“Getting your first cordless drill is like you were walking and now you are running.”
This is the single most important purchase you will make as an apprentice. A quality cordless drill or screw gun with two batteries and a charger will dramatically improve your speed and quality of life on the job. When choosing a brand, think about the future. You are buying into a battery platform, so choose a brand that has a wide range of other tools you might want to own someday.
Your next purchase should be a basic diagnostic tool. As an apprentice, you won’t be troubleshooting complex systems, but you absolutely must be able to verify the presence or absence of voltage.
Priority #1: Non-Contact Voltage Tester (NCVT)
This is your first-line-of-defense safety tool. An NCVT (often called a “ticker” or “wiggy” on site) can quickly tell you if a circuit *might* be energized. It’s easy to use and hard to get wrong. However, you must treat it with professional skepticism: an NCVT ringing clear could be a false negative. **Always** verify the circuit is dead at the source before beginning work.
Also Consider: Plug Tester
A simple plug tester is an excellent, inexpensive tool that can instantly confirm if an outlet is wired correctly. While an NCVT tells you if power is present, a plug tester tells you if it’s safe to use.
While a set of standard screwdrivers is essential, the next best thing for efficiency is a multi-bit screwdriver. It allows you to carry multiple drivers in a single handle.
“I prefer the cheap 10-in-1 drivers where the bits can be chucked up in a drill. That versatility is unbeatable. You can use it as a standard screwdriver, a bit driver for your drill, or even grip the bits with pliers to get into extremely tight spaces.”
While a 10-in-1 is a great tool, it’s crucial to understand its drawbacks. Multi-tools are a trade-off between convenience and performance.
They Wear Faster
The bits on a multi-tool, especially if you use them in a drill, will wear out faster than the solid shaft of a dedicated screwdriver.
They Have “Slop”
The connection between the bit and the handle is never as solid as a single-piece tool. This “slop” can make it harder to get a positive grip on a stubborn screw.
They Are Bulky
The thick shaft of a multi-tool can be too wide to fit into tight spaces, especially inside a crowded electrical panel, where a slim, dedicated screwdriver is superior.
As you master your Tier 1 and Tier 2 tools, you’ll be given more responsibility. In Part 14, we’ll explore the “Tier 3” toolkit—the advanced tools you’ll acquire as you transition into an established, experienced electrician.
