Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

Stubby 12 in 1 screwdriver. Kamasa & Draper sell them, a stubby screwdriver
with 6 double ended bits in the handle. Pozi, Phillips, Hex & Flat.

Post Hole Digger from Wickes. Brilliantly simple & effective.

Taptool Universal Spanner also from Wickes. Fits almost everything & great
for reluctant stopcocks etc.

Wickes wire strippers. Best I've come across, strips insulation & cuts
cable. less that a £5.

Duo Tricut saws from Toolstation 45275. Never used anything so sharp.

Decking Installation tool from Toolstation 74517. I've built 5 decks this
year (06) and its been a real boon.

LED Headlamp torch from Argos. So useful when grovelling about under sinks
etc. Does make you look a pratt mind.

One Strike Filler. Wonderful stuff!

Irwin Cordless Multi Purpose Drill Bits. Really do work!

Irwin Carpenters Gloves. Worn so much I need a new pair.

Bonsai Claw Bar 10" from Screwfix. So useful.

Best power tool has to be the Makita Jigsaw, followed closely by the Wickes
SDS.


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

On Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:47:40 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year.

Irwin Cordless Multi Purpose Drill Bits. Really do work!

Seconded. Misleadingly they're in the Screwfix catalogue under their own
brand name and without a picture, in sets of 2 sets of sizes, not the one
on the other side of the page with the picture and the Irwin logo.

Best power tool has to be the Makita Jigsaw, followed closely by the Wickes
SDS.

I picked up a reciprocating saw (Ryobi, £30 clearance from B&Q) which has
proved its worth cutting everything from logs to 2" steel pipe.

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:47:40 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year.

Irwin Cordless Multi Purpose Drill Bits. Really do work!

Seconded. Misleadingly they're in the Screwfix catalogue under their own
brand name and without a picture, in sets of 2 sets of sizes, not the one
on the other side of the page with the picture and the Irwin logo.

What exactly is this? Just bits?

Best power tool has to be the Makita Jigsaw, followed closely by the
Wickes
SDS.

I picked up a reciprocating saw (Ryobi, £30 clearance from B&Q) which has
proved its worth cutting everything from logs to 2" steel pipe.

I bought one for £15 from Aldi - Brilliant indeed.

And there was me thinking you were talking about Drivel again..is he
back in the sanatorium? Not heard much recently..

In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
And there was me thinking you were talking about Drivel again..is he
back in the sanatorium? Not heard much recently..

Just the usual one on topic post to 20 or so talking drivel. So you've not
missed much.

--
*Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
And

The pair of you must eff off as you both total plantpots.

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...

And there was me thinking

Don't think. It's not for you!!!!

The Medway Handyman wrote:

Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

Stubby 12 in 1 screwdriver. Kamasa & Draper sell them, a stubby screwdriver
with 6 double ended bits in the handle. Pozi, Phillips, Hex & Flat.

I could do with one of them, and ultrastubby one. Might try making one,
as I've never seen anything short enough. A 1/4" socket to take the
bit, wood or rubber block handle, and drill some holes in the socket to
accept screws to prevent slippage of handle on socket.


Taptool Universal Spanner also from Wickes. Fits almost everything & great
for reluctant stopcocks etc.

I just got one of another make, means no need to lug the toolbox out,
but the thing is always trying to slip off the nut and it takes 2 hands
to use, one to keep the thing on the nut. Has yours got a spring or
something?


LED Headlamp torch from Argos. So useful when grovelling about under sinks
etc. Does make you look a pratt mind.

I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one. A
mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt get in
the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the batteries
do, always works.


Bonsai Claw Bar 10" from Screwfix. So useful.

pry bars etc are somehow satisfying


NT

wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:

Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

Stubby 12 in 1 screwdriver. Kamasa & Draper sell them, a stubby screwdriver
with 6 double ended bits in the handle. Pozi, Phillips, Hex & Flat.

I could do with one of them, and ultrastubby one. Might try making one,
as I've never seen anything short enough. A 1/4" socket to take the
bit, wood or rubber block handle, and drill some holes in the socket to
accept screws to prevent slippage of handle on socket.


Taptool Universal Spanner also from Wickes. Fits almost everything & great
for reluctant stopcocks etc.

I just got one of another make, means no need to lug the toolbox out,
but the thing is always trying to slip off the nut and it takes 2 hands
to use, one to keep the thing on the nut. Has yours got a spring or
something?

Mole grips might be better. I swear by mine but I know a lot of people
don't rate them


LED Headlamp torch from Argos. So useful when grovelling about under sinks
etc. Does make you look a pratt mind.

I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one. A
mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt get in
the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the batteries
do, always works.

