Favorite / Most Used Power Tools?

[Payton1221]

The "Got Power Tools" got me to thinking about my favorite and/or most used tools. What are they for you guys?

For me, I'd say it's a tie between my small drill press and an angle grinder (both purchased very reasonably from Harbor Freight). I find myself working with metal on various projects, and both of these have been very helpful to me. My hack saw is collecting dust and rust these days

I work for a company that fabricates material handling equipment (feeders, conveyors, etc.) so pipe, angle, plate, etc. are always available either free or at cost (which is about 100% higher for carbon steel since a few weeks ago ).

I've thought about adding a cheap stick or wire welded, but I haven't pulled the trigger on that yet. I can get what I need welded in our shop, but it would be nice to be able to do some crude welding at home.

[supramax]

The "Got Power Tools" got me to thinking about my favorite and/or most used tools. What are they for you guys?

For me, I'd say it's a tie between my small drill press and an angle grinder (both purchased very reasonably from Harbor Freight). I find myself working with metal on various projects, and both of these have been very helpful to me. My hack saw is collecting dust and rust these days

I work for a company that fabricates material handling equipment (feeders, conveyors, etc.) so pipe, angle, plate, etc. are always available either free or at cost (which is about 100% higher for carbon steel since a few weeks ago ).

I've thought about adding a cheap stick or wire welded, but I haven't pulled the trigger on that yet. I can get what I need welded in our shop, but it would be nice to be able to do some crude welding at home.

Well, the other week the dishwasher wasn't doing a decent job, so I found a YouTube video on the particular make and completely disassembled the interior mechanisms. I cleaned it out at each stage of disassembly and then reassembled it. It's unbelievable the amount of junk that was in there. Without my MasterCraft compact cordless screwdriver, the job would have been torturous. The dishwasher now works like it was brand new.

[Corbi]

I use this dewalt for everything, its a fantastic tool with so many uses.

[Plateauplower]

Battery drill, then probably 12” compound miter saw, then whatever else depending on project.

[Cantplankwell]

I use this dewalt for everything, its a fantastic tool with so many uses.

I have this one as well and the drill that came with it as a kit. I use the drill far more than the driver. I also purchased the jig saw that uses the same battery. The jig saw is handy as well. Probably will get a "sawzall" and a circular saw for the same battery before long. I like dewalt stuff.

[mtpockets]

I had almost every tool out there at one period of time, sold most, just kept the basics for odd jobs. My favorite tool besides a drill of course that I use to auger holes in the ice would be an oscillating multi tool, I don't use it often but I think that is the cats ass and wish I would of had one 40 years ago.

[OldFartTom]

Although years ago when I did construction related work I used all the power tools and whenever concrete it was Hilti (because someone else was buying!) I resisted buying my own power tools for a long time.

2 experiences changed my mind.
1 was assembling a bunk bed with an ordinary screwdriver (not even ratchet) so many slats so many screws, I had a huge blister in my palm and decided all those years of refusing to buy a cordless screwdriver was a bad idea.
2 was cutting out a kitchen sink into a extra thick worktop/counter with a not sharp hand saw. It was awful, but it was Sunday evening and the sink **had** to be fitted (inc waste and plumbing) into the counter before 8am Monday and I couldnt borrow a jigsaw or even get a sharper hand saw. Never again!!!
I value power tools now!

A good combination drill (drill/hammer drill/chisel)
A good small cordless driver
These are the absolute minimum

[GrouchyUSMC]

I use this dewalt for everything, its a fantastic tool with so many uses.

I have the same one, it saves me a ton of time.

I also end up using a sander a lot - I'll plug holes in drywall, let it dry, sand it smooth, then touch it up with paint. I have two rowdy boys so we get holes in walls on almost a monthly basis.

[OldFartTom]

...I'll plug holes in drywall, let it dry, sand it smooth, then touch it up with paint...

If their age is in double digits? Then THEY should be plugging the holes, let it dry... etc It's a good way for them to learn

[steffo99]

Metabo KGS 305 M MITRE SAW
Just getting started and got this rather inexpensive saw that seemed like great value at about 400 USD and think it will see plenty use this year. Got a diablo blade for it from the UK which is now in customs I think..rare to find here and would cost 3x as much locally.


Also looking for a small variable speed angle grinder, mainly for power carving - perhaps a Makita 9564CV but it seems out of stock with most places in europe. Will have to research more..think dewalt has one as well.

Also looking to change out a cheap router for a Trend T11 or something the like cause already have a bunch of accessories and jigs from that brand, so it will be these 3 tools that battle it out for favorite and most use as I dip more into all this stuff.

[_zman]

I use this dewalt for everything, its a fantastic tool with so many uses.
[img]http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/291329945455-0-1/s-l1000.jpg[img]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Corbi again."

I like my impact gun the most so far.

I bought the kit with drill and driver, then bought a hedge trimmer and weed eater that use the same batteries. Black & Decker brand tho, all the same company tho. Only disappointment is the weed eater having a lot less power than gas powered, but the ease of use and maintenance is a lot better.

[GrouchyUSMC]

If their age is in double digits? Then THEY should be plugging the holes, let it dry... etc It's a good way for them to learn

The oldest is, and he does help me. They both actually are really into working with me, I love it.

[lukepeter]

Cordless drill - I have a couple, and it makes every project more efficient, pilot drill with one, drive with the other etc.

Drill press next, then table saw, then angle grinder.

I struggled for a long time to understand how men function without decent tools, and many inane conversations later I discovered it was because they create nothing, and maintain nothing... Essentially TV watching emasculated husks of men.

Edit: I find personally that as a project comes up, purchasing the correct tooling for it is good practice - I am building a little CNC router that should be good for light cuts in Ali (around 21000N/mm stiffness at the tool), and I got a mitre saw for cutting Ali extrusion comfortably for the shell - coincided with many wife projects that were made vastly easier by being able to power cut 45 degree mitres in wood also. At the end of the day, if buying a tool saves me significant hours in a project, I will buy it, because my time (which many people tend to disregard when doing hobby projects) is worth the money.