Tools you wish you'd bought sooner...

[EggsBenedict]

You know, you've done loads of work previously, and then you buy a tool that makes you think 'why didn't I just get one of these before?'

4 for me:

Swanson square: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072MGXYYJ/ref=psdc_19... - so useful building sheds and the like

Impact Driver - my first one was a 14.4V DeWalt - don't know why i used a cordless drill for screwdriving so long, these are so much better

Plunge/Track Saw - I've got a Makita one. Just the right tool for cutting sheet material, but twice as expensive as a regular circular saw. I still should have bought one ages before i actually did. https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/makita-sp6000j1...

Mitre Saw stand - did without one for ages, but this just speeds up work massively by holding timber at the right height and stopping stuff falling. Bought as I bought a new chopsaw, and thought 'sod it, i'll get a stand with this one' : https://www.toolstop.co.uk/metabo-ksu251-legstand-...

[Berkshire bred]

Not house diy technically, Brake caliper piston winder tool thingy. The amount of blood, pain and swearing got to much so I finally stumped up the £12.65 and bought one. Best decision ever.

[boyse7en]

Berkshire bred said:

Not house diy technically, Brake caliper piston winder tool thingy. The amount of blood, pain and swearing got to much so I finally stumped up the £12.65 and bought one. Best decision ever.

Same here. After years of using clamps/molegrips/bits of wood I was defeated by a rear calliper on my Alfa so bought the right tool for winding the pistons back. A few months later I stumped up to buy a proper kit with a large range of fitments as I found it so much easier.

On the DIY front, I think a slate ripper was a tool I should have bought much sooner.

[guindilias]

Cordless impact driver, definitely. It make undoing rusty bolts or seized screws a pleasure.

[Berkshire bred]

boyse7en said:

Berkshire bred said:

Not house diy technically, Brake caliper piston winder tool thingy. The amount of blood, pain and swearing got to much so I finally stumped up the £12.65 and bought one. Best decision ever.

Same here. After years of using clamps/molegrips/bits of wood I was defeated by a rear calliper on my Alfa so bought the right tool for winding the pistons back. A few months later I stumped up to buy a proper kit with a large range of fitments as I found it so much easier.

I very nearly came a cropper when I tried using it on the rear of my mx5. Being an idiot I had done no previous research and although I own a Haynes for the car it was being used as a pad for the coffee mug.

Fast forward to me wrenching like fk on this new and innocent winder using all of my extensive list of naughty words and getting nowhere. Get supremely fked off with the car and non functional winder so throw it on the floor. Much to the amusement of the friendly mechanic opposite who duly (and cautiously, from 30 feet away) advices me that they wind in via an Allen screw on the back of the caliper. I shouldn't be allowed near cars.

[B17NNS]

Festool TS55.

[madcowman]

Fuel Pump removal tool. Nearly stabbed myself many times in the arm trying to use a pair of screwdrivers. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00A9NKMME/ref=asc_df_...

[feef]

impact driver rattle gun.

[Johnnytheboy]

Electric plane.

[jas xjr]

Obviously depends on what kind of jobs you do around the house. For me.it is an SDS drill

[CAPP0]

Lots of things but a recent one was an adjustable spanner with a mole-grip clamp on it - it's excellent, no more slipping off the nut or bolt head..

[oilydan]

Pickaxe
SDS rotary demolition hammer/drill
Kubota 7100, Front loader/rotavator/backhoe
Gripple kit
Profile gauge
Small chainsaw
Trench spade

I'm all for using the right tool for the job.

[sparkythecat]

CAPP0 said:

Lots of things but a recent one was an adjustable spanner with a mole-grip clamp on it - it's excellent, no more slipping off the nut or bolt head..

I'm struggling to picture this.
Got a link?

[biggiles]

Proper wire-strippers. Only a tenner and they save loads of time.

[frisbee]

sparkythecat said:

CAPP0 said:

Lots of things but a recent one was an adjustable spanner with a mole-grip clamp on it - it's excellent, no more slipping off the nut or bolt head..

I'm struggling to picture this.
Got a link?

Imagine a really bad photoshop of mole-grips with an adjustable spanner. But they actually exist!

[sunbeam alpine]

Mini digger

[Drumroll]

Johnnytheboy said:

Electric plane.

Have used a couple but I find I don't really get on with them.

[Caddyshack]

Workshop ramps. It is soooo much easier to work on a car when you can safely push it up,in the air on a button. They were not cheap but jobs are so much easier and safer

[ou sont les biscuits]

oilydan said:

Trench spade

I'm all for using the right tool for the job.

Are you at war with your neighbours?

Back on topic, two18v rattle guns. One hex bit, one ½ inch.

[Contract Killer]

Concrete/steel nailer, soo much quicker for fixing electrical fixings, I now wonder how i used to manage!

https://www.its.co.uk/pd/800E-Spit-Pulsa-800E-Cord...