Tools everyone needs but don't have yet for less than £25

[winchman]

Also looking for a universal coolant pressure tester at a reasonable price.

Bike pump?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-Auto-Radiator-Pressure-Tester/

 

[daleyd]

I don't know how good the cheaper ones are but we had a set of knipex ones and they are a godsend for doing armoured cables or similar. Probably a bit of overkill for running a bit of armoured down to the shed when you could just use a hacksaw or grinder but you can never have too many tools...

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Ratchet-...m-Copper-Wire-Cutter-/322236496597?nav=SEARCH

 

[outofthefire]

If you get the wiring tools you will probably want to encapsulate your wires in plastic conduit which is a mare to do until you try these, a fantastic invention, nice and cheap for the tight members of your family

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Conduit-t...hash=item58cc5d48e5:m:mwhLH1QmZXiy7HD-lc9viWg

 

[winchman]

If you get the wiring tools you will probably want to encapsulate your wires in plastic conduit which is a mare to do until you try these, a fantastic invention, nice and cheap for the tight members of your family

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Conduit-t...hash=item58cc5d48e5:m:mwhLH1QmZXiy7HD-lc9viWg

Never seen these before.

 

[Pete.]

I got one of them with a roll of cable tidy some time ago. They work great.

 

[vwmark]

Impact driver. £6.50 tool station. 1st tool I bought 35 years ago and still use.

 

[outofthefire]

I got one of them with a roll of cable tidy some time ago. They work great.

I think someone at work got one free as well, then everyone else bought some within about a month they really do make life easier if you have to use conduit.

 

[ukracer]

I could use a set of circlip / snap ring pliers. I had a set many years ago which apparently walked away one day, and have yet to replace them.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262689558491

 

[ukracer]

I think someone at work got one free as well, then everyone else bought some within about a month they really do make life easier if you have to use conduit.

Never seen split conduit either. lol

 

[wristpin]

This is another good one, solvent sprayer suitable for brake cleaner

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Dut...106097?hash=item3ab6456bf1:g:9nQAAOSwuAVW1cqn

Ive got three of those, Duck Oil, Brake Cleaner and water soluble degreaser. Each colour coded with a ring of coloured insulation tape.
Great sprayers BUT they have one drawback in that they have a narrow rim under the base which makes them prone to fall over or fall off the bench.

 

[Bill Edwards]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262689558491

It all depends on usage of course but I'm fairly sure anything made by Bergen in the way of circlip pliers isn't going to stand up to any well stuck circlips.
I've found Sealey ones to be slightly weaker than stale bread and Gedore were similar to cheese. I've had to go expensive with warranty for mine now.

 

[Arc Tourist]

It all depends on usage of course but I'm fairly sure anything made by Bergen in the way of circlip pliers isn't going to stand up to any well stuck circlips.
I've found Sealey ones to be slightly weaker than stale bread and Gedore were similar to cheese. I've had to go expensive with warranty for mine now.

My former set were by "Sears Craftsman", very good tools, at least the last time I bought any, which was decades ago when quality wasn't an issue like today.

 

[Jim Davey]

If you get the wiring tools you will probably want to encapsulate your wires in plastic conduit which is a mare to do until you try these, a fantastic invention, nice and cheap for the tight members of your family

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Conduit-t...hash=item58cc5d48e5:m:mwhLH1QmZXiy7HD-lc9viWg

What a brilliant little tool.

 

[Jim Davey]

It all depends on usage of course but I'm fairly sure anything made by Bergen in the way of circlip pliers isn't going to stand up to any well stuck circlips.
I've found Sealey ones to be slightly weaker than stale bread and Gedore were similar to cheese. I've had to go expensive with warranty for mine now.

I think Knipex stuff is good v for m. But if I think there is a good chance I might break a tool (rare) then I'll go Snap-On as I know it comes with a cast iron no quibble warranty (which I'm painfully aware I pay for, slowly...)

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

"Every Christmas I seem to end up with more and more bottles of whiskey..."

Tut-tut.

I pride myself that I can turn my hand to just about anything..... except spelling and poetry.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

and poetry.

Don't sell yourself short, have a go at Haiku and no-one can say it's rubbish

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-haiku-poems.html

I sense a whole new direction for this thread now....sorry, lads

If anyone feels the urge , please put them in a new thread.....

 

[RonA]

Not sure of the Philosphers name but the quote goes "without tools man is nothing, with tools he is everything". It's a philosophy I'm addicted too.
RonA

 

[Shox Dr]

I think Knipex stuff is good v for m. But if I think there is a good chance I might break a tool (rare) then I'll go Snap-On as I know it comes with a cast iron no quibble warranty (which I'm painfully aware I pay for, slowly...)

Kipex pump pliers are very good, so are the end nips

 

[skotl]

Digital vernier / calipers

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-150mm-L...156322?hash=item566ade88a2:g:sEIAAOSwd0BVuau8

I know that there have been threads here where people have compared these to high end kit but, for less than £4 delivered from the UK (and with two batteries!), these are hard to beat.

(other suppliers are available - you can get them for 99p from China if you're happy to wait a few weeks)

 

[skotl]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fluke-1ac-ii-voltage-detector-pen/85949

http://www.screwfix.com/p/2-way-lever-connector-222-series-pack-of-50/97689

http://www.screwfix.com/p/wago-basic-installer-box-75pcs/48808

Yes! Especially the last two!