Opinions on this trolley jack?

[AnthonyH]

I haven't looked at the sway bars yet today, its getting on for a month since i bought the new subframe and I can't return it after a month, so I needed to measure it and the car. I could well imagine getting the part up and finding its out by a few mm. Anyway, it seems ok and will fit. So I can get the old steering rack on the new subframe, I cleaned the threads on the rack and sorted out the rod ends, so It'll be easy to do alignment at a later time.

I've also been checking how I could get the subframe back on the car with limited room while working on a driveway. I'm not keen on a balancing act with one jack, so I'll need to use two jacks and lots of duct tape to keep some semblance of order. Its going to be tricky...

I'll attack the sway bar bolts tonight! I was being a bit lazy when I was loosening them originally, i thought they're only little bolts they can't cause much trouble

I own some cheap extractors but have never been able to extract anything with them. There is some knack to it that I don't get, i will try again though.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

No offense taken, after all the years in the motor trade we have learnt "don't give it if you can't take it" .

Oh so true. D'you know, one of the things I missed most when I moved off the shop floor and into a more office based environment as a trainer, was the shop floor "craic". There was always some sort of a leg pull going on and often highly politically incorrect. Didn't realize how much I missed it 'till it wasn't there any more.

It's all a laugh Though only a few years behind you, so young?

The time goes by so quickly and it goes faster the older you get. After my brother died I was in a bit of a state emotionally and mentally. His affairs are proving complicated to sort out with some dicey legal stuff hanging around (not criminal, just going to be difficult and probably expensive to sort - I've laid out about 5 grand already) I was loosing sleep worrying and feeling very anxious during the daytime when awake. Then I thought to myself, You're 78 you old idiot, stop worrying and just live for the moment. If you don't you'll probably be hastening the day you follow him into oblivion! I haven't actually reached the stage where I can say I don't have some level of anxiety but concentrating just on the immediate and not worrying about what might possibly happen in the future and over which I have no control at this time has calmed me down a lot.

I have just unloaded another Fiat Doblo down my drive, so officially out of space now Two Fiat Doblos, one Doblo/Vauxhall Combo, one Fiat Scudo and one Skoda Scout 4x4

Never had that many lying about simply because I never have had the room. At it's worst I had the Cordoba (yellow car behind Felicity Fiat in my avatar picture) and always a Panda. My Imp estate or Daf squeezed into the space between the Cordoba and the edge of the drive and my Allegro 1500 estate on the front lawn. The only unpleasant neighbour we ever had (who moved away thank goodness) came over to me one day when I was building my trailer and using my angle grinder - so being quite noisy - Swore aggressively at me and said "If I'd wanted to live on a bloody industrial estate I'd have bought a house on one", Turned on his heel and never talked to me again. I went on welding my trailer. He moved shortly after and, feeling a bit guilty, I asked all my neighbours if they minded me doing what I do. Without exception they all said no, it was fine, and in fact it was very handy having someone local who could give them a hand if their car didn't start or they needed a wheel changed - tasks I'm very happy to do as a favour for my friendly neighbours.

Keep looking into my garage but can't see how to rearrange it to get any more space.

Oh Gawd, Don't. I've tried many times to "rationalize" the contents of my garage but it's hopeless. Everything in there is potentially "useful" - which is why I've kept it. The fact I've never had need of 90% of it in the last 20 years is irrelevant, isn't it? Mrs J is going to order a big skip when I die (we're assuming I die first and I hope it works out that way because I'm useless without her) and get my boys to chuck everything in! (except my tools etc of course)

 

[The Panda Nut]

So i should carry on drilling, i'd quite like a vice...

I was hoping for a quicker solution because I have another rusty bolt to remove from the other connector, oh well..

One thing it wont be at this stage is quick. SLow and steady catchee monkey!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

So i should carry on drilling, i'd quite like a vice...

Lidl have got a load in at the moment for a very good price, I picked one up the other day, I think it was £20

 

[AnthonyH]

I have just unloaded another Fiat Doblo down my drive, so officially out of space now Two Fiat Doblos, one Doblo/Vauxhall Combo, one Fiat Scudo and one Skoda Scout 4x4

What do you do with these? Sell on? Just interested, I don't need a van.

 

[HughJarsse]

I think I remember what that entails, but I could do with a refresher course!

Obviously a hands on one too!!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Obviously a hands on one too!!

t'would probably kill me!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Lidl have got a load in at the moment for a very good price, I picked one up the other day, I think it was £20

Must be your area, Haven't noticed them at ours.