A £1 torch from Halfords is small enough to hold in your mouth. I was
able to wire up some lighting quickly in a cellar with it, and I wasn't
too worried about what I looked like


Bonsai Claw Bar 10" from Screwfix. So useful.

pry bars etc are somehow satisfying


NT

Stuart Noble wrote:
wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:

Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

Stubby 12 in 1 screwdriver. Kamasa & Draper sell them, a stubby screwdriver
with 6 double ended bits in the handle. Pozi, Phillips, Hex & Flat.

I could do with one of them, and ultrastubby one. Might try making one,
as I've never seen anything short enough. A 1/4" socket to take the
bit, wood or rubber block handle, and drill some holes in the socket to
accept screws to prevent slippage of handle on socket.


Taptool Universal Spanner also from Wickes. Fits almost everything & great
for reluctant stopcocks etc.

I just got one of another make, means no need to lug the toolbox out,
but the thing is always trying to slip off the nut and it takes 2 hands
to use, one to keep the thing on the nut. Has yours got a spring or
something?

Mole grips might be better. I swear by mine but I know a lot of people
don't rate them


Bahco slip joint pliers, ones with the button to move ratchet,
expensive but fit well and save the price in skinned knuckles and
rounded fasteners.

Adam


LED Headlamp torch from Argos. So useful when grovelling about under sinks
etc. Does make you look a pratt mind.

LED is only way to go in torches, efficiency and battery life have come
along a long way and they dont have a bulb to break when you drop them.

Adam



I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one. A
mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt get in
the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the batteries
do, always works.

A £1 torch from Halfords is small enough to hold in your mouth. I was
able to wire up some lighting quickly in a cellar with it, and I wasn't
too worried about what I looked like


Bonsai Claw Bar 10" from Screwfix. So useful.

pry bars etc are somehow satisfying


NT

"Adam Aglionby" wrote in message
ups.com...

Stuart Noble wrote:
wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:

Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but
stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

Stubby 12 in 1 screwdriver. Kamasa & Draper sell them, a stubby
screwdriver
with 6 double ended bits in the handle. Pozi, Phillips, Hex & Flat.

I could do with one of them, and ultrastubby one. Might try making one,
as I've never seen anything short enough. A 1/4" socket to take the
bit, wood or rubber block handle, and drill some holes in the socket to
accept screws to prevent slippage of handle on socket.


Taptool Universal Spanner also from Wickes. Fits almost everything &
great
for reluctant stopcocks etc.

I just got one of another make, means no need to lug the toolbox out,
but the thing is always trying to slip off the nut and it takes 2 hands
to use, one to keep the thing on the nut. Has yours got a spring or
something?

Mole grips might be better. I swear by mine but I know a lot of people
don't rate them


Bahco slip joint pliers, ones with the button to move ratchet,
expensive but fit well and save the price in skinned knuckles and
rounded fasteners.


Stanley smooth jaw adjustable lockable spanner. Brill Also the smooth jaw
ratchet spanner from Administer.

On 2 Jan 2007 06:10:47 -0800 Adam Aglionby wrote :
Bahco slip joint pliers, ones with the button to move ratchet,
expensive but fit well and save the price in skinned knuckles
and rounded fasteners.

Seconded: I bought a pair a couple of years back and ever since
have wished I did so when I first took up plumbing.

--
Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk

On 2 Jan 2007 06:10:47 -0800, Adam Aglionby wrote:

Bahco slip joint pliers

I don't think I've ever had a bad tool from Bahco/Sandvik. We use their
saws on the farm, to the exclusion of all others and I have "quite a range"
of pumbing tools from them. The first Bahco tool I bought was an adjustable
spanner, it's the only one I have used that works properly, other than
possibly a "Clyno" I think it was that was loaned to me by a engineer at a
factory where I did some work. That was a serious piece of work that we
used when connecting up high pressure steam lines.

Steve Firth wrote:
On 2 Jan 2007 06:10:47 -0800, Adam Aglionby wrote:

Bahco slip joint pliers

I don't think I've ever had a bad tool from Bahco/Sandvik. We use
their saws on the farm, to the exclusion of all others and I have
"quite a range" of pumbing tools from them. The first Bahco tool I
bought was an adjustable spanner, it's the only one I have used that
works properly,

I'll second that. I have a couple of Bahco adjustable spanners that are 20
years old and still work better than anything else.


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

"Adam Aglionby" wrote in message
ups.com...

Bahco slip joint pliers, ones with the button to move ratchet,
expensive but fit well and save the price in skinned knuckles and
rounded fasteners.

Adam


Do they have a smooth jaw version of them? In wider jaws too? They are neat
and fast, being parallel jaws they are more suite to being smooth jaws not
having serrated jaws.

Those Robogrip thingies are garbage, as they bend. Expensive garbage too.

wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:

Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

snip

I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one. A
mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt get in
the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the batteries
do, always works.

The recent crop of lights are interesting - though they haven't really
hit the shops in bulk yet.

