General Tools for DIY Panda

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General Tools for DIY Panda

Don't know if it came across in what I just wrote above but air pressure (psi) and capacity (CFM) are not to be confused. For instance that wee Stanley compressor you posted a link to earlier was quoted to produce 8 bar but it's CFM is not even quoted (I couldn't find it?) and it's tank is small. Connect up the average "rattle gun" to it and, because initially the pressure (psi) is high, it would kick off enthusiastically but would very quickly run out of "puff" probably before you could even say ****?! because the amount of air it can pump (CFM) is low. Would be good for weekly tyre pressure checks, but an expensive luxury.
 
Noise problem is, everyone makes noise in this street. Guy next to me works in some garage. I am sure he is a car mechanic. On weekends, he repairs some old banger cars in his shed or drive way, and noise of grinding metal and drilling is very loud. It used to continue for all day, and sometimes he plays music from car stereo while working as well. Absolutely blaring.

The guy on the other side has workshop in his backgarden, and I think he makes wooden furnitures. We hear either router or table saw going most of the days.

Houses at the back are too far to hear, but still can hear some powertools from them as well.

And then they all have petrol mowers and hedge cutters and grass streamers. They are loud. So a small air compressor wont make much difference I am sure:D

Yes, I think the Stanley one seems too small and under capacity, and has some really aweful reviews. But I was attracted to free tool kit with it.

But I found the tool kits can be bought for 15-20 £ from Amabay, so it seems not big deal.

I think another one called Impax air compressor seem better one. It has more HP and larger tank. The reviews are not too bad. In fact, excellent.

My main use will be cleaning tools and tyre inflation, and then maybe one or two air tools later to add for versatility.

I have some credit voucher for SF, so will need to get something from them, and best thing seems the air compressor and arc welder. I have most of other tools now, but those two.
 
Just looked at the Impax welder you posted the link too and I notice it is fan cooled. That's a good thing. I fitted my, very basic, SIP 140 with a cabinet type fan and it has improved the duty cycle significantly (that's how long you can weld at high output before it shuts down due to over heating). 48 volts open circuit voltage means it should be relatively easy to start (strike) the arc too, Mine has an o/s voltage around this figure.
 
Yes, I think the IMPAX Air Compressor seems better make for low budget DIY range. Here is a good review on youtube.

I think air tools and hose are not included in the package of the IMPAX, and seems extra purchase :(

 
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I picked up the Impax Air Compressor, and it looks great piece of kit. Very heavy and solid, well made feel. It has 2 gauges.

I am now waiting for the Air Tool Kit from Amabay, and also quick release fittings.

Ordered a cheap used Air Wrench for £17 to use with the compressor.

I have decided not to go for a Welder at this point of time, because I do not have anything particular to weld.

But the compressor will be used a lot for cleaning mowers, tools, shed floors, and putting air into the tyres. Will try the used air wrench as well when it arrives.
 
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Tried the Impax air compressor with air blower gun, and it worked great. It was very loud when charging, and had to wear ear defenders.

As air in the tank was used up, it kicked charging by itself enabling constant use.

Was very effective cleaning saw dust on mitre saw and dirt on other tools. Started with 2 bar, and increased to 4 bar, and was OK.
 
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Some years ago I bought an Aldi air compressor and a few tools. It was great for paint spraying. The little die grinder was the most useful, but the 1500 watt compressor could not keep up. Weak cheapo motor I guess. Small high speed tools are the least efficient users of air.

These days, the Aldi (and Lidl) stuff has a lot more oomph. Which is good as you need as much power from the compressor motor as you can get from a 13A socket. It wont use any more energy because the pump stops when the tank is full.

Better quality kit should have more efficient electric motors but you will never really know for sure.
 
Yes I think aldi lidle tools are good quality and price, and I like them too. But in our local stores, they dont stock the tools I am looking for all the time. But when I go there, and sometimes they have what I am looking for, so its a hit and miss thing. I still have powerplus sanders I got from lidl or aldi about 5 year ago, and they still work great.

But the Impax air compressor seem a good tool to add to any workshop or garage. It is solidly made and heavy. It also cuts out when factory set pressure reached the tank.

Then you set the output pressure with the dial and the smaller gauge, and use.

When the air level goes down in the tank, the compressing kicks in, so you can keep using it all day if needed.

I have air blower gun, tyre pressure gun, paint gun and paraffin gun.
Air wrench arrived yesterday, and still waiting for air drill and air hammmer to arrive.

