Every toolbox/shed/workshop should have one

I still slide the wheels under the sills when it’s on stands.

Likewise, and I was told years ago by an ‘old hand’ (am I still allowed to say that?) that even if you’re not actually under said vehicle when it falls off, it still makes jacking the damn thing up again a lot easier....

Me too. I once pushed my Karmann Ghia off the axle stands trying to get the engine back onto the gearbox splines. Went "flump" really gently onto the rear wheels I'd tucked under the back of the floorpans - dropped maybe an inch. I was very lucky.

Things in the garage I can't do without have pretty much all been mentioned - light, angle grinders, hammers, spanners and sockets - but I like some decent music and plenty of time.

Was thinking about this again earlier today, and how some of my most used tools are also the cheapest.

These have got to be up there as one of the best things you can buy.


The humble step drill.
That photo shows what they can do.
I remember being sceptical when I first saw them years ago, but now I do the majority of my drilling with them. And I’m in a workshop environment, so I drill a lot of holes.
They’re neat, they’re accurate, they drill a hole that’s actually round, and they self deburr/chamfer. They’re especially suited to thin sheet Materials like sheetmetal as they don’t grab like spiral drill bits, and are Also well suited to materials that are prone to clogging like aluminium and plastics.

Best part? The £6 a set ones from Aldi and Lidl are just as good as any more expensive ones you will find. If a set last me 6 months or so of fairly regular use, for the weekend warrior they’re going to last years.

You gotta be quick, they go faster than the plasma cutters.

If you have a look on eBay you’ll probably find some for 3 times the original price though 😂

I’d never seen them before over here either despite being in this job for the best part of 20 years. I saw them referenced on a YouTube video and bought one based off that, although quite a few of my American friends hadn’t seen them either.

Finger tight then throw lever ?
Cool - where did you get them ?
James

I may* have acquired a road sign illumination unit when yet another idiot couldn’t see the large roundabout outside my house, despite the road up to it being dead straight for about three quarters of a mile, and helped* the council by clearing up the debris
Makes a grand under car worklight 😀

When you get to a certain age a good magnifying glass!