Best quality electrican tools.....

[JAWS]

Got a few quid together to get myself some quality hand tools, Side cutters, pliers, wire strippers, etc etc and I am torn between these brands.

Knipex
Wiha
NWS
CK Tools

Anyone have any preference..

Cheers

 

[cprfenom]

I have to say I use Wiha screwdrivers and CK pliers. Some of the best stuff I have though is Knipex.

 

[telectrix]

Wiha and Bahco drivers. NWS for cutters.

 

[SparkyChick]

Knipex for pliers and cutters

 

[Adam W]

I like Knipex.
I wouldn't take them on site for fear of having them robbed, but I like them.

 

[Andy5678]

Knipex installation pliers and wiha drivers for me

 

[Rpa07]

Same for me, the Wiha drivers are excellent. So sturdy and take a beating. You know that moment when you look at the driver expecting it to be broken - nope, lived another day!
I needed some long nose pliers the other day, couldn’t justify £25 ish so I got two pairs of forge steel from Screwflix £11 and they are doing a nice job.
My shears are Boddington electrical, they are decent - have a gander at the website they been around for 35 years or so! Who knew!

Knipex installation pliers and wiha drivers for me

 

[AJshep]

I like Knipex, I've never had their screwdrivers though.
CK are OK but the cost is around the same as Knipex, and I'd rather have Knipex, they seem to stay sharper for longer.
I only tend to but CK as that's what all the wholesalers in my area stock.

Whia, Bacho and NWS are pretty good too, just as good as CK in my opinion.
Never tried Klein tools, ive heard they are good but they are really expensive.

 

[Wes1000]

I use wiha drivers and they’re great. I have got a few NWS and CK cutters/pliers. I think the NWS just seem bulkier to me but quality is great from both.
Don’t think you can go wrong with any of those brands your looking at.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

The wera screwdrivers are not too bad, also very well priced in toolstation

 

[BrendonP]

I have tried them all and have stuck with Wiha for drivers and cutters. They last the longest and i find them very comfortable. And i find them mid priced of the brands.
The slimfix drivers work best for me.

However its a very personal choice.

 

[Jamie']

I use these screwdrivers and love them better then my old ck ones, I use the ck croppers instead of sidecutters and ck pliers.


I like the bacho junior hacksaw and hacksaw, I also have the bacho 132pc ratchet set which is amazing. Would personally get more bacho and wiha tools in future

https://www.screwfix.com/p/wiha-sof...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLmv5eu2s9sCFVe3Gwodd9cG9A

 

[telectrix]

this is my wiha set:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/wiha-slimvario-vde-screwdriver-set-16-pieces/1054g

 

[JAWS]

this is my wiha set:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/wiha-slimvario-vde-screwdriver-set-16-pieces/1054g

I was looking at that teletrix and this not sure would be the better deal
Wiha 38613 6 Piece SlimBit VDE Lift Up Magazine Bit Holder Screwdriver FREE P&P | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/183049367383?clk_rvr_id=1550873236000&vectorid=229508&lgeo=1&item=183049367383&rmvSB=true

 

[123]

I have Wiha screwdrivers for me and my mate, find them average. Same with Wera, CK. Irazola and Bahco I found well below average and break almost as soon as you look at them. I like Facom for screwdrivers.

Knipex for pliers, side cutters (if you use them), CK Cropper Cutters are brilliant.

Jokari (CK owned) for some of their cable strippers.

 

[telectrix]

don't like them. fiddlygetting the bits out of the handle, and for £3 more you get 14 bits instead of 6. includes a couple of torx, and +/-

 

[Andy5678]

The lift up driver is easily broken. But if looked after it can be a very handy tool.

 

[loplug]

knipex side cutters and pliers for me and irozola screwdrivers. have a second 5.5 slotted that I ground .5mm off the side so it fits the terminals on the mk sockets. use the right size driver for the screw and I haven't broken any in normal use

 

[JAWS]

Thanks everyone for your feedback took it all on board, bank balance £425 short this morning.

 

[Phil Thompson]

What did you get, show the pics for @Pete999 poor fella is only allowed to win tools these days lol

I have some wera, the straights are ok, but Pz1 and 2 don’t keep their tips well, especially the brass coloured sets, I really like the Klein screwdrivers for the Pz, but find the CK straights are nicer sized for ceiling roses and light switches than any of the Klein straights.

Shears I use 8” Hellermann Tyton
Side cutters are knipex and Klein
Pliers are knipex and Klein
Pointers are Avit.

Never was keen on the CK cutting tools as others said, they don’t keep their edge the same as Knipex does.

I know a lad who went through 5 pairs of ck shears in the time I had a set of the HT ones 6 months later they were replaced as were worn to too loose feeling for me, but they were still as sharp as the day they were bought.

And they’re 65% of the cost of the CK.

It really is a case of trying out stuff and seeing what you like personally.

I have some cheap items in my toolbox because I like the way they feel in my hand or how they operate. And I’ve bought dearer items like the knipex 6 in 1 pliers that to me feel like one of those crappy multitools based on a leather-man, they are just not for me at all. Yet I know loads on here love them.

