[GUEY]

Only advice I have is to buy good quality tools and gardening equipment Softy..
Some of the jobs we have to do around our homes are a big enough pain in the arse let alone having to put up with un reliable rubbish.

I 90% agree with you. When it comes to hand tools I don't scrimp at all, but power tools can be a bit each way. If you are going to use a lot, then buy good. If occasional then meh.

An example, and I will start with you should never do any electrical around your home. You are unlicensed and the threat of death is real. Engage a licensed tradesman.
That said, if you did happen to buy some electricians insulated pliers and screwdrivers purely because they look way cooler than normal screwdrivers and pliers, then BUY GOOD TRADE QUALITY ones as it may just make a difference in how your experience fairs.

If you buy a tool to do a job around the home, then the chances are you will need it again in the future.

 

[geeyoutoo]

As a tradesman I still have the quality tools I bought as an apprentice in the 60's (Gedore, before they went to India, and Stahlwille), lol some bent to specific angles for getting into tight spaces, these tools were used everyday on things like packaging machinery for many years and they still work bloody marvellous.

But, as time moves on and I find myself needing other tools I have a different outlook seeing as they are used nowhere near as regularly, I do tend to go for the cheaper alternatives now, but not the throwaway type cheap.
So really I see it as a horses for courses type thing.

 

[Foo]

I agree with quality if you are going to be flogging them on a regular basis. I have a radial arm saw by Ryobi that I bought during my cabinetmaking days and it is still going, 45yrs later. 😁

Foo

 

[rgren2]

You need one of these, it will tell you where live wires or power is.

 

[Haggie]

That said, if you did happen to buy some electricians insulated pliers and screwdrivers purely because they look way cooler than normal screwdrivers and pliers, then BUY GOOD TRADE QUALITY ones as it may just make a difference in how your experience fairs.

Even then you have to be wary. Bought a new set of pliers from my local electrical wholesaler. Flash red handle set. I think the same company sponsors some V8 Mustang supercars.

In fine print on the handles it stated not for electrical use lol. I think they have been pulled from sale.

And as for volt sticks - save your money.

 

[62woollybugger]

Use volt sticks to test for live, not to prove dead. My old company won't even let us use a multimeter to prove dead, have to use dedicated voltage testers. They had a couple of incidents with people mis-reading auto ranging meters. They thought the circuit was dead and the multimeter was showing a couple of hundred milliVolts, when it was Volts.

 

[rgren2]

And as for volt sticks - save your money.

Home owners aren't sparkies, just need a warning to stay away from bitey bits.

 

[GUEY]

And as for volt sticks - save your money.

Yeah, have only ever used them testing a known live as the breaker is switched off.

 

[Haggie]

Use volt sticks to test for live, not to prove dead. My old company won't even let us use a multimeter to prove dead, have to use dedicated voltage testers. They had a couple of incidents with people mis-reading auto ranging meters. They thought the circuit was dead and the multimeter was showing a couple of hundred milliVolts, when it was Volts.

Home owners aren't sparkies, just need a warning to stay away from bitey bits.

Yeah, have only ever used them testing a known live as the breaker is switched off.

Hehe I thought that might get a bite or two. If you are going to buy a volt stick spend a little more and get a Fluke. I have been using them for years.

And as Woolly said no test equipment is infallible. I have proven this quite a few times with volt sticks, test lamps and DMM.

90-1000V -Fluke 2AC VoltAlert Non-contact AC Volt Stick Detector Tester OZ 95969564434 | eBay

Fluke 2AC Tester (90-1000V) X 1. Expanded range:90 V to 1000 VAC Test Range. CAT IV 1000 V for added protection. With Battery Life Check button.

www.ebay.com.au

 

[Softy]

I've gone with the rebuild option this time never done it before so will give it a go. Got 4 taps to do so will work out cheaper anyway.

Also going to reseal the shower today should have done it when I first moved in but lazy. Have noticed a tile at the bottom of the wall where there is no grout/sealant left is starting to come away from the wall.. will pay for my laziness when that falls off I guess... Hopefully sealing it up prolongs that. 😂

 

[geeyoutoo]

I've gone with the rebuild option this time never done it before so will give it a go. Got 4 taps to do so will work out cheaper anyway.

View attachment 544500

Also going to reseal the shower today should have done it when I first moved in but lazy. Have noticed a tile at the bottom of the wall where there is no grout/sealant left is starting to come away from the wall.. will pay for my laziness when that falls off I guess... Hopefully sealing it up prolongs that. 😂

Just take your time with the cutter screw the cutter down lightly as you turn it, little by little until you have a nice clean seat, you will need to check it as you go. Checking after a small first cut will tell you if the seat is square with the body, have come across a few that the cutter only touches one side in the first cut due to uneven wear/contact.

 

[Softy]

I like my new Aldi they had everything in the catolauge and hardly anyone there... For a Saturday morning it seems rare to other stores!


Anyway jigsaw aquired and some holesaw bits don't need them but for $20 can't say no even if they only last one job.

Now I need to look at some form of lock up steel cabinet for the carport to put all my goodies I have started to aquire. 😁

 

[rgren2]

You can’t have too many tools.

 

[Softy]

Sidchrome ftw!

 

[Foo]

Sidchrome ftw!

View attachment 544505

I still have some of my Sidechrome stuff from when I was 18yrs old.

Foo

 

[Softy]

Know what's annoying.. buy a tool for a job and it's not long enough to do the job. 🤬 Oh well still good with just a new washer.

 

[Foo]

Know what's annoying.. buy a tool for a job and it's not long enough to do the job. 🤬 Oh well still good with just a new washer.

View attachment 544506

Shoulda pulled it out first for measurement. 😁

Foo

 

[rgren2]

This it the type you need, powered by a drill, the other one will give you blisters.

 

[geeyoutoo]

Don't like powered units, the feel by hand is safer in my humble opinion.

 

[rgren2]

Different cutting heads, definitely easier to use, plumbers only use the power ones. Also, don’t turn the tap off when turning the water on, gotta flush all the crud through otherwise you’ll be installing another new washer. Feel the new seat that you’ve just cut with your fingernail, you will notice any imperfections.