This has probably been done to death before but I couldn’t find anything, so I thought I would start the discussion again. Of all the tools you use, what is your favorite-the one that makes you smile every time you pick it up, whether or not you use it that often? The one that you keep looking to buy even though, for god’s sake, you don’t need it?
I personally like rotary hammers. I really don’t do much more than drilling for Tapcons and the like. I don’t even need a RH for that. but every time I use it I am happy that it makes the job so much quicker and (for me anyway) fun. I have a Makita Pitbull that I got on a deal from Amazon (Pitbull…hmmm…clever name; wonder where they got it from). It’s not a world beater but it works for me. It’s all I need.
And yet right now I am looking at a Hilti and I keep checking out cordless ones and on and on.
Anyone care to jump in?
Maybe someday I’ll know a little something.
Replies
I dunno.
My little 12 volt Bosch impact driver continues to make me marvel.
Except sometimes when ya get in some old wood and the Bosch phillips head tips will break. Wouldn't mind it so much but the dang things run a buck something a tip.
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. A bird sings because it has a song.
I used drywall tips in a magnetic adapter. It does reduce the compactness (is that even a logical phrase?). I mean it does enlarge the overall length,, but I like the magnetized tips and the ease of changing. Plus you can get them a lot cheaper than the ones I think you're talking about.
FWIW.
Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
ORVIS!!!!!!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
.222 Remington
Stanley ratchet screwdriver
Old handplanes
Leatherman
Douglas hammer
Not an exponent of the DILLIGAF system.
I love my Crescent hammer...No really my favorite has got to be my great-grandfather's 12" drawknife, not that I get the chance to use it more than twice a year but like a good plane I can shave with it even after working it for hours on a freshly fallen oak tree.day
Edited 9/7/2006 3:06 am ET by restorationday
still orvis...
Sage is a good one too...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
My favorite toy is my backhoe. That thing is just plain fun. Even when I've just accidentially destroyed something with it it's still fun.
Bosch Bulldog hammer drill is definitely a nice tool. All those years of using those mickey mouse carbide bits for concrete makes me really appreciate this drill.
I'm always happy when I put my HoleHawg back in it's nice metal case if there's no blood dripping off me. Nice tool, vicious though.
A little Makita plunge router, little guy about 6" tall.
S&W .22LR revolver. The bunnies love it too.
Joe H
My wife has long told me that for her birthday one year she wants me to rent her a Bobcat and order 10 yards of mulch to drive around. I'm sure she'd like a backhoe too. It's not clear why I have not done this for her yet.
Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
If you're looking on e-bay at Hiltis, try and find one where the ending time is something funky, or there are multiple products. I was trying for a TE-6 and they got snapped up real fast. I finally scored on one where the bidding ended at like 4:00 a.m. or something.
I love my Multi-Master. When you need it, nothing else will do.
14.4 V Makita impact driver, Millwaukee circ. saw, Lie-Nilesen low-angle block plane, any chisel sharp enough to shave with, my hammer.
the one that makes you smile every time you pick it up
Too heavy to heft, but as I've been doing steel fabricating lately, my metal bandsaw has a dear spot in my heart. Just bought it a pair of the best blades I could find.
Started out with a cheapie from Harbor Freight that a friend destroyed by inadvertently dropping it out of his pickup and dragging it up my driveway. The replacement is about 10 times the saw. Speed and accuracy are incredible. Today I screwed up and needed to remove a sixteenth from some 3" stock. Worked like a breeze.
Also made my welding look substantially better due to tighter fits. Large miters, no problem. 4" square tubing is heavy.
My large rubber-tire loader undoubtedly will run much better, from pride, with that new widow-maker canopy. She's already smiling broadly with her first teeth.
I might be in love. DW already has hints. Not the jealous type.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Gotta go with you and Joe H on the backhoe, especiallythe thumb on the hoe.
Second is probably Fluke scopemeter.
Yeah, love that heavy machinery, until it breaks.
Just returned from a nice farm/construction auction. The big metal lathe someone else will have the pleasure of moving. But I got a great lead on an Atlas. They had a Cat rubber-tire loader, just a tad smaller (and considerably rougher) than mine, to be sold this afternoon. I really don't need a second one, but these don't ever bring much money. And auctions .... well, you know. I left before possibly succumbing to temptation. Might very well go cheaper than the lathe.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I've passed up a 'free' D8 that was not running. If it had been closer than 200 miles I'd have dissassembled it on-sie and hauled it home piece by piece.
That would ave been fun, but a little on the big side for anybody with less than a quarter section.
