the best tool for installs
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=50598
Printed Date: May 15, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Topic: the best tool for installs
Posted By: johnnyb1231
Subject: the best tool for installs
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 1:06 AM
instead of using meters get a power probe... this bad boy not only shows you the polarity of a wire, it allows you to pulse that wire with either ground or 12v... i use mine EVERY DAY also works great for popping speakers get em here https://www.toolrage.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=1626
Replies:
Posted By: boomer_106
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 9:16 AM
Nice tip Johnny. Too expensive for the casual user but, shop owners may like it.
Posted By: gus1
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 12:08 PM
I'll second the DVM..... it not only will tell you what you have, but how much. A light just lights up.... 5V will light a test light.
Wanna pop a speaker? Put some wire on one of the remote batteries you must have laying around. Cheap.... almost free.
Want to pulse a wire? Use that 18ga ATC fuse holder that is cluttering up your toolbox junk drawer. Park a 2A fuse in it to keep the smoke in the car.... good to go.
The best tools you may have in your arsenal are sometimes ones you can make for cheap.
My indespensable tool? It's called a "bone" in the autobody industry. Teflon stick...8" long, 5/8" or so wide, and 3/16" thick with a taper at both ends. Pry away at all the plastic you want... it won't mark plastic, vinyl, glass, wood.... and it won't break either. Coolest thing since sliced bread. You can mix your bondo with it, fibreglass resin, UTC fillers, urathane, whatever. Nothing sticks well to it because it is teflon.
Gus
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Wherever I go, that is where I end up......
Posted By: riceman
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 3:02 PM
johnnyb1231 I second that it was one of the best tools i have purchased. It makes my job so much easier, although it cant replace a DMM . It can do most of the task a DMM can do faster. And $92 bucks thats alot for the power probe I bought mines on ebay for $62 bucks shipped brand new.
Posted By: mxxmikexx
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 3:09 PM
lets not forget about the right angle makita drill.... i dont think a week has gone by in the last 10 yrs. where i havent almost used it daily.
gus1 i had one of those teflon sticks your talking about. awesome to have, pissed i lost mine tho.!
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Mike Battaglia
Specialized Car Audio
Bensenville IL 60106
Posted By: meltingplastic
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 4:35 PM
agreed with the makita grill. my righ angle pick tool is also used on every install i do...
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Driving a Bagged, Caddied 02 s10
Posted By: johnnyb1231
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 9:25 PM
yes yes my right angle pick is "indespensible" but i only break out the meter when im checking audio systems... i have a right angle drill but i HARDLY use the thing... it just collects dust... my die grinder however is one of the best tools i have to date... i havnt done a custom job yet without using it, i have never seen one of these bones and i am curious as to where i can get one?
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: February 22, 2005 at 10:23 PM
Indispensible = butane solder iron Irreplacable = bicycle brake cable wire snake Wrist Saver = Mini Cordless screw driver ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 2:42 AM
COME ON GUYS..........how bout a hammer?  -------------
Posted By: thepencil
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 9:08 AM
A good coffee stir stick, but on the serious note an antenna. Antenna????????????????? I think only a few of you will know what I am talking about. ------------- Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. 
Posted By: russ lund
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 9:36 AM
A freezer with Jim Beam in it for blowing off steam after a pain in the ass install.Russ. ------------- BigDog
Posted By: johnnyb1231
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 9:38 AM
what about a coat hanger
Posted By: avxtech
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 9:51 AM
I found this new tool thats the best! Its called a Mista Meter, some dude designed and built a meter just for installers! Hand made and stuff, does everything you want all in , and is computer friendly. Check it out https://www.intraface.com I bought two, one for shop and one for road. Built like a brick house too
Posted By: joebobcletusjr
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 12:11 PM
are you sure that is the right URL? I just tried to go to it and it says that the domain is for sale, or they may not have renewed their domain. ------------- eh? what did you just say?
Posted By: avxtech
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 12:15 PM
Sorry, it's https://www.intriface.com
Posted By: joebobcletusjr
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 12:44 PM
It sounds great and thank you for posting that, but do you think it will have the same issue as say a light tester and the old accidental air bag deploymet problem, since it says it is basically a multimeter and a test light. also the website does not list a price, can you tell us how much one will cost? ------------- eh? what did you just say?
