One of the most valuable tools you’ve demonstrated for a long time is humility. The ability to admit you may have been wrong and therefore to continue learning is priceless. Thank you!
Alongside humility, I would add ‘encouragement’. I still remember over half a century ago being SO upset, because I couldn’t do stuff. A wise and encouraging man recognized the pivotal moment. He told me ‘there are many things that you cannot do now, that you will be able to do In the future; if you persevere…’. The way we speak to youngsters in the trades, has the potential to encourage, or to discourage them. Being empty of encouragement; well, that’s’ s a deadly place. We don’t make ourselves stronger, by making other people weaker. Thanks guys.
What’s important here is acknowledging being stuck and not acknowledging being wrong. This is an act of recognizing and owning one’s shared humanity. A being freed of having to be right or prove that you know. Thus freed, to contribute what you can now see. This looks like humility and is perhaps more powerfully seen as an expression of a newfound freedom. Sharing this provides space for others to notice and unhook from where we find ourselves bound to the past and is a very generous act indeed.
Of all my UA-cam rabbit holes this channel is one of my favorite algorithm return of interestments of all time. What better than a man enthusiastic about his tools.
I worked my whole electrical career on step ladders and I scoffed at podium style ladders. But I bought one for my friend so she could change the lamps in the hi-hats and dust her ceiling fans more safely. I showed her how to use it. Holy moly I was hooked. Podium style ladders are fantastic where you can use them. It’s like staging.
Tried one and I never got used to it. I stand on the top two rungs like you’re not supposed too often enough to where I need them. Each time I had a podium style I would almost trip trying to climb to the top rung. But as far as just working off of the podium and that step only, they are a game changer
I believe what I bought for my friend was a Gorilla ladder from Home Depot or Lowes. It was of stout build and had a high weight capacity. Surely good enough for home duty and lightweight construction. It folds thin. Now keep in mind on construction sites I was most comfortable illegally strattling the top plate with one foot on the top step and one on the rung in the back. And I was totally comfortable standing on the top of an 8’ or 10’ step ladder. 12’ footers sway and are hairy so not so much of them. Anyways, these ladders with the platform and leaning bar are the safest ladders out there. Commercial grade will cost more.
@krenwregget7667 Aluminum, summed up in single word, sucks. Sure they are light and cheap, but they are also unstable and not safe. My safety and increased comfort is priceless.
My wife signed me up on her UA-cam account (prob cuz I’m too dumb to do it myself). Anyway, I’ve really appreciated all the encouragement and advice I’ve received on your channel over the past five years or so. My dad passed away recently, and I shed tears when you were talking about your dad’s response to the podium ladder. My dad was the greatest carpenter I ever knew, and we built many projects together. I know that I will see him again someday, but I greatly miss him. -David Wood, Jr.
I feel your pain and sorrow miss my Dad to worked with him a lot they were some of the hardest days I spent working in my life,but I would trade nearly everything I have and to work and sweat and freeze beside him again. Someday I hope to as well.
Honestly one of my favorite things about the Tajima boxes is that you can buy replacement parts for them and fix them up instead of simply replacing the whole shebang
I cant stand when you gotta replace a tool when 96% of it is perfectly fine but you just can't get parts, even if its cheap to replace, just feels bad to toss it.
Tajima chalk box…. Love mine. I got one early on and never looked back. Titanium framing hammer… I wish I had gotten one much sooner. But I’m glad I switched over. Truss locks. They saved so much time setting rafters once I had them. Stabila telescoping plate level. Man we used that all the time. PLS self leveling laser that fit in a pocket on my tool belt. I got that later in my career but sure was handy when running a crew and checking the plumb on corners. Impact driver. Needs no explanation A 2 step, 2 sided step ladder. Man those are so handy to have around.. from changing that light bulb you just can’t quite reach or getting into the engine bay on my 7.3 powerstroke…. That thing gets used a lot! Those are just a few off the top of my head but looking back, I don’t regret spending a few more dollars to get the better tools. One thing I should have bought was a telehandler and basket. Those are so handy on a job site.
I really like their caulking guns too, have the heavy duty one, lol if you had ever told me I’d own a $50 caulking gun I’d say you were crazy. Yet here I am with my $50 caulking gun.
I had a contractor helping me with a demo on my house prior to a remodel. We needed to cut through some 2X10's that we were removing. I came with my electric chainsaw and he looked at me with a sceptical look. After I cut through a half dozen 2X10's, he said "I'm gonna have to get me one of those." Thanks for the video
I lightly scoffed when my dad got an electric chainsaw a few years back. We have multiple gas chainsaws that’ll tackle cords of wood daily if need be. However, every time I’m down at his place and need to cut a few branches or clear some brush, it’s that electric saw that I grab. It won’t replace the big saws we have, but it sure is great for the lighter jobs!
Looks great for camping trips as well , or , for 4 wheeling / trail use . They make DC -dc chargers so you can charge the batteries from your vehicle 12 volt system without an inverter and charger or generator . Most tool manufacturers make and sell vehicle chargers using dc-dc tech for their batteries , although they do not widely advertise them and most retailers do not carry them as normal stock .
My dad was convinced when he got the cordless makita circular saw, the new motor and battery tech is so good now. The chainsaw was his next upgrade after being tired of gas and oil in his truck
For a homeowner the DeWalt 60V chainsaw was a game changer. I would spend more time trying to start and keep a gas chainsaw running then I spent actually using it. When I grab it after a year of storage when a tree falls down, it's nice not to have to struggle with that.
For shorter, everyday carpentry I LOVE my Shinwa chalk lines. They use a very sharp pin that you can stick anywhere and pull in any direction, unlike a hook. The string is very thin and makes a super clear, fine line. And they automatically retract via a spring. For anything under 30’ they are amazing.
