Cheap Tool Lesson Learned

[Hiball]

MechanicNamedJohn build his business including several progressively bigger shops using nothing but el cheapo Harbor Freight tools.

Everyone needs to start somewhere.. It would be a poor plan of attack to try and start a business investing Soley in some of the more highly priced tools that frequent this site. It appears that with success has come some more prominent brands for John and I wish him the best.

 

[pipsters]

I had read that whole thread. He also went to truck brand boxes and other things later on. I have some HF stuff in probly every drawer of my boxes, in fact i'm sure i do. Inexpensive yes, but not always low quality. Simple but effective is the way to go.

He did that when he was on his 3rd or 4th shop. If you read the thread it was because he wanted to upscale his image. He had a pretty fancy car in there, some sort of high end European or Italian sports car. You gloss over the fact that the guy spent a couple of years working on "normal" cars making enough money to open his own places using el cheapo tools.

 

[Mickey O]

He did that when he was on his 3rd or 4th shop. If you read the thread it was because he wanted to upscale his image. He had a pretty fancy car in there, some sort of high end European or Italian sports car. You gloss over the fact that the guy spent a couple of years working on "normal" cars making enough money to open his own places using el cheapo tools.

Do you really think the average car owner that has a mechanic repair his/her vehicle knows the difference between a Snap-On ratchet or a DuraLast super ratchet? That excuse don't fly.

 

[Hiball]

Do you really think the average car owner that has a mechanic repair his/her vehicle knows the difference between a Snap-On ratchet or a DuraLast super ratchet? That excuse don't fly.

Agreed... If you've been following the "show your recent tool purchases", you can't help to notice the excitement flowing from his keyboard.

 

[lennoxlennox]

He did that when he was on his 3rd or 4th shop. If you read the thread it was because he wanted to upscale his image. He had a pretty fancy car in there, some sort of high end European or Italian sports car. You gloss over the fact that the guy spent a couple of years working on "normal" cars making enough money to open his own places using el cheapo tools.

and while I give him props for having his goal and sticking to it

he could have also bought a bicycle and rode it to work for 4 years to save the vehicle expenses he had

you can also eat junk food all year and still survive too, doesn't mean it's the best way to live nor documenting a thread for the purpose to prove a point that it can be done somehow makes it a commendable achievement, it's an achievement but commendable.... nah

it's funny how people like to tout the skills and due care of a good mechanic and the special skills and talents he brings to the job

yet some of these same people don't see the pure hypocracy in choosing tools not made with the same due care, quality materials and craftsmanship as their professional counterparts... but are nothing more than cheap copies of the original made with questionable materials and shoddy workmanship where the only benefit being touted is the cheapest product to market..... astounding really

 

[Inkncraig]

I've learned that using an impact is the best way to remove the triton spark plugs while the motor is still hot. They come right out

Really!?!?
How many times has that worked !
Just asking to determine if I should just rip them out ghat way, or let the motor cool and let them break

 

[Danglerb]

ahhh but the question is, would a good mechanic choose to use "poor tools"

Its up to the person using the tool to decide if its appropriate for the job, and what the consequences are for it failing. Non impact rated universals are not a good choice for applying torque.

 

[pipsters]

The guy that builds a business from the ground up finally starts to enjoy his earnings instead of reinvesting back in the business and he's chastised for it. I don't get it.

 

[pipsters]

and while I give him props for having his goal and sticking to it

he could have also bought a bicycle and rode it to work for 4 years to save the vehicle expenses he had

What he did is akin to doing just that. Ride a bicycle, save the money in car payments/depreciation, insurance, gas, mx, parking costs (if in a city), etc over those 4 years and using the savings to put money into a house, business etc. Had he bought all "nice" expensive tools from the get-go would he have been able to open up his shop? Probably not, he would've been worried about making payments and working 60 hours a week for "the man".

In fact I once did the exact same thing. Sold my car, paid off my college debt, and that freed me from having to take just any job and I could focus on something in my career. Others had to go into a retail job or something similar just to make their college loan payments. Plus back then my insurance was something like $200/month (FL, male, under 25). Huge pile of money I saved. It sucked but it got me to where I am today and I don't see the 3 cars in my driveway as being hypocritical - I make 10x as much as I did back then.

 

[e30bradley]

even top of the line tools break.. But I can't stand cheap tools. I broke a snap on socket yesterday. gotta find the snappy man.

 

[InsanePyro]

I have had no issue with using "cheap tools". My sockets are the Husky brand from Home Depot. I've been using them to break loose a whole ton of rusty 20+ year old bolts on both my dad and my own truck....no stripping issue...I also use some cheapo $30 extendable ratchet I got from a swap meet two years ago...I've stood on it (6' 5" 400lbs.) while it was on a nut and its still going strong. As a matter of fact I think I have one Craftsman ratchet and I hardly ever use it because of the boxed off handle hurts when you start really pulling or pushing on it.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Something else that bears bringing up is the first rule of tools - do you have what you need to get the job done? If for whatever reason your budget/circumstance only allows for a "lesser" tool to get the job done, then buy the cheap one!! You can buy the expensive stuff later IF YOU FEEL THE NEED. That universal joint isn't worth a **** while it is still sitting on the Snapon truck and you are trying to change a back spark plug without having one at all.

