Today I....

[OldBear]

Yeah, tell him Brambles

[Nessi]

@Brambles send all the Hairy Haggis you want....
As soon as I open my door they all leg-it
They know I will eat them and wash them doon with a good malt..

but if you have half a hour to waste this vid will pass it slowly for you and tell you what the scanner does..

[Brambles]

Today I have been playing with my new toy..... An impact wrench... rated at 850Nm (nut busting at 1000Nm). Well I do not believe those specs but tell you what --- it is a beast and not a puppy.

Looks like a normal size impact wrench!!!


Oh! its quite big isn't it!!


Cost me £117.29 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJC779Q5
It is really well made and impressed with the quality. Have so far checked the batteries and the cells come from a respected manufacturer and used in many premium cordless tools.

[Roger]

Today I have been playing with my new toy..... An impact wrench... rated at 850Nm (nut busting at 1000Nm). Well I do not believe those specs but tell you what --- it is a beast and not a puppy.

Looks like a normal size impact wrench!!!


Oh! its quite big isn't it!!


Cost me £117.29 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJC779Q5
It is really well made and impressed with the quality. Have so far checked the batteries and the cells come from a respected manufacturer and used in many premium cordless tools.

Nice piece of kit, but I can't justify it any more !

[Brambles]

Nice piece of kit, but I can't justify it any more !

Neither can I really. It is way over kill for most car maintenance tasks, but my Motorhome (Ducato base) does have a few large bolts. When I replaced my crankshaft pulley it would have made the job much easier as struggled with a breaker bar getting the swing underneath the van.
I did think hard about getting a smaller impact wrench and I may treat myself to one as well yet.

[Forlorn Hope]

I treated myself to a similar one about five years ago. I have since found a chuck which fits on the square drive and using the variable speed I use it as a drill and screw driver.

[Brambles]

I treated myself to a similar one about five years ago. I have since found a chuck which fits on the square drive and using the variable speed I use it as a drill and screw driver.

I was reading this is quite a thing now, and you get special impact driver drills which I assume are less brittle so do not break so easily should the driver decide to impact it. I must admit I am really thinking this new impact driver is way overkill. I never expect it to be so powerful. Cordless ones I have used in the past have been rated around 300 Nm but take a while to tighten to 100 to 110 Nm. However I do have to bear in mind I did buy it for breaking free those really tight nuts and bolts. I have been thinking this evening I might go for a cordless ratchet wrench (bare unit) so I can make more use of the batteries.
I am very impressed with the build quality. The Batteries and the unit itself are very well engineered and built, the charger not so much. It smacks of cheapness inside but then so does my Makita charger compared to the drill and batteries. Actually the Ingco brand belongs to a company and factory who make Makita and Bosch power tools and they decided to expand production with their own Brand. It certainly is not your usual Chinese rubbish. Time will tell how good it really is or is not.

[OldBear]

You cant' beat buying quality items and that looks pretty solidly built to me! Interesting that you mention cheaper quality chargers being supplied, I've noticed this with a lot of items as well.
That's a pretty large piece of kit you are holding Brambles, something that size and with that sort of power can worry some folk......

[Nessi]

I treated myself to a similar one about five years ago. I have since found a chuck which fits on the square drive and using the variable speed I use it as a drill and screw driver.

I was reading this is quite a thing now, and you get special impact driver drills which I assume are less brittle so do not break so easily should the driver decide to impact it. I must admit I am really thinking this new impact driver is way overkill. I never expect it to be so powerful. Cordless ones I have used in the past have been rated around 300 Nm but take a while to tighten to 100 to 110 Nm. However I do have to bear in mind I did buy it for breaking free those really tight nuts and bolts. I have been thinking this evening I might go for a cordless ratchet wrench (bare unit) so I can make more use of the batteries.
I am very impressed with the build quality. The Batteries and the unit itself are very well engineered and built, the charger not so much. It smacks of cheapness inside but then so does my Makita charger compared to the drill and batteries. Actually the Ingco brand belongs to a company and factory who make Makita and Bosch power tools and they decided to expand production with their own Brand. It certainly is not your usual Chinese rubbish. Time will tell how good it really is or is not.

