Remember when you had to carry a separate tool just to find a tone?

Back in 2010, my truck kit had a dedicated toner and probe set that was bigger than my hand. Now, my Klein Tools VDV500-820 does it all and fits in my pocket. The change came from everything going digital and the parts getting way smaller. It used to take me a full minute just to hook up the toner to a line. Now I can trace a cable in under ten seconds from start to finish. What other old-school tools have you guys completely stopped carrying?

3 comments

3 Comments

simon_carr6h ago

Honestly, my old punch-down tool feels like a dinosaur now. I just use a cheap little plastic one that does the same job without the bulk. It's wild how much simpler the kit has gotten.

nathankim5h ago

Nah, I'm sticking with the metal punch-down. Those plastic ones feel flimsy and sometimes don't seat the wire right. I've had to redo connections because a cheap tool didn't cut cleanly. The old bulky one just works every single time. I'll take a tool that lasts over one that might save a little space.

miller.diana2h ago

You actually trust those plastic things?