recommend a tool to others ?

[mtt.tr]

I do have a few things I wouldn't be without.

Hemostats curved, straight, short and long ones. Also sponge holder ideal for cleaning deep recesses

Gedore circlip pliers

Lang hose clamp pliers they just work.

Loads of other stuff, I'm the village bike lender at the yard as I have so much obscure tooling

 

[Keithmac]

Another thing I've only started using is the heat shrink solder butt joint things, and a battery heat gun. What a doddle! No idea how good they are, or how long they'll last, but so easy!

I use the crimp and seal connectors for Motorcycle wiring with the proper crimping pliers. They are excellent where a wire will flex (soldered joints would snap in these situations).

 

[striker]

Looks a handy tool, but I only have spanners

Make up a "Samson bar". Basically a bar two feet long with nuts welded on each end. Then use the nut in the opposite end of the ring spanner for leverage. Each bar can have 4 different size nuts, two at each end on either side of the bar. These were banned on the site I worked as a fitter, but we all had them!

 

[steveo3002]

Another thing I've only started using is the heat shrink solder butt joint things, and a battery heat gun. What a doddle! No idea how good they are, or how long they'll last, but so easy!

did you give them a yank test after heating ? i got a packet and seemed a good idea but could pull them apart fairly easy , so wont use them again

 

[Wildefalcon]

They replaced some "twist and run away" joins I came across, so it's a low stress, easily assessable application. So I'm happy with them. I'd not use on automotive applications, crimp and cover for those.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Difficult to recommend just one, there are so many tools I wouldn't be without even if they are only used a few times - when you need them, you need them.

The one that does currently spring to mind are the Knipex Twin Grip pliers.
I almost didn't bother with them due to the massive fanatical hype, I suspected they wouldn't live up to the claims and I couldn't see them being all that handy.

Well I was wrong. I've used them several times now for extracting stuck/rounded screws, they have worked flawlessly and saved me hours of frustration. Very impressed.

I now keep them in my tool pouch and I'm trying to resist buying a second pair as a backup for the toolbox.
Not all that expensive either if you shop around. Engineer also do a range of similar pliers.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Another thing I've only started using is the heat shrink solder butt joint things, and a battery heat gun. What a doddle! No idea how good they are, or how long they'll last, but so easy!

Santa is bringing me the Hikoki one for Christmas - but I did get a chance to do a few quick tests with it.

They are not a replacement for a mains heatgun, they don't get as hot or get the volume of heat, and they are expensive by comparison.

Small heatshrink is no bother, automotive, electrical etc perfect. Stickers and decals too.
Possibly also useful for getting the bubbles out of epoxy (not tried that yet).

If you are making off large connections with a lot of thermal mass and thick industrial adhesive heatshrink I think it will probably do it but you will be there a while.
It has enough heat to bend 20mm pvc conduit, but the limited volume of air means it tends to be targeted over a smaller area.
You can get bigger pipe hotter but perhaps not enough of it all at once to get a smooth bend - be ok for flaring out an end.
I wouldn't attempt to do paint stripping of anything like that.

15 minutes approx. for a 5AH battery, depending on what setting you have it on.
Where I think they score is convenience, especially if you are halfway up an extension ladder with the power off trying to pee about with a Bic lighter.

From the comparison tests I've seen, the Hikoki is currently the best of the bunch - hottest, most air, digital temp control and slide switch which stays on hands free. On par is the Makita.
Dewalt lags behind, and the Milwaukee is pretty hopeless by all accounts as it runs much cooler.

At that point it might be worth looking at something like the Parkside which is fairly generic but very inexpensive by comparison.
Somewhat of a niche tool though!

 

[Munkul]

I have the Knipex version, my brother has these, the NWS version.

I hate to say it, but the NWS ones are better. Just slightly. Faster adjustment, harder grip, better jaws. And they have a useful slot in the jaws that's very good for pulling nails out of slates... his set of pliers has de-roofed 3 entire buildings on the farm by now.

 

[carbon]

Looks a handy tool, but I only have spanners

There is a hex on one side usually so you can use a spanner for extra leverage

 

[Moose McAlpine]

I have the Knipex version, my brother has these, the NWS version.

I hate to say it, but the NWS ones are better. Just slightly. Faster adjustment, harder grip, better jaws. And they have a useful slot in the jaws that's very good for pulling nails out of slates... his set of pliers has de-roofed 3 entire buildings on the farm by now.

I have a couple sizes of those in my mobile box, they're great. All NWS stuff is top quality. I prefer their pliers over Knipex in many cases. I think all the pliers in my mobile box are NWS come to think of it.

 

[skotl]

Going to add to my previous list, having spent the last couple of days immersed in Fusion 360:

A 3D printer.

They are far from cheap, and have a steep learning curve (not just in CAD but also in understanding how to print in different materials), but it's been a game changer for me. All sorts of possibilities open up once you realise you can make your own part / case etc. out of plastic.

 

[Wildefalcon]

£6 on eBay, done. Thanks!

share the link pretty please

Well. I stand corrected. It arrived today, and cost £5!

 

[hooblah]

A pinecil soldering iron. Cheap and bloody good.
I bought a Chinese usb-c adaptor for my 18v DeWalt batteries and it plugs in and gets hot instantly. Recommended to load it with ironos firmware to tweak the settings further (set low voltage cutoff at the very least).

 

[GG1]

A step drill - surprising myself with this one as had always looked down on them for some unknown reason thinking for very light work only.

I bought this at Screwfix on impulse through sheer laziness as I'm having to drill a lot of 10mm holes in 1.5mm steel - and it's great, leaves a nicely chamfered edge. I've drilled over 60 holes so far, no sign of losing its edge. I'm centre popping, drop of cutting oil and away.

Sharpening looks like a challenge though with the helical spiral (if that's the shape).

 

[Moose McAlpine]

Step drills are great. Had a Ruko set for 5+ years and only recently felt the need to replace them. They'd had lots of abuse and have plowed many holes in up to 5mm steel. Can't beat them for thin sheet metal though.

 

[steveo3002]

agree theyre handy , dont snatch on thin stuff either

 

[Migmac]

I’ve just bought a replacement ultrasonic cleaner. Had a Vevor 3l one before but it got recalled. The one I have now is 6l and has a tap for making emptying it easy. Not saying creworks are the best but it was within my budget

 

[MattF]

I’ve just bought a replacement ultrasonic cleaner. Had a Vevor 3l one before but it got recalled. The one I have now is 6l and has a tap for making emptying it easy. Not saying creworks are the best but it was within my budget
View attachment 423312

How's that faring, & what's your opinion of it, @Migmac?

 

[Migmac]

How's that faring, & what's your opinion of it, @Migmac?

It’s doing well, no complaints so far. The extra capacity and drain are very useful. I’ve only cleaned carbs in it, fill it with water then put the carbs in separate containers filled with allandales carb cleaner. I think it does a better job than the Vevor one