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Specialty Tools

JourneymanCarpenterT | Posted in Tools for Home Building on June 1, 2008 04:37am

A link to the “invisible nailing kit†was provided n the ‘high end trim thread.’  I don’t know if I would necessarily spring for this particular tool or not, but it got me wondering, what kind of specialty tools do you use that are not seen to often?

 

<!—-> <!—->View Image <!—->

–T

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Replies

  1. dovetail97128 | Jun 01, 2008 04:48am | #1

    Pin punch crimper for metal pan decking.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
  2. User avater
    dieselpig | Jun 01, 2008 04:52am | #2

    I think the tools that I use that turn the most heads are my big saws.... the Stihl chainsaw with Headcutter attachment, the Bigfoot(s), etc.

    But some others are things like my Pee-Vee's, my 36" peashooter, and maybe my PLS-90.  We also use our Stabila laser measuring device more than I think people might expect.

    View Image
    1. User avater
      JourneymanCarpenterT | Jun 01, 2008 04:57am | #3

      Oh, I forgot, please post a link if it's readily available.-T

    2. User avater
      JourneymanCarpenterT | Jun 04, 2008 05:31am | #32

      What on earth is a "Pee-Vee's?"  I googled it, but I didn't find it.-T

      1. dovetail97128 | Jun 04, 2008 05:41am | #33

        A tool used to pull T+G decking together, or a smaller version for pulling wall plates into alignment I think is what he is referring to. Deck puller as a 4' or so handle and a spike at the bottom of the handle, about 6" above the spike tip is a pivot point for a bar that has a hook on the end. To use it you hook the piece of decking with the hook bar , drop the handle so the spike gets a good bite on the deck and pull the handle back towards you . They can suck a 3" bow of of a piece of 2x decking in a heart beat. The wall pullers use the same principle but are just smaller. http://www.amazon.com/Qual-Craft-2610-Big-Pee-Vee/dp/B0000VUNUG

        They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

        1. Jim_Allen | Jun 04, 2008 07:05am | #35

          I only owned one peevee (back in the 80's) and I liked it. I didn't like that it torqued and twisted under load and when I ruined it over torguing it, I never replaced it. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

        2. Henley | Jun 04, 2008 02:27pm | #37

          Originally a Pee-Vee was a forestry tool. Used to load or roll logs
          into position.

          1. dovetail97128 | Jun 04, 2008 04:12pm | #38

            Yep!
            They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

          2. oldfred | Jun 04, 2008 07:38pm | #39

            I think your are referring to a Peavey, which was probably be the inspiration for the Pee-Vee.Company is still in business. http://www.peaveymfg.com/Oldfred

          3. Henley | Jun 05, 2008 02:24am | #40

            I stand corrected :)

          4. oldfred | Jun 05, 2008 07:06pm | #45

            Henley,
            You were close enough. Just responded in case you might want to check out the original. I still own, and use, a couple of the old Peaveys. I had never heard of the new Pee-Vees. Checked them out, and now I "need" one.
            oldfred

          5. Henley | Jun 06, 2008 09:34am | #46

            Yeah, I suddenly "need" one too...

      2. dovetail97128 | Jun 04, 2008 05:43am | #34

        here is a smaller version http://www.amazon.com/Trojan-Puller-20-Inch-Handle-PV-20/dp/B000JCJ9QA
        They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

  3. andyfew322 | Jun 01, 2008 05:13am | #4

    I would say my tapering jig for my TS. But haven't done a peice of furniture for a while...sigh

     

    there's no need to reinvent the wrench

  4. BUIC | Jun 01, 2008 07:38am | #5

    Pinch dogs,  weldon countersinks for aluminum,  dounut magnet called "jack rabbit" to magnatize any screwdriver,   mammoth jaws for my pipe clamps,  homemade scribe that takes a 3mm mechanical pencil,  offset aviation snips,  3" rasp that mounts on a jig saw like a blade,  a dozen different carbide burrs,  a stud crimper for metal,  7" circular saw blade shaped like a triangle for cutting curves,  rabbeting block plane,  studfinder made from rare earth magnets,  old style cast aluminum sheetrock foot lift used for lifting doors onto their hinges,  4" & 6" double squares,  1/2" three jaw chuck for my hammer drill,  square shank screw extractors.

       Nothing particularly exotic, but they help me get things done...buic

        

    1. sisyphus | Jun 02, 2008 06:40am | #13

      How happy are you with the triangular circular saw blade? I've wondered about them. How long they last? How well they cut? What sort of radii and thicknesses are realistic etc. ?

