sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Phone Equipment Suppliers

I am looking for a good place to purchase equipment. Such as NID access tools and so on maybe even some cable.

Also as a side note.
I just saw an AT&T installer and he had a blue disk looking device that had a RJ11 and rj45 on each side and also had different access points to put the alligator clips from a toner on it. Anyone know what the heck that is??? I want one...

Did it look like THIS ONE

This looks like a good spot to plug the upcoming Tech-Talk Meet There will be lots of catalogs and product literature from several telecom products and tool distributors. Target Distributing will be there along with the other vendors. Purchasing is one of the many topics that will be discussed by the group. For more info click here

If you need to get access to a NID, in order to do your job inside the NID, I would imagine that your supervisor would be the best source for the access tool.

yes that was it...i found it on another site for $16.99...... thanks for the help.....but along those same lines is this a good buttset with this package?

https://www.techtoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=620

Looks like a decent kit but it might be overkill. Since your in the early stages I would recommend just 2 basic tools, a TS-22 and a punch tool, both made by Harris/Dracon. The rest of it is fluff.

Remember after you get some tools you will still be an apprentice with a long way to go.

grider,

looks like that kit has basically the same set along with a punch down tool. the reason i am looking at this kit is #1 the price is good i think and #2 i need a new punch down and a buttset, and this has all of that plus more for a price that is way cheaper then anywhere around here, which of course brings me back to point #1, lol

the kit you linked to is all offshore products , they may be ok but there not fluke (harris /dracon),klein etc , etc .

Basic Tools to get started with:

Screwdriver - Recommend 5-in-1 Combination

6" Diagonal Pliers

5" short nose or thin needle nose pliers

(all of the above can be Klein or other reputable mfg)

Harris Buttset

Tone Generator & Wand (Aines or other reputable manufacturer)

Dracon 814 or 914 Punch tool w/66 & 110 blades

Optional:
Probe pic (siemons)

Splicers kit (Electricians scissors & cable
knife)- klein, wiss or equivalent

Volt Ohm Meter

Krone Blade & Awl blade for punch on tool

9" Linesman Pliers with crimping die (Klein or equiv.)

I'm sure I forgot half-a-dozen of everyones favorites, but this is a pretty good place to get started.

Sam

to add to /modify Sams list

I like the Klien 10 in one screwdriver the extra nut drivers are a plus

look at the Fluke needle-lock pliers/ scotch lock crimper combo

VOM should be digital.

Bell System "kick meter" or Sidekick.

216-type wrench ("can wrench")

Flashlight

Modular "mouse"

6" Crescent wrench

Ideal brand coax F-connector tool (compression type)

3M Scotchlok tool (the expensive one, #E9C, I think)

Electrician's 6-way screw-hole tapping tool.

Radio Shack package of 18" long test leads with alligator clips.

And you'll definitely need one of these:



to prove to the customer, sparkie, and CG that you know what you're doing.

I carry way more than I need to...mostly individual screwdrivers and nutdrivers, 5 or 6 different kinds of pliers...

What, no BIX Punch tool?....What a bunch of amateurs! :rofl:

Personall, I also carry a Modular Crimper for 6p6c & 8P8C (Notice I didn't use a RJ term?) Saves going to the truck (or trunk) for a new cord.

A small level is handy to install everything plumb & level....makes your work look more professional.

I have an Ideal ratcheting crimpmaster...it takes different dies but I only have the 8p8c.
A good drywall saw is important, and a tape measure
I have a large flathead screwdriver for those jobs where something needs to be persuaded.
I also have a pair of Klein crimpers for insulated terminals and beanies. They look like a large pair of diagonal cutters.

Awl.

Drywall knife.

Short piece (8 feet) electrician's steel snake.

Small carpenter's square.

Vinyl tape in several colors.

Felt-tip markers in several colors.

Square boat cushion to kneel on.

Goggles and ear plugs.

Hacksaw.

Bandaids, alcohol wipes and iodine wipes.

Small rechargable vacuum cleaner.

2002 Ford E150 van, white, with ladder rack.

My tool of choice for most jobs is an SDS roto hammer with a chipping bit.

A quality FIBERGLASS step ladder, 6 foot should be good. Nevr use a cheap aluminum or wooden ladder, think Safety First!

I prefer an 8 foot ladder...since I am a bigger guy, I don't like going on top of a 6ft.

I carry both , you should never "go on top " theres a reason for that safety warning

6' handles 90% of my needs

By on top...I meant the higher steps, not the actual top of the ladder.

Unless you have a steady hand, it's hard to seat the little wires in the jacks with one of those. I prefer the Dracon 814.

LOL, it does make nice holes in block walls though...

how good is test-um brand. i see they seem to have a lot of innovative type designs, or should i stick with Harris? and who would be a good supplier for buttsets?

I like Harris/Fluke butt sets. You can get them just about anywhere...Graybar for one.

You won't regret buying Harris/Fluke for most tools. That combo holster is pretty handy (punchdown, snips, stripper, flashlight and sharpie.)

I carry a 9' Gorrilla ladder, (it extends to 21' straight out) and it fits in my Chevy HHR. It's a bit heavy, but I rather carry fewer tools around (makes it easier to find stuff.)

I carry a Palidin Powerplay, it handles all my plier needs and it's nice to have all those other built in tools on hand (I wouldn't use the 66 tool to punch down a 25 pair, but for a quick move it works good.)

I always seem to loose those banjos, so I usually end up using a jack with cross connect hanging off

I did forget about the peanuts at Graybar!! They rock.
I found a good pair of Crescent long nose pliers on ebay...skinny nose, crushing slot, very good price They work nice for pulling wire out of 66 blocks.