What Items Do You Have In Your Toolbox?

And even more importantly what essential tools you need in your toolbox!

When you get known as a DIY’er it is amazing how many birthday and Christmas present that you get, that are related to your hobby. This will result in your toolbox overflowing with some amazing tools… But what type of tools do you really need?

The two most popular tools amongst our members are the hammer, which comes in various types but I should imagine that the claw hammer being the most popular. Then there is the measuring tape. Again is comes in various types with the steel retractable tape being the type most found in the toolbox.

A Selection of Screwdrivers – for flat head and Pozi-Drive. An electric drill is also handy for many tasks, most obviously drilling holes in walls that wall plugs are then inserted into. However these item could be rolled into one if you were to buy a good quality Rechargeable drill. You would still need the odd hand screwdriver.

A spirit level is essential if you want to get things level. It is no use measuring off the floor as the floor may slope. Whilst we are on the subject of getting things right we should throw in a Set Square to enable you to mark out materials with square ends etc.
And to cut the materials you will need a saw for cutting wood, ply and MDF etc, plus a hacksaw which is used for cutting metals. Other items could include a Wood Plane, a set of Allen keys and a sander.

The items listed will form a basic tool kit and may do 90% of your DIY jobs. However, to make the job more pleasurable then more specialist tools can be added. Also if you specialise in something like making furniture then the list will become almost endless.

Posted in Tools & Equipment Reviews | No Comments »

Is the Black & Decker Workmate the most popular or useful DIY accessory that you can buy for less than £60?

The Black & Decker Workmate, designed and invented by Ron Hickman (who also designed the Lotus Elan) in 1968, went on sale here in the U.K. in 1973 and later in 1975 it was introduced in the U.S.. By 1981 over 10 million Black & Decker Workmates had been sold Worldwide.

So just what makes the Black & Decker Workmate so popular amongst Professional, Trade and DIY users?

Well for a start it’s fully portable and fold’s flat for easy storage. The Workmate generally has a dual working height which doubles its versatility. The top of the Workmate is a giant vice which is designed to hold add shaped materials securely. You can easily hold circular objects and pipes without fear of them falling off whilst working on them.

Product Description

This has two working heights and a fixed position vice jaw which can be opened to a maximum distance of 136mm. It will stand a maximum load of 160kg, has a working top made from particle board and is supplied with adjustable pegs which enable it to hold irregular shaped objects.

Vice jaw length - 610mm

Working Heights 595mm & 775mm.

Product Features

* Dual working heights allows use as a workbench, bench tool stand, vice or sawhorse
* Durable steel construction
* Folds flat for compact storage and easy transport
* Dual clamping cranks increase clamping force and versatility
* Adjustable swivel pegs and jaw retention grooves provide clamping versatility and reliable material hold
* Designed for easy set-up and clean-up
* Rubber feet are anti-slip
* Working heights 775 / 595 mm
* Folded size (W x H x D) 610 x 740 x 195 mm
* Vice jaw opening 0-136 mm
* Vice jaw length 610 mm
* Max table width - Jaws open 384 mm
* Vice jaw positions 1
* Maximum load 160 kg
* Vice jaw material Particle board

Admitted the Black & Decker Workmate has been developed since it was first introduced in 1973 but I think that the sales figures show that the Black & Decker Workmate could be the most popular and useful DIY accessory in history! - What do you think and do you find it useful?

Black & Decker Workmate WM536

Posted in Tools & Equipment Reviews | No Comments »

Bahco Screwdriver

Bahco’s new ratcheting bit screwdriver incorporates five features in one. The general purpose, multi-bit driver has been specially designed to help facilitate a swift bit-changing while on-site.

‘We understand that busy trades people dont have the luxury of time on their hads,’ says Bahco managing director, John Lovatt.

The screwdriver also features a two-c0mponent, oval-shaped thermoplastic handle for comfortable use, which has been designed to increase torque without straining the arm muscles with an over tight grip.

For extra speed and ease of use there is a left and right lockable ratchet; 1/2 inch magnet bit holder and a knurled spinning blade for rapid screw driving or removal.

Posted in Tools & Equipment Reviews | No Comments »

Panasonic Pumps Up The Power

Panasonic has recently launched its ‘Revolithium’ rage of cordless power tools which give the user longer lasting power, cooler running and extended battery life (up to 2.5 times that of a standard Nickel Metal-Hydride batteries).

The new range convers a selection of 14.4v tools including drill-driver, impact friver and impact wrench.

For more info on the complete range you can visit Panasonic Power Tools

Mark Stannard, Panasonic Power Tools UK sales and marketing manager said, “With this new battery technology trade customers can now rely on the convenience of cordelss power tools for even the toughest jobs. Our Revolithium range works hard and also offers the lightweight yet rugged design that is so important for todays professional users.

Posted in Tools & Equipment Reviews | No Comments »

Prise with Spear & Jackson

Spear & Jackson have launched a new range of crowbars including a new addition to its Rippa range in the forum of a three-piece crowbar set.

The crowbars, comprising of a 14, 18, 24, 30 & 36 inch, incorporate some very handy features designed to appeal to the trade professional with the three-peice set comprising of the 14, 24 & 36 inch models.

As always, these models are forged steel which ensures each crowbar is able to withstand heavy workload on a daily basis. The special bar-to-bar angled claw allows safe prising and easier access with a wider, flatter claw to get greater purchase and leverage when dismantling materials such as timber, concrete and metal structures.

Spear & Jackson products can be purchased from all good builders merchants such as Jewson, Screwfix, Travis Perkins and others.

Posted in Tools & Equipment Reviews | No Comments »