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General Tools Hints:
This has probably been said many times, but do not be tempted to buy cheap tools and expect them to last. A lot of the far-eastern made tools are not hardened particularly well, and the riveting and accuracy will often be inferior. You will often find that cheap spanners will round-off your work because the flats are soft, and screwdrivers will twist and ruin your screw-heads if soft. If you are expecting to do a lot of serious DIY work over the years, and particularly if you are keen to do your own house maintenance, plumbing, and appliance repair, and car maintenance, then invest in good quality, specific tools for the job. Buy the best quality you can afford, and work on the principle that the callout money you save by the DIY route, will easily pay for that tool you always wanted, or that better drill you always promised yourself!
As well as the usual hand tools to be seen in any toolbox, such as pliers, and various screwdrivers, it is often useful to have a set of “self-grip”, or “locking pliers” handy. These usually come in a set of 3 sizes, and used to be commonly called “Mole-grip” pliers. SCREWFIX sell a set of 3 for £7.99 (17518), or number 11724 in the catalogue is a 10 inch one, USA made, high quality. This larger one would be the ideal tool to steady such things as a radiator valve, while tightening the large nut.
Because of the more frequent use of security screws, or tamper-proof screws, in appliances as mundane as Irons, Toasters, and Vacuum Cleaners these days, it is worthwhile investing in a good set of Security Bits (or at least a set of 50mm bits that incluse all the useful T10 - T40 TORX ones). I would go for either the 50mm set from SCREWFIX (76154) or the long-reach (150mm) 32 piece security bit set (number 3937) from TOOLBAY. This will allow removal of deeply recessed screws in Washing Machines, Dyson Vacuums, and many other modern appliances.
See the very useful FREDSHED site, for expert reviews and tool recommendations.
TOOLS I WISHED I HAD BOUGHT YEARS AGO:
Apart from the nice screwdriver bit-sets available, here is a small list of things that I find invaluable from time to time (see SCREWFIX links on the right):
- FRAMING SQUARE (Many DIY uses, useful straight edge, cutting guide, as well as carpentry, in window framing, and doors, roofing. Also ideal on your pasting board, cut your wallpaper length neatly with a blade) SCREWFIX number 17926, £6.98.
- POST LEVEL - This tool has 3 sight levels, and just attaches to your fence post with a large elastic band or two. For less than £3, saves a lot of time, and makes it very easy to get your fence posts exactly vertical, while the cement sets. SCREWFIX number 14623.
- HOT-GLUE-GUN - I had one as a present, and have found lots if uses for this very versatile tool. SCREWFIX number 7730, at £19.98. See GLUE-GUN-FUN
- PILLAR DRILL - although mine is an old one given by a friend (it’s the sort that the standard B&D drill clamps to), it has proved useful for accurate drilling of wood and metal. I will upgrade this at some point, to the proper type, 5 speed (SCREWFIX number 54072 at £60), or the 9 speed one for just £30 pounds more (SCREWFIX number 44021).
- Fold-away Workbench - I have 2, ideal for gripping large lengths of wood and sawing up, especially if you don’t have a helper. Fom £16 to £126. The SCREWFIX 36354 looks ideal, it’s a versatile 6 in 1, and at £24, not a lot to pay for something that will prove very useful.
- AC VOLTAGE DETECTOR - these are usually NON-CONTACT, and are therefore MUCH SAFER than using a meter. They can be used to find where you have a break in a cable, or supply wire to a circuit. See HERE for a MAPLIN tool (N10BY) at £4.99 when on offer.
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