Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[bodhi]

Ham_and_Jam said:

Bonefish Blues said:

I don't know the brand - is it a good 'un? I notice a Bosch is same price:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gop-30-28-300w-el...

That Bosch uses Starlock blades which are not the universal tool free blades, so you will be stuck with replacing with the expensive blades.
I have a Dewalt multi tool and it uses the same universal blades as the Erbauer

Wouldn't really call the Starlock blades too much of an issue - no tools required to change blades and non Bosch blades are available at a cheaper price, even though the Bosch ones aren't especially expensive.

[Bonefish Blues]

So blades aside, is the Bosch a better brand for me to buy at the same pricepoint?

[bodhi]

Bonefish Blues said:

So blades aside, is the Bosch a better brand for me to buy at the same pricepoint?

As it's from the Professional range (or Bosch Blue) I'd say definitely. We've got the Home version and its a cracking bit of kit.

[RacingPete]

Indecision said:

RacingPete said:

I have just put up lights in the garage and about to do tiles… on looking at the lights it is plainly obvious I need a laser guide level thing to make them not look crooked as they are now, and definitely when it comes to the floor tile laying.

Going to start today, so last minute ask - any recommendations out there I can pickup today?

I’ve got an older version of this - works well. If you can accept the Screwfix tax it’s in stock https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cubix-stht77498...

Seems decent, thanks - pick up in an hour

[Mr Pointy]

RacingPete said:

Indecision said:

RacingPete said:

I have just put up lights in the garage and about to do tiles… on looking at the lights it is plainly obvious I need a laser guide level thing to make them not look crooked as they are now, and definitely when it comes to the floor tile laying.

Going to start today, so last minute ask - any recommendations out there I can pickup today?

I’ve got an older version of this - works well. If you can accept the Screwfix tax it’s in stock https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cubix-stht77498...

Seems decent, thanks - pick up in an hour

It's probably too late but I'd go for a battery powered one - it's much more flexible in use.

[dickymint]

RacingPete said:

Indecision said:

RacingPete said:

I have just put up lights in the garage and about to do tiles… on looking at the lights it is plainly obvious I need a laser guide level thing to make them not look crooked as they are now, and definitely when it comes to the floor tile laying.

Going to start today, so last minute ask - any recommendations out there I can pickup today?

I’ve got an older version of this - works well. If you can accept the Screwfix tax it’s in stock https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cubix-stht77498...

Seems decent, thanks - pick up in an hour

If it's not too late get one with a green laser.

[Car bon]

Mr Pointy said:

The forum software can't cope with a link as the first thing in a reply - putting anything before it, even a full stop, cure the problem.

Every day is a school day - thanks for the tip

[GeneralBanter]

dickymint said:

If it's not too late get one with a green laser.

Definitely. You can hardly see a red laser with the lights on.

[Ian Geary]

Laser levels - I have found this one to be great

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BZD5HF8C/ref=ya...

+ Cheaper than a basic Stanley cube one
+ Does vertical and horizontal, from about 1.6mm off the ground
+Mains powered with spare battery
+ Remote control and some other bits and bobs too
- stood up well over the last 4 months of weekend use

- no clamp like the Stanley one


I have a Stanley and parkside red cross type, and whilst they're ok they are far less versatile. Need feeding batteries every few hours too.

[Ian Geary]

Rawlplugs:


Having finished a multi pack of Wilko ones (the yellow, red, brown type on a strip) I reached for some cheaper ones I had kicking round, which were shocking in quality.

So I over compensated and tried these fisher ones from Screwfix

https://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-duopower-wall-p...

In masonry they are superb - in fact they're so hard to insert even after using a small hammer they still protrude a few mm (which squashes down when I screw things in)

Can anyone else say if they find this with the fisher wall plugs?

