Game Changers - The successes and the flops?

[nicebutdim]

I kept nearly buying one and then giving myself a stern talking to that there's nothing wrong with a hammer and box of clips. The other hang-up being that I didn't use Dewalt or have their batteries. I do have Milwaukee M18 batteries but not M12 and their stapler is heavier and some reviews show it is possible to staple through a cable. So for about a year I wavered.
But the last rewire was a truly horrible loft and I'd quoted very high so decided to go for it. I don't regret it. For loft work (especially), joists, or first fixing in stud work it's brilliant and good fun to use! It's one size of staple, 25mm x 19mm (available at Screwfix) so it's not really for anything you want to look super-presentable. It can staple up to 10mm T+E.
Squeeze in mid-air and the torch comes on for 20 seconds, and it only fires when both sides and the middle are pressed, making it very hard to staple through a cable.
I got it for £289 inc vat with free shipping, including 2 batteries and charger and comes in a nice big T-STAK box. I admit it's a little bit of a luxury item but it seriously speeds up some domestic 1st fixing.

Yep, domestic really. From Superlec they are £3.18 inc vat and a bit more for the splitter.
For sorting out typical kitchen-fitter downlight installs they are great.

I don't have much use for a stapler, but it's one of those tools that regularly pique my interest.

I've noticed a few online wholesalers stocking quickwire, but the reasonably priced among them either don't deliver to NI or charge a ransom for doing so (superlec being one).

I bought from one reasonably priced stockist on ebay, but it was a nightmare. First order didn't arrive, then second didn't appear either. They finally admitted never having sent the connectors as they were out of stock, then went on to complain about T-connectors being a problem for them. Juding by feedback left recently, the only problem is their propensity for selling goods they don't actually have and then being stupid enough to get caught lying by one customer after another.

I worry that Quickwire will die a slow death, given the lack of availability I encounter, so it's good to know that GB customers have no such issues and will keep my fingers crossed that sooner or later everything settles down again with trade between GB & NI.