Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

Author
Discussion

OMITN

2,095 posts

91 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
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Sway said:
First job is 93 cuts (assuming no cock ups hehe) across nine sheets of ply to make some fitted wardrobes/drawers.

Can see the logic of having a long, medium and short dedicated rail, but also trying to keep the cost somewhat down so I don't end up feeling I should have just gone with Sharps...
You can comfortably go full Festool (Domino, even the new table saw) and still come in way under what Sharps would gouge you for charge you….

gfreeman

1,729 posts

249 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Sway said:
Just managed to find a bargain barely used Festool TS55f plunge saw - but need track...

Makita track OK, or should I stump up for Festool track?
I have the same. I went for the 2x1.4m evolution rails - comes with clamps, joining pieces and a carry bag for £76 off Evolution’s store on Amazon.
Perfect fit. Quality not bad. Value excellent.

Peter911

473 posts

156 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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I have the Erbauer saw with two short 700 lengths and joining strips, then bought the 1400 titan track which fits perfectly. Can do most scenarios

Aprisa

1,798 posts

257 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Is anyone else like me becoming a bit addicted to the "Powertoolmateprizes" twice weekly prize draws?

Two hours of heartbreak when you win bugger all but lovely tools!

Aerate

264 posts

147 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Can anyone recommend a pair of loppers / long-handles pruners? I’ve just broken a second pair of the short-handled plastic Fiskars ones because I’m an oaf. I really liked them, but being an oaf maybe I need something in steel rather than alloy (the extending handle ones are laughable) or plastic. Any suggestions? Or should I just look out in the ‘dead man’s tools’ department of the local antiques arcade?

Bill

52,485 posts

254 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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These seem pretty indestructible: TABOR TOOLS GG12E Professional... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E5NQ2U4?ref=ppx_pop...

WrekinCrew

4,573 posts

149 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Peter Millard (10 Minute Workshop) is quite impressed with the latest Lidl / Parkside 12v range:


BigRuts

2,070 posts

205 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Not bought sooner as I don't have the storage but a micro digger certainly made light work of my patio footings last weekend, i'd still be going for the next month or so if i were doing it by hand!


guitarcarfanatic

1,570 posts

134 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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WrekinCrew said:
Peter Millard (10 Minute Workshop) is quite impressed with the latest Lidl / Parkside 12v range:

These have actually been around for a while, just don't turn up very often! There are some French reviews on Youtube where they compare them to the Bosch versions - basically, almost as powerful and run a little hotter, but in use you wouldn't notice. Worth picking up, just a shame Lidl only sell 2 or 3 times a year - in Germany, you can buy all the tools all of the time.

hidetheelephants

23,778 posts

192 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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BigRuts said:
Not bought sooner as I don't have the storage but a micro digger certainly made light work of my patio footings last weekend, i'd still be going for the next month or so if i were doing it by hand!

How much? I have drains to dig and don't fancy hiring, because who doesn't want more toys?

Promised Land

4,700 posts

208 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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hidetheelephants said:
BigRuts said:
Not bought sooner as I don't have the storage but a micro digger certainly made light work of my patio footings last weekend, i'd still be going for the next month or so if i were doing it by hand!

How much? I have drains to dig and don't fancy hiring, because who doesn't want more toys?
If you are buying one do yourself a favour and pay a bit more for one with servo controls, not just for better control but far easier to use as you’re not hunched over the controls.

Sway

26,070 posts

193 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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Got a fortnight off work, time to (finally) make the fitted wardrobes I've been saying I would for the last four years...

So far, I've bought:

2nd hand Festool TS55f plunge saw


2.8m Evolution track set


Dewalt cordless random orbit sander


Trend Pocket hole jig


Titan sliding compound mitre saw


Stanley basic saw horses (only ones where the cls sticks proud, so I don't need a sacrificial tabletop).


Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.

However, one cut with the festool has now got me waiting for a titan class m dust extractor as it instantly overloaded my Henry!


It was a very clean single cut though! hehe

Trying to resist getting an electric plane - but the top rear of the wardrobes is angled due to sloping ceiling. To resist, I need to figure out angles for cuts with the plunge saw...

Jules Sunley

3,933 posts

92 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
quotequote all
Sway said:
Got a fortnight off work, time to (finally) make the fitted wardrobes I've been saying I would for the last four years...

So far, I've bought:

2nd hand Festool TS55f plunge saw


2.8m Evolution track set


Dewalt cordless random orbit sander


Trend Pocket hole jig


Titan sliding compound mitre saw


Stanley basic saw horses (only ones where the cls sticks proud, so I don't need a sacrificial tabletop).


Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.

However, one cut with the festool has now got me waiting for a titan class m dust extractor as it instantly overloaded my Henry!


It was a very clean single cut though! hehe

Trying to resist getting an electric plane - but the top rear of the wardrobes is angled due to sloping ceiling. To resist, I need to figure out angles for cuts with the plunge saw...
A nice selection there. I hope they will be used more after the wardrobes though or those will work out as expensive wardrobes biggrin

guitarcarfanatic

1,570 posts

134 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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I would always cut MDF so worth working out the angle. Planing tends to deform the edges a little!

If you can stretch to it, I strongly recommend going for MR MDF - it takes paint so well and if you follow Gosforth Handyman or Peter Millards painting MDF tips, you will get a finish almost as good as sprayed.

guitarcarfanatic

1,570 posts

134 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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Also - good work on the tool haul. Always a good day when tools arrive!! biggrin

Sway

26,070 posts

193 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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guitarcarfanatic said:
I would always cut MDF so worth working out the angle. Planing tends to deform the edges a little!

If you can stretch to it, I strongly recommend going for MR MDF - it takes paint so well and if you follow Gosforth Handyman or Peter Millards painting MDF tips, you will get a finish almost as good as sprayed.
MR MDF is in the garage. 4 sheets for this half of the dressing room build. Will attempt the angles - once I've cut the side piece and offered it up, then I should be able to work off that.

Jules Sunley

3,933 posts

92 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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guitarcarfanatic said:
I would always cut MDF so worth working out the angle. Planing tends to deform the edges a little!

If you can stretch to it, I strongly recommend going for MR MDF - it takes paint so well and if you follow Gosforth Handyman or Peter Millards painting MDF tips, you will get a finish almost as good as sprayed.
Another vote for MR MDF, really nice to work with

hidetheelephants

23,778 posts

192 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
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Sway said:
Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.
You can't swank into the thread with all that bling and then not show us what you've 'knocked up'.hehe

Sway

26,070 posts

193 months

Tuesday 13th June 2023
quotequote all
hidetheelephants said:
Sway said:
Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.
You can't swank into the thread with all that bling and then not show us what you've 'knocked up'.hehe
Oh hell no!

Especially as it's specifically designed to be sacrificial, and I used odd bits lying around...

I'll post up the wardrobes once they're done though. Just doing the carcasses/plinth for now, as swmbo hasn't decided on the style of doors she wants.

Jules Sunley

3,933 posts

92 months

Wednesday 14th June 2023
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Sway said:
Oh hell no!

Especially as it's specifically designed to be sacrificial, and I used odd bits lying around...

I'll post up the wardrobes once they're done though. Just doing the carcasses/plinth for now, as swmbo hasn't decided on the style of doors she wants.
It's not like she's had enough time to think about it.... I feel your pain