Really interesting video, and a nice selection of tools. When I was working on the tools (on the telecoms side) to save weight and bulk, I carried a small level the size of a pack of cards, and unless I knew I was going to be using it a lot, I relied on the small saw in utility knife/ multi tool comb to do the odd cut out in plaster board.. To further save weight, i would be tempted to religate the drill to a secondary/heavy tool box/bag and day to day carry a good cordless screwdriver for removing screws from equipment lids and covers ect, putting fixings into plasterboard again depending how many much you expected to use it. Also in the secondary/heavy bag, I would have all my cable running tools, my construction tools such as larger cable shears, tin snips, hacksaw, 3/8 socket set, spanners, nut drivers and adjustable wrenches.. Added to all that the other main constant for nearly any work I was doing was a linesman's/butt telephone, although I suspect they will be soon confined to museums! Edited to add, another class of "tools" that should not be forgot is the various specialist utility/cabinet keys and can wrench needed to gain access...Some are very industry specific while others such as the utility key for meter cupboards are generic and common place...
I appreciate you watching and your detailed take on things brother. What part of the world are you from? I can’t remember if I said this in the video but I’ve since moved on from field work and come into an engineers role. My day to day now consists of design lighting control systems, which it’s always great to progress on a career path but sometimes I do miss the challenges of field work. Just not the travels. What I find interesting is when I was a field tech and as I see the field techs I work with, there is no convenient to have everything, like you said there always a need for another load out. Purpose built for rough in or finish. The load out I presented I feel served me right for what I’ll call light all purpose. Little bit of finish, little bit of service. As I progressed so much of what I did was on a laptop, and I don’t say that to shit on anyone grinding out field work. I have a ton of respect for hardworking mechanics. The industry needs more of them and I wouldn’t be where I am without the year of field experience I had. It just seems like the blanket of low voltage av requires mechanics to have sooooo much to have to be prepared for everything. That one time you don’t have a specific tool tends to warrant the purchase and before you know it you’ve got an entire van of stuff that is “just in case”. My last 2 years of field work consisted of New York City and the far east end of Long Island, now if you know nothing about New York City, know that you never want to drive there. Like ever, at all because hours in traffic. When I moved into a lighting controls technicians role I was able to pair down to a multimeter, set of wire strippers, a toner and a laptop which meant I could take the train. I’d watch the AV side of the company I was working for constantly drive in an entire shop worth of tools “just in case”. I’d love to know where you hail from brother. What your story is, and what’s your trajectory? This channel started as a way to pass time during the shutdown of Covid and I’ve met so many really cool people from all over the world because of it. I’ve been able to help people with various control system problems and made some lifelong friends from all corners of the earth. Feel free to email me at qvisionentertainment at gmail dot com. Thanks again for watching man. I hope you’re doing great things and continuing to aspire to achieve more everyday!
@@QVisionGarage I am in the UK and have been with the same large telecoms company in various roles for over 40 years..For part of that time i was also in our version of the Army Reserve, again party in a coms role. These days I am office based doing remote diagnostics and configurations on broadband services, and support our engineers in the field as they install and maintain both copper and fibre based broadband. Sadly my main tool is a laptop although I try to keep hand in at home and helping family with various projects. You are right about how diverse the low voltage industry is even within the same sectors, never mind across sectors. When I was on the tools my patch covered small towns and rural countryside, so very much a backwater compared to NYC! I remember attending a course with some gents who had a similar role to me but based in London..I was surprised to find out they only covered three or four office blocks with in the city and either walked or took the Underground between them... Theoretically we all did the same job but in reality it was worlds apart so I can relate to what you said about working in NYC!
UK! Nice, thank you for the reply man. I’ve never been over. NY between NYC and the hamptons is like London and the rural countryside. I was covering both depending on the day. At first with broad scope av and then later with just Lutron lighting control systems. 40 years is a long time brother. You’ve seen the evolution. Which I find quite cool. I came into the industry on the end of crt TVs so I’ve seen a lot but not 40 years worth. In any case, I’ll extend to you the invite of all my worldly friends of the channel, should you ever find yourself coming out to NY please reach out and the first pint (or sparkling water) is on me. A couple years back someone I become very friendly with came over from Kenya and it was really cool to share a few pints and talk shop. Stay safe brother!
Appreciate you watching. I no longer do field work in my 9-5 but I still manage my own system. That bag and setup definitely served me well for a long time. Are you in the trades? What do you do? What brought you to my video?
