Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...
Discussion
untakenname said:
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.
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.
Jag ones look like this not enough space to hammer on a socket, the removal key and nut are made of chocolate.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.
OMITN said:
Never fear! Peter Millard has the answer (again... I think I've referenced him elsewhere on the thread ):
Half a plastic football will do just the same job. His video is here: YouTube link
Him and another Youtuber "Gosforth Handyman" (they've recently started collaborating together a bit) are my absolute go-to guys for how to do DIY stuff properly (with a UK bias not US for once).Half a plastic football will do just the same job. His video is here: YouTube link
If a useful and educational Youtuber could be considered a "tool I wish I'd bought (=> discovered) sooner" I'd nominate those two. And maybe Charlie DIYite too.
Except when Gosforth Handyman starts reviewing different screw fixing strengths, those ones can be a bit tedious.
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.
I have a Clarke air riveter. Just the cheap one. It's brilliant.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.
You obvs need a compressor too, but that's what man maths is for...
kev1974 said:
Him and another Youtuber "Gosforth Handyman" (they've recently started collaborating together a bit) are my absolute go-to guys for how to do DIY stuff properly (with a UK bias not US for once).
If a useful and educational Youtuber could be considered a "tool I wish I'd bought (=> discovered) sooner" I'd nominate those two. And maybe Charlie DIYite too.
Except when Gosforth Handyman starts reviewing different screw fixing strengths, those ones can be a bit tedious.
Yep, also a big fan of Gosforth Handyman and I like Charlie DIYte too. If a useful and educational Youtuber could be considered a "tool I wish I'd bought (=> discovered) sooner" I'd nominate those two. And maybe Charlie DIYite too.
Except when Gosforth Handyman starts reviewing different screw fixing strengths, those ones can be a bit tedious.
I'm an office worker and general DIY incompetent but their willingness to share their collective knowledge is fantastic and I've learned a lot. Even on the relative merits of screws in MDF..!
I'm a podcast listener so the MeasuringUp podcast is a regular for me. When I was in a horrendous job last year each episode of that on the way home from work each night was a complete godsend and stopped me going nuts.
I don't do heroes (generally in life) but if I'd been able to make it to Maker central this year I would have sought them out to say thanks.
EggsBenedict said:
I have a Clarke air riveter. Just the cheap one. It's brilliant.
You obvs need a compressor too, but that's what man maths is for...
Funny that, a conversation a days ago with a mate who works at BA Engineering :You obvs need a compressor too, but that's what man maths is for...
Him - you probably want the ones we have at work when he need to use rivets on our planes, they will rivet anything...
Me - Probably yes, I bet they are overkill for what I need.
Him - Yeah, but you would want one of them, oh, and they expensive.... But they are air tools.
Me - But I don't have have a compressor....
Him - Well not yet!!!!!
I'll just add it to my "I'll have to buy list".
Was stuck yesterday trying to remove a rubber exhaust hanger due to limited space meaning I couldn't wiggle the exhaust.
Tried for ages using a dedicated tool which didn't work and a screwdriver then just as I was going to remove the whole heat shield to enable better access thought I'd try a trim removal tool I had as it works really well for removing poly bushes in gearbox linkages in situ, put it on the hanger and it popped off first time.
Well worth it considering the price, also makes removing the plastic trim fasteners that are used on the exterior easy and doesn't damage them so can reuse.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-927687-Trim-Re...
Tried for ages using a dedicated tool which didn't work and a screwdriver then just as I was going to remove the whole heat shield to enable better access thought I'd try a trim removal tool I had as it works really well for removing poly bushes in gearbox linkages in situ, put it on the hanger and it popped off first time.
Well worth it considering the price, also makes removing the plastic trim fasteners that are used on the exterior easy and doesn't damage them so can reuse.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-927687-Trim-Re...
gobuddygo said:
Jag ones look like this not enough space to hammer on a socket, the removal key and nut are made of chocolate.
Apologies, didn't realise Jaguar had their own propetairy locknuts, I doubt a socket would work on them.DocJock said:
Like any locking wheel nut, it will take a serious thief about ten seconds to remove without any special tools. They really are a placebo.
