If a hammer doesn't work, you have an electrical problem.
There is no such thing as an electrical problem, just failing mechanical parts that no longer allow the electronics to function right.
Tools everyone tool guy should have?
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There is no such thing as an electrical problem, just failing mechanical parts that no longer allow the electronics to function right.
Lotek
Well-known member
Sewing machine low end of the testosterone scale? Not mine Consew walking foot industrial machine. my wife is scared of it, it makes an evil hum. 
Anybody else have a forge? I built both a coal forge and a gasser.
Consew walking foot industrial machine. my wife is scared of it, it makes an evil hum. Anybody else have a forge? I built both a coal forge and a gasser.littletoes
Well-known member
Small forge....BIG anvil. Not many tools for it though, but i DID apprentice under a good Smith when I was a young feller! 
Paco Pena
Well-known member
5 inch angle grinder.
Paco
Paco
Flatland Dave
Well-known member
A hyd bottle jack. Will do much of what a floor jack will do and so much more.
SoL from Sweden
Well-known member
A garage buddy, everything is easier and more fun when doing it with company. other than that, you will come a long way with the right look at things and the right attitude, because when you see stuff the wrong way and have a bad attitude - you will get tired/angry/frustrated and you will not get much done, so to get the right look at things and a good attitude, have a beer and relax every now and then.
OH you were asking for tools well i think a good socket set is the most important tool.
But a cold beer and a small moment of silence could save a day gone bad.
OH you were asking for tools
well i think a good socket set is the most important tool.But a cold beer and a small moment of silence could save a day gone bad.
Bolster
Well-known member
Calipers.
Digital or dial.
Digital or dial.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
a real first-aid kit:
1 roll of duct tape
1 bottle rubbing alcohol
1 roll of t.p.
1 tube superglue
- that's enough to clean the wound, stop the bleeding, protect the ou-wee and finish the job before going to the hospital.
1 roll of duct tape
1 bottle rubbing alcohol
1 roll of t.p.
1 tube superglue
- that's enough to clean the wound, stop the bleeding, protect the ou-wee and finish the job before going to the hospital.
PCO6
Well-known member
I agree and a dedicated drawer in your tool box for each one.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
saturdaymechanic
Well-known member
- 1/2" 18v cordless drill..(DeWalt has been mine)
- Circular Saw (again...DeWalt)
- 10" and 12" ChannelLocks (I've used these on almost every project so far)
- 8" long nose pliers (my ChannelLocks just feel right...)
- Utility knife. Right now I'm using a Craftsman. I've had Husky and Kobalt.
- Gorilla Tape. Kills duct tape. I had to tape up a broken snow shovel last winter in the middle of a second blizzard. I was able to still shovel and finish the job.
- Tape measure
- 16 oz. hammer
- Rachets and sockets (1/4"-1/2", metric and SAE)
- Circular Saw (again...DeWalt)
- 10" and 12" ChannelLocks (I've used these on almost every project so far)
- 8" long nose pliers (my ChannelLocks just feel right...)
- Utility knife. Right now I'm using a Craftsman. I've had Husky and Kobalt.
- Gorilla Tape. Kills duct tape. I had to tape up a broken snow shovel last winter in the middle of a second blizzard. I was able to still shovel and finish the job.
- Tape measure
- 16 oz. hammer
- Rachets and sockets (1/4"-1/2", metric and SAE)
GDA
Well-known member
Lot's of great tools already mentioned here but all of us also want longevity so I'll add these to the list:
proper eye protection
ear plugs (when necessary)
good fitting and protecting work gloves
proper pair of work boots
proper eye protection
ear plugs (when necessary)
good fitting and protecting work gloves
proper pair of work boots
BigRed390
Well-known member
Aside from the usual mechanic's hand tools and homeowner's necessities as mentioned in the OP, Here's a short list of my life-changers:
Table saw - You'll never know what you can do with one til you have one, and you'll kick and cuss an entire project if you are used to having one and wind up working somewhere without one. Amazing tool, and cheap if you know where to look.
Air compressor - self explanatory. I can't recall the last project I DIDN'T use compressed air on. I even use it to do stupid stuff like blow my lawnmowers off after mowing.
A GOOD shop vac - not a $50 special from the Lowes Christmas sale, I mean a large, high powered shop vac. My Ridgid is fond of eating shop towels, safety glasses, and whatever else it comes in contact with. It also does a reasonably good job at collecting sawdust off of my woodworking machines.
An assortment of non-standard hammers and pliers. Most people look for a "hammer" when they want to hit "something." Having the right hammer for the "something" you want to hit is a wonderful feeling. Having a bigger, meaner hammer when "something" still won't cooperate is an even better feeling. Pliers are less entertaining, but can you imagine getting through a whole year without oil filter pliers, lineman's pliers, or even a good pair of needlenose? I wouldn't make it.
A good pair of handsaws, one filed rip and one for crosscutting, are also useful. I have a cordless circular saw. The battery never fails to die shortly after starting a job away from power sources. Handsaws? They run on beer and pizza/tacos/barbecue depending on the day, and you'd be amazed how quickly a well tuned rip saw can get through a board.
Table saw - You'll never know what you can do with one til you have one, and you'll kick and cuss an entire project if you are used to having one and wind up working somewhere without one. Amazing tool, and cheap if you know where to look.
Air compressor - self explanatory. I can't recall the last project I DIDN'T use compressed air on. I even use it to do stupid stuff like blow my lawnmowers off after mowing.
A GOOD shop vac - not a $50 special from the Lowes Christmas sale, I mean a large, high powered shop vac. My Ridgid is fond of eating shop towels, safety glasses, and whatever else it comes in contact with. It also does a reasonably good job at collecting sawdust off of my woodworking machines.
An assortment of non-standard hammers and pliers. Most people look for a "hammer" when they want to hit "something." Having the right hammer for the "something" you want to hit is a wonderful feeling. Having a bigger, meaner hammer when "something" still won't cooperate is an even better feeling.
Pliers are less entertaining, but can you imagine getting through a whole year without oil filter pliers, lineman's pliers, or even a good pair of needlenose? I wouldn't make it. A good pair of handsaws, one filed rip and one for crosscutting, are also useful. I have a cordless circular saw. The battery never fails to die shortly after starting a job away from power sources. Handsaws? They run on beer and pizza/tacos/barbecue depending on the day, and you'd be amazed how quickly a well tuned rip saw can get through a board.
Cameronl
Well-known member
One of the most basic jobs any homeowner would have to do is cleaning a clogged sink drain, yet no one ever mentions needing a big honkin' channelock to loosen the drain segments. Minimum 12" 'locks are needed. I went for years struggling with the basic 10" that comes with any "homewoners" tool set.
I had one when serving in Germany.
That was a great tool.
Not sure what happened to it.
I would love to get me another one of these days.