For example, I've got a nice all-metal 1AA flashlight that is 1/10th as
bright as a 25W halogen bulb, and cost 3 quid. (from the now defunct
fifthunit.com) LEDs have come on by a factor of 4 or so in efficiency
over the past 4 years, which helps with battery life.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...2&postcount=53

The best are now better than CFL efficiency wise.

http://fenix-store.com/product_info....roducts_id=111 has
recently replaced an ancient minimaglite-solitare on my keyring.

Takes an AAA battery, is around the same size as an AA battery, and
produces similar amounts of light to the above (on high).

wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:


Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;


LED Headlamp torch from Argos. So useful when grovelling about under sinks
etc. Does make you look a pratt mind.


I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one. A
mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt get in
the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the batteries
do, always works.

I agree, I cannot get on with them. The shadow from my hands gets in the
way. I normally take mine off and hang it somewhere where the shadow is
less of a problem.



Bonsai Claw Bar 10" from Screwfix. So useful.


pry bars etc are somehow satisfying

LOL, my SWMBO always becomes interested when it's time to get serious
with something. Maybe it's something to do with her seeing her lump of a
husband turn into a hulk and ripping up everything in his path... or
even getting out of his chair.

My 12" crowbar came from one of the early "pound-shop" places about 10
years ago. I thought that it would be made of that bendy soft type of
steel - reflecting its price, so common in cheap tools. But it has stood
up to all sorts of abuse since then and now is one of the most used and
cherished tools I have.

Maybe that says something about my DIY or my wife :-)


Steve.

Steve laid this down on his screen :

I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one. A
mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt get in
the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the batteries
do, always works.

I agree, I cannot get on with them. The shadow from my hands gets in the way.
I normally take mine off and hang it somewhere where the shadow is less of a
problem.

I don't agree...

I now have three of these. Two 4/8 LED ones with 4x AA and a 12/24/32
LED one with 3x AAA cells.

The problem with fixed (mains) lights is that sometimes, especially in
a tight spot, you cannot put the light where it is not shining in you
eyes. A headlight can never do this and where ever you walk it is
illuminated. Who cares if I look like a tit?

The only down side is the slightly peculiar colour, but you get used to
it.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

Harry Bloomfield wrote:

I don't agree...

I now have three of these. Two 4/8 LED ones with 4x AA and a 12/24/32
LED one with 3x AAA cells.

Where did you get the 12/24/32 LED one with 3x AAA cells Harry?

The only down side is the slightly peculiar colour, but you get used
to it.

I quite like it. Especially good when plumbing - any small drops of water
seem to show up really brightly.


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

The Medway Handyman wrote :
Where did you get the 12/24/32 LED one with 3x AAA cells Harry?

Its a 12/24/32 + a couple of flashing red LED's, all selectable via a
single push button switch. It has a bracket for use as a cycle
headlight, and another to use it as a head light.

It is rather cheap looking, unlike my 8 LED ones, but it certainly does
the job. It also doesn't protrude out from my head as far as the 8
LED's ones. It's main case is silver, circular, with black brackets and
head band. It was around £6.50 (£2 cheaper than my 8 LED jobs) and I
got it from a small local DIY tool shop.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

wrote in message
ups.com...

LED Headlamp torch from Argos. So useful when grovelling about under
sinks
etc. Does make you look a pratt mind.

I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one. A
mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt get in
the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the batteries
do, always works.

A decent headtorch doesn't get in the way, and always works IMO. More
importantly it's trivial to pick up and use, unlike trailing a mains light
on a long wire for a 2 second job. I don't have a problem with batteries
going either, and 'looking stupid' isn't an issue given that it's dark...

Of course I may be slightly biased here - I've done a reasonable amount of
caving, so having a lamp on my head feels pretty normal.

cheers,
clive

...

Of course I may be slightly biased here - I've done a reasonable amount of
caving, so having a lamp on my head feels pretty normal.

Same with me. You can tell the people who are not used to using
head-lamps. They always look you in the face and dazzle you when they
talk to you. Headlamps can be a problem when it is cold enough for
your breath to condense and rise in front of ther beam - norra problem
indoors usually :-)

wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:
Taptool Universal Spanner also from Wickes. Fits almost everything
& great for reluctant stopcocks etc.

I just got one of another make, means no need to lug the toolbox out,
but the thing is always trying to slip off the nut and it takes 2
hands to use, one to keep the thing on the nut. Has yours got a
spring or something?

Mines one of these http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/420064 I find its better on
backnuts etc than the spring ones http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/500535.


LED Headlamp torch from Argos. So useful when grovelling about
under sinks etc. Does make you look a pratt mind.

I have to vote against headlights, I've not once found a use for one.
A mains light on a long wire gives far better illumination, doesnt
get in the way, doesnt look so goddam stupid, doesnt die when the
batteries do, always works.

