Blew $80 on a fancy panel disconnect tool and it was a total waste

I saw this "professional" disconnect tool online, one of those all metal ones with the spring loaded grip for pulling alarm panel power terminals. Cost me 80 bucks shipping included. Figured it would make my installs faster. First time I used it on a DSC panel, the tip broke off inside the connector. Had to stop everything and dig the broken metal out with needle nose pliers. Total joke. My regular flathead screwdriver does the same job in 2 seconds for free. Anyone else get burned by fancy tools that look good on Instagram but suck on the job?

3 comments

3 Comments

owens.anthony1mo agoMost Upvoted

Oh come on, you're blaming the tool for user error? That "fancy" disconnect tool works perfectly fine if you actually know how to angle it right on the terminal (hint: you don't yank straight up, you twist slightly). I've pulled hundreds of DSC and Honeywell panels with mine, never had a tip break off. Your flathead screwdriver can slip and short out the backup battery terminals, which I've seen happen plenty on jobs. The real value of a dedicated tool isn't speed, it's safety and not damaging the connector for the next guy (or yourself) who has to service it. Maybe give it another shot with the right technique, because $80 is cheap compared to a service call for a fried panel.

price.ray1mo ago

Huh, that's actually a fair point about the twisting technique - I'll admit I was just yanking straight up and getting frustrated. Never thought about shorting out the backup battery with a screwdriver either, so maybe I need to give that tool another shot.

susan_adams1mo agoMost Upvoted

What angle exactly do you twist it at to avoid breaking the tip?