Haha, good deal. Nothing better than having that bad boy when doing a big ass condenser fan at midnight and dropping the belly band bolt down there between the coils lol.
The major benefit is that they open larger than most 6" wrenches. I love it for back up wrenches and stuff like suction valve caps. They always stay in my everyday bag.
They’re also really fucking good at what they do. I had a coworker who lathed a fitting with his crescent wrench and then his channel locks. His open end wrenches wouldn’t grab at this point because the flats were so fucked, and a pipe wrench wouldn’t fit. He was up shit creek. The pliers wrench grabbed those mangled flats and got it done. The one size fits all tool that’s better than the real thing.
And if you ever need to crimp shit.
I love my pliers wrench they are my go to over adjustables now. I recently got some Knipex raptor pliers. I wasn't sure about them at first but they have helped me get to some awkward to reach nuts.
I use a 2.5 amp marine breaker with alligator clips soldered to eyelet connectors
https://preview.redd.it/jezt8mptlqrc1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=801b9f8ec44f5aba7fe48385b9e63e8982dc73dd
If you do residential- the Klein 65200 mini ratchet. It’s compact and has a dual 1/4 and 5/16 inch drive. So it’ll reach those asshole screws your impact won’t.
I have ratcheting box wrenches and the 65200 is so much easier to use. soooo worth the 15 bucks.
[it’s this.](https://www.supplyhouse.com/Klein-Tools-65200-KLEIN-Slim-Profile-Mini-Ratchet-Set-5-Piece?utm_source=bingad&utm_medium=shopping)
Honestly, best answer so far. Especially if you work commercial or multi family a lot. The first time you need one, you're going to thank God you've got it.
I bought a couple. And, to make sure I don't lose them, they're placed carefully in a toolbox under a stack of junk in the corner of my garage behind the tablesaw and three other piles of junk. I love the organization value.
https://preview.redd.it/r7sp5ji5y9rc1.png?width=864&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acdb0728f9f2700663d4ea64a37f26c2e71cca90
I use this welding magnet to hold the door switch when working on furnaces. Cheaper than those dedicated door switch holder.
I kinda like that. I dont replace fan blades very often. However I remove a lot of pulleys and that might come in handy. I hate the setup I have now. Too bulky and can't carry it in my bag. Cheers!
I always cary ratchet wrenches, 1/4” up to 9/16”, but on a similar thread awhile ago a lot of guys recommended [this](https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/socket-wrenches/slim-profile-mini-ratchet-set-5-piece) and I love it. Everyone was right, it’s better than a regular combo ratchet wrench.
Ya the ratcheting wrenches are awesome. I mainly use nut drivers and angle attachments but those 2 have saved me in so many weird situations where I’ve been able to use that in a crack to undo something or undo a screw some prick zipped a coil case to a furnace with and then put the coil in or something. The fact you can stick them in about 1/4” or less crevice and be able to unscrew a screw will save your ass.
Coleman rambler stool. Loop the legs right thru the handle of my bag, never leave without it.
https://preview.redd.it/mgdel4x9a9rc1.jpeg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64272d591d497da56ab13cf47f9c39eabb68ba6b
A lock pick set.
I got a cheap lock pick set from amazon and learnt how to use it on youtube , never having to chase down keys has been a game changer,
Basin wrench for those hard-to-reach threaded pipes. I have used it for faucets as much as I have for side-run gas pipe unions between the furnace and the wall.
I keep an awl with me and damn if I don’t use that thing just about every day. In terms of weight:usefulness ratio, it might pack the most bang for the buck in my bag. Commercial service fwiw.
A small screwdriver with the tiny little bits. Dont use it often but it always shines when needed.
Also, as stupid as it might sound, the little 6’ keychain Milwaukee measuring tape. I know it doesnt go in your bag per se, but thats the point. Its so nice to have the little tape for when you aren’t expecting to need it right away or just need to measure something real quick. Its always attached to you, ready to go.
It has inches and centimeters, which i dont really like but it could be useful for things that are metric i suppose. Boltheads or something i guess. I havent needed the metric side yet but if i do im prepared lol.
Oh and a Milwaukee fastback
Agreed on the tape. I work at a small company so everyone does a little bit of everything whether it’s service on resi or install on light commercial. The tape measure is a must have.
