What Tool/Device Have You Bought For Your Shop That Actually Saves You Time?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by Christien
Cordless drill/electric screwdriver, no question about it. If I'd known how useful, how much of a time saver and how much of a wrist-saver it was (esp. for someone with early stages of tendonitis or something) I would've bought one years earlier.

Couldn't agree more. Like Joeaska I started with a little 9.6v Makita which I still have but haven't charged in years.

If I had to go back to drilling a pilot hole into wood and screwing in screws by hand with a screwdriver? I'd hang up my tools and retire to the TV. Who the hell does that anymore?!

I have a 14.4v DeWalt with one battery. I use it ALL the time and it is AT LEAST 12 years old. I must have paid $200 for it back then or nearly so. When that tool dies I will bury it with honors....and replace it with a POS $39 Panasonic one from Costco....which will probably last at least a few years.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
.....I still prefer my Yankee screwdriver...except for woodscrews.

Meanwhile back in the 1980's, 1990's and the 21st Century....

Are you kidding me? A Yankee screwdriver? I haven't even SEEN one of those in a decade at least.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
I have a 14.4v DeWalt with one battery. I use it ALL the time and it is AT LEAST 12 years old. I must have paid $200 for it back then or nearly so. When that tool dies I will bury it with honors....and replace it with a POS $39 Panasonic one from Costco....which will probably last at least a few years.

I have almost the same problem. Still have three makita hand drills and they are going fine, but the damm batteries are expensive and last about 18 months then are dead. Cost is $30 each for a battery and I can buy a new complete unit from harbor freight or costco for about the same price.

Just hate to give up the old Makita's ... but someday will have to put them on Ebay and watch them go...

[hatpix]

I don't have power in my garage, so I guess I should be investing in battery powered everything, but overall I really appreciate my aluminum floor jack. At only 24 pounds, I can lift it with one hand easliy.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Joe, I haven't charged my Makita in a long time. I wonder if it would even hold a charge at this point? I don't use it because it has a keyed chuck and I'm so spoiled with my DeWalt. I've thought about buying a keyless chuck to retrofit it...but it probably isn't worth the effort. No idea if I could find one or what it would cost anyway.

I can't bear to toss it though. You say you're going to put your old ones on eBay?...there is actually a market for one of these things used?

[lendaddy]

The double-A vibrator.

[stevepaa]

My brother buys no tools and it saves him lots of time for golf.

[livi]

'What tool/device ... actually saves you time?'

Blow up Dolly.

Sorry.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Joe, I haven't charged my Makita in a long time. I wonder if it would even hold a charge at this point? I don't use it because it has a keyed chuck and I'm so spoiled with my DeWalt. I've thought about buying a keyless chuck to retrofit it...but it probably isn't worth the effort. No idea if I could find one or what it would cost anyway.

I can't bear to toss it though. You say you're going to put your old ones on eBay?...there is actually a market for one of these things used?

All of mine except one have a keyless chuck, saves a lot on time changing bits.

There are people on Ebay who will buy the whole lot and guess its time to put them on there. Sell them while they have some value.

Here is one selling for $10 or so. Might as well sell them while they bring something and buy a newer model or brand.

Edit, forgot the URL http://cgi.ebay.com/MAKITA-6095D-9-6-VOLT-CORDLESS-DRILL_W0QQitemZ320066646665QQihZ011QQcategoryZ8226 0QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[dhoward]

Refrigerator.
Period.

[Racerbvd]

I too have my very 1st Makita, a friend use to be a rep for Makita, so when I asked him to find me a new battery and showed him what I had, he gave me a 14v and told me that mine had to be the oldest driver he had seen. On another note, I just aquired a lift formy garage since I last posted on this thread
Can't wait to bring it home & set it up

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by dhoward
Refrigerator.
Period.

+1

However, what I saved in trips for beer, I lost in trips to the bathroom. Now I need a urinal.


Actually, the biggest time saver in the shop has to be SHELVES.

Not that I have enough yet, but the more shelves I set up, the less I seem to be looking for tools and parts that are hidden in boxes and milk crates.

Another great addition was a big honkin' vice.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by Racerbvd
On another note, I just aquired a lift formy garage since I last posted on this thread

You mean in the past 2 hrs?? Congrats! Did you get a full lift or a scissor lift?

I would love to get a 2 post lift, and could easily justify the expense given then amount of work I do. However, because there is a finished loft above the garage, I only have 7' to work with. I'm tempted to go with a scissor lift, or even one of those high ramp sets.

[dhoward]

Originally posted by notfarnow
+1

However, what I saved in trips for beer, I lost in trips to the bathroom. Now I need a urinal.

...Useless tool references snipped

That's easy in the garage. A funnel, 1/2 inch hose, 1/2 in spade bit...

[JeremyD]

The tool that's saved me the most amount of time is the checkbook and the where with all to figure out in advance which projects are within my grasp and which projects it makes sense to take to the wrench and let him wrestle with it.

[pwd72s]

A rollaway! Yeah, it sounds silly, but I lived without a rollaway tool chest for decades, keeping my tools in various boxes and locations. I'd often spend more time looking for a tool than using it. Couple of years ago, I bought a 3 chest Craftsman "grip latch" ball bearing slides rollaway. I still smile as I slide open a drawer, and there it is...in plain sight, not buried under other tools, the tool I wanted! It's heaven!!!

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by dhoward
That's easy in the garage. A funnel, 1/2 inch hose, 1/2 in spade bit...

Wifey was coming home with the groceries, opened the garage door and found me peeing in the floor drain. Apparently, it's against The Rules.

[M.D. Holloway]

Jake - don't feel too bad, I got in trouble for pee'n in the shower. I told her it was better than *****'n in the shower - stuff mushes between your toes, makes one heck of a mess!

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by notfarnow
You mean in the past 2 hrs?? Congrats! Did you get a full lift or a scissor lift?

I would love to get a 2 post lift, and could easily justify the expense given then amount of work I do. However, because there is a finished loft above the garage, I only have 7' to work with. I'm tempted to go with a scissor lift, or even one of those high ramp sets.

Yes, a full lift, it was in a buddies fathers race shop in South FL.
Just cut a hole hole in the roof and make a trap door, the lift will make it easier to get big stuff upstairs

[scottmandue]

I hung up a girly calender in the garage and it distracts me from wasting time on cleaning the garage or working on my cars.