If you have ever watched a good electrician at work, you've seen how neatly he stores his tools in a box so every one of them is handy. When a lineman climbs a pole, he has his regular tools in a holster on his belt. Special tools are kept in a box in racks in the repair truck, all ready for instant use. Wouldn't you like to have electrician's tools all handy, ready for use, and know how to use them properly? Basic Tools for Electrical Work _Knife_ A good knife with a sharp blade is one of the most useful tools. A camper's or electrician's type knife is probably best because it has other useful parts besides the cutting blades--a screwdriver or punch, for instance. Of course, you'll never use the cutting blades as a screwdriver. This knife should be kept clean, dry, sharp, and free from rust. Put a little oil on the joints from time to time. Remember, "Never whittle toward you and you'll never cut yourself." _Pliers_ A pair of electrician's pliers should be part of your kit. Wrap the handles with plastic insulating tape. Even though you're not going to work on "hot" electric lines, it pays to play safe. Later on, as you learn more about electricity, you'll want a pair of needle-nose pliers for the fine work. _Screwdrivers_ You'll want a screwdriver which has true corners. A 4 to 6 inch plastic handled screwdriver with a narrow blade is best. You'll probably need more than one size to fit the various size screws you'll be turning. Screwdrivers are easily damaged if you try to use them as chisels and pry bars, or use them in screw slots which are too large for the blade. You can be hurt by the screwdriver if you try to screw or unscrew things you are holding in your hand. Keep your free hand away from the end of the screwdriver. Place the work on a bench or where it can be handled easily. _Soldering Iron_ A good 100 to 250-watt electric soldering iron will be useful. Later on you may want to buy a soldering gun, but unless you are doing a lot of soldering it won't be necessary. A supply of resin-core electrician's solder will be needed. Acid-core solder reacts with copper and in time causes a bad splice. _Tape_ Once it was necessary to use two types of tape on splices--rubber tape with friction tape over it. Now there is a plastic tape on the market which takes the place of both and has good insulating quality. It is called electrical tape, or plastic tape, and resists water, oils (which would damage rubber tape), and acids. You'll need a lot of tape in your electrical work, so keep a roll on hand. _Other Tools and Equipment_ As you go along in electrical work, you'll be adding tools and other equipment, such as a trouble light and maybe an ammeter or voltmeter. Other tools you'll want to add will be a Phillips screwdriver, open end wrenches, a crescent wrench, small hack saw, hand drill and bits.