Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[Arnold Cunningham]

TimmyMallett said:

That sounds unlucky, I have 2 that are >10 years and fine. Occasionally I snip the end off for a new termination but they havent slit anywhere. These are yellow ones though, I think the Green stuff is more robust?


Google/Hozelock suggests:

Yellow: 'Ultimate' - Knitted 30 year warranty
Grey 'Ultramax' - Knitted 25 year warranty
Green 'Ultraflex' - Knitted 20 year warranty


Tried this?

https://www.hozelock.com/guarantee-claims/

Edited by TimmyMallett on Thursday 19th May 12:33

Thank you for this. On reflection, I think I was misremembering and I was looking at the different grades hozelock offer whilst at Busy Bees Garden Centre on the Isle of Wight.

[David A]

Arnold Cunningham said:

TimmyMallett said:

That sounds unlucky, I have 2 that are >10 years and fine. Occasionally I snip the end off for a new termination but they havent slit anywhere. These are yellow ones though, I think the Green stuff is more robust?


Google/Hozelock suggests:

Yellow: 'Ultimate' - Knitted 30 year warranty
Grey 'Ultramax' - Knitted 25 year warranty
Green 'Ultraflex' - Knitted 20 year warranty


Tried this?

https://www.hozelock.com/guarantee-claims/

Edited by TimmyMallett on Thursday 19th May 12:33

Thank you for this. On reflection, I think I was misremembering and I was looking at the different grades hozelock offer whilst at Busy Bees Garden Centre on the Isle of Wight.

I'd reccomend the GARDENA Premium SuperFLEX Hose - flexible but also seems strong. So much so I've bought another 50m one

[AdeTuono]

Voldemort said:

AdeTuono said:

RicksAlfas said:

You're best off with a range of adjustable spanners, then you are ready for any size job.

That was as predictable, and original, as the T-Cut/buff out comment next to a photo of a wrecked car.

Almost as predictable as someone complaining about it and adding nothing of value to the thread...

[dickymint]

AdeTuono said:

Voldemort said:

AdeTuono said:

RicksAlfas said:

You're best off with a range of adjustable spanners, then you are ready for any size job.

That was as predictable, and original, as the T-Cut/buff out comment next to a photo of a wrecked car.

Almost as predictable as someone complaining about it and adding nothing of value to the thread...

Can we please get back on topic

[5s Alive]

Got the 10.8v version of this 6 years ago and must have nearly worn the motor out by now. Endlessly useful.

[Simpo Two]

Never seen this gadget before:

Trend DLB Digital Level Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HF9FJJU?th=1

How accurate are they, compared to a good spirit level?

[Bodo]

Simpo Two said:

Never seen this gadget before:

Trend DLB Digital Level Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HF9FJJU?th=1

How accurate are they, compared to a good spirit level?

As far as I understand, a spirit level is good for leveling things either vertically or horizontally by hoping the perception is in the center of the markings. The DLB you've linked shows an absolute or relative value - that's an entirely different world of applications.

TL;DR Even if you have a spirit level, you need one of these.

[pquinn]

Bodo said:

Simpo Two said:

Never seen this gadget before:

Trend DLB Digital Level Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HF9FJJU?th=1

How accurate are they, compared to a good spirit level?

As far as I understand, a spirit level is good for leveling things either vertically or horizontally by hoping the perception is in the center of the markings. The DLB you've linked shows an absolute or relative value - that's an entirely different world of applications.

TL;DR Even if you have a spirit level, you need one of these.

The Trend one is exactly the same unit as you'll find elsewhere under other badges for less. I have the Trend one but they're mostly all the same.

It's more meant for tool setup than as a spirit level - you could attach it to a bar I guess but it's more meant for setting blade angles and similar. At least that's what my one gets used for.

If you want a digital spirit level buy a digital spirit level.

A digital angle measurer rule is handy to have alongside it, plus a proper engineers square.

[Bodo]

pquinn said:

Bodo said:

Simpo Two said:

Never seen this gadget before:

Trend DLB Digital Level Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HF9FJJU?th=1

How accurate are they, compared to a good spirit level?

As far as I understand, a spirit level is good for leveling things either vertically or horizontally by hoping the perception is in the center of the markings. The DLB you've linked shows an absolute or relative value - that's an entirely different world of applications.

TL;DR Even if you have a spirit level, you need one of these.

The Trend one is exactly the same unit as you'll find elsewhere under other badges for less. I have the Trend one but they're mostly all the same.

