Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...
Discussion
V6 Pushfit said:
davidexige said:
A mini angle grinder sounds interesting, care to share any information about it. I probably don't need one but I think I want one
I bought an Aldi corded Dremel type grinder for about 14 and it’s had astonishing use over the last 3 years using quick change discs I bought elsewhere. Last was on Sunday cutting off seized wc cistern bolts in an impossibly difficult to get to position which it did with ease. I had tried absolutely every other method from grips to a socket but it was the grinder that saved the day.Arnold Cunningham said:
Going a bit off topic, I also have one of these : https://workshopping.co.uk/jacking-lifting/engine-...
Great for lifting things a long way. I use it to lift my boat engine out - needs to go about 10' in the air. Also used it tift the MG body off the rear subframe when I replaced the engine. It's a good tool.
They look good, but I can't help thinking that the venn diagram of people that are doing jobs that need something like that and people that couldn't make their own for miles miles less than £700 must be pretty small!Great for lifting things a long way. I use it to lift my boat engine out - needs to go about 10' in the air. Also used it tift the MG body off the rear subframe when I replaced the engine. It's a good tool.
paulrockliffe said:
Arnold Cunningham said:
Going a bit off topic, I also have one of these : https://workshopping.co.uk/jacking-lifting/engine-...
Great for lifting things a long way. I use it to lift my boat engine out - needs to go about 10' in the air. Also used it tift the MG body off the rear subframe when I replaced the engine. It's a good tool.
They look good, but I can't help thinking that the venn diagram of people that are doing jobs that need something like that and people that couldn't make their own for miles miles less than 700 must be pretty small!Great for lifting things a long way. I use it to lift my boat engine out - needs to go about 10' in the air. Also used it tift the MG body off the rear subframe when I replaced the engine. It's a good tool.
Mind you, have you seen the cost of 2x4s these days?
Shnozz said:
V6 Pushfit said:
davidexige said:
A mini angle grinder sounds interesting, care to share any information about it. I probably don't need one but I think I want one
I bought an Aldi corded Dremel type grinder for about 14 and it’s had astonishing use over the last 3 years using quick change discs I bought elsewhere. Last was on Sunday cutting off seized wc cistern bolts in an impossibly difficult to get to position which it did with ease. I had tried absolutely every other method from grips to a socket but it was the grinder that saved the day.Edited by Dog Star on Wednesday 25th May 12:00
paulrockliffe said:
They look good, but I can't help thinking that the venn diagram of people that are doing jobs that need something like that and people that couldn't make their own for miles miles less than 700 must be pretty small!
That is a good point. It was 450 when I bought mine. Nowadays, just the RSJ for it from metals4U is £173.Gin and Ultrasonic said:
beanoir said:
A set of Wera allen keys. I wish i'd bought decent ones years ago after ruining several bike parts with small allen keys.
They're not cheap, but IMO have paid for themselves from not wrecking more bike parts!
Seems almost sacrilegious to say it on this thread, but I prefer the cheaper Bondhus set I have over my Wera ones to use on my (push)bike. The Wera ones will grip even when they aren't properly engaged, and I've nearly stripped a couple of bolts as a result. The Bondhus ones are rock solid and engage better IMO as they aren't tapered. The Wera ones look way nicer though They're not cheap, but IMO have paid for themselves from not wrecking more bike parts!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/25009529542?iid=112486160...
I had a full set of Bondus metric T-bars at work which lasted for many years despite often using the bigger ones as a hammer instead of going back to my toolbox to get an actual hammer,
I had several other sets which all failed in one way or another,
I also had some Keys made by Beta which are very high quality but cost quite a bit more to buy
Gin and Ultrasonic said:
beanoir said:
A set of Wera allen keys. I wish i'd bought decent ones years ago after ruining several bike parts with small allen keys.
They're not cheap, but IMO have paid for themselves from not wrecking more bike parts!
Seems almost sacrilegious to say it on this thread, but I prefer the cheaper Bondhus set I have over my Wera ones to use on my (push)bike. The Wera ones will grip even when they aren't properly engaged, and I've nearly stripped a couple of bolts as a result. The Bondhus ones are rock solid and engage better IMO as they aren't tapered. The Wera ones look way nicer though They're not cheap, but IMO have paid for themselves from not wrecking more bike parts!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/25009529542?iid=112486160...
beanoir said:
A set of Wera allen keys. I wish i'd bought decent ones years ago after ruining several bike parts with small allen keys.
They're not cheap, but IMO have paid for themselves from not wrecking more bike parts!