I could just imagine adrill bit in that impact driver it would be a neverstick drill

Quality Modern cordless kit has fairly come on over the years, I use a 24v SDS hammer drill and that can put SDS bits through granite walls nearly 1mtr thick...

[Brambles]

Just finished having another and better look at the charger. Its quite well designed and has all the required safety features and isolation, just a shame the assembly of the PCB is a bit rough and fails on the quality of the electrical isolation conformal coating which is skewed half off where it should be but is a secondary belt and braces. I have applied extra conformal coating...can dip it powered up in water now!!!!



and the white bonding adhesive is a mess....

[Brambles]

I could just imagine adrill bit in that impact driver it would be a neverstick drill

Quality Modern cordless kit has fairly come on over the years, I use a 24v SDS hammer drill and that can put SDS bits through granite walls nearly 1mtr thick...

That is impressive.

[Brambles]

I used my new impact wrench today to remove some wheel bolts on my motorhome to repaint a hub cover. On the low setting it whipped them out like they were in butter.
I am really impressed with the wrench and its quality.

[OldBear]

That's an impressive looking motor unit, the whole thing shouts quality in fact!

[OldBear]

Today I...

Cleared the drive of leaves to stop them blowing into the garage, then I washed much Scotland off my Duster, I timed this perfectly, no sooner than I had dried the car off and put her away again the thunderstorm launched an attack, I was going to wash Mrs Bear's car but that didn't happen. Instead I took the dog for her afternoon walk wearing a T-shirt because I was very warm, by the time we got out and down the road it poured whilst the thunder and lightening did it's stuff around us, needless to say we were both soaked on our return

Most of the dust came from Raiders Road which is a very dusty road/trail and pretty rocky surface in places, it is part of the Galloway Forest Park, roughly 10 miles of forest, views, and river stopping and peaceful picnic and stopping areas. They ask a £2.50 fee for driving this road and it's well worth it! It is also a designated dark sky park which means you can go there at night and do a spot of star gazing without any city lights messing up the view. Beautiful

[Brambles]

Raiders Road sounds good. Have googled it and now on my list of places I must visit. This is an area of Scotland I have never really visited properly, just driven the coastal main roads.

[OldBear]

@Brambles I'll pop a few photos up later to whet your appetite in the touring forum, very nice place to vist, as indeed is all of Scotland

[Brambles]

@Brambles I'll pop a few photos up later to whet your appetite in the touring forum, very nice place to vist, as indeed is all of Scotland

Already whetted from photos on Google maps and the Forestry website.
I shall now search for the touring forum...

[Nessi]

Today I
Bought some Haggis eggs

[awbuggrit]

I wondered what the screaming laughter was as I was crossing the Grampians on my way to Findhorn in 1976. It's been a long wait but worth it. Thanks, Nessi.

[Nessi]

I wondered what the screaming laughter was as I was crossing the Grampians on my way to Findhorn in 1976. It's been a long wait but worth it. Thanks, Nessi.

That's one of my local beaches, you chose well

[awbuggrit]

It was most interesting, as I visited the Findhorn commune, the weather was gorgeous and I was a young man-sigh.....Did 1,000 miles in 2 days through some glorious countryside. I enjoyed driving in those days, especially as it was a company car. The years have gone too quickly Nessi.

[Nessi]

You went to see the foundation hippies haha

[OldBear]

Today I
Bought some Haggis eggs

Are you gonna hatch them or eat them, watch the one on the right front though - that's a nasty looking bugger

[Nessi]

Today I
Bought some Haggis eggs

Are you gonna hatch them or eat them, watch the one on the right front though - that's a nasty looking bugger

Gona make Scotch Egg's of course

[OldBear]

I used to buy Scotch eggs sometimes when I was driving a lot for my job, don't think I'll be buying anymore now

[Roger]

Today I
Bought some Haggis eggs

You learn something new every day ! I thought Haggis were born, not hatched.
By the way, are multiple haggis's still just Haggis or Haggises or Haggi ?

[Nessi]

I used to buy Scotch eggs sometimes when I was driving a lot for my job, don't think I'll be buying anymore now

Haggis scotch eggs are for the brave and fearless
they put hairs on yer chest

[Nessi]

Today I
Bought some Haggis eggs

You learn something new every day ! I thought Haggis were born, not hatched.
By the way, are multiple haggis's still just Haggis or Haggises or Haggi ?

