Cheap tools...

[shawnspeed]

OK ...not bashing cheap tools too bad , because sometimes you just can't afford top notch everything...case in point . I own a very nice Milwaukee 4 1/2 " grinder my dad bought me for my 14th B-day..Circa 1984 ish... I finally wore out a set of brushes 1/2 way thru a job this winter, and needed a grinder ASAP...no brushes were available quickly, so down to TSC and 20 bucks later, I own a new grinder It works fine, finishing up the job I notice it is staring to growl a little , but what do I expect for 20 bucks...fast forward to this week, Brushes are in and installed in the Milwaukee am doing another side job that has a lot of finishing work, so I put a fresh disk on the TSC special , and the Milwaukee gets a zirconium 36 G disk...I touch up a few spots with the Cheapie, my hands are starting to go numb...pick up the Milwaukee...smooth as silk, no vibration...and it is 30 years old and has had it's share of use & abuse...some things can't be judged just on price.. the TSC special will still be my back up , but it may be another 30 years before I need it...

 

[CJM8515]

I find that the cheap tools have there place but quality stuff tends to last WAY longer and has a nicer overall fit and finish. I do not own any cheap power tools except for a jigsaw I hardly ever use that is a cheapie B&D job. Id buy a good one but Ive used the cheapie maybe 10x in 5 years.

For example: My dad is the worst offender when it comes to cheap stuff, he rather buy the item 3x then buy one good one for 2x the price of the cheap junk. IE Ryobi blower I tried to get running today and had enough, its not getting gas and I dont care. This is the 3rd one he bought in 5 years..coulda bought a stihil, redmax or husky by now and never had an issue. Also today noticed the 2 stroke mix he bought is for 2 gallons..he had no clue and also along the same lines he has no gas (I had to get some) and then even better is he used 87 octane not 93 or better in this thing..

Sorry to rant, bit of a sore spot..

 

[k1rodeoboater]

I have probably had about 6 to 8 HF hand held grinders....won't buy another one of them ever again. I had some last months, others a few hours. The time and money spent going back and forth to exchange/buy a new one just isn't worth it. I'll be getting a Bosch, Milwaukee, or some other brand instead.

Hand tools on the other hand, I've got plenty of el cheapo's which work well enough for my needs since I'm a DIY'er and not a pro.

 

[sberry]

The HF cheap grinder is not very good, add 10 more dollars and get the BD from Walmart.

 

[Matt_C]

Cheap tools aren't for me. I'm not flush or well off by any means, but I make my living with tools, and I used them every day, so I need to know I can rely on them day in, day out. That's not to say expensive tools don't break - they do, but that's why the expensive brands have easy to use warranty's. I know if I snap the tip off a Snap On screwdriver, I can get it changed with no fuss. My only problem is that I might have to wait a week for it, depending when I can meet the guy.

But that's where cheap tools come in to play - they have their place as backups, spares, and abusers. I'd rather abuse the hell out of a £1 screwdriver than an £18 screwdriver.

But then just to throw a spanner in the works (pun intended), you don't HAVE to have expensive tools to last. My 3/8" ratchet and sockets are made by Laser - they are minimum ten years old, and the ratchet and at least a few of the sockets get used multiple times a day, every day. They didn't even come near the price of Snap-On. The ratchet was probably £20, and the sockets about the same.

 

[dsimatt]

I have over 20 grand in tools sitting at work, those tools put food in my mouth, a roof over my head and pay my bills so i paid the piper and got quality the first time.

That said i don't have alot of tools at home and will probaly when i have the money get one of those nice husky sets or something the is decent as i can't justify snap on at home that will mostly just sit. I don't have alot of spare money but i try when i buy stuff to get decent quality at the least and not go bottom of the barrel that will break or like stated you fight the thing more that the actual job you're trying to do.

 

[shawnspeed]

When I was still on the bench as a Fabby, I had 2 sets of tools , and bought doubles of everything , one for the work box and one for the home box.( had a fab business at home as well) ...now I have doubles of most of my stuff all at home...have changed trades and not many of the fabby/mechanic tools are needed at work, so I have a couple of boxes at home now...The electric grinder is one of the tools I did not have a double of until now...

 

[atwageman]

I try to buy quality the first time. In my line of work I use a shitload of hex-Allen and torx. Needless to say I've got duplicates and in some cases triplicates. I should have an ownership steak in Bondhus and Wiha. If something wears out or breaks, I mail it in for no questions asked replacement. Never have to wait, because I got critical spares waiting in the wings.

I do have some cheap tools that are my abusers.

 

[331CID]

All great info. I agree completely with almost every point in this thread. Quality the first time is generally cheaper. And there's different levels of quality. I feel that I can get by with cheap impact sockets even working as a full time mechanic. I've broken two in my life, and both were on control arm bolts. One was free and the other was harbor freight, no questions asked here's a new one have a nice day. As stated screwdrivers and ratchets, now those are my pet peeves. I started with a husky ratchet and one of those god awful 2 million screwdrivers for 20 bucks deals. The husky ratchet broke so ill replace it for home use. I bought a snap on that day, and when I broke enough screwdrivers to where I couldn't do my job I broke down and spent 75 on a 6 piece set on sale. Some stuff you can get away with some you can't. A lot is trial and error. My rule of thumb is if it gets used a lot, spend the money.

And yes the harbor freight grinders are doo doo. Watched my fathers nearly catch on fire. And yes he attempted to find parts for it, then threw it in the trash and bought a real one [emoji38]


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[Leaflessshadetree]

Also today noticed the 2 stroke mix he bought is for 2 gallons..he had no clue and also along the same lines he has no gas (I had to get some) and then even better is he used 87 octane not 93 or better in this thing..

Sorry to rant, bit of a sore spot..

2X the oil shouldn't cause any problem, other than some smoke. Actually it's probably better in terms of wear. I don't know of any two strokes that have enough compression to require 93 octane.