What Tools Electricians Really Use on the Job with @Uncle_Joao
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Electricians are always talking about tools, whether it’s what works, what’s overrated, or what actually saves time on a job. We sat down with Uncle João (IG: @uncle_joao | TikTok: @uncle_joao) to talk shop and cover the gear he uses, the small tools that make a big difference, and a few everyday headaches electricians deal with on-site. The conversation covers safety, speed, and getting the work done without beating up your body, all in a practical, nonsense way. It’s less about hype and more about what actually gets used.
About Uncle João: 18 Years in the Trade
Uncle João: I’m a licensed master electrician based out of Toronto, Canada. I’ve been an electrician for about 18 years now. Lately, I’ve been mostly working commercial jobs, but the company does pretty much anything from residential to industrial, so it’s nice because I get to do something different every couple of months.
Rack-A-Tiers: What made you decide to become an electrician?
Uncle João: I was already working in construction in high school, but then I decided that I wanted to get into a trade, so I would have more of a profession versus just having a job. I always had that enjoyment of physics and how currents and magnetic fields work, and that sort of thing. I decided to try electrical, and I truly did enjoy it.
The thing I enjoyed most about construction is that you get to work with so many different people from all different walks of life. We do smaller to medium jobs, so it’s not like I’m in a high-rise for a couple of years. I’m at a different location every couple of weeks, so I get to experience a lot of different things, which is pretty cool.
Why Electricians Are Taking Over Instagram and TikTok
Rack-A-Tiers: So many electricians are finding success on social media. Some start posting to promote their company, some do it to educate, and some do it to show off their tools. Why did you get into making videos on TikTok and Instagram?
Uncle João: Most of the stuff I post is just to be funny to be honest. If it makes somebody smile, then it’s worth it. Most of my stuff is just purely for entertainment purposes.
I do try to be serious when it comes to certain things, obviously, like tools or safety, but it’s more of a spare-time thing. It’s a creative aspect of the trade.
Rack-A-Tiers: Electrical talk online can get pretty spicy sometimes. What have you experienced with negative feedback and criticism?
Uncle João: I mean, there’s obviously some videos you post that get a lot of hate, which is kind of weird. Sometimes it’s just people who don’t agree with whatever the video is, even though it might not be anything bad. It could just be the way you hooked up a panel, and the internet will not like it for some reason, which is kind of weird.
Best and Worst Parts of Electrical Work
Rack-A-Tiers: What is the most annoying part and the most satisfying part of the trade?
Uncle João: I’ve been running a lot of pipe lately, and the most annoying thing is that the fittings all have different size bits, so you need a red bit, black bit, quarter bit, and 3-eighths bit. If the industry could have a standard so I can have one bit to tighten all fittings, that would be really nice.
Rack-A-Tiers: You can dream.
Uncle João: And then for the best part, the occasions where you get satisfaction from fixing a real hazard. I’ve been on jobs where the client doesn’t understand why a light is flickering, and it turns out that they have something that’s literally on fire, and you’re lucky enough to catch it before it becomes an issue. It’s really satisfying that you get to help somebody out. That’s a nice part of the trade for sure.
Key Traits That Make a Good Electrician
Rack-A-Tiers: What do you think is the most important skill or attitude to have as an electrician?
Uncle João: Well, I think one important thing is that we never know everything, so you shouldn’t assume things. Assumptions will cause delays because you assume the problem has to be one thing, but you’re not following the troubleshooting steps.
And I think the most important thing is that you have anything that you always consider the safety of people who are going to be using whatever we’re installing. If you do that, then you know safety is always going to be a priority.
Everyday Electrical Hacks That Save Time and Stress
Rack-A-Tiers: Are there any small tools or tricks you’ve used recently that you think other electricians need to know about?
Uncle João: Yeah, the pen tester is a lifesaver for sure. You should always test before. It goes back to the assumptions again, always assume everything has power. There are also some great tools from Rack-A-Tiers that help for sure. One of the ones that I enjoy is Wire Vortex. I’ve pulled many jobs by myself with just that little guy. Sometimes you’re alone, and you’re pulling a 300-foot wire, and it is so helpful because you can just put it in the box and pull. The way that it’s designed means you’re not going to damage the wires.
