The toolbox thread

[The Ouzo]

As an entry level tool, how do you guys rate the Dexter tools ?

Leroy Merlin has a Dexter Impact Wrench, with a 2.5aH battery and charger its comes in at 1700. Thats dirt cheap and I'm thinking for my occasional use it will work well.

[PhilipV]

On 2/10/2022 at 11:18 AM, stefmeister said:

It depends on application which size battery you should go for. Impact drivers for screws etc, and working long hours, then 2Ah is plenty and your wrists will thank you at the end of a long day. 12V options are actually ideal for this.

Drilling bigger holes (hole saws, auger bits etc), and wrenching large lag bolts, you'll drain a small battery in no time as the motor draws more current with these.

Blowers, vacuums, and high velocity motors generally are thirsty for amps, and it's usually a case of the biggest is best. 

Big batteries are heavy, and does impact handling. You don't necessarily need one battery to last you the whole day, as they recharge within 30 min nowadays. I'd rather have 2 x 3Ah than one 5Ah, or 2 x 2 Ah + 1 x 5 Ah than just 2 x 6 Ah batteries. 

 

Anyway, I'm shopping for new cordless impact drill, impact driver and grinder, seeing as my stuff got stolen recently. Now I've to decide if I'm sticking with Bosch or adding Makita to the mix.

Agreed. 

 

On my drill I only use the 1,5ah units, I've yet to need more than two batteries in a day, and I've only needed a second battery after drilling many holes into steel. 

But the drill is well balanced with the small batteries, and they charge quickly. 

So I'm sticking to the mantra that it's the motion of the ocean that matters. 

[patches]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:30 PM, PhilipV said:

Agreed. 

 

On my drill I only use the 1,5ah units, I've yet to need more than two batteries in a day, and I've only needed a second battery after drilling many holes into steel. 

But the drill is well balanced with the small batteries, and they charge quickly. 

So I'm sticking to the mantra that it's the motion of the ocean that matters. 

Speaking of the motion. and the heft behind the thrusts... last night I was fixing a bracket on the garage door with some self tappers. So as not to drive them into oblivion (or make enemies of my neighbours with the reverberating noise off the steel sheeting) I decided the impact driver was not the tool for the job, but rather the drill.

It was soon discovered that between working overhead at a funny angle, my laziness to use the clutch properly and curb the 135Nm of torque, and the hefty 700g 5Ah battery dangling on the end, I just about broke my wrist/hooked myself in the jaw when the short fasteners suddenly bit down.

I do have some 2 or 3Ah compact batteries on the wish-list

And along with that is one of the Milwaukee multi-head 12V Brushless Installation Drivers, for work that requires a lighter touch.

Based on the reviews. this little guy will do about 80% of what I generally use a drill or impact driver for.

Edited February 16, 2022 by patches

[geomark]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:41 AM, ouzo said:

As an entry level tool, how do you guys rate the Dexter tools ?

Leroy Merlin has a Dexter Impact Wrench, with a 2.5aH battery and charger its comes in at 1700. Thats dirt cheap and I'm thinking for my occasional use it will work well.

I have an oscillating multi tool of theirs that I bought for one job so wasn't prepared to spend much money, its proven remarkably useful for sorting out pre-existing poor workmanship around the house and has stood up well for the price point.

[The Ouzo]

4 minutes ago, geomark said:

I have an oscillating multi tool of theirs that I bought for one job so wasn't prepared to spend much money, its proven remarkably useful for sorting out pre-existing poor workmanship around the house and has stood up well for the price point.

Its what I was thinking too. I have 1 or 2 of their hand tools. My dad has a Dexter angle grinder that he bought after having good experience with their tools in Greece.

So for the odd occasion that I use the thing I think it would be fine.

I'm planning on redoing the shelving in my workshed and then adding some bike racking, I could get by with my aging Bosch electric screw driver, but an impact wrench would make life so much simpler and quicker

[BikeisLife]

In the market for a new Impact drill. Still have a Bosch 14.4V which is getting tired. 
 

After some reading, brushless is the way to go. Would like to get a brand with a bit of a range that I can expand on with keeping one battery system.

Budget around R3k. Have seen the Cat DX12 (R3,3k at Makro with 2x2a + bits), Bosch GSB18V - 50 (R2,6k at Makro with 2x2a) Ryobi XBID-18 (R1,5k bare). Anything else I should consider that will be within the budget? Trying to find reviews on these things is harder than finding new bicycles right now….

