Getting Handy in 2013 - Man Skills

[Mohican]

Merry Xmas all

I got some meadowhall (big shopping centre here) vouchers for crimbo. Was thinking of buying myself a basic toolkit.

Not looking for anything major, but wondering what everyone thought were the absolute essential tools for handmen like me?

I'm guessing my local hardware store would be cheaper than the majors like B&Q?

How much do you want to spend???

[Tal]

Like this?

[DMorgan]

Excellent thread, will def be bombarding this thread with questions once I'm back at my place after new year. Loads of stuff that needs doing that I've been ignoring for ages but doesn't seem worthy of calling a plumber/spark out for

[millidonk]

Merry Xmas all

I got some meadowhall (big shopping centre here) vouchers for crimbo. Was thinking of buying myself a basic toolkit.

Not looking for anything major, but wondering what everyone thought were the absolute essential tools for handmen like me?

I'm guessing my local hardware store would be cheaper than the majors like B&Q?

I think B&Q will be cheaper as it is manufactured and imported on mass at much lower rates. A local independent trader is a lock to be more expensive imo but at the same time you are also likely to get better quality tools as local stores can't really afford to take a knock to their reputation.

[pokerfan]

B&Q innit.
If you do go local avoid anything that says blackspur or rolsen on it.

[leethefish]

Hey Barry happy Xmas mate ....
Go to b&q they do a really good Bosch (DIY) range that is cheap and I think comes with a 2 year waranty
They also have good prices on dewalt at times (this is a tradesmans brand) however depends on what you want to spend
They used to do for instance an entry level 18v dewalt drill @ £99

Another great place for your DIY tools is screw fix ...either in store or at

http://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/cat830034;jsessionId=tLM5QhRT4Wh414KBy1DZKz862rNghgVxLbhYVm4Jhhlpj6FWcS8D!-384323408!1356517710570?cm_sp=Homepage-_-Categories-_-Tools

If you let me know what your thinking of getting & a budget I can tell you exactly what you should get and where to go

[leethefish]

In addition to that post Barry


What every handyman needs is the following.

1,claw hammer......................http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-20oz-fibreglass-hammer/23264
2, a hand screwdriver set............http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set-4pcs/23014
3,combi drill ......http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set-4pcs/23014    Or
http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gsb-14-4-2-li-14-4v-1-3ah-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/25293
4,socket set.............http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-socket-set-65pcs/47638
5,assorted spanners & an adjustable spanner .........http://www.screwfix.com/p/adjustable-wrench-set-3pcs/76354
http://www.screwfix.com/p/combination-spanner-set-12pcs/46693

Loads more stuff but obviously but costs a lot !!

[Mohican]

In addition to that post Barry


What every handyman needs is the following.

1,claw hammer......................http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-20oz-fibreglass-hammer/23264
2, a hand screwdriver set............http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set-4pcs/23014
3,combi drill ......http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set-4pcs/23014    Or
http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gsb-14-4-2-li-14-4v-1-3ah-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/25293
4,socket set.............http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-socket-set-65pcs/47638
5,assorted spanners & an adjustable spanner .........http://www.screwfix.com/p/adjustable-wrench-set-3pcs/76354
http://www.screwfix.com/p/combination-spanner-set-12pcs/46693

Loads more stuff but obviously but costs a lot !!

Would agree that this is  a gd list to start with, although if you buy a drill, a set of drill bits wouldn't go amiss.
A tool bag would also be a gd idea.Summat like this.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-hard-bottom-tool-bag-16/39809#

[DaveShoelace]

Thanks chaps. I went in a place called Tool Shed, it was a pretty cool shop but I had no idea what I was looking at. I'll get started with the list above in the next week.

[leethefish]

You will find in all shops you will get cheap crap ,good quality DIY and trade tools ....you don't need trade or the cheap
I don't know what you need but if your buying any power tools my advice would be to go for the green (DIY version ) of Bosch the blue coloured are higher quality and obviously £££ more expensive

[snoopy1239]

Not 'getting handy' as such, but we've got a leak upstairs that has got worse of late. There's a brick wall around the outskirts of the roof and one corner is mossy, so it looks as though the water is coming through the brickwork rather than the roof itself.

The plan is for the builder to clear out the moss and put a protective layer over the top of the bricks (I can't recall what), but he can't do the job until February.

I'm not sure if you can see the leak in the photo, but given the recent bad weather and the spread of the leak, is this something I need to get sorted before then as obviously I don't want it to turn in to an even more expensive job.

[millidonk]

Well I escaped the 2012 runbad for 1 whole day.. this morning when I got in my car I went to put the window down and the driver's side wouldn't budge. Sighs. They are electric and the passenger side works fine but nothing happens when you press the button on the driver's side. I thought it might be frozen even though it wasn't that cold but after 2hrs of driving it hasn't changed. Anyone know of any common problems with ford focus windows getting stuck?

Gonna have a google around but I am shit with all this stuff.

[Mohican]

Well I escaped the 2012 runbad for 1 whole day.. this morning when I got in my car I went to put the window down and the driver's side wouldn't budge. Sighs. They are electric and the passenger side works fine but nothing happens when you press the button on the driver's side. I thought it might be frozen even though it wasn't that cold but after 2hrs of driving it hasn't changed. Anyone know of any common problems with ford focus windows getting stuck?

Gonna have a google around but I am shit with all this stuff.

Can you hear the window winder motor whirring or is it just dead?

[millidonk]

Well I escaped the 2012 runbad for 1 whole day.. this morning when I got in my car I went to put the window down and the driver's side wouldn't budge. Sighs. They are electric and the passenger side works fine but nothing happens when you press the button on the driver's side. I thought it might be frozen even though it wasn't that cold but after 2hrs of driving it hasn't changed. Anyone know of any common problems with ford focus windows getting stuck?

Gonna have a google around but I am shit with all this stuff.

Can you hear the window winder motor whirring or is it just dead?

Sounds dead. Just hear the button clicking down then nothing happens.

[Mohican]

checked fuses?