Well, when I started all we used was a sharp knife or box cutter and when ya got good, used some diagonals....all this "prep" tool shit came later. We had a hex crimper, then came the grease and boots. If ya want a good person, start with someone who has not picked up bad habits already...You dont get good apples from the ground, go to the tree. Real techs have already been trained, they just didn't appear on your doorstep ready to go. Bottom line is ya get what ya pay for or ya get what yu are willing to take.....31 years in this field, and it has gotten lame, when they start fucking installers, who are usually entry level people, it is only a matter of time before the end of the game. CAble used to be fun and corporate america killed it all in the name of greed.......FUCK EVERY CABLE PROVIDER ON THIS PLANET IN THE ASSHOLE!!!!!! and the scumbags that middleman the work and vest nothing.......paper contractors.......and yes, I said in the ASSHOLE!!!! just in case ya missed it....he he