What is your must-have power tool?

My reciprocating saw and my small electric and gas powered chain saw. I have done a lot of major remodeling and these saws sure speed up the tearing down. Plus the look I get when I bring these saws in the house is priceless!

To answer your question I would get a good  set of 19 volt battery operated power tools.

A variable-speed cordless drill is a must-have, with lots of screwdriver, drill and socket bits. Rechargeable Lithium is best but more expensive than Ni-Cad. Craftsman start around $30 with a case and some bits.

One of my favorite tools is a small hand-held 3.6v lithium-ion screwdriver (by Master Mechanic).  It can get into the small places to screw things in and comes with 10 other bits.  It's great for mom's who need to do little odd jobs!  I save the BIG tools and the BIG projects for my guy!!!

My 19.2v Craftsman drill. I use it frequently around the house.

If you're looking for a good way to start in power tools, I'd suggest getting the 19.2v Craftsman C3 drill/impact driver combo kit. Those two tools will take care of more jobs than you can imagine. If you've never used an impact driver, give one a try and you'll know why so many people have given this combo kit (00911550000) 5-star ratings.

I'd also recommend a bag for your tools, to make them a little easier to carry around. And, as madgolfer mentioned, plenty of driving and drilling bits. You should also consider a magnetic bit holder for the driving bits, as that will make changing them much easier, and will make driving more convenient (however, do not use them with an impact driver; only the drill).

Having the 19.2v DieHard batteries means you'll be able to add whatever other cordless tools you may want in the future, without having to buy more batteries.

well untill they change the standard battery

 

also does anyone actually own either the elecrtic caulking gun or electric hammer?

I wouldn't count on a battery change for quite a while. Not only does the entire C3 line rely upon it, but the new Li-ion batteries are built with the same neck.

the must have tools are a 19.2 V drill combo ( I have the 1/2 in drill /right angle drill combo,and I love it) plenty of bits for them as well as a good 10" miter saw,and a good table saw.

 

 

Craftsman's got a new cast-iron Carpenter's Table Saw.

It has the much asked for riving knife, that can be used with or without the anti-kickback pawls and the clear dual-sided blade guard.

We just got done assembling the floor display model.

The electric caulking gun is "on the list" of tools to be acquired ASAP.

Anything covered with Masonite needs to be kept SEELED at all times.

A high speed angle grinder. I scored a Companion 4" last year for pocket change and it goes through anything! Stone, steel, cast iron, all in a great shower of sparks. 

A Dremel/Craftsman rotary tool for sharpening, removing rust and polishing stuff.

The variable-speed models are the way to go.

A Drill/Driver would probably be most DIY's first choice.

Either the Craftsman work-horse C3-19.2 volt model, with over 25 available accessory tools - run by the same battery and charger or the new 12 volt - Lithium Ion battery powered, Nextec tools for a lighter weight tool.

Either model can do some fantastic work around the house and yard.

Both tools also have optional Sears Protection Plans, that will cover the tools for 3 years.

Impact Driver, Im an Electrician and use it constantly. Also the sawzall, Cant go wrong with that it'll cut anything

Yaa...

They even sell Pruning blades for reciprocating saw use!

I used a Kregg pocket screw joint system, and my old 1/2" drill from my days of industrial electrical instalation, and maintanance. I needed a 2000RPM drill, and had to use a old junk B&D, but it got the job done. I have kept my vehicles running with Craftsman tools since 1983. I even have some Sears "Companion" tools I can not bear to be without. One is a large cast combo sander with a combo angle miter table and both belt and disc sander. It uses another larger motor now, but it will outlast me like it did its previous owner. I do really like that angle and cordless 19.2 drill combo pack. My old Makita 9.6 is outdated, and the ange has saved my you know what  several times. If Delta, and Jet are going to off shore Mfg. I might as well get Craftsman. They have been great about their warranty and I use my measuring tapes all the time and insist on Craftsman, but I do have a Stanely I found that refuses to die. It is darn close though. Euthanasia may be in its best interest. In one way or another Sears helps get me to and through work every single day. Love the multimeter with the O scope! It also has a capacitance meter. All it lacks is an inductance meter. As if someone would ever need one. I almost bought a 1923 Sears guitar just today. It sold for a whopping $9.98 in 1923. Really it looked pretty well made, and in great shape. I love my Silvertone practice amp. It sounds well balanced for a 6" speaker, and not at all tinny. Sears has been pretty darn good at finding good manufacturers to make their products, and they stand behind them, and that sell me. The 12AX7 Silvertone tube was made in England and today would sell for $100. It was one of the highest quality tubes available. The others were RCA, and we all know that name too. I even have a 1:160 scale model of a Sears catalog order house. What didn't Sears sell? This was a very nice house sold in kit form.

I have the cordless caulking gun .If you do a lot of jobs with liquid nail and /or opxy .this is a great tool, saves your hands from  fatigue and gives you the bead with no starts and stops.(try applying LN to about 20 sheets of sheetrock for a ceiling for example)

As Adam said, most would start with a drill/driver set.  For cordless tolls, I prefer Lithium or NiMH batteries because they don't have the "memory" effect of NiCad batteries (losing the ability to hold a charge if you don't completely charge and discharge your batteries regularly).  For heavy duty use, the Craftsman Lithium Professional drill/driver, 7.25" circular saw, light set is a great package.  I believe the Pro drill driver was top-rated recently.  For lighter usage, I actually prefer the Nextec drill, jigsaw, light set, for about half the price.  Both sets come with two batteries, so you can use one till in runs out, then charge it while you're using the 2nd battery.

i like the features that Sears includes.  Both drills come with an LED light, which illuminates where you're drilling.  The 7.25" circular saw has an LED light and a laser track light to keep you cutting straight. 

i do installation jobs and fixxing old houses. my "to-go" tool is the ezsmart system by eurekazone. i like to see al the eztools at sears or other big stores one day. easier to get replacement parts and see, feel,touch and play with the ez tools.

i do have 2 Sears saws on their track system.

dave

 

 

I would say a nice three to four piece set. A good drill, saw, rip saw.

A Dremel/Craftsman rotary tool, for tool restoration.

Variable speed.

And, a whole BUNCH of accessory bits...