Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[skwdenyer]

33q said:

I treated myself to a Festool track saw . Superb piece of kit

For panel work it's better than a saw table

That's quite a treat But they're lovely pieces of kit.

[skwdenyer]

Voldemort said:

Ynox said:

Thinking of treating myself to a track saw.

They're great if you need to use one out on the road but if it's for home use and you have the space get a table saw.

Honestly, they do somewhat different jobs. As per this thread, I have both (Makita in both cases). You wouldn't really want to use even my table saw to, say, trim down a door - it would just be a pain to manipulate the workpiece, never mind anything else.

Of course, a track saw can do a lot of what a table saw can do "in the field" but the Venn diagram has fairly chunky parts outside of the intersection

[tumble dryer]

skwdenyer said:

Voldemort said:

Ynox said:

Thinking of treating myself to a track saw.

They're great if you need to use one out on the road but if it's for home use and you have the space get a table saw.

Honestly, they do somewhat different jobs. As per this thread, I have both (Makita in both cases). You wouldn't really want to use even my table saw to, say, trim down a door - it would just be a pain to manipulate the workpiece, never mind anything else.

Of course, a track saw can do a lot of what a table saw can do "in the field" but the Venn diagram has fairly chunky parts outside of the intersection

I think they're amazing pieces of kit but they have a significant drawback if you want to cut multiple pieces all the same size.

[skwdenyer]

Spurry said:

skwdenyer said:

Having just snapped and then re-ordered a pain spanner for my 9” grinder this looks interesting. But is it flat on the reverse or stepped for those discs that need arbor support front and rear?

It might be worth having a look at the Bosch Quick nut. Suitable for all M14 spindles. It may suit your needs.

This listing shows a few pix. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-Angle-Grinder-SDS...

Thx. What I have is what's called a reversible arbor lock nut:



It is reversible to accommodate different thicknesses of wheel. If somebody does a quick release one of those then I'll interested - in my case I genuinely use both sides (have done so today in fact).

[skwdenyer]

dickymint said:

Spurry said:

skwdenyer said:

Having just snapped and then re-ordered a pain spanner for my 9” grinder this looks interesting. But is it flat on the reverse or stepped for those discs that need arbor support front and rear?

It might be worth having a look at the Bosch Quick nut. Suitable for all M14 spindles. It may suit your needs.

This listing shows a few pix. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-Angle-Grinder-SDS...

I can’t remember the last timeI’ve had to use any tool to remove or fit a grinding wheel disc. Hold the button and a sharp twist with the hand and it’s off.

On my 9" grinder, it may just be that I use it quite hard But had to use spanner + tap of hammer several times today, despite only just "nipping it up" with the spanner when putting the disc on.

[uncinqsix]

robwilk said:

Ynox said:

Thinking of treating myself to a track saw.

Anyone seen any particularly decent deals? Only for my amateur wood butchery, so I probably don't need a Festool

I got the one from lidl , changed the blade and it fantastic , i bought festool tracks as they were on offer but you can now get evolution tracks if you want longer tracks.

Having had my cheap Scheppach track saw for several years now, and currently using it to cut up 27 sheets of ply (birch and melamine) for my new kitchen, I regret not spending the extra for a Makita or Festool. Sure it works OK (after putting an excellent Freud blade in it and making a few mods to remove slop from the blade tilt mechanism so it reliably cuts square), but the track now slips more than I would like and it has a tendency to wander on longer cuts.

If you do buy a cheap one, bear in mind that you might get frustrated with it if you want to do more accurate work. If you think you might get more serious in future, consider a name brand (Makita or similar).

[dickymint]

skwdenyer said:

dickymint said:

Spurry said:

skwdenyer said:

Having just snapped and then re-ordered a pain spanner for my 9” grinder this looks interesting. But is it flat on the reverse or stepped for those discs that need arbor support front and rear?

It might be worth having a look at the Bosch Quick nut. Suitable for all M14 spindles. It may suit your needs.

This listing shows a few pix. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-Angle-Grinder-SDS...

I can’t remember the last timeI’ve had to use any tool to remove or fit a grinding wheel disc. Hold the button and a sharp twist with the hand and it’s off.