@@prbones2127 very cool. I think I mentioned it in the video at the time it was made I was specializing in low voltage lighting systems, lutron homeworks. Now I do all the backend database building and programming from a desk. All in all I think the field work helped me better understand what our field team needs in a comprehensive database for easier deployment at install.
Hey Mike, thank you for your service. While I’ve read about them, and even almost bought one I’ve never used a TDR. I think I was looking at one maybe by Klein or fluke, I can’t recall who made it. At the time when I was considering one I was doing all stages of low voltage work including pre wiring and at that time it would have made sense but where I am now I don’t pull wire anymore. With lutron in particular the keypad loops incorporate redundancies for fail safes, if you’re not familiar there’s a feed and a return incase of a failure in the loop. But you’re absolutely right it’s a great tool, and I’m sure it could save a lot of time in the right applications, especially if you can access the break. I appreciate the comment and you subscribing. Send me an email and I’ll mail you a free qvision sticker if you’d like one. Qvisionentertainment@gmail.com.
@@QVisionGarage I’m gonna look into them. I’m new to the trade. But our focus is security and fire. I’m doing some research on most common tools and some fundamental tips if i can find any. I appreciate your video.
@@cali_misfit1387 any time brother appreciate you watching. You wanna set yourself apart, learn how to troubleshoot thoroughly, become familiar with a multimeter, the products you install, normal voltage and resistance ranges. The trades aren’t about the tools in your belt, a good tech can do their work with cheap shit. It’s your knowledge and how you apply it that makes a tradesman. I’ve seen a lot of guys come through the low volt trades that just don’t care enough or take pride in their work. I hope you do well brother. Never stop learning.
@@cali_misfit1387 I’d honestly say before you dump your freedom eagles on top notch gear, get your basics, so many times I see guys carting nearly an entire shop of tools. I get being addicted to buying them and owning them, but big bucks aren’t always the answer. I’ve had high dollar gear that was complete shit and low dollar gear that I absolutely love. If memory serves correctly, security and fire focuses on mostly super high gauge thin wire, a good multi tool like the gerber gear mp600 or a sog or leatherman will be clutch. I never leave home without my gerber and it’s saved my ass more times than I can count.
@@QVisionGarage Yes sir thank you for the advice. Right now it’s a lil slow since i’m shadowing the tech. But so far i’ve learned some basics. But i look forward to learning more. Coming from a construction trade, i always ale sure my work is neat and clean. My customer service and interaction is always top notch. And i make sure i’m working efficiently.
I start a new lv job on Monday, after a hv apprenticeship didn't pan out to what I was told it would be. I have a full veto pack full of electricians tools that I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to use now. Does the lv trade usually utilize a lot less tools or am I just worrying about nothing?
Depends on what side of the trade you get into. When I was doing low voltage field work, one company we did everything from hanging tvs, security cameras, building racks…. Another company I worked just in lutron lighting systems. Bottom line the tools likely won’t go to waste. Thanks for watching brother! Good luck!
You should also note that while I don’t know the circumstances of why your apprenticeship didn’t work out, it’s pretty standard for the old vets to shit on the apprentice, you’ll be digging, sweating and doing all the shit work for a while but the career does pay off. Don’t give up brother.
@@QVisionGarage The new place does mostly data, voice, fiber, splicing, structured cabling. Old place lied and said I'd be in the commercial hv field and then just stuck me in the back of the house doing inventory for their led biz. When I started asking if it would count toward my license or when I would start doing electrical (6 months in) they told me that I would likely never start training to be an apprentice and that the warehouse organizational roles is why they hired me...
@@christophermccartney7150 yea that’s fucked man. There will likely be some specialized tool you don’t have but like I said the other stuff won’t go to waste. Email me a few picture of your bag and I’ll shout you out in the channel. Qvisionentertainment@gmail.com
I believe it’s from a company called labor saving devices, but Jonard makes the same thing. If you search low voltage wall box template you’ll find it.
30 seconds to do a cat 6? No way. Was it shielded or not because it takes me over a minute to strip, cut the foil and plastic, and use my tweaker to straighten the conductors.
