Daily AV Tool List
Applies to: All installation types (AV, turnstiles, access control, etc.) Purpose: Recommended tools for daily field work. Brands and costs are not mandatory — this list reflects products that have held up to years of use. Version: 1.1 | Last Updated: February 20, 2026 Owner: John Lang
Sourcing note: Big box hardware stores, Amazon, and Harbor Freight are all reliable sources. For power tools, invest in the higher-end product lines — the warranty and longevity pay off in the field.
| Class | Tool | Type | Description | Notes | Optional | Link | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Tool | Screwdriver | Multibit Standard | Usually use a Klein | Should have standard everyday bits | Amazon | $16 | |
| Screwdriver | Multibit Security | Should have security bits | Amazon | $25 | |||
| Screwdriver | Electronics / Stubby | Combo of small and stubby drivers | Useful in tight spots and on small screws | Amazon | $25 | ||
| Sockets | Impact Socket Set | 28-piece set | 1/4–3/4” and 8–17 mm | Amazon | $99 | ||
| Jab Saw | Folding | Folding saw with durable carbon steel blade | Used for wall access | Amazon | $21 | ||
| Level | Torpedo — Magnetic | Small level, nearly indestructible | Try not to leave it stuck to a turnstile | Amazon | $20 | ||
| Tape Measure | 25-Foot Imperial | Wide blade for easy readability | The 16 ft. saves weight if preferred | Amazon | $23 | ||
| Wire Stripper | Crimper / Stripper | 10–20 AWG solid and 12–22 AWG stranded | Amazon | $25 | |||
| Side Cutters | Flush Cut | Xuron Maxi-Shear Flush 2175 | Well-built — blade does not break off | Amazon | $17 | ||
| Pliers | Channel Locks | Knipex 7-1/4-Inch Cobra Pliers | Well-built and reliable | Amazon | $33 | ||
| Pliers | Needle-Nose | Mini Needle-Nose Pliers | Recessed coil spring assists opening | Home Depot | $16 | ||
| Soldering Iron | Corded | Hakko FX600-05/P | Amazon | $70 | |||
| Multimeter | Digital | Klein Tools 69149P Electrical Test Kit | Amazon | $40 | |||
| Scissors | Electrician’s Shears | Knipex 95 05 155 SB | Extremely sharp — handle with care | Yes | Home Depot | $27 | |
| Scissors | Lineman’s | High-carbon steel blades with serrated teeth | Knipex preferred over Klein for this application | Home Depot | $25 | ||
| Flashlight | Magnetic Base | 500-Lumen LED Rechargeable Magnetic Handheld | Foldable slim bar work light | Harbor Freight | $30 | ||
| Ladder | Fiberglass 8 ft. | Werner 8 ft. Step Ladder | Type IA duty rating — 300 lb. | Home Depot | $180 | ||
| Ladder | Fiberglass 6 ft. | Franklin 6 ft. Stepladder | Type II, 225 lb. | Yes | Harbor Freight | $80 | |
| Knife | Utility | Husky 3-Pack Folding Lock-Back | Some sites have a zero-tolerance knife policy | Home Depot | $20 | ||
| Stud Finder | Magnetic | Rare-earth magnets to detect nails and screws | No batteries required | Home Depot | $10 | ||
| Drill Adapter | Right-Angle | DeWalt Impact Ready 1.5” Right Angle Attachment | Yes | Amazon | $24 | ||
| Hole Saw Set | Bi-Metal | ¾”–2-½” range, 16-piece | (1) Small Arbor, (1) Large Arbor, (3) Pilot Bits | Yes | Home Depot | $100 | |
| Vacuum | Wet/Dry | RIDGID 4-Gallon Shop Vacuum — lifetime warranty | Yes | Home Depot | $100 | ||
| Speed Square | Aluminum | 7 in. Laser Etched Aluminum Rafter Square | Yes | Home Depot | $13 | ||
| Label Printer | Brady Portable | Brady M210 Portable Label Printer | Multi-line print, 6–40 point font | Yes | Amazon | $106 | |
| PPE | Safety Helmet | Type II Class C | Milwaukee BOLT White Front Brim Vented | ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 Type II Class C | Home Depot | $110 | |
| Safety Glasses | ANSI Z87.1 | Impact and scratch-resistant, UV-absorbing lenses | 6-pack | Home Depot | $15 | ||
| Safety Boots | Steel Toe | Timberland PRO Steel Safety Toe Industrial Work Boot | ASTM F2412-18a / F2413-18 I and C | Amazon | $116 | ||
