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Home improvement nerds; what's your favorite tools? (1 Viewer)

NutterButter

NutterButter

Footballguy
Just got me a pancake compressor and I'm loving it. I should've bought this thing the minute I moved in 9 years ago. I have a bigger compressor which is essential for operating more heavy duty air tools, but its a ##### to lug around. This pancake is so light weight and is perfect for operating a brad nailer. Its also great for blowing up the pool floats. Got this thing at Harbor Freight for 60 bucks. That place is a tool heaven. I have my eye on a cement mixer. I can make some serious stone walls throughout the yard with that thing.

Other than that, I've always had a soft place in my heart for the milwaukee sawzall. I've done some damage with that thing. I used it recently to remove a metal receptacle from the wall and it cuts through nail like butter.

3rd on the list is a palm nailer which is one of those air tools where you need the bigger compressor. I don't use it too much but I hit it hard last summer when I residinged the house.

 
Portable dewalt table saw. I think it was about $300. Seems well made and has worked great since I bought it a year ago.

 
NutterButter said:
Just got me a pancake compressor and I'm loving it. I should've bought this thing the minute I moved in 9 years ago. I have a bigger compressor which is essential for operating more heavy duty air tools, but its a ##### to lug around. This pancake is so light weight and is perfect for operating a brad nailer. Its also great for blowing up the pool floats. Got this thing at Harbor Freight for 60 bucks. That place is a tool heaven. I have my eye on a cement mixer. I can make some serious stone walls throughout the yard with that thing.

Other than that, I've always had a soft place in my heart for the milwaukee sawzall. I've done some damage with that thing. I used it recently to remove a metal receptacle from the wall and it cuts through nail like butter.

3rd on the list is a palm nailer which is one of those air tools where you need the bigger compressor. I don't use it too much but I hit it hard last summer when I residinged the house.
Click to expand...
Sawzalls and palm nailers are great tools to have for a framing carpenter/remodeler.

 
I'm a walking disaster, I'm a demolition man

I've had that beast for 15 years. It's torn out counters, tons of tile, pavers, laminate, roofs, decks, fences. I use the hooked end to hang doors. It lifts and holds them in the right spot. I keep it dangerous sharp. Satellite guy was having trouble going through stucco and plaster. I said step aside butch. One plunge into the wall and we on the other side. :o

I think there's a work around for all my other tools but that thing... and maybe my router, but I rarely use it.

 
DeWalt SDS Rotary Drill (hammer drill) (electric)

Milwaukee Porta-Band

1/2" shank Auger Bit sets (I like clean holes)

:banned:

 
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My list:

Power Tools:

Dewalt Impact Driver - Probably my single most-used power tool. Will drive 1/2" lags into studs, small screws, most anything you need to drive in. Amazing battery life (I have the old 18V version). If you've been using a drill to drive screws, stop now and get one of these.

Dewalt Miter Saw - Couldn't have built my deck without it. Super accurate and easy to use. The Dewalt stand is great too. Very solid. Held 20' pieces of Trex well enough (needed some saw horses if I was making end cuts)

Dewalt Portable Table Saw - Mentioned by others. Compact, and one of the best fences I've ever used. I can grab it and go most anywhere easily, yet it's got the power to rip some decent sized pieces of wood. My only complaint is that really thin stuff can bind up in the riving knife sometimes.

Smaller Tools:

Bosch GLM 15 Laser Measurer - I use this little guy to center pictures on walls or do rough measurements. Very small, accurate to 1/8", not to pricey. Easy to quickly measure several points.

Franklin Sensor Stud Finder - Fantastic stud sensor. Best one I've had for day-to-day. It doesn't penetrate as far as some, but it shows you exactly where the stud is. Great for closet and cabinet projects where you want to not only find the stud, but find the center of it to pre-drill for a lag bolt or something.

Knipex Insulated Linesman Pliers - If you do any electrical, a good set of Linesman pliers is invaluable. Cuts, grips, pulls, twists.

Adjustable Wire Strippers - Same with electrical, this one tool cuts, and strips most any sized wire quickly.

I'll probably think of a few more, but these are the ones that I use and think "Man, what a great tool."

ETA - Told you I'd forget something...

Dewalt Box Cutter - If your wife orders stuff online as much as mine, Just pay a little more and get a good one...

