DIY Dilemma: Replacing Old Tools That Still Work

[BrandoJames]

Like everyone here, I love tools. But the problem I run into: If I find a really good deal on a new tool, is it smart to buy it and replace an old tool that still works fine.

Example: I was in Home Depot this weekend to buy some patio paint. They were practically giving away a Makita drill/driver set with batteries & charger for $99. But my ancient Ryobi 3/8” drill still works perfectly fine. The Ryobi must be 20 years old—but lightly used.

Same scenario with my 1/2” electric impact wrench, a “GM Performance” wrench that I’ve owned for about 20 years. Still works fine for lug nuts and mower blades. Now that I’m retired and doing more DIY repair, I wonder if I should replace these tools when I see a good deal, or just keep using them till they fail. Thanks.

 

[In The Doghouse]

I buy new if it's a really good deal and a real good upgrade. Otherwise my tools last a long time.

 

[RKA]

Really depends on you, not us. The newer tools are lighter, have better batteries, usually more power and in the case of the impact, you can move to cordless. If your primary argument is you can do what you need to with the tools you have, even a good deal may be money out the window. And those good deals are always around should the tools you have fail. But if you can make a case for more power or the convenience of cordless and the extra money spent doesn't bother you, you'll enjoy the new tools no doubt. Everybody's situation and outlook on these things is a little different.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

This might be why I have 16 pairs of slip joint pliers in my "main" toolbox right now. Plus the truck toolbox, the wifes excursion toolbox, the toolbag at work, the tools in the kitchen junk drawer, the toolbag I keep in he house for misc jobs, the electricians pouch, the 5 gallon bucket of "construction" tools.................

 

[lardy1]

There has to be a balance. No...…..really.

I find it hard to resist the temptation sometimes, too. I'm 66 years old and retired. Most (but not all) of my power tools are corded. My nailers & staplers, etc. are pneumatic. If I was younger and still had the income I had while working, there's little doubt that obsession and temptation would rule. But, as it is, if the tool(s) I have will get it done, I'm not likely to upgrade.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd probably wait until the tool fails to replace it, but nothing wrong with upgrading to a newer lighter better tool. If you have relatives to offload the old tools off to who can use them, then you both make out. Or sell the old ones at a garage sale.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Do whatever you enjoy. Doesn't really matter the justification.

Unless it causes some financial strain, go for it.

Pass the "old" stuff on to a young person or yard sale it.

 

[m6z]

I don't typically. I've got some NiCad and corded Dewalt tools that have to be close to 20 years old. They get the job done, but they're not used often.

Now if I had a big project and I thought something new would help I'd go ahead and replace them, but for now I'll keep the money in my pocket. The battery stuff is constantly improving.

 

[BrandoJames]

One problem with my Ryobi drill that almost made me pull the trigger on the Makita set: the old Ryobi takes a long time to charge. If I want to use the Ryobi tomorrow, I would need to let it charge overnight. It's the only cordless tool I have.

For those of you who have newer cordless tools: if you haven't used that cordless tool in a few months, do you need to charge it overnight or will that tool be good-to-go immediately or with a short charging period. Thanks.

 

[lardy1]

I have Bosch drill and impact. They hold a charge for a very long time. I used to go to sea for 90+ days at a time and the tool would still function when I got home. Whatshername has Craftsman cordless tools. They don't hold as long but they almost never get used.

Bosch batteries are highly regarded but they don't cater much to the mechanic in their tool lineup.

 

[Odd-job]

Cordless tools have come a long way technology wise. Would say they are definitely worth an upgrade if one can afford to do so. Upgraded my old man stubbornly from his Ryobi 9.6v drill to a Milwaukee 18v 1st gen drill and he hasn’t looked back.

Some things are not worth upgrading. Certain old vises and hardline tools for example. Cordless isn’t one of them.

If you were my neighbor I would loan you my cordless tools so you could see the light and see what you were missing out on.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Just call it a hobby.. Any or all justifications or rational thoughts become justifiably meaningless.

 

[RKA]

So that is a perfect example of the improvement in battery technology. Newer lithium batteries are vastly better than the old NiCads. They can typically charge from empty to full in 30-60 minutes. Depends on how big the battery is and the charger, but for most homeowner type tools, that's a reasonable expectation. They tend to hold their charge for over a year. You might lose between 10-20% charge in that time frame, but you've still got plenty of charge to do something compared to the old NiCads which were flat dead in several months.

There are a few exceptions where some tools might drain the battery at rest. I have an an LED light. And the first thing I discovered is the bluetooth in it remains active when you turn the light off. It's listening for a signal from another bluetooth device. That tiny little chip will effectively drain the battery in a week. Great for someone on a jobsite where the batteries are charged up nightly and the bluetooth function might be useful, not so great for a homeowner. So I don't leave the battery in that tool. I also have one circular saw that killed a battery. I've heard similar stories from another user of the same saw, so I don't leave batteries in that one either. Could have been a bad battery, but it's not inconvenient to pull the battery when not in use. But every other tool has no problem, so I leave the batteries on them. Drills, ratchets, impacts and impact drivers all sit with a battery attached.

