I Get Excited Over The Dumbest Stuff

For years now I've been borrowing wiring components from my brother....butt connectors, fuses, spade connectors and various terminals.

Finally bought me a $10.00 tackle box from Wal-Mart.

I've got my strippers and crimpers in there, a test light, some dykes (wire cutters).

In the trays, I've started out with some red butt connectors, and some yellows.

Stopped at Wal-Mart this morning and bought some alligator test clips, some blue butt connectors, some male and femaile spade connectors, some quick connectors and some auto electrical tape in various colors and a roll of black tape, oh and some zip ties.

Planning on picking up $10, or $20.00 worth of stuff each time I go to Wal-Mart for the next few weeks until I've got a whole box full of various electrical components.

Now why am I so excited over something so silly?

Planning on keeping all sorts of different styles of fuses in there. Some 1157 light bulbs for trailer lights. Bullet Connectors...I like bullet connectors, heat shrink tube, various sizes of terminals.

What else needs to be in my auto electric box?

Remember, this is just auto electric, so I'm not talking about twist type wire nuts? I hate thoset things. I'm thinking strictly automotive electrical.

 

electrical tape...

 

I keep a set of Craftsman mini wrenches (~1/4"-7/16") and some small screwdrivers in mine.:v6:

 

Awesome idea. I've got a set of those teeny tiny wrenches in my big box. Never used them. I'll bet that the electrical box will be a good place to put those. Thanks.

Already got electrical tape and zip ties.

Yep, I'm just gonna peruse the electrical section of auto parts stores till I've got a full box.

 

Good Idea. I have all these connectors, strippers, and such taking up a drawer in my tool box now. Time to buy (or find in the garage) a small tackel box.

 

One of those battery post cleanin thingys and some liquid electrical tape will come in handy.
Donnie

 

A volt meter and test light.

 

Thanks Bill.

I already have a test light, but I don't know how to read an ohm meter or volt meter.

I also was thinking about some batter terminals....the cheap kind, just in case of an emergency.

 

Someone mentioned a soldering iron. I'm not much on soldering, but others may be, so it might could be added to the list.

I may have to get a bigger tackle box.

 

Yeah, it still would be cool to have I guess.

 

Hey John, You need two of those tool boxes. After you get em full you need to give one to your brother and say thanks. ok.

 

i have solder, small torch( I prefer to solder with a small torch vs a soldering iron), $20 sears multimeter, spare relays, split loom tubing and lots of tape, almost every kind if terminal imagined.

 

You're right. I owe him tremendously. But since we live directly across the road from one another, we share just about everything. He's constantly digging around in my shop looking for something, and I'm constantly over at his house borrowing or looking for something.

We just come and go as we please. Between the two of us we have enough tools, and junk to accomplish most any task.

 

I prefer the small butane pencil torches for field repair or a corded iron... those "Cold Heat" things are a pain to use... they are good for emergency repairs though. I have one of those and a pencil torch (they run out of fuel quickly, or sometimes it leaks out in storage - carry extra fuel). It is hard to bridge the gap on the carbon tip on the 'Cold Heat' and make the connection with the solder in tight places, or on small wire when you don't have it on a bench. The carbon tips chip easily as well.

 

Radio shack and HF is a good place to get random stuff. I like the good electrical tape (3M?) that makes a waterproof connection. A set of tools made for electrical work, multi-meter, soldering iron, zip ties, all sorts of connections and a good pair of electrical plires, Klein not HD cheepies. I've moved from a tackle box to one of those plastic roll around tool boxes that are about 32 inches tall from stanley that walmart sells for about 20 bucks. You can get everything electrical in that and still make it easy to find and work out of.

And wire. different colors are nice. and rubber gromits to run wire through.

 

Dielectric Grease! Great for keeping moisture out.