OT-A little story about Amtech tools

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Derek

Guest
I have a few air tools including an Amtech 1/2" impact wrench and very
handy they are too ( I like my knuckles ungrazed ) . I had a problem with
the Amtech when it stopped spinning traced down to the end -plate gasket on
the body leaking air, now its not rocket science so I cut a new one out of
gasket card and it worked . Came to use it 3 weeks ago and b*gg*r me its
leaking again obviously not a good enough solution, so checked the website
and found the email contact and dropped em a missive asking could I buy new
gaskets ( always get a spare ) no reply so I phoned the numpty's this am
from the office
got a young feller and explained what I needed when he asked which company I
gave him both barrels ( big company = more clout ) he asked me to hang on
and put me through to somone senior who tried the run around they don't sell
the tools online ,er only supply to retailers bother them , er theres only
a 3 month guarantee ( does the OFT kow about that?) er, as they are cheap
they don't keep spares er spares would cost more than the tool - paper
gasket 30p ?? which has rather coloured my impression of that company and
the possibilty that I may buy any products from them in the future.
Derek
( role model to Victor Meldrew)


 
Derek wrote:
> I have a few air tools including an Amtech 1/2" impact wrench and very
> handy they are too ( I like my knuckles ungrazed ) . I had a problem with
> the Amtech when it stopped spinning traced down to the end -plate gasket on
> the body leaking air, now its not rocket science so I cut a new one out of
> gasket card and it worked . Came to use it 3 weeks ago and b*gg*r me its
> leaking again obviously not a good enough solution, so checked the website
> and found the email contact and dropped em a missive asking could I buy new
> gaskets ( always get a spare ) no reply so I phoned the numpty's this am
> from the office
> got a young feller and explained what I needed when he asked which company I
> gave him both barrels ( big company = more clout ) he asked me to hang on
> and put me through to somone senior who tried the run around they don't sell
> the tools online ,er only supply to retailers bother them , er theres only
> a 3 month guarantee ( does the OFT kow about that?) er, as they are cheap
> they don't keep spares er spares would cost more than the tool - paper
> gasket 30p ?? which has rather coloured my impression of that company and
> the possibilty that I may buy any products from them in the future.
> Derek
> ( role model to Victor Meldrew)
>
>


I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem last year with a
Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version with air compressor, jump
starter and 12V power supply). I'd used it to power a cool box which was
left in the tent (we were camping) knowing the battery would be flat
when I returned. Sure enough it was but that shouldn't be a problem -
recharge it from the cigarette lighter socket on the car. A few seconds
after connecting it up there was a smell of burning and large quantities
of smoke coming from the jump start unit - bugger!

Took the back off and found a small pcb inside which was toast. So bad I
couldn't actually identify what the components were! Like you, I emailed
Clarke to see about a spare - no answer. Called them; don't keep spares
for that item - not economically viable as they never go wrong. Yeah, right!

A search of the Internet revealed these things are actually made in
China (now there's a surprise) and sold to quite a few companies around
the world. Eventually I got to speak to a really nice guy in the States.
Yep, they can let me have a spare. How much? $1 ... sorry, did you say
£1? Yep. Postage to the UK? £45! Just a minute, the part is £1 but you
want £45 to mail it to me? That's correct, sir, comes by FedEx 48hr
service. Ok, just stick it in a jiffy bag and send it air mail, how much
is that? $45 ... it's the only export mail price on the computer system :-(

Anybody want a Clarke's jump start unit that won't charge?


--
Regards

Steve G
 
On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 22:52:43 GMT, SteveG <_@_._> wrote:


>I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem last year with a
>Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version with air compressor, jump
>starter and 12V power supply). I'd used it to power a cool box which was
>left in the tent (we were camping) knowing the battery would be flat
>when I returned. Sure enough it was but that shouldn't be a problem -
>recharge it from the cigarette lighter socket on the car. A few seconds
>after connecting it up there was a smell of burning and large quantities
>of smoke coming from the jump start unit - bugger!
>
>Took the back off and found a small pcb inside which was toast. So bad I
>couldn't actually identify what the components were! Like you, I emailed
>Clarke to see about a spare - no answer. Called them; don't keep spares
>for that item - not economically viable as they never go wrong. Yeah, right!
>
>A search of the Internet revealed these things are actually made in
>China (now there's a surprise) and sold to quite a few companies around
>the world. Eventually I got to speak to a really nice guy in the States.
>Yep, they can let me have a spare. How much? $1 ... sorry, did you say
>£1? Yep. Postage to the UK? £45! Just a minute, the part is £1 but you
>want £45 to mail it to me? That's correct, sir, comes by FedEx 48hr
>service. Ok, just stick it in a jiffy bag and send it air mail, how much
>is that? $45 ... it's the only export mail price on the computer system :-(
>
>Anybody want a Clarke's jump start unit that won't charge?


