Tools of the Trade

September 29, 2015 3:18 PM

After reading this thread on the blue, and thinking of this prior question on the behavior of the non-amateur, I ask: What are the tools that experts in your field use? A preferred brand, the must-have piece of equipment?

An example in one field is the Rite in the Rain notebook, ubiquitous and unsurpassed.

posted by the man of twists and turns to Technology (25 answers total)

Among the lawyers that I know who live and die by deadlines, the MJL Circular Calendar is pretty much must-have. You can get online calculators to do the same thing, or you could manually count things out, but if co-counsel or opposing counsel disagrees with your counting, how the hell are you going to go to a partner and point to some online website?

You can point to an MJL circular calendar, though, because the partner used them when coming up.
posted by joyceanmachine at 3:32 PM on September 29, 2015 [2 favorites]

Horticulture: Felco clippers. Last forever, have blades that are sharpen-able and replaceable.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:36 PM on September 29, 2015 [3 favorites]

Any teacher who gives test and quizzes has an E-Z Grader.
posted by NoraCharles at 3:39 PM on September 29, 2015

Littmann stethoscopes.
posted by shiny blue object at 3:51 PM on September 29, 2015 [6 favorites]

Microfiche readers for OLD parts manuals, and the manuals themselves which can be terribly difficult to find.

Lift truck parts/sales/service.
posted by shenkerism at 4:03 PM on September 29, 2015

Fluke multimeter.
posted by H21 at 4:04 PM on September 29, 2015 [4 favorites]

Headmirrors by ENT physicians.
posted by scalespace at 4:06 PM on September 29, 2015

Seconding Fluke multimeter, but the 87-V model is the de facto standard in my industry.
posted by Grumpy old geek at 4:28 PM on September 29, 2015

Linguists doing audio recordings in the field usually use the Zoom H4N recorder. (With external microphones of various types depending on the situation).
posted by lollusc at 5:54 PM on September 29, 2015 [4 favorites]

Mitutoyu calipers.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 5:59 PM on September 29, 2015

Estwing hammers.

3M 5200.
posted by valkane at 6:04 PM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

It was discussed in that thread, but Hagoromo Fulltouch chalk is beloved by the mathematics community (who are serious about their chalk and chalkboards). The company has just recently gone out of business, setting off a panicked search for a replacement. Two possible successors: one by Rikagaku (which isn't as good IMO), and Uma-jirushi's DC Chalk Deluxe (which is supposedly the anointed successor, given the original Fulltouch recipe).
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:06 PM on September 29, 2015 [5 favorites]

Archaeologists (especially American ones) love their Marshalltown trowels.
posted by gudrun at 6:11 PM on September 29, 2015 [2 favorites]

At one time, I don't know if this is still true, but a Brunton compass was the thing you wanted as a young geologist.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:13 PM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

My carpenter son uses a Stiletto hammer.
posted by angiep at 6:33 PM on September 29, 2015

If this were sometime in the 80's, when graphic design was still a hands-on job, I'd offer either Strathmore Ultra Marker, or Aquabee 633 marker pads. The Strathmore, especially, was a freaking wonderful surface to use markers and pens on. 100% cotton with no bleed. Nice bright white, too.

It's kind of sad, really. Design used to be chock-full of specialized tools-of-the-trade. Now, it's pretty much just which Mac you can afford and Adobe software.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:53 PM on September 29, 2015 [2 favorites]

Vim, for people who need to do computer stuff with computers.
posted by moons in june at 7:28 PM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

At one time, I don't know if this is still true, but a Brunton compass was the thing you wanted as a young geologist.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:13 PM on September 29 [+] [!]


These are still standard, as far as I know. My university had (and presumably still has) them -- I remember using one in the field many times and wishing I had one of my own. Also, a 22oz Estwing hammer and some kind of leather holster. I have this one.
posted by cp311 at 8:11 PM on September 29, 2015

Wacom tablet, the bigger, the better
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 8:46 PM on September 29, 2015

I'm a Controls Engineer, here are few of the tools I consider essential.

Seconding a Fluke Multimeter, but you really need the 789 ProcessMeter for 4-20 mA trouble shooting.

A 475 Field Communicator, make sure you get the Foundation Fieldbus option.

Dymo Rhino 6000 Label Printer
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:13 PM on September 29, 2015

A Brunton and a Hastings Triplet.
posted by Chitownfats at 10:38 PM on September 29, 2015

GE tools for farriers.
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:43 AM on September 30, 2015

Oh, and I know lots of folks swear by Stetson, or Borsalino, but Akubra really does make the best hats.

And if you're in need of a real bullwhip, go where Indy went for his first one; David Morgan.
posted by valkane at 8:06 AM on September 30, 2015 [2 favorites]

Fujitsu Scansnap ix500 Scanner. For people like lawyers who deal with lots of paper.

Foredom Flex Shaft (for jewelers).
posted by bluesky78987 at 6:09 PM on September 30, 2015

Veto Pro Pac if you prefer a closed top bag (rather than an open top bag or a toolbox) to haul your electrician tools.
posted by Mitheral at 3:37 PM on October 1, 2015