What Tool Shops Do You Use?

Cloughy

Afternoon all. During Covid-19 lockdown, I've really picked up the DIY bug but I don't have a lot of tools, especially specialist items. Does anyone here use tool hire shops regularly, and, if so, where do you find offers the best prices, range?

stuart45

I use Eagle plant a lot.

FreeBear

Depends on what tool I need. Small power tools, I'll usually buy - If it is something that I might only use once in a while (like a wall chaser), second hand off ebay. Cement mixers, I could borrow one from a neighbour, but I usually mix by hand in a wheelbarrow. The last time I hired anything was a strong boy & acro - Both from a local independent hire shop.

daivid

Local tool hire for anything too expensive/specialist to buy. Everyday bits from Toolstation or Screwfix, power tools online if cheaper. Hand tools for woodworking, which I'm slowly building up a collection of, from a house clearance style auction house or if I really want something good quality now from online woodworking shops.

Rosa_Damascena

I'm a novice but I always found Screwfix and Toolstation to be helpful for click and collect / deliveries for larger items. Truth be told, I couldn't tell the difference between them pre-pandemic (they sit cheek by jowl within the industrial estate in my town) but I sure did once lockdown was over. The Screwfix website crucially offered full product details including dimensions, whereas Toolstation did not, and their telephone "CS" were none the wiser. When it came to click and collect, Screwfix was well organised, in and out and Toolstation was one big shambles both regarding the so-called queuing system and lacking stock that was supposed to be in at the time of ordering.

I have no plans to look at Toolstation online again.

stator

Toolstation and Tooled-Up and CPC (not really a tool shop) and Ironmongery Direct are the shops I use for this sort of thing.

daivid

Rosa_Damascena said:

I'm a novice but I always found Screwfix and Toolstation to be helpful for click and collect / deliveries for larger items. Truth be told, I couldn't tell the difference between them pre-pandemic (they sit cheek by jowl within the industrial estate in my town) but I sure did once lockdown was over. The Screwfix website crucially offered full product details including dimensions, whereas Toolstation did not, and their telephone "CS" were none the wiser. When it came to click and collect, Screwfix was well organised, in and out and Toolstation was one big shambles both regarding the so-called queuing system and lacking stock that was supposed to be in at the time of ordering.

I have no plans to look at Toolstation online again.

I would agree that the Screwfix online catalogue is much better. As for organisation since the pandemic started I've found the two stores where I live to be faultless, though Toolstation may unfairly edge it as some of their staff know me by name so often have my order ready by the time I get to the door. For me TS almost always wins on price and (where I live) all their staff know something about DIY or construction so can offer useful advice whereas SF is more of an 'Argos for DIY' and whilst they have a couple of knowledgeable staff, most seem unable to give any more insight than reading the catalogue description (again this I'm sure varies by store). Toolstation also has a lower threshold for free delivery.

Cloughy

I like those shops when I need to buy something I'd use again, but for wacker plates and mixers, I don't really have anyone I could borrow from.
I used to use www.mammoth-hire.co.uk years ago, but haven't tried them for a few years now.

Rosa_Damascena

I'm looking to hire a wood chipper to feed some branches through, but anything for branches >3" thick looks like a truck and is extortionately priced! If I have to chop branches up with my axe then I might as well just stick them in a builders bag and take them to the tip.

Why is shredder hire so expensive? I could but one on Gumtree for less but I just don't have the storage space for it.

FreeBear

For branch wood  >3", chop it in to 12" lengths and stack it somewhere sheltered to season. Once dry (20% moisture content or less), use it on the fire or sell it.

Rosa_Damascena

FreeBear said:

For branch wood  >3", chop it in to 12" lengths and stack it somewhere sheltered to season. Once dry (20% moisture content or less), use it on the fire or sell it.

Its been sitting there for 2 years, fully seasoned now. Have tried to give it away and I can't! Its just a big eyesore now and I want to clear it away.