As an arborist I get around to various locations. One of my regular customers has a podium ladder. It is ideal in small and medium size tree pruning! I bought one at Walmart that was a near miss. Nope! I took it back. It's best to spend on a good quality ladder! Also I got the battery powered chain saw. For one thing it works quietly. Some pruning I do is at medical offices. And I don't have to wait till after hours to do the chain saw work. My saw is quiet. In my case it is a Dewalt. These come is at least two sizes.
In other brands there is a very small model that is held with only one hand. Besides that size, there are various different bar sizes, depending on brand - so it’s a bit more than two sizes. There are also some that use the single 18V/20V battery, and some that use batteries with double that voltage (in this category, two of those lower voltage batteries might be used, or a single battery with double the voltage). And we didn’t mention pole pruners …
Similar to the work platform ladder is the 20” work platform also known as a painting bench. There are 2 foot step ladders but there are times that a 20” work platform, with it larger platform, is a safer tool to use than the short step ladder. I use my work platforms for more tasks than painting.
I would humbly add the Tajima or Olfa utility knives. I moved from Florida to Europe and the guys here exclusively use those. It took me a long time to give up my old Stanley box cutter, but i’m glad I did. I use the Olfa OL with “carpet tuck tool” on the end. Not only is it easy to change a blade with no tools, but you can snap off a tiny piece and have a sharp tip, or extend the whole thing and have around 4” blade to use. The carpet tuck tool on the end is just a 1” steel piece that I use for dozens of random things daily to scrape, or pry. Give it a shot! Or don’t , because what you use is better 😂 we all know the feeling.
The black olfa blades are the sharpest things I've ever held. They also last a long time. I install ceilings and those cut ACT tiles like butter. Good for dence fiberglass panels also
I laughed out loud for real. Dads... gotta love 'em! My dad always wanted a boat, so I bought him a nice aluminum boat with an outboard. He never used it & later sold it.
😂😂😂 When I quit contracting and took over the family ranch every day was like a wrestling match. He just couldn’t understand the things I wanted to improve upon. But since mom passed he remarried and has something to distract him now. 😂. When they go traveling I call it my vacation.
I’ve had my Makita electric chain saw for about 3 years and have been amazed by not only what it can cut but how quiet it is doing it. Unless you need to use a chainsaw every day or are working with big logs, this guy gets the job done faster, quieter, cleaner and (I feel) safer.
If there's one thing I dearly wish I'd had in the forty years I spent as a toolmaker - starting in 1967 - it would be cut-off wheels. Granted I worked with metal rather than wood, but I can't think of any new tool that has been more of a game changer for me. I also love the Chinesium tools from Wish and Bangood. I am better equipped now in retirement, than I was when Ford paid for my tools, and they have nearly all been perfectly usable. Full disclosure, I bought a 200mm Mitutoyo knock-off that stopped working after six months, and a 0-25mm and a 25mm to 50mm micrometers that read 2/100ths out end to end of their travel.
Makita Electric Chain Saw - I had for my first real Logging experience this fall while clear cutting a power line right of way (White oak trees mostly). I used it and a new Gas powered Stihl and found I preferred the Makita for most applications. Limbing and removing the crowns especially.
Its wild how light and powerful they are getting. Wasn't that long ago that even corded would be quite heavy and now we got cordless versions that are pretty light even with batteries.
I hope you can make a lot more of these videos about tools we need. I’ve been a carpenter since 1993 and I don’t have any of those. Definitely looking into them
I added a battery-powered chainsaw to my arsenal a few years back and I have never regretted it for a minute. I was hesitant as well, but hanging it the tree branches, pruning or trimming, the fact that it stops the second you release the trigger, is a game changer. No more idling, sometimes rolling saw in your offhand! It's truly a marvel. Whatever brand you buy, get one! You can thank EC later.
I have a black and decker chainsaw that uses 20v batteries. I've cut down walnuts trees, pine, fruit trees, and it has seen 8 years of abuse, still works great. Sure it's underpowered for some things and not the fastest but with a sharp chain it will get the task done.
Track saw, multi tool ( which fein has been around for decades, almost bought one 25 years ago) and the podiums are sweet, you just need them in specific heights.
You can get adjustable platform ladders (that’s what we call them in Australia) that are heavy but versatile. Extension and step ladders are banned on commercial building sites over here.
Great to see the “Roofus” on the list. I was fortunate enough to see the inventor of it progress through his many prototypes to the one you have there. Unfortunately as with anything his design is being stolen by foreign company’s who have copied this square. Do yourself a favour if you’re in the need for a square that will change the way you work forever. Buy from the manufacturer himself. Can’t speak highly enough of the tool. What a game changer. 👌
Great video as usual. Tajima chalk lines and electric chainsaws are great, as is your openness to new and potentially better tools and methods. You may already be aware, but the chain on your saw needs tightening
Being open to new things and giving them a shot is something everyone should work on. Not everything is for everyone and we all feel differently but if you are so closed minded that you won't even try then eventually you are just making life harder for yourself. Great video!
I absolutely love my Makita chainsaw, and glad you featured it. Makita is a solid brand that focuses on quality when everyone else seems to care about speed and power.
the best thing I bought was a battery operated hand drill and a GPS for my truck. I enjoy watching you do things around the house and shop, reminds me when I had a farm.
One of my favorite tools I wish I bought years ago is the QC-Mate by XBoom. It is an Irwin quick clamp specifically designed for hydraulic lines. WOW, does it make putting implements on my tractor/loader/backhoe a breeze.
