wayneburgess

Its worth a look round car boot sales folks I just picked up a duraspin DS22 AC collated screwdriver and 4 boxes of collated screws for £30.Now that's a bargain

Its worth a look round car boot sales folks I just picked up a duraspin DS22 AC collated screwdriver and 4 boxes of collated screws for £30.Now that's a bargain

Hi Folks, Wayne the mad U..K, Plumber/Builder. (By the way folks this is my experience of using these tools, I don't work for a tool company) I have bought a few tools recently (after a visit from the tool thieves). I bought the Metabo L.T.X 18v lithium ion Combi drill and Impact driver kit, with 2 of the 3ah power extreme batteries included. I recommend anyone looking for a battery tool to take a look at Metabo. Right out of the box they feel Professional, and made to last. Nothing about them feels like its going to wobble loose or stick, and then when you come to use them the quality really starts to show. There are many drills e.t.c. that make all kinds of claims about battery life and power, but I really have tried most of them and these are just in a league of they're own.Variable speed is smooth as silk, the pulse function on the combi drill is so handy, no more on off on off the trigger to get a drill started on a slippery tile or a sheet of steel. And if your apprentice is as thick as two short ends and puts a 5" holesaw in it on high speed and goes for gold ( Yes they can be that dumb lol) the drill will shut off BEFORE it gets damaged.I have watched other makes with a cut out still smoke. The L.T.X Impact Driver.This just like the combi drill is just quality. Three stage power/speed function I recommend starting low and work up as (enter swear words) this thing has enough power to break fasteners and bits easily. But having said that, you soon get used to it, because again the quality of the switching means its so smooth you instinctively know how much power you'r letting loose and back off accordingly. Both tools are also easy to use with your gloves ON, no messing about taking one off to switch something over to another setting. Now for all the plumbers and sparkys out there, stick a self feed Irwin or other self feed bit in the impact driver, drill the hardest joist you can find, and when your wrist is not hurting, the bit is not smoking, and it goes through in no time, like me you'r going to get why buying one of these isn't just about banging in long screws on you tube. Batteries. I've just added a 4ah battery to my kit, and to be honest the quickest way to explain, is to say Metabo tell the truth. .The 3ah power extreme batteries were the best I've ever used. I thought these tools were great with the 3ah but (swear words again) with the 4ah no kidding folks, its true using these tools has been fantastic and all joking asside after 33 years in the building trade I take some impressing.Well done Metabo. One gripe I do have is No belt hook Metabo use a wrist loop. All the best Wayne

Hi Folks, I recently bought my son both these products and he is raving about them. Plumbers and Heating/Ventilation Engineers everywhere these are very very good tools and you can fit the 3ah red lithium batteries in them so they go even longer between battery charges. Well Done Milwaukee ( I will be saving up to get some for myself now) LOL

Don't lose hope guys,U.S made and U.K made products may be harder to find and there is no way you should go away pal. Wanting to support your own country by spending in a patriotic way is a good thing. Recently over here in the U.K Stanley brought the manufacture of the new wood chisel and lightweight framing hammer back to Sheffield the home of steel in the U.K for hundreds of years.So it can be done.

Everything is expensive but the new tools from the U.S cost a bit more than the competition. The prices may drop when they have been out a while. European makes are taxed less perhaps. A Metabo 18v LTX combi drill averages £250 to buy Bosch roughly the same maybe a little less Milwaukee brushed M18 is nearly £420 Dewalt compare on price with European Models Even the new brush-less impact driver is within £30 of the European tools. Also Milwaukee warranty is 3 years not 5 over here in the U.K how weird is that? I would love to ask Milwaukee why that is? Rockwell and Worx are same drill but in the U.S they give you batteries for life on the 3rill and (yes you guessed it) no they don't over here in the U.K. I could list more guys but why oh why do they do this?

I also wonder why they have not made a key-less chuck to go on the impact wrenches? Can you imagine the drilling you could do with all that torque?

Try the new Stanley lightweight framing Hammers folks, 15 ounce hammer that hits like a 28 ounce, Light to carry to the job, heavy hitting when you get there

The I.P range of Panasonic is awsome I am going to pick one up at some stage ( to replace one that was stolen). If you are outside and it starts pouring with rain they just keep going and it does not harm them at all.Mine had been out in everything the U.K weather can throw and it worked exactly the same day in and day out. Great to have in the van/truck for when mother nature has a hissy fit.

I now have a wish list though thanks to you guys LOL Veto propac XXXLF Milwaukee fuel with hammer action And a few others so I have to get back to work soon and get saving up LOL

