Impact Wrenches.

[VroomVroomClonk]

I too couldn't justify the cost of a good quality cordless impact wrench, but my need to undo a Volvo crankshaft nut required something. So, I bought this Draper 240v model for £70.

OK, so I have to plug it in when I need it, but equally I have no worries about finding a flat battery on the once in a blue moon time that I use it. It is rated at 480Nm of torque, and I've no idea if that is good or bad compared to others, but it has not yet been defeated by anything I've tried to undo.

[Welton]

Good to see a few comments about "the management" in the household, frustrating when she would see this spending as a "waste"...or rather she won't be getting anything out of it.

I'm sure if our wives/partners had a hobby where purchasing kit was important we wouldn't stand in their way, or question them too much?

There are a few other options to work around this:

1) Lie about the cost of things (risky with Google being handy).

2) Go for the 'buy and announce' approach, this is extremely dangerous and involves making the purchase and simply announcing it when it arrives because you need the thing. Watch out for a seeming acceptance and later backlash.

3) 'Buy and Hide', this is very risky and requires stealth and cunning but can be a rewarding experience if dealt with correctly.

4) (my favourite) 'Buy in Stages', this is the building up of an impressive array of kit but over a greater length of time. Patience is required but the end result is rewarding.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Welton

2) Go for the 'buy and announce' approach, this is extremely dangerous and involves making the purchase and simply announcing it when it arrives because you need the thing. Watch out for a seeming acceptance and later backlash.

My old boss had the right idea.
He's a Man United fan so over the years has spent a lot following them around Europe and further afield.
He would simply announce the day before or on the day itself that he was flying off to XYZ to watch them play.

His logic was this.....
Two things were guaranteed.
1. He was going to go regardless just as he had for 30 years and long before he met her.
2. She was going to complain and give him the silent treatment.

So his thought was, why announce the trip days or weeks in advance then endure days or weeks of arguing either side of the trip when he can eliminate the the pre trip moaning and the overall moaning by 50%?

Football was his only vice and he was a good family man who left them wanting for nothing so I always found his strategy oddly satisfying.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Welton

Good to see a few comments about "the management" in the household, frustrating when she would see this spending as a "waste"...or rather she won't be getting anything out of it.

I'm sure if our wives/partners had a hobby where purchasing kit was important we wouldn't stand in their way, or question them too much?

There are a few other options to work around this:

1) Lie about the cost of things (risky with Google being handy).

2) Go for the 'buy and announce' approach, this is extremely dangerous and involves making the purchase and simply announcing it when it arrives because you need the thing. Watch out for a seeming acceptance and later backlash.

3) 'Buy and Hide', this is very risky and requires stealth and cunning but can be a rewarding experience if dealt with correctly.

4) (my favourite) 'Buy in Stages', this is the building up of an impressive array of kit but over a greater length of time. Patience is required but the end result is rewarding.

or 5) save your money and treat your wife . , you can manage other ways
:-)

[ITSv40]

I must be a lucky b*gger with my management.

I generally announce, ''Trying to do 'xyz' in the garage but I'm struggling and really need a good 'abc' tool to make the job easy but cannot really justify as they are xxxx£''

The answer will usually be. If you need 'abc' then buy one, I don't know why you struggle - let me have the make and model and I will do a Google search to find the best deal.''

I'm happy as I am then waiting for the new toy to arrive. 'er indoors is happy in the knowledge she has sniffed out a good bargain.