The tajima chalk box you have the "dura" i believe also has an onboard cord replacement tool. On the lower right side its a tool to help thread the new cord through the opening which has a felt o ring to keep chalk spilling to a minimum. The teade off is that passing a new cord becomes tough the tool is a wire "needle threader". Might be worth checking it out
Even though they take a lot less attention, don't forget to keep the chain tension on any chainsaw adjusted correctly. (looks too loose from the video)
Holy cow, thats a great list. As a surveyor, engineer and hobby woodworker, id love to have one of those roofist angle tools. I could have really used that a ton over the years. I cant wait to see one come to market. And if i could get my hands on one for prototype, id design a modified and better one and manufacture right here in the US. And you saved the best for last. That ladder. Ive never seen one before. And while im often an old school kermudgeon who doesnt adapt to new stuff, as an older dude in my 50s, i can absolutely see the safety value in that platform. Although i have plenty of ladders, Ill be looking to invest in one of these soon. Thank you for bringing these to the table to share. ❤❤❤
I have used those chalk boxes for many years now and the best thing to use is a fluorescent orange caulk ! For that new tri Square buy a tri Square holder for your pouches they work great
I have a cordless pole saw (also a makita 36v) and THAT is a huge force multiplier vs the wired or powered variant. With the battery pod being in the rear it balances really nicely and makes tree limb cutting a breeze, especially since the blade stops instantly. I can do super precise cuts super close to the trunk near other branches i don't want to cut without fear of snagging or damaging the tree pointlessly. The previous variations cannot even so much as hold a feather compared to the battery variant, honestly, the powered variant now seems like a bad joke.
I have to agree with your assessment on that ladder. I used one recently and thought it was a game changer. Werner®️ builds an orchard ladder or 3 legged ladder. I use it for the outside of houses that I’m working on where the ground may not be level. They’re incredible too.
Tajimas are the best I've found. The .5mm ones are great for fine cuts and the 1mm never breaks. Every other chalk line seems to jam or the line snaps within the first week. Now if I could only find a good tacker. The first DeWalt carbon fiber tacker I bought lasted for a couple years but the last 4 I bought have all jammed up and the last one seized on day 1
First of all I am not a professional carpenter but I have participated in building several houses, sheds, decks etc and after using tool belts for decades I finally added a broad shoulder strap suspenders set up to my buckaro-type belt…..finally comfort. Now if I can only modify it to more comfortably support my 14 lb 5 string banjo my life wii be complete.
7:12 i have that platform attachment (i forget the brand, it's long gone, but it's actually made in US, bought it on your side of the pond when i was there for work) that you see sometimes and that one's really good too, especially because it transforms ANY ladder into a platform ladder. If there's one thing i hate about ladder work is the pain that comes with sitting on those narrow steps. Especially on the super tall ones that use round pegs because they're more structural than square or wide ones. Those are absolute killers for your feet. But chuck the platform on, any place you want and you're set. And it's safer too, because i've had it when i was on uneven terrain and had to juggle the ladder's feet on rocks or bricks and i fell. Where as with the normal ladder you have your feet mid way stuck in the frame, with this, you fall, and you can actually secure your landing (well, while i'm still young-ish). Being out of the ladder you have time to think. I heartily recommend that attachment. Super useful and not just for sitting on. Because you can buy two and have a platform for all your tools - i don't have one yet, but i've used the platform for that whenever i wanted to save trips up and down the thing.
if you're already in a battery line but don't necessarily want to invest in a battery chainsaw, a modern battery sawzall is a very fun intermediate step that can get serious work done both in the brush and in construction.
I always hate spending money on chalk boxes because I abuse them and they stop working in a few months. But that Tajima you showed... wow, I can feel the quality through my screen. Gonna have to get me one!
Tajima makes an ink filled one also that's great for wet work. I have had and profusely used mine for 15 years. Never had a problem with it.@@riverbuilder2251
Best box hands down. I like the thin line version. Super crisp clean lines with no fluff and less sag on the line when snapping long on a wall. It's perfection
My Dad was the same, many things I bought him are still new in the box! I bought a corded chainsaw many years ago, found it far more handy even with the cord so now I have cordless and unless I was felling in the deep forest, I can't concur enough on the utility of one! And now I must get a podium ladder, I see where I have neglected a better ladder to work from!
Make sure to get the ladder where the cross piece is pushed forward from the platform like this one. It gives you better working spce. I worked on ladders for 20 years and these Werner platforms are the best step out there.
Every major cordless tool brands has their take on a cordless chainsaw . This is great since you don't have to aquire a different charger and spare batteries specific to the saw if you are already invested in a particular system . In your case it is Makita . But Milwaukee, DeWalt , and others , make their own for their platforms . I don't own a cordless chainsaw , but I'm looking hard at them , and I will probably get a DeWalt since that's the system I have .
Tajima chalk lines are good and you can buy them with different thickness lines, 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.8mm and 2.8mm (0.02 in - 0.1 in) I have a Chalk-Rite Ultra-Thin filled with blue Micro Chalk for drywall (don't use oxide or snap line dye on drywall, it can bleed through the paint if not sealed correctly) and a Chalk-Rite Dura filled with black Snap Line Dye for marking out on concrete. The Line Dye is hydrophobic and lasts a long time on a slab.
Tajima also makes a good auto retraction utility knife. Okay, maybe a little loose but i had to tape it together to tighten it by the end. I use it for hook blades to strip cable
After much deliberation I sprang for the Occidental stronghold leather comfort belt for my full leather setup and man oh man do I like it. Similar in concept to the buckaroo just WAY better looking and without the plastic (I believe the buckaroo has some synthetics in it?).
For me the 4' double sided Werner aluminum step ladder is the one to beat. If you only have one ladder, this is the one. Straddle it, stand on the top platform, carry it with one hand, & it stands up by itself when folded. The only thing it doesn't do well is lean against a wall. I have three. I have a Tajima utility knife but the blade doesn't project very far, so it's third tier.
I totally love my Harbor Freight 80 volt Atlas chainsaw! Unlike my crappy Stihl MS 250s, it always starts. With an extra battery, I can get through a ton of work.
