Tools That you Wouldn't BUY AKA. Tools that ****!!

[W-Cummins]

We have the tools we love posts, the tools we haven't used posts. So here is a Tools we never want to use again post!


So here's one I HATE ( but others love ) The Cheep TOTALY worthless 4X6 chiwaneese bandsaws

 

[dink]

Stanley tape measures is one of my tops....my wife keeps her tiny little 12' stanley tape measurer in my box......they are over rated

Dewalt power tools

Gatorgrip universal socket...totally worthless


There are probably more

 

[Coach James]

I add Sears Robogrip pliers to the list of hated tools. They should be called Roundoffgrip.

Also my JS600 Black and Decker jig saw. After a year it wouldn't cut a straight line even when I used a speed square as a cutting guide. I now have a Bosch 1590 and the B&D is my loaner. After using that POS, nobody will ever ask me to borrow a tool again.

Coach

 

[dink]

I add Sears Robogrip pliers to the list of hated tools. They should be called Roundoffgrip.

Also my JS600 Black and Decker jig saw. After a year it wouldn't cut a straight line even when I used a speed square as a cutting guide. I now have a Bosch 1590 and the B&D is my loaner. After using that POS, nobody will ever ask me to borrow a tool again.

Coach

I agree with Black and Decker

 

[Wolverine]

I really don't like my aluminum HF jack. Many on this site have been happy with theirs, but I'm not too fond of it. I would'nt get a new one!

 

[Katbird]

Dink... you don't like dewalt power tools? all of my power tools are dewalt including my cordless drills and skill saws and saws all, even my biscuit cutter and planer are dewalt. I have 2 1/2" drills and a hammer drill and several routers that are dewalt. I agree with coach james that all black and decker are no good. I have had several black and decker and skill and have given them away.

 

[Brian]

Anything that says, "AS SEEN ON TV" on the package.

Anything with a pointless marketing tie in. "official Nascar socket extensions".
Real tools don't need a gimmick and why pay more for it.

Locking pliers not made by Vise Grip. I havn't found any yet that worked well.

 

[dink]

Dink... you don't like dewalt power tools? all of my power tools are dewalt including my cordless drills and skill saws and saws all, even my biscuit cutter and planer are dewalt. I have 2 1/2" drills and a hammer drill and several routers that are dewalt. I agree with coach james that all black and decker are no good. I have had several black and decker and skill and have given them away.

Yep I dont like Dewalt....lets move on

 

[Wolverine]

I really don't like my aluminum HF jack. Many on this site have been happy with theirs, but I'm not too fond of it. I would'nt get another one!

 

[l_bilyk]

Gatorgrip
Anything black & decker
Crescent pliers (unless they are 50% off)
Not a fan of ryobi
Stanley tool boxes with the tin trim
Anything by skil made in the last 20 years
Any rubber-handled screwdrivers (not because they're bad, i just hate them)

Now I feel i should chime in on the DeWalt issue. I do not own any dewalt tools currently because i feel that (while they are overall good tools), they do not do anything particularly well. I feel that they are not as tough as milwaukee, not as light as makita, and not as innovative as bosch. And I don't like yellow Just my $0.02 CAN. I know many people love them.

 

[Jared]

doesn't black and decker make dewalt power tools?

 

[Elroy]

Elroy vote for the most useless tool would have to go to; left handed screws extractors. Those things look like they would work but my experience has been they just spread the broken off part into the hole and make removal of the broken part worse than it needs to be. Elroy only uses the square type!

 

[rockwithjason]

Stanley screwdrivers! grrrrrrrrr.

 

[KeukaDan]

Stanley tape measures is one of my tops....my wife keeps her tiny little 12' stanley tape measurer in my box......they are over rated

Dewalt power tools

Gatorgrip universal socket...totally worthless


There are probably more

What about Dewalt power tools do you specifically not like? I have had very good luck using mine for some really tough jobs and they were great. I am not saying that they are the best but for what I paid for them they are better than anything else for the price. I would just like to know what Dewalt tools have been bad for you and why you assume they are all bad.

I agree that Black and Decker tools arent great but there is a need for a cheap homeowner line.

 

[eschoendorff]

I add Sears Robogrip pliers to the list of hated tools. They should be called Roundoffgrip.

Coach

Robogrip my a$$!!!!! Those things are awful! Let's see... other worthless tools... well, I have found that most saw blades (specifically for the sawzall) are useless unless they say Milwaukee, Morse, or Lenox on them. Oh, and those special tools that come with Stihl power equipment. There is a sprak plug wrench on one end and a T27 torx on the other. What the hell do they make those things out of? Brass? I used to twist off the torx end on a regular basis. Then I got smart and started using decent torx bits instead of the "special tool." I will say, though, that the Stihl power equipment itself kicks major ****. Wouldn't be caught with anything else.

Oh... and they're not tools, but they've been really driving me nuts lately. Any fasteners from the Hillman Co (as found in many hardware stores). The stuff is from China and it aint worth the box it comes in. I have twisted apart enough lag bolts (with a ratchet no less!) to suit me for a lifetime. Apparently lag bolts are no longer designed to be reusable. Thread finish is awful, too.

