Which tools are worth spending extra on?

ls1dreams · Jan 24, 2012

So,

Having nearly no tools to my name, I am slowly acquiring the basics.

I am not a professional mechanic/contractor/etc, so the tools don't need to be top notch quality, but I would like them to be durable. I think it also makes sense to buy tools that are nice enough that I'd want to eventually hand them down to children if I ever have them.

(In short, lately I've decided I'd rather buy fewer things at higher quality, but not past the point of marginal returns).

A few questions:
1. Which tools in your collection do you think are worth paying a little more for?
2. What tools do you find you reach for the most?

What I have so far:
- A cheap 12v black & decker cordless drill
- DeWalt titanium drill bit set (decided to pay about 50% more for titanium since they apparently last 5-6x longer)
- Sunex 3360DD 28 Piece 3/8" Drive Master Deep Metric/SAE Impact Socket Set (Dad used to be a snap-on dealer and said that this was an excellent set for the money compared to craftsman)
- A really crappy screwdriver set
- Various cheap electronic tools (multimeter, pliers, soldering iron, etc)

Looking to buy next:
- Ratchet for the sockets. This is one of those tools that I think I might want to go with higher quality (snap-on F80 / F936) for. Worth it or go cheap? Would probably be used for basic car repairs.
- Not sure after that - maybe a wrench set?

american lockpicker · Jan 24, 2012

Files, drill bits, power tools, and screwdrivers.

Gtamazing · Jan 24, 2012

ls1dreams said:
So,

Which tools in your collection do you think are worth paying a little more for?

All of them.

Givl Reggin · Jan 24, 2012

>> 1. Which tools in your collection do you think are worth paying a little more for? <<

Screwdrivers, Needle-nose, Pliers

>> 2. What tools do you find you reach for the most? <<

Screwdrivers, Needle-nose, Pliers

Monte · Jan 24, 2012

1: Ratchets, cutting pliers, power tools

2: depends on what you do...

iroc409 · Jan 24, 2012

american lockpicker said:
Files, drill bits, power tools, and screwdrivers.

I would agree here, just as a DIYer. Bad drill bits and things like saw blades are no fun at all. Though, I have some HF drill bits that have worked OK for me.

Some people really like a certain type of HF screw drivers, too. I haven't used them, but my Wera and Wiha drivers are pretty nice so far!

Crashman · Jan 24, 2012

Prybars - cheap ones just bend with not much pressure, or snap and send you flying. Nail punches too.

Monte · Jan 24, 2012

oh yes some good PH + PZ screwdrivers are important !

bob15 · Jan 24, 2012

Good Phillips screwdrivers, I like Snap-On

Snap-On 4 way angle wrenches, work better than any other company's 4 angle

Comfortable but strong ratchets ~ I like the Wright, the older Snap-On F830, and my favorite: Armstrong F-91

Wrenches I like Bonney the best, but Snap-On, Mac and Wright are all comfortable and well made. If on a budget Wright or SK would be the way to go

A long nose (11") needle nose pliers are handy to have

PinkLinc · Jan 24, 2012

Good screwdrivers are a must. You don't need crazy expensive Snap-On here. I'd recommend some Klein or Wera drivers. Get some Craftsman USA raised panel combo wrenches. You can pick them up here in the classified section for next to nothing. Treat yourself to a Snap On F80 for your all purpose, everyday 3/8 ratchet. Those show up here quite often too. A word of warning on the F80... Snap On tools are a slippery slope. That was the first SO piece I owned and now I have MANY more.

:beer:

Jack Olsen · Jan 24, 2012

Jig saw.

0.511MeV · Jan 24, 2012

I like screwdriver bits instead of screwdrivers. I toss the bits as soon as they start getting chewed up. As a result, my screwdrivers last longer and when I do need them, I like good ones. Wiha are my favorites.

Sharp high quality cutting tools are easier and safer to use.

I also like high quality electrical test tools.

american lockpicker · Jan 24, 2012

Jack Olsen said:
Jig saw.

