Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

Lakeland · 21 May 2020 at 09:59

I’ve never felt a need for more than 3ah batteries in my makita impact driver, I’ve ran the battery flat but by then I’m ready for a break while it recharges anyway!

Mark A · 21 May 2020 at 15:03

checjb said:
That DeWalt set is the same price as the 5.0ah Milwaukee twin set I just bought from Screwfix. I just upgraded from a Titan twin set that I've had for years and did my kitchen and studio cabin with. Just found out that the 1.5ah batteries no longer hold charge past about 10 mins so treated myself. Wow, the Milwaukee set is seriously powerful compared to my Titan set. Admittedly, the Titan set was about £70 5+ years.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/milwauke...ess-combi-drill-impact-driver-twin-pack/229hv

Brushless + Li-ion makes a huge difference. I wish this tech would have been around 15 years or so ago when I started working, it would have made my life so much easier than messing around with Nicad tools.

JRJ · 21 May 2020 at 20:42

I don't own any of the 2ah Dewalt batteries only 4 & 5's which are the same dimensions but different weight and I find even the 5ah's are well balanced on the 796 and 996, the twin pack of 2ah batteries occasionally pop up on Amazon for silly prices and I've been meaning to get them solely for the slimmer profile and squeezing into awkward spots.

NickK · 23 May 2020 at 21:07

I had to quickly get a long wrench today. Expensive but built like a tank - 12" adjustable spanner (34mm max): https://www.screwfix.com/p/bahco-wide-jaw-adjustable-wrench-12/81852 Only wish it had the option to 38mm for holding 22mm isolation valve bodies but this worked really well to apply force in a controlled way to unseized compression joints. Would couple with a 6-8" spanner for tighter areas.

fobose · 23 May 2020 at 21:15

I've got the 8" version, 9031. Good spanner

JRJ · 24 May 2020 at 12:19

Also got the 8" and one of the slim fit smaller ones maybe 6" been a life saver and great quality.

pinkpound · 24 May 2020 at 23:20

Can anyone recommend the best tool to cut a stainless steel kitchen extractor hood chimney extension section for a slopped ceiling . Its still has the plastic protection on I so was think jigsaw and mine metal blade ?

b0rn2sk8 · 25 May 2020 at 01:12

I assume it’s just thin stainless steal?

I can’t see why that wouldn’t work, you might need to file off any burs but it should be fine. I imagine the hardest part will be working out how to clamp/brace it for cutting. Take your time, definitely leave the protection film on, might be prudent to add some extra masking tape where the jigsaw will run over as a backup against scratching.

Hedge · 25 May 2020 at 07:44

pinkpound said:
Can anyone recommend the best tool to cut a stainless steel kitchen extractor hood chimney extension section for a slopped ceiling . Its still has the plastic protection on I so was think jigsaw and mine metal blade ?

I'd put masking tape along the cut then use a junior hack saw with a new blade.

But if I owned a grinder I would use that instead.

pinkpound · 25 May 2020 at 09:29

Hedge said:
I'd put masking tape along the cut then use a junior hack saw with a new blade.

But if I owned a grinder I would use that instead.

Thanks

I'm thinking get too much vibration with a jigsaw . Not got a grinder but a mate has a Dewalt multi tool ?

NickK · 25 May 2020 at 09:34

Careful of heating the metal or you will end up with discoloured metal.

fobose · 25 May 2020 at 09:36

I think I would go with the masking tape and hack saw as Hedge suggests. I have a Bahco 325 hacksaw, lovely thing to use.

b0rn2sk8 · 25 May 2020 at 09:37

I have a dewalt multi tool, I don’t think that would be suitable, it essentially vibrates the blades like a big electric toothbrush.

A rotary multi tool(dremil or equivalent) would be better with a cutting disk on it. Essentially a mini angle grinder.

As others have said, hacksaw will do the job too.

I assume your trying to cut that is essentially a U shaped piece of metal? Do you not have anything you can sacrifice and clamp to to the inside to stabilise it and cut through? Piece of thin timber/ply/mdf?

JRJ · 25 May 2020 at 13:11

Grinder with a very thin blade according to my industrial kitchen fitter mate with a block of wood to stop it from flexing.

ubern00b · 25 May 2020 at 13:25

Looking for a leaf blower, electric corded preferably. Doesn't need a vacuum mode but I do want something decent that will actually move leaves and what not. Around the £100 mark as a guide price. Any recommendations?

Hedge · 25 May 2020 at 16:00

ubern00b said:
Looking for a leaf blower, electric corded preferably. Doesn't need a vacuum mode but I do want something decent that will actually move leaves and what not. Around the £100 mark as a guide price. Any recommendations?

Do you own any cordless tools? Or do you plan to? Might be worth looking what brands offer then you can keep the batteries for multiple tools.

Dewalt are always decent.

ubern00b · 25 May 2020 at 16:50

Hedge said:
Do you own any cordless tools? Or do you plan to? Might be worth looking what brands offer then you can keep the batteries for multiple tools.

Dewalt are always decent.

I don't own any "ecosystem" yet but I have spent the last hour or so looking at Ryobi and their offerings. The OBL1820S seems well reviewed. Comes in around £160 with a charger and 5ah battery.

Hedge · 25 May 2020 at 17:14

ubern00b said:
I don't own any "ecosystem" yet but I have spent the last hour or so looking at Ryobi and their offerings. The OBL1820S seems well reviewed. Comes in around £160 with a charger and 5ah battery.

Yeah it's worth getting into the whole ecosystem idea because it does help. You can however buy battery converters to use ryobi on dewalt and vice versa.

I own a petrol ryobi lawnmower and its been good for 5 years now.

NoobCannon · 25 May 2020 at 22:20

pinkpound said:
Thanks

I'm thinking get too much vibration with a jigsaw . Not got a grinder but a mate has a Dewalt multi tool ?

i use a dremel for stuff like this. Blades are very thin easily controllable and easy to take your time.

Psycho Sonny · 26 May 2020 at 14:22

divuk83 said:
Unless you have loads of money going spare or are going to use it loads I would get a fairly inexpensive SDS drill. A cordless combi drill won't be up to the job.
Decent, fairly cheap option:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-erh750-3-4kg-electric-sds-plus-drill-220-240v/232fv

Dave

why would you pick that over this with double the power?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-tt...s-drill-22-piece-accessory-kit-230-240v/4172g