what are some tools that were worth the price tag?

[Rockingit]

Yes, but it doesn't do our domestic manufacturers any good if people think they have to have VDE-certified tools.

Do you have an off switch?

 

[telectrix]

all mytools for live working are TWOT certified. (TWOT.... Two Wraps Of Tape).

 

[littlespark]

So VDE is added to the list of other non-things.... like part P qualifications and 18th reg consumer unit

 

[telectrix]

So VDE is added to the list of other non-things.... like part P qualifications and 18th reg consumer unit

never mind. sure nicola kranky can twist it into a reason for scottish independence.

 

[Zerax]

If you could be sure your Wristometer Mk 1 torque measuring device was accurate you wouldn't need a torque setting screwdriver in the first place ?

I regularly calibrate my "Wristomatic mkII"

 

[pc1966]

I regularly calibrate my "Wristomatic mkII"

That is my excuse for the, er, "speciality magazines"...

 

[ipf]

That is my excuse for the, er, "speciality magazines"...

?.......with an 'a'? ?

 

[Teddy Lop]

Always wondered about the Veto pro bags etc .Look great , but bloody expensive !

Exceptional quality. Wore one out after 7 or 8 years of hard life - still usable but rubber handle came apart and zip knackered.

It was getting too heavy esp with all the EICRs I do today not needed so much crap so decided to split toolboxes using a GT line atomic wheeled case as a one box test gear/light second fit and the veto as mostly 1st fit but its all ended up in the increasingly too heavy GT line now, sigh.

 

[Teddy Lop]

And there's another "didn't think I'd get so much use out of it tool" - angled impact driver.

Was an "is it an indulgence" tool as was upgrading the whole lot to Milwaukee 18v but having already selected the hole hawg joist driller thought the heads far too chunky for those tight-access jobs, and the proper right-angle drill I thought the head was still quite chunky, wheras the right angle impact has a tiny little headstock. In the short time I've had it there's been a dozen of those "jobs you could have fiddled and cursed and managed/mangled-like-a-plumber but were made easy and/or tidy", both drilling things and driving things, helps having the tiny little new armeg holesaws that use 1/4 drive too.

 

[i=p/u]

Aye About 5k for a half decent kit....

 

[littlespark]

Aye About 5k for a half decent kit....

Shhhh, @telectrix can do one for 3 and a half!

 

[i=p/u]

Aye but disssapears when sees cops.. hot loot

 

[telectrix]

Aye but disssapears when sees cops.. hot loot

but at least i went to a good school. it was approved. they also taught me how to spell disappeared, and how many s's and p's in Mississippi.

 

[ipf]

but at least i went to a good school. it was approved. they also taught me how to disappear, and how many s's and p's in Mississippi.

Just to put it in context..........

 

[Mikegh]

I think we should all follow @westward10 about protecting your eyes, ears, hands, and the rest of your body depending on what tools you are using and what situation you are in. For example, a simple hard-hat has saved me from some nasty gashes to the head from the nails holding slates on in an attic, etc.

But for the original discussion my most recent best-buy has been an impact driver:

Impact Driver | Cordless Impact Driver Drill Set | Milwaukee Tool UK

Discover the power and precision of MILWAUKEE® Cordless Impact Drivers. Explore the range including Right Angle, Sub Compact and heavy-duty M18 FUEL™ models.

uk.milwaukeetool.eu

I actually bought the FPP2A2-502X kit with that, a more conventional battery drill, charger, and two 5.0Ah batteries. But it really has been that driver along with the hex-shank drill bits that has been most useful by far.

A word of warning though: even on its minimum setting and making use of the variable-rate trigger it will easily chew up smaller screws, and a moment of carelessness with it set on mid-speed sheared a M6 roofing bolt on some cable tray I was assembling.

But only a complete muppet would use it on electrical terminals? Really?

Hi, when you say hex shank drill bits , what bits and task specifically ?

