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

[M.D. Holloway]

Our Son's friend brought his mini bike over to show it off. Within 30 minutes, his front tire showed a drastic decrease in air so being the type that will look for any excuse to use my air compressor I charged into action. The kid asked why I did not use a hand pump? Blaspheme! Why anyone could see that the air compressor would save time! Actually, it most likely didn’t save time for this job but it did reduce the caloric burn on my part.

It did get me thinking though, what tools or devices have been developed over the past 50 years that have really reduced the time to do a job? Maybe Wayne’s book…

[lendaddy]

Impact gun.

[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.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I picked up a $99 Craftsman drill press (with laser crosshairs, no less) two weeks ago and my increase in productivity is nothing short of incredible.

Not to mention that the holes I drill are straight now.

[RickM]

I also use my compressor(s) alot. Aside from filling various items with air I find myself using the cutoff tool all the time.

All in all I use my Dewalt drill/driver most.

[sewell94]

i love my ratcheting wrenches, don't know how i worked on stuff w/o them. They get into the tightest spots.

[notfarnow]

Ratcheting boxed end wrenches. I don't know how I ever got by without them, especially handy when working on FWD cars without much room under the hood.

[svandamme]

a gererator

[masraum]

I use and love my compressor, but since I have to turn it one and wait for the tank to fill, I'm not sure that it saves tons of time, but it sure makes my life easier. Depends upon how much work I'm doing. My KD gear wrenches save time. My Al floor jack saves time. My Mightyvac vacuum bleeder saves time.

[MikeSid]

Originally posted by svandamme
a gererator

No doubt. Every time I use mine, I finish before I start.

[MotoSook]

If you're really ambitious and need them for mroe than fixing the kid's toys, here are some big ticket items:

-hydraulic lift
-oxy-acet torch
-welder
-lathe


soon to be added:

-plasma cutter
-mill


If you have the space, you can never have enough tools!

[Joeaksa]

The Makita cordless drill changed our lives years ago for those of us who worked on airplanes. Each plane has thousands of small screws to remove and replace everytime you do anything. Before this it was all done by hand, either with a "speed driver" or screwdriver and it took forever.



Still remember that my first inspection I spent 19 hours removing screws by hand. Today you could do it in an hour or two with modern tools.

Need to add the Media blasting cabinet to the list. Put sand, glass or other media in this and clean almost any part to like new finish.

As well the TIG and MIG welders, and a dremel tool....

[legion]

Originally posted by sewell94
i love my ratcheting wrenches, don't know how i worked on stuff w/o them. They get into the tightest spots.

+1000

When I pulled the AC in my 951 last summer, having those made the job possible. Otherwise, I would have had to pull the turbo and some exhaust do-hickies.

[VINMAN]

Any of my pneumatic tools, especially my 3/8" air ratchet.

[Racerbvd]

My cordless Impact gun & Go-Jaks make life much easier

[Z-man]

My favorite tools:

- My retractable extension chord mounted to the garage ceiling. If you still use regular extension chords, get one of these - power is always handy, and when not in use, you don't have to worry about tripping over the chord!

- My 18 Volt Ryobi cordless drill. I use it on the track to swap my tires. It may not be as powerful as an impact drill, but I break the lug nuts with a breaker bar and use a torque wrench to tighten anyway. I also use it around the house, of course!

- My dremel tool. Never did I imagine how effectively a small fiberglass disc can cut/destroy things. Steel, aluminum, fingers - zips right through anything! And the sparks are really pretty - especially when they hit the gas containers on my trailer when I'm cutting down the bolts that hold the spare wheel in place....

- My Snapper ride-on mower (Does this count? It is stored in my garage). I don't have a huge yard, but my back yard has a decent slope to it. Cut down the cutting from 5-6 hours to 2-3 hours. 8hp, rear engined unit with the patented "High Vac" blade. It will make short order of a pile of leaves as well.

- Not really a tool, but I have one of those 'attic' kits that's basically a shelf that hangs down from the ceiling. Gets a lot of stuff off the garage floor and out of the way.

-Z-man.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

All you guys using cordless drills and electric screwdrivers.....I still prefer my Yankee screwdriver...except for woodscrews.

[Moneyguy1]

I am into woodworking; basically furniture. One of the most useful tools is a router table, followed by a good compound miter saw. Things fit first time, (just about) every time.

[Eric 951]

battery-powered sawz-all.

[RallyJon]

Makita 9.6v 1/4" ratchet.