Your Most Useful Tool?

[Churchill]

I am a general contractor, hiring subcontractors to do the work for me. So I don't own that many tools. However, my most useful tool has to be my digital voice recorder.

I feel like (and look like) a nerd dictating my notes into this thing ("Note to self..."); however, walking through the jobsite, I'll see dozens of items that need attention. I'll dictate 20-30 entries, then transcribe them the next day. I couldn't live without my digital voice recorder.

What's your most useful tool?

John Churchill Builder and Cont. Ed. Instructor at Emory University Author of

[IBM5081]

Cordless impact driver followed closely by a 5" angle grinder. So many things are screwed together or bolted together, the impact driver will run sockets in and out with a socket adapter or regular square drive and Philips screw heads. Plenty of torque in a 14.4 volt or higher model. Like a baby impact wrench it is. The angle grinder is so nice for removing nail/screw points that over-penetrated as well as excess bolt threads. Got a lock or chain that won't open? Burn a link open and you're in.

[BP]

My thumb.

[PipeDown]

Tape measure. I use it for electrical, plumbing and carpentry projects. I use it for planning, design and for actual construction. I can substitute a rock for a hammer and a butter knife for a screwdriver but if I substitute a cubit (my forearm) for a yard, everything comes out all crooked. How did Noah do it?

[RicodJour]

Define tool. So either a notebook computer or a cordless drill (or utility knife, pencil is up there, too).

Favorite tool would elicit more interesting answers than useful tool.

R

[####]

The one between my legs !!!!

[badgolferman]

I am an electronic technician and a computer repairer. My most useful tool is my sense of logic followed closely by a 7-level screwdriver (also known as a tweaker).

[Jimmy]

I'd rather not say, but: I never bring it out in public or leave home without it.

[Jimmy]

A milk churn?

[Jimmy]

butter churn

[Moisés Nacio]

It's probably a toss up between a phone & vehicle. Although my glasses could be considered a tool. I wonder if clothing articles are considered tools. Hmmmmmmm, maybe my toothbrush & razor.

Good question.

[roger61611]

medium-sized crowbar, but i deal with old houses.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Useful, but the index finger is better for picking your nose and smoothing caulk.

[Ed B]

A pencil A tape measure A razor knife A clean rag and last but not least My helper, he is a real tool sometimes :)

[Mark Kliewer]

My new favorite tool and quikly becoming my most useful tool is my distance laser meter. My Disto Plus has an accuracy of + - 1/16th of an inch and a range of 650 ft. As an appraiser doing exterior and interior measuring I don't know how I lived without before. It saves me a ton of time.

Check out

for specs on what these things can do.

Mark

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, My most useful tool is my brain and hands. Whatever you have, if you don't know how to use it right.... Hey voice recorder? How about PDA in your pocket?

[BP]

Oh you can dig much deeper into your nose with your finger, but there is nothing like the thumb for maximum collection. BSF: Workers who lose a thumb are severely disabled. You can compensate for the loss of a finger, but not a thumb.

[dnoyeB]

B&D Firestorm Cordless Hammer Drill 24V.

[Chub]

computer/ internet.

[Steve B]

Filters.

So I don't have to read all the crap posted here that doesn't have to do with home repair, or even the topic.

Steve