Forum > Alarm Installers Tips and Tricks

Lets start a beginners tool list sticky...

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mrcllusb:
I know the basic tools apply,but when it comes to things like electronic screwdriver set,test sets/butt sets,tool belts,tool pouches,tool bags,multimeters there are several different types out there.Any help for us up and comers is greatly appreciated.I'm going tuesday to register for the NBFAA Training Schools Certified Alarm Technician Level 1 course.

Magnum Alert:
Consider it stickied!

My most cherished so far, as you may have gathered, is strong twine and 1-ounce lead fishing weights.  Drill the hole for your device, drop the weight and string into the wall, go into the basement, and catch it with a wire hook.  And if you get the string wrapped around a pipe, some romex, or wedged in somewhere and it breaks, no harm done.  lead weights are cheap and so is string.  And leave behind one or two extra pull wires in the wall between the panel and basement, panel and attic, to expanders, and other common locations that may need to have an extra wire run to them.  If not, you can do the old time-tested "disconnect a wire, tie a string to it, pull the wire back through the wall, tie your new wiring to that, and fish both back up" trick I've probably done hundreds of times.

I have a nice, experienced pair of Klein strippers, a combo stripper/crimper/cutter, and a Leatherman.  Just as invaluable is my Klein 10-in-1 screwdriver, has a T-15 torx bit (Simplex LOVES to use T-15 screws on just about anything, from panel motherboards, expansion cards, and duct detector housing covers).  Of course, if/when I hit the professional trade (avidly seeking and sending to local alarm companies) I won't use my "experienced" tools... I'll get a set of inexpensive GBs or Ideals from one of the box stores.  really don't need any specialty tools except for maybe flex bits and a fish tape (which I seldom use unless I run into special circumstances).

Electrical tape and a straight piece of coathanger, with a hook in the end, and you're McGuyvering it.  Need to make an odd "catch" in the wall?  Tape the hook wire to the skinny end of the flex bit, and have at it!

Perhaps I don't have the most "orthodox" methods of fishing wires....  but, to each his own!

Techguy22:

--- Quote from: mrcllusb on January 18, 2009, 09:17:42 AM ---I know the basic tools apply,but when it comes to things like electronic screwdriver set,test sets/butt sets,tool belts,tool pouches,tool bags,multimeters there are several different types out there.Any help for us up and comers is greatly appreciated.I'm going tuesday to register for the NBFAA Training Schools Certified Alarm Technician Level 1 course.

--- End quote ---

I've noticed that course on a site searching.. I lost the site though. Are you doing an online course? How much is it. I am searching for more courses online thatll help me when I am done with my Fire Alarm Fundamentals course from AFAA.org. Every certificate helps... at least until I can find a good course training online for the NICET lvl 1 technician. I know thatll be a bit pricey. Maybe Ill get lucky and whoever hires me will put me through training. Let me know... Thanks.

KSSPA:
One of my favorite tools is my mini CCTV screen with the rechargeable battery pack. Its the size of a multimeter in is great for aiming/focusing cameras. I also have a little pinhole camera with an L.E.D light attached for finding out what going on in those hard to fish walls.

I really like string with 3ft of jack chain. I've found with practice, most of the time, it ends up in the basement without having to fish for it.

Magnum Alert:

--- Quote from: Techguy22 on January 20, 2009, 03:08:17 PM ---
--- Quote from: mrcllusb on January 18, 2009, 09:17:42 AM ---I know the basic tools apply,but when it comes to things like electronic screwdriver set,test sets/butt sets,tool belts,tool pouches,tool bags,multimeters there are several different types out there.Any help for us up and comers is greatly appreciated.I'm going tuesday to register for the NBFAA Training Schools Certified Alarm Technician Level 1 course.

--- End quote ---

I've noticed that course on a site searching.. I lost the site though. Are you doing an online course? How much is it. I am searching for more courses online thatll help me when I am done with my Fire Alarm Fundamentals course from AFAA.org. Every certificate helps... at least until I can find a good course training online for the NICET lvl 1 technician. I know thatll be a bit pricey. Maybe Ill get lucky and whoever hires me will put me through training. Let me know... Thanks.

--- End quote ---

NICET I isn't so bad.  It's a lot of geometry and knowing codes.  If you bring along the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, both volumes, you'll be fine.

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