Posted By: avxtech
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 1:04 PM
yeah, if you have it set to "volts" it acts just like a test light (trip locks, relays , etc) but, set it to continuity and it acts more like a logic probe (red light = 12V / green light = ground), and is best for more sensitive circuits. All I know is that i've used it now for about 5 months, and havent had anything but great results, and I do a toyota dealer and a Dodge dealer which are all 2004-2005 cars. Besides, airebag wires are so well marked now, usually dont even attempt. Then I paid about $100 bucks, but i dont know what he charges now
Posted By: joebobcletusjr
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 2:21 PM
it is still $100 plus S&H (around $8 average); I e-mailed the developer, and he was great about getting back to me within 15 minutes. but it looks like a great tool; even though I have yet to use one, I would recommend it other installers.
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eh? what did you just say?
Posted By: avxtech
Date Posted: February 23, 2005 at 2:32 PM
since i got it , i refuse to use anything else!
Posted By: riceman
Date Posted: February 25, 2005 at 2:18 PM
avxtech i think a $15 dollar radioshack pocket DVM can do a better job. And for a hundred bucks that is way to much for that you can get a powerlogic probe II for way under a bill on ebay. Thepencil the antenna is great and best of all its free. I took a honda civic antenna n grinded it down to about a foot n a half n i carry it around in my toolbox. Its great for stuffing wires through grommets. Maybe all of you guys just forgot to mention about your crimper. There has not been a day that i havnt used my thomas n belts crimper. I've used channel lock snap-on and i think by far thomas n belts is the best. Heres a little tip, take your Dremel n grind down the bump on your crimper alittle and it takes alot less force to crimp a connector.
Posted By: avxtech
Date Posted: February 25, 2005 at 4:13 PM
riceman, for you to knock something without even knowing anything about it, ...pretty lame. I actually own a $15 Radioshack DVM and the only thing i use it for is to test tach. Personally, money is not a factor when it comes to tools, if its something that helps me get the job done easier, or faster, then hell gimme one. I bought a power probe, had it about 2 weeks and gave it back to the tool guy, just wasnt for me. Besides, its kinda cool having something made by an american for once, not some POS made in some factory in Malasia designed by somebody who's name i cant even pronounce. Dont be so closed minded, i bet you werent like that when you first got into this business. Installers today need to be more creative and imaginative, unlike yourself.
Posted By: JoshV
Date Posted: February 26, 2005 at 1:18 AM
i love my dremel tool, and magnetic 7mm socket. On top of my makita right angle drill, that things gets into many places for some good ole fire wall drilling.
Posted By: secureauto
Date Posted: February 26, 2005 at 1:35 AM
Have you guys tried the 12V right angle Makita, works great.
 ------------- ASE Certified
Posted By: mxxmikexx
Date Posted: February 26, 2005 at 3:23 PM
"and magnetic 7mm socket. "
where can you get a magnetic 7mm" i havent had any luck at sears, or home depot. where did you get yours?
-------------
Mike Battaglia
Specialized Car Audio
Bensenville IL 60106
Posted By: JoshV
Date Posted: February 27, 2005 at 8:10 PM
the good ole snap on guy. It'll cost you (9 bucks!) The thing is awesome though.
Posted By: Javelin3o4
Date Posted: February 27, 2005 at 8:33 PM
lets pulse a srs wire with it and see what happens.
Posted By: johnnyb1231
Date Posted: February 28, 2005 at 10:19 PM
just for the record power probes are made in texas... jus thought you should know before you start saying lets buy american.... and like i said before... the only time i ever use my meter is when im checking "problems" with audio systems... other than that the power probes versatility is just incredible to me
Posted By: slammedb5
Date Posted: February 28, 2005 at 11:27 PM
Grommet punch, fish tape, and Fluke multi meter. These are the tools I use everyday and can't live without. Also, ask your Sirius Rep for the "Sirius Antenna Install Tool." It's a thin plastic stick that makes stuffing antenna wires a breeze.