The correct terms would be
1 or multiple is still Haggis but the term Haggi can also be used for more than 1

[OldBear]

My vote would be for Haggi as a fitting description of a 2 upward as well

[Brambles]

When a drunk Scotsman is walking home from the Pub and using two pavements and sees a haggis, he says to the lampost "Haggi jushed sheen a haggish?"

Now you know where the word 'haggi' comes from.

[awbuggrit]

You went to see the foundation hippies haha

Yes, having read a book on how it was founded. Must admit I was as far from a hippie that you could get. Driving to Findhorn was the nearest I ever got to a 'trip'!

[Nessi]

When a drunk Scotsman is walking home from the Pub and using two pavements and sees a haggis, he says to the lampost "Haggi jushed sheen a haggish?"

Now you know where the word 'haggi' comes from.

When a pisshed Scotsman is on his way home from the pub, He goes ti the chippy and gets a battered Haggis but because he is seeing double he thinks he has a Haggi

[OldBear]

Today I...

Removed the Angelsey from inside the car, will need to clear out the cow brown stuff from the wheel arches, I think I'll use the pressure washer this time as it took ages with a brush and hosepipe last year, then she'll get a wash. Actually the dirt doesn't show up too much on Urban grey and it also hides the dust fairly well

[awbuggrit]

When a drunk Scotsman is walking home from the Pub and using two pavements and sees a haggis, he says to the lampost "Haggi jushed sheen a haggish?"

Now you know where the word 'haggi' comes from.

When a pisshed Scotsman is on his way home from the pub, He goes ti the chippy and gets a battered Haggis but because he is seeing double he thinks he has a Haggi

I wonder if an angry couple of them would be naggi haggi?. I'll get me bagpipes.......

[OldBear]

Hoots mon, there's haggi loose aboot this hoose.......

[Brambles]

I overlooked posting last week I also ordered a new cordless ratchet wrench to add to my arsenal of tools.
I was going to get a bare unit without battery etc but for an extra £15 get the battery, spare charger and the carry case.

[OldBear]

Mr Brambles, that's real idle man's kit, you should keep using your muscles and struggle a bit..... Like I do

On a more serious note, a very practical addition especially in tight spaces

[awbuggrit]

Now that's battery power that's useful.

[Nessi]

It used to be boys and their toys
now its
men and their bigger toys

[Brambles]

When I was growing up I always asked for tools as Birthday presents etc. But I was always treated as a child. For example when I wanted a set of wood working chisels my Grandfather who was associated with Millers Falls tools sent me a set of chisels - short ones. I was very disappointed and not full size long ones. I another relative said she would get me a wood plane, I got a small blocking plane not a proper smoothing plane.
I wanted a large wood saw.. I got a small tenon saw. I would save up my money and buy 'proper' tools myself but over the years have found these 'small' tools really very useful and soon changed my attitude to any tool I am given, however cheap, small, or not what I asked for is invaluable and useful and I will always appreciate.

[OldBear]

When I was young I took all sorts of things to pieces without any tools, my dear Mum used to call me spanner fingers. Then someone made the mistake of buying me a Meccano set - the old sort where you used your imagination to create something, suddenly the world was mine to take apart, nothing was safe - I never really grew out of this

[Roger]

Today (well this evening)...I
returned from a weekend visit to my 90 year old cousin near Ashford in Kent who still cycles 10 miles each way to see his son on a regular basis.

According to my car's onboard computer I....
Covered 395 miles
MPG 68.2
Gallons used 5.7
Miles to next fill-up 425
Average speed 45mph

Not bad going for my 2013 Stepway dCi, well still pleased

[OldBear]

@Roger That is an absolutely superb result for the mpg and a pretty good average speed too I may say!!

You have a one in a million car Roger, and still looks like new

[Nessi]

Today I

Got a call from a withheld number
So I respected their privacy
and did not bleeding answer it.

[Roger]

@Roger That is an absolutely superb result for the mpg and a pretty good average speed too I may say!!

You have a one in a million car Roger, and still looks like new

It's amazing how the average speed drops off considering I was at motorway speeds (70) most of the time with a few 50mph road works. I live < 5 miles from the M5 then M42, M40, M25, M26 & M20 and a bit of the A20 at the Ashford end.

