Tools everyone tool guy should have?

[noid]

Apart from the really regular stuff (basic ratchets/ basic wrenches/etc) what is a tool every tool guy should have?

For me i would have to say tin snippers (used for cutting just about anything and everything).

 

[american lockpicker]

A good jigsaw.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Good, electric 1/2" drill, VSR and decent bits. Oh yeah, and a Drill Doctor.

 

[PCO6]

A vise is a necessity.

 

[littletoes]

Depends on what you like to do, kinda, don't it???

If you like wrenching on motor bikes and foreign stuff, guess some metric "specialty" stuff sure would be handy. External Torx sockets, including the deeps. Stubby ratchets, yep thats right, not just Stubby Wrenches. Snap-On makes a DANDY! I think its something like 100 tooth, and its great for them "tight-to-reach" spots.

Oh, and I AIN'T one for working on bikes or foreign stuff, but I "has" too sometimes.

 

[hofferwood]

Drill press
Chuck

 

[ServiceWithIntegrity]

A good quality 6 in 1 driver.

 

[american lockpicker]

A good quality 6 in 1 driver.

Klein is good. Also oddly enough its better quality that individual drivers that cost more.

 

[D.J.]

Thumb ratchets, flex head 3/8" long handle ratchet, universal joint for 3/8", and wobble extension for 3/8", I know I'm leaving out something.
________
Dodge hornet specifications

 

[blue dog]

sawzall, grinder, compressor, drill press, cordless drill/ impact, beer fridge.

 

[Skin]

I'm reading "tool guy" as an every man, not just techs/pros, so i'll submit a table saw, without question. Things you wouldnt normally do yourself, will open up to you with a table saw. Excellent tool.

 

[kams1973]

Air compressor and a portable generator

 

[dieseltech]

bench grinder with a wire wheel on one side and a fine stone on the other

 

[DrkMtnDew]

1) Duct Tape
2) WD-40
3) Bailing Wire
4) Large assortment of hammers
5) Vise Grips

 

[gc11090]

Sawzall and good cordless drill with high quality drill bits

 

[back2class]

A guy could do a hell of a lot with a vise, 100pc. basic mechanics tool set, a small table saw, electric drill and and a jig saw. You could build a house or work on almost any mechanical contraption.

All said and done, outside the basics in most every real mans garage... A utility trailer.

 

[MrMark]

Worm saw and a roto hammer.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

A radio to keep the day moving along smoothly

duct tape

 

[DropZoneNET]

I have made it to this point in my life with a few basic tools. I don't want to list them all, but everything but my cordless drill, jack stands, oil pans, funnels, and jack fit in to a small black tool box and a blow molded craftsman 115pc tool set.

Up until I bought my house last month, it all fit neatly in the trunk of my car and was always with me. Now that I have a garage, I don't much care for hauling them around.


My vote:
-Drill
-Set of open and closed end wrenches (standard and/or metric depending on your needs)
-Screw driver set (various sizes and lengths of phillips and flat head)
-1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" Ratchets of varying lengths
-Standard and Metric Sockets for above ratchets
-Set of Pliers (Various sizes, styles, and lengths)
-Standard and Metric Allen Wrenches
-Popular sizes of Torx bits/drivers
-A set of impact sockets (standard and/or metric - even if you don't have an impact gun - see next item)
-Breaker bar or "cheater bar" (Use impact sockets and a ratchet with a lifetime warranty in combination with this)
-Small Hammer
-Medium Hammer
-B.A. Hammer
-Hand held torch (or better)
-PB Blaster (it is a tool in my book - I always keep a can around)

Can you see where my list is heading? I own a car that lived the greater part of its life in the north-east. Now that it is in KY, I have learned how to remove rusty things quite well.

There is more than I have listed that I probably consider very important, but it is late, I am at work, and I must move on.

 

[Lotek]

Welder, metal cutting bandsaw or chopsaw, drillpress, bench grinder.

 

[Coolabah]

Apart from the really regular stuff (basic ratchets/ basic wrenches/etc) what is a tool every tool guy should have?

