Tools

[natto fire]

One of my favorite most versatile tools I use at work is a Fein Mutimaster.

A great all purpose tool, for sure. Too bad Fein's patent ran out, and now the market is flooded with cheap knockoffs, although the DeWalt version is pretty good. I borrow my uncle's Fein branded one if I have lots of outlets to cut in, much easier than trying to be gentle with the sawzall, or going backwards and using a jab saw.

For me, the impact driver has made life much easier, especially my brushless Milwaukee, which has phenomenal torque, light weight, and excellent battery life. I think cordless tools in general have improved leaps and bounds in the last 10 years, and I get plenty of use from my cordless vacuum, roto-hammer, and hackzall.

 

[Zivic]

I received a fein years ago for Xmas... definitely a good tool to have.

 

[Greenman]

(snip)
For me, the impact driver has made life much easier, especially my brushless Milwaukee, which has phenomenal torque, light weight, and excellent battery life. I think cordless tools in general have improved leaps and bounds in the last 10 years, and I get plenty of use from my cordless vacuum, roto-hammer, and hackzall.

Whats the deal with brushless tools? I think the DeWalt impact driver I just picked up is brushless, but I have no idea how that impacts performance. FYI, pretty much all of my tools get beaten to death, lost, crushed, or otherwise pounded into submission before the brushes wear out, so brush life or replacement has never been an issue for me.

 

[alkemyst]

Whats the deal with brushless tools? I think the DeWalt impact driver I just picked up is brushless, but I have no idea how that impacts performance. FYI, pretty much all of my tools get beaten to death, lost, crushed, or otherwise pounded into submission before the brushes wear out, so brush life or replacement has never been an issue for me.

Quieter and more efficient. Especially useful in cordless tools.

 

[imagoon]

Whats the deal with brushless tools? I think the DeWalt impact driver I just picked up is brushless, but I have no idea how that impacts performance. FYI, pretty much all of my tools get beaten to death, lost, crushed, or otherwise pounded into submission before the brushes wear out, so brush life or replacement has never been an issue for me.

This helps list in detail:

http://www.dynetic.com/brushless vs brushed.htm

Biggest thing normally is the brushless motor is sealed and has better torque characteristics and higher overall speed. They also are easier to cool since the coils are mounted stationary.

 

[Greenman]

Thanks for the information gentlemen.

 

[Murdoc]

An inspection camera with a 3 foot fixed imager cable with rugged aluminum imager head and 4 LEDs.

Great for seeing what's inside the walls and ceilings in your home. Would probably also be useful for car repair and finding leaks.

 

[T9D]

https://chaturbate.com/female-cams/

 

[Moonbeam]

In the last month I bought an 18v Bosch impact driver and a DeWalt 10 in compound miter saw and the portable table. Haven't had a chance to use the saw yet because of the rain.

 

[NoTine42]

Air compressor and framing nail gun.

I bought the framing nail gun as a "crutch" because I was dealing with tennis elbow when I had a framing project. There's been so many times it's been helpful getting into tighter spaces, etc. or occasionally shooting a nail into concrete instead of dealing with a Tapcon

Diamond abrasive blade on a circular saw. I now keep an abrasive diamond blade on my old circular saw. For half of its uses, a wet tile saw would be better, but occasionally you need to cut stuff and you don't want saw teeth breaking it.

 

[edro]

pneumatic palm nailer

I bought the Rigid version for around $60 when I built my deck.
I absolutely loved it.
You pre-load the nail in the magnetic cylinder, touch the nail to the wood and lightly press, then... PPPPOP, PPPOP, POP, POP, POP, Done.
It drives a 3" nail in about 2 seconds without any arm swinging.
It can easily fit in tight areas where you couldn't normally swing a hammer or fit a drill.
It's pretty damn loud though, so you need ear protection.

I highly recommend them for anyone building a deck and need to drive a ton of nails for the joist hangers, sistering joists/beams, joist blocking, etc.

 

[NoTine42]

pneumatic palm nailer

I bought the Rigid version for around $60 when I built my deck.
I absolutely loved it.
You pre-load the nail in the magnetic cylinder, touch the nail to the wood and lightly press, then... PPPPOP, PPPOP, POP, POP, POP, Done.
It drives a 3" nail in about 2 seconds without any arm swinging.
It can easily fit in tight areas where you couldn't normally swing a hammer or fit a drill.
It's pretty damn loud though, so you need ear protection.

I highly recommend them for anyone building a deck and need to drive a ton of nails for the joist hangers, sistering joists/beams, joist blocking, etc.

