Batboard

I just was hired at a company that sells motorola, kenwood, and some other emergency equipment. They have never been in the install business before, but now they have a demand for it...

So they hired me...and I am excited!

Now I need to start thinking about what kind of tools to be getting to stock my new shop.

I have a source for connectors & ect... (Waytek)

Any ideas... Where would you start?

This is going to be for installing radios, lights, sirens, lightbars, about everything you can imagine...

Any and all help greatly appreciated!

- Nick

First and foremost, get 1 or 2 sets of GOOD quality wire strippers. Not the Autozone $3.99 special strip/crimp combo set. Get some Kleins and be prepared to replace them every few months (depending on how much you use them). Get a cordless drill, a good soldering iron, a 3/4" NMO hole saw, I could go on.......

I would also invest in a good quality multimeter, once again not one that you get at rat shack, but one that if you drop it on the ground a few times it will be okay.

Definitely a helper for troubleshooting instals, as well as general instalation help!

definately get all the basic hand-tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, socket sets, torx, etc. also, might be worth your while to get a full set of trim panel pullers. and don't forget your coax crimpers. anything that you might break while doing an install that isn't available down the street.... get TWO of em. like the nmo hole saw for example. have extra stuff.

Power Probe II:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/PP-PP219FT.html

A huge assortment of screws, nuts, bolts, washers, lock washers, drill bits, driver bits, hex bits, allen wrenches, etc etc.

Check on ebay and some of the audio suppliers for the special tool for interior trim panels. Klien Unibits are handy too.

Though not a comprehensive list, here is a few items I have in my tool bag.

1. Right angle Craftsman or Makita cordless drill (couldn't work w/o it.)
2. Fluke Multimeter (does everything I need)
3. Panel Popper
4. Klein Wire Strippers
5. Klein Wire Crimpers
6. Crimpers for Mini UHF, BNC, TNC, etc,
7. Crimper for Pins on Radios
8. Assortment of Drill bits
9. Assortment of Driver Bits, Allen, Torx, #2phillips (you will always break 1)
10. #45, #50, #55 Torks on 3/8 driver for rachet (You will need it to remove seats in certain vehicles)
11. #50 (I believe) Allen on 3/8 drive for the same thing
12. Antenex antenna hole Saw w/ replacement blades
13. High quality 1" hole saw w/ replacement blades for strobes
14. Good Assortment of screwdrivers
15. Soldering Iron and Solder for Connectors
16. Small Hand Level (for making perfect adjustments)
17. Set of Ford Radio Keys
18. Carpenter's Razor (for making small cuts in carpet when needed)


I have probably left out a few items. But that is a few basics. You will find you need more tools as you go along. If you have never done installs before, I would highly recommend you go to another shop and try to learn a few techniques. Also, knowledge of vehicles and wiring systems are a must. If you plug into the wrong thing, or cut the wrong wire, you could do major damage to a vehicle.

Get a STRONG magnet out of a hard drive to collect shavings.
10 feet or so of Teflon coax as a pull/fish wire.

i would recomend a rigth angle drill adapter as well the small one

Dont Forget High Speed Internet.
If you have never done this before, you will need to look at LOTS of installs of radio equipment, emergency equipment and even car audio installs. Get lots of ideas, tips hints tricks etc.

Not to put you down, but with me being in the install business and I have seen the best and the worst, 90% are the worst. This is not something that anybody can instantly learn how to do right. I still see "perfeshinal istalears" run power wire thru door jams, around pedals and steering system. SAFETY is #1, even over function. You dont want an airbag to go off because of a bad wire/ground job or in an accident have it turn equipment into projectiles. You can get a lot of good help around here, and dont get discouraged if someone talks crap about what you do, nobody starts off perfect. Just remember to do everything 110% and never cut corners in this business, and you should be OK.

PS. Get a GOOD chiropractor. You will find that you will need to bend your body in ways you have never thought of before.
Good Luck!

EC-7's post reminded me of a couple things:

Knee pads and a creeper.

Never, EVER!!!!! install a radio on the flat part of the dash above the gas pedal!!!! even if it looks like a good place to put it due to room concerns and ergonomics...In an accident (front or rear), it will remove the customers kneecap... a friend of mine found this out the hard way!!!

...Z

Thanks for all of the great ideas guys.

I have been doing installs at home for quite a while now...and I dont mean to brag, but I have done alot of great installs compared to some trash I have seen in my area....like as someone said ealier about wires through jams, or stuck on pedals, or strapped to steering columns...

Now I finally have the chance to get any tools I want, and have fun cause I am doing it and getting paid a whole lot more.


I am doing a brand new Impala for a local police chief Thursday, a coulple Ohio State Patrol crusiers, a Haz-Mat trailer, a few school buses, and 5 fire trucks in 5 weeks. So Im excited that I am going to be so busy!

This company I work for only charges $25/hr for installs which is pretty cheap compared to a few shops charge $65-$85/hr.


I will be definetly posting some pics of this Impala...New whelen LED lightbard, and LED'd and strobe'd out majorly!!!

Its gonna be sweet!

- Nick

This company I work for only charges $25/hr for installs which is pretty cheap

We pay our installers $18 to $22 per hour. Kind of hard to charge out at $25 an hour.
Not to be too personal, but what do they pay the installer if they only charge the customer $25 an hour?

I get paid $15/hr....this company is new, so the price will probably raise once they get the customers. The demand is definetly there, and I will be very busy this week.

I don't think anyone else has mentioned it: Don't forget the Advil/Tylenol, band-aids, and anti-bacterial items.

As an installer at a shop near here told me: "some days, it's not a real install until someone bleeds."

Gordon

One of the things that I've just started keeping in my vehicle is a canister of waterless hand cleaner wipes. I also keep a canister in the garage and in the house. I'm partial to the heavy duty Kimberly Clark wipes (part number 58310)

Also, keep some spare panel pins on hand in a multitude of colors and sizes. You will invariably break at least one every couple installs.

If you aren't sure if you have enough of something, get a few more. If you think you DO have enough of something, get a couple more anyway.

Make sure you bring a big bottle of patience for the perfect install that will have a glitch in it. Good luck with your new venture.Sounds like you ready to go. good luck with the new venture