Keep the batteries from it for the next one you buy, they're all the
same anyway.

Alex
 
Derek <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have a few air tools including an Amtech 1/2" impact wrench...
> they don't keep spares er spares would cost more than the tool ...


Frankly I'm not surprised. I've only ever seen that brand in street
markets, boot-fairs and ebay.

> Derek
> ( role model to Victor Meldrew)


keep up the good work :)

--
William Tasso
 

Odd that Steve I noticed some time ago that the Amtech impact is a dead
ringer for the Clarke impact ( and a good few others) I think I can see a
pattern don't you of course I could pop into Machine mart and bend an ear.
Surely someone keeps spares I have Sip down for a visit next week who guess
what sell the same meanwhile its back to paper cutting, btw vis a vis
shipping from the US ( I know you can't in this instance unless you can talk
to someone sensible) we are still using US Post office priority mail pouches
the weight limit is 4lb and it costs $9 - $11 its as quick as using the
Parcel Post from London
Derek


 
SteveG wrote:
> Derek wrote:
>> I have a few air tools including an Amtech 1/2" impact wrench and
>> very handy they are too ( I like my knuckles ungrazed ) . I had a
>> problem with the Amtech when it stopped spinning traced down to the
>> end -plate gasket on the body leaking air, now its not rocket
>> science so I cut a new one out of gasket card and it worked . Came
>> to use it 3 weeks ago and b*gg*r me its leaking again obviously not
>> a good enough solution, so checked the website and found the email
>> contact and dropped em a missive asking could I buy new gaskets (
>> always get a spare ) no reply so I phoned the numpty's this am from
>> the office got a young feller and explained what I needed when he asked which
>> company I gave him both barrels ( big company = more clout ) he
>> asked me to hang on and put me through to somone senior who tried
>> the run around they don't sell the tools online ,er only supply to
>> retailers bother them , er theres only a 3 month guarantee ( does
>> the OFT kow about that?) er, as they are cheap they don't keep
>> spares er spares would cost more than the tool - paper gasket 30p ??
>> which has rather coloured my impression of that company and the
>> possibilty that I may buy any products from them in the future. Derek
>> ( role model to Victor Meldrew)
>>
>>

>
> I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem last year
> with a Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version with air compressor,
> jump starter and 12V power supply). I'd used it to power a cool box which
> was left in the tent (we were camping) knowing the battery would be
> flat when I returned. Sure enough it was but that shouldn't be a problem -
> recharge it from the cigarette lighter socket on the car. A few
> seconds after connecting it up there was a smell of burning and large
> quantities of smoke coming from the jump start unit - bugger!
>
> Took the back off and found a small pcb inside which was toast. So
> bad I couldn't actually identify what the components were! Like you,
> I emailed Clarke to see about a spare - no answer. Called them; don't
> keep spares for that item - not economically viable as they never go wrong.
> Yeah,
> right!
> A search of the Internet revealed these things are actually made in
> China (now there's a surprise) and sold to quite a few companies
> around the world. Eventually I got to speak to a really nice guy in the
> States. Yep, they can let me have a spare. How much? $1 ... sorry,
> did you say £1? Yep. Postage to the UK? £45! Just a minute, the part is £1 but
> you
> want £45 to mail it to me? That's correct, sir, comes by FedEx 48hr
> service. Ok, just stick it in a jiffy bag and send it air mail, how
> much is that? $45 ... it's the only export mail price on the computer
> system :-(
> Anybody want a Clarke's jump start unit that won't charge?


Might be able to help, email me, my spamtrap is simpler than yours!

--
"He who says it cannot be done is advised not to interrupt her doing
it."

If at first you don't succeed,
maybe skydiving's not for you!


 
GbH wrote:

>
> Might be able to help, email me, my spamtrap is simpler than yours!
>


You have mail :)

--
Regards

Steve G
 
SteveG wrote:
> GbH wrote:
>
>>
>> Might be able to help, email me, my spamtrap is simpler than yours!
>>

>
> You have mail :)


So have you ;-}

--
"He who says it cannot be done is advised not to interrupt her doing
it."

If at first you don't succeed,
maybe skydiving's not for you!


 
On or around Sat, 14 Jan 2006 00:01:37 GMT, "Derek"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>
>Odd that Steve I noticed some time ago that the Amtech impact is a dead
>ringer for the Clarke impact ( and a good few others) I think I can see a
>pattern don't you of course I could pop into Machine mart and bend an ear.


