what are some tools that were worth the price tag?

[Mikegh]

A while ago I was cursing square drive , I went to a job and the previous person had screwed all the flooring down with square head screws

I had to waste an hour driving to screwfix to buy some square drive bits to get the screws out

At least I have the bits now

Half the reason I dislike them, got called out to unscrew a box

I find pozi just more convenient to fix and less time swapping bits as most existing fixings are pozi ime

 

[pc1966]

Pretty much - think there is some tiny difference, but they're interchangeable.

Only seen Robertson drive in Canada, pretty much the comm on one there. I think the special feature of the Robertson drive is the slight taper, so depending on screw tolerance the drive bit sits slightly lower or higher but always tight.

 

[nicebutdim]

Had to know...

Wiki tells me they're exactly the same.

List of screw drives - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Edit: They also remind me that it's 'Scrulox'. A lot of people here seem to go with 'Scrulux' as that's how our accent pronounces it.

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

Gedore VDE Slim screwdrivers. They are AMAZING quality. Outstanding in every department. Facom's were my go to as high end drivers but these are another level of elite tool. They make all the go to brands like Wiha and Wera look cheap as anything.

Tried a Boddingtons VDE driver and it's rubbish.

 

[Mikegh]

Anyone using the Martindale VT7 ?

Looking at that and the 'socket and see' contact testers


Dunno is there much difference in them

 

[123]

What's a durable brand of vde screwdriver ?

Something below the knipex price point

Which is more useful in a vde set, Pozi or Philips ?

Facom Expert are great, or the Wiha ones often on offers in screwfix etc. I've not had to replace any through a broken tip for me or lad who works for me in either of those

 

[nicebutdim]

Looking at that and the 'socket and see' contact testers

I have the Socket & See EPF 30 (think it's now called EPF Pro). It's good, but fairly chunky - as such it doesn't generally find itself in my pocket and is infrequently lifed from the box. A 2 pole tester is easier to carry (around the neck) and many of those will detect voltage from one probe.

 

[Mikegh]

I have the Socket & See EPF 30 (think it's now called EPF Pro). It's good, but fairly chunky - as such it doesn't generally find itself in my pocket and is infrequently lifed from the box. A 2 pole tester is easier to carry (around the neck) and many of those will detect voltage from one probe.

I see kewtech do one too

Not in a panic , I reckon the non- contact will do for 90% of that voltage indication type testing

 

[Mikegh]

Any opinions on draper vde screwdrivers

Would they be lower quality than wira/ weha etc. ?

 

[Dustydazzler]

Draper are fine , they will do the job just like Wiha or Wera

 

[Mikegh]

A little behind the times with the hand cranking , about 16€ might do me for a bit of troubleshooting

 

[nicebutdim]

A little behind the times with the hand cranking , about 16€ might do me for a bit of troubleshooting
View attachment 92339

Will be interesting in learning how you get on with this.

 

[Mikegh]

This was my go-to meter for troubleshooting , an eagle Megger, just died recently

Lol cost about 75 I see Farnell have a rebadged version for nearly 5 times the price

 

[telectrix]

fhis is my go to tester for fault finding. had it for 30 odd years. stilll as good as new.

 

[Mikegh]

Good one alright


As someone said in relation to ac clamps i think

,it can be useful to see the dial flickering rather than the digital display

 

[LukeD]

Gedore VDE Slim screwdrivers. They are AMAZING quality. Outstanding in every department. Facom's were my go to as high end drivers but these are another level of elite tool. They make all the go to brands like Wiha and Wera look cheap as anything.

Tried a Boddingtons VDE driver and it's rubbish.

Ive seen Gedore super cheap in many countries >Wish I'd bought some !! Then again ...30 years Ago .Facom was sold in most French supermarkets cheap

 

[nicebutdim]

Worth a tenner of anyone's money.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Armeg-TWGBDX-Impact-Roofing-Driver/dp/B0977HK6RL

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

Ive seen Gedore super cheap in many countries >Wish I'd bought some !! Then again ...30 years Ago .Facom was sold in most French supermarkets cheap

Facom's now are suspect, seen loads of reviews of them saying the tips are very weak and snap often. The ones from a few years back were awesome though.

The Gedore....i can't even describe how good they are. They have chunky sort of square-ish barrel handles and they are so sturdy. I won't use any others now.