Why the Right Tools Matter in Electrical Work
Rack-A-Tiers: Some people prefer to do every job the old way. Do you think the new tools we all have access to now are making a big difference in how work gets done?
Uncle João: We have a tool for almost everything now. Like punching out a panel, back in the day, you had to do it by hand, but now we’ve got hydraulics and battery-powered tools, so that makes a huge difference. The jobs go a lot quicker for sure.
Or the E-Z Roll wire stand with wheels. You can load your wires and just wheel the wire into the job site. So, it is much easier, quicker, and better on your back. You know, there are tools now that help speed up the process and save your body.
Check out the E-Z Roll Wire Rack
Must-Have Tools Uncle João Uses on the Job
Rack-A-Tiers: Can you take us through some tools you’ve used lately that stood out to you?
Uncle João: The Reemer bit I love. You just cut the pipe, ream it out, and screw it. It’s one tool that pretty much does the job of two or three tools.
The Chip Catcher is also great. If you’re drilling holes into a panel, the little metal shards that come out are so hot, and they go flying everywhere. That little guy just catches all of that, so there’s no mess. And it’s safer too if you’re drilling into a live panel.
Save Your Panels with Chip Catcher
Tools That Help Electricians Work Safer
Rack-A-Tiers: Have there been any other tools you’ve used that have kept you safer at work?
Uncle João: Recently, I had to drill into a live panel, and I used the Dirt Bag. It clips on the panel with magnets, so you can safely drill into it. All the metal shards are collected, and you and anyone around you are safe. Plus, you’re not getting metal shards on you or in your eyes.
Rack-A-Tiers: Yeah, because they can be hot, right? It’s a bit dangerous.
Uncle João: Oh, absolutely. Anyone who drills with one of those won’t want to go back because everyone knows that those shards are extremely hot when they hit you.
Catch Hot Metal Shards with Dirt Bag
Time-Saving Tools Every Electrician Should Know
Rack-A-Tiers: How about some tools that make the job go smoother and eliminate some of the common headaches faced by electricians?
Uncle João: The Rack-A-Tiers two-in-one bits. Those are great, especially if you’re doing plugs and switches. All you need is the red-green combo, and you’re pretty much good.
Another great one is also the LB Wire Guide. That comes very handy because sometimes you’re by yourself, and you’ve got to get wires from a meter base into the house. That little guy makes your job so much easier because you don’t have to keep going in and out of the house. You can pull the wires, and they’re not going to get damaged because the LB Wire Guide is there to straighten them out when they get pulled in.
Rack-A-Tiers: You said you had some experience using Bend-All?
Uncle João: Yeah, that tool takes a little bit to get used to, to figure out how to adjust it on the wrench. But once you get the hang of it, it is really nice when you’re fighting with bigger wire.
Keeping the Jobsite Clean
Rack-A-Tiers: There’s kind of a funny stereotype with some electricians who feel like they shouldn’t have to clean up after themselves on the jobsite. What do you think about that?
Uncle João: Well, I mean, it’s funny on the internet, but in the real world, where all the electricians work we have to clean up, that’s for sure. I haven’t met any GCs who would allow me to leave my mess and go home at the end of the day.
So, we do sweep up, we do vacuum, and you know the Exploding Garbage Can comes in handy because it doesn’t take up a lot of room in the van. It folds down to maybe two inches thick. You bring it to the job site, pop it up, throw a garbage bag on there, and that’s it.
I was also thinking about products that made everyone’s life easier, and Driller’s Dust Bowl is one for sure. I don’t think anybody does pot lights without using the Dust Bowl. I think it’s synonymous with Rack-A-Tiers.
See Our Jobsite Clean-Up Tools
Feelin’ Hungry on the Jobsite?
Rack-A-Tiers: Working a trade means long days. So, to end the blog on a fun note, what do you usually do for lunch on those long days?
Uncle João: Oh, I’m spoiled, I’m lucky, my wife makes me lunch every day.
Rack-A-Tiers: No way, what does she make you?
Uncle João: Sandwiches or sometimes other food. Yeah, that aspect I am extremely spoiled, I’ve got a good wife.
Wrapping Up the Tool Talk
Thanks to Uncle João for jumping on and talking tools with us. We’re sure you picked up some great tips and ideas. If you want more of his takes, tool talk, and day-to-day electrical content, go give Uncle João a follow on Instagram & TikTok.