I got one recently but have barely used it since, apart from taking off the lawnmower blade

 

[pc1966]

Hi, when you say hex shank drill bits , what bits and task specifically ?

This sort of thing:

Milwaukee Shockwave HSS-G Red Hex Impact Rated Drill Bit Set | Toolstation

Impact rated titanium coated drill bits with 1/4" hex shank optimised for impact drivers. The 135° tip angle reduces tip walking and allows a precise start. The flute design allows for faster material ejection and decreases heat build-up for more efficiency. Sizes: 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...

www.toolstation.com

The ease of swapping drill bits for pilot/clearance drilling and then to hex shank screwdriver bits for drilling in screws, etc, it really convenient. Also an excellent thing is the hex shank hole saw for conduit style fixing:

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/armeg-acceler8-sheet-steel-holesaw-20mm/1009r

I also have a couple of hex-square drive adaptors so I can use 8mm / 10mm / 13mm sockets for smaller nuts/bolts or carriage screws. But you have to always be very aware the impact driver will trash smaller fasteners if you are not careful!

 

[Mikegh]

Does the impact work well with hss steel bits then ?

 

[pc1966]

Does the impact work well with hss steel bits then ?

Yes, seems to. For lighter drilling (e.g. 3mm pilot, etc) it is just like your typical bettery drill (slightly less speed control via the trigger) but for bigger drill bits that will often jam a battery drill (or wrench your wrist if powerful) it starts hammering away and gets through quite effectively.

 

[Mikegh]

I have Bosch equipment, got the impact mostly for driving screws

I was curious about the charging state for storage as I've a few new ones left unused

The general advice seems to be to leave them at 50%

However the DeWalt site says to charge them fully if left unused for more than 6 months , so i reckon I'm ok

 

[Zerax]

The general advice seems to be to leave them at 50%

Agreed... that's for Lithium Ion certainly, they don't like very high or very low charge for too long.

 

[Mikegh]

Agreed... that's for Lithium Ion certainly, they don't like very high or very low charge for too long.

Top 10 Lithium Ion Battery Storage & Safety Tips | DEWALT

The Power Tool Institute is encouraging you to Take Charge Of Your Battery through proper battery selection, usage, transportation, storage and disposal.

www.dewalt.com

Interestly re:long term storage

The main considerations with the batteries seems to be to avoid complete discharge and excessive load, storage temp too.

Some of the new batteries (Makita)apparently won't operate at all if you try to do too much work with them, the electronics cuts out

 

[Mike Johnson]

The diss-charge cycle of LiIon batteries is quite level, but they do reach a cliff where they do not have enough power to keep the unit going, if you try to keep using the battery it will be irreversibly damaged.

 

[nicebutdim]

Nice new Makita set sitting at my feet. Middle of the road stuff, but more than capable for the work most sparks would ever ask of them. Impact has a decent range of control that lets it perform tasks that earlier impacts would have been too aggressive for and both it and driver are smaller than my 12V Makita gear, although obviously a 5Ah battery changes that.

Just remembered the thread title, so link below as the set comes at a very respectable price.

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/makit...li-ion-lxt-brushless-cordless-twin-pack/101kj

 

[timhoward]

Nice new Makita set sitting at my feet. Middle of the road stuff, but more than capable for the work most sparks would ever ask of them. Impact has a decent range of control that lets it perform tasks that earlier impacts would have been too aggressive for and both it and driver are smaller than my 12V Makita gear, although obviously a 5Ah battery changes that.

Just remembered the thread title, so link below as the set comes at a very respectable price.

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/makit...li-ion-lxt-brushless-cordless-twin-pack/101kj

I have the same set. (I paid more than that!)
So far I'm impressed. I got the the angle drill too.

 

[nicebutdim]

Bought a 12V angle drill a while back. Torn between that and its big brother, but figured smaller form would be of more use than additional power - that and the fact that 12V was much less expensive ?