What tool/gadget didn't you know you needed until ........

[Steve509926]

About 20 years ago I had to buy a new cordless drill. The kit I got came with an Impact Driver which I thought I might or might not use, how wrong I was. It became the most used cordless tool I have, replaced many times and now wouldn't/couldn't be without one.

Last month I needed to replace my tile suction carrier (great for carrying/laying large format tiles)
The one I got came with a battery operated (Milwaukee battery) tile vibration gadget. Probably won't be any good I thought! Just finished laying 40 mtrs large format tiles and I can say it's Aabsolutely brilliant, can't recommend it highly enough. How have I laid 100's of mtrs of tiles without this fantastic bit of kit. Would I go back to not using one, not a cat in hell's chance.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0CW69V6D7?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

So what tool/gadget didn't you know you needed, untill ...........

[Fenlander]

Neat tiling job Steve. I think you can hold them on car footwell mats/carpet too and the dirt will be vibrated out for easy vacuuming. I'll have to ponder on my "well that's brilliant" tool.

[Steve509926]

Thanks David. Great idea about the car mats, must give that a try

[spartacus]

For me it’s an air hammer.

I’ve had Audi cars for years. On the A4, (basically used across VAG platform) they have something called a pinch bolt on the front suspension setup. It anchors the upper balljoints to the main strut as part of the multi link suspension. It’s achieved almost mythical status on forums and is complete pain in the **** to remove, akin to removing Excalibur from a rock! The steel bolt invariably seizes as it’s connected to the alloy strut, and oxide corrosion forms from road salt and surface water.

Like most tools, I’ve built up gradually where funds allow. Not to be beaten, as at some point these balljoints will wear and need to be swapped out. I’ve read the misery of DIY mechanics literally in tears banging the bolt with a lump hammer or resorting to an angle grinder in an attempt to shift it, facing the possibility of taking it to the main dealer with £150 an hour labour rates.

There a couple of ways of doing it, however a decent air hammer is key. My choice is a Laser air hammer coupled to an 24 litre air compressor. It’s a bit of one trick pony, but if you work on cars, it’s worth its weight in gold. With an air compressor you can add other tools, impact wrench, spray gun, etc. I know most are swapping air for battery tools, but call me old school.

Clean the balljoint first with a wire brush. You can lube with a little PlusGas. Heat also helps, propane torch for good 5-10 minutes, the balljoint rubber boots are toast anyway. Fire up the air hammer with the nut loosened but still on or it can mushroom the end, using a spanner on the other end to get leverage working back and forth very slowly. The pinch bolt starts to loosen with the hammer and you’ll see a ploom of white oxide dust as it vibrates free. Lightly coat new bolt in ceramic grease after fitting new upper arms.

If money is no object, Klann make a tool specifically for the job at €500.

[Matt]

The moment you said Audi and Air Hammer, I knew you were going to be talking about the bastard bolt. Done it myself, same way you did.

The other tool that helped that job, also relevant to this thread, was a Makita 18V Impact wrench.
Frequently use that on a (say) M8 or M10 bolt that I know is seized. The impact effect is quite good at getting it to budge without shearing the bolt/nut off.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LQUIG...1_TE_item?th=1

[Steve509926]

Well after extolling the virtues of the tile vibrator it bloody stopped working today. I thought I'd try Fenlanders idea of vibrating the dirt out of the car footwell carpet, obviously cleaning duties are far beneath it and it has stopped working and won't start again!
Amazon refunded without hesitation.

[Fenlander]

Oops sorry.

[CJL]

For me it has to be these three;

1. Automatic Wire Stripper - https://amzn.eu/d/4ZgUNI1
2. Wire Crimping Tool - https://amzn.eu/d/fb1R89Y
3. Dewalt Impact Driver - https://amzn.eu/d/iLKNQYY

How I managed without them I don't know!

The impact driver is a bit too powerful actually so it needs to be used with caution!!!

Chris

[willk]

I was watching an engineer working, maybe 6 years ago, he was removing fixings from very old machinery, effortlessly, with what appeared to be a small cordless drill - but it was banging away. On enquiring, he gave me the Talk, and told me of the Way of the Impact Driver. I'm a convert.

Liking that wire stripper ^. I hate stripping wires, it's never just right.