Shielded is a different story. Regular cat6 I’d say I had down to a muscle memory science. Part of it was that I would only use two tools, and I found those tools to help bring the efficiency up. Cutting the jacket, removing the core and drain, I’d use my Klein snips. I’d also use the top end of them to straighten the wires out. After that, splitting the blue and greens, trimming to size and slipping an end on is not much time at all. This process was even faster using EZ ends which when I was doing low voltage av work the company I worked for did use. Thanks for watching brother!
@@QVisionGarage ur process is much simpler than mine lol. I use an Irwin automatic wire stripper to strip, a little Klein flush cutter to cut the drain, sometimes I use my tweaker to straighten out the conductors, then I use my Klein strippers to cut the conductors evenly, then I put the ends on and crimp. I carry all these tools along with my tester in a Klein pouch. It works out for me. Whenever I’m working with cat5/6/6A I can just pick up my pouch. Great video other wise you are very organized.
@@deadstar962 that’s what it’s about brother, making it work for you. When I was doing AV (I only work on lighting control systems now) I had a ball buster of a boss, he made me a better tech. I learned how to be quick and efficient but paid my dues for sure. Making patch after patch, testing each one to the point that I could do it in my sleep. In my prime I could probably go 99/100 on terminations. Working on lighting control systems now, I carry a small set of screwdrivers, a toner and a set of vampliers. I think I said this in the video, it boggles my mind that, what I’ll call blanket low volt guys (AV) always end up carrying so many tools, just like I did. Later on I ended up organizing a packout setup with roughing, tone and test and finish tools so I wasn’t carrying so much all the time. The AV guys that work in that division of my company all carry so many tools, idk what part of the world you’re in but getting on the subway with 80lbs of tools is brutal. But I’ll ask you this, if you could only have 5 tools to make it through a workday what would they be?
Really interesting video, and a nice selection of tools. When I was working on the tools (on the telecoms side) to save weight and bulk, I carried a small level the size of a pack of cards, and unless I knew I was going to be using it a lot, I relied on the small saw in utility knife/ multi tool comb to do the odd cut out in plaster board..
To further save weight, i would be tempted to religate the drill to a secondary/heavy tool box/bag and day to day carry a good cordless screwdriver for removing screws from equipment lids and covers ect, putting fixings into plasterboard again depending how many much you expected to use it.
Also in the secondary/heavy bag, I would have all my cable running tools, my construction tools such as larger cable shears, tin snips, hacksaw, 3/8 socket set, spanners, nut drivers and adjustable wrenches..
Added to all that the other main constant for nearly any work I was doing was a linesman's/butt telephone, although I suspect they will be soon confined to museums!
Edited to add, another class of "tools" that should not be forgot is the various specialist utility/cabinet keys and can wrench needed to gain access...Some are very industry specific while others such as the utility key for meter cupboards are generic and common place...
I appreciate you watching and your detailed take on things brother. What part of the world are you from? I can’t remember if I said this in the video but I’ve since moved on from field work and come into an engineers role. My day to day now consists of design lighting control systems, which it’s always great to progress on a career path but sometimes I do miss the challenges of field work. Just not the travels. What I find interesting is when I was a field tech and as I see the field techs I work with, there is no convenient to have everything, like you said there always a need for another load out. Purpose built for rough in or finish. The load out I presented I feel served me right for what I’ll call light all purpose. Little bit of finish, little bit of service. As I progressed so much of what I did was on a laptop, and I don’t say that to shit on anyone grinding out field work. I have a ton of respect for hardworking mechanics. The industry needs more of them and I wouldn’t be where I am without the year of field experience I had. It just seems like the blanket of low voltage av requires mechanics to have sooooo much to have to be prepared for everything. That one time you don’t have a specific tool tends to warrant the purchase and before you know it you’ve got an entire van of stuff that is “just in case”.
My last 2 years of field work consisted of New York City and the far east end of Long Island, now if you know nothing about New York City, know that you never want to drive there. Like ever, at all because hours in traffic. When I moved into a lighting controls technicians role I was able to pair down to a multimeter, set of wire strippers, a toner and a laptop which meant I could take the train. I’d watch the AV side of the company I was working for constantly drive in an entire shop worth of tools “just in case”.
I’d love to know where you hail from brother. What your story is, and what’s your trajectory? This channel started as a way to pass time during the shutdown of Covid and I’ve met so many really cool people from all over the world because of it. I’ve been able to help people with various control system problems and made some lifelong friends from all corners of the earth. Feel free to email me at qvisionentertainment at gmail dot com.
