What's your most used tools?

[rwelch]

Thanks for all the input. Interesting to see all the different tools and ideas listed. The cart I'm getting is a one drawer because I don't want a big cart and also I don't want to spend a lot on one. I'm probably going to get the HF single drawer cart, its red and cost about $70 vs similar matco for like $300.

 

[mattmankow]

3/8" sockets sae, long handled ratchet and standard handle,various extensions. wrenches sae, couple screwdrivers or the ratcheting drivers.

1/4" sockets sae, socket head racheting driver(love that thing). various extensions.

hammer, 1/2" impact and sockets sae. really rather a 3/8" but havn't bought yet.

pliers, wire cutters,channel locks,needle nose. and a hose pinch plier.

metric doesn't come up too often and usually its small like a 10mm or a 19mm rarely.

SKIP the SAE stuff. If you're an auto tech, everything is metric now. That is, unless you're working on the classics?

 

[MJB24]

Single most used tool?

No question, #2 Phillips

Mine happens to be a craftsman pro, but only because I don't want to spend a lot of money on something I'm likely to accidentally send for a swim (working on boats, that's always a risk)

Floating Screwdriver
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042FLI00/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sberry]

Some guys know from experience but this is another general question. Start with empty cart, go thru the day. use it, leave on cart, dont use it for a week find another home for it untill its needed, wouldnt even bother with full sets , need a 10MM then keep it. Increase redundancy (4 razor knives) on my cart, several nut runners etc. I am willing to walk a little for something once a week. Move loose or less used items to drawer, toss channelok and razor kives or 3/8 ratchet, whatever you use on top where you can see it.

I open a couple drawers a day. Spend about 5 minutes a week in them and 15 if the place is busy with 3 or 4 men I am ramming. Use a common 9/16 combo a hundred to one over a tubing wrench, no point in dragging it out of a drawer a couple times an hour, putting it back. Same with a screwdriver and about a dozen other style tools we use.

 

[sberry]

IMOP if you are n your own garage a cart is the way to fly, shove the rest of the must have/dont need in the way stuff off elsewhere.

I got my own down to such an art there is no more. I cant make it any better.

I told a bud that came to do a clutch job the other day, everything is right there, if it isnt you cant find it up to 99%, if you need we probably got it just not on this cart if that makes sense. Beat rate first day in my shop using all mine and none of his own he is familiar with.

I tried all the trays, drawers, most of it. This is what I come up with, cant miss, toss in organization.

 

[Haveblue]

All great answers! One thing I would recommend is a clipboard that you can store papers and pens in. I also feel a one drawer cart will never be enough. You need more room, and a larger cart will allow you to set it up for what works for you.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The cart I'm getting is a one drawer because I don't want a big cart and also I don't want to spend a lot on one. I'm probably going to get the HF single drawer cart, its red and cost about $70 vs similar matco for like $300.

Honestly, get a coupon through the 'HF Coupon Thread' here and get the 4 drawer for $99. Best money I've spent on tool storage, hands down. I modded mine a bit (prybar rack, side shelf, handle and lock), but it holds WAY more than I expected (chrome sockets, impact sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, prybars, slide hammer, pliers, air tools, hammers, etc.)

Compare it to the Blue Point KRBC10TBPC at $699, which I actually used parts from to build mine:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=681837&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[richfinn]

I prefered to work from an open roll cart with 3 trays, If I need to lock stuff up it goes in the toolbox.

These "mega-carts" I see on GJ look great but I would be terrified of scratching the paintjob whilst I dump parts and tools on top whilst I was working. Let alone drilling holes to mount mag rails and other stuff to keep it tidy.

To me a tool cart is just a consumable so I don,t have to work off the floor and for carrying heavy stuff about.

 

[bowmard]

>>>I'm finishing off my Craftsman Raised Panel Combination Wrench Set, and I need 1 1/4+ as well as 23mm+. I'm hoping for US made Craftsman. The big sizes are nearly impossible to find on Ebay.<<<

It might take some time but the large sizes do show up on Ebay. I finished off my Craftsman RP wrench set with large ones purchased off Ebay. Good luck.

 

[jtw401]

Most used...1/4" swivel head ratchet (Kobalt, Snap-On got stolen ...Fluke 87-5 DVOM...dewalt 1/2" 18V drill...snap-on cordless impact (3/8 most used...1/2 most beloved)...channelock needle nose pliers...power probe!

 

[soulstryke]

10" adjustible/8" side cutting pliers and a 6" slotted screwdriver are definatly my most used tools.

