atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring While being out on the job and/or field and not having proper tool, what do you do?

I carry a spare key in my wallet and there is one hidden under the truck where you have to know where it is and you'll get dirty getting it

how about driving 70 miles to do some programing and the laptop never made it in the truck .....kinda hard to improvise a notebook PC

Depends what I've left behind. Most of us probably have two or more of everything. Butt sets, toners, wands, etc. etc. I have left big items behind from time to time and just have to say "dammit" and move on to plan B whatever that may be

I still have my original punch down tool and butt set I bought, but damn if I don't seem to go through a toner a year. Its unbelievable how they walk off on me!! about 12 years ago I gave a young kid I worked with a toner I wasn't using. It was a generic cheap one. We did a job together last week, and he still has the same toner!!

On a side note, it is amazing how many people you run across that dont have the proper tools to do a job, I am not even talking about basic stuff like butt sets and toners, but drills, crimpers, screws, tie-wraps etc... it is funny what you see.

No Punch Tool? I have used my pocket screwdriver or small needle nose.

No Toner? Depends on the app. Need to trace a COL back to the Demarc? Dial the 1Khz test tone number from a working line and run the Demarc with a Butt set.

No Butt set? Try to find a 2500 set or equivalent.

Paper clips, Pocket knife, dollar bill(for contacts), rubber bands ( I fixed a broken hook switch with a rubber band).

No drill? Sometimes telephone scissors - it depends.

No Batteries? You're toast.

Get a dozen of these.

(He's Canadian, so don't make fun of how he talks.)

Nothing is worse to me than not having a tool that should be in my bag or on my van. On more than one occasion I've had to 'McGyver' a solution to a failure on my part to keep track of my tools!

What? :rofl:

Interesting video, though.

My Paladin MultiTool in a belt pouch that I always have with me, with punchblades, etc has saved many trips to the other end of the office or warehouse, or the truck for my tool bag.

a clip on belt pouch with a punch tool ,snips , needle nose pliers , led light and Klein 10 and one screwdriver does the same and gives me a real tool to use rather than making do with a "multi tool "

I only use the Paladin for a few punches if I don't have the "real" tool with me. It punches and cuts good. It's pouch has a small footprint and I always have it with me on my belt. The bucket boss pouch probably is very useful.