I picked up my titanium Stiletto TBII 15 hammer a little over four years ago after developing painful trigger finger in two fingers of my swinging hand. Until then I’d only used steel hammers with a variety of different handles and grips. A guy I knew had switched from a steel to a titanium hammer to deal with carpal tunnel, so I decided to try the same. Within weeks, my fingers started to feel better. Years later I still have a small nodule at the base of my ring finger, but it doesn’t hurt.

If I didn’t already have the TBII (which I plan to take to the grave), I’d splurge for one of Stiletto founder Mark Martinez’s customizable M1 framing hammers. His new company, Martinez Tools, is putting out some really well-thought-out gear that has earned a rabid following. Titanium hammers aren’t cheap, but for a tool that gets constant use, I think it’s worth it to save the wear and tear on your body.

It sells for around $250.

I bought Ryobi’s 3-gal. Project Wet/Dry vacuum only because it came with a battery and a charger. I didn’t need the vacuum; I just needed the battery and charger to go with a cordless Ryobi sander I bought to avoid having to buy a longer extension cord. This whole scheme sounds dumb, but getting the vacuum kit worked out cheaper than if I’d bought the charger and battery combos that were in stock at my local box store at the time. (Yes, getting the extension cord to run my Makita sander would have been cheaper, but also unsatisfying because A: there was no deal to be had there, and B: I wouldn’t have this rambling recommendation to give you).

Little did I know I’d end up using this little vacuum all the time. It’s lightweight, highly portable, and has a decent amount of suction for such a little thing. It’s great for getting sawdust out of vehicle upholstery and off of shop benches and equipment, and for attaching to small power tools when working in finished spaces on quick jobs where lugging in a corded vac is more hassle than it’s worth.

It costs between $100 and $150.

Portable Tablesaw

I work out of a shed, and often out of my pickup truck as well. The DEWALT 10-in Carbide-Tipped Blade 15-Amp Portable Table Saw easily collapses and wheels around just like a traditional hand truck. I have a bad back, and this saw has never been a hassle when moving it or loading it back onto my pickup.

It costs around $500.

I always use ear protection, and now I have access to my e-books, music, and podcasts as I work using my 3M WorkTunes Connect Plastic Hearing Protection Earmuffs. They are Bluetooth compatible, comfortable, and last the entire day on a singe charge.

These headphones are not meant for audiophiles, but for a weekend warrior like myself, they’re just right.

They’re a great value for around $45.

The Shop-Vac 5-Gallon 6-HP Shop Vacuum is small and easy to move around any interior repair job. I really like that it has the option of using a bag, which makes for easy clean up. It’s also very powerful for such a small unit, and it works great hooked up to my power tools for dust collection.

It sells for around $90.