Hi Everybody,
i was chatting to a mate the other day about our builds, he is on his third and i'm on my second, and we got to talking about tools.
Now we all have the basic tools to build our toys,Socket sets, spanners, Screwdrivers etc, but apart from those what one tool has proved the biggest
asset to your build?
For me it has to be a Dremel type tool from B&Q. £30.
Cheers.
before getting to your answer i was already thinking its got to be my dremel
Dremel is top of my list followed by the bench pillar drill, then things get desperate with the grinder and last of all the big hammer.
Probably my Powerprobe.
Computer, so I can access this place!
Shortly followed by all those fellow locosters who helped with bits I was stuck on!
Mike
Got to be my angle grinder, its had some abuse over the last 20 years 
and its still going strong!
Dave........
I too would vote for my dremmel type tool closely followed by my cordless drill
no,1 Computer
no,2 welder
no,3 Grinder with 1mm sliting disks
no,4 Sidways drill
got to be dremel and air riveter about even, would have taken me years to get where i have without them
So what does everyone use their Dremels for? I've had one for ages but the only attachment I've really used are the little cut-off discs.
For me it's the MIG, no doubt.
Dremel
MIG
Socket set
Angle grinder
Flipping big persuader
I'd be lost without any of the above (I suppose I could just about make do without the grinder if I've got the dremel).
In Order.
Computer - Access to information.
Welder - saved most money of ALL my tools.
Mr Angry Grinder With Grinding disc - for rectifying those little mistakes.
Mr Angry Grinder with slotting disc
Mr Angry Grinder with Wire Cup brush. (Yes I have three Angle Grinders, cos they are cheap, and I cant be arsed to keep changind discs / brushes all
the time)
Sack Barrow and Engine Crane - for moving those heavy items - I'm old and tired!
[Edited on 25/11/2007 by wilkingj]
Angry grinder with 1mm discs
Hammer
gotta be angle grinder, as i think its the most used. also rivnut tool has come in handy many times.
i have only recently used my dremel for cutting out a hole in the dash for my koso speedo, and was very happy with it.
oh ye and this site as its full of usefull info and help.
rob
[Edited on 24/11/07 by COREdevelopments]
my power in my garage.
1) Angry grinder with wire cup brush - "The Tool" to those who have been on here for some years!
2) TIG - creeping up there in usefulness. A week after I got it I thought - this was an excessive purchase. Now I love it!
3) Metal Lathe - again once you start you can't stop.
Interesting, don't have a dremel as such!!
I have an air powered "pencil grinder" a bit like a dentists drill but much more powerful but its rarely used.
Most useful tool full stop that I own is my Facom 1/4" drive ratchet. Its tiny so gets into the tightest spots but seriously tough and has yet to
be defeated by any bolts up to and including M8, which means it deals with anything other than suspension really. With wobble extension bars it turns
inlet and exhaust manifold removal and refitting into an almost pleasurable job. To top it off, I've had it since 1996, absolutely battered it
and its still going strong. £32 well spent!!
Next up would be the MIG welder. ERP 230 mig, 210amp output, lost count of the number of kgs of wire its welded now but certainly over 150kg.
Yesterday I treated it to only its second new shroud in that time, plus a few more tins of antispatter to make sure the torch keeps going as well as
it has done on the last lot of tins. Sorry to say but it beats the Clarke and SIP type machines hands down, for about the same money. Had a Clarke
150TE prior to this ERP.
Last would be my chicago pneumatic air drill. Stall it all you like and it doesn't get damaged, tiny so it gets in where normally you'd need
an angle drill, cost a fiver secondhand and is indestructible.
Edit, Lathe and TIG are up there, but regularity of use knocks them out of the top three.
[Edited on 24/11/07 by NS Dev]
Angry grinder then mig then air shears
Rich
My wife said that she was only interested in one 'tool'..... trouble is it's not mine 
quote:
Originally posted by donut
My wife said that she was only interested in one 'tool'..... trouble is it's not mine
Interesting responses...
My comments...
Dremel...not got one
Angle grinder...don't use that much
TIG...not really learned to use it properly yet...
Couldn't do without the following...
Lathe
CNC Plasma cutter (homemade)
MIG
Tube notcher
Bear in mind a lot this stuff is part of my job/work....I don't have money to burn on my hobby sadly...
lathe followed by miller followed by compressor and air tools. Had a dremel for years and only ever used it once!
For GRP bodywork I wouldn't be without my B&D Powerfile. It is sooooooo useful when shaping and can get into all sorts of places with
surprising accuracy
Could be my Mig
Followed by my home made bearing press.
Makes pressing and removing bearings a breeze, and they work after you given them a hard time!!
Kettle big mug tea bags milk
[Edited on 24/11/07 by jacko]
You forgot the digestive biscuits !
And the WIFE to make the tea
Many clamps.
Klikos (sp? )
the kettle
Hands. Definitely. I know I'd be knackered without mine.
Yesterday it was my fire retardant overalls which I managed to singe ANOTHER hole through with a poorly-aimed fountain of angry grinder sparks.
But, they didn't catch fire and produced enough smoke and smell that I noticed before anything under the overalls started burning (!).
Good tool.
How could i forget "THE TOOL"
That well known attatchment that fits on your drill or grinder that removes paint and rust.
And also if your not wearing protective safety gear and a mask can seriously damage your health, as i found out
Most useful and most (ab)used "tool" that I own is my bench vice.
Interesting responses.
I don't have a dremel, and hardly use the angry grinder, so I'd have to say my bench. Home made out of 3" posts with a sacrifical
3/4" chipboard top. And most importantly a comfortable height to work at, as I'm 6'5"
quote: E Wheel
I've got one of those but it makes a terrible mess of fibreglass. Am I doing something wrong?
quote:
Originally posted by bob
How could i forget "THE TOOL"
And also if your not wearing protective safety gear and a mask can seriously damage your health, as i found out
My biggest time saver has to be my socket set with ratchet. Use it every single day I work on the car. Cant say that for many other tools.
quote:
Originally posted by wilkingj
quote:
Originally posted by bob
Yes Me too... Pressure washer doing the drive. The Blue Green Algae is very toxic, breathed it in (was out there for several hours doing this), and it caused my imune system to attack my nervous system. Complete paralasys for 15 days, and 6 months off work learning to walk again.
VERY Nasty it was indeed.
Please treat safety and self protection as a priority.
Got to be my compressor,then my 90 die grinder ,then pistol drill and 90 drill . priceless
Hammer - 3rd plce
Big Hammer - 2nd place
REALLY BIG Hammer - 1st place
Rubber hammer for me (still making Ali body parts)... Very good for making bends over wood...
Dan
should be the bench vise in my way of doing things
soldering iron
column drill
hacksaws
Mig
BTW very nice to see christmas is comming along again, the avatars are getting even better than last years,
@ RichardK man you have some taste!
grtz Thomas
ratchet spanners fantastic invention.
then grinder.