A few tool queries

[Conor]

As the title says really as I am browsing Halfords at the moment.. which is a dangerous/expensive hobby.

I see this Laser 6 Piece screw extractor kit for £10.39 with trade card, wondering if it is any good or a better alternative exists? Perhaps one for bolts also? I am going to get one to have in my kit as I will inevitably sheer something some day and it will be a royal pain, having easy access to a kit like this should alleviate things. This Rolson set is an alternative. I feel like for a tool like this though, I need to get the best there is, or is it much of a muchness? Also this for hex.

Are these washer jet tools any good?

 

[LostKiwi]

Never had much success with easyouts (stud extractors) and usually end up drilling/tapping on the very rare occasions I break a bolt.
Anything that looks doubtful I just soak in PlusGas or DuckOil for a few hours before starting the job.

For hex head bolts that are knackered Irwin bolt extractors work well.

Washer jets I just use a pin.

 

[Nigel Hewitt]

Screw extractors are normally just a formula for converting an ordinary bolt that won't come out into a bolt with a piece of broken off hardened steel down the middle that will require a spark eroder to rescue the part. If you're the sort that routinely strips bolts invest in a Helicoil set.

Paying money for a tool to clean washer jets when they are sized for a straightened out paper clip is just too funny.

 

[Blobcat]

I’ve some stud extractors that I was given as a present. I’ve opened them to look at them but they’ve sat in the tool box ever since never used

 

[KennyN]

Have had very limited success with screw extractors in my 37 years of breaking things in both work and hobby situations and that is with decent quality tooling.

Normally price is a good indicator of quality and to pay £2 for a stud extractor wouldn`t fill me with confidence is its ability to extract anything apart from the pi$$.

K

 

[Conor]

Thanks guys, I might just pass on both these..

I was wondering if the jet washer cleaner provided anything that couldn't be achieved with a pin / paper clip.. thanks!

 

[EmilysDad]

Generally, if a bolt is tight/seized enough that it shears, then as above, an Easyout will fail.
Having said that, I used stud extractors a few weeks back to remove the remnants of a M16 bolt

 

[Conor]

Generally, if a bolt is tight/seized enough that it shears, then as above, an Easyout will fail.
Having said that, I used stud extractors a few weeks back to remove the remnants of a M16 bolt

Fair enough.. but, you see this is the thing. For the relative low cost of them, I am wondering if I should just have it in my toolbox. A sheared nut could stop a job in it's tracks, and could potentially be saved quite easily with one of these.

 

[Frontstep]

I’ve some stud extractors that I was given as a present. I’ve opened them to look at them but they’ve sat in the tool box ever since never used

I have some of those but my packet remains unopened.

They are whilst in their packet invaluable and of fine quality.

I keep them with my other invaluable just in case tools,

my I am sure these will come in handy one day collection, the dust surely preserves them.

They are my own little nuclear defence system.

Maybe I should test them once in a while ?

Although I do remember withdrawing one of my fits-all spanners from its hibernation and it actually worked well, shocked I quickly returned it.

I suppose I could leave them to my offspring.............

 

[Donald McPherson]

If they do work great. But if they don't and shear you are fooked.

 

[Conor]

If they do work great. But if they don't and shear you are fooked.

Haha yea absolutely.. which is why I was kinda saying earlier that if I am to get these maybe I need to get "the best"!?

Or else i'll be looking for screw extractor extractors..

 

[Chrishazle]

Like others above, I have a set of damaged screw extractors, bought a set for a friend as well. We've both tried them a few times with absolutely no success!

 

[Blobcat]

Like others above, I have a set of damaged screw extractors, bought a set for a friend as well. We've both tried them a few times with absolutely no success!

Is that because they were “damaged”?

 

[AMGeed]

I'd avoid Rolson as a brand if you want quality. Cheap stuff usually found in the Pound shops and places like BM stores.

 

[Conor]

Heat Guns!?


If I was to buy one - what do people think? There is this Wagner one which seems to have it all (Decent temp range) and then this two setting one from Aldi.

What are peoples thoughts on the Wagner brand?

 

[Conor]

I'd avoid Rolson as a brand if you want quality. Cheap stuff usually found in the Pound shops and places like BM stores.

Yes I am inclined to agree.. I don't think I would buy Rolson stuff.. the odd time I use them I am always underwhelmed for some reason.

 

[LostKiwi]

Heat Guns!?


If I was to buy one - what do people think? There is this Wagner one which seems to have it all (Decent temp range) and then this two setting one from Aldi.

What are peoples thoughts on the Wagner brand?

Nice enough but the issue with something like that is you put a lot of heat over a wide area.
In the good old days oxy-acetylene torches were excellent as you could get a great deal of heat in a very small area but given the dangers of oxy-acetylene they're pretty much frowned on these days.

Inductive heat coils are the modern way but they aren't cheap.

 

[AMGeed]

^ I tried Rolson tools when I was in the construction business.
Inevitably the tool broke, or was inaccurate (spirit levels).

 

[Chrishazle]

I have a very old Black and Decker with attachments that looks very like the Wagner one and for sure was nowhere near the price of the Wagner one. Used it many times, always with one of the attachments, for all sorts of oddball jobs - unblocking a frozen outside drain pipe, defrosting a large chest freezer, stripping gloss paint, it must be 40+ years old and still going strong, but can't remember when I last needed to use it as we now have a frost free freezer and that tended to be it's main use! At least the Aldi one comes with the attachments, as well as being considerably cheaper.

 

[Jim2]

I’ve some stud extractors that I was given as a present. I’ve opened them to look at them but they’ve sat in the tool box ever since never used

On the positive side, be thankful that you never needed to use them !!! AND another +++, you do have them for future reference, if the occasion arises, but hopefully they will stay unused snug in their box.