Really awesome hand tools

[nanook]

Always on the lookout for great hand tools, you know the ones that just fill a niche or are super handy - what are people's favourites great/well designed tools for site work? 

For me some of the best are Fastcap (or stanley) folding chisels; Veritas blockplane; almost anything by Estwing; FatMax tapes; also a buddy of mine had one of these and it is awesome -http://www.hultafors.com/products/pry-wrecking-bars/wrecking-bars/-wrecking-bar-steel-adjustable-209-sb/

 

[andyman]

Just ordered snickers (hultafors) pouch belt and braces will keep you posted on what they are like 10 day delivery were coming from Sweden but apparently relocated to Poland [crying]

 

[NERemodeling]

Always on the lookout for great hand tools, you know the ones that just fill a niche or are super handy - what are people's favourites great/well designed tools for site work? 

For me some of the best are Fastcap (or stanley) folding chisels; Veritas blockplane; almost anything by Estwing; FatMax tapes; also a buddy of mine had one of these and it is awesome -http://www.hultafors.com/products/pry-wrecking-bars/wrecking-bars/-wrecking-bar-steel-adjustable-209-sb/

I saw that pry bar a while back in a write up in "tools of the trade" magazine  looked pretty sweet but from what i remember it was super pricy... since then Crescent had knocked it off with their Crescent DB30X  they also make a 18" model and if i remember correctly they are both quite a bit less expensive.... not sure if there is any difference in performance.

another cool tool that would be hard for me to do without is the Jefferson Nail Extracting Pliers  they are a must if you have a bunch of nails you are trying to remove.

John

 

[NERemodeling]

Not sure if this really counts but it is something i would be lost without... A Leatherman Surge multitool with the bit kit and bit extender,  i also bought the belt clip seperately so i dont always have to carry the whole sheath (use the sheath and all accessories, which store in sheath,  at work but often carry the knife even while not working and dont want the bulk of the sheath)

HERE is an ebay link for the package i bought, minus the belt clip

I have it on me every day and you would be suprised how often it comes in handy, also with the whole bit case it has saved me a run back to the truck/trailer many times when you run into a few odd ball screws on a job

John

 

[mastercabman]

Maybe odd,but I love my Swiss army knife!

 

[andyman]

When I have a Swiss army knife or multi tool I bet I use it at least twice a day

 

[Stephen B]

The most ridiculous tool I have seen is the finger screw holding tool we have for sale at work, and I kid you not, the plastic parts are pink!!

My favourite hand tool is a Veritas 4 & 1/2 smoothing plane.

 

[c5r363]

tajima 25' tape with pro clip. i work on elevators so dropping tools means the floor is sometimes a long way down

 

[Sparktrician]

One tool I just can't be without is the Ideal 11-in-1 Screwdriver/Nutdriver.  The wire nut wrench is just the icing on the cake. 

(Edited 09/11/15 to update link.)

 

[RussellS]

I do some home electrical work.  These are the finest Klein tools.  Home Depot sells them.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-6-1-4-in-Wire-Stripper-Cutter-11045/100630729  Wire stripper.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-5-in-1-Screwdriver-Nut-Driver-32476/100630660  5 in 1 screwdriver.  Easier to use than those complicated 11 in 1 models.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-8-in-Heavy-Duty-Long-Nose-Pliers-for-Side-Cutting-and-Wire-Stripping-D203-8N/100627991  Needle nose pliers.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-8-in-High-Leverage-Diagonal-Cutting-Pliers-J2000-28/100648086  Diagonal wire cutters.

 

[Sparktrician]

For my purposes, this is the best stripper.  It covers over 90% of my needs.  I agree with you on the long-nose and dikes. 

 

[wow]

I went German with my hand tools as well - at least the electrical ones. I replaced all of my Klein tools with Knipex. I don't have pictures of mine, but here are some stock photos of things I have:

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I used Kleins for 20+ years, but I can't believe the quality of these. You can cut a piece of paper with the Side Cutters. I'm impressed!

 

[RC]

Knipex for cutters and other tong type tools, Wera gear for sockets (Zyklop), wrenches (Joker) and screw driving. I also have a bunch of Incra rulers, Starrett squares and a Hultafors Talmeter for measuring. Veritas scrapers, hand planes and sharpening kit. And most importantly a Leatherman Wave for any odd job that comes my way.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Bahco 625 Premium Ergonomic Carbide Scraper, 1", with Plastic Holder

 

[Sparktrician]

I went German with my hand tools as well - at least the electrical ones. I replaced all of my Klein tools with Knipex. I don't have pictures of mine, but here are some stock photos of things I have:

I used Kleins for 20+ years, but I can't believe the quality of these. You can cut a piece of paper with the Side Cutters. I'm impressed!

The Knipex Alligator pliers are the best.  I have several sizes scattered through the toolboxes. 

 

[RussellS]

For my purposes, this is the best stripper.  It covers over 90% of my needs.

On those Klein wire strippers, does it strip both the white and black wires inside a 12 or 14 NW wire?  And strip off the outer sheath too?  It cuts the sheathing and the wire cover off both wires all at once?  I see it also has individual 12 and 14 gauge strippers when you need to strip just one wire at a time.

 

[Sparktrician]

For my purposes, this is the best stripper.  It covers over 90% of my needs.

On those Klein wire strippers, does it strip both the white and black wires inside a 12 or 14 NW wire?  And strip off the outer sheath too?  It cuts the sheathing and the wire cover off both wires all at once?  I see it also has individual 12 and 14 gauge strippers when you need to strip just one wire at a time.

When cutting off the sheath, the strippers' larger openings cut ONLY the sheath, not the insulation on the wiring inside the sheath.  The smaller individual stripping notches clean the insulation off the individual conductors.  You wouldn't want the conductors stripped all the way back to the sheath anyway. 

 

[TelcoRandy]

For my purposes, this is the best stripper.  It covers over 90% of my needs.  I agree with you on the long-nose and dikes. 

I love to use these strippers for any small wire with soft insulation, they don't work as well on RW90 though. I use them for 24AWG-16AWG but I wouldn't be surprised if they can do 10AWG. I especially like them because they don't knick the wire. Lots of companies put out this same tool, I don't know who makes it but it's re-branded everywhere.

Knipex for cutters and other tong type tools, Wera gear for sockets (Zyklop), wrenches (Joker) and screw driving. I also have a bunch of Incra rulers, Starrett squares and a Hultafors Talmeter for measuring. Veritas scrapers, hand planes and sharpening kit. And most importantly a Leatherman Wave for any odd job that comes my way.

And +1 for Wera, I love my Wera Phillips #2 screwdriver. I've been using it for almost 4 years and the tip is still mint, you can't wear out a Wera screwdriver.

 

[demographic]

Veritas low angle block plane.
Tajima chalk line (good thin line, fast rewind and the catch that stops it from unwinding is smooth.
Nail claw bar thing I bought from B&Q for about seven quid years ago.

 

[Mr Heavy]

Jefferson Nail Extracting Pliers  they are a must if you have a bunch of nails you are trying to remove.

Gosh, and I thought waterboarding was barbaric.