 

[Marvo]

fhis is my go to tester for fault finding. had it for 30 odd years. stilll as good as new.

It's one of those newfangled battery testers.

 

[pc1966]

A little behind the times with the hand cranking , about 16€ might do me for a bit of troubleshooting

Just be careful, at that price I would be doubtful if it really is CAT-III rated, etc. Even if it says so

 

[Mikegh]

Just be careful, at that price I would be doubtful if it really is CAT-III rated, etc. Even if it says so

I wouldn't be doing much with that , maybe Immersions and the like

Definitely nowhere near mains supply voltages

 

[telectrix]

Wimp... 1 life... live it. ???

 

[Mikegh]

Is the full screen LCD multimeters a thing now or just a gimmick ?

The Chinese sites have them 4 or 5 inch displays

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

INGCO 7Pcs Insulated Nut Screwdriver Set VDE Insulated Nut Driver Spinner Socket HKISD0701 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop INGCO 7Pcs Insulated Nut Screwdriver Set VDE Insulated Nut Driver Spinner Socket HKISD0701.

www.amazon.co.uk

Belters. Didn't think they would come in that useful but already used a couple in the first few weeks i've had them.

 

[nicebutdim]

INGCO 7Pcs Insulated Nut Screwdriver Set VDE Insulated Nut Driver Spinner Socket HKISD0701 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop INGCO 7Pcs Insulated Nut Screwdriver Set VDE Insulated Nut Driver Spinner Socket HKISD0701.

www.amazon.co.uk

Belters. Didn't think they would come in that useful but already used a couple in the first few weeks i've had them.

Add a set of nut drivers for your impact, but make sure they aren't magnetic.

 

[pirate]

Seems a while since I added anything here...the nut drivers are great, and as are the step-up. step-down adapters form 1/4 to 3/8 to 1/2"...actually many great adapters out there.
May have mentioned this before, but as I have used it a lot this week, I'll nominate the Dremel 2000 versatip gas powered soldering iron/cutter/heater whatsit.
Taking the catalytic convertor off, and adding the hot-air tip, with guard, allows you to use heat-shrink in small spaces without a flame, and as a bonus, ignoring the wide flame-spreader. it makes a great job of scorching a créme brullé...
Yes, I need to get out more!
Seriously though, I've used this on one refill of gas, all week, and it's just amazing for heat-shrinking to cover joints and to identify cables on SWA etc.
My fun project was to see if a cordless Dremel multi-tool was a good and easy way to prep SWA...it is! Needs a bit of practice, but actually, using some off-cuts, it went really well.
However, I still prefer the junior hacksaw approach. Those with good hand-skills will be able to dremel the sheath and armour, strip the sheath...maybe a good idea for some? Just remember to choose the right accessory/cutting wheel, otherwise it's like doing terminations in a CU with an impact driver...
Just a quick word on H&S/PPE...I was driving some long screws this week, 150mm pozi 3 screws, with my impact driver. They were easy, but...driver bits can break, or shatter even...dug a shard out of my left lower eye-lid...3 mm up and it would have been in my eye...wear goggles!
I'm embarrassed, because i did the same thing a year ago, and I should have learned my lesson. However, we think the bigger bits won't break...but they do.
Always wear safety specs!
and always wear safety specs!
Whatever you are doing, wear them if there is ANY chance of injury, however remote.

 

[pirate]

Next week, I'll give you tips on making a paella, and there's no need for safety goggles, honest!

 

[DPG]

Next week, I'll give you tips on making a paella, and there's no need for safety goggles, honest!

A dremel for SWA????

 

[nicebutdim]

A dremel for SWA????

I've seen people take a grinder to it - doesn't work out any quicker than a hacksaw.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Saw a guy the other day using a multi tool to strip swa

 

[DPG]

Saw a guy the other day using a multi tool to strip swa

Bet it was Delroy wasn't it?

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

Add a set of nut drivers for your impact, but make sure they aren't magnetic.

Why not?

 

[telectrix]

Next week, I'll give you tips on making a paella, and there's no need for safety goggles, honest!

what is paella. up road at Wigan we got pies, down in Chester there is Ella, but she don't eat pies.