I always love a new tool, but the platform ladder really is a game changer. Since my 50's I've used one exclusively for anything I can, and the incredible stability and comfort is impossible to convey in words, but if you try it ONCE you will understand.
Ive the 18v Dewalt chainsaw(54v was out of stock or id have got it) it'll never replace a petrol but it wasn't meant to. Very usefull occasional tool. Theyre relatively cheap n versatile
I own a geared Tajima chalk box. It was quite pricey compared to my usual Irwin boxes. I loved it until the gear jammed and I had to take the box apart to fix it. I don't know how they managed to make a chalk box that complicated. Getting all the interior pieces back together and closing the case took forever. It's fixed, and I still own it, but I've gone back to Irwin. They're much less expensive and, like you, when one stops working I toss it. It doesn't happen that often and it's not a big problem for me.
I’ll agree with you on the Tajima chalk line, I bought one 3 1/2 years ago. I’m still using it. They make one that has a pin built in where you can stick it in something to hook the hook on ,but I haven’t got that model. I have an echo 56 V cordless chainsaw. That’s pretty impressive too.
Maybe I'm a bit late, but with the tajima , when you are attaching the hook to the body, if you put the end hook side out. It allows the little tab on the cap to go right through the end and really grab on. 👍🏻 I've never had any luck with the hooks going into that little slot.. on the other models (the all aluminum powder coat ones) they only have the tab on the lid and IMO have always held the end better
There are several versions of the roofus square but I've only found metric. But I can speak metric too so it's not a huge problem. I suppose one could scribe a few inch marks if absolutely necessary.
First time I've seen a Podium ladder. My first thoughts are "it's 3 feet too tall for how useful it is!" My second thought was, that it needs 2 flip-across steps built into the c-channel of the sides. That way you still get the security of the platform to stand on, but if you want the extra 2 feet of height, flip flip and you've got 2 more steps that flip down and lock onto support pins on the far side.
The Tajima line is the thing. I’ve put their replacement line in other chalk lines and got the fine lines that they’re famous for. How useful is a line of chalk that’s 3/16” wide. My first Tajima had 25 feet of automatic rewind and a sharp pin/plug instead of a hook. I called it Samurai chalk line what with a needle point coming your way fast!
I got a garage w 13 ft ceilings and I use that height. Got a little giant extendable podium ladder w a painters add-on. It’s quite stable, even has wheels though they need a pretty shallow angle to use- not good inside. I had to measure this all out, height w me, and storage height . They have many models. The old ladder is rarely used and feels even more unsafe than it did before.
Ive been a carpenter for about 15 yrs now. One tool ive been carrying that others may not is a good linesman plier. Super handy for tying wire, pulling a staple, cutting random thicker things my knife cant, presise light hammering that a full size hammer would destroy, exc. Guys will give me crap for having it in my bags, then ask to use it lol
One of the most valuable tools you’ve demonstrated for a long time is humility. The ability to admit you may have been wrong and therefore to continue learning is priceless. Thank you!
Absolutely. Couldn’t agree more.
Alongside humility, I would add ‘encouragement’. I still remember over half a century ago being SO upset, because I couldn’t do stuff. A wise and encouraging man recognized the pivotal moment. He told me ‘there are many things that you cannot do now, that you will be able to do In the future; if you persevere…’.
The way we speak to youngsters in the trades, has the potential to encourage, or to discourage them. Being empty of encouragement; well, that’s’ s a deadly place. We don’t make ourselves stronger, by making other people weaker. Thanks guys.
The day you think you know it all is the day you need to start pushing daisies
RESPECT
What’s important here is acknowledging being stuck and not acknowledging being wrong. This is an act of recognizing and owning one’s shared humanity. A being freed of having to be right or prove that you know. Thus freed, to contribute what you can now see. This looks like humility and is perhaps more powerfully seen as an expression of a newfound freedom. Sharing this provides space for others to notice and unhook from where we find ourselves bound to the past and is a very generous act indeed.
Of all my UA-cam rabbit holes this channel is one of my favorite algorithm return of interestments of all time. What better than a man enthusiastic about his tools.
I worked my whole electrical career on step ladders and I scoffed at podium style ladders. But I bought one for my friend so she could change the lamps in the hi-hats and dust her ceiling fans more safely. I showed her how to use it. Holy moly I was hooked. Podium style ladders are fantastic where you can use them. It’s like staging.
Tried one and I never got used to it. I stand on the top two rungs like you’re not supposed too often enough to where I need them. Each time I had a podium style I would almost trip trying to climb to the top rung. But as far as just working off of the podium and that step only, they are a game changer
Right? It's like a mini-scaffold.
only problem is that the 3' version is a whopping $670 CND. I can get TWO 3' aluminum ponies for $150.
I believe what I bought for my friend was a Gorilla ladder from Home Depot or Lowes. It was of stout build and had a high weight capacity. Surely good enough for home duty and lightweight construction. It folds thin. Now keep in mind on construction sites I was most comfortable illegally strattling the top plate with one foot on the top step and one on the rung in the back. And I was totally comfortable standing on the top of an 8’ or 10’ step ladder. 12’ footers sway and are hairy so not so much of them.
Anyways, these ladders with the platform and leaning bar are the safest ladders out there.
Commercial grade will cost more.
@krenwregget7667 Aluminum, summed up in single word, sucks. Sure they are light and cheap, but they are also unstable and not safe. My safety and increased comfort is priceless.
My wife signed me up on her UA-cam account (prob cuz I’m too dumb to do it myself). Anyway, I’ve really appreciated all the encouragement and advice I’ve received on your channel over the past five years or so. My dad passed away recently, and I shed tears when you were talking about your dad’s response to the podium ladder. My dad was the greatest carpenter I ever knew, and we built many projects together. I know that I will see him again someday, but I greatly miss him. -David Wood, Jr.
