Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[Arnold Cunningham]

pquinn said:

Arnold Cunningham said:

So don't procastine, make a wise purchase now. And justify it to yourself that it's big and shiny

Edited for accuracy.

Don't think too much about it, just do it. Though working out a justification might be handy if someone else gets annoyed about new stuff appearing...

And I realise I misspelt procrastinate

[geeks]

Thanks will and quinn for the advice

[GeneralBanter]

AW10 said:

Ditto for the evolutions saw.

And consider checking their factory store https://shop.evolutionpowertools.com/collections/r...

I went bigger to cut thicker wood then ended up fitting a metal blade and using it as a chop saw. 10/10

[Dannbodge]

The 210mm evolution is in my saved list on Screwfix so I'll get that.

Thanks

Noted about setup too. That's one of the main issues with my current saw (apart from not being sliding) is that it doesn't cut straight or square.

[M11rph]

TriumphStag3.0V8 said:

Snap! Although the shop was a bit bemused when they asked me when I wanted it delivered and I said "I'll take it now", "Do you have a van?", "No"

Like your style

jimmyjimjim said:

I've found it makes an enormous difference having a place to store tools; I'm getting a lot more done just because I know I can find everything I need without wasting a hour.

Any idea what thickness the material is? They're big on that as a measure of quality in the US.

20 guage, so 1mm. It's definitely a step up from things like the Halfords Pro range, which are typically 24 Guage iirc which makes a significant difference.

Obviously not Snap On levels, but for most homegamers it feels like the sweet spot between absolute cheapest and functional/durable.

The wheels look like they came off a Beijing Taxi, I might even swap them out, but they seem up to the job. It's had tools in it, about 60 kg's of timber piled on top and me stood on that and didn't give way. (I've loaned my platform ladder out. Older enough to know better).

[gfreeman]

TriumphStag3.0V8 said:

I have the larger 210mm version. Brilliant saw. Nice and light with plenty of power and feels well built. Worth getting a stand with it I think. (something like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttu806acc-mitre-s... )

Also - as with all mitre saws make sure you read the setup instructions FULLY including the bit about adjusting the blade angle so that it is properly square to the base and the fence........ I did not do this with my previous saw and always wondered why it never did a proper mitre (I assumed they were set up properly from the factory and it was just a st, cheap saw - they aren't and it turns out it wasn't) - same applies to adjusting the laser before first use!

Edited by TriumphStag3.0V8 on Friday 17th March 12:23

I’ve just bought the Titan stand and it is a wonder how they can do it for that price. It is well recommended from me.

[jimmyjimjim]

M11rph said:

20 guage, so 1mm. It's definitely a step up from things like the Halfords Pro range, which are typically 24 Guage iirc which makes a significant difference.

Obviously not Snap On levels, but for most homegamers it feels like the sweet spot between absolute cheapest and functional/durable.

The wheels look like they came off a Beijing Taxi, I might even swap them out, but they seem up to the job. It's had tools in it, about 60 kg's of timber piled on top and me stood on that and didn't give way. (I've loaned my platform ladder out. Older enough to know better).

That's pretty good value. My Husky tool chest is 21 gauge (which is a little odd - the heavy duty is 18 Gauge and <I think? there's another grade below at 22 or 24). Snap-on are 16 Gauge. 24 gauge...is pretty thin. Agree with you that 20(or thereaboutes!) is the happy middle unless you're doing stuff professionally with clumsy oafs knocking the crap out of it.

[LunarOne]

RacingPete said:

M11rph said:

More room for new tools.

Decent roller cab. Same as the US Pro and SGS offerings but currently discounted at Homebase. £550 delivered.
https://www.homebase.co.uk/ultimate-56in-10-drawer...

I've just unpacked mine and it's significantly sturdier than the cheapest offerings. Comes well packed and fully assembled bar the handles, 10mm socket required

I am so near pulling the trigger on this... but then my brain says, what else should I be looking at here to compete with this??

I've just been to Homebase to look at this thing and couldn't find it. Then the girl behind the service counter said, "I know where it is!" and pointed to the exit, where it has been draped in black paper stapled around the wooden top to hide what it actually is, and they're using it as a stand to advertise double glazing. I asked if I can have it as a discount, and they weren't interested. "It's been standing there as long as I've been here, which is six years", she said.

