Home DIY

Nice job, I especially like the umbrella stand.

I prefer the combination of a short handle hammer and the 200mm prybar from this set, usually available on it's own :-

https://www.rutlands.com/sp+japanese-claws-set-of-3+jp1420pack3

especially for the tool bag. I must have 10 hammers in different weights and materials though.

This Dewalt version is my go to. The sunken nail bit is very handy.

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Yeah. I was pretty gutted last Friday as the plan was that I'd have that afternoon to myself. But classic childcare project drift meant it got sacked off.

I've still got to spend the evening tidying up outside. But overall feel pretty good even though both kids are currently in a screaming match/game either side of me!

That's a pocket hole jig, and if I was doing pocket holes I would have bought the old K4 with the built in clamp. I suppose the 720 is its replacement. The smaller kit apparently moves about too much.

For dowels I actually use the Wolfcraft Dowelmaster jig, together with a couple of dedicated drill bits that have depth-stop-collars fitted to them at the correct heights. https://www.wolfcraft.com/products/wolfcraft/en/EUR/Products/Attachments-for-Machines/Drill-Guides/Dowelmaster---dowel-gauge-for-wood-joints/p/P_4640

I do use the Kreg shelf pin jig for adjustable shelving, and it consistently gives you perfectly spaced and aligned holes, - make sure you get the European standard 5mm version rather than the imperial sized one the Americans use. You can connect a couple together if you're feeling rich enough to buy several, but I just use one and drill 5 holes at time, then move it.

Is 20% off Halfords tool storage an OK discount? Or should I be waiting for 50%?

I bought one of those Tracer pencils the other day, and I am in love.

Is there a black hole(button) where temperature No1 is?

Yours being a spade type connector plugging into the element, the screwfix type I linked earlier won't fit as they are connected to short flyleads on the element.

;-)

Bonus sharpie with aluminium body turned on a lathe.

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Was slightly annoyed to find that they don’t readily sell refills for the marker pen - despite the screw off top.
Guess I could top it up with some other sort of permanent ink.

Daily selection. Plus the plumbing bag and the laptop as well.

But I'm Facilities Management so Sparks primarily but a Jack of all Trades effectively. There is all the aircon stuff as well but that is mostly a digital thermometer and cleaning products unless you are moving gas in and out.

And all the shit on the van...

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What’s in the Wera pouch top left?

One of their Advent Calendar tool sets. Surprisingly handy.

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Although this year's one is looking like a winner.

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Such lovely kit. I have their tool check plus and it’s a joy to use.

Yep. Very much a buy once tool maker.

Definitely very similar kit in my full toolbox - megger and testing kit, and more general hand tools.

But at the moment, 90% of my work is installing and making off armoured cables, and installing luminaries and power line on arctic flex. Rarely need more than about 5 or 6 hand tools. Don’t even carry a drill around with me most of the time.

Get one of these. Damn sight easier than faffing about with junior hacksaws and a knife.

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I was tempted, but watching videos with people using them, they genuinely didn’t seem quicker than the junior hacksaw and knife method. And we do that many a day that you get pretty quick at it. Also never actually seen them used on site.
Been waiting to see one in the flesh. They’re £30-40 after all! And concerned about how long the blade will last. It’s only small, and considering the rate I go through junior hacksaw blades, I think it could get expensive considering the abuse it’d get.

The Knipex ergo strip is an absolute godsend for stripping flex - the sheath in particular.

True. When you are doing it all the time then you get the knack.

Used to be good with MIC but haven't had to deal with it for years so my skills with stripping and potting are virtually none existent now.

I took a radiator off to paint behind it. When putting back in do I need any PTFE tape or LS-X sealant or anything or just put it back and tighten it up?

Never done mineral insulated cable, fuck me that looks like a real pain in the arse, lol.

Had a funny one with some SWA the other day. The individual core insulation was transparent but painted, so the tiniest scratch made it look like you’d cut it down to the copper as once the paint was off you could see the metal shining through. Thought I was losing my mind until I noticed it when making off the ends. Very CSB I know (I don’t get out much any more).

Well it will always help. And better to do it beforehand rather than when it starts leaking.

Always plan for the worst scenario.

Insulation shouldn't be like that. Definitely not transparent under core colour and certainly not 'removable'.

Sounds like dodgy cable. I'd flag it up.

Never seen it before. Pretty sure we hadn’t supplied the cable so fuck knows where it came from.

In other highly exciting news, they even got us some 3 core SWA in single phase colours, which was nice.