Home DIY

Fair point.

Depends what for. It's worth buying decent drill bits if you're going to look after them.

I have had this set for a decade and it's never let me down. A bit eye watering at £85 now though.

https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/site/froogle/sn/TRETH2SET/google/?gclid=CjwKCAiA25v_BRBNEiwAZb4-ZZpSisQaV0VOehLN-3IqdYIo9QICrQDPEvViOFULpCM8ebQDnQblvRoCy7UQAvD_BwE#.X-dlB-n7Tdc

Cheers all. Should have said it's specific sizes I'm looking for, something like 750x10mm (SDS) which is what I'm finding it tricky to find. Online or physical (North London) is fine.

Any recommendations for lazer levels that will work outdoors? I'm looking at the DeWalt DW088CG-XJ (green line) with the associated detector currently, which totals up to £230 plus the price of a cheap tripod, so I guess that's the budget unless there's something else better for the price.

Edit: actually maybe I need a rotary level? Initial use is for setting out deck foundations although I would like to get use installing shelves, cupboards etc eventually.

Orbital Fasteners,
normally have a good stock.
Also a good printed catalogue to browse through to find stuff you never knew was available.

B&Q have 10mm X 600mm SDS in stock (Enfield at least). Don't know if that is close enough.

Green line levels are no more accurate than red. The line is meant to be easier to see and more defined but, having used both extensively, I've never noticed a difference that would justify the price increase and would always go for the red and pocket the difference. Normally though I'd use my rotary level outside as it's more accurate over longer distances.

Cheers, yes that's what I'd gleaned from reading about, but it sounds like you'll need the detector outdoors over more than few metres anyway so probably not worth the extra. Thinking about it, how much more expensive can green diodes be than red, so definitely marketing at work.

There's a 2nd hand rotatory on ebay but I think given that overall I'm likely to get more use inside and my deck project is only about 5m long, self levelling might be the way to go. Seems like a rotatory is only as accurate as the bubble levels on the side, which is probably enough for most cases.

So painting/ varnishing the floors should I be sanding between coats or just the between the final and one before?

Thinking about it, how much more expensive can green diodes be than red

Loads! The chemistry is much more complicated. Not sure the light source is an especially large part of the bill of materials though.

Seems like a rotatory is only as accurate as the bubble levels on the side, which is probably enough for most cases

Maybe with older ones but these days the unit will calibrate itself after it powers on making them very accurate (unless the calibration system breaks).

For 5m you will get away with using a small level you don't necessarily need a detector. Some levels come with what looks like a reflector that lets you pick up the line from a good distance in even bright sunshine other will come with coloured specs that allow you to see the line better.

So the level itself beeps (or something) once it receives the reflected beam? That sounds cheaper than buying a detector I'll only use once. I'll keep shopping I think, thanks again.

I bought a cheap rotary level from eBay, imported from Poland, its red rather than green, but has been completely flawless. We tested it against a Leica, and it was pretty much spot on. Has been used to build a massive deck, and three barns, as well as laying loads of pipes. Been borrowed by a couple of builder friends who were impressed enough to then buy them themselves.

Don't suppose you remember the brand?

Unbranded, but one of these.

Ah nice, that fits the bill, and a relative bargain. I'm sure it'll stand up to my very occasional use.

I’ve had no complaints, even dropped the receiver in a 3ft deep puddle, it still works after drying out. Actually the only slight negative is the way the receiver clamps onto the stick is not perfect, but it’s a minor annoyance.

Any time I’ve done it, I have never sanded between coats

Out of stock at the moment but I'm not in a massive hurry.

3ft deep puddle

we call that a sinkhole here in the city

Ha! This was last week... joys of being at a flat but half way down a hill, along with zero draining clay soil

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Beginnings of a proper pool there.

Thank you. Is it normal to feel a little more grainy then once you've given it a coat?

Cheers, I've seen a few 600mm ones but not quite sure if that's long enough.

Orbital fasteners seem to have a 1,000mm one which is too long ...

Think this may be a size that doesn't exist.

The really wood floor in the shop I have done never go super smooth like glass unlike other gloss stuff but it’s more I think the varnish has a little bit of grip in it for under foot. I’ve never checked tbh as it’s been my friend that’s bought it the last twice but it’s held up got years and it gets a lot of footfall.