• Hi all and welcome to TheWoodHaven2 brought into the 21st Century, kicking and screaming! We all have Alasdair to thank for the vast bulk of the heavy lifting to get us here, no more so than me because he's taken away a huge burden of responsibility from my shoulders and brought us to this new shiny home, with all your previous content (hopefully) still intact! Please peruse and feed back. There is still plenty to do, like changing the colour scheme, adding the banner graphic, tweaking the odd setting here and there so I have added a new thread in the 'Technical Issues, Bugs and Feature Requests' forum for you to add any issues you find, any missing settings or just anything you'd like to see added/removed from the feature set that Xenforo offers. We will get to everything over the coming weeks so please be patient, but add anything at all to the thread I mention above and we promise to get to them over the next few days/weeks/months. In the meantime, please enjoy!

What tools did you buy for yourself for xmas.

The new forstner bit set and protractor is for the shop and I will transfer the older shop bits and protractor into the job site tool box.
 
I treated myself back in November to a 15 piece Forstner bit set, I waited for the tool show so I could get some discount, I tend to stick with the Famag brand as I’ve been very impressed with the quality.
 
Dr.Al said:
I think he means a shop in the sense of a place that sells tools rather than a shop as an abbreviation for workshop. I don't think I've ever heard anyone this side of the pond refer to a workshop as a "shop".
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Indeedio. An example of divided by a supposedly common language. :cool:

I'm actually at the point where I occasionally buy a tool because although I know I have one, there is so much stuff in three or four locations (all on the same property) that I just can't find it. Some of course has been "borrowed" by offspring.
 
AJB Temple said:
Indeedio. An example of divided by a supposedly common language. :cool:

I'm actually at the point where I occasionally buy a tool because although I know I have one, there is so much stuff in three or four locations (all on the same property) that I just can't find it. Some of course has been "borrowed" by offspring.
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Nice problem to have...
 
SamQ aka Ah! Q! said:
Nice problem to have...
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Not really :rolleyes: . Too many things on the go means Mrs AJBT is putting stuff away, not me, and then neither of us has a clue where anything is. But I know what you mean. I need to retire!! Instead I'm working harder. Insanity.
 
Not this year, still in the midst of building the space in which to unpack all my existing tools, can’t wait for the day!
But thinking about it I did buy a set of hinges and a Mortice lock for the workshop door — which I haven’t got yet lol.
 
Cabinetman said:
Not this year, still in the midst of building the space in which to unpack all my existing tools, can’t wait for the day!
But thinking about it I did buy a set of hinges and a Mortice lock for the workshop door — which I haven’t got yet lol.
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Has the storm hit your area.
 
RogerS said:
I had to Google the DR-54. Neat bit of kit.
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For those that don’t want to Google it, it’s a ratcheting bit driver. There’s no switch to change the ratchet direction, to reverse you turn it upside down and move the bit to the other side. It can help with hard to reach screws and bolts without much clearance, but part of the appeal for me is also low weight and pocketability compared to drivers with a handle.
 
And this is my “make bit changes rapid or unnecessary” kit. A driver to complement my existing drill so that I can drill & screw (or drill two sizes) without changing bits. Wera bit holders so that I can do rapid bit changes on my drill. The small holder also has a ring magnet for holding on to screws. And a set of hex shank drill bits for quick swapping. A luxury purchase, but hopefully I’ll be less peeved & distracted by bit changes.
IMG_4046.jpeg
 
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A wooden handled putty knife:

IMG_4047.jpeg

Not sure how I feel about this one yet since I haven’t used it. The blade is stiffer than I’m used to and that point is s h a r p, but it’s a good weight and the handle is comfortable. Attention to detail is not the best: this gap is going to fill up with dirt unless I fill it with something else first:
IMG_4048.jpeg
 
That palm rachet bit holder does look useful.
I've long since realised that 3 cordless drivers are necessary for a lot of jobs. One to drill holes, one to countersink and one to screw. Interchangeable WERA bits seem an excellent solution.
 
