what tools do you use to increase effciency?

[reptilezs]

what tools make you money across the board? i have a small 3/8 cordless impact that is 50ft lb but i am thinking of getting a nicer one. really looking at the Milwaukee fuel 3/8 impact. i have a tool allowance coming in at work so i got some money to spend. estimated $7-800. let me know what tools you like

 

[kamesama980]

Really, REALLY depends on what you're doing.

I have a milwaukee 12v Li-ion drill that I used putting up a haunted house. it charged the batteries as fast as I drained them (about 1/2 hr) so near constant use for 4-6 hours at a time. Just enough power to drive a 3" drywall screw into pine. A buddy of mine had a big fancy 20-something volt dewalt drill with the metal gearbox, whole thing weighed a ton. his arm cramped to the point he had to stop working after less than an hour...long before the battery died. That being said, i've used it maybe a dozen times in over 3 years since I moved away and stopped helping with it.

I use a speed wrench a lot at work lately but 1/2 of my tools use is hard pipe clamps on test engines. prior to that I don't think I really used anything in particular.

ratcheting wrenches are always good to have.

A good toolbox with enough space to organize things (then keep it clean and organized) is priceless.

 

[justanengineer]

Ive found that my productivity greatly increases when I get out the BFH and Sawzall. Admittedly, I am very reserved about using either in most cases, but when I finally get frustrated to the point that I need brute force things start happening quickly.

I'd suggest if you dont have a good selection of dead blows as many dont, theyre always a good investment. Too many things are easily munged up by hard hammers.

 

[justanengineer]

Sorry...double post. Dang computers.

 

[cburnscrx]

1 Smart phone with android apps and google search and your personal resolve to use it as the tool it is and not the toy most use it as.
2 an hour at night to reflect on the day and imagine it going smoother, then changing those thoughts/reviews in to action. Repeat the valuable ones

ANY tool will work for almost ANY job. APPLICATION is the most important.

My iPad and wireless printer...no better way to get a job done than to research the best way to do it!

*if you're going to use your iPad in the garage...make a stand and keep it in a gallon zip lock storage bag.

 

[Fireball027]

1 Smart phone with android apps and google search and your personal resolve to use it as the tool it is and not the toy most use it as.

I bought myself a 10" tablet and have a bluetooth OBD adapter that I use for basic scanning, alldata and looking up stuff. Since we don't have Wifi in the shop I leave my cell phone locked up and plugged in and use it as a Wifi hotspot and can roam the whole shop with the tablet.

 

[bimmerZ5]

my W7150 cordless impact. an impact wrench in general saves a lot of pain and time, especially on rusted old vehicles or any other stubborn fastener on a suspension system. the cordless part saves time in setup/go and clean up and being careful manipulating a hose around a fendor or hood. the power of the W7150 makes it applicable for use in more situations and faster on the rusted stubborn stuff that takes many impacts to move.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

DeWalt cordless 18v impact with 1/4" drive Gearwrench impact swivels (and 3/8" impacts) has saved my *** in tight spots, and helped to finish jobs much faster.

Hex (Allen) sockets instead of using the little 'L' wrenches.

Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver. Never knew how much I'd use it until I bought one.

Crowfoot wrenches. Don't use them often, but when you need them, you really need them. Finally filled out my set after just having misc ones for years (and needing to borrow an 11/16" at the shop)

 

[Lkdelta]

Re: what tools do you use to increase efficiency?

I guess the tool above my shoulders
Try to cut down on pizz poor planning.

 

[reptilezs]

Really, REALLY depends on what you're doing.

I have a milwaukee 12v Li-ion drill that I used putting up a haunted house. it charged the batteries as fast as I drained them (about 1/2 hr) so near constant use for 4-6 hours at a time. Just enough power to drive a 3" drywall screw into pine. A buddy of mine had a big fancy 20-something volt dewalt drill with the metal gearbox, whole thing weighed a ton. his arm cramped to the point he had to stop working after less than an hour...long before the battery died. That being said, i've used it maybe a dozen times in over 3 years since I moved away and stopped helping with it.

I use a speed wrench a lot at work lately but 1/2 of my tools use is hard pipe clamps on test engines. prior to that I don't think I really used anything in particular.

ratcheting wrenches are always good to have.

