Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[SlimJim16v]

Lefty said:

Screw extractor kit
Absolute game changer

Potentially disastrous. The extractors can snap and you're fked. The drills should really be left hand too, as they can sometimes get it out.

[OMITN]

No extra purchases from me of note, but if you’re stuck for random tools you didn’t know you needed, then the latest video from Jonathan Shone of Shadow Foam serves up plenty from a trade show in Germany….

[Lefty]

SlimJim16v said:

Lefty said:

Screw extractor kit
Absolute game changer

Potentially disastrous. The extractors can snap and you're fked. The drills should really be left hand too, as they can sometimes get it out.

Hmmm, interesting. I guess from the point of view of already being fked with a stuck or broken screw or bolt you’re not any more fked if an extractor breaks than you were before you tried.

[davidexige]

Lefty said:

Hmmm, interesting. I guess from the point of view of already being fked with a stuck or broken screw or bolt you’re not any more fked if an extractor breaks than you were before you tried.

I think the problem is if the extractor breaks and depending on the material it’s made from you won’t be able to drill it out.

[hidetheelephants]

davidexige said:

Lefty said:

Hmmm, interesting. I guess from the point of view of already being fked with a stuck or broken screw or bolt you’re not any more fked if an extractor breaks than you were before you tried.

I think the problem is if the extractor breaks and depending on the material it’s made from you won’t be able to drill it out.

They're tempered very hard, if they break off you need a carbide drill to get through them(difficult with a drill press, near impossible by hand) or an EDM machine to disintegrate them.

[donkmeister]

hidetheelephants said:

davidexige said:

Lefty said:

Hmmm, interesting. I guess from the point of view of already being fked with a stuck or broken screw or bolt you’re not any more fked if an extractor breaks than you were before you tried.

I think the problem is if the extractor breaks and depending on the material it’s made from you won’t be able to drill it out.

They're tempered very hard, if they break off you need a carbide drill to get through them(difficult with a drill press, near impossible by hand) or an EDM machine to disintegrate them.

I've heard about using alum (the block of stuff you put in shaving nicks) to dissolve steel out of aluminium, but never tried it.

[hidetheelephants]

It does work but it's really slow; fine for hobbyists or Crosthwaite & Gardiner restoring something that's been dug out of a russian swamp, not much use to the professional attempting to get work done on time and budget.

[GeneralBanter]

Lefty said:

SlimJim16v said:

Lefty said:

Screw extractor kit
Absolute game changer

Potentially disastrous. The extractors can snap and you're fked. The drills should really be left hand too, as they can sometimes get it out.

Hmmm, interesting. I guess from the point of view of already being fked with a stuck or broken screw or bolt you’re not any more fked if an extractor breaks than you were before you tried.

I have several sets bought in the optimism at the time that they would work. They don’t though - needed many times but the smaller ones snap and the larger ones exert too much force outwards so jam the bolt even tighter.

[skwdenyer]

GeneralBanter said:

Lefty said:

SlimJim16v said:

Lefty said:

Screw extractor kit
Absolute game changer

Potentially disastrous. The extractors can snap and you're fked. The drills should really be left hand too, as they can sometimes get it out.

Hmmm, interesting. I guess from the point of view of already being fked with a stuck or broken screw or bolt you’re not any more fked if an extractor breaks than you were before you tried.

I have several sets bought in the optimism at the time that they would work. They don’t though - needed many times but the smaller ones snap and the larger ones exert too much force outwards so jam the bolt even tighter.

I think a cheap welder (which would not be any more expensive than a decent set of bolt extractors) might be a better bet for most situations: tack on a washer, then a nut, and work from there.

[TimmyMallett]

OMITN said:

No extra purchases from me of note, but if you’re stuck for random tools you didn’t know you needed, then the latest video from Jonathan Shone of Shadow Foam serves up plenty from a trade show in Germany….

I definitely don't need to sign up for that autoloader driver.

[tumble dryer]

TimmyMallett said:

OMITN said:

No extra purchases from me of note, but if you’re stuck for random tools you didn’t know you needed, then the latest video from Jonathan Shone of Shadow Foam serves up plenty from a trade show in Germany….

I definitely don't need to sign up for that autoloader driver.

I used to have one (it got nicked!) and have to say it was brilliant. I've looked around for ages but can't seem to find a UK distributer.
If you're more lucky than me, please post up a link.

TIA

[Sporky]

I've got the full size and the mini one. I think Rutlands used to do them, but not any more.

