Buzzlineman is reader supported. If you purchase after clicking the affiliate links, I’ll earn some money- maybe even enough to buy me a new pair of work gloves. You do not pay a higher price.
I’ve been ordering off Amazon for years. I love the convenience of ordering from my phone in seconds. I especially like the fact that I can do the purchasing while it’s on my mind instead of forgetting to “buy it later”. With Amazon, you can find the exact tool you need in just a few clicks, and have it delivered right to your doorstep. It’s like having a personal tool assistant at your fingertips.
Read on to learn the 10 must have fiber lineman tools that you can buy today on Amazon. I just bought #2 the other day!
#1 Bell Wrench
A couple great bell wrench options to choose from-
Milwaukee Lineman ratcheting wrench
The Klein is open ended and the Milwaukee is round. Both are quite capable of tightening the square and lock nuts we use to install frames.
I’ve been using this exact Klein bell wrench for over a year and it works great. When using it to tighten 3 bolt clamps I have noticed switching to the smaller wrench side for the smaller bolt nuts works best.
After tightening my 3 bolt clamps they are often slightly unlevel and I will use the bell wrench much like a hammer and hit the clamp until it is level. Lineman that use a ratcheting wrench will often carry a hammer with them to achieve a level clamp, because they are not comfortable using their ratcheting wrench like a hammer.
Another benefit to the open ended Klein bell wrench is it’s ability to tighten thimble eye nuts/screw eye. However, with a pair of channel locks (on the list also, #6) you can accomplish installing those screw eyes/slip eyes.
You need a bell wrench, no doubt about it. Choose whichever seems more your style.
# 2 Lineman Drill
A lineman impact drill is a game changer when it comes to getting the job done quickly and efficiently. With its powerful torque and high speed, it can make short work of even the toughest jobs. Plus, with the right bit, you can drill through any pole out there with ease. It’s a masterful piece of machinery made just for us 🙂
If only the old timer lineman and their manual drills could see how spoiled we are now. 2 more elite options are available for getting those holes drilled.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Impact Wrench
DeWalt 20V Max XR Impact Wrench
I included the kit for the Milwaukee AND the tool ONLY (below).
If you haven’t been using drills like these to get the job done, I would recommend grabbing one. They have so much power that annoying things like your auger bit getting stuck in the pole, having to push while you drill, or those tough new poles, nothing stands a chance against these impact drills. These drills are loud, but they make quick work and require less effort to get that hole drilled.
#3 Auger Bit
The auger but is one of the most underrated tools on the job. We just spoke about those awesome impact drills and how they can chew through poles with ease, but each drill has got to have an auger bit.
A great auger bit can make an average drill look good. The problem is, even the best auger bits can be damaged- those overhead downguys have got the best of a couple auger bits of mine.
A couple auger bits that I have used and can vouch for:
WoodOwl Tri-Cut Auger bit
Milwaukee Lineman Auger bit
Personally, I prefer the WoodOwl, because it eats through the pole with ease while leaving an ultra smooth hole. Some auger bits don’t do a good job of cleaning out the hole, which isn’t a big deal, as long as you’re able to get your bolt through the hole without pounding on it with your bell wrench/hammer….
The WoodOwl Tri-Cut is the best auger bit I have used and the Milwaukee bit is a solid choice. With a bad auger bit you’ll find yourself working harder, not smarter.
#4 Impact Driver/Drill
Get rid of that hammer when putting in lag screws. Swinging that hammer on 4 taps in a row can really wear a guy down. If this is you, get yourself an impact driver with a bit that fits the lag screw head. Sink those lag screws in seconds and let the drill work for you. It will be one of the best return on value and energy on this list.
I’ve been using the same ol’ trusty impact diver for years and it keeps on delivering. Grab yourself one, there’s no way you’ll regret it.
DeWalt 20V MAX Impact Driver
#5 Lineman Pliers
Nines, lineman pliers, whatever you want to call them- they are going to stay close to you everyday of the job. They will be used when installing strand and fiber, so they are extremely important and used for cutting wire and copper. Some guys like to use smaller sized pliers, 7.5 inch instead of the “nines”. As long as they cut smoothly I don’t care what size. I used mine over 20 times today.
Here are 2 more lineman pliers to choose from that will suit you well on the job-
Channellock 7.5 Blue Lineman Pliers.
Don’t let them rust or they will be a pain to work with throughout the day. Some grease or WD-40 usually does the trick though.
#6 Channel Locks
One of the most versatile tools on the job site. The channellocks get used daily- strand and fiber. We use them to tighten the sno-shoe brackets, install split bolts, auxiliary eyes, finish tightening preforms, plus so much more. I like to use them to dig in the dirt for them aux eyes 😉
Channellocks ability to change sizes, tighten and loosen, make it a must have tool for any lineman, hands down. With channellocks you can complete almost all of your work on the pole. Also, if you get sick of transferring your channellocks from your bucket to your climbing belt, buy 2!
#7 Ratcheting Wrenches
Ah, the handy ratchet wrench – a tool that embodies the spirit of ease and self-sufficiency. With a 1/2 inch and 7/16 inch in your arsenal, you’ll be able to tackle any weaver or bug nut. Save yourself both time and frustration. So go forth, my friends, and get those bug nuts up on the line.
1/2 inch Gearwrench 12 point ratcheting wrench
7/16 inch Gearwrench 12 point ratcheting wrench
#8 Handline Rope
The handline rope is one of my must haves, but I see other guys not using it as often as I do. If I need to put up a riser guard on hooks, a riser guard AND H rack, I’m using a handline rope. I don’t like climbing with strand on my belt so I’ll pull it up to myself with my handline rope. There’s so many more uses for the handline rope on this job and I’m thankful for the guy that gifted me my first one!