RESPECT!
I feel your pain and sorrow miss my Dad to worked with him a lot they were some of the hardest days I spent working in my life,but I would trade nearly everything I have and to work and sweat and freeze beside him again. Someday I hope to as well.
Honestly one of my favorite things about the Tajima boxes is that you can buy replacement parts for them and fix them up instead of simply replacing the whole shebang
Very good point
I cant stand when you gotta replace a tool when 96% of it is perfectly fine but you just can't get parts, even if its cheap to replace, just feels bad to toss it.
Love my tajima box. Same he showed
Thanks for sharing, I didn't know they did parts! Yay
@@miles11we I usually ended up saving them for parts, but rarely ever used any parts off of them .What clutter!
😅😅😅😅😢 I’m not 😮😊😊😅😅😅😅 1:03 😅😅😅😅But
Tajima chalk box…. Love mine. I got one early on and never looked back.
Titanium framing hammer… I wish I had gotten one much sooner. But I’m glad I switched over.
Truss locks. They saved so much time setting rafters once I had them.
Stabila telescoping plate level. Man we used that all the time.
PLS self leveling laser that fit in a pocket on my tool belt. I got that later in my career but sure was handy when running a crew and checking the plumb on corners.
Impact driver. Needs no explanation
A 2 step, 2 sided step ladder. Man those are so handy to have around.. from changing that light bulb you just can’t quite reach or getting into the engine bay on my 7.3 powerstroke…. That thing gets used a lot!
Those are just a few off the top of my head but looking back, I don’t regret spending a few more dollars to get the better tools.
One thing I should have bought was a telehandler and basket. Those are so handy on a job site.
I have ever one of the things you listed here and you are absolutely correct they are all invaluable tools.
I like your list
I really like their caulking guns too, have the heavy duty one, lol if you had ever told me I’d own a $50 caulking gun I’d say you were crazy. Yet here I am with my $50 caulking gun.
A buckaroo belt is honestly the best thing I've bought over the past 5 years. Truly a step change in comfort. Keep up the good work
I had a contractor helping me with a demo on my house prior to a remodel. We needed to cut through some 2X10's that we were removing. I came with my electric chainsaw and he looked at me with a sceptical look. After I cut through a half dozen 2X10's, he said "I'm gonna have to get me one of those."
Thanks for the video
I lightly scoffed when my dad got an electric chainsaw a few years back. We have multiple gas chainsaws that’ll tackle cords of wood daily if need be. However, every time I’m down at his place and need to cut a few branches or clear some brush, it’s that electric saw that I grab. It won’t replace the big saws we have, but it sure is great for the lighter jobs!
Looks great for camping trips as well , or , for 4 wheeling / trail use .
They make DC -dc chargers so you can charge the batteries from your vehicle 12 volt system without an inverter and charger or generator .
Most tool manufacturers make and sell vehicle chargers using dc-dc tech for their batteries , although they do not widely advertise them and most retailers do not carry them as normal stock .
Got the same Makita chainsaw….you couldn’t have said it better. 10 years ago I’d have never believed a cordless chainsaw could be a worthy tool.
My dad was convinced when he got the cordless makita circular saw, the new motor and battery tech is so good now. The chainsaw was his next upgrade after being tired of gas and oil in his truck
Couldn’t agree more with your concept of keeping and open mind and trying new things as you get older!
Noticed that tajima on the table right away. Tajima lines are the best out there. Been using them for years
For a homeowner the DeWalt 60V chainsaw was a game changer. I would spend more time trying to start and keep a gas chainsaw running then I spent actually using it. When I grab it after a year of storage when a tree falls down, it's nice not to have to struggle with that.
You, sir, and your channel are one of the reason that make UA-cam great. Thank you, from long time subscriber. Crackerjack.
my favourite is the windbag for hanging doors wish i had it years ago... keep up the great work
For shorter, everyday carpentry I LOVE my Shinwa chalk lines. They use a very sharp pin that you can stick anywhere and pull in any direction, unlike a hook. The string is very thin and makes a super clear, fine line. And they automatically retract via a spring. For anything under 30’ they are amazing.
I also use one for fine work.
At our age the podium ladders are really nice...should have got one years ago! TY
As an arborist I get around to various locations. One of my regular customers has a podium ladder. It is ideal in small and medium size tree pruning! I bought one at Walmart that was a near miss. Nope! I took it back. It's best to spend on a good quality ladder!
Also I got the battery powered chain saw. For one thing it works quietly. Some pruning I do is at medical offices. And I don't have to wait till after hours to do the chain saw work. My saw is quiet. In my case it is a Dewalt. These come is at least two sizes.
In other brands there is a very small model that is held with only one hand. Besides that size, there are various different bar sizes, depending on brand - so it’s a bit more than two sizes. There are also some that use the single 18V/20V battery, and some that use batteries with double that voltage (in this category, two of those lower voltage batteries might be used, or a single battery with double the voltage).
And we didn’t mention pole pruners …
Similar to the work platform ladder is the 20” work platform also known as a painting bench. There are 2 foot step ladders but there are times that a 20” work platform, with it larger platform, is a safer tool to use than the short step ladder. I use my work platforms for more tasks than painting.
They make fantastic low benches for some rough carpentry tasks if you're 6' tall like me
3:25 for my layout box. I do commercial layout. I have each one of their boxes and the color chalk to match. I use the white chalk the most
That Buckaroo belt looks like it would make an awesome survival kit.
Long time retired from carpentry. Had a custom cabinetry shop, made furniture too. Miss it all everyday!
