Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[Arnold Cunningham]

Yes, I've cut a slit or crescent out of a bolt for many jobs over the years. It's very useful when you're in a fix.
It I don't have a sacrificial bolt, and I have to use the job bolt, I use the bench grinder to put a little cresent in the end.

It's not as efficient as a slit, but will clean up the thread if you wind it in/out/clean a few times without compromising the grip or integrity of the bolt when you wind it up to hold the thing in place. Although sometimes I describe a mildly upset thread as "self locking".

[anonymous-user]

Split dies are very useful for threading rods of reducing bolt sizes as they can be used on oversize shafts and effectively turn the rod or bolt down to the size you need. I’ve made 3/8 threaded ends on 1/2” rods before, and several shouldered bolts. You never get a 3/8 die on a 1/2” rod to start with.

[Drumroll]

Been giving this a lot of use over the last few days.

https://makitauk.com/product/p-79142

A screwdriver ratchet drive meant I could get into smallish spaces and still be able to apply some pressure. Something I was struggling with using the right angle drill attachment

[thebraketester]

Accelebrate said:

I’d got a basic tap and die set, but I always seem to need to clean up non-standard thread pitches whilst working on cars.

This set from Sealey seems to be a bit more comprehensive, and hopefully more durable than similar sized sets from unknown brands on Amazon…

https://ffx.co.uk/product/Get/Sealey-Ak3040-505451...

So useful. An absolute must is a set of standard metric taps. It will be a Sunday afternoon when everywhere is closed and you'll need them.

I had a situation a while back where a £100 part from VW was missing a thread on a hole, and my car was in bits and not drivable. They paid for themselves right there.

[Arnold Cunningham]

Not makita, but I have a similar one. Perhaps even smaller. Absolute godsend when needed.

[anonymous-user]

thebraketester said:

So useful. An absolute must is a set of standard metric taps. It will be a Sunday afternoon when everywhere is closed and you'll need them.

I had a situation a while back where a 100 part from VW was missing a thread on a hole, and my car was in bits and not drivable. They paid for themselves right there.

US Pro do a comprehensive metric and imperial for under £100. Very well made and as you say when you need it it saves so much time and faffing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254649349627?mkcid=16&a...

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 27th May 17:26

[Arnold Cunningham]

bks. That's another 100 quid spent. I have lots of taps and dies already, but that set looks good.

[pquinn]

Drumroll said:

Been giving this a lot of use over the last few days.

https://makitauk.com/product/p-79142

A screwdriver ratchet drive meant I could get into smallish spaces and still be able to apply some pressure. Something I was struggling with using the right angle drill attachment

Got all sorts if flavours of ratchet drives for screwdriver bits, including little round disk ones with a removable handle.

The low profile 'through loaded' ratchet handles are the ones I can't do without, helps for taking stuff apart with really minimal access (ie when I cant be bothered doing the early stripdown to get in more easily).

[talksthetorque]

I've just got an Abba Skylift for working on the bike. I've always hated scrabbling round on the floor so kept an eye out for one second hand. One has turned up in a nearby town for a fair price so Idived in there quick. Just got to spend £30 oon the adapters for my bike and I'm all set.

[Marumi]

V6 Pushfit said:

US Pro do a comprehensive metric and imperial for under 100. Very well made and as you say when you need it it saves so much time and faffing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254649349627?mkcid=16&a...

Edited by V6 Pushfit on Friday 27th May 17:26

I can't believe for half a second that those are 'very well made.'

Largely on the basis that US Pro is hot garbage.

[anonymous-user]

Marumi said:

V6 Pushfit said:

US Pro do a comprehensive metric and imperial for under 100. Very well made and as you say when you need it it saves so much time and faffing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254649349627?mkcid=16&a...

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 27th May 17:26

I can't believe for half a second that those are 'very well made.'

Largely on the basis that US Pro is hot garbage.

I’ve had the set 3 now years and it’s probably done well over 500 taps and made 50 threads. Mainly steel but some ali. Still well sharp as when I got it. There’s first and second taps of each size it’s no pushover plastic set.

[Accelebrate]

I’ve got a few US Pro/Bergen tools and have always been quite happy with them on a price vs. quality basis.

[Huntsman]

I just ordered


https://www.ukplanettools.co.uk/makita-hedge-trimm...

Seemed a very good price.

Now I'm rolling with the LXT gear there's a few things to follow, next a multitool.

[the cueball]

talksthetorque said:

I've just got an Abba Skylift for working on the bike. I've always hated scrabbling round on the floor so kept an eye out for one second hand. One has turned up in a nearby town for a fair price so Idived in there quick. Just got to spend 30 oon the adapters for my bike and I'm all set.

Great piece of kit… I would consider getting an extra strap bolt for swapping the lift over, makes it a bit easier and less faff.

https://abbastands.co.uk/product-detail.asp?item=s...

[dublove]

Can anyone recommend a decent hand rivet gun, ratcheting or hydraulic that doesn't cost a small fortune?

[anonymous-user]

Accelebrate said:

I’ve got a few US Pro/Bergen tools and have always been quite happy with them on a price vs. quality basis.

I’m a skinflint when it comes to tools but won’t ever go for cheap crap, I believe you can get very good quality for regular hard ‘weekend’ use without resorting to Snap On or Makita prices. I do have some Snap On but US Pro is just as good - eg their 1.2m ratchet bar at £17 is fine for me!

There’s some good gear on eBay as I won’t pay £150 for a drill driver and four bits just for the name.

I DON’T make a living on the tools if I did it would be a totally different matter and respect to those on here that use the gear daily.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 28th May 11:11

[anonymous-user]

This is the Harvey Frost tyre changer I mentioned before. It’s a ‘70’s thing with pneumatic bead breaker and knocks spots off the Sealey £900 one which is a slightly different design due to patents. It’s bullet proof and compact, the design was sold to the US and fizzled out there. At £125 it’s ideal.

[lowdrag]

As you do, you are in the shop for one thing and come out with another. I am not in your league gentlemen, but this seemed pretty good value from a good make. £85 all in its nice little carry case. It's already seen service and performed perfectly well.

[talksthetorque]

the cueball said:

Great piece of kit… I would consider getting an extra strap bolt for swapping the lift over, makes it a bit easier and less faff.

https://abbastands.co.uk/product-detail.asp?item=s...

Thanks Cueball, I think I might be able to source something similar to that for less than £8 for a bolt ( or even free if I have one already.)
Or have they been tts and done it fine pitch thread......

[Slow]

V6 Pushfit said:

This is the Harvey Frost tyre changer I mentioned before. It’s a ‘70’s thing with pneumatic bead breaker and knocks spots off the Sealey 900 one which is a slightly different design due to patents. It’s bullet proof and compact, the design was sold to the US and fizzled out there. At 125 it’s ideal.

Been using my digger to break beads than battling with bars for years. Keep thinking I should get a machine especially now it’s £20 a tyre for fitting round me!

How does this compare to those automatic ones you get for under a grand on eBay?