This Klein Handline Rope with Swivel Hook is a great option, but it’s 75 feet long. That’s too long. Chop it down to less than 40 feet and put a hook on it. Both sides now have hooks and you’ve got yourself a great setup. It’s like having a an extra set of hands. I love it.
More details on this rope…
Polypropylene Hand Line by Klein Tools is a rope designed for use by linemen. This hand line is made from high-quality polypropylene, a synthetic material that is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to abrasion and moisture.
#9 Saw
We used a saw today to get rid of a few smaller branches and wrist thick trees that were in our way when lashing up fiber. In the fiber construction line of work, situations like these happen semi frequently. What I like about a good wood saw is how easy it is to store away when not in use. Tuck it in the bucket, on the back of the bucket truck, in a bin, almost anywhere. Plus it can cut riser guards.
A chainsaw is great also, but who wants to pack that around all the time if space is limited?
I have to mention another saw that is great for cutting the hard plastic riser guards (U guards), the hacksaw. These saws have blades that are meant for cutting such material and can be changed out when they become dull. 1 blade can last a loooong time. To me the time and work they save you are totally worth changing out the blade when it needs it and the blades are fairly inexpensive.
I’ve been using the Craftsman for the past few years and it has held up well. I’ve probably cut 100+ riser guards with it.
14 in Wood Saw
Lenox 12 in High Tension Hacksaw
Craftsman 12 in Hacksaw
#10 Power Inverter
Bestek 150 Watt Power Inverter
The power inverter is a must have for me because a battery is critical for the lineman drill, plus impact driver…unless you still use a hammer to get those lag screws in. The inverter allows you to charge your batteries from the cab on your bucket truck/service truck. This is sooo important because, I have seen guys and been the guy, that takes his battery home every night to charge it and then forgets to bring it back to work the next day.
Don’t be this guy.
Get yourself an inverter and you can plug it into the cigarette lighter port. 12v to 110v, and boom, just like that, your battery is charging. I always have a backup battery, just in case.
My workday rarely uses a full battery, especially fiber days, but it’s comforting to have a backup.
This Bestek inverter has usb slots so you can also charge a couple other electronics, like your phone. I’ve been using this one for over a year and it’s worked perfectly. My prior power inverter, EverStart 100 Watt, worked ok, but was loud and died on me.
Save yourself the trouble and get a solid power inverter so you can stay productive while in the field.
#11 Tape Measure
They want riser guards 12 feet from the ground, 12-18 inches from the frame, and the frame to be installed 16 inches from neutral. All these measurements, plus some, and it’s obvious you need a tape measure. What construction job doesn’t call for a tape measure?
If you use the tape measure how they should be used they’ll last a long time. However, that riser guard 12 feet from the ground is hard to measure when the wind is blowing 20 mph and shrubs/weeds are in the way. My solution is to tape a slip eye onto the end of the tape measure. This and some good placement on the pole and you should be able to get a fairly accurate measurement.
Buuuut, not every tape measure is meant for this type of abuse. I’ve broke multiple tape measures at the end because the weight and the bending are too much. Once they lose that metal piece at the end, see ya later. Those things suck back in and you’re on the pole, in the woods, in the heat, without a tape measure SOL…However, I finally found one that has been able to withstand the rough lifestyle and continues to chug along, without breaking.
Milwaukee Anit-Tear Coating 25ft
The anti-tear coating is the important part. The entire 25 feet is NOT anti tear, but the first 6 inches are. Which is enough to get that slip eye on there. On my tape measure setup a few inches of that anti-tear coating has started to wear and isn’t properly coated anymore, but that hasn’t seemed to have any affect on it. It keeps working as great as ever.
25 feet is probably too much. I use the 16 foot version and I like it, but it’s still quite bulky, especially in a diddy bag. I couldn’t find a good 16 foot option on Amazon, but Home Depot has it all day.
#12 Throw Rope
The throw rope is a must have equipment piece, hands down. The throw rope is used for a few different reasons, but the most important reasons include trees, creeks, fences, and thorny brush. The poles lines we work on often go through some pretty nasty wooded area that hasn’t been maintained, ever. So it will often be overgrown with tall and thick brush, including thorns and trees.
Use the throw rope, attached to the fiber/strand to get through some of those tricky spots without actually having to go through them. After you throw the rope, go around and grab the other end of the rope and continue pulling out the fiber or use it to pull the lasher on your way back.
One end of the throw rope has a snap hook so the fiber/strand can be attached, the other side needs weight of some sort, we use a slip eye, so it can be thrown. Make sure you can a decently long rope as it will be going in the air through trees and such.
The throw rope provides a safe and efficient strategy to get the cables into position where they need to be, you’ll love it.
Final Words on Lineman Amazon Tools
In conclusion, as a fiber optic lineman, having the right tools is crucial to getting the job done efficiently and safely. Each tool has its own unique purpose and adds value to the work being done. The Bell Wrench, Channellocks, Lineman Pliers, Ratcheting Wrenches, Lineman Drill, Auger Bit, Impact Driver, Tape Measure, Saw, Handline Rope, Inverter, Throw Rope are all essential tools that every fiber optic lineman should have in their tool kit.
By investing in quality tools, fiber optic linemen can ensure that they are able to complete their work efficiently, while also minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries. So, whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out in the field, amazon has the must have lineman tools to make your job as smooth as possible.
I recently bought the DeWalt 20v Impact Drill above and am loving it. If you are looking to buy a new drill for making those pole holes check out this article, 5 Best Impact Drills for Fiber Optic Lineman.