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Worst DIY purchase ever
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Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 3:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

frewen wrote:
Disappointing though. When you buy something you expect it to be fit for purpose.

The only reason that they sell things that are not fit for purpose is that people accept they are crap because they were cheap and do not take them back to the shop.

Perhaps we should have a concerted campaign of buying crap and taking it back...

But I have to speak up for Silverline: I have failed to break their garden fork, and their strimmer was not bad for the money.

Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 3:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:
Falstaff wrote:
Are you going to take them back and demand a refund ?


It was literally months ago....

So?
Don't forget the bit in their returns policy that says "your statutory rights are not affected".

onemanband



Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Generally I would say Silverline is rubbish.
OTOH there is sometimes a need for cheap tools.
I've owned Silverline cold chisels and were OK and I have a set of Silverline 'glass suckers' that have worked well (as long as you remember they are cheap and loose suction after a minute)

Cheap paint brushes are handy. However I opened a new pack of cheap brushes the other day ....... 3 inch brush handle snapped on first stroke

onemanband



Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

these sort are cheap and handy - can be used with one hand.
I've got half a dozen. Some have ally heads, some have molten plastic heads (they're not ideal for welding ) I have broken a few over the years but generally they're fit for purpose despite price.

kGarden



Joined: 01 Dec 2014
Posts: 178
Location: Suffolk, UK
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

onemanband wrote:
these sort are cheap and handy - can be used with one hand.


I've got some of them, and they have worked well for me. I also have some of these

[img]https://s7g3.scene7.com/is/image/ae235?$p$&layer=0&size=281,281&layer=1&size=281,281&src=ae235/1964C_P[/img]
https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-spring-clamps-6-pack-of-2/1964c

the jaws are narrow, but I find them handy for small jobs, they can be applied with one hand and the clamp pads swivel which keeps them in good contact. 3-quid a pair.

EDIT: Something doesn't like the link to Screwfix's image, their loss for clickthroughs ...

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 5:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I bought these to replace the Silverline:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-spreader-clamp-920mm-36/6525d

Not bad for the price

onemanband



Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 7:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Forgesteel stuff does seem fit for purpose.

One good thing about screwfix is returning defective or not fit for purpose items is really easy.

Bungo



Joined: 21 Dec 2011
Posts: 354
Location: Wye Valley
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 7:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I avoid made in China.

Nick



Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bungo wrote:
I avoid made in China.


If that's to support local industry, that's great. If it's for quality reasons, it's hugely flawed.

BarleyMow



Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 10:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I've recently jumped ship from Screwfix to Toolstation. Quicker and far more polite service in Cheltenham. Slightly cheaper too.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My little bruv is trying to convert me to tool station

BarleyMow



Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 15 11:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Go for it!

Jb



Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 15 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Nick wrote:
Bungo wrote:
I avoid made in China.


If that's to support local industry, that's great. If it's for quality reasons, it's hugely flawed.


It's partially flawed. China is great at making stuff and some of what they make is excellent value for the price; some of the telecsope gear I use is chinese made and, while not top notch, is very good for the price. China is also very good at making ludicrously cheap and shoddy copies of stuff. Without quality control from whoever has contracted them to make something it could come at as unusable garbage (I speak from personal experience).

For what it's worth with tools I look for made in US, Germany or UK. It's not a guarantee but it improves the odds.

Jb



Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 15 9:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

BarleyMow wrote:
I've recently jumped ship from Screwfix to Toolstation. Quicker and far more polite service in Cheltenham. Slightly cheaper too.


I use screwfix because I can order online, with the luxury of going through their catalogue and considering exactly what I want, and then pick up from the nearby branch of Screwfix the same day. Apart from the fact that screwfix is nearer there doesn't seem to be much to choose between them. I'd also praise screwfix because I have had better advice from them than from a specialist supplier (the plumber's merchant told me that what I wanted didn't exist, screwfix had the right part and also showed me that I could replace just a cheaper subcomponent)

The supplier I want to use is toolman. They are a lot more expensive but the sell some well made stuff. (they sell handsaws for £80, but they are hand made to order in sheffield)

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 15 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

i waited 2 days to get a few quid to buy a spanner ,bought a spanner ,end fell off on first turn .

we found a work around but it was annoying and funny

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