OT-A little story about Amtech tools

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

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

keep up the good work :)

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

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

You have mail :-)

So have you ;-}

On or around Sat, 14 Jan 2006 00:01:37 GMT, "Derek" enlightened us thusly:

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...

Peter R.

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.

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.

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

Still waiting .....

the lazy buggers! I have a shop near me so i always just visit in person.

On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 12:14:02 +0000, Mother scribbled the following nonsense:

mine from MM was completely assembled, but then it was the display model and I got some £ knocked off for that!