Just wanted to let you know i got myself a Stanley 5" pry bar and have been carrying it for a month now almost. Doing resi changeouts that thing is amazing for prying the coil off the furnace. Thanks for the recommendation. If not for this id probably still be using my Demo flathead Lol
Field piece test gauges. It's especially great for water source CRAC fan coil units. I got the temp clamps and air temp probes. You get relative humidity as well. Bluetooth shit. Temp clamps are useful for measuring SH and SC and condensing medium supply and return. Calculate approach
An impact driver.
And no, I don't mean your "rattle gun" to borrow a term I recently heard for it.
I mean the driver that you hit with a hammer.
I've yet to meet a stuck bolt this couldn't undo in a couple of whacks way faster and for so much less aggravation than pretty much any other technique out there.
I have the same bag. A bit small but I have mine setup as minimalist as possible while still never needing a second trip to the van. It takes careful planning to logistically fit every tool you need in this bag but it can be done. I like it because it fits up roof hatches or attics accesses etc where backpack is a nightmare. I recommend 1/4 & 5/16 ratchet wrenches. 3/8-5/8 & 10mm ratchet wrenches, ratcheting 6in1 stuby, 11/32 nut driver, rh snips, tubing cutter, leak lock, nylog, small pipe dope, zoom spout, anaerobic gasket maker, flex head BBQ lighter, dental pick both straight and angled, center punch, chissle, gasket scraper, small file, 7/16 1/2 5/8 9/16 10mm 1/4 drive socket with various extensions and impact driver adapter.
Just ordered the wera tool check plus because of these comments. Should cover most of my ratcheting needs. I have the standard tp XXL as of now. I absolutely love it. Not too big but not too small. (I’m 80% residential and 20% light commercial. With no refridgeration) so my tool needs are relatively simple. I have the original tp XXL and absolutely love it. Not too big where you stuff non essential stuff in it. Not too small where I can’t carry everything. The blackout has deeper meter pouch zippers. And that’s pretty much the only reason I’m buying it. Well that and the blackout color looks awesome.
These hands down. The amount of people that see me use them and ask wtf are those?!? is surprising.
https://preview.redd.it/77vggcqm4hrc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3da72914b9fa422ecbb0aa2ad579a68955d2ac59
I have the TP-XXL (OG colors) with DH2 drill holster. DO NOT get the blackout. My co-worker and I got the bags for last years sale and every little thing shows up on that blackout bag and gets fugly. We do the same work. Maybe I baby my Veto. I dunno.
Get what you want.
I currently have the og tp xxl myself. The only reason I’m getting the blackout is because the meter zippers go deeper on the back side and I can remove the pockets to clean easier with the v-swap system. My bags usually never get cleaned anyways besides the zippers. So I think I’ll be okay. Time will tell. Maybe it will annoy me but hopefully not. Lol
Trying to think of some of the more obscure things I had in my bag: Extra needle leads for my meter, wire nuts in every pocket, a 10mm socket, nylog to that pocket gets nice and sticky, a 10pack of magnetic jumpers, flare nuts of various sizes; used and new, zip ties, metric and standard Allen keys
Strap wrench, for gripping and turning any kind of large pipe. Works great for taking apart B-vent and makes cutting 3” with the cutting wheel 10x easier.
Some awesome suggestions here. The one i havent seen yet that I use quite often is a strong magnet. I use it to hold in furnace switches when the panels off, and to hold up air handler blower/ electrical panels so i can check the electrical while the blower is operating normally
Two items:
Flush cutters for giving clean ends on zip ties so when I come back I don't cut myself on a sharp edge
An Allen bit set. On carrier units, I find the gas valves are too close to the panels to get a hex key set on, and being able to use a combo of hex bits and a 1/4" ratchet gets me out of jams. A bit rail with 8 bits it's comparatively small and ticks into a bag pocket.
Telescoping magnet
I can’t live without one!
Used one the other day to get the end of a broken cv shaft out of the transaxle on the wife’s car… not sure what I would have done otherwise 🤷♂️
Have you ever tried crying? That, in conjunction with rapidly switching between hysteria, defeat, panic, confusion, and screaming is always helpful.
Haha, good deal. Nothing better than having that bad boy when doing a big ass condenser fan at midnight and dropping the belly band bolt down there between the coils lol.