You don't need to spend a lot if you get a Swiss made Bosch 1590EVSK.

BloodySinner · Jan 24, 2012

Pretty much any hand tool. Screwdrivers, ratchets, etc...

MattT · Jan 24, 2012

I'm a professional and tool snob so take this FWIW

Stuff I'd never cheap out on:

Power tools and their consumables.

Socket drivers and hex keys.

Anything that cuts.

Flare nut wrenches.

Ratchets. BTW if you're considering 900 series Snap on you might find a better deal on a new Williams. They use the same guts.

Screwdrivers.

Punches.

Anything that measures. Readings you can't trust are worthless.

Sure I could come up with more if I put my mind to it. They're just the obvious ones that can bite ya hard if you don't buy quality.

sanddan · Jan 24, 2012

I only consider buying cheap tools if I think it's only for a one time use. That said, I don't know if I have any tools that have only been used once. My Bosch jigsaw was one of the first expensive power tools I purchased (about 20 years ago) but has been a work horse that whole time. Well worth the $130 I paid back then. Another plus for buying good tools is the joy of using them compared to using cheap junk. Most of my hand tools are Craftsmen which I started collecting over 30 years ago but I hear they aren't made as well as they used to be.

bobcatdan · Jan 24, 2012

Keep the Sunnex socket set and buy the other sets to fill your socket need. Those are very good sockets, I got over them being imported very quickly. Buy good ratchets. This is open end because there are many good ratchets to chose; SO, Matco, USA made Mac, Cornwell, SK, Proto, Armstrong, the list goes on. For wrenches, same goes. It's hard to recomand Craftsman for anything anymore. Good pilers and screwdrivers are not hard to find or expensive. Any common use tool is worth buying good. Lesser once a year is different, but dear god stay away from hf.

richfinn · Jan 24, 2012

The stuff you use most needs to be good, if you keep getting frustrated using **** tools you wont enjoy the work as much.

power tools need to be good quality for pro results.

spanners and socketry need to be decent quality.

Hammers/chisels/punches are a safety concern so buy the best.

Pliers and screwdrivers I think you can get great stuff for reasonable money if you buy European.

A quality hacksaw/knife blade is important.

Think safety not shiny

thedeatons · Jan 24, 2012

Here is the list i am converting to (previously craftsman everything)

Felo frico (500) screwdrivers - german
Stanley tape measures (used by contractors to build houses)
Wright ratchets
Craftsman sockets (my air ratchet cannot destroy them)
Wright wrenches (so comfy, different finish for metric)
Nws & knipex pliers & cutters - german
Bondhus hex & torx wrenches - best value on amazon for sets
Usa made vise grips
Vaughun hammers
Sk extensions (inexpensive and knurled for dirty work!)
Wilde pry bars & punches and chisels
Ullman picks and claw pickup tool
Norseman 29 piece mechanics drill bits
Grobet files

That's all i can think of off the top of my head

everything on my list is there because of months of research on this forum.
James

LSU · Jan 24, 2012

I agree with about 99% of the above comments about the quality of tools you buy.

Now, let me offer you some suggestions on how to get them - -

I've been buying tools for now for about 35+ years. When I was youger (I would guess your age) I bought what I could afford for the project I was doing.

Through the years I've acquired lots of tools. Bought good stuff and stuff that I thought was good.

Here are a couple of questions I think you need to ask yourself before you buy any tools -

1. What are the immediate needs for the tools? Are you doing shop work on a car or you're fixing the cabinets in your kitchen?

2. I'd suggest you're always going to need a good set of "hand tools = screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, etc". Do you need a set of SnapOn screwdrivers? I don't know and I suspect no one but you knows. I've got a really nice set of Channel Lock screwdrivers that I bought at Sam's before Christmas. I also have a couple of sets of Snap On screwdrivers, some really old Chraftsmand screwdrivers, some Stanley brand. If I have to tighten a screw on a handle in the kitchen do I need the Snap Ons? Will the Craftsman or the Stanley screwdriver work as well?