 

[eschoendorff]

Stanley screwdrivers! grrrrrrrrr.

Any type specifically, or just their screwdrivers in general? Their cheap chrome ones seem to be made of real soft material...

 

[kartracer55]

HD hardware blows.


Anyway Robogrip pliers are a total waste of $$$. I have yet to have need for mine lol.

My HF safety wire pliers function, but thats about it. I hate the fact that they are from china ( it kills me) and the finish looks like ***, they arnt all that user friendly,=, but not bad for 10$ haha

Dink, Have you even used any?! I mean like not just played with them but actually used them for a job? They are awesome. I use a dewalt 18v cordless for almost every job, including drilling steel. Its safe to say it gets used more than the milwaukee corded drill.

Aside from the new lithium ion batteries, the 18v drills are more powerful and slightly lighter than thier milwaukee counterparts as well. I like milwaukee stuff, but I think Dewalt's cordless line tops Milwaukees.

I also happen to know the schools woodshop uses a TON of dewalt stuff, and that to me is the biggest test... Being abused all day long by people who dont care or maintain the equipment.

Bosch Might be q top quality WOOD working tool, but Honestly, I dont think they could stand up to even the light metal fab I do, forget about pro work. I feel, like all others, DeWalt has its pluses and minuses. Dont forget, There are different grades of DeWalt tools... The more you spend on an angle grinder, the more it will cost you.

Jim

 

[W-Cummins]

It is at times a little bit of a broad brush to paint all tools from manufacture X as ****... Take skill for instance I agree 98% of the stuff they make is _total_ **** but.... they also make at least 2 items that are the very best on the market in their line. The Skill 77 std and mag worm drive saws are the best worm drive saws out there, and the 7" wildcat grinder is a MONSTER! that thing makes so much power it will tear you arms off.


Now I really don't care for makita but I don't think their whole line is ****.... just every thing I have used was
William.....

 

[eschoendorff]

It is at times a little bit of a broad brush to paint all tools from manufacture X as ****... Take skill for instance I agree 98% of the stuff they make is _total_ **** but.... they also make at least 2 items that are the very best on the market in their line. The Skill 77 std and mag worm drive saws are the best worm drive saws out there, and the 7" wildcat grinder is a MONSTER! that thing makes so much power it will tear you arms off.


Now I really don't care for makita but I don't think their whole line is ****.... just every thing I have used was
William.....

Skil actually has a cheap circular saw on sale at Menards that is - gasp - made in the USA! I think it goes for about $50. I didn't realize that any power tools were made here anymore.

 

[dink]

I dont like Dewalt powertools because they arent what they used to be....yes defently give PRE-big box Dewalt....now yes I know they have been in there forever.....but I am talking about lets say prior 1999 when you could go to a contractor supply house or heck any hardware store minus the big boxes and you know you were getting a good quality power tool...I believe around 1997 1998 is when Dewalt started making copies of there powertools specifically for the big boxes.....Now there is no difference...the same **** that goes to a big box goes to a contractor supply house....Dewalt is defently not what they used to be

 

[Luckydevil]

Skil actually has a cheap circular saw on sale at Menards that is - gasp - made in the USA! I think it goes for about $50. I didn't realize that any power tools were made here anymore.

I actually have that circular saw (model 5400) or one similar that is made in the USA by Skil. Great saw for the price. I beat the hell out of the thing and it hasn't let me down. Just be sure to by a nice blade for it, the one it comes with is HORRIBLE.

 

[lagomorph]

hate me, but I'm going to have to declare 3/8" craftsman ratchets on my 'most hated' list.
Went through 4 in a year's time, usually busting my knuckles when they let go.
Bought a snap-on, and have had the same one for 6 years.
their sockets are fine, though....

 

[sberry]

Those new jaw Channeloks, its a big regret, should have bought 4 more pairs of regular jaw.

 

[wythors]

The only one I can think of off the top of my head was a Harbor Freight pop rivet gun. The first time I tried to use it, it ended up in the trash barrel. I grabbed my father-in-law's 30 year old, made in the USA one and never looked back.

Edit: I forgot about my Craftsman buffer. I thought it was okay until I bought a Porter-Cable. The Craftman sold on eBay for fifteen bux.

 

[evildky]

I actually liked my old skil classic circular saw better than my newer dewalt, it just felt better made if you can believe that? other than that I've always been a fan of the dewalts with only good experience, as for the milwaukie and makita, the older makita's were junk I can only hope they have since corrected their issued with whatever deal they have with milwaukee, and milwaukie i love in general but I've seen far too many with charger/battery issues just out of waranty and they are way to expensive to replace considering they were obviously inferior, I hope the newest generation of their cordless tools has corrected this

 

[motorheadjohn]

My father-in-law gave me a pair of Robogrips for Christmas one year. Problem number one, he is the last guy who should be buying tools for anyone, even himself. Problem number two, Robogrips are the worst tool ever invented.