 

[pc1966]

Seems a while since I added anything here...the nut drivers are great

Certainly for many assembly/disassembly jobs of smaller electronic thing having some nut drivers (screwdriver with a socket end) is very handy. I have 5.5mm/7/8/10 as most useful, though 11mm and 13mm are also handy. Also get a 4BA one (1/4" more-or-less) for PC screws and the like.

Just a quick word on H&S/PPE...I was driving some long screws this week, 150mm pozi 3 screws, with my impact driver. They were easy, but...driver bits can break, or shatter even...dug a shard out of my left lower eye-lid...3 mm up and it would have been in my eye...wear goggles!
I'm embarrassed, because i did the same thing a year ago, and I should have learned my lesson. However, we think the bigger bits won't break...but they do.
Always wear safety specs!
and always wear safety specs!
Whatever you are doing, wear them if there is ANY chance of injury, however remote.

100% upvote for that!

Your eyes are more valuable than any tool you have, and far easier to damage.

 

[pc1966]

Example of a 4BA nut spinner. King Dick as well, always amusing!

King Dick 2493BA 4 Nut Spinner 4 BA

Brand: King Dick, Model: 2493BA 4, Description: Nut Spinner 4 BA, Price: £5.04 ex VAT

www.lawson-his.co.uk

 

[SparkySy]

I have a draper set from 5-13mm they are very useful indeed! But mine are un-insulated, not that I think I would ever need insulated ones I now want some

 

[Dustydazzler]

I picked up a set of T-Bar nut spinners when they were on special at Halfords , to be honest I rarely use them and they live in my junk box

Think they got from 5mm up to about 13mm

 

[Dustydazzler]

I also have a matching set of T-bar torx drivers which I got from Halfords , again rarely used them and they also live in the junk box

 

[nicebutdim]

Why not?

The convenience of them holding nuts is far outweighed by the hassle of trying to pick nuts out of the driver. They'd be great if you never had to remove nuts.

 

[DPG]

The convenience of them holding nuts is far outweighed by the hassle of trying to pick nuts out of the driver. They'd be great if you never had to remove nuts.

Always leave the nut with one or two threads on the bolt/stud. Then remove the driver. Then the nut with your fingers. Easy.

 

[nicebutdim]

Always leave the nut with one or two threads on the bolt/stud. Then remove the driver. Then the nut with your fingers. Easy.

My impact driver isn't generally compliant with such instructions

 

[DPG]

My impact driver isn't generally compliant with such instructions

Ah, I was meaning with normal hand nut spinners. Yep, fair point if you use the nutter gun

 

[Scintillam]

Seems a while since I added anything here...
Just a quick word on H&S/PPE...I was driving some long screws this week, 150mm pozi 3 screws, with my impact driver. They were easy, but...driver bits can break, or shatter even...dug a shard out of my left lower eye-lid...3 mm up and it would have been in my eye...wear goggles!

I'm embarrassed, because i did the same thing a year ago, and I should have learned my lesson. However, we think the bigger bits won't break...but they do.

Out of interest we’re these impact rated bits or just normal ones?

 

[pirate]

They were impact rated, on both occasions. They just shattered, not rounded out...

Back to tools worth the money, I just bought a steel tray with magnetic base, from Halfords. Excellent for some dismantling work, and only £8. Undo the screws/nuts /whatever and pop them into the tray...really wish I'd bought this years ago
Limited use for electricians, but invaluable for other work.

 

[SparkySy]

^^^^^^ I have several of those trays they are incredibly useful!

 

[Lister1987]

They were impact rated, on both occasions. They just shattered, not rounded out...

Back to tools worth the money, I just bought a steel tray with magnetic base, from Halfords. Excellent for some dismantling work, and only £8. Undo the screws/nuts /whatever and pop them into the tray...really wish I'd bought this years ago
Limited use for electricians, but invaluable for other work.

Got several of them from Aldi when they had thrm in, sorted ctimbo presents for thr old man too

 

[ruston]

^^^^^^ I have several of those trays they are incredibly useful!

So are telescopic magnetitic and spring loaded pick up tools.

 

[nicebutdim]

^^^^^^ I have several of those trays they are incredibly useful!

If only they made fold out versions to surround you when working 15' in the air.

 

[SparkySy]

^^^^^^ or on a farm in with the cattle and straw bedding all over the place!

 

[Mikegh]

Is there any decent long screwdriver sets out there for opening up appliances

Seems they get harder to open all the time with all the different screwheads