BY GEORGE LANTHIER

This article is going to be about tools . We get asked a lot in seminars and schools about what ’ s needed for tools for routine service calls like the ‘ No Heat Call ’, so we made up a list we call my ‘ ready bag ’ of tools . It ’ s served me well since I was taught about this way back when by one of my first teachers . I used an electrician ’ s pouch , and it was the bag I grabbed on every call with my V-O-A meter , Figure 1 , hanging from the strap and my flashlight .

Keep in mind that the number one reason we go on a ‘ No

Figure 1

Heat Call ’ is because a switch is off or put another way ‘ a limit is open ’. Looking at Figure 2 we can see that in Massachusetts , and other jurisdictions , the Code requires several limits from the Customer Switch to the Primary Control . All of those limit switches must be closed ( made ) for the Primary Control to engage the burner and in many cases no tools are required .

Anyway , here ’ s the tool list and we ’ ll review most of it , item by item . 1 . A small tool bag , Figure 3 , or electrician ’ s pouch , Figure 4 . 2 . Southwire 12IN1 Multidriver , 59723940 ,

Figure 5 . 3 . Southwire Multi Nut-driver Part #

NDS5N1 , Figure 6 . 4 . Riello Multidriver , Figure 7 , or equivalent . 5 . 1 / 8 ” Allen wrench for fans 6 . 6 ” pipe wrench 7 . 8 ” pipe wrench 8 . 5 / 8 ” combination wrench 9 . ¾ ” combination wrench 10 . 3 / 8 x 7 / 16 ” ratcheting box wrench 11 . 8 ” slip joint pliers 12 . 10 ” tongue and groove pliers 13 . 8 ” adjustable wrench 14 . Commercial Electric Part # CE190205

Combination Wire strippers / cutter / crimper , Figure 8 .

Figure 2

As you can quickly see I love multitools . That ’ s for two reasons , less to carry and less weight . The Southwire tools are the same as Klein and I don ’ t know who makes what , but they are exactly the same and the Southwire generally sells for less . The Riello Multidriver we included with our Riello classes , and they are a great tool made by Picquic for those who service a lot of Riellos .

You ’ ll notice that I only carry a 6 ” and 8 ” pipe wrench in my tool bag . It ’ s all you really need

Figure 4

Figure 3

for properly tightening pipes and fittings around oil and gas burners and the smaller size keeps you from over tightening . Never use tools with teeth on smooth surfaces like flare fittings , it damages them and makes them look like a hack was there .

The rest of the list is self explanatory and the wire tool in Figure 8 again keeps the load down and pretty much does everything

Figure 5

I need around burners . It has needle nose pliers and wire benders built in and cuts and strips on one side and you flip within itself and becomes a crimper , pretty cool tool !

Figure 7

About those 5 / 8 ” and ¾ ” combination wrenches . They are for properly tightening a nozzle . I want to review that correct procedure because it keeps amazing me in classes how many were not taught correctly . To begin , after the old nozzle has been removed handle the new nozzle only by the hex body , Figure 9 . But did you ever notice that all nozzles are put in their containers , Figure 10 , upside down ? That ’ s so that you can place it right

into the nozzle adapter without touching anything but the hex to position and initially tighten it , but only finger tight for now . By holding the nozzle only by the hex body and not touching the strainer or orifice ( hole ) area with our

Figure 9

Figure 6

Figure 8

hands , we bring the nozzle up to ‘ finger-tight ’. Then we ’ ll use those two wrenches to make the final tightening .

First of all , I don ’ t care what you use on the nozzle adapter , but a ¾-inch open end is what most pros use . I do care and so do most nozzle OEMs and burner manufacturers what you use on the nozzle , and that should only be a 5 / 8-inch multi-point box wrench so that you place equal pressure on all of the hex surfaces of the nozzle . It ’ s about torque and pressure and being a professional .

You put the ¾-inch wrench so that the

36 FEBRUARY 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com