 | Home > Technical > Tools you wish you had bought years ago. |
 
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4217   
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Just interested in what piece of workshop equipment you struggled without for years, didn't know you needed, or were just too tight to buy, that then proved indispensable once you got one. The "why the hell didn't I buy one years ago" items.
To start us off, I've always hated those sprung metal hose clamps car manufacturers, LR included, use to secure radiator hoses etc. For years I've scraped knuckles mauling about with pliers and screwdrivers trying to get the damn things on and off. I finally came across one I could get off using my bodge pliers approach, so I got my wallet out and bought proper ratchet hose clamp pliers like these. http://www.drapertools.com/product/89793/E...amp-Pliers What revelation, so easy to use making a ball ache job simple and easy. Worth the money and wish I'd bought them years ago. |
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21st Jul 2016 6:08pm |
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| languedoc Member Since: 13 May 2016 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 283  
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My one biggest extravagance is a 3000kg tecalemit 2 post ramp.
Complete overkill but an incredible piece of kit considering I'm not a garage. Very popular locally though! |
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21st Jul 2016 7:13pm |
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| defender9 Member Since: 12 Mar 2016 Location: Fylde Coast Posts: 1629 
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I have room for a vehicle lift in one of the garages, would make life a lot easier.
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21st Jul 2016 7:28pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20453
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Languedoc - You could rent it out.
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21st Jul 2016 8:53pm |
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| languedoc Member Since: 13 May 2016 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 283
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I kind of do, you'd be amazed how many people want to do me favours to use the ramp!
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21st Jul 2016 9:20pm |
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| agentmulder Member Since: 16 Apr 2016 Location: Outer Space Posts: 1324 
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Since I sold it (moving country) I really miss my mill...
Like a lathe, so many uses! In the other simpler direction, I'd say the one price of basic but non standard kit that has solved so many access issues would be a 'wobble' style square drive extension bar. It's kind of like a poor man's UJ in terms of angles, but so much more slimline! Since it also works just like a standard extension you may even own one and not realise. I bought two socket kits, one in 12point, one in hex, the hex kit came with a wobble, it was only by having the two types in close vicinity that I came to appreciate the difference.  Click image to enlarge Serpentine tensioner and brake caliper bolts both done quick smart with the wobble Solved the bowel problem, working on the consonants...Last edited by agentmulder on 22nd Jul 2016 7:35am. Edited 2 times in total |
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21st Jul 2016 9:20pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17451 
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The six ton mobile crane and the wet blast machine are pretty useful!
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21st Jul 2016 9:38pm |
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| Tim_NZ Member Since: 05 May 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 177 
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Vacuum brake bleeder, (good quality one). Why I persisted for so many years without one of these I will never know.
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21st Jul 2016 11:48pm |
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| pannawonica Member Since: 21 Nov 2010 Location: Clackline Western Australia Posts: 568
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Four post lift with central air jack. Things have become so much easier specially when working on the MGR!(well it does have a land rover engine as well?
 ) now too check out those wobble bars |
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22nd Jul 2016 12:54am |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4217
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I had that revelation too, only with pressure bleeder. No more asking the wife to "PRESS" ---- "RELEASE"
Another great little tool is the hand oil pump I bought to refill axles and gearboxes etc. Only a cheap thing but makes the job so much cleaner. |
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22nd Jul 2016 7:07am |
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| Mash Member Since: 09 Feb 2015 Location: Guernsey Posts: 1674  
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A mig welder, have lost count of the tools/brackets and associated workshop things I have made to do a job. 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html 110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html 52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html D3 Hse - Fiona Capri 2l S - Anna Think I might have a problem............ |
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22nd Jul 2016 7:34am |
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| agentmulder Member Since: 16 Apr 2016 Location: Outer Space Posts: 1324
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Oh man, yeah MIG ! Used on many occasions when I can. So helpful in building jigs and wotnots.
Actually thinking that the first welder I'll own will be a TIG though. I'll be the TIG guy Solved the bowel problem, working on the consonants... |
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22nd Jul 2016 7:37am |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 
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Fronius welders are very nice to use when you do get to that stage
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22nd Jul 2016 10:01am |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1763 
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ooh I'd love a TIG set. My MIG does me for now though! |
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22nd Jul 2016 10:09am |
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