Golden Age SnufferStick High Voltage Capacitor Discharge Stick Tool

I touched the inside of my amp and did not die. 5 stars.

If StewMac trusts it, that's good enough for me! Good safety gear is never cheap and the last thing I want to do is get electricuted changing a tube or cleaning the dust from the chassis.

I do a lot of work on audio, ham radio, and electronic equipment. This tool is a seat belt for my work bench. I have lived through bad accidents in which a seat belt saved my life and this tool is as necessary as a seat belt. That lethal shock, that deadly voltage, is there hiding and waiting to kill you. One instant and you are dead. You won't know what hit you. Make sure you have this "chicken stick" and use it before you touch anything, no matter how long it has been unplugged. Buy it. Use it. Now. Don't ever take a chance. Live for another day. This tool is well made and will save your life.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: Absolute necessity for working on my tube amp.

The tool itself is fine it works good. But I don’t understand why they have to charge so dang much for the things.

Discharges capacitors quickly. Easy to use!

Also called a “chicken stick”, I believe. For every new and seasoned electronics hobbyist or tinkerer, it is recommended practice to discharge Caps and then check they have no voltage (with a voltmeter) before getting your hands in any electronics chassis with a tool like this (as opposed to a screwdriver) The stick length and lead length seem ideal for most applications. Especially useful to anyone working on tube amps for guitars, or ham radio / CB. Yes, one easily could buy parts to make one of these, but I think this is well made for the price and a worthy addition to the toolbox for a margin of safety. Assuming an electric device can kill you is like assuming any gun is loaded, until you check.

Love this little gizmo. Decided to repair our 10 year old GE microwave because it stopped heating. Did extensive research ( YouTube University) to learn how to safely discharge the capacitor and came upon this tool. Easy peasy. Worked as described.