 

[BrandoJames]

So that is a perfect example of the improvement in battery technology. Newer lithium batteries are vastly better than the old NiCads. They can typically charge from empty to full in 30-60 minutes.

That’s good to know, thanks. A 30-60 minute charge time is a lot better than what I’ve got now. There have been times when I wanted to use my Ryobi drill on short notice. I’d put it on the charger for a few hours and still no-go. With my Ryobi, it’s either overnight charge or forget it. I’m sure it wasn’t that bad when I first bought it, but that’s my reality now.

 

[sberry]

A 20 yr leap especially in economy tool like 99$ is super, buy another one. I am all for using stuff I already own but these are used so much a newer one is in order, doesn't mean you cant use the old one a little.
Sawzall, drill, lights well worth it.
I have some stuff I need to replace and its hard to let go of Klein, Diamond etc but I need to line some up and simply toss out as they seem to find their way back. 9's and dykes really. I was trying to find the generic I have some of, still sharp and exact clones. I need 4 or 5 of each. and am going to ****** up another 10R shortly. That is another one its hard to have too many. I try to add another 5/16 nut runners once in a while and I bought 4 7/16 at a flea a while back for buck a piece was a deal and helped a lot. I should have got a couple more.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I've run into this same problem with my aging Milwaukee cordless tools, the problem isn't the tools, it's the batteries. The tools are all made in Germany, Brookfield, WI USA, or the Czech republic. Any replacements would be made in China. As a result, I've taken to rebuilding the packs one at a time. I have had an opportunity to use the newer tools and some are nice, most of the direct replacements for what I have, I do not care for and would represent a step backwards in the quality of the tool itself, batteries not withstanding.

 

[Professional Tool User]

The the case of cordless tools, upgrade. If it is already obsolete or the future availability of batteries will make it obsolete, you might as well move on. As for corded tools, you can use them until the break and then upgrade. For stuff hand tools, there's no need to upgrade unless there is a need for something better.

 

[M635_Guy]

One problem with my Ryobi drill that almost made me pull the trigger on the Makita set: the old Ryobi takes a long time to charge. If I want to use the Ryobi tomorrow, I would need to let it charge overnight. It's the only cordless tool I have.

For those of you who have newer cordless tools: if you haven't used that cordless tool in a few months, do you need to charge it overnight or will that tool be good-to-go immediately or with a short charging period. Thanks.

That alone is a reason to weigh the cost of a replacement battery vs. the cost of an upgraded tool. I helped my dad move yesterday, and he had an old Black and Decker cordless drill that was almost useless even on a "full" charge. I looked up the 9.6v batteries and the only ones available were 3rd party and over $45 for a pair. I made an excuse to run to the HD that's a third of a mile away and got him a Milwaukee M12 with a pair of batteries for a hundred bucks. I feel better knowing he won't be thrashing with an old tool with crapped out batteries or an inferior tool with third party batteries.

So my three lines of rationalization are as follows:

• The new tool is a meaningful amount better than the old tool.
• The old tool isn't any longer supported by whoever made it (e.g. my dad's B&D)
• The new tool is on a significant enough sale (Black Friday, etc.) that it makes sense to move sooner than later.

All three of those have been in play for me as I've retired my old Craftsman C3 tools over the last five months or so. I wanted to move before it was a "need" thing and the Black Friday/Cyber Monday/HD deals have been great. But I over-did it a bit - try hard not to do that unless the money isn't a big deal. The key thing is to do transitions consistent with need and sensible finances.

If you use your drill a lot, you should check prices on a replacement, assess whether you'd be happy with it if the battery worked and decide from there whether getting a new one is worth it for you.

 

[finn]

Donate the old tools to Habitat. Personally, I historically keep the old tools and stash them at some remote site that I occasionally work at, ie other buildings I own, unless it’s something the kids could use, then they have first dibs.

Lately though, I have been buying them new tools as gifts, and either donating surplus that I realistically won’t be using, or sell them through the local tool resale shop. The resale shop takes a 50% cut off the top, but doing it that way reduces clutter and I don’t have to deal with flakes.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

If it's a retail deal I figure I'll either see the same "deal" again, or it's a retailer's/manufacturer's way of dumping obsolete product.

 

[brownbagg]

i got a skil saw, i hate it, it has that thumb safety. It only purpose in life, is when my freinds need a saw, that the one that goes out, If it never came back, I wouldnt care. my milwakee stays lock up and hidden

 

[ddawg16]

Maybe the OP (and others) need to go to a TA (Toolaholics Anonymous) meeting.

