What's The Handiest Gadget In Your Tool Box?

Mrmac204

on the job that I'm currently on, we have to scribe the window stool to the window frame- can't be done because the (vinyl) windows stick out about 3/4" into the room. The method used is to make a pattern out of scrap 1/4" plywood and sand/sand/sand till it fits. I discovered a little thing recently at a specialty tool shop that eliminates this step - its a little set of brass wheels, about 3/16" thick and a hole in the middle for a pencil. The one that I use is 2" in diameter, and the hole is exactly at 1" (center)- just enough room to clear the window projection- hold it against the window "flange" with my pencil in the little hole, and jut roll along- wow, best 4 bucks I've spent in a long time! I back cut the stool with a grinder, then finish up with hand sanding to the line. works like a charm!

specwood

"what's the handiest gadget in your tool box?"

Hammer.

mdshunk

10-in-1

GregS

Phone, schedules, emails, job lists, supplier info and pricing, and shopping lists.

TempestV

steel pry bar/ scraper- I use it for everything- taking off molding, prying, scraping, pounding in somewhere to temperately shim something, ect.

POOLMANinCT

get an otterbox for that treo. pricey but data is priceless....

my leatherman wave & brick hammer. I use the brick hammer mostly for "tuning up holes & trenches" for pipe exposure & repairs. like a tin grub ax.

ray

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KillerToiletSpider

Hilti line laser.

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A flush is better than a full house.

Bone Saw

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A.W.Davis

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I have probably 7 of those in my tool bag.....I always seem to lose one of the ends so I just buy another one.

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A.W. Davis Construction Co.
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Your friendly remodeling contractor

Bummie

Measuring accurately from an inside corner is simple with this miter hook developed by a trim carpenter. Just press the pins into the end grain (the pins are slightly angled to draw the hook in snugly) and hook your tape measure into the slot that is exactly even with the miter end. A rare-earth magnet grips the tape as you measure. Also usable for outside corners where the hook works the same way, except pins are not necessary. The miter hook has ledges machined at 1/8" and 1/4" intervals – perfect for accurately setting reveals in house trim.

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A.W.Davis

Got a link or a name to where I can order one of those?

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A.W. Davis Construction Co.
http://www.awdavisconstruction.com/
Your friendly remodeling contractor

Bummie

Here ya go... www.leevalleytool.com

It's called a Veritas® Miter Hook

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Dustball

Direct link-

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,42936,50298

A.W.Davis

sweet....thanks for the links!!

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A.W. Davis Construction Co.
http://www.awdavisconstruction.com/
Your friendly remodeling contractor

ron schenker

Use this all the time for floor installs

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

joasis

I carry a Leatherman "Wave" tool with me at all times....and I can;t count the times I use it in an average day, between construction work and the farm.

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TempestV

same here. I also carry a second set of pliers- a gerber multi tool. I rarely if ever use the knife blades on either though, because I carry a real knife on my belt, and a folding utility knife in my pocket.

GregS

I use a big Bellagio leather flip over cover that I had for my Treo 600. Fits and works great. Keeps it safe.

I love my Wave, but don't really use it on the job, since I usually have a pouch full of tools. I use it mostly when I'm in an office or at someones house and they ask me to 'fix' something for them.

Toothpick

Hilti pd 30 laser measuring device, can't say enough about this tool when working alone.

BuiltByMAC

I came up with this idea for a screw template to ensure my screw lines were straight and all screws were evenly spaced on the boards.

Holes drilled at 1" and 4 1/2", an additional hole drilled for drill bit to extend down and catch the joist underneath to make sure screws are set in the middle of the joist. Sharpie makes the dots, I temp screw the board down, do all the decking that way, then go back and have a screwing day - run screws through all dots to fully secure boards.

Mac

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