I find the pure white type light from LEDs really good for spotting drips on
plumbing. Mine has 2, 4 or 8 LEDs switchable and lasts for ages on 3 AAA
batteries.


Bonsai Claw Bar 10" from Screwfix. So useful.

pry bars etc are somehow satisfying

Oh yes!


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

The Medway Handyman wrote:
wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:

Taptool Universal Spanner also from Wickes. Fits almost everything
& great for reluctant stopcocks etc.

I just got one of another make, means no need to lug the toolbox out,
but the thing is always trying to slip off the nut and it takes 2
hands to use, one to keep the thing on the nut. Has yours got a
spring or something?

Mines one of these http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/420064 I find its better on
backnuts etc than the spring ones http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/500535.

OIC, both totally different to what I got. Well, google turned up
nothing at all like it.

The one I have works into tight spaces, which those 2 wont, but its a
bit slippery. Its a straight bar with with its ends cut at around 45
degrees, and a C shaped thing is pivoted on at each end.


NT

In message , The
Medway Handyman writes
Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

[snip]

Best power tool has to be the Makita Jigsaw, followed closely by the Wickes
SDS.

I have the same Wickes SDS - the rebadged Kress and am quite impressed
by it.

Best purchase I *think* for 2007 will be the Makita Impact Driver which
just arrived today. No8 x 100mm woodscrew straight into a lump of 4x2 -
it didn't even blink!

Regards
Someone

"somebody" wrote in message
...
In message , The Medway
Handyman writes
Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but
stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

[snip]

Best power tool has to be the Makita Jigsaw, followed closely by the
Wickes
SDS.

I have the same Wickes SDS - the rebadged Kress and am quite impressed by
it.

Superb quality and very robust indeed.

Best purchase I *think* for 2007 will be the Makita Impact Driver which
just arrived today. No8 x 100mm woodscrew straight into a lump of 4x2 - it
didn't even blink!

Impact Drivers are now a must have tool. The uk.d-i-y Lunatic Association
(affiliated), think you hit them with a hammer.

In article ews.net,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
Impact Drivers are now a must have tool.

We'll expect your rave reviews when PPPro bring one out then.

--
*i souport publik edekashun.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ews.net,
Doctor Drivel wrote:

Impact Drivers are now a must have tool.

We'll

Please eff off as you are a plantpot.

In message , The
Medway Handyman writes
Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the last
year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on :-), but stuff
that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;
I really want an excuse to buy a FUBAR wrecking hammer. Just love the
name.
--
Clint Sharp

Clint Sharp wrote:
In message , The
Medway Handyman writes
Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the
last year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on
:-), but stuff that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

I really want an excuse to buy a FUBAR wrecking hammer. Just love the
name.

WOW! That really is a tool. I want one!

Review here; http://www.idonline.com/features/feature.asp?id=1545

Best pics here; http://tinyurl.com/ye696s

If I think hard enough I'l find a use for one ......................


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
.uk...
Clint Sharp wrote:
In message , The
Medway Handyman writes
Hi All

Thought I'd mention the really useful tools I've acquired over the
last year. Not the gadgets you still can't help wasting money on
:-), but stuff that gets used regularly and makes the job easier;

I really want an excuse to buy a FUBAR wrecking hammer. Just love the
name.

WOW! That really is a tool. I want one!

Review here; http://www.idonline.com/features/feature.asp?id=1545

Best pics here; http://tinyurl.com/ye696s

If I think hard enough I'l find a use for one ......................


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257


I bought two fubars today, just because they look horrible and tough. Going
to roadtest it tomorrow and will give a report!!

--
Steve Dawson

In message , Stephen Dawson
writes
I bought two fubars today, just because they look horrible and tough.
Where from and how much?
Going
to roadtest it tomorrow and will give a report!!
Excellent, look forward to it.

--
Steve Dawson



--
Clint Sharp

"Clint Sharp" wrote in message
...
In message , Stephen Dawson
writes
I bought two fubars today, just because they look horrible and tough.
Where from and how much?
Going
to roadtest it tomorrow and will give a report!!
Excellent, look forward to it.

--
Steve Dawson



--
Clint Sharp

Sorry, review a day late.

Today we have bashed, cut and pryed. The Fubar is a formidable additional to
my asernal of tools. Helped used no end today install a 400mm sq 4 core
armoured cable. Many admiring glances from others on site. A good all round
tool that will have lots of uses for me.

Regards

Steve

On Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:47:40 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

Bonsai Claw Bar 10" from Screwfix. So useful.

A few years ago I got one from Screwfix on clearance and it has an
amazingly thin but strong[1] blade. Brilliant for starting to lift
floorboards etc. Never seen one like it since: the ones they have in their
current range are significantly thicker and clumsier.


[1] i.e. I haven't broken it yet :-)