I think if you're young and new - buy what is going to fit your current needs with the idea of buying the best you can afford.

3. I would not recommnend incurring a bunch of debt at the SnapOn truck to have the "best". Buy what you can afford w/o going into debt.

Now here is how I suggest you go about buying the tools:

Get the Ebay App, meet your local pawn shop folks and check out the classified ads.

Keep enough cash handy so when you see something that is priced so well (sometimes even if you don't need it) you can buy it.

When I was younger many times tools would come up for sale and I didn't have the ready cash.

Some of my best (and least expensive) tool buys happened when folks just had to sell something.

Get you a stash of cash and just sit on it.

Let folks know you're "bottom shopping" for tools. You'll be surprised what you'll come.

It might not be this week, it might not be this month but they will come. I've bought stuff off of guys that just had to have the latest SnapOn set of tools and they buy them. Everybody knows someone like this.

Guy just can't resist buying the newest, greatest and the latest, must have tool - then he discovers he needs cash for something (could be overdue child support, car payment, bond money - you name it, I've bought stuff from folks who were in a tight spot.

Folks get divorced, alimony/child support is due, got to pay the lawyer for the DWI he got, etc.

You get the picture - guys get short of money and need "ready cash".

Get you a stash of "ready cash" and just sit and wait.

Let folks you work with that you're building ing your stock pile of tools. Make yourself a list of things you want and wait till you can find it a price you're willing to pay.

My last bit of advice (and I think the best) - let folks know (your aunts/uncles, friend's parents, etc.) that you like tools and are building your collection.

I've gotten many tools from folks who say:

"oh, I've got my Dad's tool chest sitting in the garage. He died and I never use i. My dad would be happy that it went to a good home."

Don't be greedy but you get the idea. When this happens I always send this person a nice "Thank You" card to cement the deal.

You might be amazed how many garage full of older tools are sitting out there and folks know they're good to throw away but they want them to go to a good home.

shampoop · Jan 24, 2012

combo wrenches
pliers
screwdrivers
torx and hex bits

Contorted77 · Jan 24, 2012

I'll second flare (line) wrenches.

thedeatons · Jan 24, 2012

Great advice from LSU. I should have lead off with the fact that i used craftsman for 10 years before upgrading a couple months ago. It worked fine for me, but eventually little details got to me like hurt hands and soft chinese steel. This is mostly because i was wrenching on engines. When i was just a happy homeowner i was fine with craftsman... Ignorance is bliss...

Andy Griffith · Jan 24, 2012

Screwdrivers, Dykes, Needle-nose pliers, Spyderco folding knife, surefire G2 flashlight, and cordless drill.

98TJ · Jan 24, 2012

Anything you find yourself using nearly every time you work in the garage.

Jack Olsen · Jan 25, 2012

american lockpicker said:
You don't need to spend a lot if you get a Swiss made Bosch 1590EVSK.

I got the JS470EB. Expensive, at $139. But with only a handful of jobs so far, I have to say it's been worth every penny. MUCH better than any jig saw I've owned previously.

MD11 · Jan 25, 2012

Gtamazing said:
All of them.

+1

jkidd_39 · Jan 25, 2012

Gearwrench ratchet wrenches are top notch. I love mine

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk while pulling a 36ft gooseneck and not paying attention to the road.

shannonw · Jan 25, 2012

ls1dreams said:
A few questions:
1. Which tools in your collection do you think are worth paying a little more for?

Depends on what you do the most of course...what you do the most you want better tools. I don't do plumbing often so i have cheap plumbing tools =) I'm sure there's some mac daddy pipe cutters out there the pro's use. I do some wood working, but i'm not a craftsmen type...i have a bosch table saw not a unisaw cabinet one, i have basic HF clamps,etc.