Cabinetman said:
Well, just in a hotel near Heathrow, flying back this afternoon, American Airlines offered us another flight in case of the weather but they haven’t cancelled the flight so hopefully all will be well.
Has it hit you?
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Yes, powder like snow for 8 hrs maybe 8". We got lucky.
 
AndyP said:
That palm rachet bit holder does look useful.
I've long since realised that 3 cordless drivers are necessary for a lot of jobs. One to drill holes, one to countersink and one to screw. Interchangeable WERA bits seem an excellent solution.
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Nice idea but I’d be forever scrabbling around trying to find these bits. At least with having two drills on the go, they’re easier to spot!
 
Windows said:
And this is my “make bit changes rapid or unnecessary” kit. A driver to complement my existing drill so that I can drill & screw (or drill two sizes) without changing bits. Wera bit holders so that I can do rapid bit changes on my drill. The small holder also has a ring magnet for holding on to screws. And a set of hex shank drill bits for quick swapping. A luxury purchase, but hopefully I’ll be less peeved & distracted by bit changes.
View attachment 37875
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Now I like the look of this combination, I’ve moved onto Makita for all my cordless tools and always been keen on Wera bits but the bit holder I haven’t seen before so I’ve been using DeWalt and the quality isn’t brilliant.
I may just buy myself a late Christmas present!
 
Received cash from wife and gift vouchers from kids.
There is no place for more tools, (would really like a bandsaw) but ....................
I am doing a bit of LED lights and maybe some controllers for the tree lights (batteries do not last and cost a lot) to run off mains power.
My small multi-meter was a cheepo, so maybe a new better quality one. :)
As usual I will procrastinate. :(
 
Cabinetman said:
Now I like the look of this combination, I’ve moved onto Makita for all my cordless tools and always been keen on Wera bits but the bit holder I haven’t seen before so I’ve been using DeWalt and the quality isn’t brilliant.
I may just buy myself a late Christmas present!
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The 100 mm bit holder is the Wera 889/4 R. The short one with the ring magnet is Wera 887/4 RR. The bit holder is slightly different between the two: as well as the ring magnet itself, the outer sleeve of the short one is free to move about 6 mm along the central axis even when locked. My best guess is that this is to make it easier to remove screws from the magnet; so you only have to contend with the magnet itself and not also contact with the bit or to allow for longer bits while still keeping the magnet in contact with the screw. Who knows?

Both models have a freely rotating outer sleeve, and the bits can be inserted whether the holder is in locked or unlocked position, so just shove the bit in the hole and you’re done. To remove the bit, push the sleeve towards the bit to unlock (which pushes the bit up slightly) then pull the bit out. There’s no spring return so you don’t need to hold the sleeve while extracting the bit. The insertion of the next bit returns it to the locked position.

The integral bit holder on the Makita driver has a spring-loaded locking ring so you have to push it up and hold it up while inserting & while removing bits.

I did consider getting a regular 18V Makita drill or impact driver instead of this, but decided I’d like the lighter weight and form factor better, so went with it, despite it using a different charger. Haven’t used it much yet so don’t know if I made the right decision there, but I like it so far.

BTW I keep seeing YT videos where people say they like the Wiha CentroFix better than the Wera Rapidaptor (claiming less run-out on the Wiha) so if anyone’s got any opinion on that…? Doesn’t really make any difference for my uses.
 
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AJB Temple said:
I'm actually at the point where I occasionally buy a tool because although I know I have one, there is so much stuff in three or four locations (all on the same property) that I just can't find it. .
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Same here and it's intensely irritating! On the 'Tool Wall' I used to have a small, flat bladed electrical screwdriver (useful for 'leccy plugs etc) and over Christmas it's decided to go walkabout. I've had this little tool for decades (Guys, made in England) but it appears virtually impossible to find a replacement as they all seem to be complicated, multi functional 'kits' of one sort or another. I'm hoping that at some point it'll decided to reappear but I fancy it'll be a bit of a 'dry hole' - Rob

Edit - delighted to say that my little screwdriver resurfaced this afternoon, so my day has been made! I think I must have bought this little tool sometime around 1970 when Guy's of London were still in business
 
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Windows said:
The 100 mm bit holder is the Wera 889/4 R. The short one with the ring magnet is Wera 887/4 RR. The bit holder is slightly different between the two: as well as the ring magnet itself, the outer sleeve of the short one is free to move about 6 mm along the central axis even when locked. My best guess is that this is to make it easier to remove screws from the magnet; so you only have to contend with the magnet itself and not also contact with the bit. Who knows?

