Most needed hand tools for on site work???

[waynelang2001]

Hello to all,

I was awake at 4 am this morning with a bee in my bonnet about making my own hand tool insert pullout for a sys4. I like the one festool makes but i would prefer to design my own for the tools i already have.

What hand tools do you guys find you cant do with out on the job site besides the obvious ones like chisels and hammers.

When i do make the insert i dont want to look back and find out that there are must have tools i did'nt design a space for. Any thoughts would be great.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Wayne, the way we can better help answer your question would be to tell us specifically what work you do most often, then occasionally.

 

[harry_]

I will assume a sys4 or sys5 or maxi... really doesn't matter. I presume you also wear a belt. Just start chucking your belt's overflow in the sys for a month....... then you'll know what you REALLY need.

 

[waynelang2001]

Wayne, the way we can better help answer your question would be to tell us specifically what work you do most often, then occasionally.

Well most of the time i just install tv units and desks but they dont require many tools, mostly screws and a drill. I would think the most hand tools i would use would be on installing a kitchen. So i guess we can start from there.

 

[waynelang2001]

I will assume a sys4 or sys5 or maxi... really doesn't matter. I presume you also wear a belt. Just start chucking your belt's overflow in the sys for a month....... then you'll know what you REALLY need.

I tried the whole belt thing for all of 5 minutes a few years ago, I didnt like the idea of having tools around my waist while im handling finished goods. To much risk of damage involved. And i would be using a sys4 for this project, its the biggest i will have after replacing all my sys's with the FOGtainers.

 

[tbellemare]

You might be asking the wrong question - I'm not sure, but maybe what you're really looking for is something like these.

I know there are some professionals who post here regularly and use them. Perhaps they would care to chime in? I have never "heard a discouraging word" about them.

Tom

 

[Ken Nagrod]

The tools I would include for installing tv units, desks and kitchen installs:  hammers (metal for nails and rubber too for other delicate stuff, screwdrivers in case the power driver/drill wasn't appropriate, Festool drill kit with adapters and bits (preferably Centrotec set), high quality levels, a laser would be handy, stud finder (electronic or magnetic-personal preference), Japanese nail pullers and prying tools, cheap drywall knife for scraping walls or floors where necessary, scribing tool-get a good one, not the kids kind they use in school, Fein Multimaster kit (always comes in handy in difficult situations), either a small belt sander, hand plane or electric plane for tight fitting cabinets to walls or obstacles, tape measures, folding rule, laser distance meter, carpenter's framing square for obviously checking sqaureness of stuff like inside wall corners, Bosch electronic miter finder for use with wall angles as well, nail sets to drive home those stubborn ones, maybe some small upper cabinet supports when doing kitchens, plenty of pencils (carpenters and regular), calculator, Japanese saw with course teeth and one with fine teeth for adjusting stuff  [embarassed], Pony Cabinet Claws (at least 2 preferably 3 with extra 1/8 inch bits) - great invention, chalk box with BLUE chalk for setting reference lines on walls and floors, needle nose Vise Grip pliers for stubborn broken or stripped nails and screws, and a Festool Hat  [big grin].  If I can think of more, I'll let you know.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Tom, I have a few of the Veto bags.  Love 'em.  Two for general carpentry/cabinetry tools the other for electrical.  Had some snaps get knocked off over the past 6 years.  Other than that they're great.

 

[waynelang2001]

You might be asking the wrong question - I'm not sure, but maybe what you're really looking for is something like these.

I know there are some professionals who post here regularly and use them. Perhaps they would care to chime in? I have never "heard a discouraging word" about them.

Tom

Hi Tom,

I dont think im asking the wrong question, those tool bags are great but i want to make one for my sys 4, my question to the members is what hand tools they could not do with out in one of those tool bags or on site.

 

[waynelang2001]

The tools I would include for installing tv units, desks and kitchen installs:  hammers (metal for nails and rubber too for other delicate stuff, screwdrivers in case the power driver/drill wasn't appropriate, Festool drill kit with adapters and bits (preferably Centrotec set), high quality levels, a laser would be handy, stud finder (electronic or magnetic-personal preference), Japanese nail pullers and prying tools, cheap drywall knife for scraping walls or floors where necessary, scribing tool-get a good one, not the kids kind they use in school, Fein Multimaster kit (always comes in handy in difficult situations), either a small belt sander, hand plane or electric plane for tight fitting cabinets to walls or obstacles, tape measures, folding rule, laser distance meter, carpenter's framing square for obviously checking sqaureness of stuff like inside wall corners, Bosch electronic miter finder for use with wall angles as well, nail sets to drive home those stubborn ones, maybe some small upper cabinet supports when doing kitchens, plenty of pencils (carpenters and regular), calculator, Japanese saw with course teeth and one with fine teeth for adjusting stuff  [embarassed], Pony Cabinet Claws (at least 2 preferably 3 with extra 1/8 inch bits) - great invention, chalk box with BLUE chalk for setting reference lines on walls and floors, needle nose Vise Grip pliers for stubborn broken or stripped nails and screws, and a Festool Hat  [big grin].  If I can think of more, I'll let you know.

OK OK OK KEN ENOUGH !!!!! [tongue] With all of this it looks like im going to have to get me a maxi sysII. Some great things i didnt think of in there to Ken, thanks. [thumbs up]

 

[Chuck Kiser]

Wayne,

I understand your desire to 'systainer-ize" your tools. A fun project that tests your carpentry skills and makes things easier to pack in and out. I have found that my hand tools just don't fit the systainer profile. No matter how big the container I have to much wasted space. I use the Veto bags to get the tools to the job and then one of these http://www.blakladerusa.com/catalog/tool_vests/bantam_kangaroo_vest/ to get the ones I use most often, on that job, on my person.

I agree about the belts and potential damage. This vest is really great for finish work. Lots of pockets, light weight and easy to swap tools in and out as the job dictates.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

The correct answer to your question is, TOO MUCH crap.

I have a full Veto xl that stays in the back of my suburban (because it weighs so much).
I have hand tools spread all across the county. [big grin]

 

[Peterm]

Wayne

You might want to take a look at this thread from last year when a few folks here discuss the tool organisers (or disorganisers) we've made. Re. the contents, I think my only advice would be to start with the absolute minimum 'cos you just know you'll add to it!

HTH Pete

 

[Brice Burrell]

Wayne

You might want to take a look at this thread from last year when a few folks here discuss the tool organisers (or disorganisers) we've made. Re. the contents, I think my only advice would be to start with the absolute minimum 'cos you just know you'll add to it!

HTH Pete

I remember that thread Pete, thanks bringing it our attention again. [thumbs up]  At the end of that thread is Frank's super cool tool inserts, be sure to check them out.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Wayne

You might want to take a look at this thread from last year when a few folks here discuss the tool organisers (or disorganisers) we've made. Re. the contents, I think my only advice would be to start with the absolute minimum 'cos you just know you'll add to it!

HTH Pete

I remember that thread Pete, thanks bringing it our attention again. [thumbs up]  At the end of that thread is Frank's super cool tool inserts, be sure to check them out.

Thanks for the "plug" Brice.  By the way, those inserts are still working well for me.  [smile]

 

[mosez]

dont forget pencil sharpener and eraser
i also keep wd-40 and a box of those really minute screwdrivers around...

 

[Pyotr]

While "can't do without" would be an exageration, the Knipex pliers wrench is really nice:

Unlike a Bahco adjustable wrench (where you adjust the mouth with a screw) this one will not result in rounded nuts and bolts. There is a 1:10 ratio so you can really clamp down and prevent the beak from slipping.