Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[Audis5b9]

Any recommendations for chainsaw sharpeners?

[craigthecoupe]

Just grab a round file of the right diameter and watch a couple of youtube videos.
i learnt a couple of years back, its not that difficult. Flat file for taking the depth gauge down proportionally and you're all set. five minutes max.
Unless you're sharpening several chains at once.

[Bill]

This is a game changer imo, much easier to get the angle right

[Aprisa]

Audis5b9 said:

Any recommendations for chainsaw sharpeners?

I have the Clarke mains and 12v versions and find them easy to use, have sharpened around 100 chains on one disc.

[dickymint]

Mines a Portek similar to this one.............

https://www.ernestdoeshop.com/product/portek-flexi...

Paid for itself as I was charging 4 quid a pop to many locals and mates. Files are good for out in the woods but realistically you should take some spare chains with you to save time.

PS. filing a chain properly is an art and will take a lot longer than five minutes

PPS. These are great for backyard users..........

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chainsaw-Sharpener-Univer...

[jfdi]

https://www.sam-turner.co.uk/products/stihl-2-in-1...

Pretty much fool proof, clamp saw in a vice and it takes a couple of minutes max, so much easier to always keep the chain sharp.

[PageyUK]

I few l(maybe many) pages ago, someone recommended a great tool for digging out stubborn plants with strong roots that was very strong and could withstand more leverage than the average spade/fork...

Can anyone remember and let me know what it was called?

[Sway]

PageyUK said:

I few l(maybe many) pages ago, someone recommended a great tool for digging out stubborn plants with strong roots that was very strong and could withstand more leverage than the average spade/fork...

Can anyone remember and let me know what it was called?

Digging bar?

I used this to remove a vast quantity of invasive bamboo. It was still a bd job but once I got this I never looked back.

https://www.toolstation.com/roughneck-digging-bar/...

[hidetheelephants]

A mattock is useful for attacking roots too.

[Chumley.mouse]

PageyUK said:

I few l(maybe many) pages ago, someone recommended a great tool for digging out stubborn plants with strong roots that was very strong and could withstand more leverage than the average spade/fork...

Can anyone remember and let me know what it was called?

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Bulldog-All-Metal-MYD-Handle-Newcastle-Draining-Tool---16in/p/140669

Ive had mine for about 25 years , its had some serious abuse in that time… definitely one of the best tools I’ve ever had.

[Danns]

Sway said:

Digging bar?

I used this to remove a vast quantity of invasive bamboo. It was still a bd job but once I got this I never looked back.

https://www.toolstation.com/roughneck-digging-bar/...

Also effin brilliant for post hole digging if you’ve got rubble / concrete / large stones in your way and struggle to make progress with digging spoons on their own. Can’t recommend it enough.

[sparkythecat]

Audis5b9 said:

Any recommendations for chainsaw sharpeners?

If you're on Facebook, join a group called "Chainsaw sharpening ONLY".
You won't believe how much there is to know about chainsaw sharpening.

But if you want to get good consistent sharpening results, with minimal effort, buy a Stihl 2 in 1 sharpening guide appropriate for your particular pitch of chain.

[GeneralBanter]

sparkythecat said:

Audis5b9 said:

Any recommendations for chainsaw sharpeners?

If you're on Facebook, join a group called "Chainsaw sharpening ONLY".
You won't believe how much there is to know about chainsaw sharpening.

But if you want to get good consistent sharpening results, with minimal effort, buy a Stihl 2 in 1 sharpening guide appropriate for your particular pitch of chain.

And don’t get the clamp on type that’s advertised as the new innovation and answer to all chainsaw sharpening requisites - as they are useless.

[MBVitoria]

No doubt it's already been mentioned several times but the "Marxman" hole marker really is a tool that I wish I'd bought sooner! Such a simple idea but made my job of fitting guttering so much easier.

[donkmeister]

MBVitoria said:

No doubt it's already been mentioned several times but the "Marxman" hole marker really is a tool that I wish I'd bought sooner! Such a simple idea but made my job of fitting guttering so much easier.

Don't forget to use it vertically downwards from time to time. In my experience they tend to get a bit claggy if you use it horizontally a lot. I think it says to prime it vertically anyway.

In a similar vein, mechanical carpenter's pencils with a long thin tube. I had been using the big wodgy pencils for years until I saw a Laura Kampf video where she was using one of these. Ordered one and it's so much more usable. I'm sure some would think "just use a bradawl", but given you will almost certainly need to have a pencil on you anyway why have another tool to reach for? And one that let's face it, you will stab yourself with at some point!

This sort of thing: https://www.toolstation.com/tracer-deep-pencil-mar...

[YankeePorker]

donkmeister said:

Don't forget to use it vertically downwards from time to time. In my experience they tend to get a bit claggy if you use it horizontally a lot. I think it says to prime it vertically anyway.

In a similar vein, mechanical carpenter's pencils with a long thin tube. I had been using the big wodgy pencils for years until I saw a Laura Kampf video where she was using one of these. Ordered one and it's so much more usable. I'm sure some would think "just use a bradawl", but given you will almost certainly need to have a pencil on you anyway why have another tool to reach for? And one that let's face it, you will stab yourself with at some point!

This sort of thing: https://www.toolstation.com/tracer-deep-pencil-mar...

I’m so tempted, but can’t get past the habit of keeping a little golf course pencil behind my ear. Sometimes I don’t realise it’s there until I’m washing my hair in the shower.

[GeneralBanter]

MBVitoria said:

No doubt it's already been mentioned several times but the "Marxman" hole marker really is a tool that I wish I'd bought sooner! Such a simple idea but made my job of fitting guttering so much easier.

As funded by Deborah Meaden her off Dragons Den.

Edited by GeneralBanter on Tuesday 2nd April 11:49

[bodhi]

Cross post from the April Fool's thread - but anyone need a new drill?

https://www.protoolreviews.com/milwaukee-oppendriv...

[skwdenyer]

bodhi said:

Cross post from the April Fool's thread - but anyone need a new drill?

https://www.protoolreviews.com/milwaukee-oppendriv...

Fantastic. But then this is real (albeit a one-off)



Nitro-fuelled V8 drill... And before anyone says, I know there are petrol-powered tools used in, for instance, the rail industry.

[Captain Answer]

Horsey McHorseface said:

Turtle Shed said:

Hedge Trimmer.

Yes, I've only had a house with hedges since August last year, but I should have bought one right away. What a lovely job to do.

For reference I bought the Hawksmoor one from Toolstation. £66 including battery and charger. Works like a dream. I was tempted with the Ego version at a lost more money (As I have their mower and strimmer), but we're talking £320.00 with a battery. (Mower one too heavy).

This one?
https://www.toolstation.com/hawksmoor-18v-51cm-cor...

How long does the battery last? And how long to charge?

Edited by Horsey McHorseface on Saturday 30th March 16:02

Not got that one as not got a hedge but the string trimmer is decent for the price if you need one... paid about £25 for one last year as a body only unit
https://www.toolstation.com/hawksmoor-18v-26cm-cor...