"Best" first tool

[Richard]

\"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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

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

Mark

 

[HR_Mutt]

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]

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]

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

 

[Boondox]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

I'm with John on this one. I have two cordless drills and use them constantly!

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[jimmoore]

Re: "Best" first tool

Hr Mutt, Sounds like yu did more PANTING than painting that first 8 months./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

jim

 

[Bird]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

TomP, I thought about buying a Dremel for years; just wasn't sure I'd use it enough to be worth it. I guess I was right to not spend the money; got my first one for Christmas last year./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif And it really is a handy little tool.

Bird

 

[JohnMiller3]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

Bird,
I noticed your new business down at Empire Farm Days../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

"You are what you eat, drink, think, say and do..."

 

[Bird]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

I wish! I'll bet that Bird makes a lot more money than this one./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[toddler]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

Richard,
Just one more vote for the cordless drill. I'm partial to panasonic, but dewalt and makita are also awsome. I'd go 12 or 14 volt. Cowboydoc and John Miller III must have stronger arms than I do or are building decks in their spare time.

Speaking about drills, any one besides me, who is just a home handyman and not a pro, have a hole hawg?? Talk about a powerful handheld drill!

Todd

 

[DVerbarg]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

I vote for the cordless drill.

Todd, don't have a hole hawg but do have a milwaukee 90 degree 1/2 in drill. Have to be careful when using it that I don't crush myself. It's a little powerful and more than a little heavy.

DaveV

 

[Harv]

Re: "Best" first tool

Guess it's been said to death already, but of all the power tools I have (and I have plenty), my 14V Makita cordless drill is my numero uno.

I have a pretty good wood shop (plus a metal lathe) at home, and I now have my dad's fabulous wood shop up at the property, but the one tool I carry back and forth between them is the Makita. It makes so many jobs a pleasure rather than a chore, I just can't be without it.

Oh, my dad left me a fine collection of cordless drills -- no batteries, just lots of elbow grease. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[mbjacobs]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

I beg to differ. Best first tools are WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it moves and it shouldn't - Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and it should - WD-40.

Maury Jacobs

 

[glennmac]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

Now there's a man after my own toolbox......my entire toolbox.

 

[Phred]

Re: \"Best\" first tool

I agree with the cordless drill.
Get the dewalt 18V. This is a great tool!