Help us stock the items you need
If there is something you require that is not on our site, simply give us a call on 01424 220384 or send us a message via our contact form and we’ll do our best to get it added to our online electrical wholesale store.
Hand Tools for Everyday Electrical Work
Explore a wide range of hand tools to support installation, maintenance and repair tasks on site or at home. From gripping and cutting to measuring and fixing, find the tools you need to build a practical, reliable toolkit.
Types of Hand Tools
Browse the different hand tool types to quickly narrow down to the items that match your task. Each category groups tools by their primary use so you can find what you need with less searching.
- Cable Rods: Used to route cables through walls, ceilings and other hard-to-reach spaces while keeping runs tidy and controlled.
- Hammers & Mallets: Provides impact for fixing, adjusting and light demolition tasks during installation work.
- Knives & Blades: Designed to cut sheathing, insulation, tapes and other materials cleanly during preparation and finishing jobs.
- Measurement Tools: Offers ways to check distances, levels and positions so layouts and fixings can be planned accurately.
- Pliers & Cutters: Provides grip, bending and cutting functions for working with conductors, fixings and small components.
- Sawing & Cutting: Used to cut trunking, conduit, boards and other materials down to size on site or in the workshop.
- Screwdrivers & Hex Keys: Designed to drive and remove screws and fasteners on accessories, enclosures and fittings.
- Wire Strippers: Used to remove insulation from conductors so terminations and connections can be made cleanly.
Product Types and Ranges for Hand Tools
This table groups hand tool types with some of the commonly available ranges and brand-backed options in this category. Use it to compare tool types side by side and explore the ranges most often chosen for each task.
| Type | Popular Product Ranges | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Rods | CK Tools MightyRod Super Rod |
|
| Pliers & Cutters | CK Tools Combi CK Tools Redline CK RedLine Combi CK Cable Redline Draper VDE Set |
|
| Screwdrivers & Hex Keys | CK Dextro VDE Milwaukee VDE Set CK Tools Dextro VDE |
|
| Measurement Tools | CK Tools SpiraFLEX CK Softech Mercury Draper |
|
| Hammers & Mallets | TIMCO AntiVibe Chord |
|
| Wire Strippers | Knipex CK Tools Quickwire Wago |
|
| Knives & Blades | Knipex |
|
Trusted Brands in Hand Tools
Explore a wide choice of professional hand tools from well-established manufacturers, ideal for day-to-day electrical and installation work. Browse the ranges below to find pliers, cutters, cable rods, testers and more.
- Armeg: Delivers holesaws and cutting accessories that help electricians and installers create accurate openings in a range of building materials during cable runs and fixings.
- CK Tools: Provides an extensive selection of pliers, cutters, screwdrivers, saws, tape measures and cable rods designed for everyday electrical installation and general trade tasks.
- Chord: Offers percussion mallets and striking tools that support tasks in education, sound setups and specialist applications where controlled impact is required.
- Deligo: Focuses on cable tie guns and fixing tools that help achieve neat bundling, organisation and securing of cables in domestic, commercial and industrial environments.
- Draper: Supplies hand tools and inspection equipment, including camera systems and VDE plier sets, for electricians, maintenance engineers and workshop users.
- Greenbrook: Covers access and handling accessories such as ladder clamps and related items that help keep equipment organised and secure during transport or storage.
- Kewtech: Specialises in electrical accessories like non-contact voltage detectors and lock-off devices to support testing, isolation and safe working practices on site.
- Knipex: Covers a wide range of pliers, cutters, cable shears and stripping tools aimed at electrical professionals needing reliable hand tools for installation and maintenance.
- Mercury: Provides measurement and test tools, including clamp multimeters and crimping tools, for networking, electrical diagnostics and low-voltage work.
- Milwaukee: Delivers hand tools such as hammers, tape measures, screwdrivers and insulated cutters to support electrical tradespeople and general construction tasks on site.
- Quickwire: Offers wire stripping tools designed to speed up preparation of cables for lighting circuits, junction boxes and other fixed wiring installations.
- Super Rod: Concentrates on cable rods, grips and inspection accessories that help pull, guide and view cables through ceilings, walls and other difficult access areas.
- T.I.S.: Provides testing instruments and accessories used alongside hand tools for checking electrical circuits and carrying out inspection work on installations.
- TIMCO: Supplies striking tools and related consumables that assist with preparation, fixing and repair jobs as part of general construction and electrical work.
- Wago: Focuses on cable stripping tools which help prepare conductors cleanly and efficiently for use in connectors and terminal solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hand tools are most commonly used by electricians?
Electricians typically rely on screwdrivers, pliers, side cutters, cable shears, wire strippers, tape measures and cable rods, plus test tools like non-contact voltage detectors for safe isolation checks.
Do I need insulated hand tools for electrical work?
Insulated tools are recommended for live or potentially live electrical environments. They are designed with protective handles to help reduce risk when working on energised or recently isolated circuits.
What is the difference between pliers and cutters?
Pliers are generally used for gripping, bending and holding components, while cutters are designed to shear or trim cable, wire and small metal parts cleanly and precisely.
How do cable rods help with installations?
Cable rods help you route cables through voids, ceilings, under floors and behind walls. They allow you to push or pull cables through inaccessible spaces with greater control.
Which measurement tools are useful for electrical jobs?
Useful measurement tools include tape measures, clamp meters, multimeters and non-contact voltage testers. These help with planning runs, checking voltages, confirming continuity and verifying safe working conditions.
How should I maintain my hand tools?
Keep tools clean and dry, store them in a toolbox or case, and check moving parts regularly. Avoid using damaged handles or blades, and replace worn items before they compromise performance.
Can the same hand tools be used for both domestic and commercial work?
Many tools work across domestic and commercial environments. The key is choosing tools with the right size, insulation level and durability for the scale and demands of the job.
What should I look for in a good wire stripper?
Look for a tool that handles the cable sizes you use, offers clear adjustment or automatic sizing, and strips insulation cleanly without damaging the underlying conductor.
Are inspection cameras useful for cable installation?
Inspection cameras can be helpful for checking voids, tracing routes and locating obstructions before pulling cables, reducing guesswork and minimising unnecessary access holes.
How do I choose the right hammer for electrical work?
Consider the weight and head style needed for your tasks, such as light fixings or chasing. Also look at handle comfort and control to help manage repetitive use.
Need help choosing hand tools
If you are unsure which hand tools you need for your next job, our knowledgeable team is ready to help. Call us on 01424 220384 for friendly advice on choosing the right options for your work.