A good toolbox with enough space to organize things (then keep it clean and organized) is priceless.

i am a bicycle mechanic if that helps. i don't need a huge 1/2 inch gun. my current cordless impact is really a impact driver with a 1/4 hex to 3/8 sq adapter. the power is lacking at times. things i use the impact for are wheel nuts(15mm socket. sometimes 19mm socket for bmx bikes) and hex bit sockets 4,5,6mm. i was thinking of ball tip bit sockets but they seem to easy to round out a fastener

 

[kamesama980]

Oh, one I forgot to mention... for installation of things, whether it be cars, motorycycles, bicycles, or anything else with specs: torque wrench. I went to school with and worked in shops alongside too many idiots (not to mention how many are on the internet). I NEVER install anything with an impact (nor usually any power tool) except running a fastener down on the lightest setting and not tightening it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... my current cordless impact is really a impact driver with a 1/4 hex to 3/8 sq adapter.

Yep !

A good 1/4" hex impact (DeWalt 18V) with a 3/8" drive adapter is probably all the average homeowner will need ! Make sure to get impact screwdriver (Phillips, square) bits because they will last longer. I don't like the real short ones, but the long ones do come in handy. An impact works much better for driving/removing screws than an electric drill.

Works fine for running lug nuts off/on. Of course you need a breaker bar to crack them loose and a torque wrench for final tightening.

 

[reptilezs]

Oh, one I forgot to mention... for installation of things, whether it be cars, motorycycles, bicycles, or anything else with specs: torque wrench. I went to school with and worked in shops alongside too many idiots (not to mention how many are on the internet). I NEVER install anything with an impact (nor usually any power tool) except running a fastener down on the lightest setting and not tightening it.

i thread everything by hand then run it in with the gun. when i use the gun feather the trigger lightly. then finish by hand or with a torque wrench. i work on all bicycles from kids bike to 10k custom bikes with electronic shift controls(the derailer is powered by a battery and servo motor). the gun is mostly for removal of stuff. i also don't use the impact on aluminum fasteners which some bikes have, usually these are accessories like water bottle cages. all threaded fasteners will get grease, anti sieze or loctite too.

 

[richfinn]

T handles are great for stuff on top of the engine and working on bikes

 

[Modifieddriver]

An oxy-acetylene cutting torch.

 

[skruft]

All the cordless tools when there is not much work to do.

Old time "Yankee" drill when there are just some simple holes to drill in wood like for hinges.

Having several sets of tools in the right places and for different tasks.

 

[joedodge]

Pocket screw driver in my shirt pocket

 

[greasemonkey44]

screw in oil funnels
you dont know fast til you dont have to balance the bottle and the funnel

 

[niget2002]

I got one of those little 3-4volt electric screw drivers from sears on sale for $5 or $10... I use that thing all over the place where I used to grab a hand screw driver . It doesn't have a lot of torque, so I usually use the hand at the end.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[cchracer77]

1. 1/4 hex Makita lxt brushless impact driver, use it with the adapters to 1/4, 3/8, and even 1/2 inch sq. Does everything, including lug nuts, will go to about 125 ft lbs.

2. Ratcheting wrenches.

3. Snap On ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[jsaw]

1/4" impact wrench, 3/8 impact wrench, 3/8 butterfly impact, 1/2" impact, 1/4" & 3/8" air ratchets, 3/8 hammerhead impact, 3 sets of gear wrenches,

 

[redwrench60]

The single biggest efficiency increasing tool I have is a roll cart. (really a small toolbox) It holds all the most used tools, rolls right up to the job, acts as a beast of burden and is a mobile work surface.

 

[cchracer77]

The single biggest efficiency increasing tool I have is a roll cart. (really a small toolbox) It holds all the most used tools, rolls right up to the job, acts as a beast of burden and is a mobile work surface.

Can't believe I overlooked that one by far the #1

 

[jsaw]

Can't believe I overlooked that one by far the #1

Same here, all of my high use tool are on my tool cart.

 

[Glammers37]

Any cordless tool, especially a 3/8 drill and 1/4 & 3/8 impact!

 

[Haveblue]

Tool cart gets my vote!!! set it up with heavy use tools, and roll it right up to the job. I rarely have to go to my stationary box where I store my less used tools.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Count me as another that over looked my tool cart. By far the best time saver I have!

 

[JasonTX]

Brother P-touch label maker.

 

[JasonTX]

video borescope

 

[ddo]

Knipex pliers wrench to not mar exposed or finished nuts is a good bet.

Some real nice cutters maybe for the brake lines.

