What is your go-to, can't-live-without, would-buy-another tool?

For instance, an undercut tool. I know DH uses ours all the time and would buy another if it died or got lost. In fact, has done several times.

I'm going to "cheat" the answer...

My phone.

I call the right person to get whatever it is done. Meanwhile, I get to do something else.

One recent example: I was hoisting pints with my wife in the Oide Weisen (old time festival) tent at Oktoberfest in Munich German this past September. Saw a call come in from a tenant. I let it go to voicemail (where all calls go!) and listened to the message, called my handyman (it was 11 am our time, 6 pm in the USA), and he got it all squared away the next day. It took me 3 minutes to resolve, and I went back listening to oompah music and finished my stein and apple strudel. Then we went and watched the dancers.

You just don't get those moment when swinging a hammer or a paint brush. There is no tool more important or useful to me than the "tool" that makes all other tools unnecessary.

That's what I got into this business for: freedom. Mission accomplished. I'm not telling anyone what to do. I'm telling you what I've done and why.

You mean other than a drill/driver & circular saw?

The oscillating saw has been hand for MANY different things.

Leatherman Wave ..... with the belt bits.

Mine is still a Milwaukee 2101-22 M4 1/4 Hex Screwdriver

Gets as much use as my cordless drill or impact.

Can be used as a manual screwdriver or powered. When you want to actually get feedback and feel what you are doing.

You can tell how much torque or how tight you are going. Without stripping out an electric outlet box.

B& D used to make one years ago. But it was just ok and way underpowered.

This one is mainly used by a lot of computer repair techs. But since it also can drive in a long deck screw, it is perfect for home repair.

It's much easier to work with than a cordless drill for a number of jobs. Installing door knobs, cabinet handles, ceiling fans, and any electrical work, etc...

One of those tools you can get by without. But once you try it on a few jobs, you could never be without one. So I actually have two on hand.

My TASER Professional Series Personal and Home Defense Kit TASER X2. This is a defense tool used by law enforcement. Since in Los Angeles, the City Attorney will my prosecute anyone who commits an infraction, something worth under $950, and most felony's that do not include murder, go unpunished I have to act. When anyone in Los Angeles calls 9-1-1 for help, medical, fire or crimes, you won't connect to a live person at the call center.

Not that the rest of your story makes any sense either... But if you rolled the bin with the guy through the front door of the police station -- then wouldn't you be on the INSIDE at that point and not on the street? :)

Not to put too fine a point on it, John, but he said he rolled it to the local donut shop, put the bin inside and the trash on the street, by which I think he meant the guy.

Best or most used?

I think I like my M12 brushless drill/driver the best. It's small and light but powerful enough to drill holes in concrete.

Most Used - probably my folding quick change utility knife

Honorary mention - Mini Miter Saw

I got really tired of hauling the big Bosch saw around.

(by Bonanza [NC]) Very funny and true at the same time :)

The best tool by far are the conservative local and state politicians who stay out of my and other LL's way.

Second is a three way tie between my application process, contractor and C.P.A. These three have saved me thousands of dollars.

Glad to see some others (WMH, Jason) who expand their thinking outside the box of "tool chest" to include procedures and automation/delegation.

Mr. LL teaches about the "levels" of landlording. I believe that applies to "tools" as well. The further you go down this road, the more your "tools" are new ideas, concepts, policies, procedures, and leveraging the skills of professions vs. what's the best quality skill saw.

So the "best" tool ever is going to depend on what kind of landlord you want to be. A Mom and Pop will have different "best" tools than someone at the level of Mr. LL.

The spreadsheet.

I've used it for everything from analyzing and comparing the financials on acquisitions so I'm buying right; to track applicants through the screening so I'm selecting the right candidate; to tracking the growth in my net worth over the years so I stay motivated.

Sucking up for bonus points here:

This forum has proven to be my best tool ever.

Now for the rest of my list, abbreviated:

Multi tool (oscillating). I used it last week to cut plumbing lines. This week to undercut door frames and trim. Yesterday I used it to make cuts on the LVP I am installing.

Cordless screwgun is next, especially if it has a clip on it for hanging off my pockets while I adjust whatever I am handling.

I get ya, WMH. That's why I said I "cheated" in my first post.

Best "tool" in the sense of "Looky, I can measure, cut, drill, etc"?

It's a three way tie.

My most often used for traditional "building" is a chop saw. DeWalt stationary with miter tilt, plug in variety. I used it to build myself a working bench for my home brewery last year. Had it for 10+ years and it still works like a champ!

My most versatile is the small "kit" I carry in my car between the seat compartment that include a screw driver (changeable heads), a tape measure, and a pair of vice grips.

My most practical on a day-to-day basis: a Flissa folding pocket knife with 3.5 inch blade.

The problem with small tools is that they disappear, sometimes within seconds of being used.

Sometimes they reappear with no warning (usually after we have bought a replacement so we eventually end up with 10.) Sometimes they are never seen again.

My Duluth Trading Co bib overalls and my Xero shoes. The overalls have many pockets, including one up on the chest that zips. Keys, cell phone go in there, unless I’m leaning into a tub to scrub it. Then they go in side pockets. When I wore cargo pants, if the keys were in cargo pockets I occasionally hit the clicker for the work vehicle, unwittingly unlocking it. Once or twice even slid the van door open. With the keys zipped up on my chest, doesn’t happen. And easier to hear cell phone from that pocket.

The shoes are a MUST for me. I’ve never picked up my feet high when I walk, and after I went through treatments for varicosed veins, I seem extremely prone to tripping. The Xero shoes are meant to feel like walking barefoot, and I am much less prone to tripping wearing them ( or going barefoot, but that’s not workplace approved.) And if I do stumble, I recover more easily/ likely with the Xeros. That thin little sole is NOT good for on a ladder, but I use other shoes for that. I even have Xero shoes with grippy soles meant for rough terrain hiking which are my go-to for lawn mowing. They don’t slip as much on damp slopes (early morning mowing) and, for me, provide perfect footing on lumpy, bumpy lawns, where I was often stumbling wearing thicker soles with a wide spread. My only complaint with the Xeros is they were not meant for construction, so the fabric on the sides wears out faster than the Vans I used to wear.

Two weird things that make my work life much better.

Porsche 911 and my latest new ride.

Speed therapy.

Wind in the hair reduces stress!

I'd say "my brain"...to avoid making mistakes or bad decisions lol

Best abstract tool: this forum, and the actual MRLL conferences.

Best hand tools:

Lenox 9 in 1 screwdriver. Getting hard to find!

Vibrating saw. I have 3. the most versatile tool in the box!