New tools

[K2-K6]

D&M Tools in Twickenham, and their show is always in October. As stated, parking and entry is free and is a great show to visit.

  yes, correct.

My mind was trawling up a prominent local company from where I grew up, which although close was not this one    they have quite good participation there from the UK suppliers. All bringing fair amount of stock to sell on the spot, sometimes with very good deals in promoting clearance for whatever reason.

The Mechanex one i found good for automotive tools (primarily car but obviously same area) which is organised by a trade magazine given out through motorfactor outlets. They have shows other than the Sandown one for different regions that may be of interest to others. Had an interesting chat with an oil blending company representative at this one.

[K2-K6]

Here's something not often seen from depths of pure applied engineering practice

https://youtu.be/9bIHPY99mIY?si=6SKEhdz4viVgQYGC

Method of making and keeping surface plates flat for applications needing that.

The blue marks are all hugh spots, made by "blueing" a known reference plate with engineers blue, then rubbing this one across that surface to show the high spots. Those high spots then removed by scraping to refine the surface, ultimately to keep its flat plane as a working plate for workshop use.

Part of my apprenticeship in training, we didn't use the power scraper but made our own manual tool, to then manufacture plates.

[K2-K6]

Something like this I've looked for over a long time.

https://nightsearcher.co.uk/products/i-spector-flex currently discounted too.

Nothing I've previously used has come anything close to this one for lighting performance, far better in every aspect and very useful for getting light right into awkward places.
Has  side facing led (at two switching level of intensity) along with front facing end on led source too.

[Laverda Dave]

Here's something not often seen from depths of pure applied engineering practice

https://youtu.be/9bIHPY99mIY?si=6SKEhdz4viVgQYGC

Method of making and keeping surface plates flat for applications needing that.

The blue marks are all hugh spots, made by "blueing" a known reference plate with engineers blue, then rubbing this one across that surface to show the high spots. Those high spots then removed by scraping to refine the surface, ultimately to keep its flat plane as a working plate for workshop use.

Part of my apprenticeship in training, we didn't use the power scraper but made our own manual tool, to then manufacture plates.

Interesting video Nigel. Maybe it's the angle of light but the surface finish looks like frosted glass! I remember the surface plates at college were so smooth the vee blocks and scribing blocks would glide over them but would also have a lot of stiction when you lifted them off the plate. I remember the lecturer going absolutely nuts when he caught one of us using the plate to rest a piece of steel whilst using a centre punch🫣

[K2-K6]

Something in the tool packing/carry case that may be of interest to some

https://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/milwaukee-packout-530mm-stackable-tool-box a friend has bought some of these which are decent specification, good catches and whole lid rubber seal to make them reasonable moisture/damp proof, helpful in cold garages.

This company as I understand split down bulk buy kits etc, and clear items that may be of too high stock quantity. Decent cost as advertised there, especially given the specs,  with a couple of them at reasonable priced storage capacity.

[AshimotoK0]

Got one of these from my son for Christmas on K2-K6's recommendation. Looks absolutely spot on ..thanks Nigel !

https://nightsearcher.co.uk/products/i-spector-flex