"Best" first tool

Richard · Aug 10, 2001

\"Best\" first tool

A friend was over while back. As I'm finishing house he was helping. He made an off the cuff comment "Man, I can't wait until I get my own house"
Ok, "Why" I asked??
"Because you get to buy ALL these cool tools".
(miter saw, drills, sawzall, rotozip, air compressor etc...)

Fast forward, he is now getting married. I thought I'd love to get "him" in addition to "their" wedding gift, a GREAT starter for a tool.

What to get?
What is the "best" first tool you could have? (I know, one that fixes the current problem your working on!)

He lives in Washington DC area and bought a condo. No garage, no basement. Evidently the place needed some painting and that was about it.

No basement/garage kind of killed the compressor idea which is what I was going to get him.

So, the official question is, "What is the best "first" tool someone can buy you"

I am more concerned on getting something nice and am not too concerned about the expense. (no BX for HIM though! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)

Richard

Wal · Aug 10, 2001

Re: "Best" first tool

Richard,

You might consider one of those portable, foldable workbenchs. The kind that the top opens and closes via a couple of cranks on the front, allowing you to clamp whatever you are working on. They are very handy for someone who does not have an "official" workbench. They are also great for off site jobs. Then, of course, there is always the rechargeable drills and screwdrivers to consider.

Da Wal

Anonymous Poster · Aug 10, 2001

Re: \"Best\" first tool

Cordless drill... minimum 12-14vdc, dual battery packs, case, etc.

Now you got your buddy something, how about his new bride?

cowboydoc · Aug 10, 2001

Re: \"Best\" first tool

I agree with John. Cordless drill has to be the best tool that I have. I'd go 18 volt though. Pricey but you'll never need anything else. My Dewalt 18 volt is more powerful than my electric drills.

mikim · Aug 10, 2001

Re: \"Best\" first tool

Ditto John and Richard -- I have a Dewalt 12 volt that I couldn't live without - musta been crazy all those years to screw by hand when I coulda been doing it with ...(we all know the finish here)/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
mike

mrolson · Aug 10, 2001

Re: \"Best\" first tool

A hammer of course. It fixes everything /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Mark

HR_Mutt · Aug 10, 2001

Re: \"Best\" first tool

Thinking back All those years ago about getting married....hmm, took us about 8 months to paint a 20x24 house.I'd suggest tools for an anniversary gift/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.
still laughing
Mutt

TomP · Aug 10, 2001

Re: \"Best\" first tool

THE ABSOLUTE BEST SINGLE TOOL I EVER HAD WAS A DREMEL. It's the most used, most functional small power tool you can get. People joked in my company....give Tom a Dremel, and he can make anything....cuts, grinds, deburrs, drills, routs, shapes, sands, polishes,.....but it makes a lousy batch of popcorn. I got my first one 29 years ago, and am on my 5th or 6th now.

My 2 cents.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 10, 2001

Re: \"Best\" first tool

Richard,

Did you and I go to the same school.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

A couple months back, my kids misplaced my charger for my Ryobi 12v. cordless... it fell off more roofs than I can remember and never skipped a beat... anyhow, without a charger, one of my guys wired the battery to a shop charging unit and forgot about it {well, he was doing me a favor... He's a great technician, so I can't kill him...}

So now my second battery is toast, a new battery was something like $49 or 59. just for the battery! and nothing is wrong with my never say die Ryobi...

I walked into Sears to buy a much talked about Dewalt 18v. unit... on sale no less... but along the way they had another display & sale on a combo kit circular saw and drill... Hey that's looks like my Ryobi... except the BIG brother. Well for $139., I took home a no-name made by somebody Professional Craftsman 18v. Cordless Drill and Saw...

You know it has to be good... it's says Professional... /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif