PVR Direct seem not to like adverse reviews of what they sell

[Chris Green]

I recently bought a few bits and pieces from PVR Direct, four items. I decided to review them as one item in particular was rubbish. I gave two bit holders a 4-star rating, some screws a 3-star rating and a hand countersink (which was truly horrible) a 1-star rating.

The three and four star ratings are on the PVR web site now but the one for the countersink isn't. Hmmmmmm??

The countersink (I bought two actually, unfortunately) is a Silverline one, I have quite a lot of other Silverline stuff and for cheap, basic tools they're mostly fine. However the countersink is just a joke, the 'cutting' end is just a badly shaped approximation to a countersink with plating that makes its edges all rounded.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

It's an odd company, Silverline. Their stuff is always cheap - but some of it very good value for money, and some of it rubbish. Bit like Draper used to be. So rather like buying unbranded cheap stuff from China. You take pot luck.

[Andy Burns]

Toolsatan sell quite a lot of of Silverline, but it's not advertised as such, my heart sinks whenever they pass an item over the counter and you realise you're about to play tool roulette ...

I've had a roller extension handle that snapped on the very first push after I'd just poured a bucketful of EPDM adhesive onto a flat roof

I've bought several router bits, only to have some of them refuse to fit the collet

I've bought a dowelling jig that pulled itself several degrees out of square as you tightened it up

Other tools are quite serviceable.

[Huge]

The Silverline rivnut setter I have is OK. Wouldn't want to set any number of rivets with it, though.

[Brian Gaff]

At least you did not get stung for a fine for a bad revue like those people did on another site. Teach them not to read the terms and conditions. Apparently there is a war going on where other vendors are leaving reviews trashing the other and they want to stamp it out. A likely story Mr manager... Brian

[Andy Burns]

Oh yes I have one of those too which showed the strain after just a dozen rivnuts. That might have been me giving it more welly than strictly necessary, but when what was being held was a bannister rail I preferred not to risk it being loose.

[Huge]

It's not the tool, per se, but me. It works like pliars, and it's boodly hard work. If I were going to set any number of rivnuts, rather than just the odd one of two, I'd buy a telescopic setter.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I have one too - and it's given good service. Also a second much more expensive one. Snag with both is an ideal one would have some form of torque setting, rather than relying on your judgement. As it's all too easy to snap the arbor (if I've got the name right) with the small sizes.