Those cheap aluminum sheet metal brakes sold by HF and Northern Tool are worthless. DAMHIK (don't ask me how I know)

 

[rockwithjason]

My gripe with the stanley screw drivers is that the tips don't fit the screws and they end up chewing up the heads. They also don't fit my hands well.

 

[chevy302dz]

RoboGrips, anything Dewalt or B&D from the last 25 years anyway, Harbor Freight hand tools or hand held power tools, the plastic lever craftsman teardrop ratchets, those Chinese 40 piece socket sets that don't even work once, Anyone's attempt at ViseGrips except for Iwrin or Peterson.

 

[W-Cummins]

I thought of another one I think that crapsman philips screwdrivers ( the standard ones they sell really ****!

 

[...dave]

Once in desperation i bought one of those "socket sets" that they sell in gas stations... basically a ratcheting screwdriver with some pot-metal sockets (i'd left my toolkit at home for some reason, and the car refused to start). Naturally, it broke when i tried to use it (i think it was on a battery terminal, or something similarly low-torque). Fortunately, another guy at the station loaned me the wrench i needed, and i got my money back for the "tools". i should have berated the manager for even selling such garbage.

...dave

 

[camarojoe]

Craftsman standard 1/4" drive rachet. The ONLY time I ever use a 1/4" drive tool is when I'm in a tight spot and nothing else will fit, and the darn things need what seems like 6" of "swing" before the rachet will even click once. I bought a little S-K and tossed the craftsman in the junk drawer.

 

[Slide]

...because they arent what they used to be....yes defently give PRE-big box...

I think that satement can be applied to the majority of tool manufacturers today.

...I'm going to have to declare 3/8" craftsman ratchets on my 'most hated' list.

^ +1 ^

On the B&D, I have had pretty decent luck w/ them in the last 4-5 years. I have a couple of their deals (recipro saw & saber saw) that get used occasionally. Not often enough to justify Milwaukee price$, but often enough to run them thru the paces. If I was making my living with them, though, I would definitely be buying something better.

 

[ol_scratch]

Harbor Frieght pressurized sand blaster. Friend bought one to use on a bike frame, and I was going to use it on my BSA frame. 3 hours wasted to get 1.5 inches blasted - constantly clogs, or won't pressurize right. And honestly how ****** complicated is a tank with a few hoses, some sand, and a lot of air. I'll give HF more credit than other cheap tool outlets (only because more of their stuff is made in India, and I am dead set against China.), but I really, really try to stick to "If I can't afford one worth buying, I don't need it."

 

[kartracer55]

Interestingly enough, I like the craftsman 1/4 ratchet the BEST?!?! Go figure that one out. Idk why, I just like it more than Sk or Snap on. Of course, I know 2 sk as well, but I find myself using the craftsman alot of the time. It just has a good feel to it. The snap on ratchets in 1/4 just piss me off... the pawl spring is way too strong, especially for a 1/4 drive ratchet. The long handle on the standard craftsmans helps with comfort.

Idk, maybe Im wierd lol

Jim

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

The Chinese made flywheel turner (As seen in flea markets for $8.99). Bought one to save a few bucks. On its first use the welded cap broke off while I was pulling full torque. Picture this.. my arm was pulling it and I was wearing a Tee shirt and my forearm went right along the teeth of the flywheel That was pain. I was so mad I threw it 50 feet into the treeline behind me.

Ordered a Snap on flywheel turner the next day!

-BWP

 

[W-Cummins]

The Chinese made flywheel turner
I was so mad I threw it 50 feet into the treeline behind me.
-BWP

Only problem is it's not done with you yet, its tasted your blood! .... Now your going to hit it with the new lawnmower, it's going to break the end of the crankshaft off just before it gets tossed through your car window

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Only problem is it's not done with you yet, its tasted your blood! .... Now your going to hit it with the new lawnmower, it's going to break the end of the crankshaft off just before it gets tossed through your car window

Cummings,



I hope that it is the last time mankind sees that F#@$^&* tool. I hope archeologists don't ever find it years from now. Since it is Chinese made, the best that could happen would be for it to become a small iron oxide deposit in the soil of a North Carolina pine forest.

-BWP

 

[ricks rat]

I think Dewalt is part of Black and Decker.

 

[eschoendorff]

Once in desperation i bought one of those "socket sets" that they sell in gas stations... basically a ratcheting screwdriver with some pot-metal sockets (i'd left my toolkit at home for some reason, and the car refused to start). Naturally, it broke when i tried to use it (i think it was on a battery terminal, or something similarly low-torque). Fortunately, another guy at the station loaned me the wrench i needed, and i got my money back for the "tools". i should have berated the manager for even selling such garbage.

...dave

I think I have that socket set... The ratchet fell apart 3 times while I tries to unblock the battery from the battery tray. P-O-S!!!

 

[...dave]

OOO, was reminded of another one today... the "Sidewinder" ratchet... basically a socket wrench with a worm-gear driven handle at one end. The shaft that the handle turns necked down to about 1/4" thick near the head, and snapped the first time i used it. i suppose it's good if you need to finger-tighten stuff in places your arms can't reach, but they should make the drive out of rubber or something, for all the torque it can handle...

...dave