What tools wouldn't you live without?

[rogersmithiii]

I'd be interested in hearing what tools are so indispensable that you couldn't live a day without them?

I ask there might be things out there that would be useful to people, but they either don't know that they exist, or don't know how they could be useful.

Here's my list:

Estwing Framing Hammer
Delta Unisaw tablesaw.
Dewalt 12 inch miter chop saw
Ideal wire stripper
Solder Sucker (if you do electronic work with a soldering iron)
Propane Torch where the burner head is remotely connected to the tank by a rubber hose. Much nicer than trying to hold the whole bottle up to the work.
Heavy duty floor jack.
Tile saw and tile cutter (if you do tiling work)

 

[ndnchf]

Believe it or not its my Dremel tool. I use it all the time for little chores. I've had the same one for over 20 years and it has served me well.

 

[TommyD]

a screwdriver, for prying, digging, scraping and occasional screw removal
2 1/2# sledgehammer
cold chisel
10# sledgehammer (I build rock walls around my house with the rocks I dig putting in a lawn, we GROW rocks here)
My John Deere compact tractor with Woods backhoe (it's my main tool, see above)
My Dewalt 18v set, including radio, I NEED music to work

I've got LOTS of tools but these get regular use

 

[djkeev]

Impossible to answer question. A mechanic will answer differently than a carpenter who will vary from a plumber or electrician. A computer repair technition will be again different.

What tool can I NOT live without for what task?

As a general answer... Hammer, pliers, screw drivers. Now the variations in these 3 simple tools will fill a book!

Dave
Sent from my iPhone 4s

 

[SINISTER]

IR Ti 1/2" impact gun.
Knipex Cobra matic 12" pliers
Snap-On FD 13,14,19,21,22,24,27 mm long handle wrenches
Snap-On 3/8" dual80 long handle locking flex
Mayhew Dominator 18" pry bar
Gearwrench 9-25 mm XL gear box
Oxy/Acet torch

 

[metaleltr]

Tape Measure
Scribe
Automatic Center Punch

Carry Daily

 

[Monte]

welder

 

[Larwyn]

Pocket knife.

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

Brain.

 

[Squints]

Hammer
Vise grips
Pry bar
Torches

When it boils down to it I can do anything with these tools....
It may not be "pretty" though!


Sent from my iPhone

 

[e-tek]

Question should have read "TOOL" (singular).

For me: Multi-bit driver - most useful around house and in garage. Plus mine has a heavy metal handle, so I can drive a nail in when needed!

 

[bobcatdan]

All of them.

 

[woody 73]

Wife,kids,cat,dog,and others...

 

[supra90turbo]

Ratcheting wrenches.
Every time I try to do a job without them I end up going back for them

 

[bobadame]

Leatherman and Lagun mill.

 

[Butters]

Only one?! It's my bag Baby!

 

[humpdawg]

my arms.

 

[american lockpicker]

Multitool of some sort
flashlight
Bosch 1590EVSK jigsaw
crescent wrench
#2 phillips
set of files
rotary tool

 

[canuckian]

Ratcheting screwdriver
3 lb east wing sledge
8 inch pry bar
Picks
Compressor and air tools
Drill press

Sockets, ratchets, wrenches and screwdrivers kinda go without saying

 

[Tunger]

My snap on 10 on a stick. I use it constantly, it's become pretty much a must have.

 

[MOPARINMYCAR]

My routers and my skill saw both have served me well

 

[wreckerman5357]

This is tough because I use everything in my box. So I will list some specific models of tools that I particularly like.

1) Snap-On body hammer #BF618B, my favorite body hammer for finishing.
2) Martin GP, Heel, Toe, and Comma Dollies, can't do bodywork without dollies.
3) Snap-On 1/4" Locking Flex Head ratchet #THLX72, long handle, locking flex head, this is the ideal ratchet in a body shop.
4) Martin Curved Cross Peen Body Hammer, Good hammer for really beating the hell out of things.
5) Snap-On Body Hammer BF611B, good pick for tapping down small high spots and other finishing work.
6) Durablock sanding blocks, lots of different sizes and shapes, takes up a drawer in my box.
7) Meguires Soft Pad, good for sanding curved stuff.
8) Millwaukee Heat Gun, plastic repair.
9) KD clip pliers, lots of plastic clips on modern cars, this is my favorite clip tool.
10) Snap-On Instinct mini hooks and picks, important tool and these can't be topped.
11) Snap-On Instinct Softgrip Screwdrivers, my favorite screwdrivers.
12) Panelbeater Dent Machines, I have tried other brands but Panelbeater is my favorite.
13) Onionboard mixing boards for body filler, no cleanup, just tear off the used sheet.
14) Irwin Vicegrips, all shapes and sizes, pliers and clamps, good for clamps and when upping don't have the right tool for what you are attempting.
15) Martin Light Dinging Spoon, so many uses.
16) IR Composite right angle die grinder, I just like this tool.
17) Dynabrade DAs, my favorite DAs.
18) Blue Point Bit ratchet, very useful tool, well made, and one of the few Blue Point items made here.
19) Safety Glasses, I like being able to see out of both eyes.