 

[skeletonizer]

I think that anyone who works on just about anything made in the last 30 years has one of these in hand more than any other tool. If they think otherwise they aren't seeing the forest for the trees.

 

[Chuck122]

combination wrench set. i'd guess the 10mm and 13mm are the most used

 

[BK13]

I anticipate, when I get through the divorce and back into a house with a garage (OK, OK, a garage with a house) I'll probably get one of the HF four or five drawer carts, and load it with a couple of Snappy 3/8 ratchets, Snappy semi-deep sockets (SAE), a Milwaukee 3/8" cordless impact and sockets, Snap On 1/2" breaker bar with deep sockets for lug nuts, Torx 3/8" sockets and drivers, a bunch of screw drivers, a dead-blow and Estwing three pound BFH, Chilton manuals for my CJ and F150, carb cleaner, wire brushes, and I'm sure I'll come up with something else.

edit: Duh, pliers...

 

[miatakid]

1/4 drive 10mm impact universal socket and my 1/4 drive I R impact

 

[owensueliza]

It's the screw driver for me.

 

[texchappy]

For me: 3/8 inch ratchet, 17mm socket, Pozidrive #2 screwdriver, and Whitworth 1/4 socket and open end wrench.

Home mechanic btw.

 

[Larwyn]

Pocket knife, plain and simple.

 

[crewchief888]

impact swivels, 3/4" 9/16" & 1/2"
small LED flashlight
testlight or DVM

 

[danielhp89]

Gerber EAB knife, pocket flashlight, philips screwdriver, strippers and crimpers.

 

[Tucko]

Tape measure, aviation snips, pop rivet gun.

 

[bob from indiana]

24" starret square, 12' tape measure, automatic center punch, 3/8" drill motor, drill bits and taps, 7" alligator pliers, #2 phillips driver, 7/16" ratcheting wrench, 9/16" ratcheting wrench.

 

[dlcwent]

2135TI. I have two in the shop and both of them are almost always attached to an air line. But BFH seem to be a go to tool very often.

 

[jerseykat1]

Impact driver and electric ratchet.

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[drink]

I'm getting a single drawer roll cart and was wondering what tools most people use daily. I have a pretty good idea of what I will put in it just wanted some input. I tried a search and found nothing about most used tools. If there is a post already please put a link.

Thanks, robert

It is not much of a suggestion but I have a small set of Craftsman 3/8" drive sockets that I reach for frequently. If these don't do the job I have another set with standard and deep 3/8" drive sockets. These usually do what I need to do in a hurry. If these don't do the job I have a set of 1/4" drive sockets and many more. You can tell by the amount of filth on the socket cases how much I use them. I really like the compact 3/8" drive standard depth set because I can walk around with it and it usually does the trick.

 

[anndel]

My 30 year old Snap On 3/8" flex head bent handle ratchet gets the most use similar to the picture below but SO didn't have 80 tooth technology that time so it's coarse.

 

[ThomasP]

bfh

 

[ddawg16]

Cordless drill.

 

[General Geoff]

A lowly 6-in-1 screwdriver.

 

[joel63]

I seem to come across a lot of Toyotas, so I mostly use 8, 10, 12, 14 mm sockets, both shallow and deep, and wrenches.

3/8 and 1/4 drive ratchets,

Ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[kctyphoon]

I'm not a mechanic, but in case this hasn't been painfully honest yet - I think you need to find out for yourself what you need(want) and what you won't.. Also, I think that red HF cart ($169?) is a better investment for you.. A bigger cart allows for more tools, better storage options, and will allow you to keep things more organized and accessible. Trying to cram everything you constantly grab for into a small area is counter-productive. It stands a very good chance of just becoming a pile of **** you need to dig through. Take the hit, spend a little more (it's still NOT expensive) and you'll thank yourself for not having to waste time to walk over to get another tool, or waste time getting pissed off cause you have to dig though 3 drawers worth of tools you piled into a single drawer cart..

 

[dutchgray]

Hammer, saw, square, impact driver & cordless drill.

 

[Carguy99]

Honestly the little screwdriver. Or chisel or pry bar or fingernail cleaner... Although the hammer ratchet... Million dollar idea right there.

 

[Jason280]

Razor knife...

 

[Rogue1987]

Benchmade mini griptillian

Flashlight

Fluke 87-V

Channelock Wideazz 8" Adjustable

Vessel JIS #2 Screwdriver



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