Benji
Well-known member
It's too hard to pick my best ever but best this fall has been my IR TI2135 timax.
Best Tool You Ever Bought
- Thread starter countryroad82
- Start date
OP
countryroad82
Well-known member
Great comments guys!! Keep 'em coming!!
volunteers
Well-known member
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Any and all drum brake spring tools
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The Master Cool hydraulic tubing flairing kit. It is the real deal
kellyron500
Active member
AGREED!
I started out with a 3 gallon compressor a decade ago, used it every day and thought I was king. Finally went to a 30 gallon a year ago. CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT IT!!!!
Super Mech
Well-known member
Power Probe test light, 200 lumen nitecore flashlight,120 amp and 275 amp mig welders, OA torch, and belive or not a HF 3/4" composite impact gun.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
skeletonizer
Well-known member
I got mine at Auto Zone. I think it was branded Great Neck but not positive.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I've been buying tools for a long time. In that time, there has been a very slow, but steady advancement in the tools available to individuals, and looking back, it's nothing short of a revolution in capability.
Here's a few, that were the top of my list when I bought them -
1. Black and Decker Workmate - introduced in the 1970's - I bought my first one in about 1980. Up to then you had to do everything on a workbench.
2. HP11C and HP12C calculators. New in 1981 - the 12c is still sold in the exact same model. They tried to upgrade it, and people still bought the old one.. Think about that - an electronic device that is the same in 2011 that it was in 1981! - name just one more... The 11C got me through engineering school. The 12C got me through business school.
3. Sony Walkman - about 1982. Up to that point, there wasn't such a thing as a small handheld, high quality music device. I remember the feeling of listening to that unbelievable sound quality for the first time. This single device made doing mechanical work much less of a boring job.
4. My first Leatherman - this was such an improvement over the pocketknife I had been carrying up to that point.
5. Panasonic Cordless drill - about 1991 - was the finest cordless drill made, and that drill is probably still better than many of them sold today. I replaced it with an upgraded model in 1999, and I wish I still had them both.
6. The Internet. In 5 minutes I can find out how to fix most anything - whether I know much about it or not.
7. SK 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets in the green case. I had sockets before, but the case keeps these great tools so well organized that my sets work as well today as it did 12 years ago.
8. CNC machines. The company I started my career with was full of $100,000 and up NC machines - they're all junk now. The latest crop of cheaper homeowner based CNC machines are bringing the same capability to your basement.
9. Mig welders. In the 1980's a welder was a big machine that weighed 800 lbs.
10. Milwaukee V28 cordless. Even though my Panasonic Drill was still my favorite after about 15 years, 12Volts or even 18volts isn't enough to replace a corded tool. Enter Milwaukee V28's, which I bought in 2008, and I've rarely used my corded tools since.
11. Surefire type flashlight - In the 80's a maglight was the ultimate. Somewhere in the early 2000's, I found the Surefire G2 - all my maglights were instantly obsolete. Recently, these all went to LED bulbs, and they are even better.
12. Jawhorse - I can't believe it's as good as it is. It replaced my B&D workmate.
6. Tire balancer and changer - seemed like complete overkill to own one, but it's so nice to have them, so I'm not relying anybody else.
Here's a few, that were the top of my list when I bought them -
1. Black and Decker Workmate - introduced in the 1970's - I bought my first one in about 1980. Up to then you had to do everything on a workbench.
2. HP11C and HP12C calculators. New in 1981 - the 12c is still sold in the exact same model. They tried to upgrade it, and people still bought the old one.. Think about that - an electronic device that is the same in 2011 that it was in 1981! - name just one more... The 11C got me through engineering school. The 12C got me through business school.
3. Sony Walkman - about 1982. Up to that point, there wasn't such a thing as a small handheld, high quality music device. I remember the feeling of listening to that unbelievable sound quality for the first time. This single device made doing mechanical work much less of a boring job.
4. My first Leatherman - this was such an improvement over the pocketknife I had been carrying up to that point.
5. Panasonic Cordless drill - about 1991 - was the finest cordless drill made, and that drill is probably still better than many of them sold today. I replaced it with an upgraded model in 1999, and I wish I still had them both.
6. The Internet. In 5 minutes I can find out how to fix most anything - whether I know much about it or not.
7. SK 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets in the green case. I had sockets before, but the case keeps these great tools so well organized that my sets work as well today as it did 12 years ago.