      1. BUIC | Jun 02, 2008 07:57pm | #16

          My blade is 25 years old!  It's been sharpened once.

          I use it mostly for things like a curved edge for a deck. It does a 2x easily.

          An outside radius of 18" and up is no problem. An inside radius has to be much larger or the backside of the blade messes up the cut as you're turning.

          The quality of the cut is good, but not perfect.  You need to move slowly and carefully.  It just needs a light sanding after.

          I've used it on b/c and c/d x plywood too with good results. I've never bothered to try it on a piece of good veneer ply, I don't think it would cut cleanly enough.     buic

        1. sisyphus | Jun 03, 2008 07:22am | #20

          Thanks!

  5. LeeLamb | Jun 01, 2008 02:46pm | #6

    A Roper Whitney punch.  I CANNOT work without one.  It is used for punching sheetmetal. Mine does  3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", and 9/32" round holes. My daughters got so used to using mine, they asked for their own when they adventured out and away from the nest.

    http://www.roperwhitney.com/punching/2-45.cfm

    Harbour Freight has a Chinese knockoff for one fourth the price, but the read-deal is sweet. My dad was a tinner and used it everyday. I inherited his and even though it is over 60 years old it is still better than the Chinese one I got to leave in my toolbox at work.

  6. Jer | Jun 01, 2008 04:27pm | #7

    My #93 shoulder plane
    Compass plane
    PLS laser
    My Stanley #71 hand router
    natural nagura stone

  7. lwj2 | Jun 01, 2008 04:33pm | #8

    Starrett machinist's square with protractor and centrefinding heads. I like the protractor head, it's easy reading and you can set accurate angles. The blades can be obtained in 1/8 - 1/64ths and in 1/100ths. The centrefinder is handy when doing lathe work.

    http://catalog.starrett.com/catalog/images/objects/1400/1370.jpg

    Brown & Sharpe 6-inch dial caliper -- the dial is a lot easier on older eyeballs -- bought it for $30 on e-bay at a time people weren't buying "furrin" stuff -- like Swiss made precision calipers.

    http://brownandsharpe.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/599-579-5.jpg

    Leon
  8. User avater
    Gunner | Jun 01, 2008 09:14pm | #9

        Here's one of several.

    http://phonegeek.stores.yahoo.net/bconcriminst.html

     

     

     

     

     


    Ghey unicorns????

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-VBpLQSPD8&feature=related

    1. Faulted1 | Jun 01, 2008 10:49pm | #10

      Is it acceptable for residential romex?

      1. User avater
        Gunner | Jun 01, 2008 11:17pm | #11

            It's not for Romex at all. It's for crimping B type or "Beanie" connectors on phone cables or alarm cables.

         

         

         

         

         

        Ghey unicorns????

         

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-VBpLQSPD8&feature=related

    2. User avater
      Luka | Jun 03, 2008 09:00pm | #24

      273 dollars for a pair of pliers.Imagine that !You must have been fresh off the turnip truck when they sold you that...;o)


      Politics: the blind insulting the blind.

      Click here for access to the Woodshed Tavern

      1. User avater
        Gunner | Jun 04, 2008 05:01am | #31

             They are UL rated. You have to use them when you are doing UL grade installs. I actually only paid $18.00 for them. One of those Ebay back door deals.

         

         

         

         

         

        Ghey unicorns????

         

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-VBpLQSPD8&feature=related

      2. User avater
        MarkH | Jun 04, 2008 02:21pm | #36

        You think that's bad? I paid over $1000 each for several crimp tools at work. Made by AMP. What's worse, they are a real pain to use. Glad it wasn't my money. Engineers picked out a connector style that could only be assembled with those tools.

  9. Jim_Allen | Jun 01, 2008 11:26pm | #12

    Framing square...otherwise known as a Speedier Square.

    Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

  10. ChicagoMike | Jun 02, 2008 07:49am | #14

    Plumb bob. Every time I break it out I get the "WTF" look. Or a water level.

     

    "It is what it is."

    1. arnemckinley | Jun 02, 2008 02:15pm | #15

      collins coping shoe, laser measuring device, mini vise grips, construction master pro trig, to name a few. i always carry a scissor clamp on my belt, it's like a third hand. i'm also a water level man. sometimes it's just faster than a transit and less room for error. 

      Every day is a gift, that's why it's called the present.

