!
This List is a great tool too! Been a true pleasure and great
resource over the years. As a Searchable database it's great!
Best,
Jeff Clearwater
Village Power Design
>
>Great Topic I'm sure we're all tool hounds.
>Kelly, I tried driving smaller trucks, but I need my 4x4 Dodge
>diesel to move big battery banks to hard to reach places. I run it
>on biodiesel when I can get it. Most of the time I drive a 25 mpg 2x
>mini pickup for regular stuff.
>>Some one asked about doing knock outs: we too got a 1/2" impact
>>driver that does a great job driving our slug buster kit. Man doing
>>those by hand is totally 20th century.
>>A tool no one has mentioned: a military type compass that also
>>does angles of inclination. One little pocket tool to get your
>>modules dialed in for both azimuth and tilt.
>>My siting tool's compass is pretty bad, but I like the tool
>>otherwise. For tricky situations, I go back to the solar data, take
>>angle measurements, and work it out on paper.( I remember someone
>>here mentioning software for this?)
>>A Palm OS hand held computer. I've got it running my wire sizing,
>>and system sizing spreadsheets, the thing boots up in under 2
>>seconds, has 200 mhz processor, its great.
>>We have a built in inverter on the truck (El brando cheapo) that
>>manages to run power tools when we need it. We even had it on a
>>quick retractable cord reel.
>>A Heavy duty roof rack for carrying 6" mounting poles, conduit,
>>ladders, etc is great too.
>>My favorite is my little 4" wide, full length trenching shovel. It
>>gets in and clears out just enough dirt to get your conduit in the
>>ground. We also carry a set of plastic gardening hand tools for
>>delicate jobs (uncovering direct burial cables, digging up under
>>footings, or anytime you find yourself clawing at the ground with
>>your bare hands.)
>>Parachute organizer bags from Duluth Trading are great for smaller
>>parts, like screws, 1/2 and 3/4" conduit fittings, wire nuts, etc.
>>Ladder saddle bags are good for organizing all your stuff (drills
>>etc) at the top of the ladder, so you don't have keep coming down,
>>or drop something on somebody.
>>LED headlights (already mentioned) My favorite is a cheapy from Energizer.
>>I'm about to bite the bullet and go for the Makita Lithium Ion
>>battery drill. Anybody running one?
>OK, OK I'll stop before I beat this to death, but I probably went
>into this biz so I could justify my tool habit. BTW anybody else
>interested in starting a 12 step "tool buyers anynomous" program?
>otherwise I'm thinking about a ground impedance measuring set, a
>hammerdrill driven ground rod driver, a Fluke 43 power analyzer, no
>wonder I'm not making any money......
>
>Ray
>
> Kelly Larson wrote:
>
>>Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
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>>
>>Hello fellow wrenches,
>>
>>To get better gas mileage, I work out of a lightweight vehicle. My
>>Subaru Legacy gets 23-25 MPH and never gets stuck down the dirt
>>roads which are my saltworks. I am always looking for ways to
>>lighten my load of tools, so:
>>
>>I am looking for a crimp tool that has a rachet (multiplies my hand
>>power), is small (lightweight) and will crimp at least up to #6.
>>
>>Also looking for new ways to use my new cordless Ryobi kit. I got
>>the one with the impact driver as well as 10 other useful, if
>>cheap, cordless tools for $250/kit.
>>
>>Does anyone have a way to use these tools to power a manual KO kit?
>>I have dreamed of powering this task.
>>
>>I broke the socket attachment for my new impact driver the first
>>time I used it. Recognizing the value of this tool, I will replace
>>it with a quality brand.
>>
>>I love my tools! Thank you Wiliam for bringing up this subject.
>>
>>Kelly Larson
>>BSEE
>>Ca Electrical Contractor #868189
>>
>>-----------------
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeff Clearwater
Village Power Design
Sustainable Energy & Water Solutions for Home & Village
http://www.villagepower.com
gosolar at villagepower.com
NABCEP (tm) Certified Solar PV Installer
530-470-9166
877-SOLARVillage
877-765-2784
72 Baker Rd.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
425 Nimrod St.
Nevada City, CA 95959
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