8. CNC machines. The company I started my career with was full of $100,000 and up NC machines - they're all junk now. The latest crop of cheaper homeowner based CNC machines are bringing the same capability to your basement.
9. Mig welders. In the 1980's a welder was a big machine that weighed 800 lbs.
10. Milwaukee V28 cordless. Even though my Panasonic Drill was still my favorite after about 15 years, 12Volts or even 18volts isn't enough to replace a corded tool. Enter Milwaukee V28's, which I bought in 2008, and I've rarely used my corded tools since.
11. Surefire type flashlight - In the 80's a maglight was the ultimate. Somewhere in the early 2000's, I found the Surefire G2 - all my maglights were instantly obsolete. Recently, these all went to LED bulbs, and they are even better.
12. Jawhorse - I can't believe it's as good as it is. It replaced my B&D workmate.
6. Tire balancer and changer - seemed like complete overkill to own one, but it's so nice to have them, so I'm not relying anybody else.
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TireTracks
Well-known member
I dident buy it ( found it and restored it)
A 6" "ruler" style caliper. I use that thing all the time for almost everything imaginable.
A 6" "ruler" style caliper. I use that thing all the time for almost everything imaginable.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Pic? I'm wondering if one I have is similar to yours.
sberry
Banned
Welding machines, air tools, high power battery tools, combination wrenches and sockets, channeloks, adjustable wrenches, nut drivers, screwdrivers, 95% of the work done with those. Wire cutting pliers also.
Ive got one too....comes in handy
relic7680
Well-known member
W650Mike
Well-known member
Fine Tooth Ratchets
You don't know what all the fuss is about until you have a set.
You don't know what all the fuss is about until you have a set.
Pocket knife, no question about it. I've carried one since grade school and used it almost every day for one thing or another. Of course I did not buy the first one, it was a gift from my Grandfather, but I have bought the several replacements/upgrades since.
banditbigdog
Well-known member
Air Compressor, small old Case pocket knife close second.
Tom
Tom
richfinn
Well-known member
Snap On MT2500 
regguy1
Well-known member
ibedayank
Well-known member
best tool... the one that got the job done
gsport
Well-known member
hmmmm in order.... probably my air compressor, then my four post lift, and then the welder... hand tools and air tools are usually used at the same time as those
Craftsman_88
Well-known member
The air compressor was nice. But I have to stay my Dewalt 1/4" impact driver. I know most guys are mechanics here, but this thing drives screws like no other!
volunteers
Well-known member
I don't have a compressor and am looking for one. I wonder what projects did you do everyday with the 3 gallon compressor? Can it be used for a compact gun for lug nuts? I don't want to buy a 30 gallon one since I have no room for it and it is kind of expensive. So I wonder if the 3 or 6 gallon worth to buy.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
For me, probably my LED Lenser P6 flashlight. It just works perfectly for me. It's a 2xAA, plenty bright, great battery life and robust too. I have two of them, they've been run over more times than i remember and they keep on going. For me, they're the best all-round flashlight. I have a lot of tools that are great, but few get as much use as the P6s.
Do you rebuild gearboxes?
I worked at a place that had an "oven" (as we called it) for cleaning. It was the most badass parts washer ever, chuck in the nastiest, filthies, grimiest **** and let it do its thing, come back later and out came a pristine part you could eat your dinner off, i loved it.
Oh how i miss that machine now.
I can't pick just one........
The two pictured below:
Do you rebuild gearboxes?
I worked at a place that had an "oven" (as we called it) for cleaning. It was the most badass parts washer ever, chuck in the nastiest, filthies, grimiest **** and let it do its thing, come back later and out came a pristine part you could eat your dinner off, i loved it.
Oh how i miss that machine now.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
This is a head scratcher ........... Vise Grips, no Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver, maybe...... to many to list, but you guys have posted some great tools. Air compressor has got to be it
For me, it has to be my laptop. I grew up in a mechanically challenged household so I have learned tons on Youtube from channels like EricTheCarGuy, Briansmobile1, Real Fixes/Real Fast, etc. Also, for this website for all the tool information/recommendations but it has been a real budget killer.
tbobbo
Banned
I could not pick just one........
Snap on air hammer-- it has no equal....but I knew I would use the heck out of it.