On my 9" grinder, it may just be that I use it quite hard But had to use spanner + tap of hammer several times today, despite only just "nipping it up" with the spanner when putting the disc on.

Admittedly I don't use the 9" grinder that often but here's a vid for A 4.5" ................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mynXdjCQ3a0

and when all else fails..................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kM9_luvKng

[Pheo]

uncinqsix said:

Having had my cheap Scheppach track saw for several years now, and currently using it to cut up 27 sheets of ply (birch and melamine) for my new kitchen, I regret not spending the extra for a Makita or Festool. Sure it works OK (after putting an excellent Freud blade in it and making a few mods to remove slop from the blade tilt mechanism so it reliably cuts square), but the track now slips more than I would like and it has a tendency to wander on longer cuts.

If you do buy a cheap one, bear in mind that you might get frustrated with it if you want to do more accurate work. If you think you might get more serious in future, consider a name brand (Makita or similar).

I have the same, and the same problems. The rubber adhesive on the cut strip wasn’t good on mine so the rubber moved around,

I must admit these days I often just clamp a piece of wood to the workpiece and use my hitachi cordless. Both have Freud blades which helps.

[classicaholic]

skwdenyer said:

Spurry said:

skwdenyer said:

Having just snapped and then re-ordered a pain spanner for my 9” grinder this looks interesting. But is it flat on the reverse or stepped for those discs that need arbor support front and rear?

It might be worth having a look at the Bosch Quick nut. Suitable for all M14 spindles. It may suit your needs.

This listing shows a few pix. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-Angle-Grinder-SDS...

Thx. What I have is what's called a reversible arbor lock nut:



It is reversible to accommodate different thicknesses of wheel. If somebody does a quick release one of those then I'll interested - in my case I genuinely use both sides (have done so today in fact).

I have some 3/4" bore blades that I need an adapter nut for a small grinder, does anyone know where I can get one?

[PushedDover]

I *think* I have a job this weekend that requires one of these new grail Impact Drivers.
Is Screwfix my friend ?

Do I need special attachments to suit too ?

[the cueball]

PushedDover said:

I *think* I have a job this weekend that requires one of these new grail Impact Drivers.
Is Screwfix my friend ?

Do I need special attachments to suit too ?

I found a site called powertoolworld that was cheaper for the DCF887 driver plus 4ah battery.

I also got a screwdriver bits set with it

Edited by the cueball on Wednesday 26th February 14:37

[Mark Benson]

Pheo said:

uncinqsix said:

Having had my cheap Scheppach track saw for several years now, and currently using it to cut up 27 sheets of ply (birch and melamine) for my new kitchen, I regret not spending the extra for a Makita or Festool. Sure it works OK (after putting an excellent Freud blade in it and making a few mods to remove slop from the blade tilt mechanism so it reliably cuts square), but the track now slips more than I would like and it has a tendency to wander on longer cuts.

If you do buy a cheap one, bear in mind that you might get frustrated with it if you want to do more accurate work. If you think you might get more serious in future, consider a name brand (Makita or similar).

I have the same, and the same problems. The rubber adhesive on the cut strip wasn’t good on mine so the rubber moved around,

I must admit these days I often just clamp a piece of wood to the workpiece and use my hitachi cordless. Both have Freud blades which helps.

I also have the Scheppach one, I also have Freud blade and I also have the same issues. When I get back into woodwork (currently workshop is being used as storage) then I may well buy a decent one.
They're useful, especially if you don't have the room for a decent table saw, but I'm not particularly impressed by the Scheppach.

[robwilk]

Mark Benson said:

Pheo said:

uncinqsix said:

Having had my cheap Scheppach track saw for several years now, and currently using it to cut up 27 sheets of ply (birch and melamine) for my new kitchen, I regret not spending the extra for a Makita or Festool. Sure it works OK (after putting an excellent Freud blade in it and making a few mods to remove slop from the blade tilt mechanism so it reliably cuts square), but the track now slips more than I would like and it has a tendency to wander on longer cuts.