I've got one that's feeble, and I'm about to take it back to the place I
bought it. I guess a 30-quid tool is as good as you expect, but this one
won't even undo landy wheelnuts, which aren't excatly super-tight. claims
to do 230 ft-lbs, but in reality manages about 70.

I reckon most of these cheap guns are the same one, badged differently. Will
see what my supplier says...
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right
is to be none the less free than you were before."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180), from Meditations, VIII.16
 
On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 09:03:12 +0000, Austin Shackles
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On or around Sat, 14 Jan 2006 00:01:37 GMT, "Derek"
><[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>>
>>Odd that Steve I noticed some time ago that the Amtech impact is a dead
>>ringer for the Clarke impact ( and a good few others) I think I can see a
>>pattern don't you of course I could pop into Machine mart and bend an ear.

>
>I've got one that's feeble, and I'm about to take it back to the place I
>bought it. I guess a 30-quid tool is as good as you expect, but this one
>won't even undo landy wheelnuts, which aren't excatly super-tight. claims
>to do 230 ft-lbs, but in reality manages about 70.
>
>I reckon most of these cheap guns are the same one, badged differently. Will
>see what my supplier says...


Try an Ingersoll Rand. Their prices are not to bad, and they're pro
tools. I got an 1/2 impact, in a kit with 7 or so impact grade
sockets, allegedly goes to about 850 Nm, 4 way adjustable, for about
100 Quid.

Peter R.
 
>>>>> "SteveG" == SteveG <_@_._> writes:

SteveG> I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem
SteveG> last year with a Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version
SteveG> with air compressor, jump starter and 12V power

I lost the mains charger for mine. Called Machine Mart. 2 quid-odd +
postage, arrived in a week or so.

Sometimes the retailer is the best route for some of this stuff.



--
Andy Cunningham -- www.cunningham.me.uk

 
AndyC the WB wrote:
>>>>>> "SteveG" == SteveG <_@_._> writes:

>
> SteveG> I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem
> SteveG> last year with a Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version
> SteveG> with air compressor, jump starter and 12V power
>
> I lost the mains charger for mine. Called Machine Mart. 2 quid-odd +
> postage, arrived in a week or so.
>
> Sometimes the retailer is the best route for some of this stuff.
>
>
>


The operative word there is "sometimes". If they don't hold spares
though they're about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.

--
Regards

Steve G
 
On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:42:02 GMT, SteveG <_@_._> wrote:

>AndyC the WB wrote:
>>>>>>> "SteveG" == SteveG <_@_._> writes:

>>
>> SteveG> I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem
>> SteveG> last year with a Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version
>> SteveG> with air compressor, jump starter and 12V power
>>
>> I lost the mains charger for mine. Called Machine Mart. 2 quid-odd +
>> postage, arrived in a week or so.
>>
>> Sometimes the retailer is the best route for some of this stuff.
>>

>
>The operative word there is "sometimes". If they don't hold spares
>though they're about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.


In my experience machine mart have always been pretty good for bits
and pieces for the stuff they sell - and they guys in the shop always
seem to know their stuff.
 
Tom Woods wrote:
> On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:42:02 GMT, SteveG <_@_._> wrote:
>
>> AndyC the WB wrote:
>>>>>>>> "SteveG" == SteveG <_@_._> writes:
>>> SteveG> I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem
>>> SteveG> last year with a Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version
>>> SteveG> with air compressor, jump starter and 12V power
>>>
>>> I lost the mains charger for mine. Called Machine Mart. 2 quid-odd +
>>> postage, arrived in a week or so.
>>>
>>> Sometimes the retailer is the best route for some of this stuff.
>>>

>> The operative word there is "sometimes". If they don't hold spares
>> though they're about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.

>
> In my experience machine mart have always been pretty good for bits
> and pieces for the stuff they sell - and they guys in the shop always
> seem to know their stuff.


Just for the hell of it I'll give them a call tomorrow and let you know
what they say.

--
Regards

Steve G
 
On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:47:27 +0000, Tom Woods <[email protected]>
wrote:

>In my experience machine mart have always been pretty good for bits
>and pieces for the stuff they sell - and they guys in the shop always
>seem to know their stuff.


Yeah. I'm going to have to keep away from Machine Mart - recent
purchases include an engine hoist and an engine stand - the former was
'interesting' to assemble with totally inaccessible space to try and
get nuts on bolts for the casters - resulted in a slipped disc in mi
back...