Both models have a freely rotating outer sleeve, and the bits can be inserted whether the holder is in locked or unlocked position, so just shove the bit in the hole and you’re done. To remove the bit, push on the sleeve towards the bit to unlock (which pushes the bit up slightly) then pull the bit out. There’s no spring return so you don’t need to hold the sleeve while extracting the bit. The insertion of the next bit returns it to the locked position.

The integral bit holder on the Makita driver has a spring-loaded locking ring so you have to push it up and hold it up while inserting & while removing bits.

I did consider getting a regular 18V Makita drill or impact driver instead of this, but decided I’d like the lighter weight and form factor better, so went with it, despite it using a different charger. Haven’t used it much yet so don’t know if I made the right decision there, but I like it so far.

BTW I keep seeing YT videos where people say they like the Wiha CentroFix better than the Wera Rapidaptor (claiming less run-out on the Wiha) so if anyone’s got any opinion on that…? Doesn’t really make any difference for my uses.
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Thanks for that information, I would be interested in your views on the Makita driver after using it.
Cheers Ian
 
Woodbloke said:
Same here and it's intensely irritating! On the 'Tool Wall' I used to have a small, flat bladed electrical screwdriver (useful for 'leccy plugs etc) and over Christmas it's decided to go walkabout. I've had this little tool for decades (Guys, made in England) but it appears virtually impossible to find a replacement as they all seem to be complicated, multi functional 'kits' of one sort or another. I'm hoping that at some point it'll decided to reappear but I fancy it'll be a bit of a 'dry hole' - Rob
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You two are lucky! Try taking half your tools across the globe and try to find the bit you want lol. Doesn’t help that it’s over a period of three years and not being able to remember what’s where!
 
Cabinetman said:
You two are lucky! Try taking half your tools across the globe and try to find the bit you want lol. Doesn’t help that it’s over a period of three years and not being able to remember what’s where!
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The easiest way to find a “lost” tool is to buy a replacement. The original will then magically appear right under your nose.
 
Cabinetman said:
Thanks for that information, I would be interested in your views on the Makita driver after using it.
Cheers Ian
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Spent some time drilling and screwing into pine & oak.

Screwing into pilot holes works pretty smoothly - impact noticeable occasionally. Screwing non-piloted into softwood worked as I expected - noticeable impact & clackety-clack - did the work though. (Didn’t try non-piloted on hardwood). 5 mm screws, 20 mm depth.

Countersinking was pretty smooth; felt good.

Drilling was interesting. Up to 4 mm diameter, it’s pretty normal - just feels like drilling. At 5 or 6 mm, the impact really becomes noticeable and it feels a little odd. Still makes holes, but becomes clear that the speed ramp on the controller is a little quick for that use - the sweet spot is in the middle of the range with not much space either side.

In terms of the physical side of things, I really like the form factor. Feels agile. Easy to get vertical. The weight is fine. Both straight and pistol layout have their place.

So overall I’m happy to use it for countersinks, pilots, and screwing. It’s good for making small holes and screwing/unscrewing things in them.

To put this tool in perspective, my basic Bosch cordless drill has 1.5 X the max torque and 2/3 the max speed of this impact driver, so expectations should be in line with that. It’s less capable than a basic drill, but the form factor is better if it’s capable enough for what you want to do with it.

The Makita pencil impact driver is torque of 25 Nm and weighs 0.56 kg.
My Bosch drill is 40 Nm torque at 1.3 kg.
For reference the Bosch IXO screwdriver is 5.5 Nm of torque at 0.32 kg.
 
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