I don’t even know where I put the set I bought lol

 

[Pete999]

Tools all of them any make I don't mind, mind you those CK stubbies will look good, when I get them.

What did you get, show the pics for @Pete999 poor fella is only allowed to win tools these days lol

I have some wera, the straights are ok, but Pz1 and 2 don’t keep their tips well, especially the brass coloured sets, I really like the Klein screwdrivers for the Pz, but find the CK straights are nicer sized for ceiling roses and light switches than any of the Klein straights.

Shears I use 8” Hellermann Tyton
Side cutters are knipex and Klein
Pliers are knipex and Klein
Pointers are Avit.

Never was keen on the CK cutting tools as others said, they don’t keep their edge the same as Knipex does.

I know a lad who went through 5 pairs of ck shears in the time I had a set of the HT ones 6 months later they were replaced as were worn to too loose feeling for me, but they were still as sharp as the day they were bought.

And they’re 65% of the cost of the CK.

It really is a case of trying out stuff and seeing what you like personally.

I have some cheap items in my toolbox because I like the way they feel in my hand or how they operate. And I’ve bought dearer items like the knipex 6 in 1 pliers that to me feel like one of those crappy multitools based on a leather-man, they are just not for me at all. Yet I know loads on here love them.

I don’t even know where I put the set I bought lol

Come on Mate pictures pretty please, my CK kit hasn't arrived yet.

 

[AJshep]

I’ve bought dearer items like the knipex 6 in 1 pliers that to me feel like one of those crappy multitools based on a leather-man, they are just not for me at all. Yet I know loads on here love them.

I don’t even know where I put the set I bought lol

Yeah I have a set of these, I agree with you I couldn't use them for everyday use, I tend to use them as long nose pliers only.
I'd rather use side cutters and normal pliers for second fixing, but I know a lot of people like using croppers/shears instead.

 

[grantr37]

I have knipex sidecutters and pliers and CK and wera screwdrivers, the thing is that every person on a building site likes quality drivers and pliers so they will get stolen leading to the buying of 3 of each every year and good pliers and sidecutters are £50.

Other sparks like to pinch stuff as well, especially the well off ones that don't outwardly appear the type to take your stuff

 

[telectrix]

once had some tools nicked by a plumber. as it was a domestic site, easy to find the culprit.
socket tester, screwdriver set, and a volt stick all found in back of said plumber's van.
result. tools returned and a wet-pants en route to A&E.

 

[JAWS]

eastwing hammers I used to lose or get pinched a fair few times

 

[Mickey]

Knipex for me definitely!
Bit more costly but worth every penny.
Wiha screwdrivers, set for £21 from amazon. Top quality

 

[jeremy]

Wera screwdrivers, knipex for anything pliery, and as it happens, insulated spannery.

 

[alexander jackson]

There was a Spanish company that produced Irazola screwdrivers , they are good. I used them a lot but now Whia or CK.

 

[mnbs 4x4]

what ever happened to a good pair of Elliot Lucas pliers and snips, a set of footprints and a Yankee , and almost all drivers were Stanley , stepping back in time

 

[Pete999]

what ever happened to a good pair of Elliot Lucas pliers and snips, a set of footprints and a Yankee , and almost all drivers were Stanley , stepping back in time

Those were the days.

 

[Dillb]

what ever happened to a good pair of Elliot Lucas pliers and snips, a set of footprints and a Yankee , and almost all drivers were Stanley , stepping back in time

My firs set of pliers and side cutters were Elliot Lucas

 

[Pete999]

My firs set of pliers and side cutters were Elliot Lucas

Pliers, cutter Eliot Lucas, set of screwdrivers Stanley 24s Still got one driver, been scouring car boots for more examples, Steadfast terminal screwdriver, Lamp holder, Flex and a pigmy lamp served as a test lamp, Gladstone bag as a tool bag, they were the Dogs do das, no poncy zips and pockets , chuck it all in, two handles job done, bib and brace overalls. looked the biz in those days.

 

[Toneyz]

Pliers, cutter Eliot Lucas, set of screwdrivers Stanley 24s Still got one driver, been scouring car boots for more examples, Steadfast terminal screwdriver, Lamp holder, Flex and a pigmy lamp served as a test lamp, Gladstone bag as a tool bag, they were the Dogs do das, no poncy zips and pockets , chuck it all in, two handles job done, bib and brace overalls. looked the biz in those days.

Very rare to see anyone one site in a bib and brace overall these days except for the painters one but they don't count.

 

[Diddy]

You are all brand slaves. Eclipse pliers @ about £15 per set. VDE drivers....used to be totally stanley back in the day but now i just pick up whats on offer if im nearing the end of the current drivers life...choose between ck wera or drapper....All do what it says on the tin. I so miss my 1st set of "Big boy's" pliers black handled eclipse...had them for easy 7 years before they fell down a hole that was too deep and narrow to consider retrieval..... To be totally honest I actually mourn the loss of a pair of pliers as it begins to feel like an extension of your hand...screwdrivers come and go lol...ima bit like that with hacksaws too....there is probably a name for my "illness" somewhere. lol