| Safety Vest | Class 2 High-Vis | 9-Pocket Class 2 High Visibility Zipper Front | ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 Type R | Amazon | $10 | ||
| Gloves | Cut Resistant Level 5 | DEX FIT CRU553 — Level 5 cut protection | Touchscreen compatible | Amazon | $14 | ||
| Tool Case | Case — Large | Air Travel | Pelican 1620 Protector Case | No larger than 62” combined L+W+H for airline compliance | Yes | Pelican | $365 |
| Case — Medium | Air Travel | Pelican 1560 Protector Case | Color Case carries Pelican in custom colors | Yes | Pelican | $270 | |
| Case — Local | Rolling Tool Bag | Husky 18 in. 18-Pocket Rolling Tool Bag | Not airline-compatible | Home Depot | $100 | ||
| Power Tool | Cordless Drill | Drill / Driver | Milwaukee or Makita — batteries and charger included | Do not leave batteries inside an airline case | Home Depot | ||
| Drill Bits | Twist — Cobalt | Milwaukee Cobalt Red Helix Drill Bit Set, 15-piece | Home Depot | $40 | |||
| Step Bit | Spiral Grooved | 3-piece spiral grooved set for faster drilling | Durable — 6+ years typical field life | Yes | Amazon | $15 | |
| Drill Extension | Multiple Lengths | Bosch, Diablo, or Niko — 3”, 6”, 12” | Gets behind monitors and into tight spots | ||||
| Network | RJ45 Tester | CAT 5e / CAT 6 / 6A | Klein Tools VDV526-200 | Tests for open, short, miswire, split-pair, and shield faults | Amazon | $55 | |
| Cable Toner | Analog Wire Tracing | Klein Tools VDV500-920 Tone Generator | Works on Ethernet, telephone, speaker, coax, and video cables | Amazon | $62 | ||
| Network Tester | TDR / Link Tester | NetAlly LSPRNTR-300 LinkSprinter 300 | 10-second basic network connectivity test | Yes | Amazon | $445 | |
| RJ45 Crimper | Ratcheting Pass-Thru | Klein Tools VDV226-110 | RJ11 / RJ12 / RJ45 | Home Depot | $50 | ||
| Wire Stripper | Radial Stripper | Klein Tools VDV110-295 | For twisted pair and coaxial — consistently clean strips | Home Depot | $20 | ||
| Punchdown Tool | |||||||
| Fish Rod Set | Fiberglass 4’–25’ | Klein Tools 25 ft. Multi-Flex Glow Fish Rod Set | Pays for itself quickly | Home Depot | $70 | ||
| Gopher Pole | Telescoping to 22 ft. | Non-conductive rigid fiberglass | Push or pull wires over long spans | Yes | Amazon | $245 | |
| Rack Ruler | 16-Foot | Middle Atlantic Rack Ruler | Includes rack unit (U) markings | Yes | Amazon | $45 | |
| Heat Gun | Mini | Seekone — 2-temp settings (500°F / 842°F) | Some sites have a zero open-flame policy | Yes | Amazon | $19 | |
| Supplies | Zip Ties | 3” and 8” | |||||
| Velcro Straps | |||||||
| Tie Bases | Adhesive Mount | ||||||
| Screws | Assorted | ||||||
| Electrical Tape | |||||||
| Blue Tape | Painter’s Tape | ||||||
| Markers | Pencil | ||||||
| Markers | Sharpie | ||||||
| Markers | Wax / China | ||||||
| Batteries | AA / AAA | ||||||
| Solder | |||||||
| Connector | B-Connector / Beanie | White Dry Connector — Telephone / Alarm Wire | Non-gel | Amazon | $11 | ||
| Connector | Closed-End Crimp | Nylon Closed-End Crimp Connectors | 22–16 / 16–14 / 12–10 AWG | Amazon | $9 | ||
| Connector | WAGO 2-Conductor | WAGO 221-2401 Lever-Nut — Single Conductor | Inline splicing connector | Amazon | $27 | ||
| Connector | WAGO 3-Conductor | WAGO 221-413 Lever-Nut — 3-Conductor | Compact splicing connector | Amazon | $20 | ||
| Heat Shrink | Adhesive-Lined | 3:1 ratio adhesive-lined tubing — 180 pcs, 3/32”–3/4” | Amazon | $16 | |||
| Heat Shrink | Large Bore | 3/4” 3:1 dual-wall heat shrink tubing | Correct size to slip over RJ45 connectors | Amazon | $24 | ||
| Copper Tape | Conductive Foil | 1” conductive metal foil tape | For shielding RJ45 and EMI-sensitive connections | Amazon | $10 |
Last updated: February 20, 2026 Owner: John Lang | jlang@vid-in.com