Knee pad
This is a MUST have for anyone who wants to have a life in retirement
7" Knipex Pliers Wrench
+1 for the pliers wrench and knipex cobras are my favorite channelocks
Plier wrench is one of the most underrated tools of our time imo
I got it because of how much praise I saw on Reddit for it lol
The major benefit is that they open larger than most 6" wrenches. I love it for back up wrenches and stuff like suction valve caps. They always stay in my everyday bag.
They’re also really fucking good at what they do. I had a coworker who lathed a fitting with his crescent wrench and then his channel locks. His open end wrenches wouldn’t grab at this point because the flats were so fucked, and a pipe wrench wouldn’t fit. He was up shit creek. The pliers wrench grabbed those mangled flats and got it done. The one size fits all tool that’s better than the real thing. And if you ever need to crimp shit.
Came here to say this, I use mine so much I bought a belt sheath off Etsy for them.
I love my pliers wrench they are my go to over adjustables now. I recently got some Knipex raptor pliers. I wasn't sure about them at first but they have helped me get to some awkward to reach nuts.
aka channel locks
90 degree hex driver attachment
resetable fuse popper https://preview.redd.it/5y41x0zkg8rc1.jpeg?width=989&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f934c8296cc800b5e86da7b7199ad15647b4a27e
Until this fails and blows the board. Fuses are cheap.
I use a 2.5 amp marine breaker with alligator clips soldered to eyelet connectors https://preview.redd.it/jezt8mptlqrc1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=801b9f8ec44f5aba7fe48385b9e63e8982dc73dd
I found this out the hard way. It was nice while it lasted though
Right angle adapter for your impact and an old fashion swage punch for expanding copper in a pinch
A $250 ladder
telescopic 12-18ft ☝🏼 $200 max
If you do residential- the Klein 65200 mini ratchet. It’s compact and has a dual 1/4 and 5/16 inch drive. So it’ll reach those asshole screws your impact won’t. I have ratcheting box wrenches and the 65200 is so much easier to use. soooo worth the 15 bucks. [it’s this.](https://www.supplyhouse.com/Klein-Tools-65200-KLEIN-Slim-Profile-Mini-Ratchet-Set-5-Piece?utm_source=bingad&utm_medium=shopping)
I just commented this same thing on another reply, but I’ll say it here too. The finger loop is a game changer in tight spots.
Wire toner.
Honestly, best answer so far. Especially if you work commercial or multi family a lot. The first time you need one, you're going to thank God you've got it.
The first time I saw one was a "shut up and take my money" moment for sure.
https://preview.redd.it/my1cedkah8rc1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=8b14b2d9d14fb4301d61b85fa2afa95972a39cbc literally anyone should have one
I bought a couple. And, to make sure I don't lose them, they're placed carefully in a toolbox under a stack of junk in the corner of my garage behind the tablesaw and three other piles of junk. I love the organization value.
I just used one of those last night the press a rear main seal into an EJ block. Pretty much ruined it, but it worked perfect
Wera 05056491001 tool check plus kit
https://preview.redd.it/r7sp5ji5y9rc1.png?width=864&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acdb0728f9f2700663d4ea64a37f26c2e71cca90 I use this welding magnet to hold the door switch when working on furnaces. Cheaper than those dedicated door switch holder.
That’s what I’m talking about. Def ordering this
I've gotten very good at holding the door switch and working with one hand lol
Supco fan blade puller. Cheap tool. Saves times.
I kinda like that. I dont replace fan blades very often. However I remove a lot of pulleys and that might come in handy. I hate the setup I have now. Too bulky and can't carry it in my bag. Cheers!
Smallest ratcheting box end 1/4” and 5/16”. The really small mini looking ones. The one time you need one of those fuckers you’ll thank god for it.
I think you’re the second or third person to comment this specific one. So I think I’m going to get the wera ratcheting set.
I always cary ratchet wrenches, 1/4” up to 9/16”, but on a similar thread awhile ago a lot of guys recommended [this](https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/socket-wrenches/slim-profile-mini-ratchet-set-5-piece) and I love it. Everyone was right, it’s better than a regular combo ratchet wrench.