  11. mathewson | Jun 03, 2008 04:08am | #17

    Here's a few

    1. ChicagoMike | Jun 03, 2008 06:08am | #18

      Ok...now your'e just braggin'..............Yeah, I guess I am a lil' jealous. 

      "It is what it is."

      1. mathewson | Jun 03, 2008 06:39am | #19

        Yeah a bit. Tools are something of a hobby for me. I get a lot of pleasure out of using a well made tools.
        I don't drink, gamble, use drugs, etc. but I'm addicted to quality tools. Plus I get to write it off.

    2. sharpblade | Jun 03, 2008 04:32pm | #22

      Yes sirree.

    3. Shep | Jun 03, 2008 04:59pm | #23

      Nice selection of Lie-Nielsons. I'm definitely jealous.

      I've only got a few of their tools.

    4. timkline | Jun 05, 2008 04:06am | #41

      you've got my attention...

      what's the double knob job in the lower right corner of photo 1 ?

       carpenter in transition

      1. ChicagoMike | Jun 05, 2008 04:16am | #42

        "Double knob job"? Sounds fun...... 

        "It is what it is."

      2. mathewson | Jun 05, 2008 04:25am | #43

        It is a router plane. Like the name indicates it performs like a router. I use it for doing the rabbets on custom door jambs. After using the trenching stop on a sliding chopsaw I'll use the router to get the same size rabbet on all the legs. That way I don't have to measure each one. Threw in a couple of other views.

  12. sisyphus | Jun 03, 2008 07:32am | #21

    I actually have one of those kits. It was called a blind nailer IIRC. Tried it once 20 yrs ago seemed like a PITA.

    What I do find really usefull are vice-grip clamps with swivel pads attached. They hold material  I'm working on,  pieces together during assembly, or even drywall on to ceiling strapping while hanging. Fast, inexpensive, non marring and minimal adjustment for repetitive tasks.

  13. jrnbj | Jun 03, 2008 09:44pm | #25

    Yankee push drill....but the bits are hard to find these days

    1. doodabug | Jun 03, 2008 09:55pm | #26

      I think Garrett Wade has the bits for those.

    2. User avater
      IMERC | Jun 03, 2008 10:03pm | #27

      Veritas has them... 

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

      WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

      1. dovetail97128 | Jun 03, 2008 11:39pm | #28

        I have two spare sets, picked them up one day at a close out bin at a local hardware store.
        couple of bucks each I think.
        They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

        1. User avater
          IMERC | Jun 03, 2008 11:40pm | #29

          Ace still has them too... 

          Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

          WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    3. Alpinist | Jun 06, 2008 10:24am | #47

      I still have a Yankee, I find it great for certain jobs. Most folks now don't know what it is...

      1. Henley | Jun 06, 2008 02:53pm | #48

        Back in my "knockin around" Day's I showed up in a new place kind of
        down on my luck. No money and no contacts.
        Only work I could find right away was as a laborer.
        First day the boss hands me a screwdriver and a couple of cases of
        cover plates. "Go to it, and don't crack the plates" he Say's. I pull out my Yankee and put up a Mcmansions worth of plates by the end of the day.
        That garage sale tool got me a three dollar an hour raise and a spot
        on the finish crew! PS Alpinist- are you a climber or a skier?

  14. gordsco | Jun 04, 2008 03:28am | #30

    Digital Smart level, laser plumb bob, and a Starrett angle finder.

    I al so have a small scribe about the size of a regular pencil, it has a small magnet on one end. I use it all the time for fishing dropped screws, or things that fall into the small pockets of my tool belt.

     

    "Perfect is the enemy of Good."    Morrison

  15. MikeHennessy | Jun 05, 2008 03:20pm | #44

    Finally got a few minutes to drag the cam down to the shop. Here's a few that you won't find in every toolbox:

    A panel raiser, gooseneck and assorted mortise chisels, scraper burnisher, skew chisels, violin-maker's gouge, a wooden sash plane, a #81 scraping plane, a Record #45, a spokeshave, a nice woodie smoother, a radi-plane, a #271 router, a frame saw, a L-N dovetail saw, a Knight Toolworks custom convex sole woodie, a Record #43 plough, a Record rabbet plane, a L-N cab scraper plane and, oh yeah, an El Cheapo CS with a bowed fence. (But a nice Forrest blade. That makes up for it, right? <G>)

    View Image

    Mike Hennessy
    Pittsburgh, PA

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