Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

Soldato
Joined
14 Jul 2005
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Birmingham
Here's what I'm talking about.

PXL-20240601-090408240.jpg
 
Soldato
Joined
31 Aug 2007
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4,658
Something like this (expensive Wera version)…

 
Soldato
Joined
31 Jan 2022
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UK
Do you have a link for this thing, or is it what was posted above?

If not I'll try to find a screenshot of it. I've seen quite a few YouTube channels use them including properdiy.

What is posted above.



If you look at the pic, you can see there is an outer sleeve (red arrow). The sleeve slides forwards (black arrows) to stop the screw wobbling.
 
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Soldato
Joined
7 Feb 2004
Posts
8,135
Location
North East
Can anyone recommend a metal drill bit set suitable for drilling harder metals such as stainless steel? My admittedly probably not very good HSS drills aren't lasting very well. From a bit of research, it seems I'm after cobalt drill bits?

I've seen this set - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00239E4AS

On a related topic, is it worth routinley sharpening drill bits? I've never sharpened mine, so they're probably pretty dull, which I doubt is helping. They're a mixture of old high quality, but now blunt, bits (dormer etc) and some newish, but probably not very good Dewalt/Erbuauer/Bosch etc from Screwfix. Is figuring the angles out and using a bench grinder the best approach? Or one of those automatic jobbies where you just stick the drill bit in? I know for knives the automatic sharpeners remove a lot of material and are pretty agressive, so it's probably the same for drills?

Something like https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cbs20-electric-drill-bit-sharpener-3mm-/ vs a bench grinder
 
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Soldato
Joined
14 Jul 2005
Posts
8,491
Location
Birmingham
Looks like a socket set nut driver TBH.

Yeah but it's not as he is screwing in featheredge.

What is posted above.



If you look at the pic, you can see there is an outer sleeve (red arrow). The sleeve slides forwards (black arrows) to stop the screw wobbling.

Ok, just looks like a standard bit holder at first glance.
 
Associate
Joined
19 Dec 2002
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2,029
I got a dewalt combi drill last year I think mine cost me about 140 or 150 and came with 2 batteries and the case. been trying to keep a eye out for other tools that dont include the battery to make use of the spare. I only use mine for small jobs so I dont need the 2
most places that sell dewalt or other makes sell bare machines slightly cheaper , hence no battery or charger.
 
Soldato
Joined
21 Jan 2010
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22,945
The deals aren't great on anything but drills and impacts. I'd like a circular saw deal with 5ah battery but they aren't there.
Tbh my Milwaukee circ is one of my worst tools. It is a fraction of the umph my dad's old Aldi special and bogs down way quicker. I may be pushing it harder than it was designed but like I said, it's my worst tool. It can't cut straight for toffee either but I'm blaming myself on that before searching for any technical reasons (tho I've done everything I can to try and get straight to no avail).
 
Soldato
Joined
14 Jul 2005
Posts
8,491
Location
Birmingham
Tbh my Milwaukee circ is one of my worst tools. It is a fraction of the umph my dad's old Aldi special and bogs down way quicker. I may be pushing it harder than it was designed but like I said, it's my worst tool. It can't cut straight for toffee either but I'm blaming myself on that before searching for any technical reasons (tho I've done everything I can to try and get straight to no avail).
Blade?
 
Soldato
Joined
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Tbh my Milwaukee circ is one of my worst tools. It is a fraction of the umph my dad's old Aldi special and bogs down way quicker. I may be pushing it harder than it was designed but like I said, it's my worst tool. It can't cut straight for toffee either but I'm blaming myself on that before searching for any technical reasons (tho I've done everything I can to try and get straight to no avail).

Battery circular saws just lack power so it all comes down to using a thin kerf, very sharp blade.

A circular saw should require almost no pressure so I think it is most likely the blade just isn't sharp enough. And when you do push them, the thin kerf blade ensures the cut wanders off true.
 