My only issue with the OP....mixing brands.....now he is going to have to start buying all Milwaukee.....but redemption is not far away...donate the Ryobi to a good cause....

 

[tomalophicon]

It's your life, but:

I would never replace something that is working fine just so I can spend money on something I perceive as a 'good deal'. As long as the older piece of kit is meeting my needs there's no need - I find the notion wasteful and pointless.

Tom.

 

[tym]

That’s good to know, thanks. A 30-60 minute charge time is a lot better than what I’ve got now. There have been times when I wanted to use my Ryobi drill on short notice. I’d put it on the charger for a few hours and still no-go. With my Ryobi, it’s either overnight charge or forget it. I’m sure it wasn’t that bad when I first bought it, but that’s my reality now.

I'm a shade tree guy myself, but the 30-60 minute charge time (and long run time) of Li-Ion batteries kick the **** of the older NiCd and NIMH technology. So for me,that upgrade would be a no-brainer.

 

[zendriver]

I had a Lincoln weldpak flux, purchased used for a job, sat for years, waiting for the next project.

Decided to sell it and get a Migmax 215 I have yet to take out of the carton. No time to use it.

I already had the HF multitool, which worked fine, but was annoyed to have to use a set screw to hold blade. picked up the new Hercules and love it so much the old one will go somewhere else.


I work 55+ hours a week, so If I want something I buy it without feeling guilty, but generally I hold on to everything forever.

Don't care whether other's approve, or not.

You shouldn't either.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

If it works, I use it until it doesn't work. Then I try to fix it until it isn't fixable.

That's how the truck got 249,7xx miles on it.

 

[DFB]

20 year old cordless...honestly it's time for an upgrade

Some thing don't change much like that Makita corded saw you bought. In fact I have lots of Makita besides old ni cad cordless, there is 3 large corded drills keyed chucks and all, drywall screwdriver and the big 5007 saw. Had for decades and still can find the same basic tool/design today. Very little changes anymore


But the lithium cordless tools are simply are worlds apart from their predecessors. Speed/power/torque 12v now makes as much as some 18v did in the past.

My biggest question is what to do with old cordless no one wants

 

[sberry]

The thing I bought for 50$ is way better than the thing I paid 150 for in 92.

 

[sberry]

I know I might sound like I am cheap because I advocate a lot of the economy tools but it aint so. I am not about not buying some tools but being more selective and doing some more searching. I have bought a lo0t of stuff, most of it like most guys here, very similar with the exception of some larger pieces,,, but a lot of hand tools, worked as a purchase agent to some extent, did a lot of it with my own money and did it with other peoples.
Lots of stuff is confusing but one of the things it took me a long time to learn and caused me a lot of grief was that I didn't need the best, I still do it, I bought a Mohawk hoist.
A lot changes, new cheaper comes along, this has exploded in the time frame of my career, it was slower prior to that but the quality has absolutely shot up and price dropped and some f this is a commodity now consumer items used to be pro only,,, and there were modest guys who understood a lot of this prior to me but figured I somehow was smarter for lack of modesty.
I can do the work today with 50 it used to cost and cost me 500 for, so much becomes obsolete, just have to accept the loss and move on. I can chase this down a rabbit hole but,,,,,, this is the common theme I harp on and find interesting here. How much is belief and how much is knowledge and accurate experience.
I know for a fact that if a guy says he needs stitches and rounds every bolt if he so much as touches a common import wrench I pretty much can assume he is full of it, doesn't know any real info, the data, the math, having used and seen it used 10000's of cycles.
He just assumes he knows and usually comes up with some logic resembling patriotism of some sorts as to why that is.
I agree with some,,, when it seems to follow some common experience, not sure it all pays. But there is good logic of buying what you need when its needed with something adequate and the fear of loss if you don't buy better is not logical, its fear based,, I will spend a hundred so I don't lose 10.

 

[sberry]

Replace your worn tools. They are better and can be cheaper than ever. Keep a few bucks to buy new as needed. Really get a grip on the duty cycle. Most guys don't put it to the test on the hobby Jeep or Mustang.
I spread some duty out over multiples, but have seen the guys use the exact tools every day, lots of them use common stuff. Some of the brands have good value. Vise Grip is good, Channelok is good. Most other stuff they got near as good and wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper. On a scale of10 which is not ideal but 1 is the super cheapest, not good and not as prevalent today because 2 has become so good that it can be an 7, 8 and sometimes 9 in a fancy package and sold anywhere along the way while some of the stuff in the middle is really not as good or no better for the price.
The revolution isn't that fine stuff is so good, it always has been, no real mystery but that the economy items have got so good much of it outlasts its intended use or purpose.
I also try to grasp the future use concept,,, but after I build a few shop fixtures how much do I need a fancy welding table and how much will a general purpose one be used? Am I running a salvage yard, truck tire service center or live out of a 2 or 3 car in the burbs? How long after retirement am I really gonna sandblast, paint rusty old car parts?

