Non-standard equipment you just can't live without

[wet_boots101]

I have several items in my truck that I've accumulated over the years that make things SO much easier. I am not talking MacGuyver here, just things that help me in a bind.

I have taken to wearing a leather utility belt over my regular belt / pants to hang some of the stuff below on, FYI. Occasionally it gets cumbersome, but it's not like I carry it around all day.

You can buy most of these at a home improvement store or even Wal-Mart.

* belt hook (to hang the receiver on)
* shotgun shell bag (carry extra cans of paint on your belt, great for long extents)
* machete (clearing brush)
* 2-lb hammer (bang curb valve covers loose)
* rubber galoshes
* a good length of rope
* chisel hammer (great for digging out small areas such as around gas risers)
* extension rod w/ screw (for the ring clamp)
* hand-held spotlight (plugs into cig lighter- for finding addresses @ night)

Some of these may be area-specific, for example I am in the greater Chicago-Joliet area so unless I am in the sticks I don't often use the machete. It happens sometimes.

[Goldenboy]

I have most everything you listed except a machete.

The one thing I couldn't do without is a socket set. Our supervisor actually got everyone on out team a set a couple years ago. It has every screwdriver bit you could need plus sockets for getting into handholes,metric sockets for the VRADS because the can wrench don't work. Also when the techs torque down the bonding nuts or put them on the back side of the cables and the can wrench won't fit you can use the pivoting ratchet to get to them. It also has an adjustable wrench for bigger bolts you need to get off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/cablevine/socketset.jpg

[big boots mcghee]

I have taken to wearing a leather utility belt over my regular belt / pants to hang some of the stuff below on, FYI. Occasionally it gets cumbersome, but it's not like I carry it around all day.

Sounds more like someone's taking the Batman craze a little bit too far. What's next, you gonna start slinging paint from your wrists like Spiderman?

One thing I love having is a hands free head lamp that I use for after hours locates. It's small and compact but it does the job. Best stocking stuffer I ever got!

[yahoo]

hey the batman idea sounds pretty good to me .....where can i get a clip to hang my reciever off my belt .....that sounded real good to me.....

[TBONE]

Easy my cheaterclip and my dowsing rod :smiliedance:

[TBONE]

hey the batman idea sounds pretty good to me .....where can i get a clip to hang my reciever off my belt .....that sounded real good to me.....

Lowes or Home Depot has them they are normaly for cordless drills works good for RDs:good:

[wet_boots101]

OOO- I forgot the headlamp! Yeah, that is definitely top 10. Originally the lamp had a pad which would prevent scraping on your forehead, but after a while it started to disintegrate and whenever I put it on it looked like I just got back from Ash Wednesday mass, it left a black mark there. So I just rigged it to one of my hardhats permanently.

There were also these cool-ass gloves which had LEDs built into them, I can't find them anymore! The LED was mounted on the top of your pointer finger, it was great for poking around finding tracer wires at night. I don't know if Sears carries them or what but those were neat.

Believe it or not I haven't seen the new Batman sequel yet, actually I am more of an Iron Man fan myself.

JUST FOR YOU, Big Boots, I will draw a big BAT SYMBOL on the leather belt, next time you see me it will put fear within your heart & you will scream like a little girl as you run away, clomping your feet spastically!!! BWAA-HA-HA!!!

[theone]

I have 2 words for this post and its COFFEE CUP

[Paint Grenade]

there once was a guy that carried a drill on his hip and he would drill a hole for his flags


one time he drilled right thru a phone drop:ylsuper::ylsuper::ylsuper::ylsuper::ylsuper:

[BratPrince]

Until he drill through a drop.

[Goldenboy]

We use cordless drill all winter for flagging. With the frost in the ground there is no other way. Weather you use a cordless drill,hammer and screwdriver, or slammer ground rod you are going to break the 2 inch deep drops. If they would bury them to the 12 inch rule set by TW and AT&T there wouldn't be a problem.

[yahoo]

i wish att would bury drops 1 foot deep ............not here....

[TBONE]

Jesus christ you guys work too hare just to put a dinky flag in the ground guess the sandy beaches here have spoiled us:this:

[Goldenboy]

Jesus christ you guys work too hare just to put a dinky flag in the ground guess the sandy beaches here have spoiled us:this:


It's sounds like your in my dream world. Metal staffed flags and sand to throw them in. Alot of time I think I spend more time flagging than actually locating.

[sprayandpray]

I have the LED Cap Lite - it snaps onto the brim of your cap - no straps. About $10 lasts over 20 hours.

[TBONE]

It's sounds like your in my dream world. Metal staffed flags and sand to throw them in. Alot of time I think I spend more time flagging than actually locating.


And the bad thing is that I barely throw a flag unless it is a dire need

[LadyLeatherneck]

UG look up

[USICKurt]

ya, I have a whole arsenal of tools, and odds and ends in my truck to make my job easier. Had a head lamp that fit on the bill of your hat... Then my Supervisor used it to go into a man hole... needless to say, the light fell off his hard hat, and into the water... $40.00 down the hole... Sucked.

[sprayandpray]

ya, I have a whole arsenal of tools, and odds and ends in my truck to make my job easier. Had a head lamp that fit on the bill of your hat... Then my Supervisor used it to go into a man hole... needless to say, the light fell off his hard hat, and into the water... $40.00 down the hole... Sucked.

See my earlier post --$9.95 at Wally World.

[USICKurt]

See my earlier post --$9.95 at Wally World.

Ya, I saw that, but the one that I had was a multi LED light that would light up a 50' path. In the dark of the night it was nice to be able to see 50' on eather side of me. but I think this time I'll get the cheepie.

thanks