Buying tips for the hobby

[level42]

....might be a nice sticky thread....

Anyway here two tips for the Dutchies I guess....

#1:
I needed a security bit set like this to remove some screws from my Ms.Pac Man marquee retainers, a set like this:



I was shocked to find prices like this:

http://www.gerritse.nl/Toebehoren_boren_zagen_slijpen_en_tappen/Schroefbits/Schroefbits_sets/126731/veiligheidsbitsetje_33_delig/

€25 EXCLUDING 21% VAT !!!  

I know, a GOOD quality bit-set is more expensive but this seemed to be one of those cheaper sets....so I dug around a bit more and found this:



And it cost just €4,30 INCL. VAT !!

http://www.toolstation.nl/shop/Gereedschap+accessiores/Bitsets/Veiligheids+bitset+Kort+33+delig/d80/sd650/p92461

Now....I need to use these bits only very rarely, you just need to have them around so I grabbed one of these sets.

Toolstation.nl looks to have other nice prices for loads of tools too. Some brands, some "no name" stuff....they deliver to businesses and private persons and ship for free if your order is over €10
They also have a number of "counters" across Netherlands, I went to the one in Schiedam because I needed the set "now"....

www.Toolstation.nl reminds me a bit of Harbor Freight although these have proper shops AFAIK, toolstation is a web-store with some "counters"  you can visit...

Anyway, worth having a look at !


#2: (this is actually a stolen tip from Etienne, I have to say in all honesty )

Polyester Putty, often referred to on the US sites as "Bondo" is available from lots of brands....I bought "Alabastine" in my local DIY store:



This stuff is priced around €13 for 200 gr. Pretty steep IMHO. Also what I REALLY didn't like is that, contrary to the "real" Bondo, the hardener had almost the SAME color as the "main" stuff. This makes it _very_ hard to know if you have mixed it well enough !

As mentioned, Etienne put info about this alternative in some thread here:



This is for sale at Action stores in The Netherlands (www.action.nl)

The price is only €4 for 485 gr., that's more than twice the volume at 1/3 of the price ! The best thing is, the hardener is RED (just like Bondo) and so it's very easy to know if you mixed it well enough...haven't used it yet but will in a few moments

Anyway, it's worth looking around for alternatives for the expensive "A" brands that often you just pay a lot more for just the brand....

[Etienne MacGyver]

Great idea !

And indeed, the bondo is great.

https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=2828.msg41980#msg41980

Its hard as rock !

[joeks]

Thanks for the tip of the "Action" brand bondo! I am using Albastine Polyester filler right now, this stuff works wonders indeed.
But as you said, you can't tell if you mixed it enough because it's all grey.
Will try the cheaper brand next time!

First thing I tried with the stuff was re-create a missing corner on my DK from Thomas' container
Had to fill the begin and end of the shape again (after taking these pics) because I didn't put enough filler in there. But that was no problem.

[level42]

No offense Joeks, but if this threads wants to succeed as a "buying tips" thread (hopefully sticky) we should really stick close to the topic.
I fully understand your enthusiasm over polyester putty and your work pics look excellent but they're a bit out of place for the above reason

I just used the action bondo, however I still don't really see any color difference once the "red" hardener is fully mixed into the "main" stuff....I am positive I used enough hardener because the first time I used a bit too much, the stuff was dry within 2 minutes instead of the normal 4....

Made a new batch and it worked fine, actually I am tending to think this stuff is better than the Alabastine...

Oh and of course linking to a different thread or website is just fine 

[McVenco]

And it cost just €4,30 INCL. VAT !!

http://www.toolstation.nl/shop/Gereedschap+accessiores/Bitsets/Veiligheids+bitset+Kort+33+delig/d80/sd650/p92461

Wow, thank you VERY much for that tip!! I was actually looking for a few of those bits or screwdrivers, this is just what I needed! 

[level42]

My next tip:

After pretending I never needed this I decided to get one.... a "Molex" pin extractor. You need this tool if you want to easily remove pins from the well known Molex connectors often used in harnesses.

Naturally I wanted to pay close to nothing and this is the cheapest I found:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Male-Female-4-Pin-Molex-Power-Connector-Pin-Remover-Computer-Wire-Extractor-Tool-/150883008517?pt=US_Computer_Case_Accessories_Tool_Kits&hash=item2321540005

The best part it's for both 0.093 and 0.062 sizes.



I still would love this thread to be stickied Bruno

[Muerto]

I have wondered if a tool like this existed - thanks!!!!

-EDIT- just bought one!!! And, please sticky this thread!

[anunaki]

Great tip, I bought one right away

[level42]

LOL, they must be wondering where all those north-west Europe orders come from

[ckong]

Great tip, I bought one right away

me too! 

[anunaki]

not sure if this will preserve the molex connector, hope so

[level42]

Yes that's the whole idea, else you could just as well cut the wires

It's nothing more than a small "pipe" that will slide over the pin, between the pin and the connector hole. It will push down the "ledge" that keeps the pin locked in the connector. So you slide this over a pin and then you can pull the wire out, pin connection intact, ready to be put.....somewhere else maybe

And we're stickied yeaaahhhh  

[Etienne MacGyver]

not sure if this will preserve the molex connector, hope so

You mean the plastic part or the pin ?

it should, because thats why its invented  

the "locking" of the pins you can bend out back in position very carefully with a small screwdriver or some other flat small tool if they are not "locking" anymore..

and no, i did not order one  

EDIT:  Level42 posted while i was typing  

[Luigi]

I will see if I can make one myself

So there is the female side that can be seen and it's for removing the pins from the socket. But what is the male side for?   

[Etienne MacGyver]

i think thats also a female side, but with a different diameter 

The best part it's for both 0.093 and 0.062 sizes.