[S6PNJ]

tumble dryer said:

TimmyMallett said:

OMITN said:

No extra purchases from me of note, but if you’re stuck for random tools you didn’t know you needed, then the latest video from Jonathan Shone of Shadow Foam serves up plenty from a trade show in Germany….

I definitely don't need to sign up for that autoloader driver.

I used to have one (it got nicked!) and have to say it was brilliant. I've looked around for ages but can't seem to find a UK distributer.
If you're more lucky than me, please post up a link.

TIA

One of these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Screwdriver-Multi-Bit-Erg...

[tumble dryer]

S6PNJ said:

tumble dryer said:

TimmyMallett said:

OMITN said:

No extra purchases from me of note, but if you’re stuck for random tools you didn’t know you needed, then the latest video from Jonathan Shone of Shadow Foam serves up plenty from a trade show in Germany….

I definitely don't need to sign up for that autoloader driver.

I used to have one (it got nicked!) and have to say it was brilliant. I've looked around for ages but can't seem to find a UK distributer.
If you're more lucky than me, please post up a link.

TIA

One of these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Screwdriver-Multi-Bit-Erg...

Yes!

From Murica, but ordered.

Thanks

[uk66fastback]

Schiehallion said:

guitarcarfanatic said:

Yep, Halfords Advance is the best budget but reasonable quality solution - wait for an offer

Tend to last and good guarantee.

Does this qualify as a decent offer (with a further 10% off) - or might something better come along?

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/socket-s...

If they break they get replaced as they have a lifetime guarantee. I’ve had a set since 2012ish and still going strong … very good value.

[Lefty]

skwdenyer said:

GeneralBanter said:

Lefty said:

SlimJim16v said:

Lefty said:

Screw extractor kit
Absolute game changer

Potentially disastrous. The extractors can snap and you're fked. The drills should really be left hand too, as they can sometimes get it out.

Hmmm, interesting. I guess from the point of view of already being fked with a stuck or broken screw or bolt you’re not any more fked if an extractor breaks than you were before you tried.

I have several sets bought in the optimism at the time that they would work. They don’t though - needed many times but the smaller ones snap and the larger ones exert too much force outwards so jam the bolt even tighter.

I think a cheap welder (which would not be any more expensive than a decent set of bolt extractors) might be a better bet for most situations: tack on a washer, then a nut, and work from there.

Ahhh well I’ll be careful with it, I’m taking the body off a cerb just now and used it a few times with no problems.

[donkmeister]

tumble dryer said:

S6PNJ said:

tumble dryer said:

TimmyMallett said:

OMITN said:

No extra purchases from me of note, but if you’re stuck for random tools you didn’t know you needed, then the latest video from Jonathan Shone of Shadow Foam serves up plenty from a trade show in Germany….

I definitely don't need to sign up for that autoloader driver.

I used to have one (it got nicked!) and have to say it was brilliant. I've looked around for ages but can't seem to find a UK distributer.
If you're more lucky than me, please post up a link.

TIA

One of these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Screwdriver-Multi-Bit-Erg...

Yes!

From Murica, but ordered.

Thanks

I'm assuming from the pictures it can take standard length bits for deciding your own "load"? Couldn't help but notice it doesn't come with PZ bits so hopefully easily rectified.

This is my go-to "full-size screwdriver in a handy package with multiple bits". Less convenient, arguably, but has a lovely ratchet action and 50Nm rating. I've not tried the "abusive Canadian YouTuber" ratchet screwdriver so couldn't compare, but seems like that is probably lubricated by the tears of his employees so best avoided.

https://products.wera.de/en/kraftform_kompakt_kraf...

[Sporky]

donkmeister said:

I'm assuming from the pictures it can take standard length bits for deciding your own "load"? Couldn't help but notice it doesn't come with PZ bits so hopefully easily rectified.

Yes - they're held in by a magnet, so you select the one you want to replace, pull it out, and substitute what you want.

[Fast and Spurious]

Being Pistonheads and lovers of good tools, you'll want the best so you naturally upgrade to Wera / Wiha. But then you do some more research and discover PB Swiss, and upgrade again, selling a lot of the German stuff.

If you want a multi-bit ratchet screwdriver, these are amazing quality:
https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/tools/quality-hand...

This is a great set too:
https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/tools/quality-hand...

All their tools have a lifetime guarantee, not cheap but "buy once, cry once".

Part of my wall of shame...

[Lefty]

Most of my tools are Halfords-Advanced/Sealey/Draper but I splashed out on my first premium tool a few weeks ago.

Still using Sealey sockets but this really is a lovely thing to use.