Well, everytime I see a new tool, power or hand tool when Im at the local hardware store or specialty shop I gotta get it,lol.
My wife is getting ticked at how cramped the space is in my van and garage.
But you gotta admit, when you see a tool that can get the job done faster your tempted to get it. LOL
Heres ashort run down of just my install tools-not all were bought new, I love ebay!

well, I have a ton of hand tools, screwdrivers, chisels, hammers, jam saws, etc, and the like.

Hilte for the over the concrete jobs

Now for my air tools I have-
2 pancake compressors and 1 small double tank
2 15 gauge finish nailers
2 16 gauge finish nailers
2 18 gauge finish nailers
2 bostitch floor staplers-the best IMO!

1 Paslode 18 gauge - great for little jobs, you dont have to drag the freakin comp and lines with you! Need a little pice of trim done upstaris? Bam! Its done!

Saws-
10" & 12" Dewalts, 12' is sliding for the wide stuff
Milwaukee circular saw, and a nice 4" Milwauke circular, perfect for cutting in vents
2 cheapo table saws
2-Rotozips
Small crain under cutter
Toe Kick saw
Jig saw
and thats all I can think of right now,lol. I know I have alot more stuff Im forgetting about.

But anything that can make the install quicker, but also do a good job is a must for me, I work alone.

But Id like to hear from all the other contractors to see what they have hiding intheir vans and garage,lol.

And dont get me started on my sanding stuff, LOL!


Take care,
Mike

What.........no Fein Multimaster?!!!!!

You'll be amazed how often you'd use it.
It is one handy little rig.

Yup, The Fein is a sweet little tool. I just wish I could get my blades locally for those days when I can't seem to miss a nail to save my life.
Also, my magna shear saves me tons of time on engineered jobs. Put it right where you are making your cuts. No dust. No noise. Its money, pure and simple. Yeah, it costs too much. But it will never break, and there isn't anything to go wrong. Simple, and brutally efficient.

The Crain 812 is the last "Booyaaaa" tool that I bought. Paired up with the diamond blade, it is a munnymaker. My next present to myself will be a badass scroll saw. Its the only thing I don't have yet.

A must have:

http://www.powernail.com/model100.htm

The Power Jack. Bought ours years ago, cost about $200, but would buy one again tomorrow if something happened to it.

The only "MUST HAVE" tool on my truck is toilet paper

Try wipin your arse with a magna shear!!

Try cutting engineered with toilet paper....

I have a rag with urethane and mineral spirits on it somewhere, for that, if I get caught in a bind.

What thickness of engineered can the magna shear cut?....I like the idea of having it right there at the end of the run. Does it make clean cuts or does it mangle the waste piece?...

It cuts the blade side clean. It leaves the other side a bit punched. It remains good enuff for duty under the trim you are gonna install over it. It will cut a 3/4 in piece of solid oak if you make it.

It will happily chop through 9/16" engineered hickory. Mine is the old style mini, and cutting through 3/4 oak is do able, but I use my makita table saw for that stuff. But I have tools that I only use on solids, some on engineered, etc. So I don't mind that it is limited to just laminates and engineered wood. But to be fair, there has been quite a bit of buzz about the new Crain laminate cutter, it is a little less then half the money. Not sure if will make angled cuts, of 45 or 22.5. That would limit its appeal for me, but different strokes.....

I did a yahoo search for "magna shear" and came up empty, any idea where online I can take a peak at this thing?..My local distributor has them but they're tools are always overpriced.

They are not cheap, thats for sure. They are made by Bullett tools, but I'm not sure if I spelled the name right. Try it with one and two T's and see what turns up. A couple of the on line tool sales places have them. They now have three sizes, starting around 650 bucks.
I just was reading about the Crain tool, and it only cuts laminate, but never needs sharpening..

Thanks SK.

Sean, Its called Magnum Shear. I was just looking at them last week.

Now they have 4 sizes, the smallest is called an X-9 I think, 9" blade but won't cut thicker than 7/16". My Distributer wants 399.00 for that one.

I think I will wait and get the 13" Mini like Steve has.

Steve, will that Mini work good on the 5/8" Kahrs Woodloc or a 5/8" Bamboo?? My guy wants 599.00 for the Mini Magnum.

Thanks, Jerry