Mityvac Oil Extractor - If you change your own oil and have a decent sized air compressor (or you can opt for the manual pump model), this thing is a must-have. I can access my oil fiters without jacking up the car, and with this, I can do oil changes in 15 minutes without getting dirty. My actual "work" time is about as long as it takes me to get the vac out, change the filter, and clean up any drips. So easy. It sucks the oil out of the dip stick hole. Takes about 10 minutes to evacuate 6 quarts.

 
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Fat Nick said:
Short Corner said:
shuke said:
Short Corner said:
WD-40 and Duck Tape.
Click to expand...
WD-40 sucks.
Click to expand...
You shut your whore mouth.
Click to expand...
Lol. I get what he's saying...It is GREAT for some things, but it gets overused for stuff it's not really meant for.

If I had to have one can of this type of stuff, it'd be WD-40, no doubt...but it's not the best application for 90% of the stuff people use it for.
Click to expand...
It's like the jack-of-all-trades of lubes. Works for many different applications, but doesn't excel at any.

For lubricating I like to go with a heavier oil or grease, depending on the job.

For protecting metal, I use Amsoil Metal Protector. It drys to a wax-like film, is not messy and lasts a long time.

For loosening rusted stuff, the best I've used is PB Blaster.

 
Fat Nick said:
My list:

Power Tools:

Dewalt Impact Driver - Probably my single most-used power tool. Will drive 1/2" lags into studs, small screws, most anything you need to drive in. Amazing battery life (I have the old 18V version). If you've been using a drill to drive screws, stop now and get one of these.

Dewalt Miter Saw - Couldn't have built my deck without it. Super accurate and easy to use. The Dewalt stand is great too. Very solid. Held 20' pieces of Trex well enough (needed some saw horses if I was making end cuts)

Dewalt Portable Table Saw - Mentioned by others. Compact, and one of the best fences I've ever used. I can grab it and go most anywhere easily, yet it's got the power to rip some decent sized pieces of wood. My only complaint is that really thin stuff can bind up in the riving knife sometimes.

Smaller Tools:

Bosch GLM 15 Laser Measurer - I use this little guy to center pictures on walls or do rough measurements. Very small, accurate to 1/8", not to pricey. Easy to quickly measure several points.

Franklin Sensor Stud Finder - Fantastic stud sensor. Best one I've had for day-to-day. It doesn't penetrate as far as some, but it shows you exactly where the stud is. Great for closet and cabinet projects where you want to not only find the stud, but find the center of it to pre-drill for a lag bolt or something.

Knipex Insulated Linesman Pliers - If you do any electrical, a good set of Linesman pliers is invaluable. Cuts, grips, pulls, twists.

Adjustable Wire Strippers - Same with electrical, this one tool cuts, and strips most any sized wire quickly.

I'll probably think of a few more, but these are the ones that I use and think "Man, what a great tool."

ETA - Told you I'd forget something...

Dewalt Box Cutter - If your wife orders stuff online as much as mine, Just pay a little more and get a good one...

Mityvac Oil Extractor - If you change your own oil and have a decent sized air compressor (or you can opt for the manual pump model), this thing is a must-have. I can access my oil fiters without jacking up the car, and with this, I can do oil changes in 15 minutes without getting dirty. My actual "work" time is about as long as it takes me to get the vac out, change the filter, and clean up any drips. So easy. It sucks the oil out of the dip stick hole. Takes about 10 minutes to evacuate 6 quarts.
Click to expand...
Impact driver is another one I should've bought day one but never did.

Oil extractor seems interesting. My filter is just a pull out cartridge, but my wife has the screw on kind. Everything should be cartridge. The screw on kinds are such a mess.

 
NutterButter said:
Impact driver is another one I should've bought day one but never did.

Oil extractor seems interesting. My filter is just a pull out cartridge, but my wife has the screw on kind. Everything should be cartridge. The screw on kinds are such a mess.
Click to expand...
I'm exactly the same on the filters. My LR2 is so easy. From the top of the engine bay, lift up the power steering fluid fill hose, loosen the cap for the filter and pull it out. The cartridge comes out too. Swap the cartridge and the gasket, screw it back in, replace filler hose. Done. 5 minutes tops. On the wife's RDX, I have to turn the wheel hard right and then get to it behind the wheel. Works OK, but still makes a mess as the filter dumps all the oil out.

I totally agree re. the cartridge style. I find it funny that those typically cost more to buy too. Seems to be far less material.

 
Mr. Yuk said:
It's like the jack-of-all-trades of lubes. Works for many different applications, but doesn't excel at any.