-------------
EK Civic
security
no audio
Posted By: JoshV
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 12:37 AM
slammedb5 wrote:
"Sirius Antenna Install Tool." .
Those things are very handy!
Posted By: bdl666
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 12:57 AM
Try this one.
It's just like using a test light. Just use an aligator clip adapter on the negative lead and test away.
With this you don't have to look some place else to see what the meter says it's right in there.
Posted By: extreme1
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 12:52 PM
I'm all about the antenna, I have a 42" one from a 2 way radio I use.
forget the 90 degree drill, I don't remember the last time I used mine, my 90 degree SKEWdriver however I use every day.
-------------
Shaughn Murley
Install Manager, Dealer Services
Visions Electronics
Red Deer, Alberta
Posted By: riceman
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 2:35 PM
avxtech wrote:
riceman, for you to knock something without even knowing anything about it, ...pretty lame. I actually own a $15 Radioshack DVM and the only thing i use it for is to test tach. Personally, money is not a factor when it comes to tools, if its something that helps me get the job done easier, or faster, then hell gimme one. I bought a power probe, had it about 2 weeks and gave it back to the tool guy, just wasnt for me. Besides, its kinda cool having something made by an american for once, not some POS made in some factory in Malasia designed by somebody who's name i cant even pronounce. Dont be so closed minded, i bet you werent like that when you first got into this business. Installers today need to be more creative and imaginative, unlike yourself.
avxtech, for your information I am opened minded. I was just purely stating my opinion. But since you got on the offensive and started getting all butt hurt about your mister meter. So let me get this right, your mister meter can measure continuity, volts and send voltage out . Is that all that it can do because if thats it , it aint the ultimate installer tool. Tell me how can you trigger a negative/positive door locks or how can you activate a trunk release,parking lights, horn etc with your mister meter. Simple, you cant , for beginners you can complete a circuit , the only time you do is when u pop a speaker. So tell me why your $100+ dollar mister meter is any better then my amercian made Powerlogic probe II . your mister meter can do the same thing as my mac logic probe and my makita battery. All the logic probes powerlogic, mac, snap-on that i have all leak voltage any of them in the hand of an inexperienced installer can cause damage. Nothin can replace a DVM only experience can come close.
Posted By: avxtech
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 3:04 PM
OK, again, your talking about something you know NOTHING about... "....Tell me how can you trigger a negative/positive door locks or how can you activate a trunk release,parking lights, horn etc with your mister meter....." Actually, your wrong, it DOES do all of that! Did u even bother checking out the website (https://www.intriface.com)?! If your sooooo open minded, then y r u knocking something that you've never used? By the way, if u think power probe is made in the USA, ummm try again.
Posted By: riceman
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 4:20 PM
okay dood, wat I've got so far is your tool is good for u, mines is good for me. Lets leave it at that. I won't say anymore till I've tried it.
Posted By: mxxmikexx
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 5:28 PM
the antenna is a very good, simple tool to have
-------------
Mike Battaglia
Specialized Car Audio
Bensenville IL 60106
Posted By: johnnyb1231
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 9:32 PM
POWER PROBES ARE MADE IN TEXAS YOU MORON... MINE SAYS "MADE IN U.S.A." ON IT
Posted By: johnnyb1231
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 9:35 PM
and for the record the IDEAL installer tool would be this... a HOT chick naked installing everything WHILE shes giving you head... i would mortgage my house for one of those.
Posted By: Lubuspl
Date Posted: March 01, 2005 at 11:16 PM
I use the SNAPON - Tester, Circuit, for 6V and 12V Systems
https://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=diagnostics&item_ID=16693&group_ID=1393&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Posted By: mxxmikexx
Date Posted: March 02, 2005 at 1:00 PM
and for the record the IDEAL installer tool would be this... a HOT chick naked installing everything WHILE shes giving you head... i would mortgage my house for one of those
do you know where in can order one of those? im totally in!
life would be so much better in the install bay..... ------------- Mike Battaglia
Specialized Car Audio
Bensenville IL 60106
Posted By: CutDog504
Date Posted: March 03, 2005 at 11:47 AM
Look on EBAY, they have dam near everything on ebay!
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