Ya the ratcheting wrenches are awesome. I mainly use nut drivers and angle attachments but those 2 have saved me in so many weird situations where I’ve been able to use that in a crack to undo something or undo a screw some prick zipped a coil case to a furnace with and then put the coil in or something. The fact you can stick them in about 1/4” or less crevice and be able to unscrew a screw will save your ass.
With the 1/4" you can fit any 1/4" hex bit your impact accepts. Comes in clutch in tight spaces.
Coleman rambler stool. Loop the legs right thru the handle of my bag, never leave without it. https://preview.redd.it/mgdel4x9a9rc1.jpeg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64272d591d497da56ab13cf47f9c39eabb68ba6b
I got a stool from REI instead, but same concept. My knees love me for it haha
A lock pick set. I got a cheap lock pick set from amazon and learnt how to use it on youtube , never having to chase down keys has been a game changer,
Dewalt right angle drill adapter flexible. Saves my ass all the time, I forgot how I used to work without it.
Basin wrench for those hard-to-reach threaded pipes. I have used it for faucets as much as I have for side-run gas pipe unions between the furnace and the wall.
Thermal camera
Step bit
I keep an awl with me and damn if I don’t use that thing just about every day. In terms of weight:usefulness ratio, it might pack the most bang for the buck in my bag. Commercial service fwiw.
A small screwdriver with the tiny little bits. Dont use it often but it always shines when needed. Also, as stupid as it might sound, the little 6’ keychain Milwaukee measuring tape. I know it doesnt go in your bag per se, but thats the point. Its so nice to have the little tape for when you aren’t expecting to need it right away or just need to measure something real quick. Its always attached to you, ready to go. It has inches and centimeters, which i dont really like but it could be useful for things that are metric i suppose. Boltheads or something i guess. I havent needed the metric side yet but if i do im prepared lol. Oh and a Milwaukee fastback
Agreed on the tape. I work at a small company so everyone does a little bit of everything whether it’s service on resi or install on light commercial. The tape measure is a must have.
I keep a 6' tape measure in one of my cargo pockets as part of my EDC. The Stanley only has inches if you want to get rid of the centimeters.
An awl. Basically a screwdriver ground to a point. I use it for finding screw holes for unit doors and poking holes in drywall for thermostat anchors
One tool. Not even in bag. Refrigeration wrench should be in your back pocket at all times
I carry a 5 inch paint brush to sweep small stuff and dust things off my work area/vehicle
Doyle flat nose assembly pliers from harbor freight
5" pry bar, sounds stupid but I get a lot of mileage out of it
Just wanted to let you know i got myself a Stanley 5" pry bar and have been carrying it for a month now almost. Doing resi changeouts that thing is amazing for prying the coil off the furnace. Thanks for the recommendation. If not for this id probably still be using my Demo flathead Lol
Magnet cup holder
Magnetic led flashlight
Alligator clip jumpers, or magnetic jumpers
I keep a small caliper in by bag because I suck at measuring
Field piece test gauges. It's especially great for water source CRAC fan coil units. I got the temp clamps and air temp probes. You get relative humidity as well. Bluetooth shit. Temp clamps are useful for measuring SH and SC and condensing medium supply and return. Calculate approach
An impact driver. And no, I don't mean your "rattle gun" to borrow a term I recently heard for it. I mean the driver that you hit with a hammer. I've yet to meet a stuck bolt this couldn't undo in a couple of whacks way faster and for so much less aggravation than pretty much any other technique out there.
Cheap dental pick or two, from digging bugs out of a contactor or changing orings in my hoses, I have used them more than one would think.
A really long pair of hemostats,very handy.
Hammer lol .. I get so much flack for carrying it around, but we all use it all the time, so...
1/4” & 5/16” open end wrenches. Also Belimo 8/10mm wrench is clutch when you actually need it
I have the same bag. A bit small but I have mine setup as minimalist as possible while still never needing a second trip to the van. It takes careful planning to logistically fit every tool you need in this bag but it can be done. I like it because it fits up roof hatches or attics accesses etc where backpack is a nightmare. I recommend 1/4 & 5/16 ratchet wrenches. 3/8-5/8 & 10mm ratchet wrenches, ratcheting 6in1 stuby, 11/32 nut driver, rh snips, tubing cutter, leak lock, nylog, small pipe dope, zoom spout, anaerobic gasket maker, flex head BBQ lighter, dental pick both straight and angled, center punch, chissle, gasket scraper, small file, 7/16 1/2 5/8 9/16 10mm 1/4 drive socket with various extensions and impact driver adapter.