That, too . A palm nailer was included with my Bostich framing nailer, and the Palm nailer has been an invaluable tool at times.

And not quite a tool... Self drilling construction/ deck screws. Once you experience self drilling you never want to go back.

 

[slag]

handheld grinder

I use it for everything. Grinding mill scale, grinding welds, cutting small bits of metal, grinding down tools to fit certain things, grinding nail heads off, etc. I really need 2-3 more so I can have a cutting wheel, grinding wheel, flappy disc, and brush all available so I don't have to switch out heads.

I prefer using electric over air for these things as the air can spin up too high and I usually have the air hooked up to something else.

 

[nickbits]

chop saw

 

[slag]

chop saw

Just sold the horizontal band saw. Going to use that money for a chop saw. Almost as versatile, uses way less space.

 

[Zivic]

anyone have experience with a track saw? I was thinking about a new table saw, but most say a track saw is where I should spend my money. festool TS55

 

[Greenman]

anyone have experience with a track saw? I was thinking about a new table saw, but most say a track saw is where I should spend my money. festool TS55

I have the Festool track saw, it's really nice. I get perfect cuts on the most fragile material, set up is quick, and always perfect. It's not a replacement for a table saw, but it's hard to beat for sheet goods. I think Makitia makes one as well, though I haven't checked it out.

 

[Greenman]

In the last month I bought an 18v Bosch impact driver and a DeWalt 10 in compound miter saw and the portable table. Haven't had a chance to use the saw yet because of the rain.

The Dewalt chop saw is a proven performer. I have one that I picked up in the late 80's and it still works well. I don't use it much anymore as I generally have a 12" slide saw set up on the job.
I've never tried out the Bosch impact driver, let me know how you like it. It might end up on the "next time I need one" list.

 

[DrPizza]

I picked up a Bostitch roofing nailer a few weeks ago before doing 1000 sq feet of my roof. What a pleasure it was to work with that thing.

Just bought a new hammer Black Friday weekend - one that has the little magnet to hold the nail for the first tap to set the nail in place. No more trying to hold a nail in one hand while hammering with the other hand, while atop a ladder, reaching 2 feet to the side.

 

[cabri]

I picked up a Bostitch roofing nailer a few weeks ago before doing 1000 sq feet of my roof. What a pleasure it was to work with that thing.

Just bought a new hammer Black Friday weekend - one that has the little magnet to hold the nail for the first tap to set the nail in place. No more trying to hold a nail in one hand while hammering with the other hand, while atop a ladder, reaching 2 feet to the side.

Hammering the nail or hammering your hand :biggrin:

 

[iamwiz82]

I have somehow managed to live without wire strippers all my life and I really feel I need to invest in them. Ran a new 20a circuit last week and it was a PITA using a knife to nick the insulation.

 

[NoTine42]

I have somehow managed to live without wire strippers all my life and I really feel I need to invest in them. Ran a new 20a circuit last week and it was a PITA using a knife to nick the insulation.

I mostly use Linesman Pliers to strip the wire. I do have a stripper, but I mostly use that on more narrow gauge or stranded wire.
IMHO, a wire ripper to strip the Nomex covering is a bit more useful.
http://reviews.homedepot.com/1999/202039363/commercial-electric-cable-ripper-reviews/reviews.htm

 

[highland145]

I have somehow managed to live without wire strippers all my life and I really feel I need to invest in them. Ran a new 20a circuit last week and it was a PITA using a knife to nick the insulation.

My FIL had a new pair. Too bad he mis-wired the switch box and I melted the teeth off of it when I was wiring his new ceiling fan. +1 for me not being dead.

:hmm:

Might want to change my beneficiary.

 

[edro]

I found an Ideal brand pair of strippers at Home Depot on clearance for $10 last year, so I snagged them up.
http://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Industri...wire+strippers

Looks like Klein is actually cheaper, which boggles my mind:
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-11...JW0DQC0ATRCZNT

Anyway, this style is that I am used to and they work great and last forever.
8-22 AWG covers pretty much anything a homeowner, engineer or electrician would use on a daily basis.

 

[Zivic]

I have the Festool track saw, it's really nice. I get perfect cuts on the most fragile material, set up is quick, and always perfect. It's not a replacement for a table saw, but it's hard to beat for sheet goods. I think Makitia makes one as well, though I haven't checked it out.

I put the TS55 on my list for christmas. It sounds like the dewalt is a bad@ss saw but the track isn't the best. the festool is about the same money as the dewalt.