I would humbly add the Tajima or Olfa utility knives. I moved from Florida to Europe and the guys here exclusively use those. It took me a long time to give up my old Stanley box cutter, but i’m glad I did. I use the Olfa OL with “carpet tuck tool” on the end. Not only is it easy to change a blade with no tools, but you can snap off a tiny piece and have a sharp tip, or extend the whole thing and have around 4” blade to use. The carpet tuck tool on the end is just a 1” steel piece that I use for dozens of random things daily to scrape, or pry. Give it a shot! Or don’t , because what you use is better 😂 we all know the feeling.
The black olfa blades are the sharpest things I've ever held. They also last a long time. I install ceilings and those cut ACT tiles like butter. Good for dence fiberglass panels also
Cut myself with an Olfa blade and it was clean. Those blades easily cut deep and are quick to change once dull.
I used one to cut the 2" foam insulation panels clean through. No way could my Stanley do that, the blade is way too short.
The podium ladder really is a worthwhile thing! Took me a while to come around also.
I laughed out loud for real. Dads... gotta love 'em! My dad always wanted a boat, so I bought him a nice aluminum boat with an outboard. He never used it & later sold it.
😂😂😂
When I quit contracting and took over the family ranch every day was like a wrestling match. He just couldn’t understand the things I wanted to improve upon.
But since mom passed he remarried and has something to distract him now. 😂. When they go traveling I call it my vacation.
I’ve had my Makita electric chain saw for about 3 years and have been amazed by not only what it can cut but how quiet it is doing it. Unless you need to use a chainsaw every day or are working with big logs, this guy gets the job done faster, quieter, cleaner and (I feel) safer.
Ditto ! I have 4 different versions and I hardly ever use my gas versions.
If there's one thing I dearly wish I'd had in the forty years I spent as a toolmaker - starting in 1967 - it would be cut-off wheels. Granted I worked with metal rather than wood, but I can't think of any new tool that has been more of a game changer for me. I also love the Chinesium tools from Wish and Bangood. I am better equipped now in retirement, than I was when Ford paid for my tools, and they have nearly all been perfectly usable. Full disclosure, I bought a 200mm Mitutoyo knock-off that stopped working after six months, and a 0-25mm and a 25mm to 50mm micrometers that read 2/100ths out end to end of their travel.
Thanks!
Makita Electric Chain Saw - I had for my first real Logging experience this fall while clear cutting a power line right of way (White oak trees mostly). I used it and a new Gas powered Stihl and found I preferred the Makita for most applications. Limbing and removing the crowns especially.
Its wild how light and powerful they are getting. Wasn't that long ago that even corded would be quite heavy and now we got cordless versions that are pretty light even with batteries.
I hope you can make a lot more of these videos about tools we need. I’ve been a carpenter since 1993 and I don’t have any of those. Definitely looking into them
I have that 2 battery chainsaw and it's excellent, highly recommend it
Those.pouches are occidental!!! And they are amazing!! Worth every penny!!
@ianjay4595 check out Obvious Tools, from Australia. Best nail bag rig I've worn in 40 years.
I added a battery-powered chainsaw to my arsenal a few years back and I have never regretted it for a minute. I was hesitant as well, but hanging it the tree branches, pruning or trimming, the fact that it stops the second you release the trigger, is a game changer. No more idling, sometimes rolling saw in your offhand! It's truly a marvel. Whatever brand you buy, get one! You can thank EC later.
Even a cheap Bauer one is more effective than a gas saw that you have to keep tuning up.
you watch, he'll be the first boomer to get an electric truck too 🤣
I have a black and decker chainsaw that uses 20v batteries. I've cut down walnuts trees, pine, fruit trees, and it has seen 8 years of abuse, still works great. Sure it's underpowered for some things and not the fastest but with a sharp chain it will get the task done.
Track saw, multi tool ( which fein has been around for decades, almost bought one 25 years ago) and the podiums are sweet, you just need them in specific heights.
You can get adjustable platform ladders (that’s what we call them in Australia) that are heavy but versatile. Extension and step ladders are banned on commercial building sites over here.
Great to see the “Roofus” on the list. I was fortunate enough to see the inventor of it progress through his many prototypes to the one you have there. Unfortunately as with anything his design is being stolen by foreign company’s who have copied this square. Do yourself a favour if you’re in the need for a square that will change the way you work forever. Buy from the manufacturer himself. Can’t speak highly enough of the tool. What a game changer. 👌
Out of stock... darn
My TAJIMA chalk box has been absolutely bulletproof for years. I had to re-tie the hook one. No snarls, never broken the line.
what size TAJIMA do you recommend?
I love my 36v Makita chainsaw and circular saw. Makita's drywall saw changed my life. The right tool makes all the difference in the world!
Great video as usual. Tajima chalk lines and electric chainsaws are great, as is your openness to new and potentially better tools and methods. You may already be aware, but the chain on your saw needs tightening
Being open to new things and giving them a shot is something everyone should work on. Not everything is for everyone and we all feel differently but if you are so closed minded that you won't even try then eventually you are just making life harder for yourself. Great video!
After an eye injuries i like the podium ladder, ill get one soon thanks
Thanks for all the videos. Always learn something different. Got 2 podium 3 and 4 steps love them more the older I get
I absolutely love my Makita chainsaw, and glad you featured it.
Makita is a solid brand that focuses on quality when everyone else seems to care about speed and power.
Podium ladders are a game changer. A lot easier on your feet and legs.
My Essential Philosopher, thanks for your videos
the best thing I bought was a battery operated hand drill and a GPS for my truck. I enjoy watching you do things around the house and shop, reminds me when I had a farm.
Thanks for sharing. Of those tools I have the ladder. I completely agree with you.
This is THE best channel for tool endorsements.
The roofus is a fantastic tool! I’ve found many uses for it as a plumber
One of my favorite tools I wish I bought years ago is the QC-Mate by XBoom. It is an Irwin quick clamp specifically designed for hydraulic lines. WOW, does it make putting implements on my tractor/loader/backhoe a breeze.
