The Thermal Arc inverter welder

For many people, the welder is a must in the workshop. This size of a welder is ideal for most farms, well capable of carrying out a range of maintenance and fabrication tasks. The compact size makes it very easy to carry at just 6.5kg, with a shoulder strap supplied. This welder can use up to 4mm electrodes. The welder is also fitted with a thermal overload protection, 50mm output cables and a TIG arc welding option. It comes with a two-year warranty and is priced €320 including VAT.

Welding face shield

To go with the welder, an automatic diming shield is a great gift for the budding fabricator or the seasoned operator. Anyone who has used a welder will have experienced some level of arc-eye. This type of shield allows the welder to see the point of contact for the weld easily. The mask dims the shield glass automatically when the glare from the arc weld starts to work. Prices for the face shield vary from €49 to €400. A shield with a quick diming time is better to protect the eyes and allows for safer tack welding. The shield pictured is priced at €132 including VAT, featuring solar cell power, 1/25,000th of a second to go from light to dark and two shade settings.

Scheppach hydraulic log splitter HL650 (230V 50Hz 2200W - 6.5t)

This machine is on the higher price end for a log splitter and is a quality product. It is priced at €400 including VAT. A gift like this will save a lot of backache for timber fuel lovers. The manufacturer claims that 100 logs of all timber types can be split per hour.

Logs of up 520mm can be dealt with by the machine, with 6.5t ram splitting force delivered by a 3hp electric motor. It is quite compact, so storage is not an issue. However, wrapping it up might be.

Socket sets

For the amateur repair guru, the frustration of meeting an oddball size nut in a difficult position is heartbreaking. Socket sets can make part of an ideal package. Depending on quality, sets can be bought for as little as €30 for smaller sizes.

A nice extra is to get the attachments for all the different screw head types also. King Toni and Snap-on is the high end of the market price range and will be appreciated by people who know their stuff about tools.

If the person really deserves it, then a roller bearing shelved toolbox with all the tools supplied might be the ultimate gift.

LED lighting accessories

This is another gift item that can go down really well and won’t break the bank. Head-band LED lighting is ideal for the busy farmer who needs both hands available at all times. There are many options available and it is important to check the output from the light.

Torches and search lights can be very useful when working on engines or machines. Prices start from as little as €12 for LED lights but you get what you pay for. The best advice is to look at the jobs the light is needed for and get one that suits.

Battery powered grease gun

This is the first of the battery-powered gifts and it is for the person who knows the neighbour won’t have one. The cordless grease gun is powered by a lithium 18V battery. The manufacturer says that the battery will last for approximately 10 grease cartridges in continuous work. The unit comes with two batteries as standard and a charging unit.

Battery charge time is approximately 45 minutes. The gun has two grease delivery settings for high-volume, high-pressure output. It is fitted with a flexible hose and standard nozzle connector. It will allow the operator to hold the nozzle in position while only needing one free hand to pull the trigger. The unit is on offer at the moment at €175 including VAT.

Battery angle grinder

For many, this piece of kit may prove to be invaluable when carrying out a repair in the field when no electrical power is available. Changing plough points with rounded nuts on the end is just one job that comes to mind. Prices can start from the €100 mark for non-premium brands. The DeWalt DCG412M2 18V XR li-ion Cordless Angle Grinder, with 2 x 4.0Ah batteries, is the top-end product and costs around €380 plus VAT. If there are other DeWalt batteries in use on the farm already, the grinder can use them, reducing the cost of the machine. The grinder uses a fan-cooled motor with replaceable brushes that delivers up to 7,000 rotations per minute. The grinder can use up to 125mm cutting discs.

Blow heater

Possibly not a first choice – at €350 it is not a cheap gift. The Fireball 100XD can transform a cold workshop in the winter into a comfortable working environment. The heater runs on a diesel/paraffin mix. The Fireball 100XD heavy duty painted heater gives off 100,000 BTU (29.3kW) heat output which is ideal to heat areas up to 700m³ (24,720 cu.ft). Ideal for use in well ventilated areas. Using an average of 2.8 litres of diesel / paraffin per hour, this heater has been manufactured with a 40-litre fuel tank which allows it to heat for longer. The heater requires a 230v electric supply. It also features a built in thermostat which allows regulating the temperature of the space to be heated.

  • All of the products listed in the article are available at EPT in Carlow.