tools of the trade?

[jmeader 0]

hello this is my first post after reading some posts on here

 

im based in the uk, south east, and i want to offer new and existing clients for my business the opportunity to have cctv installed in their homes and offices

 

i am a computer engineer with a good 16 years of all round I.T experience and i have already enjoyed configuring an 8 camera dvr installation which had the brand or model name ECO on it and found this very easy to relate too as it seems closely related to I.T (IP addressing, remote access etc)

 

my weakest area of expertise is with the actual installation of the cameras, i am very worried about drilling through a mains electricity cable, heating cable or anything else that could result in damage to a client's property

 

i've heard that the lower budget new build properties here dont even have a metal tracer to allow for detection of cables behind the plasterboard, with no knowledge of the building trade this is a major concern for me

 

i want to invest in some good tools and find a reputable supplier for parts and stick to a 1 or 2 brands so i can become more familiar with them

 

i have heard from an ex BT telecomms engineer that i should get an SDS drill as they are better for drilling masonary, i already have a good collection of DeWALT tools for carpentry and would consider sticking to this brand

 

i have read many different posts about what cables to use, either RG59 coax or CAT5e and baluns, i would prefer the CAT5 as i have read you can power the cameras with it

 

would anyone have some time to give me their thoughts on what i should invest in to make it possible for me to enter this market please? i am keen to build the DVR's myself and have been looking at AverMedia NV3000 and NV5000 dvr capture cards

 

i have little to no clue about cameras, there are just so many, i keep reading about Pelco cameras but again would appreciate anyone else's views

 

my list of tools is looking something like this although i don't have it all yet:

 

drill - sds? combi?

drill bits (types, lengths, diameter) ?

tool to detect stud work, metal, cables etc behind the plasterboard, an x-ray camera maybe?

outdoor sealant to seal the hole watertight?

cabling - cat5e & baluns or rg59 siamese

power supply if using rg59 siamese cables ?

baluns that supply power from the cat5e to the cameras?

ratchet crimp - yes

cat5e tester - yes

telescopic ladders - yes

white van - no (but i have a vauxhall astra)

conduit/trunking (lengths, widths) ?

 

with regards to the pc based DVR, AverMedia seem to do most testing on ASUS motherboards, i was wondering what type of chassis to use, ATX or a smaller form factor? i have been building pc's since windows 95 and just asked as a question of preference in the consumer market

 

thanks in advance

 

james

[Soundy 1]

Welcome aboard!

 

my weakest area of expertise is with the actual installation of the cameras, i am very worried about drilling through a mains electricity cable, heating cable or anything else that could result in damage to a client's property

 

i've heard that the lower budget new build properties here dont even have a metal tracer to allow for detection of cables behind the plasterboard, with no knowledge of the building trade this is a major concern for me

 

Assuming electrical and building codes are similar in the UK as in North America, wiring through a wall should be stapled to studs for most of its length, and when transversing between studs, should be well clear of plates, so as long as you have a stud finder and keep a couple inches clear of studs, there should be no problems.

 

i have heard from an ex BT telecomms engineer that i should get an SDS drill as they are better for drilling masonary, i already have a good collection of DeWALT tools for carpentry and would consider sticking to this brand

An SDS-type hammer drill is good for making larger holes for passing wires and conduit through thicker walls, but can be overkill for smaller holes for anchors or Tapcon screws; for that, I like a basic cordless hammer drill/driver (DeWalt make some good ones). You might want to hold off on the SDS drill until you see how much you need it, as they can be rather expensive, and it may be more cost-effective to just rent one when you need it, at least while you're starting out.

 

i have read many different posts about what cables to use, either RG59 coax or CAT5e and baluns, i would prefer the CAT5 as i have read you can power the cameras with it

You can, within limits. You can run video, power, and control (RS-485) over single cable, but for longer runs (several hundred feet) you may need to add a separate power wire, especially if you're using 12VDC cameras, as 12V will see greater losses on the thinner wire. The other benefit is that if you go to IP cameras later, the wire is already in place.

 

i have little to no clue about cameras, there are just so many, i keep reading about Pelco cameras but again would appreciate anyone else's views

Pelco makes SOME good cameras, but IMHO many models are overpriced for what you get. The one exception may be their PTZs.