The tajima chalk box you have the "dura" i believe also has an onboard cord replacement tool. On the lower right side its a tool to help thread the new cord through the opening which has a felt o ring to keep chalk spilling to a minimum. The teade off is that passing a new cord becomes tough the
tool is a wire "needle threader". Might be worth checking it out
Even though they take a lot less attention, don't forget to keep the chain tension on any chainsaw adjusted correctly. (looks too loose from the video)
I have a couple of cordless chain saws, both run on gas. (/s) I also have some cordless screwdrivers, I turn them by hand. (/s)
lol I always call them indoor chainsaws
Holy cow, thats a great list. As a surveyor, engineer and hobby woodworker, id love to have one of those roofist angle tools. I could have really used that a ton over the years. I cant wait to see one come to market. And if i could get my hands on one for prototype, id design a modified and better one and manufacture right here in the US.
And you saved the best for last. That ladder. Ive never seen one before. And while im often an old school kermudgeon who doesnt adapt to new stuff, as an older dude in my 50s, i can absolutely see the safety value in that platform. Although i have plenty of ladders, Ill be looking to invest in one of these soon.
Thank you for bringing these to the table to share. ❤❤❤
I have used those chalk boxes for many years now and the best thing to use is a fluorescent orange caulk ! For that new tri Square buy a tri Square holder for your pouches they work great
I have a cordless pole saw (also a makita 36v) and THAT is a huge force multiplier vs the wired or powered variant. With the battery pod being in the rear it balances really nicely and makes tree limb cutting a breeze, especially since the blade stops instantly. I can do super precise cuts super close to the trunk near other branches i don't want to cut without fear of snagging or damaging the tree pointlessly. The previous variations cannot even so much as hold a feather compared to the battery variant, honestly, the powered variant now seems like a bad joke.
That pole saw is on my short list of wants.
I have to agree with your assessment on that ladder. I used one recently and thought it was a game changer. Werner®️ builds an orchard ladder or 3 legged ladder. I use it for the outside of houses that I’m working on where the ground may not be level. They’re incredible too.
I like those tools
My favorite is my
60 volt DeWalt worm drive style
Saw
My tajima line and my diamondback tool belt are the 2 tools i love the most
Wow! Someone finally made a good chalk box!!!
Now we need tapes that don’t break in 3 months.
Oh; metric is for people that count on their fingers.
"Best available for their use." Best available for their use they and don't cost too much money--those are golden words. Thanks, Essential Craftsman!
Tajimas are the best I've found. The .5mm ones are great for fine cuts and the 1mm never breaks. Every other chalk line seems to jam or the line snaps within the first week. Now if I could only find a good tacker. The first DeWalt carbon fiber tacker I bought lasted for a couple years but the last 4 I bought have all jammed up and the last one seized on day 1
First of all I am not a professional carpenter but I have participated in building several houses, sheds, decks etc and after using tool belts for decades I finally added a broad shoulder strap suspenders set up to my buckaro-type belt…..finally comfort. Now if I can only modify it to more comfortably support my 14 lb 5 string banjo my life wii be complete.
7:12 i have that platform attachment (i forget the brand, it's long gone, but it's actually made in US, bought it on your side of the pond when i was there for work) that you see sometimes and that one's really good too, especially because it transforms ANY ladder into a platform ladder. If there's one thing i hate about ladder work is the pain that comes with sitting on those narrow steps. Especially on the super tall ones that use round pegs because they're more structural than square or wide ones. Those are absolute killers for your feet. But chuck the platform on, any place you want and you're set. And it's safer too, because i've had it when i was on uneven terrain and had to juggle the ladder's feet on rocks or bricks and i fell. Where as with the normal ladder you have your feet mid way stuck in the frame, with this, you fall, and you can actually secure your landing (well, while i'm still young-ish). Being out of the ladder you have time to think. I heartily recommend that attachment. Super useful and not just for sitting on. Because you can buy two and have a platform for all your tools - i don't have one yet, but i've used the platform for that whenever i wanted to save trips up and down the thing.
if you're already in a battery line but don't necessarily want to invest in a battery chainsaw, a modern battery sawzall is a very fun intermediate step that can get serious work done both in the brush and in construction.
And they sell purpose made pruning blades for them as well .
@@kaboom4679 Yep that's what I've been using.
... and unlike a chainsaw, you can get those pruning blades (on a sawzall) right in the dirt to cut roots if you have to.
I remember my Grand Pa sayin to me, you learn something new every day.
I always hate spending money on chalk boxes because I abuse them and they stop working in a few months. But that Tajima you showed... wow, I can feel the quality through my screen. Gonna have to get me one!
Make sure you use the tajima dye with it. It’s water repellent.
If there's a Japanese version, it's generally better (except maybe porn, depending on your preference)
I've had mine for 15 years, brilliant.
Tajima makes an ink filled one also that's great for wet work. I have had and profusely used mine for 15 years. Never had a problem with it.@@riverbuilder2251
Best box hands down. I like the thin line version. Super crisp clean lines with no fluff and less sag on the line when snapping long on a wall. It's perfection
My pick would be the festool hkc55, I know they’re a bit fragile and fancy but it earned it’s money within a couple of jobs
My Dad was the same, many things I bought him are still new in the box!
I bought a corded chainsaw many years ago, found it far more handy even with the cord so now I have cordless and unless I was felling in the deep forest, I can't concur enough on the utility of one!
And now I must get a podium ladder, I see where I have neglected a better ladder to work from!
Make sure to get the ladder where the cross piece is pushed forward from the platform like this one. It gives you better working spce.
I worked on ladders for 20 years and these Werner platforms are the best step out there.
Every major cordless tool brands has their take on a cordless chainsaw .