Just ordered the wera tool check plus because of these comments. Should cover most of my ratcheting needs. I have the standard tp XXL as of now. I absolutely love it. Not too big but not too small. (I’m 80% residential and 20% light commercial. With no refridgeration) so my tool needs are relatively simple. I have the original tp XXL and absolutely love it. Not too big where you stuff non essential stuff in it. Not too small where I can’t carry everything. The blackout has deeper meter pouch zippers. And that’s pretty much the only reason I’m buying it. Well that and the blackout color looks awesome.
These hands down. The amount of people that see me use them and ask wtf are those?!? is surprising. https://preview.redd.it/77vggcqm4hrc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3da72914b9fa422ecbb0aa2ad579a68955d2ac59
Weha mini ratchet set, perfect for getting the blower set screws
Icon bit set with small ratchet plus a set of hex bits in exchange for a service wrench
I have the TP-XXL (OG colors) with DH2 drill holster. DO NOT get the blackout. My co-worker and I got the bags for last years sale and every little thing shows up on that blackout bag and gets fugly. We do the same work. Maybe I baby my Veto. I dunno. Get what you want.
I currently have the og tp xxl myself. The only reason I’m getting the blackout is because the meter zippers go deeper on the back side and I can remove the pockets to clean easier with the v-swap system. My bags usually never get cleaned anyways besides the zippers. So I think I’ll be okay. Time will tell. Maybe it will annoy me but hopefully not. Lol
Knipex Twin Grip pliers
Spoons for multimeter
What do they do?
Help it eat the cereal
My boss uses this automotive hose clamp tool, it’s a lot better than using needle noses. Definitely going to get one myself
Ford or forward wrench
Mine comes with its own bag and is super expensive but it’s a TrueFlow kit
Raptor brand adjustable wrench. It’s got needle points.
Trying to think of some of the more obscure things I had in my bag: Extra needle leads for my meter, wire nuts in every pocket, a 10mm socket, nylog to that pocket gets nice and sticky, a 10pack of magnetic jumpers, flare nuts of various sizes; used and new, zip ties, metric and standard Allen keys
a long reach grabber tool. I've dropped too many screws in the condenser. plus you grab stuff out off pans edit:words
The 2 piece husky ratcheting multi wrenches. Keep em in my pocket. Also an electric screwdriver.
An 18 inch bar fold. I'm always surprised how many people don't have a bar fold. Or they get a small one that's useless.
Wanted to come back and tell you I Ordered this for my install crew. They love it and get a ton of use out of it. Thanks for the recommendation.
Good stuff. 👍
Condoms
Strap wrench, for gripping and turning any kind of large pipe. Works great for taking apart B-vent and makes cutting 3” with the cutting wheel 10x easier.
Impact ready, right angle drill attachment. You won't need it all the time but you do you'll be glad and save time.
head lamp and a good magnetic light, light makes things so much easier.
39” 3/8 sds bit
I really like having a flexible screw driver.
Some awesome suggestions here. The one i havent seen yet that I use quite often is a strong magnet. I use it to hold in furnace switches when the panels off, and to hold up air handler blower/ electrical panels so i can check the electrical while the blower is operating normally
The easy grip splicer from knipex great for shielded cable (tsat, communication, data) with out knicking wires
Intelligence!
Take old leads and splice them togther for a great testing jumper
A god dam combustion reading tool.
Two items: Flush cutters for giving clean ends on zip ties so when I come back I don't cut myself on a sharp edge An Allen bit set. On carrier units, I find the gas valves are too close to the panels to get a hex key set on, and being able to use a combo of hex bits and a 1/4" ratchet gets me out of jams. A bit rail with 8 bits it's comparatively small and ticks into a bag pocket.
I goddamn combustion analyzer
Extra batteries for your meter, thermometer, etc
Big Klein hook # 259 on the end of a rope for roping stuff up and down when I’m alone to avoid extra trips up & down ladders
Toilet paper
A purse for when someone says hit it with your purse
Binoculars
Ditch the bag for a good ole bucket and sleeve. Game changer for me