I have a few tools that I really like to use that just aren't quite mainsteam, but I think should be. I don't mean brands of tools that are underappreciated, I just mean types of tools. (Yes, some brands may be better values or less known than they deserve, but that's a matter of marketing.) They're not unknown to tool enthusiasts, but are more difficult to find for non-professionals, and might require a little more searching to find, but that you think should be in everyone's basic toolbox. Mine are:
1) Duckbill pliers. There's tons of long-nose pliers in every hardware store, but you seem to have to go to real tool dealers to get duckbills. The wide jaws are great for all sorts of gripping tasks, and I'm inclined to the view that they should be in everyone's toolbox, from homeowner to mechanic.
2) Blacksmith hammers (engineers hammers, or crosspein hammers, if you prefer). Ball pein and club/sledge hammers are common enough, and both have their purpose, but for striking punches or chisels a crosspein will do the job just fine, and for some tasks the wedged end of the crosspein is the best thing going, particularly for bending things. But crosspein hammers are fairly limited in North American hardware stores - I think the Germans have it right (see Monte's photos of the selection at Bauhaus in the "Tools from the Old World" thread). We should have more of these over here, too - they should be basic equipment, and ought to be available in more sizes, not just 2 or 3 lbs.
3) Yankee push-drill. Everyone has gone with cordless electric these days, but an old-fashioned push drill is one of my favourites for drilling holes in wood. They're compact, portable, batteries are never dead, and just really nice, but seem forgotten nowadays. I particularly like them for drilling pilot holes for various projects around home - finding a charged battery and using a cordless to put together that bookcase or door hinges is never as quick as grabbing my Yankee drill...
Anyone else have some favourites to share that you think everyone should own?
1) Duckbill pliers. There's tons of long-nose pliers in every hardware store, but you seem to have to go to real tool dealers to get duckbills. The wide jaws are great for all sorts of gripping tasks, and I'm inclined to the view that they should be in everyone's toolbox, from homeowner to mechanic.
2) Blacksmith hammers (engineers hammers, or crosspein hammers, if you prefer). Ball pein and club/sledge hammers are common enough, and both have their purpose, but for striking punches or chisels a crosspein will do the job just fine, and for some tasks the wedged end of the crosspein is the best thing going, particularly for bending things. But crosspein hammers are fairly limited in North American hardware stores - I think the Germans have it right (see Monte's photos of the selection at Bauhaus in the "Tools from the Old World" thread). We should have more of these over here, too - they should be basic equipment, and ought to be available in more sizes, not just 2 or 3 lbs.
3) Yankee push-drill. Everyone has gone with cordless electric these days, but an old-fashioned push drill is one of my favourites for drilling holes in wood. They're compact, portable, batteries are never dead, and just really nice, but seem forgotten nowadays. I particularly like them for drilling pilot holes for various projects around home - finding a charged battery and using a cordless to put together that bookcase or door hinges is never as quick as grabbing my Yankee drill...
Anyone else have some favourites to share that you think everyone should own?