IMHO Power tools, no doubt....if you use them. Better power tools are noticeably better, more enjoyable, and last longer. Not being an auto tech in a blind test i couldn't tell jack difference in sockets, ratchets. Though i do like the HF composite only because for years i wished the ratchet wouldn't bang so loud.

I have snappy sockets now (had all costco crescent stuff) but i'd be lieing to say i could tell a difference, i'm sure a pro could and there's many reasons besides feel, performance to go that route anyways in the pro area.

I *can* tell in screwdrivers, just because the better ones are more comfortable to hold.

american lockpicker · Jan 25, 2012

Jack Olsen said:
I got the JS470EB. Expensive, at $139. But with only a handful of jobs so far, I have to say it's been worth every penny. MUCH better than any jig saw I've owned previously.

Nice price, mine was like $20 more. I think of them as midrange as theres Festool and Fein at $250+. I think the Dewalt DW331K might also be a good choice but I've only handled a display model never tried it out.

diesel research · Jan 25, 2012

ls1dreams said:
A few questions:
1. Which tools in your collection do you think are worth paying a little more for?
2. What tools do you find you reach for the most?

1. Air or cordless tools
2. ^^^^

In the truck shop I RARELY reach for a screw driver. Have a full set of snappies, but for the most part they are unneeded. Not as a brand, but as a tool. Flat tip screws are extremely rare on vehicular applications. Phillips slightly more common, but still not very. I found that even when I do encounter such fasteners, I have less chance of wearing them out with a nice cordless. Makes jobs more pleasant and less stressful. Anyone that has rounded a phillips should know this.

Around the house there is a lot more screws of those types. I like multi bits with a wide variety of bits, but am also not hesitant to use the cordless as well. I wouldn't drag it out for 1 single screw, but if there are many, out it comes.

I don't have a lot of emphasis on most hardline tools, as I personally view them as more of a specialty basis. Ratchet isn't a go-to tool for me, it's a last resort when something else doesn't fit or extra tactile feedback is required.

I do put an emphasis on hammers and tools struck by them. Not necessarily ultra-unobtanium, but atleast decent quality, and more importantly a wide variety (punches chisels prybars all kinds of types of hammers)

JayL · Jan 25, 2012

Jack Olsen said:
I got the JS470EB. Expensive, at $139. But with only a handful of jobs so far, I have to say it's been worth every penny. MUCH better than any jig saw I've owned previously.

Jack ... did you find this handle design better?

Thanks

woody 73 · Jan 25, 2012

american lockpicker said:
Files, drill bits, power tools, and screwdrivers.

Yes I am in full agreement on this :thumbup:

Look for a good set of American made drill bits,yes the fancy coatings are ok but if you buy a drill Doctor and keep them sharp they will last a long time.

For files I would (at least for the time being) stay away from HF files or files coming from India, look for a good swiss file set.

Word of wisdom (from an old geezer)you can have the most expensive power tool on the whole planet/ or the cheapest junk but if you are using dull bits then nothing will work.

For power tools sometimes it feels (at least to me) like a roll of the dice; I have bought top of the line tools only to see them fail and I have bought other cheap power tools to see them last forever. I tend to look for older tools that are built like tanks for some reason they tend to last me a long time.

Lastly pick up a set of williams screwdrivers they are well made and they should last you a long time.

mManuela · Jan 25, 2012

american lockpicker said:
Files, drill bits, power tools, and screwdrivers.

I totally agree, drill bits are worth extra spending on.

jim2664258 · Jan 25, 2012

You spend the most money on the tools you use the most, or need to be good quality the most. I think it's as simple as that - which tools those are, is person-specific.

For DIY stuff around the house, or construction if you are more advanced, I always tell people to get a really good cordless drill because there is nothing you will use more than that and there is no close second, exceptions nothwithstanding.

T56 Impala · Jan 25, 2012

I'll chime in!