Soldato
Joined
24 Sep 2007
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4,794
On a related topic, is it worth routinley sharpening drill bits? I've never sharpened mine, so they're probably pretty dull, which I doubt is helping. They're a mixture of old high quality, but now blunt, bits (dormer etc) and some newish, but probably not very good Dewalt/Erbuauer/Bosch etc from Screwfix. Is figuring the angles out and using a bench grinder the best approach? Or one of those automatic jobbies where you just stick the drill bit in? I know for knives the automatic sharpeners remove a lot of material and are pretty agressive, so it's probably the same for drills?

Something like https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cbs20-electric-drill-bit-sharpener-3mm-/ vs a bench grinder

I would say not necessarily routinely, but when you suspect they have become blunt. I guess it depends how much drilling you do, but given the good reviews for that sharpener, it seems worth considering. You are also being less wasteful.
 
Soldato
Joined
21 Jan 2010
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22,945

Battery circular saws just lack power so it all comes down to using a thin kerf, very sharp blade.

A circular saw should require almost no pressure so I think it is most likely the blade just isn't sharp enough. And when you do push them, the thin kerf blade ensures the cut wanders off true.
Could be - I think some of the jobs I've put them through have been pretty tough too (plasterboard, wet treated c24, etc etc).

Will get that sorted when I'm back from this place.
 
Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2013
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6,686
Location
Shropshire
I have a Parkside mitre saw I use for cutting up old wood for starter sticks - It's carp so I took blade off with the aid of a hammer and loads of French language.
Dope here has obviously been cutting through nails and screws - never seen teeth like it before - I am actually ashamed of myself as this is something I have never done before..
New Draper blade on order and will be a lot more cautious next time. I think I might now use it what it was designed for.

I have given it a bit of a clean up and oil while it's sitting on bench looking sorry for itself..
 
Soldato
Joined
21 Sep 2020
Posts
3,721
Can anyone recommend a metal drill bit set suitable for drilling harder metals such as stainless steel? My admittedly probably not very good HSS drills aren't lasting very well. From a bit of research, it seems I'm after cobalt drill bits?

I've seen this set - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00239E4AS

On a related topic, is it worth routinley sharpening drill bits? I've never sharpened mine, so they're probably pretty dull, which I doubt is helping. They're a mixture of old high quality, but now blunt, bits (dormer etc) and some newish, but probably not very good Dewalt/Erbuauer/Bosch etc from Screwfix. Is figuring the angles out and using a bench grinder the best approach? Or one of those automatic jobbies where you just stick the drill bit in? I know for knives the automatic sharpeners remove a lot of material and are pretty agressive, so it's probably the same for drills?

Something like https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cbs20-electric-drill-bit-sharpener-3mm-/ vs a bench grinder


I’ve got that set and it’s great. Always get cobalt when drilling into metal.
 
Soldato
Joined
31 Jan 2022
Posts
2,746
Location
UK
Can anyone recommend a metal drill bit set suitable for drilling harder metals such as stainless steel? My admittedly probably not very good HSS drills aren't lasting very well. From a bit of research, it seems I'm after cobalt drill bits?

I've seen this set - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00239E4AS

On a related topic, is it worth routinley sharpening drill bits? I've never sharpened mine, so they're probably pretty dull, which I doubt is helping. They're a mixture of old high quality, but now blunt, bits (dormer etc) and some newish, but probably not very good Dewalt/Erbuauer/Bosch etc from Screwfix. Is figuring the angles out and using a bench grinder the best approach? Or one of those automatic jobbies where you just stick the drill bit in? I know for knives the automatic sharpeners remove a lot of material and are pretty agressive, so it's probably the same for drills?

Something like https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cbs20-electric-drill-bit-sharpener-3mm-/ vs a bench grinder

I'm not a metal specialist, but don't you need at least Cobalt for stainless steel?

I have no idea what UK drills are like but there is this set...


I usually buy Bosch drills but they are twice the price :/
 
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