That list got out of control. I'm sure there are things I left out, but that is all stuff I really like having.

 

[38D]

My Mohawk A7 lift and my 75k BTU infrared tube heater. Working on cars upside down in the cold *****.

 

[plung]

Knee pads

 

[Jawn]

I'm surprised more aren't mentioning a plain ol' set of combination wrenches, or a decent socket and ratchet set.

Add to that some basic screwdrivers, a couple pair of pliers (maybe some channellock groove joints and some vise grips), a hammer or two, and sets of allen and torx keys. That's about what I consider essential.

 

[david594]

Maybe less of a tool and more of an accessory:

http://www.princetontec.com/?q=apex

It's probably the most universal tool I own in that I use it on more automotive jobs than any other single tool I own. You can never have too much light, and it leaves your hands free and is always pointed where your looking. An extra plus is battery pack behind your head provides a little cushioning.

Extra batteries are always on the charger, and I have a backup headlamp just in case.

 

[Steevo]

Brain.

^^ This
My brain and my hands are my most indispensable tools.

then a hammer.

 

[humpdawg]

Is it right to list power tools? maybe I'm taking it too literal, but I'm looking at it terms of survival.

Down to the nitty gritty I'd have to say all of my hand tools (especially Knipex products), hammers, knives, axes, saws, Bic lighters (water won't kill them), forks, spoons, spatulas, shovels, triple braid rope, steel wool etc.

 

[dsch]

Theses are the two I feel naked without

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...5&group_ID=667&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=133

 

[Jawn]

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=133

I have that same light. Slim enough to keep clipped on a pocket, so it has become part of my EDC gear.

 

[rogersmithiii]

Two questions:

What do people do with their oxy-acetylene torches, and how many of you have lifts for your cars? They don't seem to be too expensive, but I'm betting the prep work to install them might be high.

Rog

 

[Toymeister]

I'm currently in a minimalist situation/lifestyle and I can say that you really don't need many tools. A good quality leatherman will do. One with replaceable screw driver tips is very nice.

That said, since I have been on GJ I have bought 1,500 worth of tools all waiting for me when I get home.

 

[Larwyn]

Two questions:

What do people do with their oxy-acetylene torches, and how many of you have lifts for your cars? They don't seem to be too expensive, but I'm betting the prep work to install them might be high.

Rog

Freeing stuck parts, bending straight parts, straightening bent parts, cutting metal to size, brazing, welding or just making stuff hotter for whatever reason it needs to be heated.

 

[91bronc300]

I'm surprised more aren't mentioning a plain ol' set of combination wrenches, or a decent socket and ratchet set.

Add to that some basic screwdrivers, a couple pair of pliers (maybe some channellock groove joints and some vise grips), a hammer or two, and sets of allen and torx keys. That's about what I consider essential.

This for me too ^^^^^^

The tools I use most are the tools I acquired first, back when I was young, or younger (still young? Not for much longer at least). Ratchets, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers (a flat head screwdriver is the REAL multitool). All the basics are what I use and need most.

 

[rogersmithiii]

"Freeing stuck parts, bending straight parts, straightening bent parts, cutting metal to size, brazing, welding or just making stuff hotter for whatever reason it needs to be heated. "

You mean heating that leftover piece of pizza that you left in the box on top of the used oil drum after last night's brake job? Brilliant idea! Maybe it even works on luke warm coffee. Why use a boring microwave when an oxy torch would be more exciting?

 

[zporta]

My 20v dewalt impact driver. That think is bad, best $ I have spent in a while

 

[Larwyn]

"Freeing stuck parts, bending straight parts, straightening bent parts, cutting metal to size, brazing, welding or just making stuff hotter for whatever reason it needs to be heated. "

You mean heating that leftover piece of pizza that you left in the box on top of the used oil drum after last night's brake job? Brilliant idea! Maybe it even works on luke warm coffee. Why use a boring microwave when an oxy torch would be more exciting?

Back before I quit smoking I lit many a Marlboro with the Oxy/Acetylene rig.

 

[Outlawmws]

Knee pads

And to answer the question; isn't it nice I don't even have to make that decision?

 

[Sh1thead]

Bosch impactor and my fluke ... i feel totally lost without these in a arms reach.

 

[greasemonkey44]

streamlight flashlight
i cant get anything done without one
after that pocket screwdrivers and good sockets and wrenches
a quality wrench wont **** out on you or mess up the fasteners