This auction had a D8 also. Pretty sure it moved itself on and off a trailer. I didn't start it. Damn, they're big. They don't usually bring much, too difficult to move. I'm doing a 1/2 mile driveway, 400' rise here. Temptation?... Oh, yeah. Another reason for me to leave early.
Even the pieces have gotta be heavy. One track would probably be a significant challenge for your hoe. And that's after you got it off. "Free", it wasn't.
I've got considerably less than a quarter section (160 ac, for the uninitiated), but have fun anyhow. BTW, that's not a term you'd encounter here. LOL Pretty much meaningless when there's no grid. Had to root around in my Ariz. memories to comprehend. The family quarter/quarter section was 40 ac, which is huge when you're a 5 yo. I've still got a small chunk of it. PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
For me it's kind of hjard to develope a personal relationship like that with a power tool.
Like Jeff Buck and his father's Utility knife, I like one I can hold and control and power it with my own hand.
There is nothing I do in all this business that brings a greater feeling of satisfaction that using a good plane. Not any one in particular. I think I have about fifteen or thereabouts.
To put a sharp edge on it and then make a piece smooth! I true squared the exposed large center beam in my house from rough state ( band sawn) to supper smooth in about two hours. I have made a table top so you could barely see a ripple. i've peeled pine slices so thin you could see through them and the curls were as long as twelve feet. Oh the beauty of it all....!!!
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
YOur post makes me want to get out my whetstone!
blue
Good!It's too bad some of the young'uns don't even know howto spit on a whetstone, let alone use it, or even care. They just want to look for the nearest receptical to plug in a power plane.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
The other day I had to fit a door to a little cabinet I made. The door has a 3/8" inset and it was just a hair tight, so I took out my shoulder plane and trimmed the offending side. I rarely use my shoulder plane but I am happy I have it every time I need it.
Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
klein 10 in one screwdriver , I always have the proper, quailty screwdriver and usefull size nutdrivers with me
My Snap On Phillips Screwdriver. It was my go to screwing removal tool befor the Makita Impact changed my life.
I think I love my Ingersoll Rand VR642 B lift. We call her "Big Inga" our Swedish mistress. Absolutely an awsome machine. I don't know if I could go on without her !
Favorite tools as of today that are on the job every day, not in the garage.
#1 Duofast Uzi Stapler, I can write my name in staples with it.
#2 10-1/4" Circular Saw
#3 My new framing hammer with a 24" Curly Maple handle.
#4 Bosch wormdrive
#5 Quik-Drive Stand up screw gun, quickly moving up the list
#6 Stablia Plate Level, THIS THING RULES
What the problem is?
Edited 9/6/2006 11:39 pm ET by Stilletto
Block plane. It's an old craftsman, adjustable mouth. When I'm feeling flush sometime, I'll replace it with a low-angle veritas block plane- I'm not sentimental about it, but I love using it.
It's always razor sharp (I have the bald spot on my arm to prove it), mouth adjusted to about 1/32. It has a magical way of making things that didn't quite fit, fit like they were made together.
I love my chisels too- they're so amazingly versatile.
And to show that I'm not a complete luddite, I'll say that I appreciate my makita impact driver too. How can it be so light and yet so strong?
zak
"so it goes"
Speaking of hand tools how do you like that hammer?
Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
Love it. It's been seeing use every day since I got it.
If my list had been a little longer, it would have included my two douglas hammers, a finish and a framer.
I understand what you said about it being pretty big for a finish hammer though- It's great for decks and stuff. I don't put in very many true finish nails by hand, fortunately.zak
"so it goes"
Try it for coping. You don't need a Collin's foot or anything, just a scroll blade.
http://power-tools.hardwarestore.com/54-367-jig-saw-blades/bosch-rough-curve-jig-saw-blade-658198.aspx
I was getting frustrated the other day coping 5 1/4" oak base, and I pulled out my Bosch in a fit of frustration. What a find.
View ImageWe change the course of history,everyday people like you and me
Have you tried the angle grinder technique yet? I haven't used it a lot, but I think it's my go-to method now.
I used to use the jigsaw, but it seems like every time you make a tight curve, the saw wants to pull the wood around, and sometimes the molding gets hurt. Especially short peices.
By the way, I don't know how you expect me to cope crown molding with a hammer, which is what it sounded like you were suggesting at first.zak
"so it goes"
expect me to cope crown molding with a hammer
lol. If there was ever a major obstacle between me and some other coping tool, I might try it with a hammer.
The grinder is effective(or is it affective?), but loud and messy. We change the course of history,everyday people like you and me
The grinder is effective(or is it affective?), but loud and messy
You say that like it's a bad thing.
