Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[GeneralBanter]

DocJock said:

I'll second that.

Mine gets loads of use in the decent weather

So it’s not out of the box yet?

[DocJock]

You obviously live in the wrong part of the country... ;}

[33q]

RZ1 said:

Looking for some advice on a folding work bench, something similar to this

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister-folding-wo...



Anyone used anything like this and recommend one?

I really rate these. I've got 4! If I need a big bench I set them up placed close together.

They fold up easily and neatly and are compact to store.

The supplied clamp things are ok but I rarely use them. They are handy stand alone item though.

[M11rph]

Another vote for the McAllister type folder. Plenty strong and fast to use.

Here's another option. The surface is much bigger than the McAllister, takes about 30 seconds to erect rather than 5, is extremely rigid and is about the largest workbench that will fit in the back of a standard hatchback.

I gave mine a lick of varnish and some plastic feet made from window packers. Not weatherproof, but should extend its life.



From ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224981440563?_trkparms=...

[Promised Land]

M11rph said:

Another vote for the McAllister type folder. Plenty strong and fast to use.

Here's another option. The surface is much bigger than the McAllister, takes about 30 seconds to erect rather than 5, is extremely rigid and is about the largest workbench that will fit in the back of a standard hatchback.

I gave mine a lick of varnish and some plastic feet made from window packers. Not weatherproof, but should extend its life.



From ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224981440563?_trkparms=...

Isn’t the correct answer one of these?
https://www.axminstertools.com/festool-mft-3-multi...

Personally I make my own as I have an mft jig for my router, I’ve got 2, one stays in my workshop, one is always on site.






By making mine from an 18mm sheet with 2x1 PSE underneath for support it is more adaptable and means I can use my saw stools for it rather than have a dedicated table with legs to always cart around. Chop saw clamps on and sits it 2 routed grooves, T tracks router along the front to use for clamping as well as the mft holes.

[RZ1]

33q said:

RZ1 said:

Looking for some advice on a folding work bench, something similar to this

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister-folding-wo...



Anyone used anything like this and recommend one?

I really rate these. I've got 4! If I need a big bench I set them up placed close together.

They fold up easily and neatly and are compact to store.

The supplied clamp things are ok but I rarely use them. They are handy stand alone item though.

Thanks all, ordered one from screwfix.

[SlimJim16v]

This came up on amazon after ordering the single 10 and 11 mm one. A set for £31

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPEEDWOX-Ratcheting-Flex-...

[JimM169]

SlimJim16v said:

This came up on amazon after ordering the single 10 and 11 mm one. A set for £31

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPEEDWOX-Ratcheting-Flex-...

I know it's the only review but doesn't inspire confidence!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPEEDWOX-Ratcheting-Flex-...

[Trustmeimadoctor]

It's now £27

[SlimJim16v]

I usually read the reviews but didn't here. Only 1 and it's bad. Though you can't expect quality on that for the price.

Still showing £31 for me.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Mine has a voucher available on it

[SlimJim16v]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

Mine has a voucher available on it

[GeneralBanter]

SlimJim16v said:

I usually read the reviews but didn't here. Only 1 and it's bad. Though you can't expect quality on that for the price.

Still showing £31 for me.

Mines £5.99 if I sign up to Prime.

Just not worth it, more junk to keep tabs on and it’s no replacement for a ratchet.

[Doofus]

How much use can they actually be? I can't see how you can apply any real torque.

[skwdenyer]

Doofus said:

How much use can they actually be? I can't see how you can apply any real torque.

An M6 bolt (say) is 10mm across the flats. The recommended maximum torque is between 11.8 and 19.9 Nm, depending upon the bolt grade. If those tools are about 0.1m long, and since the average human can exert about 100 N with their hand, that's about 10 Nm. So unless the bolt is fully torqued, in a pinch these tools are probably still useful.

[Doofus]

skwdenyer said:

Doofus said:

How much use can they actually be? I can't see how you can apply any real torque.

An M6 bolt (say) is 10mm across the flats. The recommended maximum torque is between 11.8 and 19.9 Nm, depending upon the bolt grade. If those tools are about 0.1m long, and since the average human can exert about 100 N with their hand, that's about 10 Nm. So unless the bolt is fully torqued, in a pinch these tools are probably still useful.

I'd sooner use a T-handle.

[skwdenyer]

Doofus said:

skwdenyer said:

Doofus said:

How much use can they actually be? I can't see how you can apply any real torque.

An M6 bolt (say) is 10mm across the flats. The recommended maximum torque is between 11.8 and 19.9 Nm, depending upon the bolt grade. If those tools are about 0.1m long, and since the average human can exert about 100 N with their hand, that's about 10 Nm. So unless the bolt is fully torqued, in a pinch these tools are probably still useful.

I'd sooner use a T-handle.

Me too. But I can think of times they would have been useful.

[Doofus]

Fair enough. I bought a set of crows' feet on the basis of potential usefulness, and as far as I recall, they're still in the packaging.

[Jakg]

Doofus said:

Fair enough. I bought a set of crows' feet on the basis of potential usefulness, and as far as I recall, they're still in the packaging.

Buying tools is an insurance policy you'll never be stuck in a situation you need them.

[MDT]

Doofus said:

Fair enough. I bought a set of crows' feet on the basis of potential usefulness, and as far as I recall, they're still in the packaging.

Tools only cost you when you buy them, when you use them they can be priceless.