First thing I do with any car I buy with locking wheel nuts is bin them and replace with normal ones. They're like coded car stereos - they don't inconvenience or deter the thieves for one nanosecond, but they are a source of huge ballache for owners and very much so for subsequent owners where the code has been lost, changed or the key lost.
Dog Star said:
DocJock said:
Like any locking wheel nut, it will take a serious thief about ten seconds to remove without any special tools. They really are a placebo.
First thing I do with any car I buy with locking wheel nuts is bin them and replace with normal ones. They're like coded car stereos - they don't inconvenience or deter the thieves for one nanosecond, but they are a source of huge ballache for owners and very much so for subsequent owners where the code has been lost, changed or the key lost.
smack said:
EggsBenedict said:
I have a Clarke air riveter. Just the cheap one. It's brilliant.
You obvs need a compressor too, but that's what man maths is for...
Funny that, a conversation a days ago with a mate who works at BA Engineering :You obvs need a compressor too, but that's what man maths is for...
Him - you probably want the ones we have at work when he need to use rivets on our planes, they will rivet anything...
Me - Probably yes, I bet they are overkill for what I need.
Him - Yeah, but you would want one of them, oh, and they expensive.... But they are air tools.
Me - But I don't have have a compressor....
Him - Well not yet!!!!!
I'll just add it to my "I'll have to buy list".
When I first bought mine I just riveted together bits of scrap Aluminium for fun.
On that note - if you have a lot of sheet materials to rivet, a hole punch is a huge time (and drill bit) saver. I have this one and use it for no end of little jobs (works on leather and sailcloth too).
∆∆∆ Love that.
Does it require a lot of effort to squeeze? I gave up on a conventional riveter after trying to put the floor of my Caterham back on (loads of rivets). I ran out of strength quickly.
It says it'll punch holes through thick metal. I think I can see where the leverage is applied in the "head" but I am quite amazed that it works. I guess it's cast iron and not aluminium, although it is shiny like Ali in the pic.
Does it require a lot of effort to squeeze? I gave up on a conventional riveter after trying to put the floor of my Caterham back on (loads of rivets). I ran out of strength quickly.
It says it'll punch holes through thick metal. I think I can see where the leverage is applied in the "head" but I am quite amazed that it works. I guess it's cast iron and not aluminium, although it is shiny like Ali in the pic.
Watchman said:
??? Love that.
Does it require a lot of effort to squeeze? I gave up on a conventional riveter after trying to put the floor of my Caterham back on (loads of rivets). I ran out of strength quickly.
It says it'll punch holes through thick metal. I think I can see where the leverage is applied in the "head" but I am quite amazed that it works. I guess it's cast iron and not aluminium, although it is shiny like Ali in the pic.
No good for your needs as it’s only replacing the drilling which is far easier than punching a hole!! They are very good for making neat holes in sheet metal though. Does it require a lot of effort to squeeze? I gave up on a conventional riveter after trying to put the floor of my Caterham back on (loads of rivets). I ran out of strength quickly.
It says it'll punch holes through thick metal. I think I can see where the leverage is applied in the "head" but I am quite amazed that it works. I guess it's cast iron and not aluminium, although it is shiny like Ali in the pic.
This Fiskars Weed Puller is amazing. I’ve got 1/2 acre lawn and it is v satisfying to wander around ripping out weeds. I pulled up enough weeds to fill three compost bags full. It is quickly replacing my DeWalt impact driver as my favourite tool.
The only downside to this tool is you realise half your lawn is actually weed.....
https://www.diy.com/departments/fiskars-xact-weed-...
The only downside to this tool is you realise half your lawn is actually weed.....
https://www.diy.com/departments/fiskars-xact-weed-...
Watchman said:
Sorry, I conflated two different things.
My hand riveter became too difficult to use, so I bought a concertina one.
I was just wondering if the hole punch was as difficult to squeeze as a riveter.
Nowhere near as difficult as a hand riveter to put a hole in anything up to ~3mm Alu. Thicker than that and it can get a bit tough on the wrists.My hand riveter became too difficult to use, so I bought a concertina one.
I was just wondering if the hole punch was as difficult to squeeze as a riveter.
Sheet steel is tougher, but 2mm is easily doable.
I bought one when I was panelling the chassis of a Fisher Fury, years ago. Once you get the hang of lining up the punch it's much quicker to put the holes in the sheets than a drill and there's no deburring to do.
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