OK, the responses to “tools you depend on” matched my experience fairly well. Thanks.
New question: Great tools vs.
tools.
Experience has taught me to buy the best tool I can afford. First, cost does not equal quality. I bought a cheap no-name ratchet set 15 yrs. ago to replace my girlfriend’s (wife) starter and it’s still great. Burned out Ryobis, Skils, Makitas, etc. Research, research, research…..
I do everything in remodeling with limitations in HVAC. Doing a lot more cabinetry lately. Grizzly, Festner and other names keep coming up.
Like most of us I can sit down with a copy of Fine Homebuilding or Fine Woodworking and come up with a list of tools “I NEED” for only $20,000.00.
Cheap tools have sometimes surprised me though I only bought them for a one-time emergency (I’ve got Cummins tools that work great) . Low to medium tools have disappointed me too often. But, sometimes, the expensive tools have been the biggest disappointments.
So I guess the question is; what are your favorite tools, worst nightmares and best deals?
Replies
Tough question. But what I have learned is never buy the first edition of any tool. Always bide your time and see what improvments the market place comes uo with.
I agree, especially electronics. I'm perfectly happy to let others be the first adopters. The more decades a tool has a good rep the better.
I used to do car audio and electronics- the run of the mill Craftsman hand tools pizzed me off so many times I went to Snap-On for the ones I used the most, like combo wrenches sockets, ratchets/extensions and screwdrivers. I have dropped my Snap-On chrome plated tools on concrete I don't know how many times and have never replaced one because the plating was flaking off. I shattered Craftsman Phillips screwdriver tips when they were new and they wore out too fast. Never liked their ratchets much and when I needed to replace the swivel-head Snap-On that someone left in a customer's truck, I bought a Craftsman. What a PITA! If I need a tool that I don't expect to use a lot or won't see hard use, I go cheap in some cases. If it's an all day, every day tool, I get the good ones. I used Makita 7.2V drills for working on cars and they were great- not too big, not too much that bolts broke or screws stripped but they took whatever they got and never broke. Other than the time I dropped one from a ladder and a gear shaft snapped. Out of three drills, that's the only part I ever replaced and I bought them in '88. I have replaced very few Snap-On tools and I still use them a lot. I absolutely refuse to spend more than a couple of bucks on a slotted screwdriver. They aren't worth having and their time has passed so I will never buy an expensive one.You're right about waiting- I have learned to not be the first on my block with most things.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."