I have a set of those too, they’re very good. They do a similar set of Torx wrenches - would recommend those as well. I like the plastic holder, it’s easy to see instantly if one is still out hiding on the floor or workbench somewhere. Much better than a pile of loose tools, or those crappy sets that look like a big bunch of keys.They're not cheap, but IMO have paid for themselves from not wrecking more bike parts!
Quality hand tools should last a lifetime, so are always a good investment - plus they usually make a job easier and more pleasant to do.
mikey_b said:
I have a set of those too, they’re very good. They do a similar set of Torx wrenches - would recommend those as well. I like the plastic holder, it’s easy to see instantly if one is still out hiding on the floor or workbench somewhere. Much better than a pile of loose tools, or those crappy sets that look like a big bunch of keys.
Quality hand tools should last a lifetime, so are always a good investment - plus they usually make a job easier and more pleasant to do.
That old adage. Buy a good tool and it hurts once. Buy a cheap tool and it hurts everytime you use it. Quality hand tools should last a lifetime, so are always a good investment - plus they usually make a job easier and more pleasant to do.
Going back a bit, but thanks to whoever recommended the NoCry electric screwdriver. Just done an Ikea kitchen and it's great for those fiddly screws where normal drill is too big.
Thoroughly recommend.
Only issue is the drill bits are made of cheese, but most of us here probably have good ones anyway!
Thoroughly recommend.
Only issue is the drill bits are made of cheese, but most of us here probably have good ones anyway!
Shnozz said:
V6 Pushfit said:
davidexige said:
A mini angle grinder sounds interesting, care to share any information about it. I probably don't need one but I think I want one
I bought an Aldi corded Dremel type grinder for about 14 and it’s had astonishing use over the last 3 years using quick change discs I bought elsewhere. Last was on Sunday cutting off seized wc cistern bolts in an impossibly difficult to get to position which it did with ease. I had tried absolutely every other method from grips to a socket but it was the grinder that saved the day.Ps I’ve bought two cordless versions since and they’re very poor so I use the corded one whenever needed now. It’s nipped off no end of frozen bolts.
Sorry for delay, my ‘mini’ angle grinder is 18v hitachi and takes 115mm disks.
Used to cut drainpipes, cut metal / metal curtain poles, channel walls, grind open wall render cracks for repair, sand wood and grind concrete.
Silly things like slotting rounded off screw heads or chopping top off nails that are fully wedged in plasterboard etc.
Makes most 5 minute jobs about 10 seconds. Just need selection of disks, grinding cup, flappped sanding wheels, diamond cutting blade etc.
https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/hikoki-g18dsl-w...
I also have a Dremel for smaller tasks but it’s only been helpful a couple of times by comparison to many and a frankly scary full size petrol angle grinder also affectionally known as ‘paddy’s motorbike’.
Used to cut drainpipes, cut metal / metal curtain poles, channel walls, grind open wall render cracks for repair, sand wood and grind concrete.
Silly things like slotting rounded off screw heads or chopping top off nails that are fully wedged in plasterboard etc.
Makes most 5 minute jobs about 10 seconds. Just need selection of disks, grinding cup, flappped sanding wheels, diamond cutting blade etc.
https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/hikoki-g18dsl-w...
I also have a Dremel for smaller tasks but it’s only been helpful a couple of times by comparison to many and a frankly scary full size petrol angle grinder also affectionally known as ‘paddy’s motorbike’.
Edited by bennno on Thursday 26th May 14:22
Not bought but inherited in 1981 from my father who was using it before I was born in 1957 so could hardly have 'obtained' it sooner. A Record quick release vice bolted to a robust 6ft wooden bench, a combination that has stood up to a serious hammering over the years. Invaluable, in regular use and of no small sentimental value.
5s Alive said:
Not bought but inherited in 1981 from my father who was using it before I was born in 1957 so could hardly have 'obtained' it sooner. A Record quick release vice bolted to a robust 6ft wooden bench, a combination that has stood up to a serious hammering over the years. Invaluable, in regular use and of no small sentimental value.
I’ve got exactly the same vice but set it much nearer the edge of the bench. V6 Pushfit said:
5s Alive said:
Not bought but inherited in 1981 from my father who was using it before I was born in 1957 so could hardly have 'obtained' it sooner. A Record quick release vice bolted to a robust 6ft wooden bench, a combination that has stood up to a serious hammering over the years. Invaluable, in regular use and of no small sentimental value.
I’ve got exactly the same vice but set it much nearer the edge of the bench. Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff