Tools & equipment that are fantastic.

[Hay Dude]

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.

The Milwaukee 8&1/2” is used for cutting paralam beams and 4x stuff. The smaller DeWalt 60V is legit. It’ll cut a lot of plywood subfloor with shocking power & blade speed.

Guys that have worked for me didn’t like the weight of the big Milwaukee worm drive, but I loved it. Pushing downhill on a sheet of plywood was effortless. Cuts through 4x4 in 2 passes easily.

They had the nickname “California Framer”.

 

[Hay Dude]

Here’s another “oldie but goodie” I have used for 35 years. A house jack. Another thing dad gave me before he passed. Priceless for leveling buildings, porches, etc.
It’s probably 70 years old. Works perfect. Made of castings & steel when they were made to last a lifetime and beyond.

 

[etpm]

I have had this chain come-along for so long that I don't know where I got it or what it cost:

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Hooked it to the crane scale to see it's pulling power:

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I have never seen one of these and now I gotta find one. I have 3 cable type come-alongs and they are very useful. Two are USA made and the difference in quality to the Taiwan made one is obvious. I also have a small chainfall that I like a lot but it is used for one job on one machine and will never leave that machine. But a chain come-along would be great! I don't like cables for all sorts of reasons. Chain falls are very nice for some operations but the simplicity and compactness of this lever operated come-along makes it look perfect for all sorts of tractor related operations. I am now gonna search for one. I wouldn't be surprised if I only find them on ebay.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[jyoutz]

Agree with sawzall and drill. They are pretty much battery powered all the way.

I mostly use my battery powered DeWalt drill, but for jobs that require a lot of torque, I pull out my brute Milwaukee 1/2” hammer drill (corded). I haven’t found a cordless tool that will drill concrete or thick plate steel like that Milwaukee.

 

[4570Man]

I mostly use my battery powered DeWalt drill, but for jobs that require a lot of torque, I pull out my brute Milwaukee 1/2” hammer drill (corded). I haven’t found a cordless tool that will drill concrete or thick plate steel like that Milwaukee.

I have one of these that works great up to about a 1.5” concrete bit. Beyond that it’s time to get the sds max out. Dewalt and Milwaukee both make high toque cordless drills that will handle anything within the limits of a hand drill. I’ve never found the need to get one. My regular drill is strong enough for the rare hole sawing that I do.

 

[Tinhack]

Toys are fun but if I want accurate holes drilled, I go to the Bridgeport Mill. I find myself using it more than the drill press now. It basically lives with a drill chuck in the quill. Swapping to a collet for a milling cutter or changing to a 1- 8" facing cutter takes about 20 seconds. Accessories include a horizontal attachment for gear cutters, a universal indexer and a rotary table. I got old and that stuff got heavy, so I added a crane to get them on and off the table.

 

[ovrszd]

Toys are fun but if I want accurate holes drilled, I go to the Bridgeport Mill. I find myself using it more than the drill press now. It basically lives with a drill chuck in the quill. Swapping to a collet for a milling cutter or changing to a 1- 8" facing cutter takes about 20 seconds. Accessories include a horizontal attachment for gear cutters, a universal indexer and a rotary table. I got old and that stuff got heavy, so I added a crane to get them on and off the table.

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Isn't it a little hard to get on site?

 

[scootr]

Isn't it a little hard to get on site?

Nah, you just move it in with your crane.

 

[SPYDERLK]

My latest discovery is Milwaukee cordless tools. I've had DeWalt for 15 years. What an upgrade!!!!! No comparison.

For simplicity. I like this tool. It's used to stretch single strand wire, or barbed wire. [[[ I've been so crude as to chain it to the tractor and use it to tighten the wire. ]]] Easiest way is with a come along.

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Nice! -- Pulling wire with a tractor is pretty scary though. We use Mighty Mouse in high range to limit the risk of overdoing it. A good smooth HST mini is pretty friendly.