These tools were all 15-20£ max, and seem well built stuff. Just waiting for quick release connectors to connect them to the air hose.
 
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Torx Bit Socket Set

Is Torques bit socket set useful for working on the Panda? I have a T handle set for both Hex and Trx, but some people say actual socket sets are better.

9pc Torx Bit Socket Set 1/2" Drive: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

I had use them once or twice for assembling a car creep. Cannot see much use for working on the Panda, but I could be wrong.

Someone said that they are must have tool for working on Vauxhall cars. I wonder if you own and use them, and how you feel about it.
 
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Be careful with Torx keys. They can seem ok but the wrong size will strip the screw head.


Find the one that seems to fit then always try the next size up as it will often fit correctly.

I use a set like this. It's done me well for around 10 years and Torx was indispensable on the BMW bike. It also has hex and multi-point spline keys.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/54pc-Tam...102268&hash=item5905bd8d43:g:SXQAAOSw3YNXbWCS

I also have a 1/4 drive Torx set which are handy with a screwdriver handle for small as used on body panels.
 
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This post contains affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
1/4" in the same style as those you've listed are very handy for small jobs. For bigger jobs, I prefer the long hex type as they can be driven by any size 10mm socket or a ring spanner. They come with a 3/8" and a 1/2" adapter/driver.
 
So for more heavy duty stuff, the socket set version of trx and hex set would be better option.

I saw some people raving about them as must have tools, but I have never had occasions when I needed them as such, so was wondering how popular and how useful they are.
 
Tried the air wrench with the Impax air compressor, and it worked great. Very powerful and efficient it felt.

The air drill and air hammer kit arrived as well.

Just stocking the tools, so when I need them, will just take them out and use them instead going and ordering them and waiting a few days to arrive. :)
 
My local Halfords has an SIP air impact wrench. 450 ft/lbs (610nm) at 6 bar so a bit fierce and heavy for whizzing fasteners back into place but there's not much it wont loosen !!!

I like the Li-ion power drill for running nuts into place. Any cheap (lightweight) drill would do the job as it needs minimal power. Set the screwdriver torque so your wrist (and the drill) doesn't get trashed when it bottoms out.
 
Mine is a Silverline air wrench from Amazon Warehouse lightly used one for £17 inc. delivery. It arrived as New, and seems working great.
Li-On ones would be far better for convenience, but reckon would be a lot more pricey?
 
Mine is a Silverline air wrench from Amazon Warehouse lightly used one for £17 inc. delivery. It arrived as New, and seems working great.
Li-On ones would be far better for convenience, but reckon would be a lot more pricey?

Check this out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dewalt-Dcf899P2-Gb-Impact-Wrench-1-2-Square-Drive-18Volt-Xr-Brushless-With-2X5A/112730851403?epid=15026963445&hash=item1a3f48484b&enc=AQADAAADAFjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuqsX8uaFEduVpHGhlXiaKSfxiirlADYlLNaa5Ue98NlBkfWk1Q2PdDtZVYCJzqN7NmB2oTgoShuGP7QJ0j8iXNM1GVgEUqRncQhWWg5f6e2wQoORk7gweheWXALhuuE%2BsfR9%2BRo281Y5y6u4l14hKFz0jWh52Xs7opspTk3hnyhlV3ZrHVBOERL9w2EQAFCHWx3GBaUlYpgvFY25ROGnBDFZt75Lg%2BDukhM%2FukBjeEggSh6UpvfsZbp5%2FPbMm8E3EVUailhzzh5%2BaJdko%2BGYMWdvNed52h9S147il0GulyxpUWOaoiGVZQR3o7kxL98VzPb00Ty0xyYLupWuzwpVsIIM2yAXZ4CdVQ0TVMM%2BFwpjaB8dD0B9i9eZWbJNxEJL2kuT1UnzqUXeHUXCg9DcU4zkj543gHQ3dcQk7Hf9adhW9aHKMHWbs6qf0Lme8zEl5VB9PB7Zq2lYP65iNGZJNO3YqHtbtcAxGYDDLFd5kGzVujBKCmK1pKpFxMyKmnUVW214r7V2d2%2BxiYjb3cE2ejHeBgoF8WBA5r4Qv62rDXNmTI7qn%2FlCZia313NwU9YZkeI51kGCdjoShOsIXpm4QCuhi793AuS22K8sQ%2FzLFhw5tn1iSwrEyLJPM%2Fz5gt4e2OjcB6vzDiVG7cDViZeS5jaMinuKO45PD7woO11n65xeoyqQrOiYvIca9o6N8D2pIE4d7xZRs5nNF0vWbGOrftDNZ2CxaztFj3SVHRF%2BJslIsErHaN6FrxJkB1a9R%2B2yElOtFsdZa7M8msNwxXfZ1ujHK2Rldd64SUVuqvtr90Qd1emt4tksHCdldAzCED1Dru9%2FKm8CKo1UklYeVkq08dC0hNT%2FGj9SWzgqc3FJcpStl1cttMl3p8%2FuFMMzP5CgKES%2BtBWRgG0n0oBqBeTgcBD4GS4gLV6LrcVZwqeZqVjR5aQlMiP%2F0c36gnV%2BW5EUDxwAWJ8gknLtnLz6a1fjp0D6sAZg4bIZRQ%3D%3D&checksum=11273085140372366059a3c94d3eae84e1992afea2ce