For lubricating I like to go with a heavier oil or grease, depending on the job.

For protecting metal, I use Amsoil Metal Protector. It drys to a wax-like film, is not messy and lasts a long time.

For loosening rusted stuff, the best I've used is PB Blaster.
Click to expand...
Gotta try the Amsoil Metal Protector - I have a need for that kind of stuff and haven't found anything good. That sounds interesting.

Agree 100% re PB Blaster. The best stuff I've found as well...that and a torch if it's really stubborn.

 
Fat Nick said:
My list:

Power Tools:

Dewalt Impact Driver - Probably my single most-used power tool. Will drive 1/2" lags into studs, small screws, most anything you need to drive in. Amazing battery life (I have the old 18V version). If you've been using a drill to drive screws, stop now and get one of these.

Dewalt Miter Saw - Couldn't have built my deck without it. Super accurate and easy to use. The Dewalt stand is great too. Very solid. Held 20' pieces of Trex well enough (needed some saw horses if I was making end cuts)

Dewalt Portable Table Saw - Mentioned by others. Compact, and one of the best fences I've ever used. I can grab it and go most anywhere easily, yet it's got the power to rip some decent sized pieces of wood. My only complaint is that really thin stuff can bind up in the riving knife sometimes.

Smaller Tools:

Bosch GLM 15 Laser Measurer - I use this little guy to center pictures on walls or do rough measurements. Very small, accurate to 1/8", not to pricey. Easy to quickly measure several points.

Franklin Sensor Stud Finder - Fantastic stud sensor. Best one I've had for day-to-day. It doesn't penetrate as far as some, but it shows you exactly where the stud is. Great for closet and cabinet projects where you want to not only find the stud, but find the center of it to pre-drill for a lag bolt or something.

Knipex Insulated Linesman Pliers - If you do any electrical, a good set of Linesman pliers is invaluable. Cuts, grips, pulls, twists.

Adjustable Wire Strippers - Same with electrical, this one tool cuts, and strips most any sized wire quickly.

I'll probably think of a few more, but these are the ones that I use and think "Man, what a great tool."

ETA - Told you I'd forget something...

Dewalt Box Cutter - If your wife orders stuff online as much as mine, Just pay a little more and get a good one...

Mityvac Oil Extractor - If you change your own oil and have a decent sized air compressor (or you can opt for the manual pump model), this thing is a must-have. I can access my oil fiters without jacking up the car, and with this, I can do oil changes in 15 minutes without getting dirty. My actual "work" time is about as long as it takes me to get the vac out, change the filter, and clean up any drips. So easy. It sucks the oil out of the dip stick hole. Takes about 10 minutes to evacuate 6 quarts.
Click to expand...
My Dewalt wrecking bar can beat them all up.

 
most used is cordless drill favorite is powered biscut tool it just joins boards so well love it take that to the bank

 
I don't post often but had to jump in on this topic and brag on these stud finders. These things are worth their weight in gold. I've got four of them now, everyone that sees them in use ends up buying at least a pair of them. No longer have any concerns about locating a stud.

For $9 each, saves you so much time, headaches, and money if you miss a stud. Dead simple, no batteries or cheap electronics to wear out. Love these things.

CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder
 
NutterButter said:
Just got me a pancake compressor and I'm loving it. I should've bought this thing the minute I moved in 9 years ago. I have a bigger compressor which is essential for operating more heavy duty air tools, but its a ##### to lug around. This pancake is so light weight and is perfect for operating a brad nailer. Its also great for blowing up the pool floats. Got this thing at Harbor Freight for 60 bucks. That place is a tool heaven. I have my eye on a cement mixer. I can make some serious stone walls throughout the yard with that thing.

Other than that, I've always had a soft place in my heart for the milwaukee sawzall. I've done some damage with that thing. I used it recently to remove a metal receptacle from the wall and it cuts through nail like butter.

3rd on the list is a palm nailer which is one of those air tools where you need the bigger compressor. I don't use it too much but I hit it hard last summer when I residinged the house.
Click to expand...
Palm nailers are awesome. I framed my whole basement with one and a 1.5 gallon air compressor. Not as fast as a nailer, but for a lot less money and less air it worked like a charm. Plus framing nailers are big so it can be tough to get a good nail in some locations (so people end up adding a lot more nails); palm nailer worked perfectly every time.

 
boofatty said:
I don't post often but had to jump in on this topic and brag on these stud finders. These things are worth their weight in gold. I've got four of them now, everyone that sees them in use ends up buying at least a pair of them. No longer have any concerns about locating a stud.