 

[BrandoJames]

20 year old cordless...honestly it's time for an upgrade Some thing don't change much like that Makita corded saw you bought…But the lithium cordless tools are simply are worlds apart from their predecessors. Speed/power/torque 12v now makes as much as some 18v did in the past.

Yeah, I feel like an idiot now for not buying that Makita 12v cordless set this weekend. Drill + impact-driver + two batteries + charger = $99. And Sunday was the last day of that sale. Home Depot now has that set marked back up to $139.

I can still get the Makita 12v drill kit for $99, which is probably all I need. The Makita brushless 12v drill kit goes for $50 more via Amazon.

 

[Brad54]

For situations like this, I always come back to this one truth: "Need is such a subjective word."
If you're retired and having fun? Go for it. ALWAYS.
If you're tight for money, give it some thought. Then tighten the belt somewhere else and Go For It. ALWAYS!

 

[vrts]

I read yesterday, thought about, and wanted to ask about something. First, I searched this thread and other threads, but now can't find one of the discussions. believe it's on this thread, perhaps commenter deleted?

Anyway, I wanted to ask about screwdrivers in particular having short lifespans. I haven't experienced this, but maybe because don't use screwdrivers professionally. I'm wondering if you would comment on that, what brands more durable, any any actions I can do and features to look for that increase durability

sberry, you commented on new tool durability being superior to vintage tools. What are your thoughts about current Harbor Freight and the current Made-in-China Craftsman tools, in particular ratchets, sockets, and combination wrenches?

 

[Farmall450]

You can always sell the old ones to cover some of the cost of the upgrade. I'd do the drill, as you'll be shocked by how nice the new one feels, works, and performs compared to your old one. You can keep both, but it's unlikely you'll ever want to use the old one again.

 

[sberry]

I read yesterday, thought about, and wanted to ask about something. First, I searched this thread and other threads, but now can't find one of the discussions. believe it's on this thread, perhaps commenter deleted?

Anyway, I wanted to ask about screwdrivers in particular having short lifespans. I haven't experienced this, but maybe because don't use screwdrivers professionally. I'm wondering if you would comment on that, what brands more durable, any any actions I can do and features to look for that increase durability

sberry, you commented on new tool durability being superior to vintage tools. What are your thoughts about current Harbor Freight and the current Made-in-China Craftsman tools, in particular ratchets, sockets, and combination wrenches?

The stuff is tuff and about as good as it has been in recent history but it's a lot cheaper. The weak link being the Cman ratchet. A guy can find better tools but if he needs to get work done the stuff works and the cost so low it's near disposable. Really good starter, good to get going fast till a guy gets his feet under himself and finds his way around.
If I had to start over today those would be my first stop and go from there. Not saying I wouldn't get something else but it would have to be after taking a look there.

 

[vrts]

The stuff is tuff and about as good as it has been in recent history but it's a lot cheaper. The weak link being the Cman ratchet. A guy can find better tools but if he needs to get work done the stuff works and the cost so low it's near disposable. Really good starter, good to get going fast till a guy gets his feet under himself and finds his way around.
If I had to start over today those would be my first stop and go from there. Not saying I wouldn't get something else but it would have to be after taking a look there.

I borrowed a friend's good condition 3-8" SK ratchet, to try out the brand and the lack of quick release. It was impossible remove 3-8" drive shallow 9mm socket and Allen/hex sockets, even with dry hands when working on my bicycle; I resorted to a flathead screwdrive between the sockets and ratchet. Is there a trick or is it just me and that I should avoid non-quick release tools?

 

[LilEngineeringBoy]

Kinda seems like there is a balance...My corded drill I got in 30 years ago works fine. My NiCad cordless drill does not and got replaced with a LiIon one because I needed more than 5 minutes out of it. My air tools are getting replaced over time by LiIon as well. I don't mind upgrading a working tool if the new one gives a big benefit. The gf doesn't like the sound when the compressor kicks on at 11pm or 8am when I am working on something so she is pretty on board with the air to battery upgrades.

 

[Robinson1]

This might be why I have 16 pairs of slip joint pliers in my "main" toolbox right now. Plus the truck toolbox, the wifes excursion toolbox, the toolbag at work, the tools in the kitchen junk drawer, the toolbag I keep in he house for misc jobs, the electricians pouch, the 5 gallon bucket of "construction" tools.................

I hear you! I've had to make a serious and conscious decision to stop buying channel locks. I've got like 40 pairs of 440s and 420s and atleast 10 pairs of 426s. Scattered out similiar to yours but still way more than I could ever actually need. I've got two pairs of 440s hanging on a nail in my shop still on the pack