Thanks again for watching man. I hope you’re doing great things and continuing to aspire to achieve more everyday!
@@QVisionGarage I am in the UK and have been with the same large telecoms company in various roles for over 40 years..For part of that time i was also in our version of the Army Reserve, again party in a coms role.
These days I am office based doing remote diagnostics and configurations on broadband services, and support our engineers in the field as they install and maintain both copper and fibre based broadband. Sadly my main tool is a laptop although I try to keep hand in at home and helping family with various projects.
You are right about how diverse the low voltage industry is even within the same sectors, never mind across sectors.
When I was on the tools my patch covered small towns and rural countryside, so very much a backwater compared to NYC! I remember attending a course with some gents who had a similar role to me but based in London..I was surprised to find out they only covered three or four office blocks with in the city and either walked or took the Underground between them...
Theoretically we all did the same job but in reality it was worlds apart so I can relate to what you said about working in NYC!
UK! Nice, thank you for the reply man. I’ve never been over. NY between NYC and the hamptons is like London and the rural countryside. I was covering both depending on the day. At first with broad scope av and then later with just Lutron lighting control systems.
40 years is a long time brother. You’ve seen the evolution. Which I find quite cool. I came into the industry on the end of crt TVs so I’ve seen a lot but not 40 years worth.
In any case, I’ll extend to you the invite of all my worldly friends of the channel, should you ever find yourself coming out to NY please reach out and the first pint (or sparkling water) is on me. A couple years back someone I become very friendly with came over from Kenya and it was really cool to share a few pints and talk shop.
Stay safe brother!
Great job
The whole bag is well setup ready for everything Your going to be needing sooner or later . Plus got to be ready for surprises.
Appreciate you watching. I no longer do field work in my 9-5 but I still manage my own system. That bag and setup definitely served me well for a long time. Are you in the trades? What do you do? What brought you to my video?
@@QVisionGarage yes i do cableling and installations mostly access control and security systems
@@prbones2127 very cool. I think I mentioned it in the video at the time it was made I was specializing in low voltage lighting systems, lutron homeworks. Now I do all the backend database building and programming from a desk. All in all I think the field work helped me better understand what our field team needs in a comprehensive database for easier deployment at install.
@@QVisionGarage it's a great professional choice for me it's fun challenging and Innovative
Thanks for the video. How about TDRs (time domain reflectometers)? Would seem helpful on service calls- outdoor lighting, ethernet, etc.
Hey Mike, thank you for your service. While I’ve read about them, and even almost bought one I’ve never used a TDR. I think I was looking at one maybe by Klein or fluke, I can’t recall who made it. At the time when I was considering one I was doing all stages of low voltage work including pre wiring and at that time it would have made sense but where I am now I don’t pull wire anymore. With lutron in particular the keypad loops incorporate redundancies for fail safes, if you’re not familiar there’s a feed and a return incase of a failure in the loop. But you’re absolutely right it’s a great tool, and I’m sure it could save a lot of time in the right applications, especially if you can access the break. I appreciate the comment and you subscribing. Send me an email and I’ll mail you a free qvision sticker if you’d like one. Qvisionentertainment@gmail.com.
I like those Dykes. what brand were those?
DeWalt compounding side cutters. I think there’s a new model. Overall they weren’t bad, I actually like my gearwrench ones better.
@@QVisionGarage I’m gonna look into them.
I’m new to the trade.
But our focus is security and fire.
I’m doing some research on most common tools and some fundamental tips if i can find any. I appreciate your video.
@@cali_misfit1387 any time brother appreciate you watching. You wanna set yourself apart, learn how to troubleshoot thoroughly, become familiar with a multimeter, the products you install, normal voltage and resistance ranges. The trades aren’t about the tools in your belt, a good tech can do their work with cheap shit. It’s your knowledge and how you apply it that makes a tradesman. I’ve seen a lot of guys come through the low volt trades that just don’t care enough or take pride in their work. I hope you do well brother. Never stop learning.
@@cali_misfit1387 I’d honestly say before you dump your freedom eagles on top notch gear, get your basics, so many times I see guys carting nearly an entire shop of tools. I get being addicted to buying them and owning them, but big bucks aren’t always the answer. I’ve had high dollar gear that was complete shit and low dollar gear that I absolutely love. If memory serves correctly, security and fire focuses on mostly super high gauge thin wire, a good multi tool like the gerber gear mp600 or a sog or leatherman will be clutch. I never leave home without my gerber and it’s saved my ass more times than I can count.
