New tools

[K2-K6]

I've a reasonable range of tools, not excessive, but like things that pull their weight for projects and maintenance.

With some recent consideration in wondering about filling a little gap, bought on of these "MILWAUKEE M12BLIDRC-202B 12v BRUSHLESS IMPACT DRIVER" as a light duty/bench work and small form device.

Screws, small bolts, torx, hex key all in my intended range. I dont have anything of this brand, and so no commonality with battery, charger etc. It looked tbe most balanced in being compact, sufficient torque, controlled application at slow & delicate movement of targeted items.

I'm honestly very surprised at just how good this is. Genuinely small form and superbly applied torque even for the most delicate fixings (metal screws into plastic housings) with such a wide range of use because you can get access relatively easily.

A 1/4 inch hex drive, which will need either a converter to something like 1/4 &3/8 square to bring sockets into play. Have also bought others for torx and Allen key straight to chuck in native fit.

Bought from here https://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/milwaukee-m12blidrc-202b-12v-brushless-impact-driver-2-x-2-0ah-batteries-charger-and-bag-pid53455.html as best priced deal (having no charger or batteries in my possession) it's not a cheap bargain basement item, and a little of a punt to find out. But, utterly convincing as very adaptable and genuinely useful tool for the workshop.

As a test, put a 1/2 square to 17mm impact socket on, then tried the wheel nuts on family VW that are torqued to 90 ft/lb  .... and it juuuuust about got them undone. Apparently out of range and not particularly practical, but demonstrated some level of potential. 
As I've noted,  I bought it for the other end of range specifically, but practical band width is very impressive from the delicate and small end all the way up to serious level.

Postal delivery was exceptional from that dealer too, one which I've not previously used.

[Laverda Dave]

Sounds impressive Nigel.
If you bought this for the low end of the range for fixing etc does it have adjustable tongue settings?

[K2-K6]

No, its just on the trigger pressure to modulate, so not a tool to definitive tightening to x specific torque setting.

Similar in use to a simple 1/4 drive socket set,  or plain old screwdriver really.

[K2-K6]

Another item "Knipex Twin Grip" pliers.

Site for easy look at item https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365484132955 I've not bought from them.

For when things are broken, damaged by previous owner  failed drive surface etc, these are the most tenacious type I've used.

Particularly good is the "fish mouth" jaw that really grips stud etc vertically  .... you know those times when ordinarily pliers slip off in awkward access situations  .... usually to pinch a piece of skin on your hand somewhere in producing a blood blister 

These are just good when most hope is lost,  I've bought the 200mm size, a great addition to toolbox.

[Green1]

Iv used my Makita impact driver on my triumph tiger exhaust manifold recently. Just gently hammer away at rusty nuts. All but one came off.
Had it for years and used daily but only just thought about using on the bikes.

My pet hate with them is when carpenters put door handles and hinges on and round the heads off.

[TrickyMicky]

Power tools are great for removing nuts, bolts etc., but I would advise against using them for tightening fully. Some are able to strip out a thread in the blink of an eye. Use it to spin it up slowly till a slight resistance, then finish by hand or torque wrench.

[Skoti]

Power tools are great for removing nuts, bolts etc., but I would advise against using them for tightening fully. Some are able to strip out a thread in the blink of an eye. Use it to spin it up slowly till a slight resistance, then finish by hand or torque wrench.

Milwaukee also do one with Torque-Sense control, used it to refit car engine under trays that are secured with torx head self tappers.
Stops before it strips.

[K2-K6]

Iv used my Makita impact driver on my triumph tiger exhaust manifold recently. Just gently hammer away at rusty nuts. All but one came off.
Had it for years and used daily but only just thought about using on the bikes.

My pet hate with them is when carpenters put door handles and hinges on and round the heads off.

Similar for me, up until now I've got only 2 Makita, 1 impact screwdriver (which I've used alot for this type stuff) added a native 1/2 drive impact to that, predominantly for working on cars. My son also using Makita for carpentry etc. So all makita battery and would be ideal to stay in that mix of compatibility. Its with reluctance that I took another battery system.

Oh, forgot I added a Makita torch (small led light panel with multi position head) recently, that's also very good. Fits our batteries and has impressive coverage for an ad-hoc task light. DML801 model @ approx £30 in 18v size. Their stuff is generally tough and long lasting.

This one (Milwaukee)  bought purely for its size and low level sensitivity really .... not much available in this "sub" sector to match it honestly. 

[Skoti]

Another item "Knipex Twin Grip" pliers.

Site for easy look at item https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365484132955 I've not bought from them.

For when things are broken, damaged by previous owner  failed drive surface etc, these are the most tenacious type I've used.

Particularly good is the "fish mouth" jaw that really grips stud etc vertically  .... you know those times when ordinarily pliers slip off in awkward access situations  .... usually to pinch a piece of skin on your hand somewhere in producing a blood blister 

These are just good when most hope is lost,  I've bought the 200mm size, a great addition to toolbox.

Used Knipex side cutters and water pump pliers professionally for many years, IMHO well worth paying extra for quality.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

Best tools are the ones you make yourself.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

This one for getting the front bearing retainer ring out.  Threaded in the middle so that a piece of threaded rod goes through to the other side to clamp it in place so it doesn't cam out and chew up the slots. Angled bar gives a flat face for whacking with a mallet.

Regards
Dave

[taysidedragon]

Chunky, but does the job. 👍

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I'm a fan of Milwaukee tools, I already had a Kielder 1/2 Impact driver that I bought for car wheel nuts together with suitable torque sticks for cars.

As has been said power tools are good at undoing  bolts etc, I have a low range and a separate high range torque spanner for most tightening jobs.

[Skoti]

Best tools are the ones you make yourself.

(Attachment Link)

This one for getting the front bearing retainer ring out.  Threaded in the middle so that a piece of threaded rod goes through to the other side to clamp it in place so it doesn't cam out and chew up the slots. Angled bar gives a flat face for whacking with a mallet.

Regards
Dave

Made one similar, but yours is better thought out with the threaded rod idea to hold it tightly in place.
I'm off to carry out that modification on mines now.

Good tip

Cheers

[K2-K6]

Best tools are the ones you make yourself.

Undoubtedly, for it is my trained for trade, officially 

Nice work there.

[K2-K6]

I'm a fan of Milwaukee tools, I already had a Kielder 1/2 Impact driver that I bought for car wheel nuts together with suitable torque sticks for cars.

As has been said power tools are good at undoing  bolts etc, I have a low range and a separate high range torque spanner for most tightening jobs.

They seem well designed, in my admittedly limited experience Ted.

As perhaps others, starting with one type (battery commonality) it makes sense in adding to that. Makita was the first one I bought as an uncle that ran construction business in Australia told me years before cordless and Makita themselves were not that available in UK, that they were head and shoulders above most for reliability and robustness at the price point.
More recently in watching an Irish yt tool repairer extolling their virtues, particularly the best availability for spares to make repairs possible being better than many others. He shows some atrociously used and abused machines from trades use, each one stripped, cleaned, and rebuilt with necessary spares, to  be sent out again for another battering.

He certainly gives lucid insight to general machine design and longevity at the upper end of use cycles.

Milwaukee appear to have jumped the opposition here with their 12v small form tools. And so a separate battery platform is now cohabiting a previously Makita household