 

Right now, we're using and liking CNB's Mona Lisa line of cameras (VCM-24VF in particular), as far as good image and overall bang-for-the-buck, but that could change tomorrow if something better comes along. There are exceptions for certain installations as well, of course, since there is no universal one-size-fits-all camera... for example, the Panasonic WV-CW484 or CW504 "SuperDynamic" cameras for extreme backlighting situations.

 

Specific cameras to use are really something that's best selected on a job-specific basis. Most times you'll end up with a mix of brands, models, and form factors, depending on what best fits a particular need.

 

drill bits (types, lengths, diameter) ?

I'd just start with a couple of cheap multi-bit kits... as you find which ones you use most often, you can replace them with better bits.

 

tool to detect stud work, metal, cables etc behind the plasterboard, an x-ray camera maybe?

A good stud sensor will have all those features. This is a nice unit, combines stud finder, wire sensor, laser level, and sonar measurer: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/MeasuringTools/SpecialtyMeasuring/PRD~0574532P/Mastercraft%252BMaximum%252B4-in-1%252BLaser%252BPro.jsp?locale=en

 

outdoor sealant to seal the hole watertight?

I use GE Silicone II. Highly recommend a quality (no need to get stupid with it though) caulking gun and the suitable tubes of sealant, rather than the little squeeze tubes.

 

power supply if using rg59 siamese cables ?

baluns that supply power from the cat5e to the cameras?

You still need a power supply with Cat5e as well. All those types of baluns do is give you the "convenience" of plugging in with RJ45s (which take extra time to add as well), and split out the unused pairs to power tails, which then need to be connected to a power supply. I find it just as easy to split the pairs out manually... and it gives a lot more installation options.

 

conduit/trunking (lengths, widths) ?

That will depend on the needs of a particular job. I'd buy that on a per-job basis, when and if needed.

[Guest]

Don't forget the most important investment, - formal training!

 

Ilkie

[Campbell 0]

I love my Makita LXT's. Picked them up years ago and have never looked back.

 

Rotary hammer, standard drill, impact driver and the fluoro torch are the main 4 I use.

[jmeader 0]

I love my Makita LXT's. Picked them up years ago and have never looked back.

 

Rotary hammer, standard drill, impact driver and the fluoro torch are the main 4 I use.

 

hi campbell i bought an sds makita 18v cordless today which im told will get through tougher brick such as london brick with no trouble at all

 

it was £299.99 and i almost bought the same one at screwfix direct for £90 more yesterday but choose to shop about and glad i did

 

https://www.toolchestdirect.com/product.php?sn=BHR202RFE

[jmeader 0]

Don't forget the most important investment, - formal training!

 

Ilkie

 

i've started to look into this thanks for the advice

[jmeader 0]

soundy

 

thanks for the extensive reply it was very helpful

 

i bought a multipurpose bosch detector today after looking at the link you gave me i hope its on par with the one you showed me

 

http://www.bosch-pt.co.uk/boptocs2-uk/Trade+and+Industry/Tools/GB/en/gw/Detectors/101302/GMS+120/23317/index.htm

 

i decided to get a multi bit kit as the supplier included them in the price which was handy

[jmeader 0]

does anyone have suggestions of brands and where to buy in the uk for:

 

baluns

power supply boxes to power the cat5e cable to the cameras

[Soundy 1]

Dunno about where to buy, but... I usually use GVI and GEM for passive video baluns, and Altronix, Pelco and Enforcer for power cans... often depending on what's available at a given time.

 

THIS is my current balun of choice - cheap, works great, and small enough to fit inside a CNB back-box

[hardwired 0]

TWO flashlights for when you are in attics. A nice large one, and a small pocket one, so that when you drop your $20 DeWalt flashlight (with a $80 battery on it) down a six inch wide gap that goes down twenty feet between a freezer wall and a exterior wall , you'll at least be able to get back out of the attic (ask me how I know this )

[ChrisH 0]

James,

How about another way to look at it. It sounds like you are really gung ho about installing, but have some worries. Why not save yourself the investment and work to your strengths? By this I mean, maybe you should try to set up a realationship with an electrician. You could sell the jobs, provide the smarts and the parts and pay the electrician to do the dirty work. He already has the tools and know how to get the job done. You can support the customers technical needs. I know a lot of guys that would not mind doing this type of work - the dirty part I mean. They just want to do what they know and get out. It takes a long time and a lot of mistakes to know about buildings and how they are put together and how to get to certain areas. There are also building codes to worry about, more so when you get into the commercial side of things. Either way, good luck.