Tools & equipment that are fantastic.

[BigBlue1]

I have no consistent "need" for one, but I "want" one.

If you have one you will find many needs for it. Once you use one and see how they work it will just click as to the many things it will do easily for you.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I really like my rigid cordless air compressor. Very portable for your PITA slow leaking tires.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Do you know what my favorite kind of tools are? FREE tools!
I cleared out my dads shop this summer and I have not found a single tool from that stash that is not fantastic!
But honestly LOTS of old American made tools (he is 97 and hasn't bought lots of tools over the last 30 years), lots of old Milwaukee stuff (He was an electrician in Chicago for 40 years). One of these days I will do a write up.

 

[two_bit_score]

That’s what I was going to comment before I got sidetracked. I use mine all the time. No other tool can efficiently do what it does.

I bought a Fein corded Multi years ago. That thing is very handy. Don't use it everyday but when I need it I need it. Just for convenience I recently bought a Milwaukee battery unit also. The universal blade availability makes them even more handy.

 

[two_bit_score]

Do you know what my favorite kind of tools are? FREE tools!
I cleared out my dads shop this summer and I have not found a single tool from that stash that is not fantastic!
But honestly LOTS of old American made tools (he is 97 and hasn't bought lots of tools over the last 30 years), lots of old Milwaukee stuff (He was an electrician in Chicago for 40 years). One of these days I will do a write up.

I look forward to some picture too.

 

[MossRoad]

That brings back some memories. I bought a 70 Chevy Nova brand new; six cyl, three on the tree, radio (no AC). I'll never forget writing that check; $2,330.00 (company fleet discount!).

My dad had the same car, 1970, 230 L6, three on the tree, vinyl bench seats, radio. I think his was $2900. I still have the hood in my garage, and the engine in a 1971 Toyota FJ40 in dire need of restoration.

Most reliable tools and equipment?

I'd say my Craftsman screwdriver set that I bought when I was 18. I'm 62 soon. They still work like new.

I have a Harbor Freight impact wrench that I bought at the same time. Still works like new. Same deal with the air chisel.

I have my father's machete from WWII. It still works well.

Real vice grip pliers from the 70's and 80's.

And, my beloved 2001 PowerTrac PT425. Still smile every time I get on it.

 

[ovrszd]

If you have one you will find many needs for it. Once you use one and see how they work it will just click as to the many things it will do easily for you.

I agree. But right now I'm in heat for a Milwaukee mini sawzall.

 

[MossRoad]

I have no consistent "need" for one, but I "want" one.

I bought an oscillating tool about 10 years ago. B&D (no, Black and Decker ), on a whim. I've come to find it is a really handy tool! Not only for cutting things in place, cutting nails under things, etc. but it works great as a tight-space sander as well.

 

[BigBlue1]

I'd say my Craftsman screwdriver set that I bought when I was 18. I'm 62 soon. They still work like new.

I have a Harbor Freight impact wrench that I bought at the same time. Still works like new. Same deal with the air chisel.

Harbor Freight was around 44 years ago? I would not have guessed that.

 

[scootr]

Bought Snapon wrench and screwdriver set exactly 50 yrs ago. Some are still in my daily use box.

 

[WinterDeere]

That's funny, Hay Dude! You have a vintage sidewinder and newer worm drives! I have a vintage worm drive and new sidewinder!

Yeah, I love the worm drive, mine's an original SkillSaw in a metal purpose-built toolbox, I'd guess 1950's vintage. I'd probably like the new ones even better, but I don't use it frequently enough to really justify replacement. When I need to make up a sled for a real accurate cut, or anything a bit out of the ordinary, I go to the worm drive. It has better ergonomics and better means for attaching the foot plate to a ripping sled, etc. The sidewinder is just for quick work.

 

[WinterDeere]

I agree. But right now I'm in heat for a Milwaukee mini sawzall.