If you do buy a cheap one, bear in mind that you might get frustrated with it if you want to do more accurate work. If you think you might get more serious in future, consider a name brand (Makita or similar).

I have the same, and the same problems. The rubber adhesive on the cut strip wasn’t good on mine so the rubber moved around,

I must admit these days I often just clamp a piece of wood to the workpiece and use my hitachi cordless. Both have Freud blades which helps.

I also have the Scheppach one, I also have Freud blade and I also have the same issues. When I get back into woodwork (currently workshop is being used as storage) then I may well buy a decent one.
They're useful, especially if you don't have the room for a decent table saw, but I'm not particularly impressed by the Scheppach.

I sold the lidl rails and bought festool when they where on offer and the rails have been perfect, I also changed the blade to a freud . but have a triton one to replace that one on Peter miliards recommendation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MzrTnBTuN4&t=...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TNaspl5DpY

Edited by robwilk on Wednesday 26th February 15:00

Edited by robwilk on Wednesday 26th February 15:02

[illmonkey]

New house so need to hang curtains, pictures and do shelves etc, so got a Bosch Quigo. Did I do a good buy? For DIY purposes? It’s still in its wrapper ready for the weekend...

[gtidriver]

I bought the Bosch track saw, its very good but it has issues, if i was buying again id buy the Festool one, i may just do that friday as its the yearly FFX show at Detling show ground, its my birthday the day im going and the darling wife said i could get what i want for my birthday present, oh dear....

[psi310398]

illmonkey said:

New house so need to hang curtains, pictures and do shelves etc, so got a Bosch Quigo. Did I do a good buy? For DIY purposes? It’s still in its wrapper ready for the weekend...

It's like witchcraft - you'll wonder how you ever managed. It also allows much quicker work when acting solo - yesterday I was framing a couple of small sections of inside wall and putting up plasterboard - it made it so much easier to keep level and plumb without having to stop, check, re-check while keeping precariously secured bits of timber in place.

You might benefit from some tinted glasses to help you read the projected lines, although I often just draw the curtains and use chalk to transfer the marks if visibility is an issue.

[tight fart]

These are good, they turn your 10,13 & 17mm ratchet spanners into 1/4,3/8 & 1/2" ratchets.
Great for tight spaces.

[paulrockliffe]

tumble dryer said:

skwdenyer said:

Voldemort said:

Ynox said:

Thinking of treating myself to a track saw.

They're great if you need to use one out on the road but if it's for home use and you have the space get a table saw.

Honestly, they do somewhat different jobs. As per this thread, I have both (Makita in both cases). You wouldn't really want to use even my table saw to, say, trim down a door - it would just be a pain to manipulate the workpiece, never mind anything else.

Of course, a track saw can do a lot of what a table saw can do "in the field" but the Venn diagram has fairly chunky parts outside of the intersection

I think they're amazing pieces of kit but they have a significant drawback if you want to cut multiple pieces all the same size.

The trick there is to buy the sheets from somewhere with a £5k table saw and have it cut by someone else.

If you're doing it for money and haven't time to wait, so you're holding stock then an MFT table might be a good option. You can also rough-cut with the track saw then dimension on the table saw to avoid having to feed an 8 *4 sheet through a smaller table saw.

That said, I've not had any problem using my Scheppach to cut accurately and repeatedly, the problem really is that you spend a lot more time setting up compared with setting the fence on the table saw.

I have both and always defer to the table saw if the sheets aren't so big.

[wong]

Having recently moved house, I've bought some safety boots and work trousers with knee pads.

The boots have a penetration resistant midsole when I'm walking around the loft adding insulation and floor boards. I was surprised how cheap they are ~ 30 pounds. No VAT or fashion tax. Even Dr Marten do some ~ 70 pounds, but still cheaper than 130 for 1460's.

Padded knee inserts in trousers are great when you are kneeling down making Ikea furniture and in the loft.

[mercedeslimos]

tight fart said:

These are good, they turn your 10,13 & 17mm ratchet spanners into 1/4,3/8 & 1/2" ratchets.
Great for tight spaces.

Where did you pick those up? could have done with those recently doing a 2.0 HDi oil filter