Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...
Discussion
Seanseansean said:
Get this Bahco hacksaw light weight and well built.
Had mine about 4 years used everyday on site, gets some serious abuse it’s great.
I had a fat max and it was to heavy and wouldn’t cut straight after about a year.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/bahco-hacksaw-frame-12-...
And cheaper on Fleabay, £8.99 delivered, and I just ordered one as I left my hacksaw at my dad's house.Had mine about 4 years used everyday on site, gets some serious abuse it’s great.
I had a fat max and it was to heavy and wouldn’t cut straight after about a year.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/bahco-hacksaw-frame-12-...
B17NNS said:
ben5575 said:
They're very nice aren't
Wera kit is a joy to own and use. Don’t do much spannering but I still hanker after a set of Jokers 
Ben5575 got that screwdriver set last year it also came with a live circuit test screwdriver - strange as it doesn't seem to 'belong' in the pouch! Did yours come with one?
Edit for photo.....
Edited by dickymint on Monday 15th April 00:08
dickymint said:
Had my Jokers a couple of years they really are good especially for running nuts up threaded rod without slipping through the nut
How often do you need to do that? 
I looked at a set of jokers a while ago, but decided they solved a problem from which I didn't suffer. OE and ring ratchets, standard and long sockets cover all eventualities in my garage.
Doofus said:
dickymint said:
Had my Jokers a couple of years they really are good especially for running nuts up threaded rod without slipping through the nut
How often do you need to do that? I looked at a set of jokers a while ago, but decided they solved a problem from which I didn't suffer. OE and ring ratchets, standard and long sockets cover all eventualities in my garage.
ben5575 said:
Watchman said:
BTW, my VDE screwdrivers turned up today. Absolutely chuffed with them. Thanks for the recommendation. Definitely something I should have bought earlier.
They're very nice aren't they?Whatever you do, don't look at this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zyklop-Ratchet-switch-met...
or this...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-05020013001-Ratchet-...
But the Wera kit is lovely.
I also have a tonne of Park Tool tools for bicycles. Also lovely.
My wife thinks I'm mad... right up until she needs something repairing.
Edited by Watchman on Monday 15th April 11:29
Does anyone have a solid battery drill, one that gets left for ages between projects, gets forgotten on charge - but the battery still works?
If so, would you add it to your list of tools that you should have bought sooner, rather than spend how much on drills that do not last, but now clutter up the bottom draw?
If so, would you add it to your list of tools that you should have bought sooner, rather than spend how much on drills that do not last, but now clutter up the bottom draw?
Peanut Gallery said:
Does anyone have a solid battery drill, one that gets left for ages between projects, gets forgotten on charge - but the battery still works?
If so, would you add it to your list of tools that you should have bought sooner, rather than spend how much on drills that do not last, but now clutter up the bottom draw?
My Makita LXTs are fantastic. Not cheap at the time, especially the top-end impact driver, but they just work whenever I pick them up, and work tremendously well.If so, would you add it to your list of tools that you should have bought sooner, rather than spend how much on drills that do not last, but now clutter up the bottom draw?
skwdenyer said:
Peanut Gallery said:
Does anyone have a solid battery drill, one that gets left for ages between projects, gets forgotten on charge - but the battery still works?
If so, would you add it to your list of tools that you should have bought sooner, rather than spend how much on drills that do not last, but now clutter up the bottom draw?
My Makita LXTs are fantastic. Not cheap at the time, especially the top-end impact driver, but they just work whenever I pick them up, and work tremendously well.If so, would you add it to your list of tools that you should have bought sooner, rather than spend how much on drills that do not last, but now clutter up the bottom draw?
Watchman said:
Having built a Caterham and owned a TVR, I'm "good" with regard to spanners and sockets. I have a load of the Halfords pro kit which are quite fabulous.
But the Wera kit is lovely.
I'm not so good, but Wera got me through several years of Caterham ownership..!But the Wera kit is lovely.
dickymint said:
Ben5575 got that screwdriver set last year it also came with a live circuit test screwdriver - strange as it doesn't seem to 'belong' in the pouch! Did yours come with one?
I bought the 'cheap' VDE set. There are others that make me feel quite inadequate...!https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=wera+vde&ref=nb_s...
BTW if you're after the Wera sockets, I can recommend the 'Push' ratchet through system like the one below rather than the switch system. Not because it is any better. Far from it, you have to remove the socket, push the connector through and reattach the socket to change direct, it's just that it is more trick and therefore expensive, so obviously much better
https://products.wera.de/en/zyklop_ratchets_and_ac...
Edited by ben5575 on Monday 15th April 15:19
Thank you skwdenyer, dickymint and ou sont les biscuits!
Agree MDMetal, I thought the multitool was a bit this and there, and then I picked it up. Really useful! (just a gulp at the speed it eats blades)
One that I am really pleased with recently is a decent sized breaker bar and associated long reach 19mm socket, for undoing wheel nuts done up at the garage (20 ugga-duggas).... and any other nut that has not moved in 100 years.
2 trolley jacks are brilliant, jack up both sides of the front of the car at the same time, then put in axle stands, rather than the long hassle doing each side alternatively.
Agree MDMetal, I thought the multitool was a bit this and there, and then I picked it up. Really useful! (just a gulp at the speed it eats blades)
One that I am really pleased with recently is a decent sized breaker bar and associated long reach 19mm socket, for undoing wheel nuts done up at the garage (20 ugga-duggas).... and any other nut that has not moved in 100 years.
2 trolley jacks are brilliant, jack up both sides of the front of the car at the same time, then put in axle stands, rather than the long hassle doing each side alternatively.
pistonheadforum said:
-Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser IR Infrared Thermometer, -50°C ~ 550°C ( -58°F~1022°F ), Yellow/Black
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AT9TM3M
£15 or so and how it works still boggles the mind!
-Leica laser distance measuring tool (just cos it's Leica and feels special!)
-Pipe/stud/electrical detector - a must before getting the drill out
Does the pipe detector pick up plastic rad pipes?https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AT9TM3M
£15 or so and how it works still boggles the mind!
-Leica laser distance measuring tool (just cos it's Leica and feels special!)
-Pipe/stud/electrical detector - a must before getting the drill out
Trustmeimadoctor said:
pistonheadforum said:
-Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser IR Infrared Thermometer, -50°C ~ 550°C ( -58°F~1022°F ), Yellow/Black
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AT9TM3M
£15 or so and how it works still boggles the mind!
-Leica laser distance measuring tool (just cos it's Leica and feels special!)
-Pipe/stud/electrical detector - a must before getting the drill out
Does the pipe detector pick up plastic rad pipes?https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AT9TM3M
£15 or so and how it works still boggles the mind!
-Leica laser distance measuring tool (just cos it's Leica and feels special!)
-Pipe/stud/electrical detector - a must before getting the drill out
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Non-contact-Thermometer-5...
ou sont les biscuits said:
^ FWIW, the batteries on my 18V DeWalt stuff hold charge for months at a time.
Mine also. Peanut Gallery said:
2 trolley jacks are brilliant, jack up both sides of the front of the car at the same time, then put in axle stands, rather than the long hassle doing each side alternatively.
No central jacking point? Mine can be jacked from the front sub frame and the rear diff which leaves the sills clear for axle stands. Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff