What’s your handiest tool?

[unclemoustache]

For the younger folks who are just starting their tool collections, they should know that one of the first and most basic tools is a tablesaw with a good fence. I have a Delta 10” Contractor’s tablesaw, and it has served me very well for over 20 years. $600 at the time.

But one of the handiest tools I have is my welder. A cheap little 110 volt wire-feed. I have yet to encounter the project it couldn’t handle, and being able to join metal together is wonderful.

Just now finished some of these:




“And what, pray tell,” you are asking yourself, “are those?”

Firewood brackets.




So what are your own handiest tools?

.

 

[Sawdust Man]

For the younger folks who are just starting their tool collections, they should know that one of the first and most basic tools is a tablesaw with a good fence. I have a Delta 10” Contractor’s tablesaw, and it has served me very well for over 20 years. $600 at the time.

But one of the handiest tools I have is my welder. A cheap little 110 volt wire-feed. I have yet to encounter the project it couldn’t handle, and being able to join metal together is wonderful.

Just now finished some of these:

View attachment 978212


“And what, pray tell,” you are asking yourself, “are those?”

Firewood brackets.

View attachment 978213


So what are your own handiest tools?

.

If you'll ship me a dozen of those brackets, I will submit them to a rigid product review, and real world testing, free of charge.

 

[unclemoustache]

If you'll ship me a dozen of those brackets, I will submit them to a rigid product review, and real world testing, free of charge.

Awesome! Just get me your address and I’ll let you have them for free, plus shipping and handling. (That shouldn’t be more than $300 or so).

 

[Sawdust Man]

Awesome! Just get me your address and I’ll let you have them for free, plus shipping and handling. (That shouldn’t be more than $300 or so).

You stinker.....

 

[buzz sawyer]

Handiest too is my Atlas 10" lathe. I even use it to tumble reloading brass in a big plastic pretzel jug.

 

[H-Ranch]

By far the handiest tool I use:

Nothing else is close; I use this multiple times per day, every day. Has saved me numerous times when it was the only tool I had available. Been wearing it daily for over 25 years. Worn out several belt carriers for it. Have had true Leathermans and others, but really like this Craftsman.

 

[U&A]

My leatherman and one of my Surefire or Streamlight flashlights. Both tools get used every day LOTS of times and im totally lost without them. Im on my second leatherman in the past 10 years or so. This “Wave +” was a free replacement by leatherman when my “Juice CS4” died. The juice and leatherman have both been back for the same thing. A broken awl or a flat head [emoji1787][emoji1787]

And my custom made sheath. Made buy a local boot store owner that is a leather smith.

Sent while firmly grasping my Redline lubed Ram [emoji231]

 

[stihl sawing]

Ratchet wrenches.
In all sizes and shapes

 

[J D]

Use it daily & leaving home without it would concern me more than going out without my phone.
The plyers aren't up with the Leatherman but I find that generally it's more practical & ergonomic

 

[unclemoustache]

Seems to be a trend here. I always carry a knife which is used all the time, but maybe I should also carry a Leatherman or the Craftsman. I often scramble for a screwdriver or pliers which are out in the truck.

 

[Harmon]

A guy can get a lot done with a scrench and a real sharp (locking blade) pocketknife. And a bic lighter of course.

 

[capetrees]

By far the handiest tool I use:
View attachment 978236
Nothing else is close; I use this multiple times per day, every day. Has saved me numerous times when it was the only tool I had available. Been wearing it daily for over 25 years. Worn out several belt carriers for it. Have had true Leathermans and others, but really like this Craftsman.

Victorinox swiss tool for me, snapped the pliers too many times on my old leathermen.

swiss tool pliers are heavy duty

 

[Karrl]

A good pocket knife, or Milwaukee razor fastback, is invaluable but I’ll throw a different one out there. It’s one I never knew I needed as much as I did until I got one.


With a 4 1/2 inch cut off wheel and a 5 ah battery you have the next step below portable torches. Really handy to keep in your truck with a flap disc and grinding wheel too.

 

[kevin j]

A good pocket knife, or Milwaukee razor fastback, is invaluable but I’ll throw a different one out there. It’s one I never knew I needed as much as I did until I got one.


With a 4 1/2 inch cut off wheel and a 5 ah battery you have the next step below portable torches. Really handy to keep in your truck with a flap disc and grinding wheel too.

Padlock universal key?

 

[ROME K/G]

Handiest tool for handling small rounds and pieces of firewood is an old pair of ice tongs.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Most used tool in the shop…1x30” belt sander. Sand small wood pcs, grind sm metal pcs, perfect for dressing bars, grinding off ”safety” spurs on chains I pick up for free, etc, etc
grits from 60 to 400

 

[tla100]

Best quick change for impact. Swivel is so handy for all angles. I wear em out every few months but, it lives in my 20 volt stubby 1/4" drive impact.

 

[preventec47]

I dont know about the handiest tool but the most often tool I use is a bench grinder with a wire wheel and grinding stone on the other end. I am always cleaning stuff up with the wire wheel and reshaping or cutom fitting items with the grinding wheel. Even wood items. Gotta be careful you dont let the wood catch on fire. I guess the other most used tool is my battery powered drill with several different drill attachments.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

I dont know about the handiest tool but the most often tool I use is a bench grinder with a wire wheel and grinding stone on the other end. I am always cleaning stuff up with the wire wheel and reshaping or cutom fitting items with the grinding wheel. Even wood items. Gotta be careful you dont let the wood catch on fire. I guess the other most used tool is my battery powered drill with several different drill attachments.

Picked up a 1945 sears/craftsman 1/2hp for $10 some 18 yrs ago…bearings soo good the thing takes a min or so to stop once turned off. Love it

 

[SweetMK]

I agree, everyone needs a good, cheap welder,,

The welder ain't worth a hoot, if the steel is too heavy to move,, you need a lifter,,

You need a place to store the lifter,, and the welder, and still be big enough to do a project, like a chicken coop.
(the lifter will move the coop, when the coop is done)

Finally, and maybe most important, you need a great grill.
Mine has a DIY ring, that holds charcoal in a small area, when only grilling 1 to 3 steaks