Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...
Discussion
dickymint said:
My opinion. Looks useful in a clean area “onsite” but as it’s says in the blurb “nearly” all mess - invariably you’ll have to vacuum so does it really matter?
In my experience yes. Cutting holes without one chucks plasterboard dust everywhere as the hole saw spins, including over you. With this there is very small amount that gets out. If you were doing downlighter installs as a retrofit/upgrade the customer would be very happy with not having plaster dust all over the living room. boxedout said:
skwdenyer said:
One more:
Compared to the terribl 9" single-sided roller frames sold everywhere, a proper 12" double-sided roller frame - and decent rollers - makes hilariously light work of decorating. Not just walls - I used to operate one of my spaces as a gallery, the white floor of which got repainted 10-20 times a year. I could do 1100 square feet of floor in about 40 minutes with just this roller frame, a decent sleeve, and a really good Harris telescopic pole.
Agreed, the 9 inch stuff is just to wind people up.Compared to the terribl 9" single-sided roller frames sold everywhere, a proper 12" double-sided roller frame - and decent rollers - makes hilariously light work of decorating. Not just walls - I used to operate one of my spaces as a gallery, the white floor of which got repainted 10-20 times a year. I could do 1100 square feet of floor in about 40 minutes with just this roller frame, a decent sleeve, and a really good Harris telescopic pole.
I found the Purdy adjustable 12 inch+ roller frame far better than the Harris one.
What do I need to know about circlip pliers?
Internal vs external - some allow for both
Well-machined "pins" - the Wiha branded one have little cutouts so that the circlip doesn't ping off into the unknown.
Straight or angled.
Primarily I want them "just in case" I encounter a circlip when maintaining bicycles. I haven't found any yet, but I'm aware that some suspension forks utilise them. Obviously Park Tools will supply a set for a hefty price but I wondered whether these RS ones were up to the job. They are internal and external, have removable pins which appear to be made from hardened steel, and are reasonably priced.
Hope this mobile URL works for you all:
https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/amp/p/products/125...
Any opinions?
Internal vs external - some allow for both
Well-machined "pins" - the Wiha branded one have little cutouts so that the circlip doesn't ping off into the unknown.
Straight or angled.
Primarily I want them "just in case" I encounter a circlip when maintaining bicycles. I haven't found any yet, but I'm aware that some suspension forks utilise them. Obviously Park Tools will supply a set for a hefty price but I wondered whether these RS ones were up to the job. They are internal and external, have removable pins which appear to be made from hardened steel, and are reasonably priced.
Hope this mobile URL works for you all:
https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/amp/p/products/125...
Any opinions?
Edited by Watchman on Tuesday 28th May 13:12
Actually, you're partially right. The answer is Wiha and I've bought one of each inner and outer - the most obvious size of each - with a view to buying other sizes later if necessary.
It was the "magic tips" that sold me on them. The Knipex versions don't seem as well machined and don't get as much love on a couple of forums when I Googled for opinions.
It was the "magic tips" that sold me on them. The Knipex versions don't seem as well machined and don't get as much love on a couple of forums when I Googled for opinions.
Trustmeimadoctor said:
Tbh wera/whia/knipex cant go wrong
I think they all have their strengths and weaknesses. I have Knipex combination pliers and those amazing pliers/wrenches (2), Wera for VDE screwdrivers because they did the tapered insulation, and now these circlip pliers from Wiha because of their "Magic tips" which help to prevent you from pinging the circlip across the garage. 
smack said:
Can anyone recommend me a good Riveter? I have an old garage door needing to be (short term) fixed, longer term replaced, but loads of the rivets have pooped off due to age and the state of it, but in the mean time some metal bracing in exchange for beer is the order of the day to make it sound.
So, I might as buy a reasonable one on the back of this, and I haven't used one in years, so it has to work, and not be made from monkey metal as I don't have to buy another in my lifetime if I use it as it is expected - the Bahco one gets mixed reviews online, and people say it is made in Taiwan (wasn't looking for Bahco, it just came up on my search, and a Brand I know), which from my experience just means made to a cheap price point, rather than something that lasts.
Tucker T55 best by far.So, I might as buy a reasonable one on the back of this, and I haven't used one in years, so it has to work, and not be made from monkey metal as I don't have to buy another in my lifetime if I use it as it is expected - the Bahco one gets mixed reviews online, and people say it is made in Taiwan (wasn't looking for Bahco, it just came up on my search, and a Brand I know), which from my experience just means made to a cheap price point, rather than something that lasts.
Trustmeimadoctor said:
blueg33 said:
boxedout said:
Agreed, the 9 inch stuff is just to wind people up.
I found the Purdy adjustable 12 inch+ roller frame far better than the Harris one.
However a 9 inch roller tray fits on the top of my step ladder, a 12 inch doesn’t. I found the Purdy adjustable 12 inch+ roller frame far better than the Harris one.
I've given up on step ladders for decorating - poles, hop-ups, podium steps, scaffolding, etc. are almost always worth the small hassle of set up / take down over the step ladder. YMMV.That said, I do have a step ladder with a drive mechanism (wind the handle at the top to turn the wheels at the bottom and travel across the floor) - that can be fun...
The really brave use stilts, of course
DBPHiL said:
smack said:
Can anyone recommend me a good Riveter? I have an old garage door needing to be (short term) fixed, longer term replaced, but loads of the rivets have pooped off due to age and the state of it, but in the mean time some metal bracing in exchange for beer is the order of the day to make it sound.
So, I might as buy a reasonable one on the back of this, and I haven't used one in years, so it has to work, and not be made from monkey metal as I don't have to buy another in my lifetime if I use it as it is expected - the Bahco one gets mixed reviews online, and people say it is made in Taiwan (wasn't looking for Bahco, it just came up on my search, and a Brand I know), which from my experience just means made to a cheap price point, rather than something that lasts.
