Those 'handy carry cases'
Discussion
Every time we by a power tool it comes with a 'handy carry case'. Cool.
So why can't the twonks who design them get them right?
Tried a Bosch angle grinder - picture the side handle that you screw in - well, the case is easily large enough to hold the grinder with handle attached, but they've designed it so the grinder fits horizontally and I have to take the handle off to pack it. And the rest of the case is so flimsy you have to make a special effort to align it or it doesn't meet properly. Anywhere for the mains lead? No. Anywhere for the instructions? No, they just drape over the top.
Eventually settled for a MacAllister angle grinder. Much nicer, and two disks included (unlike the Bosch which showed a disk in the photo but denied it in the small print underneath) so I can actually use it without having to go to my local Jewsons which as I disovered is shut on Saturday afternoons. And there's even a slot in the lid for the instructions. Hurrah.
But what now? The case doesn't shut. I don't believe it. I fitted the cutting disk and also the 'cutting guard' as instructed. But the cutting guard is quite deep and so now the angle grinder, which is actually quite nice, sits up in the case a little so the lid doesn't close properly. So get this - to close the box, I have to get the spanner out to remove the disk, then remove the cutting guard, then pack it. And when I want o use it, I'll have to put it all back together again. The box has ample volume to hold the device with a disk and guard attached - so why the flying f
k can't they make the inside but to suit?
And another thing - mains leads! Why do they never leave a place for the mains lead? Coil it up - bit sticks out the side, case won't close. Coil it over the device, and the case still won't close. Coil it into a stupidly tight coil and now the plug is at slightly the wrong angle so the case won't close...
AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So why can't the twonks who design them get them right?
Tried a Bosch angle grinder - picture the side handle that you screw in - well, the case is easily large enough to hold the grinder with handle attached, but they've designed it so the grinder fits horizontally and I have to take the handle off to pack it. And the rest of the case is so flimsy you have to make a special effort to align it or it doesn't meet properly. Anywhere for the mains lead? No. Anywhere for the instructions? No, they just drape over the top.
Eventually settled for a MacAllister angle grinder. Much nicer, and two disks included (unlike the Bosch which showed a disk in the photo but denied it in the small print underneath) so I can actually use it without having to go to my local Jewsons which as I disovered is shut on Saturday afternoons. And there's even a slot in the lid for the instructions. Hurrah.
But what now? The case doesn't shut. I don't believe it. I fitted the cutting disk and also the 'cutting guard' as instructed. But the cutting guard is quite deep and so now the angle grinder, which is actually quite nice, sits up in the case a little so the lid doesn't close properly. So get this - to close the box, I have to get the spanner out to remove the disk, then remove the cutting guard, then pack it. And when I want o use it, I'll have to put it all back together again. The box has ample volume to hold the device with a disk and guard attached - so why the flying f
k can't they make the inside but to suit?And another thing - mains leads! Why do they never leave a place for the mains lead? Coil it up - bit sticks out the side, case won't close. Coil it over the device, and the case still won't close. Coil it into a stupidly tight coil and now the plug is at slightly the wrong angle so the case won't close...
AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simpo Two said:
AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You actually planned to USE the carrying case???? 
Why would you want a plastic handbag to carry a grinder in? You can almost fit the grinder in your pocket, so why choose to carry a plastic box the size of four lap tops instead??
Throw it away and don't be so ghey.
Indeedy yes, all comments valid!
Part of me does indeed want to bin the things and throw the contents, covered with plaster dust and cement splatters, into the back of a dented white van whilst talking loudly on a mobile - but they're for occasional DIY use, and when a tool has a number of accessories, they have some value in keeping the right bits with the right tool.
Just a pity the muppets who design them don't think it through...
Part of me does indeed want to bin the things and throw the contents, covered with plaster dust and cement splatters, into the back of a dented white van whilst talking loudly on a mobile - but they're for occasional DIY use, and when a tool has a number of accessories, they have some value in keeping the right bits with the right tool.