Stuff with power tool batteries generally - my most used item is an inspection lamp that I bought on a whim.

Current favourite - a cheap rechargeable tyre inflator. With a digital gauge and preset stop, it means I can quickly check/top-up without peering at vibrating needle around ankle height (in the dark/rain/shadows).

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by CJL

For me it has to be these three;

1. Automatic Wire Stripper - https://amzn.eu/d/4ZgUNI1
2. Wire Crimping Tool - https://amzn.eu/d/fb1R89Y
3. Dewalt Impact Driver - https://amzn.eu/d/iLKNQYY

How I managed without them I don't know!

The impact driver is a bit too powerful actually so it needs to be used with caution!!!

Chris

Really like those wire stripper's, good price as well.

There is a big difference in the torque between an Impact Driver and an Impact Wrench. I tried an Impact Wrench and as you say it has to be used with caution.

[Fenlander]

So I've pondered. I passed by more expensive and initially impressive tools plus some great 100yr old family inherited woodworking tools I use most weeks and ended up with something quite humble but a game changer for me. A powered screwdriver.

For years I've championed a manual screwdriver for its simplicity and resisted modernising but recently building and fitting a new kitchen for my 93yr old mum proved so wearing with the amount of screws to insert/tighten I sold out and went cordless.

Now this is just a cheap one at £20 or so but usefully almost a palm of the hand size and its torque is plenty, any more and you'd be pulling all the screw heads into the chipboard. Lasts more than a day of intensive DIY on a single charge and useful to have the integral bit storage.

https://www.homebase.co.uk/black-dec.../12838566.html

[Matt]

Yeah, I'd agree with that as a great tool. Building a shed with a mate of mine totally proved how how useful it was.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

So I've pondered. I passed by more expensive and initially impressive tools plus some great 100yr old family inherited woodworking tools I use most weeks and ended up with something quite humble but a game changer for me. A powered screwdriver.

For years I've championed a manual screwdriver for its simplicity and resisted modernising but recently building and fitting a new kitchen for my 93yr old mum proved so wearing with the amount of screws to insert/tighten I sold out and went cordless.

Now this is just a cheap one at £20 or so but usefully almost a palm of the hand size and its torque is plenty, any more and you'd be pulling all the screw heads into the chipboard. Lasts more than a day of intensive DIY on a single charge and useful to have the integral bit storage.

https://www.homebase.co.uk/black-dec.../12838566.html

I've had something similar for about 10 years now for exactly the same purpose, fitting kitchens, bedrooms and bathroom furniture. As you say anything with greater torque risks ripping though the foil on the chipboard.
I've lost count of the number of kitchens ect I've fitted with it, but it must run into 100's
Such a shame "Sparky" have discontinued it.

[A1an]

blast cabinet, keeps me entertained for hours

[Peter_C]

Oh where to start...Are we talking metal working? Woodworking? Or Vehicle improvements?

Some would say I have a tool addiction. Not so! I only buy tools I use.

I have a Snap-on shirt that says "Tools For Every Toy"

Lately I would have to say my mini skid steer as it does much of the work I don't want to do.

[Brinormeg]

Mainly for boating.......Got to be my dewalt leaf blower! Saves so much time on set up, and maybe even more so on deflation to pack away a large awkward sib in the back of the car.
But also very handy for blowing away dust and debris from the work bench or whatever.
Even used it a bit more successfully than your tool Steve to blow sand out of the car.

Next has to be all the rest of the cordless tools I've bought in recent times from mowers for my mums house to cordless grinders, jigsaw, combi drill to my most recent purchase of a cordless strimmer.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Brinormeg

Mainly for boating.......Got to be my dewalt leaf blower! Saves so much time on set up, and maybe even more so on deflation to pack away a large awkward sib in the back of the car.

Hi Brin, did that come with the valve attachment or have you had to adapt it?

Is it a true DeWalt or one of the eBay copies? Only asking as I'm thinking of getting one of the "Milwaukee" eBay copies.

[Stewy]

For work my concrete nailer. Has replaced 90% of my hammer drilling.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Some would say I have a tool addiction. Not so! I only buy tools I use.

So NOT a tool addiction, but you ARE a User...

i c

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Stewy

For work my concrete nailer. Has replaced 90% of my hammer drilling.

Are you using that for wall plates etc?