@@QVisionGarage Yes sir thank you for the advice.
Right now it’s a lil slow since i’m shadowing the tech.
But so far i’ve learned some basics. But i look forward to learning more.
Coming from a construction trade, i always ale sure my work is neat and clean.
My customer service and interaction is always top notch.
And i make sure i’m working efficiently.
I start a new lv job on Monday, after a hv apprenticeship didn't pan out to what I was told it would be. I have a full veto pack full of electricians tools that I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to use now. Does the lv trade usually utilize a lot less tools or am I just worrying about nothing?
Depends on what side of the trade you get into. When I was doing low voltage field work, one company we did everything from hanging tvs, security cameras, building racks…. Another company I worked just in lutron lighting systems. Bottom line the tools likely won’t go to waste. Thanks for watching brother! Good luck!
You should also note that while I don’t know the circumstances of why your apprenticeship didn’t work out, it’s pretty standard for the old vets to shit on the apprentice, you’ll be digging, sweating and doing all the shit work for a while but the career does pay off. Don’t give up brother.
@@QVisionGarage The new place does mostly data, voice, fiber, splicing, structured cabling. Old place lied and said I'd be in the commercial hv field and then just stuck me in the back of the house doing inventory for their led biz. When I started asking if it would count toward my license or when I would start doing electrical (6 months in) they told me that I would likely never start training to be an apprentice and that the warehouse organizational roles is why they hired me...
@@christophermccartney7150 yea that’s fucked man. There will likely be some specialized tool you don’t have but like I said the other stuff won’t go to waste. Email me a few picture of your bag and I’ll shout you out in the channel. Qvisionentertainment@gmail.com
What was the name of that last tool? for cutting out templates
I believe it’s from a company called labor saving devices, but Jonard makes the same thing. If you search low voltage wall box template you’ll find it.
thank you
"be nice to next guy" lol that goes for more than just the zip tie ends but yes! Preach my dude! Lol
Great video- thanks or sharing- I’ll share my bag once I record it
Who makes the bag?
That was a dewalt made bag, I believe CLC make it for them, you can probably find the non branded CLC bag for less and truth be told it’s very old now
Nice review 👍👍
Thanks brother! Appreciate you watching, what other videos would you like to see?
30 seconds to do a cat 6? No way. Was it shielded or not because it takes me over a minute to strip, cut the foil and plastic, and use my tweaker to straighten the conductors.
Shielded is a different story. Regular cat6 I’d say I had down to a muscle memory science. Part of it was that I would only use two tools, and I found those tools to help bring the efficiency up. Cutting the jacket, removing the core and drain, I’d use my Klein snips. I’d also use the top end of them to straighten the wires out. After that, splitting the blue and greens, trimming to size and slipping an end on is not much time at all. This process was even faster using EZ ends which when I was doing low voltage av work the company I worked for did use. Thanks for watching brother!
@@QVisionGarage ur process is much simpler than mine lol. I use an Irwin automatic wire stripper to strip, a little Klein flush cutter to cut the drain, sometimes I use my tweaker to straighten out the conductors, then I use my Klein strippers to cut the conductors evenly, then I put the ends on and crimp. I carry all these tools along with my tester in a Klein pouch. It works out for me. Whenever I’m working with cat5/6/6A I can just pick up my pouch. Great video other wise you are very organized.
@@deadstar962 that’s what it’s about brother, making it work for you. When I was doing AV (I only work on lighting control systems now) I had a ball buster of a boss, he made me a better tech. I learned how to be quick and efficient but paid my dues for sure. Making patch after patch, testing each one to the point that I could do it in my sleep. In my prime I could probably go 99/100 on terminations. Working on lighting control systems now, I carry a small set of screwdrivers, a toner and a set of vampliers. I think I said this in the video, it boggles my mind that, what I’ll call blanket low volt guys (AV) always end up carrying so many tools, just like I did. Later on I ended up organizing a packout setup with roughing, tone and test and finish tools so I wasn’t carrying so much all the time. The AV guys that work in that division of my company all carry so many tools, idk what part of the world you’re in but getting on the subway with 80lbs of tools is brutal. But I’ll ask you this, if you could only have 5 tools to make it through a workday what would they be?
you from Philly?
No sir, NY. Thanks for watching