[mazambaan]

Help. A spoke nipple tightening tool (for the bicycle). Please advise what tool (I'd like one with say 3 sizes in the approx 3.2 to 3.5mm range) is best or even good.

I have one of the round ones with multiple sizes but its a cheapy and doesn't fit well.  Can't seem to find a ParkTool one (SW-7.2) in SA.

[Graham W]

15 hours ago, mazambaan said:

Help. A spoke nipple tightening tool (for the bicycle). Please advise what tool (I'd like one with say 3 sizes in the approx 3.2 to 3.5mm range) is best or even good.

I have one of the round ones with multiple sizes but its a cheapy and doesn't fit well.  Can't seem to find a ParkTool one (SW-7.2) in SA.

Get your LBS to order for you Cape Cycles has stock.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

On 2/17/2022 at 10:39 PM, BikeisLife said:

In the market for a new Impact drill. Still have a Bosch 14.4V which is getting tired. 
 

After some reading, brushless is the way to go. Would like to get a brand with a bit of a range that I can expand on with keeping one battery system.

Budget around R3k. Have seen the Cat DX12 (R3,3k at Makro with 2x2a + bits), Bosch GSB18V - 50 (R2,6k at Makro with 2x2a) Ryobi XBID-18 (R1,5k bare). Anything else I should consider that will be within the budget? Trying to find reviews on these things is harder than finding new bicycles right now….

I’m not sure what they cost but I find the range, availability, service and most importantly, durability of the makita 18v range unrivaled locally

You will pay a bit more but you won’t regret buying into their eco system

Not that others aren’t good but makita is the Toyota Hilux of tools 

[AndrewHemp]

On 2/18/2022 at 8:34 AM, mazambaan said:

Help. A spoke nipple tightening tool (for the bicycle). Please advise what tool (I'd like one with say 3 sizes in the approx 3.2 to 3.5mm range) is best or even good.

I have one of the round ones with multiple sizes but its a cheapy and doesn't fit well.  Can't seem to find a ParkTool one (SW-7.2) in SA.

Gear Change in Mowbray has the ParkTool SW-7.2 in stock, I got one on Thursday and there were still a couple left of the shelf

[patches]

On 2/18/2022 at 9:39 AM, BikeisLife said:

In the market for a new Impact drill. Still have a Bosch 14.4V which is getting tired. 
 

After some reading, brushless is the way to go. Would like to get a brand with a bit of a range that I can expand on with keeping one battery system.

Budget around R3k. Have seen the Cat DX12 (R3,3k at Makro with 2x2a + bits), Bosch GSB18V - 50 (R2,6k at Makro with 2x2a) Ryobi XBID-18 (R1,5k bare). Anything else I should consider that will be within the budget? Trying to find reviews on these things is harder than finding new bicycles right now….

 

On 2/19/2022 at 6:53 PM, Wayne pudding Mol said:

I’m not sure what they cost but I find the range, availability, service and most importantly, durability of the makita 18v range unrivaled locally

You will pay a bit more but you won’t regret buying into their eco system

Not that others aren’t good but makita is the Toyota Hilux of tools 

+1 on the Makita LXT (18V) front.

Their DTD153 impact driver is a no-frills workhorse. Sadly though, a quick search on Strand Hardware indicates that they're around R3500 (skin only).

https://www.strandhardware.co.za/makita-cless-impact-driver-bl-dtd153zj-18v

Seems Bosch is a lot more popular in SA, whereas here Makita has the majority of the market. I guess that plays into the big price fluctuation from country to country of sorts.  A month or so ago I bought a Makita kit with a brushless hammer drill, brushless impact driver (the DTD153), 1x 5Ah battery and charger for about R3400 equiv. So yeah, prices may differ, but keep an eye out for combo kits.

Another  option I saw on Strand Hardware that looked pretty cool was the Bosh Impact driver/wrench. The collet/anvil is a 2-in-1 (1/4" hex and 1/2" square). Sadly also over that R3000 mark. Still cool though

https://www.strandhardware.co.za/bosch-gdx-18v-li-impact-driver-south-africa

 

 

[Wayne pudding Mol]

3 hours ago, patches said:

 

+1 on the Makita LXT (18V) front.