LOL, what am I saying, I have to clean up after myself, cause there's no one else around to. I try to cope a lot of peices at once, outside, if possible.zak
"so it goes"
Bottle opener.
My power plane. ;)
Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
A wise guy...very funny!! :-)
Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
LMAO
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Going from memory here....but I think the model is the 1611DVS 3.5 HP Bosch plunge router.
That's my number one for sheer joy of working with a tool.
If I'm pullin' that puppy out, chances are I'm doing some pretty intricate custom work.
Favorite tool though? I've raved about it before....but the $600 I spent on my Telpro Panel Lift is the best $600 I ever spent. I don't do a ton of drywall....but everytime I do, I praise the designers/manufacturers of that thing.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
For a power tool, I'd guess that I love my W&H molder. I've turned out lots of dollars worth of millwork and produced tons of satisfied customers. Being able to make pieces to match what they already hae when remodeling or adding on when those styles are not available anymore Jacks up my reputation plenty.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Do you buy your knives, or grind your own?
I have W&H grind them but am not always happy. Fast turnaround but sometimes poor pattern matching
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I have a love affair with several of my tools-but I'm with you- everytime I use my panel lift I say "who ever invented this ought to be a gazillionaire, it is a great tool-lift a 12 ft sheet of "rock ' and decide to take lunch it'll be there when you get back....
Favorite everyday tool is a 5 in 1 scraper-painter's tool.
My Douglas 20oz hammer is a thing of beauty, always gets strange looks.
MY favorite is no more.
A SKILSAW 5-1/4. First power tool I ever bought. Bought it used about 1962 . It was probably 10-15 yrs old then. Regular diamond arbor.
It got to where I couldn't find new blades & had filed the old ones beyond use. Then the armature went out & they wanted more than the price of a new one to rewind. So it's gone.
Now days I could probably have found parts & blades on the net.
Boss at the time had an 8-1/4 SKILSAW that was about impossible to use horizontal so he always wanted to borrow my pup.If you have a problem, don't just talk do something to set it right.
Jim Andersen
Probably my handplanes. My Lei Nielson low angle apron block plane is one of the sweetest tools I have ever used and owned.
My 10oz Stilleto titanium finish hammer. Use it every day and it just jumps into my hand like Zorro's sword.
Powertools have to be my little Makita 81/4" 2708 table saw, going on 20 years with that thing. My Dewalt 705 cms, used them all and keep coming back to 'old reliable'. I think it's the best mitersaw ever made.
My little Makita 12v impact gun, feels like a toy but watch out big boys.
Last but not least is my 5 in ones
Don'tknow why no one mentioned their hog ringers.
Aawww, do I have to choose favorites!
Hitachi SCMS
Makita 18v Lithium cordless impact driver (and the rest of the set too)
Bostich 23ga. micropinner
Kreg Jig
BoschHammer drill (Bull Dog's big brother)
I hardly ever get a chance to use it, but I love my Ramset powder-actuated thingy. Not the fancy gun-shaped one either, the kind where you load the nail, the little powder charge, and you wail away on the top with your hammer.
So satisfying to effortlessly drive a framing nail into solid concrete. I should do more basements, I find them satisfying all around actually...
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Justin, if you are impressed with that thing - then wait until you try a Hilt DX36m.It's like night and day between the two. I had one of those cheapo ramsets, and although it's satisfying - when you try the Hilti - you'll wonder if it even shot it cause it's so smooth it's like butter.They aint cheap - about $500 at HD, but they are always on Ebay for about $100 and they're built like tanks and work forever. I'm telling you - it's like butter!Julian
Wow, I posted about how I love the powder actuated fastening gun, but wished I could do more basements so that I would have a chance to use it.
Lo and behold, got two customers that approached me over the weekend about basement jobs. I didn't realize that all I had to do was write it in teh forum in order to get the job.
but hey, worth a try - "I only wish I had more opportunities to do site-built bookshelves"
...let's see if that gets me any more jobs :)Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
Yeah, but if you get those bookcase jobs, you'll be forced to purchase the festool saw
no way...
he'll still use the stud gun...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
he'll still use the stud gun...
I was hit by one of those as a Kid, that explains how I am today.
I believe it was stun and not stud in yur case...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Edited 9/11/2006 1:33 pm by IMERC
nope it was a stud gun
just ask my grandmothers, my mother, and my wife, they'll all tell you...
second thought, don't ask my wife.
this is begining to sound kinky...
I suppose you don't want anyone asking the animals either..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
my dog knows who feeds him so he won't talk.
that's the ticket...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
My 24 volt Milwaukee sawzall with a 3 teeth per inch Starett blade!