--
"We have gone from a world of concentrated knowledge and wisdom to one
of distributed ignorance. And we know and understand less while being
increasingly capable." Prof. Peter Cochrane, formerly of BT Labs
In memory of Brian {Hamilton Kelly} who logged off 15th September 2005
 
Mother wrote:

> Yeah. I'm going to have to keep away from Machine Mart - recent
> purchases include an engine hoist and an engine stand - the former was
> 'interesting' to assemble with totally inaccessible space to try and
> get nuts on bolts for the casters - resulted in a slipped disc in mi
> back...


Must be from the same factory as my one - I hadn't tracked my disc
problems to that, but it happened about the same time as I did battle
with those feckin' casters. I finished up putting in the bolts from
inside the box section, then cutting them off flush with the nuts with
my angle grinder. Next time (never I hope) I'll use rivnuts in the box
section, or buy a preassembled one.

--
EMB
 
SteveG wrote:
> Tom Woods wrote:
>> On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:42:02 GMT, SteveG <_@_._> wrote:
>>
>>> AndyC the WB wrote:
>>>>>>>>> "SteveG" == SteveG <_@_._> writes:
>>>> SteveG> I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem
>>>> SteveG> last year with a Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version
>>>> SteveG> with air compressor, jump starter and 12V power
>>>>
>>>> I lost the mains charger for mine. Called Machine Mart. 2 quid-odd +
>>>> postage, arrived in a week or so.
>>>>
>>>> Sometimes the retailer is the best route for some of this stuff.
>>>>
>>> The operative word there is "sometimes". If they don't hold spares
>>> though they're about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.

>>
>> In my experience machine mart have always been pretty good for bits
>> and pieces for the stuff they sell - and they guys in the shop always
>> seem to know their stuff.

>
> Just for the hell of it I'll give them a call tomorrow and let you know
> what they say.
>


Well they didn't just tell me to go forth ... but I'm still waiting for
the call back :)

--
Regards

Steve G
 
On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 01:20:43 +1300, EMB <[email protected]> wrote:

>Mother wrote:
>
>> Yeah. I'm going to have to keep away from Machine Mart - recent
>> purchases include an engine hoist and an engine stand - the former was
>> 'interesting' to assemble with totally inaccessible space to try and
>> get nuts on bolts for the casters - resulted in a slipped disc in mi
>> back...

>
>Must be from the same factory as my one - I hadn't tracked my disc
>problems to that, but it happened about the same time as I did battle
>with those feckin' casters. I finished up putting in the bolts from
>inside the box section, then cutting them off flush with the nuts with
>my angle grinder. Next time (never I hope) I'll use rivnuts in the box
>section, or buy a preassembled one.


T'would have been sooo easy to have captive or welded nuts in there -
like the engine stand has for the two side legs.

I do also wonder what prat writes the assembly manuals for Machine
Mart / Clark Tools - prolly the same sadistic bastard who used to
write the (admittedly intentionally incorrect) Meccano manuals of the
60s and 70s...


--
"We have gone from a world of concentrated knowledge and wisdom to one
of distributed ignorance. And we know and understand less while being
increasingly capable." Prof. Peter Cochrane, formerly of BT Labs
In memory of Brian {Hamilton Kelly} who logged off 15th September 2005
 
Mother wrote:

> I do also wonder what prat writes the assembly manuals for Machine
> Mart / Clark Tools - prolly the same sadistic bastard who used to
> write the (admittedly intentionally incorrect) Meccano manuals of the
> 60s and 70s...


You're lucky - i got a piece of paper with a picture, and about 2
paragraphs of incomprehensible chinglish. And I hope the welding on
your one is a little neater than some of the welding on mine - I'll be
giving mine a grind and reweld over the winter.

--
EMB
 
SteveG wrote:
> SteveG wrote:
>> Tom Woods wrote:
>>> On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:42:02 GMT, SteveG <_@_._> wrote:
>>>
>>>> AndyC the WB wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> "SteveG" == SteveG <_@_._> writes:
>>>>> SteveG> I sympathise with your lot Derek. Had a similar problem
>>>>> SteveG> last year with a Clarke jump start unit (3-in-one version
>>>>> SteveG> with air compressor, jump starter and 12V power
>>>>>
>>>>> I lost the mains charger for mine. Called Machine Mart. 2 quid-odd +
>>>>> postage, arrived in a week or so.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sometimes the retailer is the best route for some of this stuff.
>>>>>
>>>> The operative word there is "sometimes". If they don't hold spares
>>>> though they're about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.
>>>
>>> In my experience machine mart have always been pretty good for bits
>>> and pieces for the stuff they sell - and they guys in the shop always
>>> seem to know their stuff.

>>
>> Just for the hell of it I'll give them a call tomorrow and let you
>> know what they say.
>>

>
> Well they didn't just tell me to go forth ... but I'm still waiting for
> the call back :)
>


Still waiting .....

--
Regards

Steve G
 
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