For around the house stuff, absolutely spend the extra cash and get the BEST screwdrivers you can find. Nothing more aggravating than crappy screwdrivers! For BASIC mechanical stuff, get a good ratchet. That said, I absolutely love my Craftsman low profile and have not found any other brand that is worth the extra money. They are smooth ENOUGH, slim and have held up to MY use. If you think you need better, then by all means, spend the money and find one that will work for your needs.

Good slip joint, locking and needle nose pliers are worth the extra money too!

saturdaymechanic · Jan 25, 2012

As a fellow DIYer, something I learned awhile ago, you get what you pay for. Get the best you can afford right now, you can always upgrade later. Some important ones that have been mentioned and I'll add my vote:

-Ratchets. Treat yourself to one high grade ratchet. After I got my Matco 88 flex 3/8, I rarely use my other 3/8's. Around the house I'll break out my GW one, the CMan, collects dust.

-Screwdrivers. I upgraded from the clear CMan's to the CMan Pros. Love them.

Ratcheting screwdriver. A huge difference between the Husky Pro one and the GW set I got last year. The GW is my go to driver. Looking at the SO one next.

Pliers. I bought a Kobalt set a few years ago for my car, they were junk. My father gave me my first pair of Cahnnel Locks about 10 years ago for a reason. They work. I also recommend the Knipex Cobras.

Flare nut wrenches. An older mechanic told me when it comes to specialty tools, never go cheap.

Combo wrenches. CMan RP's are good, I still have my set, but I added the GW ratcheting and flex sets. Looking to further upgrade my RP's to a SO set.

cderalow · Jan 25, 2012

FYI, I've had a cheap Ryobi drill & battery powered circular saw for 10 years that see if not daily, then 3-4 times a week use around my house. The original NiCad batteries still hold decent charges, and they have been my go-to for most things aroung the house.

Things to definitely not cheap out on:

Screw drivers (test the handles for what's comfy for you)
consumables (blades & bits)

as many others have said, what you should spend your money on will entirely vary upon your use and what you're doing.

For instance, i'm an avid DIY car guy and house work type stuff (plumbing, electrical, drywall, paint).

I have quality tools for what I feel counts most to me, and cheap stuff where it doesn't get used frequently.

For instance, I have cheap plumbing stuff, because I might repair a sink once a month or every two months, but I have quality insulated snips and screw drivers because in my 50 year old house there are a tons of electrical issues with old wiring etc, and they've saved me from being shocked several times now.

I've got a quality torque wrench and metric gear, but cheap SAE stuff. I work on mainly import vehicles and very infrequently use SAE stuff around the house.

Get a good hammer, if I could count the number of times I've snapped handles on cheap hammers or sheared pieces of when hitting something hard, I'd need more fingers toes. Also get quality items that are going to be struck by hammers. nothing more annoying than hitting something with a hammer to have it break in your hand in addition to hitting your hand with the hammer as it breaks.

rocklobster · Jan 25, 2012

I generally agree with what has been said.

Also stop by garage sales and scour them for tools. This last summer I made out like a bandit at garage sales. Nobody fixes anything anymore and plus most old stuff is quality made in USA.

Also I tend to disagree about buying good screwdrivers except buy a good phillips set for automotive. In Canada we use Robertson (Square recess) fasteners everywhere around the house and unlike Phillips the Robertson has 4 solid points of contact instead of 2, so what I am saying is that any old decent Robertson screw driver will do whereas a cheap steel Phillips is prone to cam out. I would rather have 20 decent quality Robertson screw drivers than 1 good one because I tent to mistreat the drivers working around the house by leaving them out in the rain, losing them etc... One good driver brand Made in Canada is Fuller.

cderalow · Jan 25, 2012

rocklobster said:
In Canada we use Robertson (Square recess) fasteners everywhere around the house and unlike Phillips the Robertson has 4 solid points of contact instead of 2, so what I am saying is that any old decent Robertson screw driver will do whereas a cheap steel Phillips is prone to cam out. QUOTE]

Robertson/square drives are common in the US in commercial deck building & drywall.

the heads hold drywall mud better.

Which tools are worth spending extra on?

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