My bosch 12v is perfect for me due to its light weight and small size for access.

Bionic wrench demos showed them using it on spoke nut bec that was a nut that was exposed enough for the tool to work...kind of. Had to mention that when i heard bike mechanic. Sorry.

Not too sure what all is involved in bike mechanics. My approach would be to pick the tasks you do most frequently and buy the best accordingly.

As far as efficiency improvements go, do not shy away from duplication. Having the right tool in multiple places helps greatly. A large part of any task is location of proper tool. Sometimes a roll cart works great, but sometimes you gotta have tools strewn across the shop for various tasks and not having to backtrack to find the tool you just used can help a lot.

 

[thinmac]

The tools that save me the most time are tools that allow easy precision. I'm kind hurting on this right now - my horizontal band saw is awaiting a replacement part, and while I can make a straight cut with an angle grinder or a torch, the drop saw is much quicker and easier. Along the same lines, the drill press is pretty handy as opposed to trying to get hand drill perfectly straight over and over. I guess to go with those I'd include a compound square, scribe, and auto-punch.

That said, for the last two days my biggest time saver is a deburring tool. Had to get the burr out of 160 tube ends, and the file takes a lot longer over that many pieces.

 

[crewchief888]

i'd guess my biggest time saver is a 3/8" dr cordless impact.

most repairs i do involve removing access panels held on with 3/8" bolts.

 

[jmm]

I can only use electronic/air tools on major breakdowns of the equipment I work on. Those breakdowns are pretty easy -- changing worn out parts that stick out like a soar thumb (diagnosis is minimal). Electrical problems and problems with timing are the most difficult/time consuming. Due to their nature, it's not practical to use power tools. But it is practical to have a trouble shooting notes I made and manufacturer's manuals to help speed up the process. Those two save me more time than air and power tools.

 

[E.Marquez]

So many different ones depending on the job..

My most universal one I guess is an I phone and I pad.. used on all first time jobs or any that will be months in the completion.. I'll take many, many pictures of before, and during disassemble.. that have countless times saved me many hours or broken parts, nonworking final assembly.

Other then that.... 1//4 drive battery impact driver is a time saver on most my bike jobs.

And other then that, it is a large selection of tools at hand, that allow for the RIGHT tool to be selected for the task , or sub task at hand.. Not having to make do with the wrong tool... So yes I do need 10 different styles of metric wrenchs
Combo Long pattern
Combo Stubby pattern
Combo ratcheting box end long pattern
Combo ratcheting box end stubby pattern
Combo ratcheting Flex box end long pattern
Half moon
Flair nut
Off set box end
Crows foot
Tappet

And the list goes on

 

[Hawk321]

what tools make you money across the board? i have a small 3/8 cordless impact that is 50ft lb but i am thinking of getting a nicer one. really looking at the Milwaukee fuel 3/8 impact. i have a tool allowance coming in at work so i got some money to spend. estimated $7-800. let me know what tools you like

Ever considered impact 1/4" swivel head sockets and diamond coated bits from wiha??? Safes your time!!!!

 

[Mario]

The Leatherman Charge Al that I wear on my belt.

I'm a telecom technician and I cannot count avery time I use the tool everyday without reaching to my toolbox.

In the field or at the shop it's always with me.

I was on the top of a 10 wheeler last week checking the VHF antenna, the center mount was corroded. My coworkers would have had to crawl down and back up again to pick a file...but not me, I used the file in my Leatherman.

 

[Kev442]

I guess I'm old school. I remember before ratcheting wrenches became common removing and replacing a box end to remove nuts/bolts. Obviously it was in a spot a ratchet could not do the job, so hours and hours of cramped space wrench jobs have been avoided now.
My regular combos sit 95% of the time now, just used to break loose really tight nuts/bolts.

 

[Fedwrench]

Power everything!! hand tools are too slow. CT561 cordless screwdriver, dewalt 12v 3/8 impact, and a Milwaukee 1/4 drive cordless ratchet are my big time savers.

The tool cart plus a cart or underhood service tray for removed parts and tools is probably the number 2 productivity enhancer. Anything to reduce wasted steps to get tools, parts, or chemicals will make you money.

Lastly, knowing what you're doing saves time and makes you money. Every one loses time the first time they do a particular job but, time should improve with repetition.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Experience.

While there are plenty of physical tools that help speed up any given particular job, IMO, experience is the ONLY thing that increases efficiency across the whole range of anything service / repair related.