For me i would have to say tin snippers (used for cutting just about anything and everything).

Leatherman Skelitool. There's your answer . I could live with this as my only tool in the world if I had to.

You can close the thread now

But if we are talking about more than 1 tool....

trying to find the link to "every tool in the world store"........

 

[Finley]

Ditto that ^. Plus, you'll have several new friends who want a favor.

you aint lying. people want more than what mine can haul

 

[mrholeshot]

Welder, torches, chop saw, angle grinder. Amazing problem solvers

 

[mrholeshot]

you aint lying. people want more than what mine can haul

I have a small utility trailer(4X8) That I built I can pull behind my Town and Country mini van. I use it when I go to flea markets or to pick up tool boxes I buy. Loan it out a good bit to friends and relitives. It has 13 inch wheels and boxed over fenders. A friend used it and brought it bach and both tires were slick as glass. (tires were a month old). The trailer can carry about 1200 pounds safly but this guy loaded it so heavy the tires were hitting under the fenders and ground thee tread right off them. Then he had the nerve to tell me "they were slick when I borrowed it". Funny they looked great when I checked the air in them before you left. He dosn't borrow anything anymore

 

[woody 73]

bench grinder with a wire wheel on one side and a fine stone on the other

I will second that along with a roll of duct tape (don't laugh that stuff works great)!

 

[Dewaynep]

An air compressor will open up a door to other tools you can't live without once you have them i.e.: Impact gun, air nailers (of every shape and size), air hammer, air drill, etc....

 

[Az Scooter]

1) Duct Tape
2) WD-40
3) Bailing Wire
4) Large assortment of hammers
5) Vise Grips

My wife says you forgot the screwdriver and crescent wrench.

 

[bobadame]

Anything from a Leatherman up to and including a CNC vertical machining center. It's all necessary. But if I could have only one tool it would be the Leatherman.

 

[rlb1953]

Besides the basic wrenches/sockets/screwdrivers, I could get by with

- 1/2" breaker bar (the longer the better) and 6pt sockets
- a blacksmith hammer
- a good fencing pliers
- an assortment of pry-bars.
- a hacksaw.

If I had to choose only one of them, I would probably pick my fencing pliers.

roger

 

[Theloniousmonk]

A significant other that allows one to purchase the needed tools... and a job or some form of income to afford purchasing of said tools.

 

[Robert Haas]

do what all my friends do

the only thing you need is a phone and the number to your friend that has all the tools.

That would be me that they are calling

 

[larry_g]

Lathe
Mill
Backhoe

lg
no neat sig line

 

[OccupantRJ]

The people around my area considered real tool guys have forklifts.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Anything from a Leatherman up to and including a CNC vertical machining center. It's all necessary. But if I could have only one tool it would be the Leatherman.

Leatherman are a joke... I submit this:

as an alternative

 

[american lockpicker]

Anything from a Leatherman up to and including a CNC vertical machining center. It's all necessary. But if I could have only one tool it would be the Leatherman.

Victorinox is better.

 

[Jeff]

 

[novadude]

A floor jack and good jack stands are a necessity. Appropriate oil filter wrench for whatever you drive makes my list of "must have" items as well.

Even if cars aren't your thing, eveyone should be able to change their own oil.

 

[canuckian]

when all else fails, everyone needs a BFH = Big F@#kin Hammer!!!

in all seriousness, compressor with good airtools and a good set of basic hand tools...........and a big hammer

 

[hilld]

Welder(s) (Oxy/acc, MIG, TIG, STAW, Plasma Cutter)
Hoist (both 2 and 4 post)
Tractor with forks and backhoe
shop large enough to dry dock a cruise ship
Enough tools to make the tool men jealous
Large Generator
Fabbing equipment (lathe, mill, etc)
Large supply of metal for above
Large nut, bolt and other supplies selection

And of course a large bank account to resupply the shop.

 

[bobadame]

Victorinox is better.

It's pink?