Snap on ratcheting screwdriver, used it so much i bought 2
My six pound hammer bought at a pawn shop. I welded the word WAKKA on it (pronounced waa kaa)
Nothing is safe when I start swinging that thing!
If I had to pick my best purchase that I thought I would not use..........
My snap on crecent wrenches!!!!!!! They are flank drive plus.....i bought them as a treat for myself thinking they would just make my toolbox pretty......no such luck. They are my go too wrenches! The 12 inch is better than even the fdp regular wrenches! I dont round bolts with them! Yes an adjustable wrench that does not round fasteners! Sadley someone agrees with me and stole the 10 incher. They dont make them like that anymore. The new ones have some red rubber grip and weigh half as much
. I cant replace it. The old ones are chrome, the new ones are a dull finish. The old ones have a wider pushing area for putting some real force on them and not hurting your hand. I figured I would retire them after getting flank drive plus regular wrenches........nope still use the crecent at least once a day. Anyone i have ever worked with thinks im retarded for having snap on crecent wrenches.......till they borrow them.......now they are all upset because they changed the design and you cant buy em like that anymore. If anyone has the old ones and they want to sell em hit me up......i want them!!!! Especialy the 10 and 12.
Someone borrowed my 12 today and came to me later and said he could not find it and would buy me a new one......I told him he just lost my favorite tool and they are not made anymore he better find that wrench in 10 minutes or less or that would be his last 10 minutes of life! He found it!
Snap on air hammer-- it has no equal....but I knew I would use the heck out of it.
Snap on ratcheting screwdriver, used it so much i bought 2
My six pound hammer bought at a pawn shop. I welded the word WAKKA on it (pronounced waa kaa)
Nothing is safe when I start swinging that thing!
If I had to pick my best purchase that I thought I would not use..........
My snap on crecent wrenches!!!!!!! They are flank drive plus.....i bought them as a treat for myself thinking they would just make my toolbox pretty......no such luck. They are my go too wrenches! The 12 inch is better than even the fdp regular wrenches! I dont round bolts with them! Yes an adjustable wrench that does not round fasteners! Sadley someone agrees with me and stole the 10 incher. They dont make them like that anymore. The new ones have some red rubber grip and weigh half as much
. I cant replace it. The old ones are chrome, the new ones are a dull finish. The old ones have a wider pushing area for putting some real force on them and not hurting your hand. I figured I would retire them after getting flank drive plus regular wrenches........nope still use the crecent at least once a day. Anyone i have ever worked with thinks im retarded for having snap on crecent wrenches.......till they borrow them.......now they are all upset because they changed the design and you cant buy em like that anymore. If anyone has the old ones and they want to sell em hit me up......i want them!!!! Especialy the 10 and 12.
Someone borrowed my 12 today and came to me later and said he could not find it and would buy me a new one......I told him he just lost my favorite tool and they are not made anymore he better find that wrench in 10 minutes or less or that would be his last 10 minutes of life! He found it!
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
Out of everything I've ever bought, the one that has saved my bacon the most times and has definitely seen the most regular use is the little 426 Channellocks that I carry in my pocket.
pdham
Member
The tool I thought I would not have much use for was a saws-all. I wanted to install a skylight in my first house (30 years ago)and needed the sawsall to cut between the joices. I didn't think I would ever use it again after that one use. My father in law offered to go half with me on one so we could just share it. After I bought it the uses were endless. Needless to say the father in law never had the opportunity to put his hands on it. Years later I bought him one for Christmas. Once he put it to use he fussed at me for keeping him in the dark to its usefulness all those years. The next most helpfull tools are a cordless drill of which I have had many, then comes the air compressor. The first one I had I built when I was 16 from an old walk in cooler compressor and a propane bottle, and floor jack.
volunteers
Well-known member
For me the best tool is a Craftsman 16 in combination square. I can do nothing without it.
Rust
Banned
Super Sawz All...Milwaukee, of course.
Actually I bought 2... the first I wore out.
Actually I bought 2... the first I wore out.
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OP
countryroad82
Well-known member
Dang I forgot about my 4" crescent wrench and 4WR Vice Grips I keep in my pocket at all times! I use them all the time, and they have saved me from having to run back and forth to the toolbox or truck.
binkcat16
Well-known member
This....
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every thing snap on