 

[AnthonyH]

Lidl have got a load in at the moment for a very good price, I picked one up the other day, I think it was £20

Thanks for the heads up. I was in there a couple of days ago and saw a torque wrench for £15. I should have bought that and looked for the vice, I'll be going back.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. I was in there a couple of days ago and saw a torque wrench for £15. I should have bought that and looked for the vice.

Torque wrench for £15, Hmm. Accuracy and build quality immediately spring to mind. May be that it's spot on but I'd be nervous about trusting it on something like head bolts?

 

[AnthonyH]

I'd have bought the torque wrench on the spot if I could have opened the box and checked quality, but they'd been cable tied shut inexplicably. Probably still worth a punt.

 

[chris3234]

I'd have bought the torque wrench on the spot if I could have opened the box and checked quality, but they'd been cable tied shut inexplicably. Probably still worth a punt.

Got one at home seems fairly reasonable
I'll put some pic up tomorrow if I remember

 

[bugsymike]

I'd have bought the torque wrench on the spot if I could have opened the box and checked quality, but they'd been cable tied shut inexplicably. Probably still worth a punt.

No! As @Pugglt Auld Jock says.
A neighbour of mine rebuilt his Toyota Starlet engine and promptly broke several head bolts using a brand new "cheap torque wrench" when checked against my 40 year old Britool one, it was miles out and I have never broken any thing using that, always release the setting to zero after use, keep it well oiled and test click it off in the vice before use at a setting.
Re the vehicles in drive etc. I always enjoy working on vehicles, but even more now retired and no pressure to have a job finished to suit someone else. I often buy one cheap if the price is right, with a fault just to "play" with, however never sell for a profit, just like the challenge

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I'd have bought the torque wrench on the spot if I could have opened the box and checked quality, but they'd been cable tied shut inexplicably. Probably still worth a punt.

I've noticed a few things like this with cable ties on of late.

Got one at home seems fairly reasonable
I'll put some pic up tomorrow if I remember

You might get some idea of build quality from visual observation but accuracy and durability? I'd be expecting to pay the "wrong" side of £50 and more for even a mid range quality with a range of adjustment to suit the likes of head bolts.

 

[HughJarsse]

I'd have bought the torque wrench on the spot if I could have opened the box and checked quality, but they'd been cable tied shut inexplicably. Probably still worth a punt.

they cable tie them shut now, to stop 'thieves' from opening them, and nicking the contents, then closing the box, and replacing it on the shelf.
Apparently, 'customers' have been opening things, and then removing either the item, or parts of them (spare drills, cutting disks, spanners, batteries etc) before departing the shop quietly without paying!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

No! As @Pugglt Auld Jock says.
A neighbour of mine rebuilt his Toyota Starlet engine and promptly broke several head bolts using a brand new "cheap torque wrench" when checked against my 40 year old Britool one, it was miles out and I have never broken any thing using that, always release the setting to zero after use, keep it well oiled and test click it off in the vice before use at a setting.

Great advice there Mike. I'd say an inaccurate torque wrench is more of a liability than not having one at all.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

they cable tie them shut now, to stop 'thieves' from opening them, and nicking the contents, then closing the box, and replacing it on the shelf.
Apparently, 'customers' have been opening things, and then removing either the item, or parts of them (spare drills, cutting disks, spanners, batteries etc) before departing the shop quietly without paying!

Doesn't surprise me at all. Britain has now become a country which lives by the motto "if you think you can get away with it then just do it" and I HATE IT!

 

[HughJarsse]

Doesn't surprise me at all. Britain has now become a country which lives by the motto "if you think you can get away with it then just do it" and I HATE IT!

Does make it difficult for those of us who would like to genuinely 'see' the item before purchasing, rather than 'pinching' it. Might mean the difference between going for it, or leaving it, for me. (though I must say, I have had quite a bit of Lidl/Aldi stuff, and to be fair, Most of it has been OK, but certain items I wouldn't 'take a chance' on without having a good look/feel first.)

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I'd have bought the torque wrench on the spot if I could have opened the box and checked quality, but they'd been cable tied shut inexplicably. .

I have one and the quality isn’t all that bad, mine came with a calibration cert and 3 sockets in common sizes for wheel nuts as well as a 3/4 extension. So there are a few bits inside that can easily fall out if opened, plus being sealed keeps the certificate with the tool as well as preventing someone messing with it before it’s bought

 

[PuntoHowTo]

This is the vice not sure what size it would be in old money, it’s not massive but perfect for my needs, just one thing bothers me is a little notch as you get need closed that I need to investigate.

Todays shopping trip resulted in my buying a bench grinder
3 year guarantee and only £25.