Thanks

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Nope never had that with them

[Simpo Two]

Ian Geary said:

In masonry they are superb - in fact they're so hard to insert even after using a small hammer they still protrude a few mm (which squashes down when I screw things in)

Sounds like the hole needs to be a bit wider or longer. Try 'stirring' the drill round a bit to make the opening a tad wider.

[eltax91]

Simpo Two said:

Ian Geary said:

In masonry they are superb - in fact they're so hard to insert even after using a small hammer they still protrude a few mm (which squashes down when I screw things in)

Sounds like the hole needs to be a bit wider or longer. Try 'stirring' the drill round a bit to make the opening a tad wider.

I find a little blow in the hole makes all the difference. Close your eyes first.

[Jakg]

Ian Geary said:

In masonry they are superb - in fact they're so hard to insert even after using a small hammer they still protrude a few mm (which squashes down when I screw things in)

Can anyone else say if they find this with the fisher wall plugs?

Thanks

Put a screw in a couple of turns and hammer the end of the screw to get it flush.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

I would say the hole wasn't deep enough I mean it does say on the box the correct depth etc

[cml24]

Jakg said:

Ian Geary said:

In masonry they are superb - in fact they're so hard to insert even after using a small hammer they still protrude a few mm (which squashes down when I screw things in)

Can anyone else say if they find this with the fisher wall plugs?

Thanks

Put a screw in a couple of turns and hammer the end of the screw to get it flush.

I only ever use these now. My walls are brick, normal plaster, so I have to hammer them in past the plaster anyway, exactly as suggested. Screw in a turn or two and tap them into the hole. Hole should be longer, and the screw is designed to just pole through the end of the plug when used properly.

On the multitool topic, my erbauer multitool has been fantastic. So many jobs for it.

[The Gauge]

Ian Geary said:

Rawlplugs:


Having finished a multi pack of Wilko ones (the yellow, red, brown type on a strip) I reached for some cheaper ones I had kicking round, which were shocking in quality.

So I over compensated and tried these fisher ones from Screwfix

https://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-duopower-wall-p...

In masonry they are superb - in fact they're so hard to insert even after using a small hammer they still protrude a few mm (which squashes down when I screw things in)

Can anyone else say if they find this with the fisher wall plugs?

Thanks

Are you drilling the correct size hole? The drill bit size needed is usually printed on the box. I think its a 6mm drill bit for those plugs.

[OMITN]

A polisher for the car.

Today I hand polished the MX5 we acquired from my FIL last year. Shoulder is aching now.

Since he clearly used a sandy Brillo pad to wash it, it’s going to need more than I’ve done to sort the paint (in due course - winter job in the garage, going to drive it so styler now). We also have two other cars which could do with some paintwork TLC.

I think I want a “dual action” polisher - presumably the same movement as a random orbital sander? - any recommendations for something cheap? I’ve seen a Hyundai for £80 which looks ok https://www.diy.com/departments/hyundai-900w-150mm...

[DBPHiL]

Jakg said:

Ian Geary said:

In masonry they are superb - in fact they're so hard to insert even after using a small hammer they still protrude a few mm (which squashes down when I screw things in)

Can anyone else say if they find this with the fisher wall plugs?

Thanks

Put a screw in a couple of turns and hammer the end of the screw to get it flush.

^^what he said^^
Or do away with plugs altogether and use these...
https://dgsgroup.co.uk/fitting/screws/masonry-scre...

[skeeterm5]

dickymint said:

RacingPete said:

Indecision said:

RacingPete said:

I have just put up lights in the garage and about to do tiles… on looking at the lights it is plainly obvious I need a laser guide level thing to make them not look crooked as they are now, and definitely when it comes to the floor tile laying.

Going to start today, so last minute ask - any recommendations out there I can pickup today?

I’ve got an older version of this - works well. If you can accept the Screwfix tax it’s in stock https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cubix-stht77498...

Seems decent, thanks - pick up in an hour

If it's not too late get one with a green laser.

I have one of these with a green laser, works well enough for me.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143851720797