They did have some much smaller and chintzier looking ones in the main aisles, but I'm not interested in those. If I want to look at an actual example, I have to go to Basingstoke, which is the nearest store that has one in stock. That's half an hour away with no traffic, or nearly an hour with... Looking on the SGS site, they have a bigger 72" unit at £750, which is what Homebase claim their 56" unit was reduced from: https://www.sgs-engineering.com/stc7200b-stainless...

I'd prefer a bigger one I think, but then I'd also prefer a cheaper price. Hmmm...

[M11rph]

SGS will also add £30 delivery, but that is still not a bad price for the biggest version. £650 for the 55" delivered, hence the Homebase price is a healthy saving.
US Pro have the same item at £650 too https://usprotoolboxes.com/product/us-pro-profesio...

The 55" one I have was perfect for me and happy with the price.

[jimmyjimjim]

LunarOne said:

I've just been to Homebase to look at this thing and couldn't find it. Then the girl behind the service counter said, "I know where it is!" and pointed to the exit, where it has been draped in black paper stapled around the wooden top to hide what it actually is, and they're using it as a stand to advertise double glazing. I asked if I can have it as a discount, and they weren't interested. "It's been standing there as long as I've been here, which is six years", she said.

They did have some much smaller and chintzier looking ones in the main aisles, but I'm not interested in those. If I want to look at an actual example, I have to go to Basingstoke, which is the nearest store that has one in stock. That's half an hour away with no traffic, or nearly an hour with... Looking on the SGS site, they have a bigger 72" unit at £750, which is what Homebase claim their 56" unit was reduced from: https://www.sgs-engineering.com/stc7200b-stainless...

I'd prefer a bigger one I think, but then I'd also prefer a cheaper price. Hmmm...

I was planning on getting the 56" model of mine. Looked at it in store. %$#@ that. Got the double stacked 44" instead ($700). Go for the cheap one.

[TriumphStag3.0V8]

M11rph said:

SGS will also add £30 delivery, but that is still not a bad price for the biggest version. £650 for the 55" delivered, hence the Homebase price is a healthy saving.
US Pro have the same item at £650 too https://usprotoolboxes.com/product/us-pro-profesio...

The 55" one I have was perfect for me and happy with the price.

SGS are selling it via eBay for £590 (eBay is showing a voucher - £621 without) including delivery

Edited by TriumphStag3.0V8 on Friday 17th March 21:14

[Flibble]

KTMsm said:

I do that with a piece of hardboard and a drill

For my kitchen cupboards I used a scrap of plywood. Seemed to work.

[TriumphStag3.0V8]

Dannbodge said:

The 210mm evolution is in my saved list on Screwfix so I'll get that.

Thanks

Noted about setup too. That's one of the main issues with my current saw (apart from not being sliding) is that it doesn't cut straight or square.

Yeah, this was why I bought a new one, then reading the setup instructions for the new one realised my old one wasn't crap after all - so now I have 2 (which I think is fine ) - the new one is much better though, although I did feel like a right wally when I realised!

You need a proper metal set square to do the setup - pretty straightforward once you get your head round it.

[Geoff391]

TriumphStag3.0V8 said:

SGS are selling it via eBay for £590 (eBay is showing a voucher - £621 without) including delivery

Edited by TriumphStag3.0V8 on Friday 17th March 21:14

A while back I was having a bad day so cheered myself up with two of these from SGS

Had fun getting them off of the stacked pallets :-)

[amateurdad]

I picked up one of those 72" ones a year or so ago locally for £400, absolute bargain.

Fitted it in my Superb estate as well!

Geoff391 said:

A while back I was having a bad day so cheered myself up with two of these from SGS

Had fun getting them off of the stacked pallets :-)

[Doofus]

Geoff391 said:

Had fun getting them off of the stacked pallets :-)

There's a tool for that...

[Geoff391]

Doofus said:

Geoff391 said:

Had fun getting them off of the stacked pallets :-)

There's a tool for that...

[LunarOne]

amateurdad said:

I picked up one of those 72" ones a year or so ago locally for £400, absolute bargain.

That's the one I'm after. Where/how did you get it for £400?

[Jules Sunley]

On the topic of tool storage, albeit this isn't one with a bench on top, I've got the older one of these from Costco. Same size but slightly different design. Was about 650 quid a few years ago so they have gone up. Comes in 2 parts and really well built. Worth considering if a higher cabinet suits. The lift up top is ideal for stuff you are currently using

[GeneralBanter]

RacingPete said:

I am so near pulling the trigger on this... but then my brain says, what else should I be looking at here to compete with this??

I bought a hospital trolley for £15. Two ali shelves I put rubber sheet on. Works a treat !