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tools & stuff

6/19/2018

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     One of the best things about being a tradesman is going shopping for tools. It's like being a kid in a candy store and having Christmas all over again every time we enter the store. The only difference is that as a kid, someone else paid for it. Well, buying tools is a necessary part of the job. We can either spend a little amount of money and get sub-standard tools that will most likely break at the exact wrong time, or we can spend the appropriate amount and get the job done.  Below are some of the tools that I've found to work out the best for me in my 20+ year career so far.
Keep one in the truck, van and/or car.
Keep one in the boat.
Keep one in the camping supplies.
​Keep one in the junk drawer.

​You get the point.
"Kleins", "Linesmens", Whatever you call them....
​
Absolute necessity.

Get the one with the fish tape puller, you won't regret it.
Side Cutters

​The angled head fits where the straight one doesn't. 
Wire Stripper

​My favorite is the Klein 1010.
My runner up is the Klein K12055.

​These Rack-A-Tiers ones look cool though.
Red Robbie, #2

If you're in Canada, you need the whole Robertson family. You'll use this one more than any other.
Black Robbie, #1

​"The big robbie", used more in the Industrial world than anywhere else but still should be in the toolbox.
Green Robbie, #3

​"The Little Robbie", for all those switches and receptacles.
It's a prybar, it's a chisel... just kidding, don't use it for that.

A big blade is a necessity in the tool bag.
Flat Blade Screwdriver

The go-to flat blade.
Philips Screwdriver

Phil! The American screw of choice and usually found in every light fixture.
Screwdriver Set

​The long screwdrivers are my go-to choices but every once in a while they won't fit. Always handy to keep the shorter ones in the tool box. 
Nut Drivers

​Nut-drivers are the handiest way to tighten or loosen hex-shaped material. Again the long ones just seem to work better for me.
6 Tap
​
If you've ever built cabinets and need to drill and tap for smaller screws or if you need to clean drywall mud outta the switch mounting holes... this is the tool for you.
"Allen Keys" - SAE

While the one piece sets are handy to keep around, most times you need the single key due to space issues. In my history anyways.
"Allen Keys" - Metric

Same as above, but metric for the rest of the world.
"Channies", "Waterpump Pliers"...

For some reason the Channel Lock brand always fit better in my hand. Keep two sets handy, trust me.
Stakon Crimpers

​Some pliers do the same job, but sometimes them pliers don't fit in the space allowed. Keep a pair of crimpers handy.
Knock-out Cutters

​Most bosses buy these for you, but sometimes is takes a while to track down all the parts to do the job too.
Ratcheting Cable Cutters
​
These handy cable cutters save a lot of time and energy compared to a hacksaw or power saw.
Cable Cutters
​
​When the ones above are a little small.
Unibits
​
The most useful bits to keep around.
Hole Saw Kit

Never leave the house without it.
Well, to a project anyways.
Auger Bit

Blow through wood with ease.
Angle Drill

For easier on the wrists, torque that won't quit.
Drill/Driver

I'm a Milwaukee fan. I have some that are 7 years old and the batteries still last.
Drill/Driver

When a little set is all you need. You can't go wrong.
Wire Racks

The Rack-A-Tiers are a nice modular way to set up for a quick wire pull.
Dust Bowl

​Keeping the dust out of your eyes (and everywhere else) when drilling over your head.
       This isn't a complete list of course. You can never have enough tools. But this covers the essential set that makes its way around from project to project.
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pREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

6/12/2018

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Picture
Thanks to Google for the photo.
        When I bought my first house I noticed that the switch in the master bedroom made a buzzing sound whenever I turned it on. I had planned to replace all the plugs and switches anyways because the house was built in the '60s and I figured that they were probably the original fixtures, but the buzzing confirmed the necessity to me.
       Ever been to a hotel and tried plugging in your phone charger but the block just falls right out of the receptacle? Maybe you need to bend the prongs out a bit to ensure a good connection. This is the result of regular wear and tear for a hotel. Receptacles, like anything else, has a limited life span.
       A bit of preventative maintenance is usually a good thing. Why wait for something to go completely wrong before you feel the need to fix it? When your dealing with electricity, maintenance becomes an even bigger priority. Circuit breakers are there for when there is a catastrophic failure of some sort, but there is usually a few things that can be done before it gets to that point.
    When one switch in the house starts acting funny or making a funny noise, it's probably about time to think about replacing the lot. Receptacles that are loose from wear and tear can contribute to arcing and sparking conditions that can lead to fires and other scary experiences.
        Calling in an electrician to replace these devices doesn't cost an arm and a leg. They can check out the panel box and make sure all the connections are tight while they are there. Who knows, they might just save you from a bigger expense down the road.

​Trev
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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

6/8/2018

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Picture
Photo courtesy of chevrolet.ca

    Planning on buying an EV in the near future?

    Maybe selling a house and looking for something that will make it stand out?

   Installing an EV Charging Station is probably going to be necessary in the near future for many Canadians. In some provinces, there are rebates available for the purchase and installation of eligible charging stations. In BC, you can get a maximum of $750 back when you have an eligible charging station installed in homes more than 6 months old by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
     Sounds expensive right? It's actually not that bad when you consider that the average gas savings for an EV is $1500-$2000 per year. The average cost to install a 30A, 240V EV Charging Station is $1800 depending on material costs and difficulty (some homes may require a service upgrade).
    There are other options for multi-family homes and workplaces. The rebates go as high as $4000 under certain conditions when EV Charging Stations are installed. 
   
​    More information can be found at www.pluginbc.ca 

    Contact Us for a site visit and we can discuss your options.

Trev
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Lets get wiring

6/6/2018

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      Have a new project on the go or coming soon, send us your plans and let us give you a quote for all your electrical needs.
       We are new to doing business, but not new to working hard, safe and professional.


Email trev@thielenelectric.com
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