For $9 each, saves you so much time, headaches, and money if you miss a stud. Dead simple, no batteries or cheap electronics to wear out. Love these things.

CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder
Click to expand...
I have one of these. They do work great. I use them and the Franklin Sensor depending on the job. If i'm trying to find something where I just need one connection in the stud, I'll use the Franklin b/c I can get the stud at whatever height I need it. If I need to lay out the whole stud, I'll use the magnetic one.

The only negative I've found is that whomever did the drywall in my house was a bit of an idiot and there were a few spots where a whole row of nails (yes nails, not screws...that's another problem as they're popping out everywhere) was off by a little bit. Since the magnet finds the head, not the stud, my resulting marks were too.

 
I've found myself using my Kregg Jig a lot lately.

But someone already beat me to it. YouTube is the greatest.

 
Fat Nick said:
Mr. Yuk said:
It's like the jack-of-all-trades of lubes. Works for many different applications, but doesn't excel at any.

For lubricating I like to go with a heavier oil or grease, depending on the job.

For protecting metal, I use Amsoil Metal Protector. It drys to a wax-like film, is not messy and lasts a long time.

For loosening rusted stuff, the best I've used is PB Blaster.
Click to expand...
Gotta try the Amsoil Metal Protector - I have a need for that kind of stuff and haven't found anything good. That sounds interesting.

Agree 100% re PB Blaster. The best stuff I've found as well...that and a torch if it's really stubborn.
Click to expand...
I'm a fan, have used it for many years. I also use it as a chainsaw lubricant and as kind of a rustproofing on trouble spots on vehicle undercarriages.

Like I said it dries to kind of a wax so it won't drip or sling off once its dry.

 
Anyone have a good recommendation for a DIY framing nailer? I have Bostitch brand for my finishing nailers, and like their products. I see Bostitich makes couple framing nailers. Curious if anyone has a recommendation?

TIA.

 
Skinny said:
My dad was an electrician. His love of quality hand tools has changed the way I look at things after suffering through with the cheap crap. Here are a few that have been great:

Klein 10 in 1 screwdriver

A Good Pliers

A quality all purpose wire stripper
Click to expand...
You're dad should have taught you how to use the link tool

 
Ventured into the world of cordless grass trimmers and this Hitachi 18V is pretty nice.

Needed something for the restaurant and didn't want to fool with gas (I literally bounce back and forth between cooking and weed eating). A little expensive for a fairly low powered weed eater, but extremely convenient. Almost no vibration and it's the quietest trimmer I've ever heard. Plenty powerful enough for grass and moderate weeds. Will even take down some thicker weeds.The battery gets about 30 min of runtime, but I've got a few Hitachi batteries from other tools, so I can get pretty close to continuous use if need be.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
boofatty said:
I don't post often but had to jump in on this topic and brag on these stud finders. These things are worth their weight in gold. I've got four of them now, everyone that sees them in use ends up buying at least a pair of them. No longer have any concerns about locating a stud.

For $9 each, saves you so much time, headaches, and money if you miss a stud. Dead simple, no batteries or cheap electronics to wear out. Love these things.

CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder
Click to expand...
Thanks. Ordered one. I've never shelled out for a really good stud finder and all the cheap ones I've bought are worthless.

 
I used to despise these machines until I bought one. Now I could not do without my leaf blower. I don`t use it for leafs though. Use it after cutting the lawn to blow the clippings, to blow out the garage and to clean and debris off the deck after storms. Brooms just don`t cut it after you use a high powered blower.

 
Johnny Bing said:
Anyone have a good recommendation for a DIY framing nailer? I have Bostitch brand for my finishing nailers, and like their products. I see Bostitich makes couple framing nailers. Curious if anyone has a recommendation?

TIA.
Click to expand...
I got a ridiculous deal on a set of Campbell Hausfield nailers from Lowes a year ago. 5 piece set (Framing, trim, brad, pin, palm) for like $100. It's not the highest quality, but I used the framing nailer to drive probably 1,500 galvanized nails for my deck and it worked great. Never once jammed.

I also had a Bostitch Positive-Placement nailer for nailing Simpson Hangers on my deck...probably another 1,000 nails driven with that. The Bosch had a lot more power than the CH, and was better made, but it did occasionally jam. I bought it used and will probably sell it for what I paid for it.

 
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