Hi Folks, Wayne the mad U.K Plumber/Builder, back again with another few thoughts and ideas gathered from the last 33 years loving the job and cursing the weather . Much is made of the performance of power tools, battery or corded there's always someone on a video somewhere holding his drill aloft giving it "THE POWER OF GREY SKULL" thinking he's He Man, after drilling a few holes on a bench (never lay as if he has been tipped out of a sack in some painful contortion like we all do) lol. But how often do we get some information about what goes in them? Isn't it time we stopped and thought "Hang on which drill bits cut the largest holes using the least battery life and putting the least strain on my very expensive drill?" How many of us in the, grunt and shove harder, tighten till it farts or you do, real world building trade, realise that our 18v drill won't drill a hole in wood over 2" or 50mm? ( If you find one I am all ears) It may be funny to watch some fool smoke his world beating pride and joy but it's damned expensive. We all blame the drill, but after all these years folks and with all the jokes and humour to one side, I just want to put it out there, that having spent Hundreds and sometimes thousands on power tools, we should look,think and invest harder in the the bits we put in the sharp end. Many bits are real rippers, but find a knot in a joist and it's a wrist breaker but also in some cases a drill breaker as well. These drill bits can seem the dogs doodaas, but may use many times the battery life, and put much more strain on you and your drill, than say a tungsten tipped hole saw."Yes but they are not deep enough to go through thick timber" I hear you cry.But maybe one of the new generation spade bits or spiral augers will? Maybe its time for the trade and weekend warrior alike, to throw it back on the manufacturers, to show on the packaging the torque required to turn these things. And for ourselves to read the instructions on our drill, and think the bigger the bit the lower the speed and the higher the torque. In this rare case torque aint cheap, so all the more reason for us all to think about this one and stop burning and keep earning. And remember lads old sparky's ( electricians) never die they just end up very well earthed Best regards Wayne

Hi Folks, Does anyone know if Milwaukee will be going brushless with the 28v platform? Best regards Wayne

Did your hear a thud? That was my jaw hitting the floor amazed I got a tool before you guys for once LOL

Only tip I would give you, is to get him to a large tool store and watch what he looks at and shows a keen interest in. Apparently that's what my good Lady does and she has got me some cool stuff.

There are many people of both sexes that feel intimidated by tools and how to buy and use them. Many men won't admit they are bloomin clueless and go at it anyway we call these creatures The lesser spotted brother in law. LOL I am with you all the way that more should be done to make it clear exactly what does what and maybe more in store demonstrations where you can ask to see the thing do its job before you buy would help. Just because you don't know something does not mean you are letting your fellow women down at all.

No worries Locky, And just as an idea get in touch with the guys at www.toolstop.co.uk. ( other stockists are out there too) lol I would advise asking them how much the Milwaukee fuel Combi drill and the impact driver will be including delivery to your address. They are very friendly Guys and very very helpful. And they won't myther the pants off you either with sales crap. I Like the way you have thought this through, and done your research before you made up your mind.Am sure that will serve you well in the future with your trade. Like I said hang on to my e-mail and if you need to ask anything just drop me an e-mail over and will help all I can.

It is a great attachment and does stop you shattering bits but also you can lock it off for when you want to give it the full power of an impact driver.

LOL Not all the Time Eric, Sometimes I feel like getting on a plane to the U.S just to come look at all the cool stuff you guys have over there. But I think I would get carried away and dive in on a building site and never come home LOL

One other thing bud with Milwaukee the key words you are looking for are Fuel ( a new range) and Red lithium the best quality battery they do. Any of them that are not these are not the latest models. In a nutshell I would buy a Milwaukee FUEL either combi drill ( has hammer action for drilling brick or concrete) or the drill driver ( if you mainly doing assembly) And the Milwaukee FUEL impact driver. Then add to this slowly, buying bare tools and maybe add a few extra batteries as time goes by, I say do it that way because battery tech is moving on at a pace and milwaukee may follow Metabo and bring out a 4ah battery. (Not pushing Milwaukee but you seem to have decided that you like them and they do have a massive range of tools in 18v and 12v platforms.)

Milwaukee red lithium fit pal, all the slide on batteries Milwaukee make fit all the slide on battery tools.As long as they are the same voltage E.G 18v only fit 18v tools.

Hi folks, Just a heads up about Stanley who have brought ot 2 light weight framing hammers that drive nails like a 28 ounce hammer yet way 15 ounces. Sounds like a joke but folks are raving about them over here in the U.K

I didn't either at the time LOL Stuck up there 20 or so feet in the steel with a broken little finger finishing the job and then the drill flew a good 100 yards never to be seen again the first time I got chance LOL.

Just tried getting the bit out of the impact clutch to see how easy it is. Erm NO its held in there like a woman in a shoe shop LOL you need grips to pull the bit out (may get easier over time) but that's gonna be a pain if you are up a ladder.

You sound like you are doing the right thing Locky and thinking about it before you buy. I would go the 18v way myself and for the building trade torque is king for drills and impact drivers and 2 batteries per tool 3ah lithium ion minimum per battery. If you are in Australia then I would look at which manufacturer is best for spare parts and service also because down time while a tool gets fixed is a class one pain. I've been told Hitachi are big down under, but if you like milwaukee then I would go for the new brushless fuel drill and impact driver with the new red lithium battery.Its going to cost you a few quid pal but I've looked at these and they are almost as powerful as my Metabo LTX tools. One last bit of advice is Good quality Blades and drill bits because ANY tool is only as good as what you put in it bud and cheap crappy blades and bits are a danger to you and everyone round you on a site. If you can find a supplier who lets you try before you buy then go for it remember you are going to have this stuff years. If you need any advice at all just drop me an e-mail wayneburgess63@yahoo.co.uk its no bother and good luck in your career.

Hi Locky, Buy quality, and just a reminder that some of the new 18v stuff will probably out perform, and in terms of battery life last longer, than 28v stuff that's out there. I will tell you the same as I have to my Son mate, buy a few top quality tools, Hand and Power tools, and build it up slowly . And keep an eye on the oldies and what they use, they may know a thing or two.