Craftsman tools were traditionally guaranteed forever. However, I took back a hose nozzle this summer, and the saleslady told me the guarantee had shrunk to two years. Still, that’s more than you get with a spouse. 
I’ve probably gotten more mileage out of my router, but for fun ya can’t beat a Sawzall!
Gearwrench. The guy who wrote that review doesn’t gush enough about them, trust me.
Not exactly a tool, but this Tear Mender works exceptionally well. I patched the knee in a pair of work jeans, and recently attached an extra 2 feet of leather to the bottom of a canvas apron (to keep paint splashes off my pants, leather was the most handy spare material). Not to be all infomercial-ly, but the product does what it says it does. That alone impresses me.
To counter the Leatherman devotees, my Gerber saves many walks to the truck for simple tasks.
Also two 9.6 volt Makita screwguns-one twin speed and the other VS-they won’t die after 15+ years on the job.
Ryobi RA-200 radial saw. I mounted it onto an old metal typewriter table and can stuff it in the side door of the van. They don’t make it any more-not equal to a stationary or bench tool, but when you’ve got ripping to do in the field, it works well.
Bosch 1198 VSR hammer drill. 20 years old, and has been occasionally abused. Only part failed in that time is the VSR trigger/reverse switch assembly.
Milwaukee 5325 rotary hammer. It’s a beast. Bought broken at a liquidation auction, once repaired it took on tasks aggressively. It’s the only drill I own which requires earplugs.
Hilti DX451. Sometimes a powder actuated tool does things better and faster than any other, and Hilti tools are the leader in this class. A 2 1/2" nail, through wood, into concrete, with a trigger pull. Done.
Craftsman table saw-circa 1955. It was my Dad’s-weighs a whole lot and has the dado and molding cutter heads that he used when doing woodwork in the house where I was born.
I have one of those little blowtorches that has come in handy many, many times. It’s not the “best” tool but I see it hasn’t been mentioned and is certainly a useful thing to have.
I have a couple of pairs of pliers made by the Diamond Tool and Horseshoe Manufacturing Company. I don’t think the company is around any more, which is a real shame, as the quality of their tools was just wonderful.
Channel-locks are great.
A flat head screwdriver is the foundation that all other tools are build upon. It can be used as a bottle opener, letter opener, hammer, chisel, knife, weapon, pry bar, paint stirrer, probe, etc.
I would have to say my index finger, because i can point at people with it and tell them to fix things.
Maybe my opposable thumbs come in a close second.
Amen to that.
I luffed my two econolines. Outstanding vechicles.
Way different, but I love my milling machine at my side “for fun” job It’s bought and paid for itself many times over and I am 3/4 of the way to buying a plasma TV because of it.
Another Dremel lover checking in.
“Best tool” is tough because it changes over the years as my needs change.
The Leatherman tool had pride of place at one point, but I find I don’t use pliers that much anymore. The DeWalt cordless drill probably is number one, especially as when I bought it I was less than convinced about cordless drills but have probably not used my “plug-in” drill more than a couple of times in the past 8 years since I bought it.
And I bought the compound mitre saw reluctantly because I figured I’d just use it for a renovation project and never need it again – turns out that it’s the first saw I use for just about everything, up to and including trimming logs that are a bit too big to fit into the woodstove.
And in terms of amusement for the dollar, probably the wood lathe. The nice thing about the wood lathe being that not only is it a good excuse to buy other accessory tools like grinders and chains saws, but you can start and finish a really nice looking project in the course of an afternoon.
Best tools:
Mickey framing hammer. They don’t make them anymore but they were the best balanced framing hammers on the planet.
Lee Valley Dozuki saw: There is nothing quite as enjoyable in the workshop as cutting dovetails with this little baby. Very delightful. Not that my dovetails look professional, but they do fill me with warm fuzzies.
Hitachi M12V router: Solid, dependable, strong, smooth and fairly easy to adjust. It works great hanging in the table and freehand. This tool saved me well over $2000.00 in moldings and trim for our house. Not including the few pieces of furniture that I have made (or am in the process of making).
Asked the husband - he does kitchen/bathroom remodels, home remodeling, stuff like that - he said his six in one screwdriver.
I am married to a very odd man.
So many tools to own, so little time. Favorite tool - anything that I can use to build, deconstruct, create, fix, or otherwise have fun learning how to use. Favorite tactic to buy new too “honey if I buy this tool, I can do the work, and it will pay for itself before you know it”.
-a confessed tool junkie
I like our new Black & Decker Pivot Plus compact powered srewdriver/drill. I don’t know how I ever managed with those manual screwdrivers I used all my life until last month. I’ve taken apart a whole bunch of things for the hell of it just because it’s so easy and quick.
Brain jog: Hart California framing hammer. Hatchet style handle, 26 oz. head. Only store that ever carried them around me was Hechinger, and when they had a half-off closing sale, I bought three more just to make sure I’d always have one.
My current Craftsman cordless drill. The cordless drill is the alpha and omega of all toolsets. If you’re going to buy one expensive tool, spend your money on a really good cordless drill.
I’ll second the pipe wrench. Everytime that I use one I look at it and think, “There’s no way this thing is going to turn that pipe.” But somehow it always does. In fact, the best tool is a pipe wrench and the second best tool is another pipe wrench. You can break anything with 2 pipewrenches.
And of course, there’s always Vicegrips.