FEATURETOP TEN TOOLS


It is no surprise to me that Jay is a busy man and he has a waiting list of jobs lined up. Word of mouth is a great thing for the competent. But what is very clear from our discussions is that he is an inventive and accomplished tool user, but also has an eye for innovative too. If it can be done more effi ciently with new kit, then the cost/benefi t analysis will start!


Home repairs, maintenance and fi tting


Fred (not his real name) has a diff erent perspective. He has had a long career in engineering. After being made redundant in later life he started doing small maintenance jobs in the local area and soon developed a loyal clientele, most of whom are regular callers on his skills.


Working out of the back of a large estate car, he has to keep his tool collection within the realms of the rational and transportable. So, while he would like some of the bigger tools, they are just not practical. And there are no plans to invest in a van either because retirement beckons - whenever the phone stops ringing.


Bearing in mind the many and various jobs Fred is called upon to do, his fi rst choice of tool is the Fein cordless Starlock SuperCut – in his words the “ultimate get-out-of-trouble tool, whatever trade you’re in”. The Starlock system gets singled out because changing cutters is so quick and easy and the range of accessories is broad.


Word of mouth is a great thing for the competent. But what is very clear from our discussions is that he is an inventive and accomplished tool user, but also has an eye for innovative too.


Also a diehard Milwaukee fan, his next choice is his fi ve-year-old 18v impact driver which, like the Fein, is one of the fi rst tools to go into the back of his car on a work day. It is powerful, reliable and not afraid of hard work.


A cordless Mafell plunge saw with both the fl exible and rigid rails all in one Systainer case has all the fl exibility and accuracy needed for a variety of jobs, from kitchen fi tting to fl ooring. This versatility is key for a one-man band and saves space in the back of the car.


26 TBH February, 2019


Newly purchased after a long refl ection and after trying many competitors, the Fein SDS rotary hammer drill has proved to be a hit with Fred, so to speak. It is light, easy to handle and relatively quiet, at the same as being able to drill concrete, brick and masonry without a fuss.


It seems as though smaller is beautiful these days as trades realise that sometimes 18v isn’t always necessary. Lithium-ion batteries and brushless motors mean that enough power can be on tap at 12 volts. Hence the choice of the Milwaukee 12v 4-in-one drill driver that has enough oomph for most jobs but is also perfect for getting into small spaces, sometimes using the versatile angle driver attachments.


and easy to open due to the push button lock system that allows it to be opened with a one-handed fl ick. Its wire clip is easy to slip onto the front holster pocket on his work trousers where it is easy to access. Again, one of those tools that just gets taken wherever because it gets transferred straight to the pocket when you change work trousers.


Everyone needs a bit of brute force occasionally and the Wera Chiseldriver is a perfect candidate for the job. It’s tough enough to be pounded into brick or masonry because of its through-tang and hard tempered blade, it can still be used as a big screwdriver and lever. It too fi nds its way into the 2Go tool case and is another ‘get-out-of-trouble’ tool that earns its place in the toolbox by its usefulness.


And fi nally, one tool in common with Jay above – the Fein M-Class dust extractor. Perhaps not as put upon as his, but very useful for cleaning up at the end of the day, extracting from power tools and easy to move around on its large wheels. It gets a particular mention because of its long cord and long vacuum hose that gives it a huge working radius – perfect for some sites where access to an electrical socket may be further than is desirable.


My conclusions


Well, I didn’t fi nd anything unexpected. But my guess is that every tradesperson in the country would give a slightly diff erent list if asked. But then that shows that jobs vary, sometimes from day to day. Some workers will try to get by on a standard bagful of tools while others will always keep an eye on a new bit of kit that will help make the job easier, more accurate or more effi cient.


Getting back to basics is good now and again, and his 24-ounce Ox hammer is pronounced comfortable to hold and with a good amount of clout. This is the third one he has bought – one got lost down a cavity wall, and the other was left on a site and then disappeared - but when you have found what you like and it needs replacing, why change?


The next bit of kit is one that literally keeps on being added to. It is the Wera electrical screwdriver and socket set that goes on every job and is most often also used on every job. Attached to a Wera 2Go tool case along with a few additions like pliers and cutters, it makes a compact and portable kit that is incredibly handy – and also doesn’t take up too much room in the car.


Basics again; the Milwaukee site knife is light


Some in the tool trade say we have too many tool shows, but in my view they may be the best way in which trades can learn about new kit and tools and possibly even try them out. ‘Keep learning’ seems to me a suitable motto for a successful tradesperson these days, as evolution is happening at an accelerating pace.


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