Tucker T55 best by far.So, I might as buy a reasonable one on the back of this, and I haven't used one in years, so it has to work, and not be made from monkey metal as I don't have to buy another in my lifetime if I use it as it is expected - the Bahco one gets mixed reviews online, and people say it is made in Taiwan (wasn't looking for Bahco, it just came up on my search, and a Brand I know), which from my experience just means made to a cheap price point, rather than something that lasts.
Bloody dangerous though!!
Needed to get 2 locking wheel nuts of my Jag as they had rounded off, garage wanted to cut the wheels off!!!!!
How i managed without a Dremel type rotary tool all my life i will never know already used it lots, cut a slot in the locking nut with a diamond cutting disc, smash the head off with a cold chisel and use one of the magic bolt grip removers, job done in an hour for each one.
Highly rated on Amazon and brilliant - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07JLFL6VT/ref...
Bolt grip remover https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000QW6K8I/ref...
How i managed without a Dremel type rotary tool all my life i will never know already used it lots, cut a slot in the locking nut with a diamond cutting disc, smash the head off with a cold chisel and use one of the magic bolt grip removers, job done in an hour for each one.
Highly rated on Amazon and brilliant - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07JLFL6VT/ref...
Bolt grip remover https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000QW6K8I/ref...
skwdenyer said:
In my experience, a decent paint kettle is the way to go rather than roller trays. Can be hung from a ladder even 20' above the ground, unlike a tray I've given up on step ladders for decorating - poles, hop-ups, podium steps, scaffolding, etc. are almost always worth the small hassle of set up / take down over the step ladder. YMMV.
Agreed, roller trays are for saps who look no further than B&Q's paintbrush aisle. I have a big roller kettle and a couple of smaller brush sized kettles and they make painting a lot less hassle. I've given up on step ladders for decorating - poles, hop-ups, podium steps, scaffolding, etc. are almost always worth the small hassle of set up / take down over the step ladder. YMMV.I did quite a few rooms when we moved in with a roller pole and my little hop up for cutting in.
Flibble said:
skwdenyer said:
In my experience, a decent paint kettle is the way to go rather than roller trays. Can be hung from a ladder even 20' above the ground, unlike a tray I've given up on step ladders for decorating - poles, hop-ups, podium steps, scaffolding, etc. are almost always worth the small hassle of set up / take down over the step ladder. YMMV.
Agreed, roller trays are for saps who look no further than B&Q's paintbrush aisle. I have a big roller kettle and a couple of smaller brush sized kettles and they make painting a lot less hassle. I've given up on step ladders for decorating - poles, hop-ups, podium steps, scaffolding, etc. are almost always worth the small hassle of set up / take down over the step ladder. YMMV.I did quite a few rooms when we moved in with a roller pole and my little hop up for cutting in.
Video.....
https://www.integrateddist.com.au/products/fuel-ta...
Edited by dickymint on Wednesday 29th May 11:14
Edited by dickymint on Wednesday 29th May 11:16
gobuddygo said:
Needed to get 2 locking wheel nuts of my Jag as they had rounded off, garage wanted to cut the wheels off!!!!!
How i managed without a Dremel type rotary tool all my life i will never know already used it lots, cut a slot in the locking nut with a diamond cutting disc, smash the head off with a cold chisel and use one of the magic bolt grip removers, job done in an hour for each one.
I managed to lose my mcgard lock key so using a sacrificial socket that was slightly too small hammered it on over the locknut then used an impact driver to spin the locknuts off, did all four in less than time minutes.How i managed without a Dremel type rotary tool all my life i will never know already used it lots, cut a slot in the locking nut with a diamond cutting disc, smash the head off with a cold chisel and use one of the magic bolt grip removers, job done in an hour for each one.
Found the key in the boot a week later but with how easy it is to remove them without a key have fitted tuner lock nuts on all my cars since as you can't overcome it without a torx type removal tool, it's not unique like the mcgard but imo is still more secure as you can't simply just hammer in a small socket.
MJNewton said:
Hmm... tempting. What size holesaw would it accommodate? (I've got a dozen 125mm holes to cut)
If there's one thing putting me off it's that it feels the wrong side of a tenner for my liking. But then given the high number of positive reviews, which would surely include people of similar tightness to me, it is still tempting.
Never fear! Peter Millard has the answer (again... I think I've referenced him elsewhere on the thread ): If there's one thing putting me off it's that it feels the wrong side of a tenner for my liking. But then given the high number of positive reviews, which would surely include people of similar tightness to me, it is still tempting.
Half a plastic football will do just the same job. His video is here: YouTube link
untakenname said:
gobuddygo said:
Needed to get 2 locking wheel nuts of my Jag as they had rounded off, garage wanted to cut the wheels off!!!!!
How i managed without a Dremel type rotary tool all my life i will never know already used it lots, cut a slot in the locking nut with a diamond cutting disc, smash the head off with a cold chisel and use one of the magic bolt grip removers, job done in an hour for each one.
I managed to lose my mcgard lock key so using a sacrificial socket that was slightly too small hammered it on over the locknut then used an impact driver to spin the locknuts off, did all four in less than time minutes.How i managed without a Dremel type rotary tool all my life i will never know already used it lots, cut a slot in the locking nut with a diamond cutting disc, smash the head off with a cold chisel and use one of the magic bolt grip removers, job done in an hour for each one.
Found the key in the boot a week later but with how easy it is to remove them without a key have fitted tuner lock nuts on all my cars since as you can't overcome it without a torx type removal tool, it's not unique like the mcgard but imo is still more secure as you can't simply just hammer in a small socket.
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