It's more meant for tool setup than as a spirit level - you could attach it to a bar I guess but it's more meant for setting blade angles and similar. At least that's what my one gets used for.

If you want a digital spirit level buy a digital spirit level.

A digital angle measurer rule is handy to have alongside it, plus a proper engineers square.

True. I use mine in relative mode to adjust tubes for bending.

[Marumi]

Simpo Two said:

Never seen this gadget before:

Trend DLB Digital Level Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HF9FJJU?th=1

How accurate are they, compared to a good spirit level?

Somewhat different use. You'll struggle to mark level across a distance with one of these (unlike a spirit level). Of course you can get a spirit level with a built in digital angle gauge.

The benefit of these is that they can be zeroed to a reference surface then moved to measure relative angles. E.g. you can zero the level on a chop saw table, then place the gauge on the blade to set an accurate angle.

[dickymint]

^^^^ There are many free phone apps for levels. I use them quite often on Iphone.........

https://appadvice.com/apps/tools-level

[shih tzu faced]

5s Alive said:

Got the 10.8v version of this 6 years ago and must have nearly worn the motor out by now. Endlessly useful.

I’ve got a few of the Bosch Pro 12v tools & batteries now and their rotary tool has been making eyes at me lately. Quite a few times recently I’ve been doing jobs and thought a rotary would have made life easier.

The Bosch takes the same accessories as the Dremel, can you recommend a good set?

[thebraketester]

dickymint said:

^^^^ There are many free phone apps for levels. I use them quite often on Iphone.........

https://appadvice.com/apps/tools-level

There is one built into the iOS called “measure”

[Simpo Two]

Marumi said:

Simpo Two said:

Never seen this gadget before:

Trend DLB Digital Level Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HF9FJJU?th=1

How accurate are they, compared to a good spirit level?

Somewhat different use. You'll struggle to mark level across a distance with one of these (unlike a spirit level). Of course you can get a spirit level with a built in digital angle gauge.

The benefit of these is that they can be zeroed to a reference surface then moved to measure relative angles. E.g. you can zero the level on a chop saw table, then place the gauge on the blade to set an accurate angle.

Thanks. I have no need to set tools (other than 90 degrees which I can do with a set square). I was just wondering about the comparison with a spirit level but reckoned the short base length would reduce accuracy - especially if the wood is not perfectly true. Think I'll stay with spirit levels.

[Dog Star]

I had an old steel framed trailer that I was going to restore dumped down in the corner of the garden, rotting away. I got a nice new trailer so didn't need it but needed to dispose of the old one.

So I bought a Makita cordless angle grinder
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-DGA452Z-Cordless-L...

... as I have a stack of 4, 5 and 6ah LXT batteries.
Got a load of thin cutting discs and yesterday evening attacked the trailer frame. Wow - impressed. Chomped through it all (mind you I flattened five batteries - they last a few minutes and get pretty warm) and left me with a load of bite sized bits of frame/cross member etc. I can now lob these in my proper trailer and take them to the tip on Saturday.

One thing I will NOT be doing however is keeping the tool in the garage with my motorbikes. I had my bikes stolen about a decade ago now, and I don't need to explain what happened now, do I

[gfreeman]

Bodo said:

True. I use mine in relative mode to adjust tubes for bending.

You can DIY your car geometry with the help of this and a bit of string

[Nimby]

I was watching the latest Robin Clevett video where he uses a "Viking Arm" while removing a window frame. Thought I might get one or two as it looks quite handy for the odd job when you can't get a clamp/spreader in, and airbags aren't man enough. Then I saw the price...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YBZZJ4D

[AdeTuono]

Nimby said:

I was watching the latest Robin Clevett video where he uses a "Viking Arm" while removing a window frame. Thought I might get one or two as it looks quite handy for the odd job when you can't get a clamp/spreader in, and airbags aren't man enough. Then I saw the price...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YBZZJ4D

Not he same quality, I'm sure, but 2 for £35 you could buy 8 of these for the price of one VA. If you only use occasionally, it could make sense.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/WuZiQu-Stainless-Handheld...

[Nimby]

They do look remarkably similar...

[SlimJim16v]

shih tzu faced said:

I’ve got a few of the Bosch Pro 12v tools & batteries now and their rotary tool has been making eyes at me lately.

I would get a Dremel, it's easy to get any spare part. I just replaced the motor on mine.