Top 10 Tools I Use Every Damn Day (From the Half Ass Toolbox of Joe)

Alright y’all. Name’s Joe. I run Half Ass Construction out here in Southeast Alaska, where the weather don’t care, and neither do the folks who did the job before me. I’ve been fixin’ janky remodels, half-hearted handywork, and straight-up nonsense for over 30 years. So if I say I use these tools every day, I mean it. These are the real MVPs that help me un-screw what someone else done half-screwed.

Here’s my top 10 tools — no fluff, no BS. Just the ones I reach for without thinkin’. You want the good stuff? Start here:

1. Makita Impact Drill (My Ride or Die) 
If I could only keep one tool, this’d be it. She’s got torque, she’s got grit, and she’s powered through more Alaskan mess than a tourist in Xtratufs. One time I dropped this sucker straight into a three-foot-deep muskeg pit — no joke. Dug it out, gave it a good shake, and she fired right back up like nothin’ happened. If that ain’t loyalty, I don’t know what is. Makita makes tough gear, and this one’s the queen of ‘em all.

2. Stanley Fat Max Tape Measure
Lemme tell you somethin’: do NOT cheap out on your tape. I don’t care if it’s on sale or comes with a coupon. You drop it once and it snaps like a breadstick, then you’ll wish you had a Fat Max. This bad boy extends long, holds firm, and don’t get all floppy like your cousin Earl’s drywall job.

3. Martinez Hammer (Florida Gator Colors — Go Gators!)
Yeah, it’s flashy. Yeah, it’s pricey. But it swings like butter and bites like a gator. And yes — it’s blue and orange, just like God intended. If you know, you know.

4. Speed Square
Ain’t nothing square if you ain’t using a speed square. It’s good for layout, makin' cuts, checkin' corners, and convincin’ nosy neighbors you actually know what you’re doin’. It’s like a carpenter’s magic wand.

5. Cat's Paw
If I had a nickel for every janky nail I’ve had to yank out, I could buy my own damn lumberyard. This little claw is my demo buddy — rips through trim, pulls nails, and lets me erase the sins of whoever came before me.

6. Stanley Level
Look, if it ain’t level, it ain’t livable. I trust Stanley 'cause it don’t lie. I’ve tried them knock-offs before — bubbles look like they been drinkin’.

7. DeWalt Oscillatin’ Multi-Tool
This thing’s like the Swiss Army knife of power tools. It cuts, sands, trims, and probably makes you breakfast if you push the right button. I use it where my drill can’t reach and my saw don’t fit. Worth every penny.

8. Makita Compact Sawzall
Another Makita masterpiece — this one’s the compact kind, which means it fits in tighter spaces and don’t weigh you down like a full-size beast. But don’t let the size fool ya. It’s mean, fast, and eats through 2x4s like they’re twigs. Whether I'm tearin' out a rotten floor or hackin’ through mystery walls — she don’t flinch.

9. Milwaukee Utility Knife
A good blade’s like a good woman — sharp, reliable, and won’t fold on you when you need it. This one flips open easy and feels good in the hand. I probably got three of 'em spread around my truck, tool belt, and lunchbox.

10. A Pencil
Yup. A dang pencil. Can’t measure nothin’ if you can’t mark it. I always got one behind my ear, though it usually disappears faster than my patience on a Monday.

Wanna gear up like me? I’ll be addin’ links soon so you can grab the real-deal tools, not the dollar-bin disappointments. Start with the good stuff, and your house might not fall over when the wind blows.

And if you got a tool you swear by — shoot me a message. I’m always willin’ to test it out... and roast it if it’s junk.

Stay square, y’all.

—Joe @ Half Ass Construction

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may eventually be affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you click and buy. It won’t cost you a penny more, but it helps keep gas in the truck and coffee in the thermos. We only recommend stuff we actually use — no half-ass endorsements here.