Just a pity the muppets who design them don't think it through...
Simpo Two said:
Anywhere for the instructions? No, they just drape over the top.
. And there's even a slot in the lid for the instructions.
No offence, but if you need instructions for a tool with 1 button you probably shouldn't be allowed one anyway.. And there's even a slot in the lid for the instructions.
besides that, point well made, dewalt in particular are b
ds for expecting their purchasers to practise origami when stowing tools and expect them to never, of all the stupid things, want to store a drill bit with that drill
One thing I will say in favour of 'handy carry cases' is that they do help with storage of the tools ... yes, it can be a pain to put the tool in it (although you can chop out bits of the inside to make your life easier!) but they do stack tolerably well (unlike tools) and you can grab a case with a known tool in it rather than having to untangle multitudinous knotted power cords and blade guards and carry handles.
Oli.
Oli.
Hairyben is right, I dont need the instructions beyond the initial quick browse. However I'm a generally tidy person and don't like to throw things away.
I realised that some modifications were needed (why is the cutting guard 1" deep for a 3mm disk?) and headed for my trusty 'get out of jail' tool, the Bosch Multitool. This too comes in a flimsy plastic case, but is necessary to keep the various widgets together. True to form, the case could easily hold the Multitool with the blade pointing forwards (the 'Let's get it out and use it without faffing' position), but Herr Bosch designed it slightly to the left so you have to loosen the blade with the Allen key and swing it round... retribution for us winning the Battle of Britain perhaps.
Some time later, and with many little bits of black plastic and shavings now scattered over the carpet, the lid was almost closing properly - but not quite. Got a torch and shone it in the gap in an effort to identify ehe offending piece of case. The case is on the floor and so is my head, squinting into this accursed box by torchlight. More chopping and cutting, more debris over the carpet, box still not closing. Eventually thought 'bks' and fitted the grinding guard, which is shallower than the cutting guard. Problem solved.
It's all my fault for reading the instructions...
jeremyc said:
It's an initiative test and a handy tool training facility all in one. 
You're supposed to use the grinder to remove enough of the internal partitions so that the tool, plug, instructions and lead can fit in.
Very good!You're supposed to use the grinder to remove enough of the internal partitions so that the tool, plug, instructions and lead can fit in.
I realised that some modifications were needed (why is the cutting guard 1" deep for a 3mm disk?) and headed for my trusty 'get out of jail' tool, the Bosch Multitool. This too comes in a flimsy plastic case, but is necessary to keep the various widgets together. True to form, the case could easily hold the Multitool with the blade pointing forwards (the 'Let's get it out and use it without faffing' position), but Herr Bosch designed it slightly to the left so you have to loosen the blade with the Allen key and swing it round... retribution for us winning the Battle of Britain perhaps.
Some time later, and with many little bits of black plastic and shavings now scattered over the carpet, the lid was almost closing properly - but not quite. Got a torch and shone it in the gap in an effort to identify ehe offending piece of case. The case is on the floor and so is my head, squinting into this accursed box by torchlight. More chopping and cutting, more debris over the carpet, box still not closing. Eventually thought 'b
ks' and fitted the grinding guard, which is shallower than the cutting guard. Problem solved.It's all my fault for reading the instructions...
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 8th December 13:36
TonyHetherington said:
A fine, and very appropriate rant.
May I add; plugs. Yup, you know 3 pin 13 amp plugs. That will never, ever fit in the flimsy carry case.
It almost ends up like a game; push the cable in then shut the lid as quicly as possible before the cable pokes out.
May I add; plugs. Yup, you know 3 pin 13 amp plugs. That will never, ever fit in the flimsy carry case.
It almost ends up like a game; push the cable in then shut the lid as quicly as possible before the cable pokes out.
Bearing in mind that you can't move too quickly as the two halves won't line up because the hinges are so flimsy
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