What 40 Years in the Electrical Trade Taught Dave Holmes (@CollinTaylorInc)
Use Coupon Code “COLLINTAYLOR10” for 10% Off Your Next Rack-A-Tiers Order!
Hi. My name is Dave Holmes. I’m the owner of Collin Taylor Electric (@CollinTaylorInc) in Southern California. I am a 3rd-generation electrician and a 2nd-generation contractor. I just hit my 40th year in this trade full-time on July 8 of this year. I’ve been a contractor for 25 of those. My company is named after my 2 sons, Collin and Taylor. We do a mix of 50% commercial and 50% residential, with high-end residential being 75% of our actual residential work. Our Team consists of 6 of us in the field.
Dave’s Go-To Rack-A-Tiers Gear
Rack-A-Tiers: You’ve been using Rack-A-Tiers tools for a while now to work smarter and more efficiently, which ones stand out to you?
Dave: Well, you already know I love the Poke-e, Temp-It, and the Nut Blaster, but I do love your Racky bits, your tool belts (which most of my team uses), the Drillers Dust Bowl (which was my 1st ever purchase), the Exploding Garbage Cans, and my new favorite; the Wire Waffle. My trucks and vans each have those items on them, and some of my team have their own personal tools they purchased from Rack-A-Tiers.
How the Trade Has Changed
Rack-A-Tiers: What’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed between electricians starting out now and when you began your career? Any shift in attitude, skills, or approach?
Dave: The biggest difference from my standpoint has been the availability of proper tools and equipment for almost every application. Attitude among new tradespeople is different than us old timers, because they can use computers and phones to get the answers they need for any application. We had paper and pen. Skills are different, because we have had to adapt to new methods and ideas, whereas new tradespeople don’t know any differently, and that’s what makes me a “dinosaur”.
The Wins That Matter Most
Rack-A-Tiers: What has been the highlight of your electrical career so far?
Dave: Wow… Hard question. 40 years have gone by so fast. In the blink of an eye. Some of the highlights that make me happy are watching people I mentored or gave advice to go off and become great electricians and/or contractors. People I’ve had work with me and left to do bigger and better things – that makes me happy.
Good Work Isn’t Good Enough
Rack-A-Tiers: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to an apprentice just getting started?
Dave: Do great work. Not just good work. Everyone can do good work, but those who choose to do great work will always be a step above the average electrician. Say what you’ll do and do what you say. No cutting corners. And always, always, keep learning and moving forward. Only look back to see how far you’ve come along.
Chasing the Wow Factor ⚡
Rack-A-Tiers: What’s the best part about being an electrician?
Dave: The best part is being able to make someone’s concept a reality. I like to call it the “wow factor”. The smile and wow, from the person you are working for… That’s the best part.
The Hardest Part of the Job
Rack-A-Tiers: What’s the hardest part of being an electrician?
Dave: Probably the beating your body will take, whether you notice it or not. After 40 years, I’ve beaten my body up. Different things pop up with aches and pains – mostly because we didn’t have a lot of safety equipment like they do now. If I had the Nut Blaster 30 years ago, I would probably have eliminated the arthritis I have in my hands, ha ha.
Dave’s Take on Rack-A-Tiers
Rack-A-Tiers: Any final words you want to leave the readers with?
Dave: I would like to say that your tools have helped me in the field tremendously. Some I wish I had years ago. And your motto is dead on: For electricians, by electricians.
Thanks, Dave! Now Go Follow Him! (Or Shop His Top Tools Below)
Forty years in, Dave Holmes is still chasing the “wow factor.” His advice is simple: do great work, not just good work, keep your word, and never stop learning. From the Nut Blaster he wishes he’d had 30 years ago to the Wire Waffle now riding on every truck, Dave knows the right tools make all the difference. Huge thanks to Dave for sharing his story. Follow him at @CollinTaylorInc and use code “COLLINTAYLOR10” to save on your next Rack-A-Tiers order. 🔌⚡
Gear Up Like a 40-Year Pro
Poke-E
The Poke-E keeps Class 2 cables right where you want them during rough-in. Just nail, cut, and poke. Each 12-foot roll holds cables up to 1/2″ and works on residential and commercial jobs, so your low-voltage runs don’t disappear behind the drywall.
Temp-It Temporary Light Socket
Need light before the trims show up? The Temp-It fits most residential LED recessed cans and takes a standard A-19 LED bulb, so you get instant job site lighting without burning money on LED trims. Comes in 4- and 12-packs.
Nut Blaster
This is the tool Dave wishes he’d had 30 years ago. The Nut Blaster goes in your drill or driver and spins wire nuts tight in 3 to 4 turns, so your hands get a break from endless twisting. The XL fits yellow, tan, and red nuts. The XXL handles grey and blue. 💪
Save Your Hands with Nut Blaster
Racky Bits
From rough-in to finish, Racky Bits cover the screws electricians actually run into. Grab a full rough-in or finishing kit or replace that one bit that walked off. You can choose square, Phillips, hex, or Torx, and most single bits cost under $10.
Electrician’s Edge Pro Tool Belt
Most of Dave’s crew wear this belt. It has a wide, padded, ventilated support belt for long days and tough 1300 denier construction with reinforced stitching. It also has a removable tape clip and a hammer loop.
Driller’s Dust Bowl
This was Dave’s first-ever Rack-A-Tiers purchase. The Dust Bowl sits between your chuck and hole saw arbor and catches dust and debris while you cut overhead. That means less cleanup, fewer drop cloths, and no drywall dust in your eyes.
Keep Your Site Clean with Dust Bowl
Exploding Garbage Can Ultra
Pop it open to 19″ x 24″, then fold it back down to 1½” thick so it rides flat in the van until you need it. The reinforced hard bottom stands up to heavy job site debris without tearing. 🗑️
Check Out Exploding Garbage Can
Wire Waffle
This is Dave’s newest favorite. The Wire Waffle snaps into a single 2.5″ knockout and takes up to 16 NM cables from 14/2 to 10/3, and break-off tabs open it up to 6/3. You get fewer knockouts and cleaner panels, and it’s UL-listed. It’s a game changer on panel swaps. ⚡
