Best Tools I Ever Bought

[Canuk]

I have to admit to paying over the odds for a nice example of this tool. When in Rome, buy Campagnolo!

 

[RobLoasby]

Radium (Ra-226) or Promethium (Pm-147),n was used until the middle of the 90ties fur watch dials and avionics displays. Radium was (and still is) quite a fierce beta emitter with a half life of 12.3 years. But even full force on your wrist, you still only being irradiated with 1/100th of your yearly safe dose per year.

Back in the 1960s, the GPO (later BT) brought out the Trimphone. One of its selling points was a luminous dial, containing tritium. The central stores, where thousands of them ended up being stored, were told to take radiation precautions, and they were soon withdrawn and the dials passed on to the UK Atomic Energy Authority for them to safely dispose of.

 

[Canuk]

This vintage Fossil watch had Tritium coated glow in the dark hands. Same stuff they used to make Hydrogen bombs. Suits you Sir!

 

[Canuk]

These little Mafac toolkits were the bomb! Originally I think they were leather, then embossed plastic. Can still be had for cheap

 

[Canuk]

This pneumatic, foot operated workshop stand. Pneumatic clamps for two bikes. I love it!

 

[Canuk]

The above pneumatic bike stand is selling for a ridiculous cheap 300 quid equivalent, all in gwo. Trouble is it's near Geneva, on the French/Swiss border and that's a 7hr drive each way for me.... Tempted?

Yep!

 

[Canuk]

VAR #34 headset press. £30! There's a cutter that goes with this, but the die is rarely available for less than a ton

 

[frkl]

These little Mafac toolkits were the bomb! Originally I think they were leather, then embossed plastic. Can still be had for cheap

I've got one too, but have never really used it. Do you actually use yours as a toolkit on the road?

 

[Canuk]

I've got one too, but have never really used it. Do you actually use yours as a toolkit on the road?

I've used it once, not the best of gear, but functional!

 

[Canuk]

They did make a leather version pre 1950, but I've never been able to find one. I guess they just disintegrated over time and usage. One day though....