Home DIY

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Wago connectors

That’s the one thanks.

I have a paired impact and drill driver in the DeWalt 14.4v flavour you can have for cheap if you want something to get started with. Plus charger.

Wago
the screwfix ones are ok though. Wago do lots of types and sizes which are great for pros because they save so much time. For diy the sets are quite pricey.

I should read replies before replying!

If I use well rated terminal blocks will I die?

Terminal blocks need the right torque. Too loose and the cables can fall out, too tight and they crack the brass. I'm not sure but they might need to be accessible so the tightness can be checked too. Wago blocks have none of these issues.

I know. They are basically in every light fitting on my gaff though....and I’m not completely hamfisted. Well, not all the time.

I’m capable of soldering then heat shrinking it all up but that will probably cause all sorts of belated firey death too I’d imagine.

Thanks for taking a look, much clearer now.

Wagos in a Wago box are maintenance free, you don't need that for this application. I've pulled quite a few burnt terminal blocks from ceilings, it doesn't get reported as a big problem with fires though.

Terminal blocks were serving everyone quite well until sprung loaded came along, I think you can do that if you have time. For a professional it's not worth it to spend time doing the screws up.

impact gun

Kind offer thanks, I'll dm you.

Sometimes the DIY and Owning Own Home threads overlap, and sometimes they diverge..

Wagos in a Wago box are maintenance free, you don't need that for this application.

Can I just smoosh them in the light fitting? The mounting is quite deep and spacious.

Read that pushing them up in to the cavity without the box is a no no.

I was having a look today actually. You need the box to comply with building regs

I’m a purist/snob/paranoid.

I don’t know if the knock offs have the same cut off capability. Don’t want to shag tools/batteries.

I got a 1.5Ah Makita lookalike, to see how they faired before getting two replacement 5Ah.

It's a good time likeness for the packs without the led indicators and seems to charge, click in and work OK.
However I don't think the BMS is a good as the originals, as you can still use the tools to the point where they slow down to a crawl, whereas the Makita cuts out before its completely flat. I doubt it will last as long as the originals, as Makita put a lot of their efforts into the motor/battery/charger.

I replaced 20 halogen downlights on transformers with gu10s on terminal connectors in choc boxes in one day and my wrists were knackered after. I wish I’d known about wagos back then.

Try and get one that uses the same battery as your other drill.

I'm not sure my power4all battery has been superseded or not, it says they're around since 2007 but the newer models look to have a different form to the batterys I have.

Newer on the left, mine on the right

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Pretty sure they are just slimmer. The interface should be the same. I hope so, as I was planning to get a couple.

I have;
Combi drill
Impact driver
RO Sander
Circular Saw (shit)
Jigsaw
Hedge Trimmer
Strimmer
Vacuum

I'd better still be able to get batteries.

I've bought Knightsbridge screwless sockets and switches for the whole house but not massively impressed by how the finish is - there's a clear plastic frame around the base socket which isn't covered by the clip on frame.

Does it need caulking or filling? Looks pretty shitty at the moment

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On the life changing power tool chat, I also have one of these from Bosch. For small tasks, beats holding the heft of a drill or impact driver in the air for any length of time (Middle Aged Thread). More torque than I was expecting too.

https://www.diy.com/departments/bosch-ixo-3-6v-li-ion-cordless-screwdriver/4053423206487_BQ.prd

I used to work in a bike workshop that had a bunch of those, nicknamed 'the lazy tool'. So good when switching stems or whatever, anything removing bolts with a fair amount of thread. I'm yet to give myself the luxury at home but it is mighty tempting

For me it was dismantling and rebuilding a ton of flat pack stuff during the move. And since then it's been out a lot more than the impact driver. Handy for not overtorquing too. I wish I had bought one years ago. The micro usb charging is handy too. Some of the other options have a proprietary charger, which does my nut in.

Impressive collection, I only have drill strimmer & hedge trimmer so not too deep if decide to switch brands.

Useful to know about circular saw being shit.