You already got a big'un? Recip saws are one of those things that, at least the way I use them, there's never one too big. I bought the largest model from Bosch about 15-20 years ago, and it's a beast... exactly what's needed when it's sawzall time.

On oscillating tools, you will find countless time-saving uses for them, after you own one. I bought mine for under-cutting door jambs while re-flooring, as someone else here already posted. But now it also gets used anywhere I need to plunge cut or make a cut in a tight corner. They're incredibly useful for plunging receptacle box holes in wainscoting, etc. They also make great quick mortising tools for timber frame work, albeit not to full depth, they are fantastic for starting the mortise.

 

[two_bit_score]

I agree. But right now I'm in heat for a Milwaukee mini sawzall.

Are you talking about this?

Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion HACKZALL Cordless Reciprocating ...homedepot.com› p › Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-HACKZALL-Cordless-Reciprocating-Saw-Kit-with-One-1-5Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Tool-Bag-2420-21 › 202311908

 

[ovrszd]

You already got a big'un? Recip saws are one of those things that, at least the way I use them, there's never one too big. I bought the largest model from Bosch about 15-20 years ago, and it's a beast... exactly what's needed when it's sawzall time.

On oscillating tools, you will find countless time-saving uses for them, after you own one. I bought mine for under-cutting door jambs while re-flooring, as someone else here already posted. But now it also gets used anywhere I need to plunge cut or make a cut in a tight corner. They're incredibly useful for plunging receptacle box holes in wainscoting, etc. They also make great quick mortising tools for timber frame work, albeit not to full depth, they are fantastic for starting the mortise.

I've got a large cord type Makita Sawzall. Also have a DeWalt cordless.

You've convinced me. Oscillating tool just moved to the top of the list.

 

[ovrszd]

Very good friend of mine has a scrap yard. I was there one day unloading some old road culverts. Being the scrounger I was checking out the "pile" while Jack unloaded me.

I spotted this Drill. Dug it out of the pile and said "how much?" He said you don't even know if it works. I said I'll take the chance. He gave it to me. Only thing I have found wrong with it is the chuck won't close on anything smaller than 1/4". I cleaned it up and made a wall hanger for it so it's easy to find. Next to the Drill Press. I've never used it other than to test it.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

If you have one you will find many needs for it. Once you use one and see how they work it will just click as to the many things it will do easily for you.

Absolutely! I tried my friend's Makita and bought a Craftsman (all else Dewalt but Craftsman on sale $50). I use it a lot and amazing what it does. Recently replaced kitchen faucet and of course one bolt stripped then remembered I bought carbide blades for it. I had 1/8" gap to work with, but cut bolt in a minute.

 

[fidowanttobe]

Leatherman Surge with a belt/pocket clip. Use it everyday, several times. More important to me than my phone.

 

[ArlyA]

Leatherman Surge with a belt/pocket clip. Use it everyday, several times. More important to me than my phone.

I have another brand of them in our saw box, 6x6 (atv) and both our vehicles.

 

[WinterDeere]

View attachment 774463

I had a few similar drills, passed down from grandfather and great grandfather, both who owned plumbing businesses. One had a toggle (not momentary!) switch, such that if it ever grabbed, you just had to let go and hope it ran out of cord before too much damage was done.

Dad and I used to use them for drilling concrete, but once affordable hammer drills hit the market, these things just sat. I gave two away at a church auction in the last few years, and kept one for that "maybe someday" scenario that still hasn't happened.

It'll be interesting to see if you find better use for it. I personally find my much smaller and lighter 1/2" Milwaukee hammer drill (corded) is way faster in masonry, and I use a geared down modern 1/2" DeWalt (also corded) for anything else that would have been previously done by one of these old beasts. Not quite the same power, but plenty good enough for me to hang onto, and so much more maneuverable!

 

[ovrszd]

Leatherman Surge with a belt/pocket clip. Use it everyday, several times. More important to me than my phone.

Carried a Gerber thru two tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.