[OldBear]

@Roger Yes it is very disappointing when you realise your average speed was only around the 40 ish mark especially when using mainly 60/70 speed limit roads! My average speed going to Scotland was in the 37/43 area, just goes to show how even relatively minor hold ups can mess your journey time calculations up.
The only way to improve these times would be to drive much harder and faster

[awbuggrit]

I'm doing well to average 24 mph in my van as it's mostly urban mileage.

[OldBear]

I'm doing well to average 24 mph in my van as it's mostly urban mileage.

ooh you little tearaway

[awbuggrit]

Can't get anywhere near Roger's mpg, 40/42 if I'm lucky.
Nothing to do with the topic but it's been confirmed, we have a fault on our line, hence the dropping out of our internet connection, so please bear with me as you might not always get a prompt reply to postings or PEs.

[Roger]

Can't get anywhere near Roger's mpg, 40/42 if I'm lucky.
Nothing to do with the topic but it's been confirmed, we have a fault on our line, hence the dropping out of our internet connection, so please bear with me as you might not always get a prompt reply to postings or PEs.

Don't forget mine is a 1.5 dCi, the mpg available from this engine is the reason I went diesel.

[OldBear]

Today I....

Decided after removing the couple of centimeters of apocalypse inducing snowfall off the paths, that it was time to venture into the garage. And as a result of this visit and some additional measuring, ordered a metre of black 60mm ID silicone hose and a 60mm OD 300mm length of 60mm OD 45 degree aluminium pipe for an idea I have had for some time, I would have preferred ABS plastic but I cannot find any sadly.....

And if that wasn't enough excitement to contend with, I also bought a couple of Christmas cards - at great expense too I may add

[Brambles]

...sound like all the bits needed to make a snorkel air intake for when you are buried in snow. This has got exciting and look forward to what is coming out of your workshop next.
Presumably has something to do with clearing snow????

My excitement today was ordering a 6" cordless chainsaw for slashing neighbour's tyres should they park in my snow cleared space when I go out.

[Brambles]

Are leaf blowers involved in your idea?

[OldBear]

snorkel intake - you are along the right lines Mr Brambles but you and the more local natives to me will be relieved to know it isn't for snow clearing operations, or a scary form of leaf clearing, however it is related to something I did in advance when I had to replace my grille...

[Brambles]

Ahhhh! you mentioning snow has distracted and misled me. I have a good idea now of what you are doing...... I think.

[OldBear]

My excitement today was ordering a 6" cordless chainsaw for slashing neighbour's tyres should they park in my snow cleared space when I go out.

That is quite understandable, very annoying indeed and selfish - lets hope they don't park there

[awbuggrit]

I reckon you're making a periscope......

[awbuggrit]

What you need is a life sized cut out of our Glorious Leader in your parking space. It'll probably make them move house too

[OldBear]

What you need is a life sized cut out of our Glorious Leader in your parking space. It'll probably make them move house too

Why waste part of a tree when you could glue the real thing to the road (very fashionable activity) and drive over it like a giant speed hump

[Brambles]

Jeepers ..no!! I might damage my nice Duster.

I will stick to using this...

[awbuggrit]

I don't wish to boast but I've got a 14" Ego

[OldBear]

I don't wish to boast but I've got a 14" Ego

We'll need to ask Mrs awbuggrit about this boast

[OldBear]

Jeepers ..no!! I might damage my nice Duster.

I will stick to using this...

I think you underestimate the mighty Duster's abilities, but, I must admit your idea has added appeal

[Brambles]

Jeepers ..no!! I might damage my nice Duster.

I will stick to using this...

I think you underestimate the mighty Duster's abilities, but, I must admit your idea has added appeal

May I remind you the damage a little itty bitty pigeon can do.

[Brambles]

I don't wish to boast but I've got a 14" Ego

I feel so inadequate now.

I actually already have an 18" but its not very versatile when it comes to small bushes.

[OldBear]

May I remind you the damage a little itty bitty pigeon can do.

Oh that wasn't an itty bitty south of the border wimpy coo coo, poo on your car pigeon, it was the full blown hardened Scottish breed brought up on a diet consisting of that fearsome heavy haggis, salt, and roadstone