What is your single favorite tool?

[BWright]

I know some of you will say that their favorite tool is the one that gets the job done, or that a tool is a tool so use it, etc.... But, if you are a member of this site you are more than likely a tool enthusiast as opposed to a simple tool user.

So what is it? What is your vice. What tool is it that each time you use it you enjoy doing so. For some I'm sure it will be a ratchet, or a screwdriver, or some sort of power tool.

For me is is the basic combo wrench. I have lots of gearwrenches, but I often find myself using a basic long pattern combo wrench just to use it. Even if it is a little slower. I can really appreciate a wrench that is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, broached evenly, and flawlessly finished. My biggest pet peave is variance between wrenches in the same set. That is my biggest quarrel with all the Danaher wrench sets I have owned is that the depths of the broachings on the open end are often inconsistent between different wrenches. Luckily, I was able to hand pick a set of Cman pros to avoid this as much as possible.

So what is it for you guys?

 

[dr_clyde]

My flex head dual 80. Bought it like, 6 months or more ago, and use it all the time. Best ratchet I've owned.

 

[toolnut]

My 8" Crescent adjustable wrench seems to get a lot of use....

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I don't know if this counts or not, but my favorite tool is a cylinder leak down tester. After a compression test "wet or dry" it will pinpoint the leak. Which I think helps with the customers. I can tell them that cylinder #3's exhaust valve is leaking. Instead of; "your problem is in the head or head gasket, won't know until I get in there, etc."

 

[Monte]

hm maybe my pliers wrench ?

 

[ourkid2000]

This thing:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...aft%2B29-pc%2BScrewdriver%2BSet.jsp?locale=en

The ratcheting end holds standard 1/4" bits & the other end is a 5/16" box. Yep, it's made in Taiwan and the quality is mediocre but it has gotten me out of so many jams at work I can't even begin to count. Often it's the only tool that will work & every mechanic & avionics tech I work with has a kit. As a matter of fact, a few days ago I had to grind down one of those bits so that it was barely long enough to protrude from the ratchet end.......nothing else would fit.

I use it everyday and it works like a charm. Sometimes I use it as a second 1/4" micro ratchet using the adapter in the kit and sometimes I use it as a 1/4" ratcheting wrench. Other times I'm using the different bits in my screwdriver, the uses are endless.

Some people will say that the Chapman tool is better, and it is in many regards. The problem is that Chapman tool uses proprietary bits and they do not make bits in Tri-Wing or Torq-Set which is 90% of what I deal with on our aircraft. Some other companies make a similar tool except it's always much larger.

So until someone makes a finer version of the exact same tool, this is hands down the best tool I have. I have three kits! One in my main box, one in my AOG (aircraft on ground) box & one at home.

It goes on sale for 9.99 as well which is when I buy em. For the price, it's insane!

 

[06wt]

my 5'' morgan vise i create projects that include using it just to use it

 

[Basskiller]

My BFH. Something is getting pumished for causing me greif and frustration.

 

[beerbudget]

My Klein 9's

 

[KEH]

12 inch adjustable wrench. Have one in each toolbox on farm tractors.

KEH

 

[kab00m]

3/8 6" locking extension. I'm a clutz with losing sockets.

 

[MotoDave]

My F80 ratchet, its the tool I use the most, and it was my first Snap-On purchase Still stoked every time I use it.

 

[jayrush13]

I have a ball peen hammer with a handle made from a bonny Ratchet handle

My Dad made it years ago with a broken ratchet and when i brought my tool box to my new house from his garage it followed me over here

 

[Erle385]

flex head snap on ratchet and old long mac extensions

 

[Islands62]

Knipex Pliers Wrench or Stahlwille Manoskop torque wrench

 

[Rockford514]

I would say my shop because all my now family love is there.

 

[mixxmstrmike]

Snap On high performance, long, zero offset, double box wrench, 14mm & 17mm. It "just feels right" in the palm of my hand and is my "go to" wrench when doing a simple oil change on Hondas/Acuras/Lexus.

-Mike

 

[dieseldodge01]

I mine would be a set, a beat up Husky socket set number 9119. It is the set that started my collection. Its not pretty, but is almost complete and has the original decal in the set. It seems to hold a special place even though I have more sets it was the first.

 

[caper]

I have a ball peen hammer with a handle made from a bonny Ratchet handle

My Dad made it years ago with a broken ratchet and when i brought my tool box to my new house from his garage it followed me over here

I'd love to see a pic of it sometime if you can.

 

[woody 73]

This might sound crazy but I have a feeler guage that tells me what size bolt I have,what kinds of threads it has and what size wrench to use on it. That little sucker always brings me joy ,because it is a real time saver.

 

[nate379]

The right tool for the job is my favorite tool.

You know what I'm talking about. You have that one bolt in a funky spot and hmm... look in the spare toolbox and you have that one wrench you never used in 15 years but sure enough, it's the perfect tool to get it removed.

 

[Jeeper]

Checkbook


...always seems to work for any job.

 

[SSGTWC]

Mine right now is my MG325. The absolute best impact I've ever owned.

 

[chevytrucks91]

my toolbox! specificly engineered to make sure you keep your tools organized. what good is a tool if you cant find it?

 

[Sterff]

Mine would be a ball peen hammer that belonged to my great grandfather. I found it at my grandfather's and he gave it to me. The handle needed replaced so I put a new one on and gave it a coat of stain and sealer.

 

[DHS]

Old WALKER TURNER drill press that my dad gave me when he upgraded to another WALKER TURNER. It seems that million of hole were drill on that press as I grew up.

 

[Amitygravel]

My BurrKing 960-272 ,1hp belt grinder. Nothing like the smell of a piece of high carbon or damascus steel getting hot and sending off a shower of sparks as you grind it into a knife blade.

 

[loj]

My 1/2" Craftsman raised panel with the oiler in the head. My grandfather gave it to me in the early '90's. I may have actually borrowed it. I carry that, a 10" Powr-Kraft extension that was also his, and a (nondescript) 13/16" Husky deep socket with my tools in the truck. Cool old ratchet with a great feel and a lot of sentimental value.

 

[matthew]

My grandfather's 3/8" drive speeder

 

[Indy_500]

I'd have to say any of my ratchets. They are so handy.

 

[Fudge]

I would have to say my favorite tool is my ****
After that thats my MIG welder and my angle grinder

 

[Buxfan]

 

[2chipped]

Long bent needlenose snappy pliers. I had one for 10 yrs and used it all the time.

 

[welderwink]

my speedglas 9100x. its perfect.

 

[selohssa]

This is my favorite tool. I can't explain why. I bought an entire set of tools because of it (and because I got the set for a song). It keeps up finding its way into the house and my 3 year old measures everything that he can find. It is very heavy for its size and seems to be great quality. I have spent hours playing with it while watching movies.

 

[MotecM]

I love good hand tools, but for me my all time favorite is my Lincoln MIG welder. I allows me to fix broken parts / tools and create new ones!

 

[jayrush13]

I have a ball peen hammer with a handle made from a bonny Ratchet handle

My Dad made it years ago with a broken ratchet and when i brought my tool box to my new house from his garage it followed me over here

I'd love to see a pic of it sometime if you can.

Here you go

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I always use it for those fine adjustments when your fabricating something

 

[bobadame]

It's a toss up between my Leatherman or my Lagun milling machine. The mill has made me lots of money but I use the Leatherman every day.

 

[t100]

BFH, without question. runner up will be plasma, angle grinder, then sawzall.

 

[EZH]

My Snap On ratcheting screwdriver or Power Probe set. I would have to flip a coin they're both such handy, time saving tools.

Eric