This is great since you don't have to aquire a different charger and spare batteries specific to the saw if you are already invested in a particular system .
In your case it is Makita .
But Milwaukee, DeWalt , and others , make their own for their platforms .
I don't own a cordless chainsaw , but I'm looking hard at them , and I will probably get a DeWalt since that's the system I have .
oooh, nice lighting.
I have a bunch of chalk boxes. They’re always a pain for me for the reasons you mentioned. I always need one.
Tajima chalk lines are good and you can buy them with different thickness lines, 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.8mm and 2.8mm (0.02 in - 0.1 in) I have a Chalk-Rite Ultra-Thin filled with blue Micro Chalk for drywall (don't use oxide or snap line dye on drywall, it can bleed through the paint if not sealed correctly) and a Chalk-Rite Dura filled with black Snap Line Dye for marking out on concrete. The Line Dye is hydrophobic and lasts a long time on a slab.
Tajima also makes a good auto retraction utility knife. Okay, maybe a little loose but i had to tape it together to tighten it by the end.
I use it for hook blades to strip cable
After much deliberation I sprang for the Occidental stronghold leather comfort belt for my full leather setup and man oh man do I like it. Similar in concept to the buckaroo just WAY better looking and without the plastic (I believe the buckaroo has some synthetics in it?).
For me the 4' double sided Werner aluminum step ladder is the one to beat. If you only have one ladder, this is the one. Straddle it, stand on the top platform, carry it with one hand, & it stands up by itself when folded. The only thing it doesn't do well is lean against a wall. I have three. I have a Tajima utility knife but the blade doesn't project very far, so it's third tier.
I totally love my Harbor Freight 80 volt Atlas chainsaw! Unlike my crappy Stihl MS 250s, it always starts. With an extra battery, I can get through a ton of work.
I always love a new tool, but the platform ladder really is a game changer. Since my 50's I've used one exclusively for anything I can, and the incredible stability and comfort is impossible to convey in words, but if you try it ONCE you will understand.
Ive the 18v Dewalt chainsaw(54v was out of stock or id have got it) it'll never replace a petrol but it wasn't meant to. Very usefull occasional tool. Theyre relatively cheap n versatile
I own a geared Tajima chalk box. It was quite pricey compared to my usual Irwin boxes. I loved it until the gear jammed and I had to take the box apart to fix it. I don't know how they managed to make a chalk box that complicated. Getting all the interior pieces back together and closing the case took forever. It's fixed, and I still own it, but I've gone back to Irwin. They're much less expensive and, like you, when one stops working I toss it. It doesn't happen that often and it's not a big problem for me.
When I worked in the trades, I would swap out the line with braided fishing line, line snaps real clean.
I bought the Makita chainsaw, buddy imma tell ya, he's not lying. It's awesome
Love your channel. Tools are fun, and I to need to be more open minded with tools. The Podium ladder looks great. I may have to get one..
I’ll agree with you on the Tajima chalk line, I bought one 3 1/2 years ago. I’m still using it. They make one that has a pin built in where you can stick it in something to hook the hook on ,but I haven’t got that model. I have an echo 56 V cordless chainsaw. That’s pretty impressive too.
You are a legend in the making
Nice to see people who use their tools.
I can relate to the sentiment “I already got a tool for that”. In fact I had that feeling when you were showing off the chalk line.
Maybe I'm a bit late, but with the tajima , when you are attaching the hook to the body, if you put the end hook side out. It allows the little tab on the cap to go right through the end and really grab on. 👍🏻 I've never had any luck with the hooks going into that little slot.. on the other models (the all aluminum powder coat ones) they only have the tab on the lid and IMO have always held the end better
I have a snapper 82v chainsaw, and it's great. It just runs, always.
You have a great channel. As a DIYer you have helped me a lot. Be well.
The battery powered tools have their place. Always good to have an extra battery. The convertible try square looked heavy duty.
The Tajima is the real deal especially with the different line thicknesses
Love the look you created with the lighting here. Great content as always and now cinematography, you guys are incredible!
Haha 7:15. He's got so many shavings on the floor it looks like plush carpet. Love it
There are several versions of the roofus square but I've only found metric. But I can speak metric too so it's not a huge problem. I suppose one could scribe a few inch marks if absolutely necessary.
First time I've seen a Podium ladder. My first thoughts are "it's 3 feet too tall for how useful it is!" My second thought was, that it needs 2 flip-across steps built into the c-channel of the sides. That way you still get the security of the platform to stand on, but if you want the extra 2 feet of height, flip flip and you've got 2 more steps that flip down and lock onto support pins on the far side.
The Tajima line is the thing. I’ve put their replacement line in other chalk lines and got the fine lines that they’re famous for. How useful is a line of chalk that’s 3/16” wide. My first Tajima had 25 feet of automatic rewind and a sharp pin/plug instead of a hook. I called it Samurai chalk line what with a needle point coming your way fast!
Cool to see someone in America with a Buckaroo tool belt
I have to tell you.. I added suspenders to my pants and my god does it make wearing bags so much better. Thank you.
I got a garage w 13 ft ceilings and I use that height. Got a little giant extendable podium ladder w a painters add-on. It’s quite stable, even has wheels though they need a pretty shallow angle to use- not good inside. I had to measure this all out, height w me, and storage height . They have many models. The old ladder is rarely used and feels even more unsafe than it did before.
Ive been a carpenter for about 15 yrs now. One tool ive been carrying that others may not is a good linesman plier. Super handy for tying wire, pulling a staple, cutting random thicker things my knife cant, presise light hammering that a full size hammer would destroy, exc. Guys will give me crap for having it in my bags, then ask to use it lol
I have a friend who carries pliers and I borrow them all the time.
I have the DeWalt cordless chainsaw and it’s brilliant.