Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - 'must have' tools

So for all you 'do-it-your-selfers' out there, what would you say would be your 'must have' tool, the one that you would not do without? With Christmas coming up I thought this would be very helpful topic. Thanks for taking the time to post.:)

That's a hard one to answer, 75% of all the tools I own are 'must haves' :D:p:D

A lot depends on what the person you are getting the tools for will be working on and what if any tools he/she presently has.

I have plenty of tools so I could use a great place to hang my tools. Maybe a tool rack like this (http://www.eskimo.com/~bpentium/home/dunnin14.jpg) would be a good present

Hey, I know her! JK. Of all the $20K+ of tools I have, in the remodeling business, the one tool you don't leave home without is a reciprocating saw. Makes all the other tools sit idle until it is torn out. But a tool holder would be nice.

I know we can wipe some dirt on the new tool, burn the box it came in among other things to hide the fact we spent more $ on tools but how would you ever explain that tool rack :D:eek::D

I could wipe some dirt on the new rack so it didn't look so new!!:eek:

I would even offer, as the great guy I am, to come over to your house and wipe some dirt on your new rack as well.:eek::eek:

Depending the type of work you do will depend on the must have tool. Must have tools that are universal to most trades are:

25'x1" steal tape measure(s)
good utility knifes
a wad of pencils
screwdriver set (slot and Phillips)
16oz hammer
$100+ Cordless screw gun (a good name like DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Porter Cable, etc)
Magnetic tip for above
Non contact voltage tester
(and since I'm an electrician) An electrical meter. Even a cheap analog one ($10) will do.

If you drive lots of screws, an impact driver is a neat tool to have. It is at the top of my want list.

My next 'must have' tool will be a palm nailer. It is such a cool tool.

fxpose, get something besides a small pancake compressor to drive it. They really eat up the air. But they are great for tight spaces. My guys used one for joist hangers until I figured buying a positive placement nailer was cheaper (labor wise) than having them nail one at a time. They can nail hangers in a fraction of the time now.

Kreg pocket-holer is my newest "must-have". Beer 4U2

fxpose, get something besides a small pancake compressor to drive it. They really eat up the air.

I have a 30 gal Craftsman. Would the psi be high enough to drive one of these nailers?
I'm only going to use it for around the home use.

My next 'must have' tool will be a palm nailer. It is such a cool tool.

Palm nailer?

Would Jesus approve?:(














it's a joke guys. You know, Jesus, nailed onto the cross; Nails, palms, get it?

^^^ very good!.....I got it right away.....:D

Palm nailer?

Would Jesus approve?:(














it's a joke guys. You know, Jesus, nailed onto the cross; Nails, palms, get it?

Nap - Never explain. If the guy reading it isn't smart enough to "get it" he doesn't deserve the chuckle.

My next 'must have' tool will be a palm nailer. It is such a cool tool.

I have a palm nailer. It's tossed in a bin along with a bunch of what I call "project tools". I bought it years ago for a project. It did the job but I haven't used it since.

fxpose, yeah, the 30 gallon would handle the palm nailer with no problem. Just add hose to reach your project site.
And nap, it was most likely through the wrists as opposed to the popular view point of the palms. The palms would give no ability to hang on the cross that long, whereas driving the nails between the radius and ulna would have been a more likely scenario.
Hey, Wayne, the positive placement nailer case actually has a space to hold a palm nailer. I guess it beats throwing it into a bin somewhere. Not sure why they did that.

mostly the one i cant find is the one i need the most. but then again, that tool rack could be handy at times.;)

And nap, it was most likely through the wrists as opposed to the popular view point of the palms. The palms would give no ability to hang on the cross that long, whereas driving the nails between the radius and ulna would have been a more likely scenario.
t.

I know but it isn't funny when connecting it to a thread about a palm nailer if you consider that.

that type of tool is a must have in my line of work (electrician) as well as for around the home projects. I have a 14.4 v Hitachi. I also have a 18 volt Hitachi drill. I adapted the driver to accept the 18 volt batteries when the 14.4 volt batteries died.

son of a gun runs like a raped ape. You just know not to run in long continuous runs to avoid melt down.:program:

nap...you "adapted" it? Exactly what did that entail?

the batteries are nearly identical as far as the part that goes into the tool with a small additional piece on the 18 volt. There is a little part in the tool that prevents you from putting the 18 volt in the 14.4 tool so you take a little razor knife and whittle it out...viola`.

I have been thinking about fixing the 14.4 batteries (they have 4 screws so you can actually take them apart, check for a bad cell, and replace the bad cell) but the 18 volt thing has been working so well, I have not been in a hurry. The charger I have charges either battery so I am all set either way.