Their DTD153 impact driver is a no-frills workhorse. Sadly though, a quick search on Strand Hardware indicates that they're around R3500 (skin only).

https://www.strandhardware.co.za/makita-cless-impact-driver-bl-dtd153zj-18v

Seems Bosch is a lot more popular in SA, whereas here Makita has the majority of the market. I guess that plays into the big price fluctuation from country to country of sorts.  A month or so ago I bought a Makita kit with a brushless hammer drill, brushless impact driver (the DTD153), 1x 5Ah battery and charger for about R3400 equiv. So yeah, prices may differ, but keep an eye out for combo kits.

Another  option I saw on Strand Hardware that looked pretty cool was the Bosh Impact driver/wrench. The collet/anvil is a 2-in-1 (1/4" hex and 1/2" square). Sadly also over that R3000 mark. Still cool though

https://www.strandhardware.co.za/bosch-gdx-18v-li-impact-driver-south-africa

 

 

Strand hardware - I used to live in cape st Francis and drive to PE just to hang out there, pure tool porn

excellent service and good pricing 

 

[justinafrika]

3 minutes ago, Wayne pudding Mol said:

Strand hardware - I used to live in cape st Francis and drive to PE just to hang out there, pure tool porn 

 

I left PE to live at the beach in Seal Point, CStF for a year, pure surf porn.

[BikeisLife]

14 hours ago, patches said:

 

+1 on the Makita LXT (18V) front.

Their DTD153 impact driver is a no-frills workhorse. Sadly though, a quick search on Strand Hardware indicates that they're around R3500 (skin only).

https://www.strandhardware.co.za/makita-cless-impact-driver-bl-dtd153zj-18v

Seems Bosch is a lot more popular in SA, whereas here Makita has the majority of the market. I guess that plays into the big price fluctuation from country to country of sorts.  A month or so ago I bought a Makita kit with a brushless hammer drill, brushless impact driver (the DTD153), 1x 5Ah battery and charger for about R3400 equiv. So yeah, prices may differ, but keep an eye out for combo kits.

Another  option I saw on Strand Hardware that looked pretty cool was the Bosh Impact driver/wrench. The collet/anvil is a 2-in-1 (1/4" hex and 1/2" square). Sadly also over that R3000 mark. Still cool though

https://www.strandhardware.co.za/bosch-gdx-18v-li-impact-driver-south-africa

 

 

Thanks for this. 
 

Realised I missed out the part of adding I wanted it to be a hammer drill. Pretty keen on getting an impact driver as well though. Have a feeling I am going to end up stretching my budget. 

Have heard from a few that Bosch doesn’t seem to last. There are way too many options out there. 

Sounds like you are living in tool heaven with those prices. 

[ChrisF]

13 minutes ago, BikeisLife said:

Thanks for this. 
 

Realised I missed out the part of adding I wanted it to be a hammer drill. Pretty keen on getting an impact driver as well though. Have a feeling I am going to end up stretching my budget. 

Have heard from a few that Bosch doesn’t seem to last. There are way too many options out there. 

Sounds like you are living in tool heaven with those prices. 

 

 

Nothing wrong with Bosch .... 

 

My neighbour is an electrical contractor.  His 18V Bosch units WORKS.  NO complaints.

 

 

I have since bought 2 off these 18V Bosch units.  As a hobbiest mine certainly has an easy life.  

 

 

But one probably needs to see which brand has the range of wireless products you want ...

[patches]

1 hour ago, BikeisLife said:

Thanks for this. 
 

Realised I missed out the part of adding I wanted it to be a hammer drill. Pretty keen on getting an impact driver as well though. Have a feeling I am going to end up stretching my budget. 

Have heard from a few that Bosch doesn’t seem to last. There are way too many options out there. 

Sounds like you are living in tool heaven with those prices. 

Haha no my bad. I used my don't-read-too-good eyes and the word "impact" had me jump straight to "driver". 

As for tool heaven, it's not too bad all round, but we get reamed on the Milwaukee stuff when compared to the US.

There's a kiwi YouTuber called "Tools and Stuff", who is probably the biggest Makita reviewer out there. He also posts links to ebay as he gets some of his tools direct from Japan. May be worth a look.

Also Project Farm and Toolbox Buzz are pretty good for some head-to-head reviews.