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A Lineman wrench is the backbone of a lineman’s tool kit. It works hard, tightening nuts over and over; all day long. In your hand it feels solid like it’s meant for work and efficiency. Not only does it do a great job at tightening various nuts, but it also acts as a hammer.
I find myself using it to hammer my clamps level after tightening the nuts. Because of this I prefer to use the old fashioned type of Bell Wrench, but there are many great options available on the market for every lineman to find the perfect lineman wrench for them.
Best Overall: Milwaukee Impact Wrench
Talk about a machine. This thing eats through poles and tightens your nuts. After using this there really is no other tool out there that provides the kind of production as the Milwaukee Impact Wrench. Milwaukee has really made a tool that makes the long days of putting up strand truly enjoyable and much more effortless.
Drilling holes and cranking on nuts all day can wear you out. With this tool you’ll notice the difference in how much the tool works for YOU. However, it does come at a cost, and a pricey one at that. By far the most expensive option on the list, especially after adding the attachments needed. You’ll need the socket attachment for tightening the square nuts and such. You’ll also need the auger bit, and you’ll love it. This machine makes quick work of drilling holes. I was quite impressed.
This awesome tool does weigh significantly more. close to 6 pounds or so.
Best Budget: Klein Bell Wrench
This is what I started with and I honestly I still love it. Slipping off a square nuts and busting your knuckles really sucks, but this thing can tighten nuts, beat down clamps, easily turn slip eye or thimble eye frames, and it feels balanced in your hand.
Lots of lineman tend to have this tool as their backup wrench, but it definitely can be your primary. The Klein bell wrench is a true lineman wrench option that you can’t go wrong with and it will stand the test of time.
Best Runner-Up: Milwaukee 5 in 1 Ratcheting Wrench
There’s a lot to like about this lineman wrench. For starters ratcheting wrenches ease your work day as you dont need to remove and reposition your wrench everytime, like you need to with a bell wrench. It features 2 more sockets, 9/16″ and 3/4″, has a built in surface for hammering so you can beat down those clamps, and good size directional switches. There’s not much you can’t do with this lineman wrench. The Milwaukee 5-in-1 ratcheting wrench will have you efficient and productive with ease.
Best Under $100: Klein 3 in 1 Ratcheting Wrench
Klein is back on the list with another trusted option used by tons of lineman and rightfully so. A ratcheting wrench like the previous Milwaukee option. If you’re curious about trying out a ratchet wrench and for whatever reason don’t want to get the Milwaukee, this is a great next option. I prefer the way the Milwaukee fits in my hand compared to this Klein ratchet wrench, but give it a whirl and you might just love it, like so many others do.
I do really enjoy the bright yellow colors so it can easily to be seen, which helps not lost it.
Best Box Wrench: Klein Lineman Insulated 4-in-1 Box Wrench
They make this both insulated and not insulated. You can save a few bucks if you go non insulated. But honestly, I prefer the insulated version because, once again, it seems to fit better in my hand. We use this tool all the time on weavers and bug nuts. I’ve tried lots of different ratcheting wrenches for bug nuts and weavers and none stand the test of time like this insulated wrench. Do yourself a favor and just get this handy tool and find a close place to store as it will be used often.
Final Words
Gone are the days where you just have a bell wrench option to get the job done. You can go super fancy with the Milwaukee Impact drill or you can go very simple and use the Klein Bell Wrench. Whatever you choose all the options listed above will help you thrive throughout your workday and you can trust you are getting a quality product from a trusted source that knows what it takes to do a lineman’s job. In the end It comes down to personal preference when deciding how which lineman wrench you want to use day in, day out.
If you are looking to upgrade where you store your new lineman wrench, check our list of the best bucket organizers on the market!