 

[Kev442]

To go slightly back on track, the pin on that "cheap universal" shows quite a bit of wear, I think it has seen plenty of use. My Cman broke one of the loops around the pin too, I had hardly ever used it. I had it replaced at Sears and it's in my box somewhere, used it maybe once since warranty, I use wobbles whenever possible these days.

 

[mr.speaker]

Really!?!?
How many times has that worked !
Just asking to determine if I should just rip them out ghat way, or let the motor cool and let them break

It has worked every time. I'm not dealing with broken spark plug threads stuck in the head that is very annoying .

People local to me always think I'm joking or nuts but I'm telling you to do it while the motor's hot and with even an electric impact they come out like butter.
(assuming the previous mechanic didn't mess them up already)

 

[Kev442]

Had a Ford 2.3 that I could not budge 2 sparks on without going past the point of broken something. Drove it 2 miles, they came out with 1/4th the effort. Hot plugs make all the difference in the world, it's the only way I'll do it now.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Something else that bears bringing up is the first rule of tools - do you have what you need to get the job done? If for whatever reason your budget/circumstance only allows for a "lesser" tool to get the job done, then buy the cheap one!! You can buy the expensive stuff later IF YOU FEEL THE NEED. That universal joint isn't worth a **** while it is still sitting on the Snapon truck and you are trying to change a back spark plug without having one at all.

^This

It's amusing at times reading the rhetoric here. As a former Army Ranger I learned make do with what you got. Sometimes that's all you're going to get.

Sua Sponte

 

[MattPersman]

It has worked every time. I'm not dealing with broken spark plug threads stuck in the head that is very annoying .

People local to me always think I'm joking or nuts but I'm telling you to do it while the motor's hot and with even an electric impact they come out like butter.
(assuming the previous mechanic didn't mess them up already)

thanks for the tip I will try it on my next one

 

[Doozer75]

Just wanted to say that if you abuse a tool, it is going to break.
Snap on or Craftsman, it is going to break. I have a mix of tools.
Mostly Craftsman and some Snap on some Taiwan and some China.
Most work excellent for me, and I work on heavy and rusty stiff.
Machine tools and cars and trucks, tractors etc. One thing that
*****, is when I am using a tool properly, and it breaks. Mostly
Craftsman sockets break on me. Like head bolts or flywheel bolts,
heavy tightening and loosening, but not abusing the limits of the
tool. And usually using a torque wrench. Craftsman socket, split
down the edge. One time using a Cman 18mm socket on a
suspension bolt, it cracked while applying a reasonable amount
of hand force. I just Mig welded up the crack and kept using it.
Bought a spare, yes, but the welded socket still works. Just sux
that Cman sockets are so fragile. I know a Snapon would not
crack, because of better steel and closer control of the heat treat
process. China socket would be softer, and probably not split
(more ductile). Tiawain sockets (generally) seem pleanty strong
and tough. My favorite is buying old tools at flea markets and
swap meets. Even old Taiwan wrenches that sell for 25cents can
sometimes end up being a really strong end durable wrench. I have
a set of Taiwan wrenches from my grandfathers toolbox that are
no name, but I have had and used them for years on everything.
My favorite Taiwan tool is a HIT brand crescent wrench, 12" size.
A beautifully made tool, nice and tight, and is a pleasure to use.
Good luck with your tools, and treat the Cman tools easy. You
have to. LOL

--Doozer

PS- I love having a mis-mash of different brand wrenches in my tool
box. It pisses off the pretty boy tool dudes that have to only have
a row of snap on wrenches, all in a row, all the same brand. Huh.
Any tool that lasts is a good tool in my book. I am not a tool brand
snob. Same with automobiles. Certain years of Chevy trucks are
great, others, not so much. Ford also, certain years they had good
designs, others, not. What ever gets you to work on time.

 

[Steinmetz]

I finally learned to avoid cheap tools. While doing a spark plug change on my 2007 F150 with 5.4L (Anyone who's familiar with this knows that it is a thread topic all its own!) I had to use a 3/8 universal joint to get to the back passenger side plug. As I was breaking it loose the cheap Auto Zone joint broke and a piece fell down the spark plug shaft and landed next to the spark plug preventing me from putting the socket on the plug. I tried several things to get it out but eventually found success with a pick and a small tube rigged up to the shop vac to **** it out. Anyway, it was a huge pain the *** that could have been avoided by using a good quality U-joint. Anybody else learn their lesson the hard way??

Be sure to use a torque wrench to install the new spark plugs.