keywords: low cost cheap budget tools review opinions cheapo


Some readers need minimum price tools, and that some of the cheap stuff
is fine, and some junk. So a review would help. Poundland is about as
cheap as you can get, so here goes...


Fairly good:

hammers, seem as good as other brands
assorted trowels
dustsheets
clamps
lip and spur drill bits for wood
240v halogen bulbs
cutlery - genuinely good quality in fact.
cleaning cloths
nail punches, stone chisels


Usable:

spirit levels, but find one that reads level correctly
paint brushes
stanley blades 50 for =A31, bit thin but otherwise ok
wood chisels 3/=A31, but only if you can grind them sharp before use,
otherwise avoid


Junk:
rat**** screwdrivers, useless.
cfl bulbs, work but not worth =A31. Garbage light output.
pens, work but a pain.



We dont often talk about the bottom end sector here, but plenty of
people are buying it.


NT

wrote:
keywords: low cost cheap budget tools review opinions cheapo


Some readers need minimum price tools, and that some of the cheap stuff
is fine, and some junk. So a review would help. Poundland is about as
cheap as you can get, so here goes...


Fairly good:

hammers, seem as good as other brands
assorted trowels
dustsheets
clamps
lip and spur drill bits for wood
240v halogen bulbs
cutlery - genuinely good quality in fact.
cleaning cloths
nail punches, stone chisels


Usable:

spirit levels, but find one that reads level correctly
paint brushes
stanley blades 50 for £1, bit thin but otherwise ok
wood chisels 3/£1, but only if you can grind them sharp before use,
otherwise avoid


Junk:
rat**** screwdrivers, useless.
cfl bulbs, work but not worth £1. Garbage light output.
pens, work but a pain.



We dont often talk about the bottom end sector here, but plenty of
people are buying it.


NT


Also, a while back...

sharpening stone - out performed one from a timber merchant, at IIRC £3
or more.
batteries (memorex) quite good.
push lamps (I use in unpowered garage), 3 for a quid (one = £5 at B&Q,
can't tell the diff)

Alex.

AlexW wrote:
wrote:
keywords: low cost cheap budget tools review opinions cheapo


Some readers need minimum price tools, and that some of the cheap stuff
is fine, and some junk. So a review would help. Poundland is about as
cheap as you can get, so here goes...


Fairly good:

hammers, seem as good as other brands
snip

Also, a while back...

sharpening stone - out performed one from a timber merchant, at IIRC ?3
or more.
batteries (memorex) quite good.
push lamps (I use in unpowered garage), 3 for a quid (one = ?5 at B&Q,
can't tell the diff)

For some of the really cheap lamps - I found that the bulb was soldered,
not actually socketed!

Ian Stirling wrote:
AlexW wrote:
wrote:
keywords: low cost cheap budget tools review opinions cheapo


Some readers need minimum price tools, and that some of the cheap
stuff
is fine, and some junk. So a review would help. Poundland is about
as
cheap as you can get, so here goes...


Fairly good:

hammers, seem as good as other brands
snip

Also, a while back...

sharpening stone - out performed one from a timber merchant, at
IIRC ?3
or more.
batteries (memorex) quite good.
push lamps (I use in unpowered garage), 3 for a quid (one = ?5 at
B&Q,
can't tell the diff)

For some of the really cheap lamps - I found that the bulb was
soldered,
not actually socketed!

sounds logical. Replacements will be wire ended, or bulb plus socket to
suit.

Were the batteries constructed inside cardboard and wax blobs, or were
they regular replaceables? I wouldnt put it past someone.

NT

wrote:
Ian Stirling wrote:

AlexW wrote:

wrote:

keywords: low cost cheap budget tools review opinions cheapo


Some readers need minimum price tools, and that some of the cheap

stuff

is fine, and some junk. So a review would help. Poundland is about

as

cheap as you can get, so here goes...


Fairly good:

hammers, seem as good as other brands

snip

Also, a while back...

sharpening stone - out performed one from a timber merchant, at

IIRC ?3

or more.
batteries (memorex) quite good.
push lamps (I use in unpowered garage), 3 for a quid (one = ?5 at

B&Q,

can't tell the diff)

For some of the really cheap lamps - I found that the bulb was

soldered,

not actually socketed!


sounds logical. Replacements will be wire ended, or bulb plus socket to
suit.

Were the batteries constructed inside cardboard and wax blobs, or were
they regular replaceables? I wouldnt put it past someone.

NT


Not checked bulbs, but bats were replaceable AA's, 4 off I think. At
34p a go though even if the bulb was not replaceble I would count as
fair value!

Alex.