Less capable but more handy for continuous use on general jobs
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DeWalt-DCF880N-18v-XR-1-2-Compact-Impact-Wrench-Body-Only/323576479076?epid=1407591019&hash=item4b56a93d64&enc=AQADAAAC8FjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuqsX8uaFEduVwn%2Fe0Z2EOx7ZN%2Bh7v9Lmd4xrPmqNvPyt67V5dWMhKJe0yrtrqOHpepdnvO0dm11CWPAPTcvCg2kRbh69WRNA2LTJ%2FSxN6YQIVAxMvjO4dsTVqV%2BDdfhohekXnBokJHIQj6z9gJddjiEJzW8bxkn63N0soUa9eLu%2FcyNFgWQf0Vm%2F4VLqA%2BFhKfoXZo6q9GHoHWmGyGafti4t6Y4WfOzhNP3oW%2B1gqFb0hpROe3ArwVvNQ0l5meK18%2B2sGM8x9pwcwTJ%2F%2BjoqNRhHSpd0bQs3CPoEpq2W952Vfif4uw60pOJOaNbZGBUlPMWLqegMBJ%2FsXFsIfALkp2feducUsy1hdtDzGH8nUGz%2F4edag9tWOJv8%2FzB2lfTewg%2BRm12b8efHlqYezbC7DH1%2FNjakAg9wmQJmw7dF05sFPMyQkWhAReRSS1OwDn9CFzOdlGB9dvugCd9GFX94i5HxBSOaambNGOQNrl552Y1opacrS4K5TPbOQoijxv9C8UDuIMO%2F%2BOHP9jH4HrcKSAQ4MYdYDFrMkIHXVlVXJeCUrvwJYsSensO7%2BNa%2FuZMLgvjm9BYtZYV4AfaqQKKO9bw29Pwv%2B7FxRtzNC%2FP7oIRf%2BlQNY0FNcAknxpH38kYGuGoEKfwrXmTxvTfhhU9JyGrUgWyhcmC8XhVko1lL7iCu4S2SomYyDyGS%2FDqxe89Sjtr0abjbBWbHU0Z8Z1szGjyqlyY8k0YamLRXDUdq%2BI43LAQxnXvSA2ZedgQ%2FUvvUWbgNx8XhrpjAkjCM%2Bc1JZhNo8KWO%2FxzBwUpUDXKV17EGKjwI55JsGYqVp%2BmfUzGH1N69nOxxmZ%2Bu25lxKqTWrtlkeRKmSuyaO0Q1KRDFPAvda8EvpSBZnDvBHAVP6gpE2LKvmRIOxdjdEj%2BL2C%2BvpcDXMLhU0yINb2dwM2ZA9kUe3F8gTrn8Qsr%2BFceDdj0%2BdjlDVXf%2BiUhB&checksum=323576479076ad6216a99e2a4f2ca973dca35b342f97

At these, prices compressed air looks dirt cheap.

Anything usefully powerful is heavy so you would need something less aggravating to use for most jobs. More money. None of them can be trusted for accurate tightening so a cheap power drill makes an ideal nut runner. Then tighten correctly with spanner or torque wrench.

PS I've no idea why the links are so huge.
 
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Yeah, my whole point of getting the air compressor was partly due to availability of dirt cheap air tools, and the flexibilty on the jobs it can tackle.

My only other power tools in automotive is 40£ Silverline mains powered impact wrench, and couldn't see myself paying out for more other power tools when they cost arm and legs.

15-20£ range of air tools are good enough for me as long as they work :)
 
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