Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[OMITN]

Sway said:

First job is 93 cuts (assuming no cock ups ) across nine sheets of ply to make some fitted wardrobes/drawers.

Can see the logic of having a long, medium and short dedicated rail, but also trying to keep the cost somewhat down so I don't end up feeling I should have just gone with Sharps...

You can comfortably go full Festool (Domino, even the new table saw) and still come in way under what Sharps would gouge you for charge you….

[gfreeman]

Sway said:

Just managed to find a bargain barely used Festool TS55f plunge saw - but need track...

Makita track OK, or should I stump up for Festool track?

I have the same. I went for the 2x1.4m evolution rails - comes with clamps, joining pieces and a carry bag for £76 off Evolution’s store on Amazon.
Perfect fit. Quality not bad. Value excellent.

[Peter911]

I have the Erbauer saw with two short 700 lengths and joining strips, then bought the 1400 titan track which fits perfectly. Can do most scenarios

[Aprisa]

Is anyone else like me becoming a bit addicted to the "Powertoolmateprizes" twice weekly prize draws?

Two hours of heartbreak when you win bugger all but lovely tools!

[Aerate]

Can anyone recommend a pair of loppers / long-handles pruners? I’ve just broken a second pair of the short-handled plastic Fiskars ones because I’m an oaf. I really liked them, but being an oaf maybe I need something in steel rather than alloy (the extending handle ones are laughable) or plastic. Any suggestions? Or should I just look out in the ‘dead man’s tools’ department of the local antiques arcade?

[Bill]

These seem pretty indestructible: TABOR TOOLS GG12E Professional... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E5NQ2U4?ref=ppx_pop...

[WrekinCrew]

Peter Millard (10 Minute Workshop) is quite impressed with the latest Lidl / Parkside 12v range:

[BigRuts]

Not bought sooner as I don't have the storage but a micro digger certainly made light work of my patio footings last weekend, i'd still be going for the next month or so if i were doing it by hand!

[guitarcarfanatic]

WrekinCrew said:

Peter Millard (10 Minute Workshop) is quite impressed with the latest Lidl / Parkside 12v range:

These have actually been around for a while, just don't turn up very often! There are some French reviews on Youtube where they compare them to the Bosch versions - basically, almost as powerful and run a little hotter, but in use you wouldn't notice. Worth picking up, just a shame Lidl only sell 2 or 3 times a year - in Germany, you can buy all the tools all of the time.

[hidetheelephants]

BigRuts said:

Not bought sooner as I don't have the storage but a micro digger certainly made light work of my patio footings last weekend, i'd still be going for the next month or so if i were doing it by hand!

How much? I have drains to dig and don't fancy hiring, because who doesn't want more toys?

[Promised Land]

hidetheelephants said:

BigRuts said:

Not bought sooner as I don't have the storage but a micro digger certainly made light work of my patio footings last weekend, i'd still be going for the next month or so if i were doing it by hand!

How much? I have drains to dig and don't fancy hiring, because who doesn't want more toys?

If you are buying one do yourself a favour and pay a bit more for one with servo controls, not just for better control but far easier to use as you’re not hunched over the controls.

[Sway]

Got a fortnight off work, time to (finally) make the fitted wardrobes I've been saying I would for the last four years...

So far, I've bought:

2nd hand Festool TS55f plunge saw


2.8m Evolution track set


Dewalt cordless random orbit sander


Trend Pocket hole jig


Titan sliding compound mitre saw


Stanley basic saw horses (only ones where the cls sticks proud, so I don't need a sacrificial tabletop).


Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.

However, one cut with the festool has now got me waiting for a titan class m dust extractor as it instantly overloaded my Henry!


It was a very clean single cut though!

Trying to resist getting an electric plane - but the top rear of the wardrobes is angled due to sloping ceiling. To resist, I need to figure out angles for cuts with the plunge saw...

[Jules Sunley]

Sway said:

Got a fortnight off work, time to (finally) make the fitted wardrobes I've been saying I would for the last four years...

So far, I've bought:

2nd hand Festool TS55f plunge saw


2.8m Evolution track set


Dewalt cordless random orbit sander


Trend Pocket hole jig


Titan sliding compound mitre saw


Stanley basic saw horses (only ones where the cls sticks proud, so I don't need a sacrificial tabletop).


Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.

However, one cut with the festool has now got me waiting for a titan class m dust extractor as it instantly overloaded my Henry!


It was a very clean single cut though!

Trying to resist getting an electric plane - but the top rear of the wardrobes is angled due to sloping ceiling. To resist, I need to figure out angles for cuts with the plunge saw...

A nice selection there. I hope they will be used more after the wardrobes though or those will work out as expensive wardrobes

[guitarcarfanatic]

I would always cut MDF so worth working out the angle. Planing tends to deform the edges a little!

If you can stretch to it, I strongly recommend going for MR MDF - it takes paint so well and if you follow Gosforth Handyman or Peter Millards painting MDF tips, you will get a finish almost as good as sprayed.

[guitarcarfanatic]

Also - good work on the tool haul. Always a good day when tools arrive!!

[Sway]

guitarcarfanatic said:

I would always cut MDF so worth working out the angle. Planing tends to deform the edges a little!

If you can stretch to it, I strongly recommend going for MR MDF - it takes paint so well and if you follow Gosforth Handyman or Peter Millards painting MDF tips, you will get a finish almost as good as sprayed.

MR MDF is in the garage. 4 sheets for this half of the dressing room build. Will attempt the angles - once I've cut the side piece and offered it up, then I should be able to work off that.

[Jules Sunley]

guitarcarfanatic said:

I would always cut MDF so worth working out the angle. Planing tends to deform the edges a little!

If you can stretch to it, I strongly recommend going for MR MDF - it takes paint so well and if you follow Gosforth Handyman or Peter Millards painting MDF tips, you will get a finish almost as good as sprayed.

Another vote for MR MDF, really nice to work with

[hidetheelephants]

Sway said:

Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.

You can't swank into the thread with all that bling and then not show us what you've 'knocked up'.

[Sway]

hidetheelephants said:

Sway said:

Managed to knock up a decent 'lattice' saw top using cls and some battening using the mitre saw. Sander gave it a quick clean up, and very impressed.

You can't swank into the thread with all that bling and then not show us what you've 'knocked up'.

Oh hell no!

Especially as it's specifically designed to be sacrificial, and I used odd bits lying around...

I'll post up the wardrobes once they're done though. Just doing the carcasses/plinth for now, as swmbo hasn't decided on the style of doors she wants.

[Jules Sunley]

Sway said:

Oh hell no!

Especially as it's specifically designed to be sacrificial, and I used odd bits lying around...

I'll post up the wardrobes once they're done though. Just doing the carcasses/plinth for now, as swmbo hasn't decided on the style of doors she wants.

It's not like she's had enough time to think about it.... I feel your pain