 

[Helogabals]

Overcome myself and got this (f.... expensive) tool. Ok, I didn't paid 180 but "only" 130 €

Wrecking Bar Steel Adjustable 209 SB | Snickers Workwear

Wrecking bar manufactured in high quality steel with ergonomic rubber-clad handle. Articulated claw, adjustable to nine different positions. Wide, ground contact surfaces and thin ends make it easy to use and reduce the risk of leaving marks. The claw is optimised for pulling out nails. The...

www.hultafors.com

it is totally worth every cent. Like that thin and flat end - not leaving marks and can be pushed in any openings very aggressively. Steel seems super strong. With all my 100 kg I can step on it with full feet And adjustable claw for nail pulling is a big thing either

Actually generally Hultafors are 10/10 brand. Dont know is it a thing in US.
If you have tool fetish, this is the right brand
Any other person in right mind would not spend that money for tools

 

[Dftodd]

The person who invented the cordless impact is a genius. I have 1/4" up to 3/4 inch lithium ion. 1/4" to 1/2" are 20vlt mack tools brand (manufactured by dewalt), and the 3/4 drive is a makita 40vlt.

The mack guns take the same batteries as the 20vlt dewalts. So I can increase my tool collection and have chargers at home and work.

That 40vlt gun is one bad momma. Definitely a two hand impact unless you want to tweak your wrist.

 

[Rustyiron]

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

I didn't until I did, for a specific job. Got a under $20 HF corded (oscillating saw) with a throw away attitude. Sometimes I need to "jump start" it (rotate the blade) but it works and a 2 pack of Diablo blades are more expensive than the tool.
I'll agree that they are the only way possible to make cuts in certain situations.
I do have a cordless one now. A framing crew friend switched from Makita to Milwaukee for all his cordless stuff. He knew that I used Makita and gave me over a dozen tools, mostly impacts and drills but there were a few goodies also.

 

[ovrszd]

I didn't until I did, for a specific job. Got a under $20 HF corded with a throw away attitude. Sometimes I need to "jump start" it (rotate the blade) but it works and a 2 pack of Diablo blades are more expensive than the tool.
I'll agree that they are the only way possible to make cuts in certain situations.
I do have a cordless one now. A framing crew friend switched from Makita to Milwaukee for all his cordless stuff. He knew that I used Makita and gave me over a dozen tools, mostly impacts and drills but there were a few goodies also.

Great post Eric!!!

 

[ArlyA]

The person who invented the cordless impact is a genius. I have 1/4" up to 3/4 inch lithium ion. 1/4" to 1/2" are 20vlt mack tools brand (manufactured by dewalt), and the 3/4 drive is a makita 40vlt.

The mack guns take the same batteries as the 20vlt dewalts. So I can increase my tool collection and have chargers at home and work.

That 40vlt gun is one bad momma. Definitely a two hand impact unless you want to tweak your wrist.

Gee, I got a 1/2 makita a few months ago and havne't used it yet.

 

[Rockbadchild]

For me lots of tools that come in mind are construction oriented...if any framing or construction work required the investment in these tools make your life so much easier its work every penny. The 22oz feel like 12oz Dewalt hammer is the best hammer in the world in my opinion what a difference it makes, then obviously an impact drill, wireless framing nailer and a 9'' square.

 

[Yander]

Here’s another “oldie but goodie” I have used for 35 years. A house jack. Another thing dad gave me before he passed. Priceless for leveling buildings, porches, etc.
It’s probably 70 years old. Works perfect. Made of castings & steel when they were made to last a lifetime and beyond.


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I have an old bumper jack from an old car that my dad gave me which is excellent for jacking up a ZTR to clean the deck or replace blades. I do use a large block of wood as a backup but that bumper jack was lifting some really heavy autos in it's day.

 

[Rockbadchild]

If any building lifting/leveling or moving required, the best jack in the world as to be a railroad jack. My dad owns a few and they are unreal.

 

[ArlyA]

If any building lifting/leveling or moving required, the best jack in the world as to be a railroad jack. My dad owns a few and they are unreal.

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I used them when I worked in the RR. Never seen them again outside of that time.

 

[Rustyiron]

Been reading all 8 pages thinking about what I'd add to this conversation. I can't, all of my tools are fantastic for their intended purpose (beyond hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches etc.)
so the last specialized tool that's fantastic that I happened to need/use is my nutsetter or "rivnuts", it's a cousin to a pop rivet but it crimps in a threaded insert to accept a bolt. Don't use it often, but when I do....
The past few days it's been very handy.
Last week it was my Edward's ironworker and the Hossfeld bender.

 

[mikester]

I really like my Hypertherm plasma cutter, I rarely use my acetylene torch these days. Now I need a wet cutting table or a dust collection system....